This will be a wild week in American politics.
Wall-to-wall coverage of the Trump indictment. The growing GOP primary field, mostly kowtowing to Trump even as his misdeeds become more clear by the day. On and on. And have no doubt—this will not end at the close of the week.
It’s easy for all this chaos to consume all our energy and focus as well. After all, the outcomes of these different strands of political events are momentous.
But…all this can be a trap.
Think about it this way: is the Ohio Republican Party calling timeout in their assault on democracy as the GOP primary and DOJ activity play out? Does Steve Bannon ever stop recruiting election deniers to serve as election officials? Are extremists slowing down in Missouri or Tennessee or the Wisconsin statehouse?
Of course not!
And, as I explain in the video, neither should you.
Despite the most high profile news stories, those unending attacks in states are where the greatest damage to democracy is being done. Which means it’s also the place where you are needed most to protect democracy, and where you can make the biggest difference.
How?
Let me count the ways: Helping Ohio stop an assault on its Constitution in a special election this August. Ensuring we flip the Virginia statehouse this November. Engaging disenfranchised voters wherever you live. Standing up to book bans wherever you live. Recruiting this year to be sure we stop allowing so many uncontested races from occurring next year. And so much more.
My new book, “Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual” walks through all the things you can do to lead/help these crucial efforts to lift democracy—wherever you are.
But whether it’s via my recommendations or someone else you trust and respect, whatever you do, we can’t let the chaos in DC, in a Florida courtroom or on a GOP debate stage lull us into inactivity on the front lines of the democracy battle.
Steve Bannon isn’t stopping.
Neither can we!
Buckle Up, But Focus