Question for NY voters re: Jonathan Tasini

Why isn't there more of an *outrage* expressed over his lack of support from progressive groups, specifically MoveOn. MoveOn actively supported Ned Lamont and was instrumental in his win in CT.

I sent MoveOn an email and this is their weak response:

Dear John:

MoveOn supported Ned Lamont in the primary in response to overwhelming support
by MoveOn members. Unfortunately, we don't have the resources to inform our
members about all the candidates in the various races. We need to focus our
quite limited resources on priorities, such as the Call for Change program
where we hope to make a difference in electing a more progressive Congress
this fall. We are assuming our members will inform themselves and can take
action on their own on behalf of candidates they prefer.

Thanks for all you do.

Victor
MoveOn Support Corps Volunteer
______________

Can anyone explain why MoveOn would ACTIVELY support Ned Lamont, yet are ignoring Johathan Tasini who is even more progressive?

IMHO New York deserves the support for Tasini from MoveOn that CT got for Lamont. Why aren't they doing it?

I am voting for Tasini.

Switched my registration from NJ to NY. Since DU is a *progressive* site, I just don't understand why there aren't more posts in support of Tasini. I've talked to so many people about him and most don't even know who he is! When I tell them that he's a legitimate contender on the ballot they are completely surprised.

Lamont showed potential for being competitive in the primaries and Move-on knew it was money wellspent. And that competitiveness was the ability for Lamont to raise his own money and gain support.

What it boils down to for any organization where DNC, DLC, DSCC, DCCC and even Move-On is where can the money best be spent in order to show some sucess. Tasini has shown absolutely no viablity as a primary candidate outside his support online from the more liberal leaning folks. He's also not be able to raise the kind of money on his own like Ned Lamont did. Move-on would simply be wasting money to support Tasini when there are countless races, both primary and general, where the money could better used and results would happen.

The Clinton fundraising juggernaut is too much to tackle unfortunately. Why help one race when perhaps that money could be used to help 3-5 smaller races?

and I will vote for him in the primary and write his name in for the election.

Yes, I do not approve of Hillary Clinton voting for this Iraqi invasion. Bush invaded Iraq to gain political capital to destroy the new deal.

I approved of the Afghanistan war even though Bush provoked the 9-11 attacks.

I also do not approve of the flag burning amendment or flag burning federal legislation.

Because of these and a few other factors, Tasini has little to no chance to catch up to Hillary at this point.

AND Hillary is extremely popular in NY, a boon that Lieberman did not enjoy in his homestate.

Connecticut voters were ready for a change, it seems that NY voters by and large are not.

MoveOn and others are saving their money instead of throwing it away on Tasini. And, IMO, that's the right move.

Tasini will be lucky to get himself to 20% in the Primary, but who knows.

but with surveys where it inclues all voters, not just democratic. He was last at 55% on SurveyUSA.

I'll be making another donation to moveon.org for their appropriate response to your campaigning,er, I mean question.

IMHO a great senator would NOT support this immoral war, nor would a great senator show support for a flag burning amendment.

Have you even bothered to check Tasini's positions? http://www.tasinifornewyork.org/

She has said: "I support federal legislation that would outlaw flag-desecration, much like laws that currently prohibit the burning of crosses, but I don't believe a constitutional amendment is the answer," she said at the time."

She supports Sen. Bob Bennett's measure that would outlaw a protester intimidating any person by burning the flag, lighting someone else's flag, or desecrating the flag on federal property.

The only part of the above legislation that I have any issue with is the last part which I wouldn't have a problem with if burnging other items on Fed property is also prohibited due to safety concerns.

The Iraq war is one of the few areas Hillary and I part company on however living in rather moderate northern NY (near Fort Drum Military base) I can also understand her "caution" since it reflects how many I've spoken with up here feel.

Move-On is not an organization with an endless supply of money and/or volunteers. Both the DSCC/DCCC go with first the incumbant and if no incumbant/repuke seat then any candidate that has the ability to raise the money & volunteers needed.

The difference between the Lamont campaign and the Tasini can be summed up easily - MONEY. Lamont came into that race proving that he could make this campaign a viable one by being able to raise some of his own campaign money and receiving an overwhelming amount of volunteers. The Move-On people probably saw investing in the Lamont campaign as a an investmant that had a good chance of paying off for them with a Lamont win. The Tasini campaign has little support outside of internet-savvy democrats and he's running against a juggernaut fundraiser like Hillary Rodham Clinton. I think even Move-On knows that there are other important races out there where we could actually achieve victory and wisely use their money.

I'm sure Tasini is a good candidate but there are too many other campaigns out there where a difference could be made.

That is the sad fact when it comes to who would get opposition. No progressive site wants to stand against the wife of Bill Clinton. Remember Bill Clinton did a lot to help this country move forward. Here on DU you would be hard pressed to find a negative response about Clinton. Lieberman was an easy target because he was not that well liked.

it's the rest of the democrats who are not regulars online somewhere that adore her

Sad isn't it