I had a couple of things I wanted to post about today, but I figured I’d be efficient and use a single diary.
LOOKING BACK: I just finished reading What Happened by Hillary Clinton, which I highly recommend. It is very readable and moves along quickly. While it is of course her take, given that it also struck me as remarkably even-keeled. She does talk about both what she could have done differently/better and what she felt she was up against. She also dispels some myths about her campaign which sometimes even get spread as gospel on BMG. (Yes, she did campaign plenty in the Midwest including keeping plenty of staff on the ground; yes, she spoke every chance she got about people’s economic anxieties – BUT HER EMAILS!)
LOOKING FORWARD: Yesterday was the deadline for towns and wards to inform the state party of their caucus times and places. That information can be found here. There is no longer a previous deadline by which you had to register as a Dem to participate and those who will be 18 by 9/18/18 may participate. If you don’t see yours it may not be posted quite yet, but hopefully will be shortly. Delegates elected should commit to convention Friday evening June 1st and all day Saturday June 2nd. Fee waivers are available and there are add-on slots for “youth”, minority, disabled, and LGBT persons. Candidates who get at least 15% of the convention vote will advance to the primary ballot.
Looking back, I am done with commenting about the Clintons. Looking forward, I am still on the fence as to whether or not I will get involved with the caucuses and conventions, they just don’t seem to matter much anymore.
We’re all caught up in GOTV when, in my opinion, we need to GOTM (Get Out The Message) and as of yet, still don’t have one.
Maybe after the Democrats take the house (and senate??), things will change. I’m just rather pessimistic at the moment.
Then I definitely think you should take a look at our candidates for 2018 and get involved in this year’s process. All of our candidates for Governor I think have very strong and coherent messages for the voters.
I saw your other posts on caucuses. So do I just re-register in the party promptly, show up day off, and run to be a delegate?
I’d like to meet other Democrats in my ward and get replugged in to canvassing. I think Zakim may need me help to get on the ballot as well. Lastly, the timetable could work out since June-Sept will be lighter time periods for me other than summer classes.
Yes, if you are registering now I would bring proof of that to the caucus just in case the chair’s rolls aren’t absolutely up to date. You can also register right on site at check-in. If you become a delegate there is a chance your UIP involvement might come up if there were races in which there was both a UIP and Dem candidate in 2016. Then again, that is not automatic and people may also be willing to let it slide and welcome you back into the fold.
Thanks for the advice Christopher. One of our staffers was a delegate to last years convention and Gus Bickford himself welcomed Evan in so I’m not too worried. We’re all on the same side against Trump and against Baker.
I’m very impressed with all three candidates and the one that stands out as most likely to win against Baker, in my estimation, is Jay Gonzalez. I do plan to get involved with that process with canvassing and hopefully a house party and more. But conventions….I think we need to re-examine that whole thing.
I’ve heard several people say that What Happened is a great read. As a rule I never read books written by politicians. I made an exception for Obama’s two books. I regretted reading the second, but Dreams from My Father is an excellent book.
I think, if I read one book about the campaign, it would be Unbelievable by Katy Tur.