No Dem Left Behind: Our Values, Our Frames, Our "Working Dems"

by WorkingDem

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Supporters 60
Raised  

Problem: Out-of-touch Washington ‘strategists’ have fallen victim to Republican framing and are attempting to hi-jack our local primaries by recruiting anything they can find in a uniform to promote as a “Fightin’ Dem” with no regard for the primary process, local issues or core progressive values.
Solution: Don’t believe the hype.
If this “Fightin’ Dems” madness must continue, here’s what concerned progressives can do to take some slack out of the rope the Democratic Party is hanging us with. Research!
Support the best candidates in every primary, not just the best uniform.
Primaries are underway. Some campaigns have just begun. There are wonderful progressives talking about real issues in almost every primary where a “Fightin’ Dem” is being promoted by outside forces as if they’ve already won the nomination. These are good people that have been “in the trenches” here at home, in our schools, in our mills, in our unions, in our courts… some for decades longer than his or her “Fightin’ Dem” primary opponent was in the military becoming disillusioned still trying to decide whether to run as a Democrat or a republican.
Look at every candidate in every race, pick your favorite on the issues, and most importantly support them! Split your contributions, or just contribute to the General Election Fund so as not to undermine local favorites.
Let the people decide. The best thing we can do for a Blue 2006 is encourage strong primaries, with the best candidate in every race. Not just the best uniform.
My humble suggestions of a dozen deserving progressive candidates currently facing the one-dimensional “Fightin’ Dem” framing in Democratic primaries but not getting the same national attention:
Educators – No Dem Left Behind
TX-07 – Jim Henley – Educator
CA-52 – Jim Hester – Educator, Lawyer, and a Veteran himself
NC-08 – Larry Kissell – Educator, Former Mill Worker
PA-08 – Andy Warren – Public Servant, Former Educator
IL-14 – Ruben Zamora – Educator, Worker
The Full Spectrum – The Rest of Us
AZ-03 – Don Chilton – Engineer
VA-02 – Troy Farlow – Economist
MD-06 – Barry Kissin – Lawyer, Former Farm and Factory Worker
CA-04 – Lisa Rea – Pubic Policy, Non-Profit
PA-07 – Paul Scoles – Retired Physician, Patient Advocate
AZ-08 – Tim Sultan – Business
CA-11 – Steve Thomas – Labor, Union
It’s about fair play, our values, our framing, our Working Dems. Something supporters of the Democratic Party hold dear, even if the Party does not.

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