TWO URGENT SHORT TERM political tasks for progressive Democrats

First off, there is a probable runoff election coming up in Georgia. I know that after the epic election of Obama -- and some people maintain a blase and cynical attitude towards the whole thing that defies plausibility -- anything else not at the presidential level may seem anti-climactic.

But the upcoming opportunity to get the Democratic Party one more senator (or either 1/3 or 1/2 the remaining way, if you look at the REAL number here, which isn't 57, it's THREE, or maybe two, depending on MN) closer to 60 means a noticeable chunk of what we elected Obama FOR. Obama rightly and repeatedly emphasized that this election wasn't about HIM, it was about US. Getting one of the most noxious figures even by Repuke standards in the senate replaced by a solid Democrat means that just so many bills will not be able to be blocked by filibuster, or watered down an extra amount to secure yet one more vote to break the filibuster. I do not think there is much benefit to the country in the systematic (mis)use of the filibuster by the GOP. Interestingly, almost ALL those who like to advocate divided governance seem perfectly content when Democrats fail to make ANY significant difference, often even when Democrats have the MAJORITY in a House of Congress, in blocking a Repuke agenda. But the fact that even with MORE than 60 senators, it's still very difficult to get enough of the Democrats to 'fall in line', as Repukes do so easily, to break a filibuster, also seems to escape the attention of some.

Anyway, Chambliss, having ill-gained his office in the senate in the first place by sliming triple amputee vet Sen Cleland, provides not only a practical political imperative struggle but a deeply morally satisfying one. The fact that gaining reform is an ongoing struggle and not a one-time event can be furthered by mobilizing as many progressive minded people to donate, and pressuring leaders from the Clintons to Carter to Nunn and an host of others to extensively campaign there. This should be a major if not THE major political effort at the mass level that grassroots Democrats should be pursuing in the upcoming weeks, in my arrogant opinion.

The second struggle is no less important, but in all probability more long-term, being focused on the 2010 elections in CA. I am not a lawyer or a legal scholar, but my sense is that a State Constitutional amendment is (unless somehow decisive corruption in the vote can be proven) pretty much impregnable to legal challenge. After all, it can hardly be said to even arguably violate a federal right where not only no federal right exists but the noxious Defense of Marriage Act is still on the federal books (another struggle simultaneously). BTW, had prop 8 been overcome, it would have made repeal of the DOMA MUCH MUCH easier. But there is indeed quite a bit more at stake here, as I 'I told you so' about briefly below.

The campaign being mobilized to boycott a list of companies, especially focusing on NATIONAL corporations, that financed the campaign for this travesty especially from outside CA, is an ongoing effort over the next hopefully only 2 years. I personally think that boycotting 'Utah' may be satisfying to some, but really is apt to be used AGAINST the campaign, as the MSM will hop on a bandwagon in trying to label the anti-prop 8 measure as anti-Utah and anti-Mormon. Assuming the campaign free of bigotry (which I don't) it can easily be CAST as tainted. Strategically as well as morally a corporate boycott of institutions that specifically backed the prop 8 campaign -- and I am well aware of the Mormon Church's role along with the problematic issues I just mentioned -- rather than punishing a whole state, including the sizeable minority there who themselves oppose, or the majority who never even had any involvement in the matter, seems perverse, and invites MSM attack and ridicule.

But that said, a NATIONAL and not just a state-focused campaign, on BOTH the Ga Senate race AND prop 8 is requisite, especially in the fundraising area.

Now a note of obnoxious but irresistable "I told you so". Several weeks ago I put up parrallel new threads on both General Discussion and General Discussion presidential, that insisted URGENTLY that the discussions on DU were, overall, MUCH too tunnel visioned (like the MSM) on the national presidential campaign, and as a horserace. (I also put up two parrallel polls of whether people would support a second thermometer for money for the close senate races). In particular, it seemed obvious that if Obama lost, it would NECESSARILY be decisively due to election theft and NOT to any lack of money. They had lots of cash and the tunnel vision promoted in the MSM would mean overwhelmingly the most future cash from grassroots progressives etc would be focused on Obama. (I also thought the focus on Bachman was also not strategically minded, even though she is a creep -- she's just one Rep, and there's no similar benefit to a supermajority expansion by small margins in the House) I noted in these contexts that progressives ACROSS THE US should "FLOCK" as I put it, to donate to the effort to stop prop 8, as it was a crucial test of will of transcendent political importance along with being a crucial human rights issue. It would give a mandate not only for gay rights, but the larger secular (but not necessarily anti-religious) humanism of which gay rights are a necessary part. It would signal to Americans that a new era in considering issues such as the fundamental rights of gays and of ALL OF US had finally begun.

Now, both for this same reason, as well as so that people, including some I know personally, who live in CA and want to marry someone of the same gender, we must make this a central priority for 2010. And the boycott in the meantime would also send a message, especially as boycotts that merely reduce demand by 10% or so can often be devastatingly effective.

So I suggest a thermometer for DU to specifically raise money to oust the nefarious Chambliss, and after that special election, a thermometer similarly put up, and kept for well over a year, to finance the effort to oppose and overturn prop 8.

This is strategic thinking, without which morality is merely an abstraction.

is this just too rambly or is no one interested or what?

For your efforts. If you don't get the response here that you're looking for, these two might be of assistance. At the DNC site, you can create your own "fundraiser" (Party Builder). You could then advertise the site(s) they give you.

Act Blue might be of assistance also.


http://www.democrats.org/

http://www.actblue.com/

But Obama's old site offered the fundraise option, and thermometer .. that's what DU used.

You have to set up an account at the DNC site. The "fundraise" option is on the home page.
I assume it is much like the one Obama was using and will give you the meter, etc. Then you can post the link everywhere, DU, email, and that will give other people an opportunity to contribute using your link. I could do this for you. PM me if you want to pursue.