11 Comments

Bought the e-book. I am still in pretty much a state of shock and really really depressed but as I slowly come out of that, I will re-up and continue the assignment.

Expand full comment

Quick question. Are canvassers “allowed” to canvass in these large apartment complexes? Maybe it’s just in “certain” (wealthier?) complexes, but over the years, we have been forbidden access to canvass in nearby apartments. Not for lack of trying.

Real question.

Expand full comment

In some cases, barred from it. Not always.

Either way, we need to get to them. Organize residents so can they do it internally. Get public housing organizations to pass out registration forms. Apartment owners too

Expand full comment

A couple weeks ago, I sweet-talked my way into a building of low income apartments. Met two women who were living in their own apartments, survivors of domestic violence. The 50yo was taking the 30yo to vote for the first time. Both appalled that anyone would vote for an abuser.

I also sweet-talked my way into a nursing home just before lunch, when the residents were gathered in the dining room awaiting food. Great discussion with all of them... Few knew about curbside voting. Most voting via the board of election's absentee efforts.

I welcomed questions and comments. The sole man, off to the side, said with a smile, "I don't want to vote for a women." I turned and asked the 20+ women what they felt about that. What ensure was the full power of older women.

Canvassing forgotten populations can be pretty amazing, and fun. Highly recommend, anytime!

Expand full comment

I agree with the strategy,but what is the Democratic message?

Until we are coherent about our message, engaging communities won't be productive.

Are we bringing back New Deal 2.0?

Are we pro-democracy?

Are we clearly anti-income inequality?

Are we continuing to veer center-right?

If we don't know what our messaging is, and Democratic leadership clearly doesn't know, we need to agree on a message at the ground level and then we can each contribute to spreading the message.

Expand full comment

I’m on p 108 of Laboratories of Autocracy. I started it yesterday and can’t put it down; to me it reads a bit like a mystery/crime novel. So many eye openers here. And I’m in Indiana which is probably a purple state where people have given up on voting. I’ve been canvassing for state elections, but after this I’m going to work much harder at it.

Expand full comment

So glad you’re getting though it. It’s definitely both a crime and horror story combined

Expand full comment

I was listening to the Thom Hartmann podcast yesterday and he said that of the 12,900,000 people that voted between Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, if 155k would have voted Kamala instead of Trump, Kamala would be President now. So yes David, completely agree we need to engage more with all potential voters starting now.

Expand full comment

Hi David, I recently moved back to Ohio to be closer to family after living several years in Massachusetts. Needless to say, I was devastated by the results in Ohio this election. Thanks for all your work; I enjoy learning from you. Is there much strategy and organizing here for voter registration? When I was in MA, I was approached multiple times outside of grocery stores and in other public places by folks who were helping register people for voting. I don't recall that happening to me here in Ohio in the past year. I registered to vote through the BMV when I moved back last August.

Expand full comment

Thanks!💙🇺🇸💙

Expand full comment

Bought the ebook. Live in NYC so mostly living among the converted. Other than donating money to national groups does the book address what we can do at a distance?

Expand full comment