The Final Strategy Session of 2008

So what should we discuss? I'll let you decide. What were the most memorable moments of 2008?

What were the biggest learning experiences? What were the biggest mistakes? What were the best decisions?

Enjoy the final strategy session of 2008. Next week, I'll be back in full swing as we discuss what to do in 2009.

Weekly Strategy Session: House 2010

Swing State Project has a great thread up today on possibly vulnerable House seats in 2010. This really got me thinking.
What Congressional races do you think we should invest in?

The strategy session is now open. Please come on in!

Late Nite Strategy Session

OK, it's time to open up this week's strategy session. What should we discuss? Yes, I'm asking you tonight.

What are you concerned about? What do you think we need to work on? What should our goals be in the coming weeks?

It's time to open up the session. So please, come on in & let's get working.

Keep Obama Honest on Economic Justice

As we all know now, the economy is the one issue on the top of our minds. The US has now been in a recession for a year, and there are still concerns that we may slip into a depression.

Already, President-Elect Barack Obama has said he wants to take action on the economy as soon as he's sworn into office. But will he support the real solutions that our economy needs? Well, that's where we step in.

Now is the time for us to ensure that Obama's campaign promises come true. And now with everyone worried about the economy, now is the time to institute the real reforms and investments that are needed to fix what's broken. So where should we begin?

How about the one problem that is actually making our businesses less competitive? And the problem that is squeezing the working class, as people pay so much for so little? Yes, I'm talking about health care. Believe it or not, instituting universal health care can stimulate our economy. With businesses spending less on health care expenses, they can afford to hire more workers and produce more product. And with individuals spending less on inadequate health care, they can have more livable income. We must make universal health care happen, as this can do plenty to improve our people's and our economy's health.

Another great way for us to stimulate the economy will be to invest in infrastructure. And if we want to solve the climate crisis and fix our energy problem while also stimulating our economy, we should start building our green economy infrastructure. Think about it. We need new American jobs, and we need renewable energy. So why not build the solar panels and wind turbines and geothermal plants here so we can accomplish both? Contrary to what the "conventional wisdom" says, good environmental policy can actually go hand in hand with good economic policy. And right now, we need both for the new jobs and the investment. Blue Green Alliance gets it, and so should the new Administration.

And finally, no economy functions properly without a functioning middle class. And for far too long, the corporate right has attacked the middle class. We need to change this, and we can begin by ending the assault on the unions that helped create the American middle class. We must ensure that the Employee Free Choice Act becomes law, so that workers will once again be able to choose to form unions. We also must reform the global trade regime to make "free trade" fair as well. Our trade policies must be fair to our workers so they can keep their jobs, but we also must make sure that they are fair to the workers in the developing world. After all, how good is "free trade" if half the world can't afford it?

So there you have it, a more well-rounded economic rescue plan. We need to remember that Wall Street "rescue funds" and Detroit automaker loans are only part of the solution, and so do the incoming President and Congress. Please tell President-Elect Obama to fulfill his pledge to us, and please ask your members of Congress to do the same. They promised change we can believe in, and now's the time for that change to be delivered.

Weekly Strategy Session

This week, I'm opening the session to you. What should we focus on in the coming weeks? What issues should we discuss? How should we plan for future campaigns?

I want to hear from you on what we should do now. Go ahead and chat away.

Weekly Strategy Session: If They Won't, We Will!

OK, everyone! Ready for this week's strategy session? I am! We need to talk. Seriously.

Unfortunately, many of our Senators decided to ignore us & let "Traitor Joe" Lieberman off the hook. He keeps his dear Homeland Security Committee chair and he only loses one Environment subcommittee chair. After working aggressively AGAINST Democrats, he only gets a weak slap on the wrist and a meaningless "condemnation" from real Democrats.

Is this for real? REALLY??!! Did Traitor Joe just get away with almost murdering the Democratic Party?

I don't know about you, but I'm furious! Even my own Senators in my reliably Blue State couldn't muster the courage and the decency to hold Traitor Joe accountable for elliing out his integrity and our party for his additional 15 minutes of infamy with his beloved Johnny Mac. How could they? How could the Senators that we elected cave into Traitor Joe?

It's not like he actually does his job. On the Homeland Security Committee, he's never held one investigation into the botched response to Hurricane Katrina or our continued national security challenges. He's always caved into Republicans in agreeing to confirm radical right judges who consistently oppose civil rights, workers' rights, and environmental protections. He always runs to the corporate media to bash real Democrats and bad-mouth our now President-Elect. So again, why are Democrats rewarding Traitor Joe for failing all of us?

If they won't do what's best for our party and our country, then we must. It's time for us to hold "Traitor Joe" accountable. The aforementioned (as in linked) petition to start a campaign to unseat Traitor Joe in 2012 looks like a good start. But what else can we do? That's where I need your help!

What can we do in the coming months to not just defeat Traitor Joe Lieberman, but really hold accountable all those politicians that break their promises to us before actively working against us? Let's talk about it. And once we have a plan of action, let's make it happen!

Where I Think We Can Go Now

This last week has been so much for me. I've been delighted. I've been hurt. I've been in mourning. I've been in celebration. I've even been sick in bed!

And especially since I've been sick, and again today when I had to renew my state ID at the DMV, I've had some time to think about what we can do next. As someone with Latinos & Asian-Americans and Arab-Americans my family, I've been so proud that so many in this nation voted for our first President that also happens to be a person of color. But as a gay person, I've also been extremely depressed that a majority of voters in three states (including the state where I presently live) decided to deny gay & lesbian couples the basic right of marriage. I feel like part of me wants to feel proud of this nation while the other part of me is still embarrassed of the continuing oppression of at least 10% of this nation's people.

So where do we go from here? First off, do whatever you can to help the ACLU & other progressive legal organizations as they fight the Florida & California marriage bans in court. Amidst the bad news of these two evil, discriminatory initiatives passing, the good news is that they're so poorly written that we stand a good chance of defeating them in the courts. And if the courts side with us, it will be nearly impossible for the homophobic radical right bigots to try this in The Golden State & The Sunshine State ever again!

Also, we need to get into the American people's heads that marriage bans are segregation. Remember when racists said only 50 years ago that "separate but equal" is AOK, thereby Jim Crow segregation laws should stand? Well, they're doing it again. This time, the homophobic bigots in California tricked voters here into thinking that "separate but equal" domestic partnership agreements are AOK. And in Florida, they went even further in banning ANY AND ALL LEGAL PROTECTIONS for same-sex couples! We need to educate people that love is love is love and that all relationships between two loving adult people deserve the same equal protection under the law... And that the ONLY way for us to achieve this is by granting full marriage equality to everyone!

So now that we've talked about civil rights on the state fronts, let's talk about the national scene. Fortunately, we have better news there. We have a Democratic President & a Democratic-controlled Congress. So what should we now demand from Washington?

First off, how about fixing our broken economy? How about energy independence? How about universal health care? How about bringing troops home from Iraq? How about taking action on all these items?

Let's face it: Our economy will need one heck of a stimulus to recover! And perhaps instead of simply encouraging us to buy more crap from China, our government should take action to secure the long-term health of our economy. This means creating new jobs in the growing renewable energy sector. This means using the money we'll save by ending the Iraq occupation to fund investment in American infrastructure. This means making our workforce more attractive in the global marketplace by solving our national health care crisis.

I know the Republicans now say that "we can't afford any of this". However, the truth is that we can't afford NOT to take action on these matters. Frankly, we need the extra money invested in our economy. This is why President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid shouldn't hesitate to enact a BIG agenda that addresses all that'swrong with our economy.

So do you agree with my agenda? Perhaps not? Well, then tell me why! Let's finish formulating our agenda so we can get it done!

Where Do We Go Now?

Today is our first weekly strategy session post-election. We have some HUGE decisions to make. Later on, I'll be sharing my ideas of what we can do next. But first, I want to hear from all of you!

So what should we focus on now? What can we do in the coming days and weeks and months to overturn the horrendous marriage bans in California & Florida? What can we do to help those Democrats still locked in too close to call races? What can we do now to prepare for 2010 & 2012?

And perhaps more importantly, what do you want to be President Obama's policy priorities? What should be the top issues we ask President Obama & Congress to tackle ASAP? Where should the new administration begin?

This week's strategy session will be two segments. Now, I want to hear from you. Later, I'll discuss my ideas. And in the coming days, we'll formulate a plan of action for the next four years.

Sound good? I hope so. Now let's start talking!

What Can We Expect After Tonight

Obviously, all of us are curious about what may or may not happen after Barack Obama gives the "closing argument" of his life on national teevee tonight. How will "swing voters" react? What will Obama supporters do? How will the McCrazy campaign respond? All these questions and more are swirling in my head, and I'm sure you've been thinking about it all as well.

So what happens? I guess there's no way for us to know until after it happens. Still, let me offer some words of encouragement.

First, the Obama campaign knows what it's doing. For us to think otherwise is needless worrying. If anyone can do something to "seal the deal" in this final week, I'm sure the smart strategists at Chicago HQ have designed this half-hour presentation to do just that.

Second, how the heck can a 30 minute primetime special on Obama's solutions for our troubled economy hurt us? For all the talk among the radical righties about this causing "a massive backlash", they're simply hoping for the nearly impossible. After all, remember how they all bragged about how "McCain will cream Obama in the debates"? Yeah, how did that work out for them? When we talk about the real-life concerns facing real Americans, Democrats win. And with the GOP desperately trying one more time to distract us with "lipstick" and "socialists" and "terrorists", now's the perfect time to redirect the conversation back to what matters.

And finally, let's not forget the facts on the ground. Democrats have been voting early in greater numbers than Republicans, something that's totally unprecedented. Democrats have a better ground game also this year, something that's also unprecedented. So far, we're doing well. But still, why take any risks in the last week? Why not give Democrats one more reason to be "fired up & ready to go"? This 30 minute program may be able to do just that.

So there. We have reason to feel good going into tonight's historic media event. While we shouldn't be cocky and complacent, we do have every reason to trust the campaign's judgment and do all we can in these last days to support our candidate and our party.

Tuesday Strategy Session: What We Can Do

In case you've lost track of time, we only have two weeks left to make a difference in this election. So what can we do? Well, let me tell you about what I did last weekend.

In addition to my local walking, I also made phone calls to Nevada. Other than door to door, face to face contact, the best way to reach voters is by way of volunteer phone calls. Yes, that's right. Better than robocalls, better than mailers, better than teevee or radio ads... Calling works! And last weekend, I was able to do just that in calling Nevada. I talked to undecided voters, I reminded Obama supporters to vote early, and I may have been able to convince people that weren't originally planning to vote to vote early.

This is why it's critical for us to keep working right now. And especially now, it's critical for us to reach voters in the swing states and GET THEM OUT TO VOTE! The Obama campaign has made it easy for us to help. All we need to do is visit my.barackobama.com and either sign up to call online and/or sign up for a physical phonebank.

It's simple. It's easy. And best yet, IT WORKS! Please make the calls for Obama and help Democrats win!

Game Over?

First off, let's all send our best wishes and prayers to the Obama family right now. I hope Madelyn Dunham will live to see a successful Barack Obama Administration.

And on that note, back to the show. CNN is reporting a new round of McCain campaign pullouts. So where is McCain giving up? Here are the states that his advisers now admit are going Obama.

- Iowa
- New Mexico
- Colorado

Now they're still trying to sell spin that McCain's still competitive in Pennsylvania, but even the worst Keystone State polls (for us) show Obama +8. All other polls here show Obama +10-15. So barring some bizarre unforeseen event, Barack Obama is favored to win Pennsylvania.

And now with Iowa, New Mexico, and Colorado added to Obama's column... Guess how much that equals in electoral votes? 21. And when added to the 252 electoral votes of all the Gore-Kerry states that either lean towards Obama or are VERY safe for Obama, guess how much we have now? 273, just more than enough to win!

So in essence, the McCain campaign looks to be in the beginning stages of conceding the election. But does this mean we call this a victory and call it a day? HELL, NO!!!!

The Rethuglicans are now trying to preserve as many House, Senate, Gubernatorial, and State Legislature seats as possible. What me MUST do now are:

1. Make Obama's margin of victory as wide as possible! Let's make this win so BIG that the GOP simply can't steal it from us.

2. Work as hard as possible to win as many House & Senate seats as we can! The more Democrats we have in Congress, the better chance we get a progressive agenda moving forward under an Obama Administration.

3. Win the statewide & local races! Let's also get progressive agendas moving forward at the state level.

Now is NOT the time to give up! Now is NOT the time to become complacent. Volunteer, donate, and VOTE! Keep up the good work, and then we'll win and WIN BIG! :-)

Let's Talk about Voting

I mean it. We need to have this discussion. Why, you ask? We need to protect each other from the vast right-wing conspiracy and what they want to do to us.

So what do they want to do? Oh, just throw us off the voter rolls and/or make sure our votes are not counted! Scared yet? You should be!

Why do you think the radical right continues to obsess over the "ACORN is committing voter fraud!" nonsense? Even though ACORN did no wrong and even though they actually report cases of false registrations to the proper authorities, the vast right-wing conspiracy wants to whip everyone into a frenzy so that "ACORN" can be used as an excuse to disqualify Democrats from voting! Yes, you heard me right! The Republicans are beating the "ACORN" drum to prevent legitimate voters like you & me from voting.

This is no new trick that the GOP is pulling. In fact, they used the same "voter fraud!" excuse to illegally purge 100,000 voters off the voter roll in Florida in 2000, refuse to count many thousands of ballots in Florida that same year, pull dirty tricks to prevent inner city voters from voting in Ohio in 2004, and politicize US Attorneys into purging many more voters off the rolls in swing states like New Mexico in 2006. Today, they are simply using a new excuse ("ACORN voter fraud!") to pull the same dirty tricks and illegally prevent us and millions of newly registered Democrats from exercising our right to vote.

So what can we do about it? Simply put, WE MUST FIGHT BACK! Check the ACLU's voting rights page to know your legal rights. Check election protection sites like Brad Blog often to see if the radical right is targeting your state and see how you can fight back. And finally, visit voteforchange.com to make sure you have everything you need to vote.

Do NOT let the Rethuglicans disenfranchise us! Know your rights. Stand your ground. And most importantly, GO FORTH AND VOTE!

BELATED Weekly Strategy Session: Open Thread

OK, my bad. I forgot again to schedule our weekly strategy session for Tuesday. So because I f***ed up, it's your reward.

I'm opening up the strategy session to you. Tell me what our agenda for the next few weeks should look like at C4O. Since this community belongs to all of you as much as it does to me, I'm open to suggestions.

Still, enjoy this open strategy session while it lasts. Next week, we'll have a whole lot of work to do. The home stretch of this 2008 election is fast approaching, so I want all of us here to be fully prepared to fight... And win. :-)