Last Friday, FOUR DIRECTIONS called me.
If we could do our Michigan fundraising in the second half of January, instead of February, they would plan for boots on the ground in Michigan on Feb 1.
I love the sound of that! Because of us, there will be boots on the ground in Michigan – just 16 days from now!
That’s how much faith FOUR DIRECTIONS has in us and our ability to get this done.
With our early money, this nearly top 10,000 blog will be influencing Nov 2022 outcomes in 4 key states: Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and now Michigan.
Four Directions
MICHIGAN!
Our goal with fundraising this year is to do our best to make sure that we win elections in key states with margins that make them too big to steal. Margins so big that the legislatures don’t dare to subvert the will of the people and overturn the results. And to form relationships and build the groundwork for 2024.
Michigan’s elected executive officers are all up for election in Nov 22.
- Gretchen Whitmer (D) Governor
- Jocelyn Benson (D) Secretary of State
- Dana Nessel (D) Attorney General
- Garlin Gilchrist (D) Lieutenant Governor
So let’s do everything we can to keep these 3 kick-ass in Michigan’s key executive roles: Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General of Michigan. That would be true anyway, but we really need them in Michigan, a state with a hard-line rabid Republican legislature.
According to BlueGuitarist in the comments, with redistricting in Michigan there’s a good chance to flip both the state house and state senate. There are also Michigan Supreme Court Justices up this year as well. (update)
Michigan peeps, what do we know about the Lt. Governor?
Gary Peters (D) was just reelected to the US Senate in 2020 and Debbie Stabenow (D) isn’t up for reelection until 2024.
Our work this year is for November 2022, but it’s also the beginning of 2024, identifying potential voters, building relationship and connections that will help us win the House, the Senate and the Presidency in 2024, as well.
FOUR DIRECTIONS has already secured at 1.5 match for us, and we hope to have confirmation by tomorrow that they have secured another .5 match to make this a double-match for us. Just as they are trusting our ability to raise the $25,000, I am trusting their ability to secure the full double-match for us.
We are staring with 54 donations and $3,126 in the thermometer. We have a commitment every dollar in the thermometer will be matched at the final level, even when the donations are in the thermometer before the matches are finalized with the external matchers.
We have a couple of Balloon Juice angel matches right out of the gate!
Read the fine print:
Just as before, up to $50 can be matched per person by a particular angel match – but you need to let us know your donation amount in the comments in order to be counted toward the match.
When we start a new angel match, up to $50 of another donation can be matched, even if a previous donation was matched by a different BJ angel.
Starting BJ Angel Match #1! Who wants to remain anonymous. Let’s do this!
Update:
Oh my gosh, we blew through angel match #1 so fast that I hadn’t even gotten the “comment” amounts entered into the spreadsheet!
And we blew through angel match #2!
We are now into angel match #3, which is for $2,500!
BJ Angel #3 mostly lurks but sometimes comments, so let’s call him friend of the blog Andrew.
WaterGirl
The math: when we have a double-match + a BJ angel donor
If you donate $50 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $50 to that, for a total of $100. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donor double-matches, adding $200, for a total of $300. So your $50 turns into $300!
If you donate $10 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $10 to that, for a total of $20. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donor double-matches, adding $40, for a total of $60. So your $10 turns into $60!
If you donate $100 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $50 to that, for a total of $150. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donor double-matches, adding $300, for a total of $450. So your $100 turns into $450!
WaterGirl
I was going to wait to put this up tonight, but I am frustrated by recent events and this is something I can do right now to make a difference.
Update:
You need to let us know your donation amount in the comments in order to be counted toward the match.
When we start a new angel match, up to $50 of another donation can be matched, even if a previous donation was matched by a different BJ angel.
Omnes Omnibus
@WaterGirl:
Re-up it tonight. FWIW I threw money in in response to Silverman’s look for the exits post.
Miss Bianca
Oh, crap, I just used the thermometer that’s up at the right, because I’m a bear of very little brain. But hope it goes to some good out there in my old home state!
SiubhanDuinne
In for $50 right now, with more to come as the month progresses.
I concur that you should repost this thread later today.
Omnes Omnibus
@Miss Bianca: I think it is the same one.
MisterDancer
Dropping $75 Just Got Paid dollars here, because no Senator puts baby in a corner!
Barbara
I donated. Thanks for doing this. Positive action and contribution feels so much better than the opposite.
Tinare
Hi – I threw in $25.
WaterGirl
@Miss Bianca: Thanks for the reminder to move the thermometer up top on the right now that we are actively fundraising.
It’s the same thermometer as the one in the post, so you are all good!
WaterGirl
@Barbara: Thank you. In order to count for the match, I need to know the amount of the donation, either in the comments or by email.
WaterGirl
@Tinare: Your comment went into moderation because you misspelled your nym in your email address. I fixed it and approved your comment.
So you’ll want to post another comment with the correct spelling so your computer will remember the right number again.
Miss Bianca
@Omnes Omnibus: Whew, we’re all smiles now, then!
@WaterGirl: $25.00 for me
Old School
I’m in for $50. Thanks to the angels! And to the {hopefully) double matchers!
Albatrossity
50 bucks donated just now
Zelma
I just gave $50. Will give another if there is another match.
SiubhanDuinne
WG, back on November 30, when you first put the 4D-MI thermometer up, I donated $25. Not sure I reported that at the time, but obviously if it’s match-eligible I’d like it to be noted. Thanks.
WaterGirl
@SiubhanDuinne: Thanks for giving me the chance to clarify because I know you’re not the only one with that question.
Everything put in the thermometer before I put this post up today will be matched by the external donors.
For BJ angel matching, the donation must be made while that particular angle match is happening. So your previous $25 without an angel match will be most-likely-double-matched, so it will turn into $75 for FOUR DIRECTIONS.
$25 donated during an angel match turns into $150.
The donations to the thermometer in Dec and earlier in January warmed my heart, and they are *part of why four directions is so confident that we can get this done.
edit: the other reason for Four Directions’s confidence that we could get Michigan done is that TWO Balloon Juice angels came forward – when we finished Wisconsin in November – to say that they wanted to be angels when we did Michigan. They deserve special thanks because having those two angel in our pocket, so to speak, really made a difference going forward.
WaterGirl
I am confident that 4 Directions will get us to a double-match, so I will respond to donations in the comments as if the double-match is already in place.
But first, I am going to eat breakfast!
Barbara
@WaterGirl: $250.
Tdjr
I put in $25.
Ksmiami
@WaterGirl: don’t forget about Debbie Stabenow.
WaterGirl
@Ksmiami: I am not sure what you mean.
This is in the post up top.
Are you suggesting that she is up for election this year?
Kristine
Just kicked in $25
kitfoxer
Just donated $50. Thanks, angel!
D Gardner
Just kicked in $25
Mokum
I donated $25 twice, because at first I did not see the $50 match. Still not sufficiently caffeinated.
Kalakal
In for $25
coyoteville
Water Girl,
I just donated $50 for this.
MazeDancer
Four Directions said on their discussion thread this week that early donation was as good as a double match in itself.
Because with early money in the bank, they can hire operational staff.
So, that means $10 now creates the impact of $120.
I’m in for $15.
Darby'sMom
In for $25.00
VeniceRiley
Order #AB212623291
$50.00
Jackie NC
I’m in for 50, I discovered during the Bush debacle, when enraged donating makes me feel better. Thank you angels
Ksmiami
@WaterGirl: you’re right I gotta strange email from her office by mistake
Fleeting Expletive
Have y’all seen Mick Mulvaney, formerly a Cabinet Secretary to TFG, hawking some computer security thing in tv commercials. He wears a spiffy tee shirt, with a collar, even.
And I’m going to kick in some more money too, another $25.00.
The miscreants I’d most like to see status of investigations on are the Republican Secretaries of State and state AGs who enthusiastically supported insurrection and subversion of election rules. They were blatant, and organized against the Biden administration.
caroln
As a mostly life time Michiganian, I have been waiting for this! We are so fortunate to have the women trifecta. I’m also lucky, both my state rep. and senator are Democratic women. Best of all, represented in Washington by the most lovely, gracious, and hard-working rep. of all, Debbie Dingell. They are all doing their best work to hold back the crazies in this beautiful state. I’m in for 50.00 today. Also, Wonkette should move here.
randal m sexton
50$ for me. Let’s Go Balloon Juice.
SuzieC
In for $50.00
HinTN
@WaterGirl: In for $50. Yay. B-J Angel!!!
Betty
I made a $50 donation.
Red Hot Mess
Pitched in $25. Thanks BJ angel matching donor!
VFX Lurker
In for $100. I grew up in Michigan, and I want Michigan to do well. (I realize only half of my donation will be matched, but that’s OK!)
LNNVA
I just donated $25.00. Thanks for doing this.
Lurker Steve
In for 25!
Keithly
In for $50.
phdesmond
i just threw in $50, but wasn’t aware that the thermometers were different. i hope you can still match it!
jnfr
I’m in for $25. Will do more again later when another check rolls in.
Old School
@phdesmond: No worries. It’s the same thermometer. Either link takes you to the same place for the match.
H.E.Wolf
Thank you WaterGirl and 1st Angel, and donors! So exciting to see the thermometer almost double in height from its total yesterday.
Wolvesvalley
Let’s go! Just threw in my first installment of $50.
BlueGuitarist
With redistricting in Michigan there’s a good chance to flip both the state house and state senate.
H.E.Wolf
I wrote down a few quotes (may be slightly paraphrased; it was a fast-paced discussion) during last night’s Zoom with Four Directions.
From OJ Semans (co-founder, with his wife, of 4D):
“Whenever we (4D) are involved in an election cycle, the Native American turnout is almost always historically high.”
“We don’t bring in outsiders – we hire (lots of) local tribal members, and train & supervise them. [Unemployment is high, especially on the reservations, so by paying our local organizers] we put food on the table.”
“It takes time, it takes messaging, and it takes media to get the message out. When people see that others are fighting for the right to vote, it is motivating to them.”
“It’s real simple ’cause it’s the truth – and the truth will take you a long ways.”
Felanius Kootea
In for $50.
H.E.Wolf
OJ also mentioned that his eldest granddaughter has been helping to canvass since she was 5 (she’s now in her 20s), and the new granddaughter, < 2 weeks old, well, "We'll wait 'til she starts walking". :)
New baby's name in Lakota Sioux is Híŋháŋni Wa (Morning Snow), pronounced "Hee honey wah", per OJ.
Let's celebrate the arrival of an adorable new future canvasser and voter by knocking this MI fund drive out of the park!
RaflW
@H.E.Wolf: Well, we’re getting a fresh layer of white fluff here in much of Minnesota today.
And I’ll be joining this dollarpalooza shortly!
neldob
just dropped $100 on 4 directions.
Mrs Ragbag
In for $100.
JCJ
Just tossed $50 in to the kitty
Embra
In for $50. Thank you, matchers!
evap
I’m in for $100! It makes no sense that the legislature is so red, maybe we can change this in 2022! How good/bad is the redistricting there?
artem1s
$50 for that state up north. Hope they are more successful than OH has been in keeping the deplorables at bay.
dnfree
I already set up a monthly donation which I think has kicked off twice now, so I won’t be involved in any of the BJ matches, but the Four Directions matches will double it.
Sue in Boston
In for $25!
Memory Pallas
I was “already in the thermometer” (for $100) but I just added another $100 after this post.
BlueGuitarist
@H.E.Wolf:
Thanks for this! And thanks WaterGirl.
BlueGuitarist
In for $25
Almost Retired
OK, matchers, I’m in for $200. My first political donation of calendar year 2022 (along with some cash thrown at Karen Bass for mayor)!
This mathematical magical matching mechanism is as awesome as it is alliterative.
Mo Salad
$50 just now. $100 earlier to the thermometer buildup.
CCL
In for $50.
Thanks, WG and angels.
WaterGirl
@BlueGuitarist: I was not aware of that. If that’s the case, that would be great news!
Is there a link I could look at that would provide more information?
CarolM
I’m in for $50, thank you so much WaterGirl and the Balloon Juice Angels!
WaterGirl
@dnfree: Yes!
stinger
In for $25 (before I read to the end of the post and saw that 50 could be matched. I’ll do another tomorrow so it doesn’t trigger a hold on my debit card). Been kicking in $5 whenever the news gets too discouraging, but was saving my big bucks for matches.
Thanks, BJ Angel!
Thanks, H.E.Wolf!
Thanks, WaterGirl!
H.E.Wolf
Awwww, sweet! I’m in a swirling white cloud today, too, but it’s because I dumped flour into the bread bowl with a little too much verve.
Logging back out so that I can start kneading. If I’m lucky, this batch will rise like the Four Directions MI thermometer!
Reverse tool order
Put in $50
WaterGirl
@H.E.Wolf: Verve is a great word and it doesn’t get used enough!
JeanneT
Michigan resident here! I just donated another $50 (donated some in December). Thanks to the angels and all the folk donating to help in Michigan.
RaflW
@WaterGirl: BTW I sent you an email a bit ago ; )
BlueGuitarist
@WaterGirl:
Just started looking at the maps in Daves Redistricting looking for opportunities for synergy up and down the ballot.
Here’s a kos diary written before African-American state legislators sued:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/12/30/2071898/-De-gerrymandering-Michigan-New-maps-make-key-swing-state-competitive-again-for-Democrats
Also, there are 2 State Supreme Court seats up this year, 1 D, 1 R. Court flipped to D 4 – 3 R in 2020. Officially nonpartisan.
And other elections, statewide and local that need more attention.
WaterGirl
Oh my gosh, we blew through angel match #1 so fast that I hadn’t even gotten the “comment” amounts entered into the spreadsheet!
So you guys not only met angel match #1, but we are going to complete angel match #2 as soon as I donate this $35.
So angel matches #1 and #2 are now complete!
Now starting angel match #3, which is for $2,500!
BJ Angel #3 mostly lurks but sometimes comments, let’s call him friend of the blog Andrew.
Thank you, Andrew!
I am waiting to hear whether I can put a name to angel match #3 or if they prefer to be anonymous.WaterGirl
@RaflW: I was so busy entering amounts into the spreadsheet that I haven’t checked email. I will check now. thanks for the heads up.
Dan B
$100 in.
Why is it in italics and the main text isn’t? Mysteries of the intertubes!
Violet
$50.00 from me. I’m a lurker but I’ll come out for this.
H.E.Wolf
Bread is in the bowl for its first rising, and I’m going to wax poetical (and a bit clichéd) for a moment.
Making bread from scratch is kind of like the process of GOTV – from fundraising to canvassing to persuasion to access to the polls to vote protection.
It takes time. It takes ingredients. It takes knowledge transmitted by others, either first-hand or via recipes. It takes effort (kneading bread is great for the arm and abdominal muscles). It takes patience.
In its early stages – tipping a glob of… something… onto the kneading surface – a bread project looks unwieldy, unpromising, and (especially if someone hasn’t done it before) unlikely to work. It takes a certain doggedness to believe that it’ll work this time too, particularly on days when the dough is rising slower than ever before in living memory.
You can make bread successfully without faith, without hope, without joy, without love, with only the necessity for edible food and the ingredients to provide it. The yeast will still raise the dough, and the bread will still nourish the people who eat it.
But those intangible ingredients don’t hurt. And sometimes they lift the baker’s heart, along with the bread dough.
I think the finished bread tastes better that way too. :-)
Pharniel
@caroln:
It’ll be interesting with the new map for sure, but I’m still in Dingell’s district.
I just hope Talib doesn’t get booted because of the Detroit shenanigans.
Also dropped $25 in the kitty.
lowtechcyclist
Yeah, I can totally relate to that. I must be pretty damn frustrated too, because I was planning on contributing $100, but when I got to the ActBlue page, I clicked that $250 button instead.
stinger
@H.E.Wolf: Deep! And, speaking as a baker, true!
WaterGirl
@lowtechcyclist: oops! and a big thank you.
RaflW
@H.E.Wolf: I’m gonna bake my favorite spelt-potato burger buns tomorrow. Because of food sensitivities I use 300 gm white spelt + 75 gm whole spelt, but the recipe is a snap. The 5 mis on the dough hook is the only ‘kneading’.
They’re soooo good!
(I do enjoy kneading. First time I baked I was like “how do I already know how this feels?” It was because I did a year of ceramics in college. Wedging clay is remarkably similar.)
Mo Salad
A second $50 has been sent in to match angel #3. I’m assuming that my previous one today went against #1or #2.
WaterGirl
@Mo Salad: Exactly!
You can get up to $50 matched by every single BJ angel
grandmaBear
I kicked in $50
H.E.Wolf
@stinger:
@RaflW:
Bakers (and ceramicists) represent! And stinger, thank you for the compliment.
RaflW, I have some potato flour in the fridge that I’ve been wondering how to use. You may just have solved that mystery. Thank you! [ETA: flour and flakes aren’t quite the same, but I enjoy tinkering with bread recipes….]
WaterGirl
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far!
There have been 80 donations and over $6,000 raised. ($5,000 in the thermometer and one check)
John always likes me to remind people that no one should ever feel obligated to donate in response to any request, whether it’s for political fundraising or to support the Balloon Juice site. Everyone is welcome, donations or no donations!
Paul W.
I’m dropping in $100 after reading that both state houses are up as well, which is SO FRIGGIN IMPORTANT!
In 2018 and 2020 I donated to a wide range of candidates in many states and at significant expense, and in 2020 that strategy proved ineffective so I have focused on Georgia, Arizona and then state parties that have shown they are effective at GOTV. Four Directions obviously fits that description well though they aren’t a state party. Down the line, we should look at who we can get to help in PA because a lot of important races are happening there too.
I’ll double that at the end of the month so make sure we do some more fundraising around so I don’t forget!
arrieve
In for $50.
WaterGirl
@Paul W.:
Yes! It’s so important.
The same person reminded us that:
State Supreme Courts matter more than ever. Everything at the state level matters more than most of us realized even just a couple of years ago.
TEL
In for $50!
Lifeinthebonusround
In for $50 for match #1
WaterGirl
@Lifeinthebonusround: We are now into match #3 – I forgot to update the post up top. I will update it now. But you’re good for match #31
WaterGirl
There have been $2,550 of matchable donations so far in the comments, which turns into over $7,500 for Michigan.
In the evening thread I will get back to indicating how much each donation turns into.
Magrat Garlick
In for $50
WaterGirl
@Violet: Thank you!
Are you the Violet who used to comment here? If so, very nice to see you! If not, welcome anyway. :-)
WaterGirl
BJ Angel just added her $1,000 of match money, which takes ut to over $10,000!
Thank you so much Angel #1 !!!
beagleowned
a quiet $25
WaterGirl
@beagleowned: Thank you so much! That will turn into $150.
Reverse tool order
Put in $50 about 3.5 hours ago. Fourth attempt to have a comment show up & did send site feedback. It matters for the matching, no?
WaterGirl
@Reverse tool order: I was just about to contact you!
You and one other person were in “banned” for no apparent reason, so I fished both of you out. At least you were both in good company?
If you look, you show up at comment #75 now, and your $50 has been counted. :-)
Joy in FL
$14 from me just now.
I will donate multiple times because it’s fun and more affordable for me : )
WaterGirl
@Joy in FL: Thank you!
Reverse tool order
Possibly retribution from life for my flaws and sins.
WaterGirl
@Reverse tool order: You know what you did. :-)
(Except that we don’t!)
FelonyGovt
I just donated $25.
J R in WV
Wife and I are just now in for $250. I’ll tell her later.. ;~)And Good luck Michiganders!!
ETA: I too have had a lot of trouble submitting comments successfully — VERY slow to respond, when it does at all. This one took several minutes to post, glad it did because it counts right now on this thread!!
Reverse tool order
Maybe a more useful thing to say:
If you watch the news tonight, this story will not be on there.
A little fault tolerance is beneficial.
Wolvesvalley
Since we’re burning through the matches so quickly, I just put in another $50. :-)
dkinPa
Hope I’m in time for Angel Match #3 — just donated $50. Thanks for doing this!
WaterGirl
@dkinPa: You are good!
We still have $700 left of the $2,500 for angel match #3!
WaterGirl
Sneak peek: As soon as we finish the match that takes us to $15,000, we we will have TWO $1,000 angel matches running concurrently.
So a $10 donation turns into $90, a $25 donation turns into $225, and a $50 donation turns into $450.
But we have to get to $15,000 in the thermometer first!
emrys
Just in for $50
Bonnie McDaniel
Just donated $25. The thermometer said we’re up to $10,500.
Anna
In for $25!
MazeDancer
It is dazzlingly there are so many angels willing to offer matches. Thank you, thank you. Your generosity makes all the difference. Feel good. Feel proud.
mvr
OK, was at work all day so could not give from there without risk to rule violations.
Now I’m home and just gave $50. Hope there is still a match going.
Thanks to all who set this up!
suilebhan
@WaterGirl In for $50. Love this blog.
WaterGirl
@mvr: Yes, angel match #3 is still going, with $210 left on that.
Your $50 turned into $300.
And then we have a #4!
WaterGirl
@suilebhan: And your $50 turned into $300!
mvr
Thank you!
WaterGirl
Okay, no comments in over 12 hours, I am closing this tab. If you make a donation, please be sure to add it to the current fundraising thread. thank you to everyone!