More sleeping giant news
Speaking with activists here in Pittsburgh, I emphasize how many women entered party politics for the first after the Women’s March in January 2017. What they found in many smaller counties were nonexistent or somnolent local cDemocratic ommities. When they showed up ready to work, they quickly took charge.
One told me her local county had not been organized in a decade. Another told me those before her left her with nothing and she had no support from her state party. Just weeks ago, I received a flurry of requests from Indiana where women in a small county are trying to revive a local party organization and get it battle-ready for the fall.
People. After the Dobbs decision, that stream is going to be a flood. Abortion rights are on the ballot this fall and in 2024. Digby noted Friday that registrations among women are up. Way up.
Jaw-dropping numbers:
I created this little “cookbook” (below) because Democrats can no longer afford for county organizers to learn the basics of election mechanics as they have in the past — by the seats of their pants over multiple cycles. What county chairs get from state parties (if they do) is mostly administrative guidance. What they need is not strategy, targeting and messaging (best left to campaign managers), but to know, figuratively, how to put their pants on one leg at a time and to tie their bootlaces, preferably in that order.
Look again at the map at the top. I can send it, but I can’t make them open and use it. Those grayed counties (excluding New England; long story) have no organization and/or no digital presence. You cannot win if you don’t show up to play. And if you do show up, you’d best bring some “game.”
It’s late August, but better late than never.
From Netroots Nation-Pittsburgh● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●Request a copy of For The Win, 4th Edition, my free, countywide get-out-the-vote planning guide for county committees at ForTheWin.us.