Like Robert, I urge you not to give up hope. Drop—or at least put aside—despair. There are still votes on the table to be had.
TOMORROW, SUNDAY October 23, FOCUS for DEMOCRACY will hold their FINAL midterm meeting recommending where to make LAST-MINUTE donations that will prove EFFECTIVE on November 8th. Please attend and find HOW out WHY.
FOCUS will be showcasing solid, result-driven organizations that can STILL win thousands of votes in key races for House, Senate, Governor, state Secretaries of State, and state legislators. We can’t afford to lose them!
I’ve been touting FOCUS for DEMOCRACY to my friends, relatives, and fellow activists for several years. At last, PAT G. dropped into Focus’s October 23 meeting. Minutes afterwards, she wrote me:
“Watched the Zoom, was VERY moved! Am petrified about losing these important swing state races, this is the scariest time I can remember, so much is at stake.”
We all know these races couldn’t be tighter: many could boil down to just a few thousand votes. I urge you all to attend this final pre-election presentation.
PAT G. went on to donate, calling both Working America and Center for Voter Information “impressive!”
More than 500 attended that October 23 meeting, where $910,000 (THAT’S NOT A TYPO) was raised. ($350,000 in matching grants helped create almost $1 million!) That money bought us 14,000 Democratic votes.
And if that number sounds small to you, know that it takes $7 MILLION DOLLARS donated directly to House, Senate, or Gubernatorial candidates to produce 14,000 net Democratic votes. REALLY. Come hear why tomorrow.
In further good news, this week PAT G. invited 67 (and that’s not a typo either) of her nearest and dearest friends, colleagues, neighbors, book clubbers…As I am inviting you all here.
The case for optimism is strong. I am the CEO of Civic Influencers. We are the largest organization that organizes young people to vote. You can help us get them out to vote on community college, campuses, trade schools, and other universities. These are “tipping point” campuses in at least 25 close elections for the midterms. In 2020 it took 6 votes to flip one district. Another 109. In another 333. We say we are mobilizing the margins https://civicinfluencers.org/mobilizing-the-margins/ with tipping point campuses. https://civicinfluencers.org/tipping-point-campuses/ .
We’ve been turning out students on campuses since 2008. I am seeing the same level of engagement by young people who showed up to help Barack Obama win in 2008 and 2012 before the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013 and unleashed the mutating virus of voter suppression, targeting young people, and led to the decline in youth voting (like Florida banning polling sites from college campuses!). Our strategy has been to remove barriers from campuses and encourage young people to vote on their issues. We won in 2018 and we won in 2020 and we won in the Georgia runoff’s because of young people voting in record numbers.
If we focus on equipping young people, democracy will win.
One reason young people are excited this election is that this is the first time that they can celebrate distinct wins that are personal to them and rewarded their vote in 2020 for example, laws that now address their concerns on student debt relief, climate change, gun violence and Marijuana. The can prove to each other that their votes matter and mattered.
We need to get away from our obsession with media buys on cable and television and only listening to many false narratives that besmirch young people or are only focused on what boomers are thinking. Too much of our investment and resources in this election is going into television ads that no young person is looking at. That even you and I am not watching.
In these remaining 2 1/2 weeks before the election, donate to help young people turn out at community colleges, trade schools, and universities. Just getting out a dorm room or the glee club, the marching band, and gospel will flip an election. Just getting out a sorority, the football team, and the debate team will flip an election.
It’s that simple and we can be optimistic if we are laser focused on turning out our tipping point campuses in swing districts. Be optimistic and be wise and investing in our young peoples movement. It’s the best return on investment at this time. It’s about $2000 for each organizer on each campus on these tipping point campuses in swing districts at these tight margin races. This is how we win, save our democracy and lift our enthusiasm.
My wife (78) and I (77) are just settling in after completing 6 days of canvassing in Maricopa County, Arizona. We drove for 2 days from our home in Northern California to support the outstanding cadidates Democrats have fielded at every level to protect democracy and expand human rights and social justice that are under dangerous threat from the neo-fascists that the Republican Party is running. We're heartened by the responses we're hearing as we knock on doors - everyone is planning to vote, many say they're voting straight Democratic ballots for the first time, a few have said they're Republicans who are disturbed by what's going on in the Party and are voting Democratic. We've had some slammed doors, but only a few, of the over 400 doors we've knocked on so far. And this weekend we'll add 150 more. We're encouraged. And we're super grateful for the wise and articulate writing you've provided in response to the doomsayers. Thank you Robert.
Oct 22, 2022·edited Oct 22, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
EVERY WORD OF THIS. I have had it up to here this week with the negativity on social media. I have never seen so much defeatism. I mean what team ever won a game by quitting in the final 10 minutes? NOT ONE. What army ever won by surrendering before they went into battle? NOT ONE. We are going to be in this battle for awhile - it took decades for Republicans to get themselves into this position. It will not take decades for us to undo if we don't give up. I mean literally every day the Republicans alienate more people, but if our team gives up, then we are guaranteed to lose. I spent 3.5 hours textbanking today with Black Voters Matter in NC, I had 200+ requests for polling information. Why? Because Black voters show up. They have been in this fight for democracy for hundreds of years. So pull it together people and get to work. Here's a link to sign up to GOTV: https://www.mobilize.us/events/get-out-the-vote/
Oct 22, 2022·edited Oct 22, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
As several of the guys I interviewed for "I Shall Run wild," my history of the Pacific War between Pearl Harbor and Midway - a period most think of as unrelieved darkness with victory after victory claimed by the enemy - said when I asked how they maintained themselves through that without succumbing to despair: "the alternative was unthinkable!" That's how we have to be.
"Choosing to be optimistic, determined, and undaunted is not foolish; it is necessary; it is our duty; it is our privilege as the beneficiaries of a gift entrusted to us by those who refused to give up when they faced challenges far greater than our own."
Now that I want to remember! And I want to share, widely! Thank you, Robert, yet again.
Thank you for your common sense guidance. You are a beacon of light. The only poll that matters is the one on Election Day. So many of the polls are flawed…small sample sizes, partisan leanings, polling all adults instead of likely voters, some are using land lines and internet surveys. And many are using out of date demographics that are not showing the large increase in numbers of registered women and younger voters that have happened since Dobbs. Dem candidates have the money, are higher quality, and many are running in districts with a positive 2020 Biden margin. It is going to be close, we won’t know the outcome election night. But whatever happens we cannot surrender to evil
While we are feeling anxious, and rightly so, we can not be paralyzed. what we can do is quite simply, get out the vote by ones and twos. Example: my great niece just turned 18. She lives in Lauren Underwood‘s district in Illinois. It’s a tight race and Lauren is a good congresswoman. I asked my niece what her plan was to vote and if she was sure she was registered. She told me that she was and she had a plan. I then said go check out congresswoman Underwood and let me know what you think. I think I was able to get one more vote for Lauren. If we each can get one more vote for a vulnerable seat, we can do this!
Democracy Cheerleader!!! Feel sooo lucky to have discovered your wise, steady leadership via your brilliant newsletter that I've shared with soooo many! THANK YOU Robert Hubbell!!!!
Robert, I am of like spirit to you in your comments. I have been studying and practicing Buddhist psychology for some years now. A key teaching is “Not-knowing.” To refrain from premature labeling or judgment. To focus on the actions and process and the outcome will be what it is. So a pessimistic prediction that dampers my actions is not helpful or the way that I want to live my life.
Thank you. I sang the same song when asked what I would do when the Republicans took the Senate and the house.
What we don't know is (a) will the 18-35 year olds see the danger and vote (b) will the women of this country get out and vote (c) will people prove that false ads and millions of dark money won't defeat our democracy. January 6th and the cowardice of the Republicans not to place blame where it belonged resonated with quite a few people. Let's hope that they vote.
Thanks for not succumbing to the psychological warfare, it’s nonstop mind games for the next few weeks; knowing this helps me keep my perspective and sanity.
This weeks NYT’s pll was an attack on our hope, but it is faulty, The Nation’ analysis shows how bad it is.Also, check out Michael Moore’s sub-stack, he has a better track record of predicting election outcomes.
"Choosing to be optimistic, determined, and undaunted is not foolish; it is necessary; it is our duty; it is our privilege as the beneficiaries of a gift entrusted to us by those who refused to give up when they faced challenges far greater than our own."
Wow! I just heard that Biden’s student loan forgiveness program has been halted temporarily by a federal court while an appeal is heard in a case involving 6 states. Biden said earlier today that 22 million people have already applied, and the program could benefit 40 million. Twenty two million is almost 10% of the adult population of the country. Does anyone have a sense of how this may be settled? It can’t help Republicans in the midterms. Every one of those 22 (or 40) million have family members who will not approve.
Americans are fond of calling the US the world's oldest democracy, a title which really actually belongs to Switzerland. Not diminishing the US accomplishments but the claim isn't really accurate. (From a former many-years-long resident of Switzerland)
And I agree with all your points about the mid-terms!
Thank you Robert! “Carry on and keep moving forward”, I say to the naysayers! In our home, you help to keep us all grounded. When the media whips us all into a frenzy, you remind us to use logic, critical thinking and optimism to find our equilibriums. Safe journey home.
Hey all you democracy lovers—
Like Robert, I urge you not to give up hope. Drop—or at least put aside—despair. There are still votes on the table to be had.
TOMORROW, SUNDAY October 23, FOCUS for DEMOCRACY will hold their FINAL midterm meeting recommending where to make LAST-MINUTE donations that will prove EFFECTIVE on November 8th. Please attend and find HOW out WHY.
October 23, 5PM Pacific, 8PM Eastern
REGISTER — https://tinyurl.com/F4DOct23 — and a Zoom link will be emailed to you.
FOCUS will be showcasing solid, result-driven organizations that can STILL win thousands of votes in key races for House, Senate, Governor, state Secretaries of State, and state legislators. We can’t afford to lose them!
I’ve been touting FOCUS for DEMOCRACY to my friends, relatives, and fellow activists for several years. At last, PAT G. dropped into Focus’s October 23 meeting. Minutes afterwards, she wrote me:
“Watched the Zoom, was VERY moved! Am petrified about losing these important swing state races, this is the scariest time I can remember, so much is at stake.”
We all know these races couldn’t be tighter: many could boil down to just a few thousand votes. I urge you all to attend this final pre-election presentation.
PAT G. went on to donate, calling both Working America and Center for Voter Information “impressive!”
More than 500 attended that October 23 meeting, where $910,000 (THAT’S NOT A TYPO) was raised. ($350,000 in matching grants helped create almost $1 million!) That money bought us 14,000 Democratic votes.
And if that number sounds small to you, know that it takes $7 MILLION DOLLARS donated directly to House, Senate, or Gubernatorial candidates to produce 14,000 net Democratic votes. REALLY. Come hear why tomorrow.
In further good news, this week PAT G. invited 67 (and that’s not a typo either) of her nearest and dearest friends, colleagues, neighbors, book clubbers…As I am inviting you all here.
Sunday, October 23, 5PM Pacific, 8PM Eastern
REGISTER — https://tinyurl.com/F4DOct23 — and a Zoom link will be emailed to you.
HELP WAKE UP TO A FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY on NOVEMBER 9th!
LOUISE
The case for optimism is strong. I am the CEO of Civic Influencers. We are the largest organization that organizes young people to vote. You can help us get them out to vote on community college, campuses, trade schools, and other universities. These are “tipping point” campuses in at least 25 close elections for the midterms. In 2020 it took 6 votes to flip one district. Another 109. In another 333. We say we are mobilizing the margins https://civicinfluencers.org/mobilizing-the-margins/ with tipping point campuses. https://civicinfluencers.org/tipping-point-campuses/ .
We’ve been turning out students on campuses since 2008. I am seeing the same level of engagement by young people who showed up to help Barack Obama win in 2008 and 2012 before the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013 and unleashed the mutating virus of voter suppression, targeting young people, and led to the decline in youth voting (like Florida banning polling sites from college campuses!). Our strategy has been to remove barriers from campuses and encourage young people to vote on their issues. We won in 2018 and we won in 2020 and we won in the Georgia runoff’s because of young people voting in record numbers.
If we focus on equipping young people, democracy will win.
One reason young people are excited this election is that this is the first time that they can celebrate distinct wins that are personal to them and rewarded their vote in 2020 for example, laws that now address their concerns on student debt relief, climate change, gun violence and Marijuana. The can prove to each other that their votes matter and mattered.
We need to get away from our obsession with media buys on cable and television and only listening to many false narratives that besmirch young people or are only focused on what boomers are thinking. Too much of our investment and resources in this election is going into television ads that no young person is looking at. That even you and I am not watching.
In these remaining 2 1/2 weeks before the election, donate to help young people turn out at community colleges, trade schools, and universities. Just getting out a dorm room or the glee club, the marching band, and gospel will flip an election. Just getting out a sorority, the football team, and the debate team will flip an election.
It’s that simple and we can be optimistic if we are laser focused on turning out our tipping point campuses in swing districts. Be optimistic and be wise and investing in our young peoples movement. It’s the best return on investment at this time. It’s about $2000 for each organizer on each campus on these tipping point campuses in swing districts at these tight margin races. This is how we win, save our democracy and lift our enthusiasm.
Maxim Thorne, CEO
https://civicinfluencers.org/donate/
My wife (78) and I (77) are just settling in after completing 6 days of canvassing in Maricopa County, Arizona. We drove for 2 days from our home in Northern California to support the outstanding cadidates Democrats have fielded at every level to protect democracy and expand human rights and social justice that are under dangerous threat from the neo-fascists that the Republican Party is running. We're heartened by the responses we're hearing as we knock on doors - everyone is planning to vote, many say they're voting straight Democratic ballots for the first time, a few have said they're Republicans who are disturbed by what's going on in the Party and are voting Democratic. We've had some slammed doors, but only a few, of the over 400 doors we've knocked on so far. And this weekend we'll add 150 more. We're encouraged. And we're super grateful for the wise and articulate writing you've provided in response to the doomsayers. Thank you Robert.
EVERY WORD OF THIS. I have had it up to here this week with the negativity on social media. I have never seen so much defeatism. I mean what team ever won a game by quitting in the final 10 minutes? NOT ONE. What army ever won by surrendering before they went into battle? NOT ONE. We are going to be in this battle for awhile - it took decades for Republicans to get themselves into this position. It will not take decades for us to undo if we don't give up. I mean literally every day the Republicans alienate more people, but if our team gives up, then we are guaranteed to lose. I spent 3.5 hours textbanking today with Black Voters Matter in NC, I had 200+ requests for polling information. Why? Because Black voters show up. They have been in this fight for democracy for hundreds of years. So pull it together people and get to work. Here's a link to sign up to GOTV: https://www.mobilize.us/events/get-out-the-vote/
As several of the guys I interviewed for "I Shall Run wild," my history of the Pacific War between Pearl Harbor and Midway - a period most think of as unrelieved darkness with victory after victory claimed by the enemy - said when I asked how they maintained themselves through that without succumbing to despair: "the alternative was unthinkable!" That's how we have to be.
"Choosing to be optimistic, determined, and undaunted is not foolish; it is necessary; it is our duty; it is our privilege as the beneficiaries of a gift entrusted to us by those who refused to give up when they faced challenges far greater than our own."
Now that I want to remember! And I want to share, widely! Thank you, Robert, yet again.
Thank you for your common sense guidance. You are a beacon of light. The only poll that matters is the one on Election Day. So many of the polls are flawed…small sample sizes, partisan leanings, polling all adults instead of likely voters, some are using land lines and internet surveys. And many are using out of date demographics that are not showing the large increase in numbers of registered women and younger voters that have happened since Dobbs. Dem candidates have the money, are higher quality, and many are running in districts with a positive 2020 Biden margin. It is going to be close, we won’t know the outcome election night. But whatever happens we cannot surrender to evil
While we are feeling anxious, and rightly so, we can not be paralyzed. what we can do is quite simply, get out the vote by ones and twos. Example: my great niece just turned 18. She lives in Lauren Underwood‘s district in Illinois. It’s a tight race and Lauren is a good congresswoman. I asked my niece what her plan was to vote and if she was sure she was registered. She told me that she was and she had a plan. I then said go check out congresswoman Underwood and let me know what you think. I think I was able to get one more vote for Lauren. If we each can get one more vote for a vulnerable seat, we can do this!
Democracy Cheerleader!!! Feel sooo lucky to have discovered your wise, steady leadership via your brilliant newsletter that I've shared with soooo many! THANK YOU Robert Hubbell!!!!
Robert, I am of like spirit to you in your comments. I have been studying and practicing Buddhist psychology for some years now. A key teaching is “Not-knowing.” To refrain from premature labeling or judgment. To focus on the actions and process and the outcome will be what it is. So a pessimistic prediction that dampers my actions is not helpful or the way that I want to live my life.
Thank you. I sang the same song when asked what I would do when the Republicans took the Senate and the house.
What we don't know is (a) will the 18-35 year olds see the danger and vote (b) will the women of this country get out and vote (c) will people prove that false ads and millions of dark money won't defeat our democracy. January 6th and the cowardice of the Republicans not to place blame where it belonged resonated with quite a few people. Let's hope that they vote.
Thanks for not succumbing to the psychological warfare, it’s nonstop mind games for the next few weeks; knowing this helps me keep my perspective and sanity.
This weeks NYT’s pll was an attack on our hope, but it is faulty, The Nation’ analysis shows how bad it is.Also, check out Michael Moore’s sub-stack, he has a better track record of predicting election outcomes.
thenation.com/article/politics.
"Choosing to be optimistic, determined, and undaunted is not foolish; it is necessary; it is our duty; it is our privilege as the beneficiaries of a gift entrusted to us by those who refused to give up when they faced challenges far greater than our own."
YESSSS!!! PREACH!!!
Wow! I just heard that Biden’s student loan forgiveness program has been halted temporarily by a federal court while an appeal is heard in a case involving 6 states. Biden said earlier today that 22 million people have already applied, and the program could benefit 40 million. Twenty two million is almost 10% of the adult population of the country. Does anyone have a sense of how this may be settled? It can’t help Republicans in the midterms. Every one of those 22 (or 40) million have family members who will not approve.
Americans are fond of calling the US the world's oldest democracy, a title which really actually belongs to Switzerland. Not diminishing the US accomplishments but the claim isn't really accurate. (From a former many-years-long resident of Switzerland)
And I agree with all your points about the mid-terms!
Thanks for all your work
Thank you Robert! “Carry on and keep moving forward”, I say to the naysayers! In our home, you help to keep us all grounded. When the media whips us all into a frenzy, you remind us to use logic, critical thinking and optimism to find our equilibriums. Safe journey home.