I want to make sure DUers know about this:

[lastlib]

The Payback Project is an all-in grassroots effort targeting nine GOPher Senators up for re-election who played pivotal roles in acquitting tRump against impeachment. The nine include Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Martha McSally, Cory Gardner, Joni Ernst, Susan Collins, and John Cornyn, and two others. They're working to build strong GOTV campaigns, along with vigorous targeted media efforts to raise voter awareness of the egregious characters of these nine pro-tRump senators. Their effort might be worth some DUers' time and funding contributions.

You can get involved in their efforts here, and donate $$ here.

Let's take these basturds OUT!!

[Squinch]

1. Ooh! Convenient! Thanka!

[yellowdogintexas]

61. My choice for first target is McSally (aka The Crazy Lady per my daughter)

and that is because I think she is most vulnerable.

Cornyn is next.

[llmart]

2. Thank you so much for posting this.

I had heard about the group but had no idea what it was and was thinking yesterday that today I would research who/what Payback Project was. You've saved me the trouble. It's a great way to easily find something each of us can do, especially with our dollars.

I sincerely believe that there are many more of us than the hatefilled ones who are ruining our country. We can do this. We just have to put in the effort.

What I really want to see the most is younger people getting out to vote. They can turn this tide around and they have more invested in the Democrats taking control than any of us older people. Our time on this earth is limited, but the future belongs to them.

GOTV! Vote blue no matter who!

[usaf-vet]

3. Here is another group going after Trump. This group is made up o Republicans that want 45 OUT.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/opinion/lincoln-project.html
https://lincolnproject.us/

[Rider3]

4. I gave...

I only wish I could give more.

[pazzyanne]

8. Same with me.

I have what I could, and also give to individual campaigns running against the pos.

[bdamomma]

60. Small donations

will help.

[Callalily]

5. I was not aware of this group.

Thank you so much for calling attention to this group. There are even several groups in my area.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. Ezra Levin from this group was on Chris Hayes' show last night

Last edited Thu Feb 6, 2020, 10:52 AM - Edit history (1)

[lastlib]

11. I caught a snippet of this and decided to look into it.

(had trouble remembering the name of it when I went looking for it, tho.....senioritis.......)

[BumRushDaShow]

15. I was a bit distracted when I watched that live

and when I heard the term "Project Payback" and saw the images of Turtle and them discussing all the blocking he had done, I thought they were talking about something the GOP had put together after Obama got reelected in 2012 (and they took the Senate in 2014).

Luckily I listed to the rest and got the lowdown on it.

Indivisible was a HUGE reason why 2018 happened and that org helped Democrats make big gains at all levels of government, from federal down through the state and local offices.

[Fla Dem]

16. Ezra Levin, not Klein.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. Thank you and fixed (there is an Ezra Klein too and my brain went with that name)

[Fla Dem]

21. I tried to send you a DU Mail rather than post, but for some reason it didn't give me the option.

I knew as soon as I saw Levin it wasn't Ezra Klein.

Thanks for posting the information. We all need to be doing whatever we can to "Flip the Senate" and get these traitors out of office.

[BumRushDaShow]

22. No problem! With all the "live threads" I've done the past couple months

my brain is fried.

Agree that we need those seats and I was heartened to hear that they were targeting more than 4 too!

[smirkymonkey]

39. +1000

This is brilliant! I have donated to the opponents of some of these Senators, but w/ my next paycheck I plan to throw a little money their way as well. This is important work. Thank you Ezra!

[lunatica]

49. Levin is the man's name

He isn’t Ezra Klein.

[Scarsdale]

7. Thanks for posting this.

VERY worthy cause. I donated.

[2naSalit]

9. They should go after

the Asshole Daines too!

You know, if a little attention were focused on some of the smaller populous states like Montana, we wouldn't be trapped in red state status when in reality we are sort of purple. But does anyone come here, other than the failed MF45 invasion to oust Sen. Tester a couple years ago?

No.

We have to travel very long distances to another state to attend campaign events for 99% of presidential candidates.

I see people on DU and elsewhere bitching about how low population states have more "power" because we have two Senators like all other states. Well if you look at it, we get ONE representative in the House against most other states that have ten or more. WE ALL HAVE TWO SENATORS and ONE House Rep/district so it almost evens out there except when it comes to campaigns to choose our president. We don't count because we have only a small handful, if that many, of delegates in the electoral college so we are at a great disadvantage and we really don't have much of a say in that process so once you consider that element of "who gets more political power" in this whole process, we are at a great disadvantage compared to the rest of the larger pouplous states.

When will all these candidates come to our state and show us what they have to offer us?

We western states - especially in the Rocky Mountains - have most of the public lands in the lower 48 where many of you like to come to get away from your congested states. Most of the fresh water in the US comes from this region, we have most of the forests and wildlife and National Parks upon which much of the US ecosystem relies... but since there aren't a lot of people here, we don't matter. I guess that's why so many show up here with no respect for the environment or those of us who live here because we must be uneducated and unable to live like all those fine cityfolk who come here to show us how to fuck up our environment so they can have more conveniences. Many of us are treated as though visitors are doing us a favor by coming here so we should treat them like royalty because they are on vacation or some shit... but I digress.

So when a campaign that is designed to help change the political landscape in this way, I see that we don't matter at all because, why spend $$ to oust a senator from a state that could turn a lot bluer for the effort? Though we don't have a whole lot of delegates to offer, we have a lot that matters to everyone on the ground and should be given some serious consideration. The natural resources that matter are here, and there aren't many humans, which is why we still have natural resources* that are important to the rest of you whether you are here or not. If we had some help turning ONE of our Senate seats blue, it would make more difference on serious matters regarding climate issues and other key VOTES needed in the Senate.

Therefore, until we start seeing some interest in our participation in this process, I'm not going to get too excited about nor am I overly willing to part with my few $$ for the project. They could be going after TEN Senators instead of nine.


*I am loathe to call the natural elements here "resources" because to me that means measuring the forests out in board feet for possible harvest and sale without regard to the importance of these thing when left in their natural state of being. It sets these things up for wanton exploitation in exchange for extremely short term monetary gain.

Food for thought.

[volstork]

12. Thanks for this perspective.

We need ALL of the states, and your points are well-taken.

The antiquated electoral college puts so many states at a disadvantage, and essentially disenfranchises their voters (my state is the same-- we have deep blue cities and deep red rural and suburban regions, and always go red in national elections, so my vote doesn't count. Doesn't stop me from hitting the polls every time they open, though.).

[2naSalit]

20. I vote in all elections for which I am

eligible. I have an advanced degree in polisci and am really unhappy about how little the rest of the population understands what is going on and what is at stake in this very important region.

I protest, I vote and I used to be a lobbyist for the natural environment and I see little to no help or interest from the larger populous states until they want me to clean their room of serve them a meal or do my job as a park ranger or whatever I was hired to do while they are on vacation.

[yellowdogintexas]

59. I am just a normal person who was lucky enough to be required to

take Civics in 8th grade. However 60 years later, I found myself giving a full blown lesson in elections and government to a grown ass woman who was so oblivious I was appalled. However she is very determined to get every Democrat to the polls she can and I will explain to her until I turn blue in the face. She is jumping feet first into the Blue Hole and taking on an empty precinct chair seat. I think I have become her mentor

I find myself giving Civics lessons far too often and find it very disturbing.

On the good news side, my daughter has finally convinced her husband to vote. It has been a project. I think it took a narrow miss on some sort of marijuana law in AZ to convince him. He realized how much difference a few votes can make.

[SWBTATTReg]

34. Very good post and points. Thank you for sharing. I agree w/ your remarks in that one ...

would have to travel seemingly forever to get to a presidential candidate's events (even in Missouri here).

Used to be that I would see lots of presidential candidates come stomping through here (STL), but lately (last 20 years or so, give or take), I don't see near the amount of visits from candidates that I used to. Perhaps I'm being biased, but I don't think so.

I think that this whole process has been skewed by states wanting to be the first in the country in dealing with presidential campaigns, simply because of the money. I used to think, no, it can't be the money, then I heard that in Iowa alone, this time around, w/o Bloomberg, over $300 million was spent. Big business indeed, and smells to me of rank capitalism, not raw, backroom politics. In Iowa.

Have some lost the flavor that politics used to be? Yes, IMHO. One can see some of this with the comments I see on DU by some who are with some of the establishment candidates versa outsider candidates, that 'have no way of winning, don't waste your time' remarks. Kind of sad that I would see these kind of remarks on DU like this. I thought that the forum was open to all.

What I do see is that most of the candidates seem to have all of their time sucked up by Iowa and NH, two states who combined, probably have more visits by presidential candidates than all of the upcoming future visits in the rest of the country combined. If you add in the other front-end primary states such as SC, etc., the percentages get really lopsided (initial 5 primary states, probably 80% of all presidential contender visits vs. 20% for the remaining 45 states (not counting territories etc.)). Yeah, I know the arguments that one person can only be in one place at a time, but to have a candidate spend so much time in only a couple or so states? Come on now, quit hogging.

Thus, I definitely agree w/ you. It is unfair to the rest of us. And I already know the story about getting enough delegates to be a serious contender, getting enough money to even run, etc., but like you, it's kind of hard to get interested when candidates rarely get to your state, or some tiny states (population and size wise), get all of the attention, while the vast majority of us just sits there, barely watching anymore.

[MontanaMama]

57. Righteous rant, neighbor.

100% agree. Well said on every front. Daines is dangerous for all the reasons you cited.

[volstork]

10. Thank you!

Passing on to my circle of Dem friends and activists.

[Hotler]

13. Thanks for sharing. nt

[TheBlackAdder]

14. Donations say they are part of ActBlues Rules. What if already an ActBlue donor?

[BumRushDaShow]

18. I think ActBlue is now like a clearinghouse that lets you direct where you send your $$

[lunatica]

50. You are directed to enter your name and address since

it isn’t ActBlue sending you the email. You’re entering through another door so to speak.

[LW1977]

17. K&R

[stopwastingmymoney]

23. Cool! Thanks for sharing

I’ll donate to that and share on Facebook too

I’m working up a theme about how if we can take the senate and the presidency we can have a Medicare option. Something about how if my premium were half I’d have enough for a car payment. Economic stimulus big time. Suggestions on that are welcome...

[lastlib]

33. Good thinking!

I for one appreciate whatever you do to get that idea circulated.

[stopwastingmymoney]

46. It would be huge for the self employed nt

[Wounded Bear]

24. K & R...for visibility...nt

[H2O Man]

25. Recommended.

[DFW]

26. It took a bit of navigating, but I found an address where I could send a check

I can't stand Act Blue, and would rather that instead of the 92% of a contribution that the recipient gets if made through them (they get a healthy chunk of the 8% that the recipient does NOT get), the recipient gets 100% if donated by check.

They have a couple of P.O. box addresses in Washington, D.C. If $1 million is contributed through Act Blue, Act Blue and VISA (or whoever) grab about $40,000 each. I will send them a check.

[stopwastingmymoney]

42. Good

Will you share that address please?

[DFW]

43. Be glad to!

Indivisible Action
P.O. Box 43135
Washington, DC 20010

Over $200 you need to furnish your occupation and employer, just like for a candidate

[hangaleft]

54. Thanks for that info

I had no idea that Act Blue takes a piece of my contributions. And they ask for a “tip”, too!

I’ve only contributed to three campaigns this year (Warren, McGrath and Perlman), I’ll have to find addresses to which I can send future contributions by check. No more Act Blue for me!

[DFW]

65. Not only that

I found that half the time, the box for "make it monthly" was AUTOMATICALLY checked, and I had to go through some hoops to rescind that.

Most websites will have a street address for checks, but often they make you look hard to find it (as was the case here). Every time I actually talk to a candidate I intend to contribute to, they are usually surprised themselves to hear this. Recently, I have talked to Wendy Davis, Valerie Plame and Mark Kelly, and all three vowed to make a snail mail address for checks displayed more prominently on their websites. The sites are always set up by younger staff, for whom checks are relics from World War I, and the internet is the only method of doing anything. Since the costs don't come out of their own pockets, what do they care? I'm old enough to do the math, and so I still care.

Mark Kelly, especially, has raised millions for his Senate seat. If $3 million of that came via Act Blue, they took $120,000 for themselves. No candidate in their right mind would give up a $120,000 contribution. Obviously, the argument can be made that a large chunk of that would never have been raised at all if it had not been for Act Blue, and there is no way to verify or refute that. But the figures are significant enough that the candidates need to be aware of the need to offer their contributors the option of checks in the mail, as the cost of a stamp and a 6 day wait is not the sort of thing that will make or break a campaign. An 8% reduction in campaign contributions in a close race, on the other hand, CAN make the difference.

[hangaleft]

70. Thanks for the reminder about Kelly

Another candidate I (and all of us) need to support. A great candidate v. one of our biggest nemeses.

I’ll have to check his website for a mailing address.

[DFW]

72. Don't bother. Here you go:

Mark Kelly for Senate
P.O. Box 27202
Tucson, AZ, 85726

I've known him and Gabby for over ten years, and they are REALLY good people.
[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[hangaleft]

73. Thanks!

[bdamomma]

62. I posted this last night

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212956786

[SammyWinstonJack]

27. KnR

[Laelth]

28. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[Gothmog]

29. I have hopes that MJ Hegar can beat Cornyn

[DFW]

44. I doubt it

But I just sent her enough that I had to furnish my occupation and employer all the same!

This information is available and I want Cornhole to see that conibutions are coming from Texas, and against him.

[gristy]

30. k&r

[iluvtennis]

31. I'll be donating. There is also the Swing Left organization doing a similar initiative...

See this post on Swing Left and how to get involved and to donate - https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212944944

[pangaia]

32. I fully support this.. but.. am not to pleased with the title of the project....

and here i am the one always saying stop bringing a knife to a gun fight.

But, humm...I would be just a tad more subtle.... something like, oh... SAVE AMERICA FROM THE AUTOCRATIC LYING FASCISTS !!

[lastlib]

35. I see your point.

Second the notion that a better name could be found. It's pretty much a "Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Democrats" title. Surely there is a better name out there that's a little more "cuddly"....?

[pangaia]

36. actully, looking back , I now like my title better,.,,

leaves out the vengence part.. :&gt )

[dchill]

37. K&R.

[randr]

38. I let my Senator Gardner know that we are supporting this project

[Hermit-The-Prog]

40. k&r

[marble falls]

41. "Let't take the bastards out of office." might be better. After all we aren't them.

[JudyM]

45. There's a link to find your local group, to volunteer, too.

It lists a lot of local groups, not just Indivisible groups.
https://indivisible.org/groups

[Catch2.2]

47. This should be a Sticky!

Thank you for sharing this!

[MadMike47]

48. We've donated twice so far....

and plan to continue donating to the extent we can.

[MarianJack]

51. Hi from Winthrop, ME.

Last edited Sun Feb 9, 2020, 10:39 AM - Edit history (1)

I think that Sara Gideon has a real shot at taking the spine of oatmeal Susan Collins out. I hope.

RESIST!

[lastlib]

74. I want to see that happen!

Sara Gideon sounds like she would make a great Senator to represent the PEOPLE of Maine! Good Luck, and Keep Resisting!

[Ananda62]

52. Thanks for the link!

I just donated and sent the link to my friends.

[lastlib]

69. Thank you!

And a hearty Welcome to DU!

[mountain grammy]

53. Kicked, recommended and bookmarked..

Will donate as soon as I check out the site.. thanks for the information.

Another good one is Mad Dog PAC.

https://maddogpac.com/

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

55. Thanks for the info.

We must defeat those sleazy, criminal bastards.

[Doremus]

56. Made a contribution. Thanks.

[bdamomma]

58. I posted this last night

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212956786



We need to do this, let's mobilize!! Yes we can!!

[drmeow]

63. I'm going to give them money but

I wish they weren't planning to text voters. The party got a hold of my number and started texting me and it was virtually impossible to get them to stop - I think cause the list kept going to different candidates without names being removed. I was still getting texts to support AZ candidates after I moved to VA.

[47of74]

64. Joni deserves to be a one termer

I might stick around if she’s given her walking papers.

[BeckyDem]

66. Recommend. +10

[Progressive Jones]

68. All of these GOP Sens need to go despite their roles

in protecting Trump.

[orleans]

71. i think the dem doug jones in alabama might need some help too

i'm looking at this colorful chart:
https://www.270towin.com/2020-senate-election/