tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36408310662928457582024-03-27T16:54:05.787-07:00Campaign CookbookCooking up a campaign? Need a new recipe? You've come to the right place! The Campaign Cookbook offers tips to season your campaign, make the dough rise, and be prepared for when it gets hot in the electoral kitchen. Recipes tried and true, and innovative too, presented by GreenDog Campaigns. www.greendogcampaigns.com asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.comBlogger291125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-80270413282656698072023-07-31T13:20:00.000-07:002023-07-31T13:20:04.457-07:00Never too Early to Start Your Run for 2024<p>Reprint alert, updated for 2024. Read on:</p><p> That's right. It's never too early to start thinking about 2024. City
Council race coming up? School Board? Certainly Assembly, County
Supervisor, and Congress. <br />
<br />
You may want to launch your campaign for water board, sewer board or
Community Services District. Find out now what seats are coming up and
when you find the one that seems right for you, get the answers to these
questions before you make a final decision:<br />
<br />
1. Is the incumbent likely to run? You may not know yet, because they
may not have decided, but at least know who the incumbent is, what their
track record is and what has been written about them and their votes on
the board. This information can help you decide if it's worth
challenging the incumbent. If they are not doing a good job, or you have
some better ideas and will to take on the challenge, don't let the
fact that someone else is sitting there now stop you. <br />
<br />
2. When is the election? In March, when the California primaries take
place or in November, along with the General election? Or both. Is there
a primary to whittle down the field to the top two? This is important
because it will make a difference in your fundraising and endorsement
seeking schedule. If it's in March, filing is in the fall. You need to
be cognizant of the holiday season and plan accordingly.<br />
<br />
3. How much does this race normally cost? If you're running against the
incumbent, it will probably cost you more, to get yourself known and up
to speed, and get your message out to the voters on why they should fire
the incumbent and hire you, instead. You can get the information on
past election costs either at <a href="http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/">Cal-Access</a>
the State site with campaign disclosures or at the City or County where
the election takes place. Sometimes you have to go physically into the
office of the Board to get hard copies of the disclosure statements.<br />
<br />
Now that you're armed with some basic information about the race, make
sure you are up to speed on the decisions made by this board, the scope
of the duties and how you can contribute to the quality of the work
done.<br />
<br />
Whatever you run for, the most important question is one to ask yourself: Do I have the "Fire in the belly" for this job?<br />
<br />
If the answer is Yes, go for it. Just do your homework, make sure you
can raise the funds and get the support needed and you are off and
running.<br />
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<p> <br /></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-54581865911588884062023-07-17T15:27:00.000-07:002023-07-17T15:27:32.673-07:00Ageism and Dianne Feinstein<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Ageism- the Last Frontier </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> I get it. No one
wants to be old. No one wants to admit they will get old which means that much
closer to death. Easier to see the old - an ever changing target- as the Other,
like blacks, Latinx, lgbtq+, women, or others with easily definable traits,
that are not your traits. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> But everyone gets
old and, as they say, it’s better than the alternative, unless for some
inexplicable reason you desire to die young. And people age in different ways. True,
some experience physical or cognitive problems. Others remain fit, active,
creative and contributing to community well into their 90s and beyond. My friend,
poet Priscilla Long, has written about it in <i>Dancing with the Muse in Old
Age</i>, in which she interviews creative people of various “old” ages from 75
to over 100. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Another friend,
Howard Schoof, ran for and won a community college seat at 65 and served for
years. Then started a jazz club, wine making, taught a popular wine
appreciation class and took up painting which he was very good a, until the day
he died, at 93 peacefully in his sleep, as “with it” as ever. My first poetry
teacher, Edith Jenkins, published a book with City Lights in her 80’s, held
workshops until she was 90. Died in her bath at home, after dinner out with her
family. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> When ageism is
paired with sexism the results can be toxic. And not to get into a political
discussion, but again as “they “ say, all politics in personal, I agree that Dianne
Feinstein appears to have significant cognitive problems and probably should
not be serving as a U.S. Senator, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we
can’t ignore the very real issues of the loss of seniority on the Judiciary Committee
should she give up her seat early. I also note that several prominent male
senators served well into their 90s. Some showing the same cognitive issues as
she. None of them were called out and their resignation demanded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Calling out people’s
age rather than their ability to do the work, enthusiasm for the job, policy
decisions, and so forth, just exacerbates the negative way people view aging in
this society. A recent article in the Marin IJ focusing on Barbara Lees age highlights
this problem. It quotes a 76 year old woman who says she aligns with Barbara s
policies, but worries about her age that she’s be in her 80’s when her term is over.
I wonder, does this woman believe she herself is facing imminent dementia? And
doesn’t this add to the myth that old age means decline in all ways and therefore,
should not be allowed? Obviously that is not the answer, any more than not
allowing BIPOC people, gays or those with physical disabilities not to serve,
should be tolerated.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> We are all aging,
and as we do we all face the final “ism” that is still permitted to exist:
Ageism. It is going to happen to you. The whitest, richest, most successful of
us all, will face it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the powerful
can cushion it with money or by surrounding themselves with yes-men. But they
can’t stop the oncoming reality of old age. It doesn’t have to be a career
stopper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Even in supposedly
helpful ways, society contributes to ageism. “Senior day” at the supermarket.
Discounts for movies, plays and concerts. (And yes, because of the high cost of
everything these days, I admit I do take advantage of some of them). But I’d
prefer they do fixed-income days. Reserve the discounts for those who really
need it?. Why single out old people? It’s easy and makes you feel good. When really
it’s condescending and patronizing. Let me help you. You’re old. I’m not. The
ads for “A Place for Mom.” When did Mom suddenly need to go to a “place?” It’s
chilling. It is otherism. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Of course, we must
make way for younger people, in politics, as in all things. But it isn’t a case
of us or them. We are all on the same continuum. Let’s help, as older people
(don’t get me started on the word “senior”) by mentoring, teaching, setting a
good examples Getting old should not mean getting pushed to the curb or having
to go to a Place. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWqgK8VMdE7U6ua5kNouaLWc4zubhTe48ADdO3YePc7PIN6OSBCxaE0D3AW3sLpa1yzR10ujvHRYaXlzO22AZMKT49VVj6x9aStUA09AB6GsO4DHBKP3-q3Mdr4s-9y5Zw90ficdaQBXOr2dRhUMHnNKWf3Vrfows2-mbH6IsS03mCe3y6g1UOw_zBzM/s1024/Granny%20giving%20the%20finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1024" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWqgK8VMdE7U6ua5kNouaLWc4zubhTe48ADdO3YePc7PIN6OSBCxaE0D3AW3sLpa1yzR10ujvHRYaXlzO22AZMKT49VVj6x9aStUA09AB6GsO4DHBKP3-q3Mdr4s-9y5Zw90ficdaQBXOr2dRhUMHnNKWf3Vrfows2-mbH6IsS03mCe3y6g1UOw_zBzM/s320/Granny%20giving%20the%20finger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-1761274993013073422023-07-01T14:15:00.000-07:002023-07-01T14:15:08.071-07:00Fundraising .0001 or Pre-Fundraising Essentials<p> Hi there Candidates! Before we get to Fundraising 101, it's handy to have pre-fundraising, what I call Fundraising .0001. Not quite everything you need to know before you start raising money for your campaign. As you've heard me say over and over, as nauseam and etc. YOU MUST BE WILLING TO RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN! No matter what size. Even the smallest, even for dogcatcher, if a campaign for Dogcatcher was a thing, which thankfully, it is not. Or you would never feel comfortable letting Rover out of your sight, which by the way you should probably not do anyway. But that's a whole other discussion for a different Blog.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_3Zt7RXLeAJeZkcnSYiqYZawCRALeLRC_eg2fcp3wTGcVjixCWNt3DlwpAGDUexEGM6Nvwj-4Ii4cDqJGMbzoA5C_pTsomSkf2RqnsFnLD6SRiGL3kOgGP0f3qfRqVrp9kpjWuoO80r39ssxu4JnXoL7O-2NU6LhYvUdSrO5JA1tab_KXY5ZU1wpDZE/s612/Money.politica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_3Zt7RXLeAJeZkcnSYiqYZawCRALeLRC_eg2fcp3wTGcVjixCWNt3DlwpAGDUexEGM6Nvwj-4Ii4cDqJGMbzoA5C_pTsomSkf2RqnsFnLD6SRiGL3kOgGP0f3qfRqVrp9kpjWuoO80r39ssxu4JnXoL7O-2NU6LhYvUdSrO5JA1tab_KXY5ZU1wpDZE/w279-h186/Money.politica.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>Why must you raise money you ask, when you are running for sewer board in Podunksville, Wyoming (no offense Podunksville Wyoming, if you exist)? Why? Because even if you have 300 people in your town and you have even one opponent also running for that seat, you need to tell those 300 people why they should vote for you and not for the other guy.<p></p><p>Even if 200 of those people are your best friends and have already promised to vote for you. Again why? Because, those are often the very people who don't even bother to vote.</p><p>That's right, why should they vote when they know you are the best, you are their friend, the other guy is a punk and they also know the other 200 people. </p><p>Now for a cautionary tale that actually happened. In a small town fire chief campaign, one candidate was considered a shoe-in, because he was the best qualified, the most experienced, a really nice guy and everyone loved him. He even rescued cats.</p><p>So lots of folks didn't vote. They didn't even read their ballot when it came in the mail. They knew their guy would win. Come election day, guess what? He lost, by one vote. HIS OWN VOTE! Even he was so sure he would win, he didn't bother to vote. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbWjfPlrLLrQ86UIbywkWPsYWVi1EjmoZUiTm7l5NdFd-30_-mdQIAEWuWu-gClRD-dPhyQ8M6Y8NSOf7dAMHOAyiPtRThCBdJIfsH9epylhT53fK2D7t6mhEjnfMSCxjwuExipGK41tSFYCkVn-CblTS17jEvf9y6rUvQ9JA2dPUTMcJXEbufg4hZXk/s620/illustration-male-political-candidate-crying-600w-408549298.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="418" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbWjfPlrLLrQ86UIbywkWPsYWVi1EjmoZUiTm7l5NdFd-30_-mdQIAEWuWu-gClRD-dPhyQ8M6Y8NSOf7dAMHOAyiPtRThCBdJIfsH9epylhT53fK2D7t6mhEjnfMSCxjwuExipGK41tSFYCkVn-CblTS17jEvf9y6rUvQ9JA2dPUTMcJXEbufg4hZXk/s320/illustration-male-political-candidate-crying-600w-408549298.webp" width="216" /></a></div>So you need to reach out to every single voter in the case of this small town, or in a larger venue, every single likely voter, to remind them they need to get their butts down to the polling place, or pick up a pen and fill in that circle by their candidates' name, because elections have consequences.<p></p><p>And what's the best way to remind them? Sure phoning them all is great, if they pick up, if they look at their messages, if you have time and enough other volunteers to call them all the night before the election. And again in the morning.</p><p> But you'd be surprised who has to wash their poodle, or watch their kids' bowling championship at that time. Wouldn't it be easier to mail out a little card a week or so before, one that they can hold in their hand, post on their refrigerator, take to the polling place, to remind them to vote, or if they don't know you well, tell them why you are the best for the job?</p><p>Also call them and etc. They say to stick in a voter's mind, you need to reach out and touch them at least 7 times. Make one of those mail, something you leave at their front door, as well as social media, phone calls, candidates' events at the local Elks Hall, and more. Some of this stuff just costs money.</p><p>Get over it, be prepared to ask people for money and you are ready for the next step: Fundraising 101.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NqCmXXpkL-R6vA6TzWHkDiEd-jTX6TRXO31D4Agaa48ZcdQEwosXW7-vcAkZinxfYAEFvq6eRGXu1kRYjL82Dp665QhZ6OARVv6qBOm0SurO3NLIKaKdVvFXnelaTAYYs-GrfQmNG9uYX9JdrxEemCX_TaG_FPW2CtyjlNaTJcf3z-HIoIdzmc9IfbA/s1600/money_190405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NqCmXXpkL-R6vA6TzWHkDiEd-jTX6TRXO31D4Agaa48ZcdQEwosXW7-vcAkZinxfYAEFvq6eRGXu1kRYjL82Dp665QhZ6OARVv6qBOm0SurO3NLIKaKdVvFXnelaTAYYs-GrfQmNG9uYX9JdrxEemCX_TaG_FPW2CtyjlNaTJcf3z-HIoIdzmc9IfbA/s320/money_190405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-38814630357830381962023-06-08T12:10:00.000-07:002023-06-08T12:10:46.956-07:00Committees, What Are They Good For?<p>No, I won't say, like the song - <i>"Absolutely nothing!" </i>because
they are good for a lot. They can help keep you focused. Help you find
elements of your message, inform you of ongoing or new developments you
might have missed and of course, volunteering for all those pesky little
campaign tasks no one should have to do alone.<br />
<br />
But they also can be distracting, discouraging and, sometimes, downright dangerous.<br />
<br />
Often, when candidates tell me they don't need my services, or they "are
going in a different direction," that's code for "I have a campaign
committee. why should I spend money on a paid consultant?" <br />
<br />
Let's go over some of the dos and don't of the Campaign Committee.<br />
<br />
<b>Campaign committees are good for: </b><br />
<br />
1. Providing local on-the-ground insight. Members of your committee, if
chosen wisely, can keep you apprised of what's going on in various parts
of your district, or with various constituencies. They can keep you up
to date on issues, breaking and otherwise, that are on people's minds.
All this helps you craft a message for the voters. (We also call these folks your Kitchen Cabinet. They are the cream of the crop and you keep them close.)<br />
<br />
2. Cheering you up when times get tough. They'll stand by you through
thick and thin. They'll give you good news from farflung parts of the
district. If they're true friends and advisors, they'll bring you the
bad news too, like when the local grocery clerks are extolling the
virtues of your opponent.<br />
<br />
3. Grunt work. These are your volunteer leaders. They can be the
backbone of your field campaign. Willing to walk precincts in the rain;
to encourage others to join in; they'll sit with cell phones glued to
their ears for hours making those calls to undecided voters. They'll
hold house parties for you and get their friends and neighbors to
attend, to donate and even to hold their own events.<br />
<br />
They will lick stamps and stuff envelopes, when a quick fundraising
letter needs to go out. They'll forward emails and get all their friends
to "like" your Facebook page.<br />
<br />
3. The cream of the crop will become field coordinators, phone bank
operators, finance committee chairs. Every member of the committee
should donate whatever they can to the campaign war chest.<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsISm-lB2KBYJRlkvdlLlWRo-dcn_eIIDf51OE8jV-LNFlwo9tRHouBF4-DzXDTN6olnEUUrlxJvsFebFwlXtND7OVOXNLmFGgvR4jBT6T6J-YalyHHKCPsoAgM2nInpuZijZMfD5IT8Y/s1600/committee-20100603-115123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="586" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsISm-lB2KBYJRlkvdlLlWRo-dcn_eIIDf51OE8jV-LNFlwo9tRHouBF4-DzXDTN6olnEUUrlxJvsFebFwlXtND7OVOXNLmFGgvR4jBT6T6J-YalyHHKCPsoAgM2nInpuZijZMfD5IT8Y/s320/committee-20100603-115123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Now for what they are not good for, in fact, may be toxic for:</b><br />
<br />
1. Writing the campaign plan. Yes, everyone has good ideas, and no one's
ideas should be completely ignored out of hand, but this is not where
your plan is created or your strategy worked out. This is a leaderless
group who needs to take direction, not try to give it.<br />
<br />
2. Crafting the campaign message, or worse, the actual campaign
materials you will leave at voters' doors and mail to their homes. Your
committee is likely to have English majors, maybe even ad execs. You'll
have artists and everyone will have a cousin, sister, uncle or good
friend, who's a brilliant designer. While all that may be true, and
sometimes good ideas arise from brainstorming sessions around the coffee
table, those are the jobs of your consultant and the professionals they
hire who understand campaigns and the special way messages must be
crafted and targeted to get the most bang for your precious campaign
buck.<br />
<br />
3. Second guessing. Don't let the committee second guess your
consultant. Pick one or two trusted sets of eyes to review the pieces
for spelling errors or factual inaccuracies. But if you let 12 people
have a say in everything, you'll have twelve opinions. Let them know
you value their input, but make sure the lines of authority are clear.
And remember, you are the boss. You can fire volunteers, even though you
don't pay them and they have the best intentions. Some people are
natural downers and must be gently sent on their way or channeled into a
more productive role.<br />
<br />
I've see all of these and more pitfalls on campaigns. If candidates whom
I interview go "in a different direction," I wish them well.
Occasionally, they win their race in spite of it all. More often though,
I hear from them months or years later (often when they've decided to
take another crack at running) "Well, you were right. My committee
really didn't know what they were doing. Are you available to help me
this time around?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I never gloat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecfbTQvpsJyveM8rGhSXhhYG1qIB4XsmtXHvgR9lvOwas9v_6Wwwl-hM1jBvQLyZxHzZuaZrotlHqMYAkB5NB7xhKKuxzvmyWhCpEMSHdc9aHMxBea-HyKRT8nVINvdjRnXt1NuaRqeg/s1600/handshake.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="407" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecfbTQvpsJyveM8rGhSXhhYG1qIB4XsmtXHvgR9lvOwas9v_6Wwwl-hM1jBvQLyZxHzZuaZrotlHqMYAkB5NB7xhKKuxzvmyWhCpEMSHdc9aHMxBea-HyKRT8nVINvdjRnXt1NuaRqeg/s200/handshake.gif" width="200" /></a></div><p> (Reprinted from 2018 Blog post. Good advice is timeless) <br /></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-10767498830519559342023-05-08T11:02:00.004-07:002023-05-09T12:05:33.764-07:00Dianne Feinstein, Is It About Her Age?<p>We all know Senator Dianne Feinstein (or Di Fi as we in the know call her) is in her late eighties. Speculation swirls about a cognitive decline. Calls for her to resign are loud and come from many in her own, our own Democratic Party. Should she quit, when she just has a year to go? That's the question.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpXATRRKoidnYxj1RqfQ9L2NsUGHSM3EbBZ8JyjKsFe5UptmWJGuvHvFjkZy_5_lujQUuumRwcIjl2YSb8u2yV3-milZNfXt6ItzDFk6NXoSkAkiDvFiuIeB7S2BxwGM3KuX6COTesAfTbsDOHe1uTw909l8xmUw9kIvdWTGRrmA1UNgKp1UhTlUO/s600/DI%20FI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="474" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpXATRRKoidnYxj1RqfQ9L2NsUGHSM3EbBZ8JyjKsFe5UptmWJGuvHvFjkZy_5_lujQUuumRwcIjl2YSb8u2yV3-milZNfXt6ItzDFk6NXoSkAkiDvFiuIeB7S2BxwGM3KuX6COTesAfTbsDOHe1uTw909l8xmUw9kIvdWTGRrmA1UNgKp1UhTlUO/w148-h187/DI%20FI.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><p></p><p>In her case, I don't think it's all about the age, but it may be factors like cognitive decline if that's true. However, many older people, including Senators, have lived well into their 90's serving and being productive and creative members of whatever group they belonged to. My friends Howard, Eugenia, Edith all died in their mid 90's, still feeling well, creating art and publishing poetry, with some physical issues, but sharp as they ever were, ready for fun, work or whatever was called for. I still have lunches with wine with my beautiful 96 year old poet friend Treva.<br /></p><p>But in this case, missing her work on the Judicial Committee for so long means delaying appointments of judges while we still can. No one knows what the next election will bring. Also, crucially, delaying key subpoenas in the Trump investigation, which will not happen if the Reps get their hands on the Senate or the Presidency.</p><p>So in her case, I don't think it's all about the age. Ageism is a thing affecting all of us, every single one. As we age, we enter the time of being discriminated against, even if we are not in any of the other protected groups. It's why women dye their hair, not vanity. Time to celebrate age and hire for age, not in spite of it, as long as the person is sharp, hard working and willing. Studies show our brains grow the more we use them.</p><p>Some people, alas, have problems. Is Di Fi one? I'm not sure. But if she resigns, it's prime time for Newsom to appoint a Black woman to that spot. It should be Barbara Lee. Will he do it? Stay tuned. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAM4XX9tO_rWdiU7W2MJfuTxoEbQI4a1lNS7x3JA-PSKHHzxF-MdbfzogAcQEEKzlSAkNf_iHmHmQOn-fG7TUI8v-o7nXoeEOwZkKcHopgiKbvxvYzzLTpt7cHGt0xFPVVlDZc2h5x01ZAG3Or3EspeMbisjZYtcdsDZDRSxhs7HbT-wDczOVBtdQ/s531/U.S._Rep._Barbara_Lee_-_Official_Portrait,_115th_Congress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="400" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAM4XX9tO_rWdiU7W2MJfuTxoEbQI4a1lNS7x3JA-PSKHHzxF-MdbfzogAcQEEKzlSAkNf_iHmHmQOn-fG7TUI8v-o7nXoeEOwZkKcHopgiKbvxvYzzLTpt7cHGt0xFPVVlDZc2h5x01ZAG3Or3EspeMbisjZYtcdsDZDRSxhs7HbT-wDczOVBtdQ/w153-h203/U.S._Rep._Barbara_Lee_-_Official_Portrait,_115th_Congress.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-41805073914748266942023-03-24T15:51:00.000-07:002023-03-24T15:51:38.218-07:00Money: It's STILL the Mother's Milk of Politics<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DNBus5619P-EC_3fC_fbEJmnRp9ct3M5vUDVhVpbge8L1pY6Bt3jKFdoJY-KUOqpK3HCq7NV-s1oanazE27BqLVpg5_EfQmIZk5tWpwEEdpvlzKQ7fa_ssf6WJVr6OBQjGTKVk3BRSCva_ufy8V6RUqGoei4sCxRu1jowN6Ya2CDvCT4dFXEw_f1/s612/Money.politica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DNBus5619P-EC_3fC_fbEJmnRp9ct3M5vUDVhVpbge8L1pY6Bt3jKFdoJY-KUOqpK3HCq7NV-s1oanazE27BqLVpg5_EfQmIZk5tWpwEEdpvlzKQ7fa_ssf6WJVr6OBQjGTKVk3BRSCva_ufy8V6RUqGoei4sCxRu1jowN6Ya2CDvCT4dFXEw_f1/s320/Money.politica.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jesse Unruh, at one time called the Big Daddy'' of the California Legislature, once said "Money is the mother's milk of politics." That adage is still true today, more than half a century after the politically powerful Speaker of the California State Assembly uttered it. Why? Because much as candidates don't want to think they need it, much as they hate raising money, they need it and they must raise it in order to get their message out to the voters. If you don't have any money, you can't hope to reach the people that need to know who you are, what you stand for, and why they should vote for you and not the other guy.<br /><p></p><p>To reach those voters, even the most modest campaign need to have something to put into voters' hands, and to do that, they need to have a printer to print their message and before that, someone with graphic design skills to create the piece they want to get out and before that a list of the voters they need to reach and before that a message that differentiates them from the field and states their particular message clearly and succinctly.</p><p>Let's break that down. </p><p><b>The List</b> <br /></p><p>You need a good list, not just the list of all registered voters, but the list of frequent voters, that is people who are likely to vote in this election. These lists can be purchased from the list vendor, such as <a href="https://politicaldata.com/">Political Data Intelligence.</a> This vendor can find just the right list for your needs. It's worth the cost, by m ailing to only your voters, you save money in the end. </p><p><b>The Message</b></p><p>To craft a short bulled message, it helps to have a message consultant, someone to help you hone your issues into bite sized pieces. You can't write essays for the voters (although plenty of candidates want to). You have to give them something they can digest in a short period of time, maybe even as quickly as they head from the mailbox to the recycling bin. Your message consultant can help you take your issues and break them down into sound bites, or bulleted points that the voter can digest and understand easily.<br /></p><p><b>Graphics</b></p><p>You have to make it look nice, so, someone with graphic design skills, preferably with experience doing campaigns, which are very different than advertising say, who knows how to take that message and make it pop on the page, along with your picture and a good logo and color scheme. his person will also work with your message consultant to create a webpage for you. in fact, the webpage usually comes first with a logo, branding, the right color scheme and a short "tagline" you can use throughout the campaign.<br /></p><p><b>A Printer</b></p><p>You need a printer, not your home printer, to print a high quality piece that you and volunteers can carry around to homes, and to print the mail and get it to the mailhouse to go out to voters. You need to find a local union print shop, one that you can rely on for all your needs and will be responsive when you call, who understands the needs of campaigns. Why a union print shop? Because as you go forward assuming you are a Democratic candidate, you will be seeking endorsements from unions and from the Democratic Party. even in a non-partisan election, these things matter and the people who make the endorsements care that you support union labor.</p><p>There is so much more that you need to win your campaign and all these things cost money. even if you have an army of volunteer to go door to door, you need a quality professionally produced piece for them to hand out. People power is great. But a grassroots campaign doesn't mean a sloppy or an underfunded campaign. You're not rich? You don't hobnob with the powerful and influential? That's ok. We will give you some tips for successful fundraising as we go forward.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-x-jspGQFC1nTWcESLl_aNGoTyxgLodF9T8r_wi5h_mOXAlfXNUZF6vYj_t04GdgpR8A0kQrrNJrNBNqSfnIP12ocNzCs9HOx5vIxFJEEzON-zn-a-oPxirISilSgRmBpBGb2p2Bgc08pEtbN0k2tl8dneS4q5w9H_ezncltcOaue9xEeONW62iu/s768/Cancassing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-x-jspGQFC1nTWcESLl_aNGoTyxgLodF9T8r_wi5h_mOXAlfXNUZF6vYj_t04GdgpR8A0kQrrNJrNBNqSfnIP12ocNzCs9HOx5vIxFJEEzON-zn-a-oPxirISilSgRmBpBGb2p2Bgc08pEtbN0k2tl8dneS4q5w9H_ezncltcOaue9xEeONW62iu/s320/Cancassing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-90338615051626292962023-02-28T14:31:00.002-08:002023-02-28T14:42:39.051-08:00Three Things Not to Do if You want to Win Your Next Campaign <p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Don't do this:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In a recent campaign I ran, early in the final month before election day, a very earnest young woman, a campaign volunteer, said to me on evening as we had an energetic phone bank going at the local Party headquarters, "Dotty, you can't have our candidate calling people during the dinner hour. Do you know how many people have said to me, 'I won't vote for anyone who calls me during dinner.'?" "How do we know what time everyone eats dinner," I responded. I didn't say, "And do you know how many of those people wouldn't vote for our candidate anyway? Or how many of them just don't vote at all?" But I didn't.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SDEddUSiJHmAoHjN56sQUK8SS4-ZAqg5z3FVRxGJLCQgOEVqLMtt6dd_6cC4bILMlk9Icj67QVpafSWW5poN96rLeqdHpQ2PFnTxciCimYNe9XPv4ZOkMJkpHAmVVtdVJ_BE9KwTV1E2if4Vzyw-4eNZKsHrKxlTalUw_4kk8PMu7aa1cLRsRjxO/s1300/mad-man-sitting-table-screaming-phone-angry-unhappy-guy-can-t-stop-yelling-doesn-t-eat-food-mad-man-117229440.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1300" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SDEddUSiJHmAoHjN56sQUK8SS4-ZAqg5z3FVRxGJLCQgOEVqLMtt6dd_6cC4bILMlk9Icj67QVpafSWW5poN96rLeqdHpQ2PFnTxciCimYNe9XPv4ZOkMJkpHAmVVtdVJ_BE9KwTV1E2if4Vzyw-4eNZKsHrKxlTalUw_4kk8PMu7aa1cLRsRjxO/w255-h188/mad-man-sitting-table-screaming-phone-angry-unhappy-guy-can-t-stop-yelling-doesn-t-eat-food-mad-man-117229440.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't call me during dinner! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Or this: </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In another hard fought race for supervisor, an eager volunteer came up to me, all in a lather, saying "Dotty, Dotty. We have to get the candidate down to the freeway entrance right now! His opponent is there with his wife and kids, waving signs and people are honking for him!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At that moment, the candidate was busy on the phone, dialing for dollars, calling his friends and family, to get those last minute funds to ensure he got over the finish line with room to spare. It was tight, and time was short. "No," I said, as kindly as I could to this well-intentioned volunteer. "He's busy now, raising money. We don't need to distract him. "But," she went on, undeterred,'the opponent has a very photogenic family and lots of sign wavers there too. He'll be noticed and our guy won't." Sign waving does not win campaigns. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>And especially don't do this: </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At the very beginning of what would prove to be a nail-biter of an election, volunteer number three came running up to me as I was busily checking the data provided by the research team, to target our early walking. "Dotty, Dotty" he said. "We have to buy a bunch of signs. Right now. Let's not waste out money on walking and mailing, when we can get our candidate's name in front of voters if we get to the freeway intersections and overpasses first. He'll have the most big signs and everyone will want to vote for him on election day!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Never mind that we hadn't even settled on a logo or a slogan or finalized the first handout for the printer. And that the candidate, who had gotten off to a late start, was still madly calling his friends and relations for that all important early money.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When I reminded Eager Volunteer no. 3 of that, he had a ready answer, "But don't you see? If he just buys a bunch of banners and gets them up all over town right away, he won't need so much money. He'll have name recognition and win easily." No, he won't. He'll have annoyed drivers and business people calling to complain and writing letters to the editor about sign pollution, not to mention banners tend to fly off overpasses and can do all kinds of damage. We waited on signs, got the candidate out walking, did some targeted mailing and won with a pretty good margin.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXu9-6DBP0jPD6M8psef8pPt-VHQ7wsCuOS9AEUiFutVWU8y18WUQJACmNpCtoZYcRnaBxv1D4UmEWNpCRPgzFgFNlPEiFiJkUOc8ZauqmQ7fpaBJ4ey90tbf-1z906japPJVdz6B7o9eOu_JUUueVCiU2fNL8eYc30sM1Q9Qi9SObU-abBFgbLWt/s4032/So%20many%20signs!.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXu9-6DBP0jPD6M8psef8pPt-VHQ7wsCuOS9AEUiFutVWU8y18WUQJACmNpCtoZYcRnaBxv1D4UmEWNpCRPgzFgFNlPEiFiJkUOc8ZauqmQ7fpaBJ4ey90tbf-1z906japPJVdz6B7o9eOu_JUUueVCiU2fNL8eYc30sM1Q9Qi9SObU-abBFgbLWt/s320/So%20many%20signs!.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many signs!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span> </span></span><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>What DO you do then? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Follow the time-honored techniques of savvy campaigners: Walk, phone (even at dinner time; phoning at dinner time never lost a candidate a vote and now with cell phones and caller ID, most calls got to voice mail anyway. Have a good short voice mail message ready to deliver), mail, meet voters at events and house parties, use smart social media, and do it all again. Yes, you need to do all of the above (except for banners, don't do banners!), but don't do them instead of campaigning like crazy, right up until the last minute. Oh, and tip no. 1. Raise money, raise money, raise money. More on that later. <b> </b><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFVfRuDfEoyh2kUtDoRqVA4Quy_10B4pEua31HGeFwjonX7LwtMleQaIMqJhnktATeBM_f33JQv3QCPfVGy5O4uAe822L-YX6EbgbMbYiwoMQ1NMyflDPeHx0vtp25T-c2c1W_lSUCLadp1Cuhk-3jHB4dhnEUlEPTYGfBth8ISwqx1cWsOetuPRw/s1600/funnypoliticalsigns-1600.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFVfRuDfEoyh2kUtDoRqVA4Quy_10B4pEua31HGeFwjonX7LwtMleQaIMqJhnktATeBM_f33JQv3QCPfVGy5O4uAe822L-YX6EbgbMbYiwoMQ1NMyflDPeHx0vtp25T-c2c1W_lSUCLadp1Cuhk-3jHB4dhnEUlEPTYGfBth8ISwqx1cWsOetuPRw/s320/funnypoliticalsigns-1600.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And more signs!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-38233873756425481432023-02-14T15:07:00.003-08:002023-02-14T15:18:03.928-08:00Tiny Aliens or What's in Those UFO's Anyway?<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 120px;"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz2CSgfYEnMOCsPfoM7tfwhHeUkpliW8dVbYhxC8S3bnHUNplxfbJy0yjsjfe6P1zI2Z25QXlPKxEAkXV54Abilnk3bp6gPyBA3loZGQUULQySK5azpsFtfj_wwAfvzibwGjFckSlXKr27TmuvTHrYe3mH2yJaMx0XG_m6Ry3-tebWd9fW9SYJQ7b/s1024/istockphoto-1173828830-1024x1024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz2CSgfYEnMOCsPfoM7tfwhHeUkpliW8dVbYhxC8S3bnHUNplxfbJy0yjsjfe6P1zI2Z25QXlPKxEAkXV54Abilnk3bp6gPyBA3loZGQUULQySK5azpsFtfj_wwAfvzibwGjFckSlXKr27TmuvTHrYe3mH2yJaMx0XG_m6Ry3-tebWd9fW9SYJQ7b/s320/istockphoto-1173828830-1024x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></p></div><p>After they shot down the Chinese spy balloon, three more smaller objects drifted into our airspace from the same general direction. Are they spy balloons too? No one is saying, because no one knows for sure, or that is what they DO say. They have not been able to recover the debris. These were shot out of the sky over Alaska, over Canada, over Lake Huron. All coming down in unreachable terrain.</p><p>So they say. Meanwhile they are very quick to tell us they are not aliens, no, no aliens in that Volkswagon sized thing, or the cylindrical one or that other one either. They'd have to be tiny aliens I think, to fit in there, with whatever propulsion system was needed, whatever other stuff, gear, food, seats, steering wheels? So now everyone is talking aliens and no one is wondering why they can't recover these things any faster. Hmmm.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I think it's college students, maybe high school kids, playing very expensive pranks. What with fighter jets needing to be deployed and missiles launched and all. But they may never say. We just hope it doesn't start a war with the Chinese, or the Russians or the aliens. </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-18673666387086942932023-01-30T11:25:00.000-08:002023-01-30T11:25:59.572-08:00Exciting Training for Activists<p>The <a href="https://greendogcampaigns.com/">Green Dog group</a> is planning some exciting trainings for progressive activists this summer and fall. If you are involved in protecting wetlands or open space, fighting for rent control in your town, or just trying to get a stop sign at a dangerous corner, this is for you. Learn the techniques for lobbying your elected officials, building a coalition of neighbors and other concerned citizens in your town.<b> And consider running for office yourself. </b></p><p>Remember, this is an off year in California, but it's the right time to plan your run in 2024. We can help with all of that, including fundraising tips, the one thing all candidates hate to do, but the one that is most crucial to any successful campaign.</p><p>If your grassroots organizing campaign involves meeting with State legislators, holding large rallies, or even making signs to wave at the meetings, you can benefit from these tips too. We've created petition drives, lobbying expeditions to Sacramento in caravans of buses, and sent out informative mailers for our clients and our own passion projects. And we've helped progressive candidates get elected to office all over California.<br /></p><p>Learn the techniques that gain the right kind of attention and that work. Topics to include:</p><p><b>Building your coalition and naming your group</b></p><p><b>Fundraising for change</b></p><p><b>Honing your message</b></p><p><b>Lobbying techniques for State and local officials</b></p><p><b>Running a petition drive</b></p><p><b>Recalls and referendums</b></p><p><b>More fundraising</b></p><p><b>Running for office (yikes!)</b></p><p><b>And more! (Stay tuned for further information)<br /></b></p><p><img alt="Organizing: People, Power, Change - The Commons" class="n3VNCb KAlRDb" data-noaft="1" src="https://commonslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Organizers_Handbook.png" style="height: 242px; margin: 0px; width: 325.464px;" /></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-26880590646810236842023-01-19T11:47:00.001-08:002023-01-19T11:47:12.600-08:00Start by Getting Involved<p>Some more advice for getting started on your political campaign. If you care about your community, but aren't sure which office you might want to run for, (and there are no elections this year, with California's new even year only elections) you should start by getting involved in an issue that you care about. Is it climate change, housing, creating more parks and open space, better education for kids? Figure out what excites you and see what you can do to get involved. </p><p>If it's education, and you have kids in school, you probably know the issues well. Are there some committees with openings you can join, like site council or curriculum? Start going to school board meetings, join the PTA, see what seats might be up in the next cycle or two. In the case of most school boards, races are by district, so know what district you are in first. Then see if you approve of the job the incumbent is doing. It may be all is well, and there will no place for you this time. </p><p>Even so, stay involved and be ready for a new opening or you might find you are excited about some other position on a non-profit, in local Party organization, or other club, ad hoc committee or maybe volunteer on another candidate's committee. Who knows, you may get a rewarding job offer as staff when your candidate gets elected. <img alt="vote election on a white background 3D illustration, 3D rendering vote election on a white background 3D illustration, 3D rendering candidate stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images" class="GatewayAsset-module__thumb___JoHuk" height="202" src="https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1138553545/photo/vote-election-on-a-white-background-3d-illustration-3d-rendering.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=li_l0g6FVI-i8IlkzkjFhw3kpAV619iKxzbqEruypUw=" width="612" /></p><p><br /></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-65012133767434671662023-01-09T13:46:00.005-08:002023-06-22T10:54:06.522-07:00So, You Want to Run for Office?<p><b>So, You Want to Run for Office?</b> Or you are just thinking about it. Someday. Well, someday is now. Why? Even though it's an off year in California, if you want to make a difference in 2024, when the actual races are, you need to be thinking about it now.</p><p>This is because you need to be able to hit the ground running. You need to show you know the issues facing your district, whether it's a large office, like Assembly or Congress, or a smaller office, like a local school board or City Council race. Know that your opposition has thought about it, is garnering support and getting pledges for funding. </p><p>If you were paying attention in 2022, you know there are well organized forces who geared up early for school board races with the aim of building the "bench" for future elections. Yes, I am talking about the Republican Party and some non-partisan groups in alignment with much of the Republican platform or, in some cases, even more extreme. </p><p><b>We saw <a href="https://abc7news.com/ca-elections-2022-bay-area-school-board-races-critical-race-theory-anti-trans-legislation/12387399/">anti-vaxxers,</a> anti maskers in the most recent races for small school boards, several in my county alone. Luckily they lost. But they will return. If you are a progressive Democrat or Independent, start doing your research. Now is the time.</b></p><p>Watch these pages for more info. We are here to help our progressive friends win elections all over the State and beyond.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOts4M_Spwy1WQj55JJpnMjnlw4jXBpAyNc0GnWDEnKU_dtQU4LapE5e4VYWUVEEev_HRKubXoVZaJuehupDihZ3yCoT-YnmyiPnTgitl9PI1o2Mc9KSujs8UM1hB1_CxYcGfh2MnVOKcoGx9b9HsaOmdrah_Q79630pa6pjx6O51USOL02Ix7DDEF/s275/index.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOts4M_Spwy1WQj55JJpnMjnlw4jXBpAyNc0GnWDEnKU_dtQU4LapE5e4VYWUVEEev_HRKubXoVZaJuehupDihZ3yCoT-YnmyiPnTgitl9PI1o2Mc9KSujs8UM1hB1_CxYcGfh2MnVOKcoGx9b9HsaOmdrah_Q79630pa6pjx6O51USOL02Ix7DDEF/s1600/index.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="margin-left: 120px; text-align: left;"><br /></p>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-10428886477438347582019-03-25T14:53:00.004-07:002023-07-31T13:21:12.039-07:00If You Wanna be President:Some tipsIf you wanna be president, think down the line. Be between 25-35 years old and run for City Council, preferably in a medium sized city in the Midwest, or South. Be a Democrat for sure. Run and win, then serve two terms and run for Supervisor, win. Serve two terms, run for Assembly, maybe State Senate, win. One term there and think about Congress. Run and maybe win, if not run again, it's only two terms. If you are really really popular the the sitting Congressperson is not, or there's an open seat, you might skip from steps 2 and go straight for Congress after your Supe. gig. You are now 55 or 60.<br />
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Are you good at what you do; have you proven you can raise millions, yes, millions of dollars. Does the grass roots in your state love you, and those in other states getting to know you? Are you mentioned pm MSNBC and Fox News?<br />
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Now you might think about that Presidential run. Don't forget there is always Mayor of your City if it's a big one, Governor of your State, other Constitutional offices, and U.S. Senator. All great offices and ways to get things done, assuming your purpose in all this running is to get things done, for your District, State and Country. Good things, important things. Fixing the roads, building bridges, making sure there is universal healthcare and education, an end to income inequality. Those are goals, and lofty ones, but the ones Democrats need to keep in mind and aim for.<br />
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Run baby run. But not for President, not this year.<br />
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Unless you really are a Buddha Judge. Then all bets are off.<br />
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<br />asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-48914746979812113132019-03-14T13:05:00.001-07:002019-03-14T13:05:25.828-07:00California Dem Party Chair Race Heats UpSo now there are five in the race for Chair of the California Democratic Party, and already the rumors are flying. Someone is intimidating delegates to get them to vote for a certain candidate. Someone else is being held hostage by the Legislature. Another candidate is too hot to handle, and two are just a footnote.<br />
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For the record, I'm all in for current vice-chair Daraka Larimore-Hall, an unabashed Democratic Socialist from Santa Barbara, a professor and progressive activist, who has moved up through the ranks, not got there through cronyism or privilege. If anyone can unify the Party, he can. He's been elected twice as Secretary and as Vice Chair. He knows his way around Party politics and the grassroots. He's smart and accessible. He will listen.<br />
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Folks, if you are being pressured or threatened to vote a certain way, you need to speak out now. No more hiding in the shadows, allowing rumor and innuendo to grow. This is how we got where we are today. A new chair was elected last year, amid rumors that he bullied and harassed people into voting for him. If those rumors were true, taking a stance and telling the truth would have made a difference. As it happened, that Chair lasted only a short time before he was forced to resign because even worse stories came to light. We would likely have a different chair today, instead of an acting one, holding office only until the June election. We would be focusing on winning races, raising our credibility among voters and recruiting new Democratic voters.<br />
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People who are bullied, harassed or threatened must always speak up. It's not easy, but it's right. You may lose your position (probably not, if you are truthful), but you will gain respect, your own and others. <br />
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<br />asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-74274306032481902802019-02-06T09:56:00.002-08:002019-02-06T09:56:11.690-08:00Madame Speaker at the State of the Union SpeechNo words needed:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H2Cub3rbTawh1_Xqr_JB0Q6MSdv7seo1uxJswvsOL-J8sl4aX719djgx_HmN7yxT7e3NnTYthPJ_u_suKWWiIirV3ZeK9MlGrJ7kzP4o4GyiGC0tCjNp8-tPETcgM3_ks746SfHTzbA/s1600/Pelosi+FU+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="825" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H2Cub3rbTawh1_Xqr_JB0Q6MSdv7seo1uxJswvsOL-J8sl4aX719djgx_HmN7yxT7e3NnTYthPJ_u_suKWWiIirV3ZeK9MlGrJ7kzP4o4GyiGC0tCjNp8-tPETcgM3_ks746SfHTzbA/s640/Pelosi+FU+pic.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-21406114533201244842019-02-04T14:02:00.000-08:002019-02-04T14:02:22.291-08:00Never Too EarlyThat's right. It's never too early to start thinking about 2020. City Council race coming up? School Board? Certainly Assembly, County Supervisor, and Congress. <br />
<br />
You may want to launch your campaign for water board, sewer board or Community Services District. Find out now what seats are coming up and when you find the one that seems right for you, get the answers to these questions before you make a final decision:<br />
<br />
1. Is the incumbent likely to run? You may not know yet, because they may not have decided, but at least know who the incumbent is, what their track record is and what has been written about them and their votes on the board. This information can help you decide if it's worth challenging the incumbent. If they are not doing a good job, or you have some better ideas and will to take on the challenge, don't let the fact that someone else is sitting there now stop you. <br />
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2. When is the election? In March, when the California primaries take place or in November, along with the General election? Or both. Is there a primary to whittle down the field to the top two? This is important because it will make a difference in your fundraising and endorsement seeking schedule. If it's in March, filing is in the fall. You need to be cognizant of the holiday season and plan accordingly.<br />
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3. How much does this race normally cost? If you're running against the incumbent, it will probably cost you more, to get yourself known and up to speed, and get your message out to the voters on why they should fire the incumbent and hire you, instead. You can get the information on past election costs either at <a href="http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/">Cal-Access</a> the State site with campaign disclosures or at the City or County where the election takes place. Sometimes you have to go physically into the office of the Board to get hard copies of the disclosure statements.<br />
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Now that you're armed with some basic information about the race, make sure you are up to speed on the decisions made by this board, the scope of the duties and how you can contribute to the quality of the work done.<br />
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Whatever you run for, the most important question is one to ask yourself: Do i have the "Fire in the belly" for this job?<br />
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If the answer is Yes, go for it. Just do your homework, make sure you can raise the funds and get the support needed and you are off and running.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEfGAYB3s30Mdz1JDg1K03crn5c9EaRozF2EoqsByszNiW41JPnolb8NWaZKHp4M6ohuGfX3q6Xc8Bqhi5ZSZjRs9ufYIc5sTrm2-6vGyrRJOS-FMw_urxj9ANhnUKYi6LGO1-YW8Ltk/s1600/horseracing-hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEfGAYB3s30Mdz1JDg1K03crn5c9EaRozF2EoqsByszNiW41JPnolb8NWaZKHp4M6ohuGfX3q6Xc8Bqhi5ZSZjRs9ufYIc5sTrm2-6vGyrRJOS-FMw_urxj9ANhnUKYi6LGO1-YW8Ltk/s320/horseracing-hero.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-50297267470284632632019-01-03T14:39:00.001-08:002019-02-04T14:15:00.155-08:00My Advice to Democrats<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have a new Speaker of the House, hurray! When last heard from, the Campaign cook was chowing down on chocolate, and her nails, and watching the results of the 2018 mid-terms. They were good, all of them - chocolate, nails and midterms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we have a new Speaker of the House in Nancy Pelosi. She has a plan. She has already vetted plan to fund the government and stop the stupid tRumpian shutdown over a big wall he wants to build.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My advice is this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Stop calling it "The wall." It doesn't exist, there is no wall. The more you say "The Wall," the more it seems like a done deal. Just say tRump want to build a wall that no one needs and no one wants and we can't afford, because we need to fund the government and keep services for the People. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Next time you go to negotiate (which isn't possible anyway), with tRump, don't send Chuck Schumer. Send a nice quiet Democrat, or a Republican, if there are any left with compassion and brains. and guts. Not Mitt Romney. Make him thin it's his idea. He's a big baby and the way you deal with babies is distract them. Show him a nice shiny thing he can buy with h\the money he wants to extort from the American People instead. Like a fantastic health care plan or a tremendous infrastructure plan. Call it the tRump Freeway, who cares, just get it done. And get him to go along. And Chuck Schumer ain't the guy to do it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Just for fun and bonus points, take Melania to see the Modern Muslim Fashion show, currently at the De Young in San Francisco, but I'll bet it's on to the east coast soon. Donald won't know what to do when she comes home rocking her hijab in glitter and sparkles.</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's it for now folks. More to come soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Blue Year! </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMb8BFazbOBzwpQKRdCl6Tpmd9Rt_-DvdQ6wWgdyvPJa_niYNDrSg7_Kye_b5GmfbncwXW-MF_FnoDjOIKwPnfuGwjZbYsWZ9LZI2bG3eYOMhaXkR7N850ZAQiVRE93mzQnRQ801TE6JY/s1600/Nancy+and+Bella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="492" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMb8BFazbOBzwpQKRdCl6Tpmd9Rt_-DvdQ6wWgdyvPJa_niYNDrSg7_Kye_b5GmfbncwXW-MF_FnoDjOIKwPnfuGwjZbYsWZ9LZI2bG3eYOMhaXkR7N850ZAQiVRE93mzQnRQ801TE6JY/s320/Nancy+and+Bella.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaker Pelosi with granddaughter, Bella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-32998175155477953442018-11-15T14:06:00.000-08:002018-11-15T15:16:02.239-08:00Last weekendIt's down to the wire. Robo calls are flooding the phones. Texts are clogging the cells. Hit pieces jumping out of mailboxes. Letters getting down and dirty and nitty and gritty. It's the last weekend of the campaign.<br />
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Nerve are frayed. Candidates' fingernails are torn. Managers are pulling out their hair. Volunteers pounding harder on doors, saying "Open up; we know you're in there." They think they are the Election Police.<br />
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This year is the worst I've seen in a while. Nationally and locally, tempers flare, and hopes rise and fall with the tide of public opinion and punditry.<br />
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Of course, we all know why. There's an orange scourge in the White House, TV's pulse with blood red news and snap with changing memes of the day.<br />
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Now its guns for rocks,<br />
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Now of course the election has come and gone, but isn't over as we watch a slow blue wave roll across the land. Happy for that; anxious waiting for my own races to be called here in California, the down ballot ones I worked on this cycle. A couple are clear winners, a couple probably winners, a couple nail bitingly close.<br />
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Waiting waiting.<br />
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Eating chocolate, drinking wine. Plus keep out of the smoke of the fires raging not that far away, and this is the middle of November. It's supposed to be raining. Can you say Climate Change?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJEgy-vHN3JTQ-F_ZuRGTqk08JdztmsKgaI-Wk24EvIEImf-_3b8nansHbo6yRUVz_oeERVF6pXYFHegXXxd9QK7S1EyXnJl4m6dLPjQpkyMsjMI1weCORFc7bsjsZdexVVbMWx8H-Fo/s1600/wine-and-chocolate-16768055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJEgy-vHN3JTQ-F_ZuRGTqk08JdztmsKgaI-Wk24EvIEImf-_3b8nansHbo6yRUVz_oeERVF6pXYFHegXXxd9QK7S1EyXnJl4m6dLPjQpkyMsjMI1weCORFc7bsjsZdexVVbMWx8H-Fo/s320/wine-and-chocolate-16768055.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Off to Cal. Dem. party Exec. Bd. meeting in Long Beach tomorrow.<br />
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More later.<br />
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Stay safe. asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-51491995528521790562018-08-20T11:18:00.001-07:002018-08-20T11:18:24.171-07:00Perennial Sign ConundrumTo sign or not sign? Or How much to sign? How much to spend on signs?<br />
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And do they work? That is, do they persuade voters. I think the verdict is in on that one. No. They do not persuade the voters. They might, if you have done everything else right, walked precincts, phoned, and of course send three pieces of mail, the signs might help reinforce the name recognition as people go to the polls or think about filling in their absentee ballots.<br />
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But don't break the bank for signage. (And definitely leave swag, buttons, bumper stickers, cute pens and mugs alone!) Make sure your budget has enough for the all important getting out the message to voters components mentioned above, then think about signs.<br />
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If you do use signs, your name in your logo colors is all important, large enough to be seen. If you can, get a line of text big enough to read that conveys in shorthand something about you again as a reinforcer. Here is my favorite sign, double sided, big enough, contrasty enough, and with a double whammy endorsement message that matters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil52P-7YXZfSkwslw0m9yHWUtCI8r3b3Nxznsxkk0qQ_af3BenOEe9KtUtkiveefjV54uoRGruh_aF-cZ7JqaaE8yjyZcpb3Ncr5zZ8F5kEpSdoV4DFmE2hvpYec5-ivhYqSemyqlu26s/s1600/Greg.sign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="663" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil52P-7YXZfSkwslw0m9yHWUtCI8r3b3Nxznsxkk0qQ_af3BenOEe9KtUtkiveefjV54uoRGruh_aF-cZ7JqaaE8yjyZcpb3Ncr5zZ8F5kEpSdoV4DFmE2hvpYec5-ivhYqSemyqlu26s/s320/Greg.sign.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGSuL-p8d2j3vCcoPo-3xhToACle0PZq_BFQGHW0_VUL9Odcfzbg3si9PW27p73n-g2QvbsCXVoyXLCc7EEp98I7e1WUt8bH-pKpUPqFHoZpDKewwKPtz_7SejSt52GeEzk8lSU0Vnf8/s1600/Greg.sign.2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="713" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGSuL-p8d2j3vCcoPo-3xhToACle0PZq_BFQGHW0_VUL9Odcfzbg3si9PW27p73n-g2QvbsCXVoyXLCc7EEp98I7e1WUt8bH-pKpUPqFHoZpDKewwKPtz_7SejSt52GeEzk8lSU0Vnf8/s320/Greg.sign.2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Was this sign alone enough to get the candidate elected? No. But along with several pieces of mail, a strong phone bank and walk campaign and a heavy GOTV effort, the signs may have been that little bit of a reinforcer message to get some people to the polls who otherwise might have forgotten. They had to know the candidate first for that reinforcing message to mean anything at all.<br />
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That's the point. And it's the hardest one for candidates and their committees to take to heart. That and spending the requisite two hours a day on the phone raising money.<br />
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More abut that another time. And also in earlier posts. Check the index. asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-55781995277660359502018-07-29T12:14:00.001-07:002018-07-29T12:14:38.476-07:00Candidate Training!It's that time again. Final filing deadlines loom for local elections. Running for office this year? or thinking about the next cycle? Consider a brief candidate training with a local organization. Many groups offer these nuts and bolts crash courses in running a campaign. Even Counties and Cities often have one on the financial aspects of the camping, correct filing of papers and keeping track of your finances for reporting, so you don't get into trouble.<br />
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There are some longer training programs as well, but these are costly and time consuming. Not to say they are not well worth the price. For instance, the <a href="https://emergeca.ngpvanhost.com/">Emerge</a>, Democratic women's training course is nine weekends in as many months, and is all inclusive, with intensive tutorials and practice sessions on everything from fundraising to mail and media programs,.<br />
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<a href="http://mwpac.org/">The Marin Women's Political Action Committee</a> is offering a 2 hour program that will try to point you in the right direction in many of these same areas. No, you won't learn everything. but you will have an idea of where to go, who to look to for help, and with our helpful handouts, be somewhat more prepared to tackle your campaign.<br />
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You will also meet fellow local candidates and elected officials, the editorial page writers of the local newspapers, who do endorse, and some campaign pros. All will be available to talk to you about your particular needs.<br />
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This event takes place at the McInnis Golf Club restaurant, 350 Mcinnis, San Rafael, on Tuesday, August 14, from 5:30 to 8:30. Dinner is provided as well, and there is some time for mingling beforehand and asking questions afterward. For $35 it is well worth the cost. And it's fun too! <br />
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Join us won't you, by rsvping at bmatas8139@aol.com or online at <a href="http://www.mwpac.org/">www.mwpac.org</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKaOmVIYi1gMDDvWiykaACMJIxEGE2EiYRBfHPhQqV2nOSeXAaNfkJGZVN0IRZgOoHZrHWV4_kqUN8vLa5lzZ_SHM-ZmuZ7PYXE1FmikdiMN8r2275PEo_xugNOo_77JbnHIhyu8Vghg/s1600/training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1024" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKaOmVIYi1gMDDvWiykaACMJIxEGE2EiYRBfHPhQqV2nOSeXAaNfkJGZVN0IRZgOoHZrHWV4_kqUN8vLa5lzZ_SHM-ZmuZ7PYXE1FmikdiMN8r2275PEo_xugNOo_77JbnHIhyu8Vghg/s320/training.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-21105547656896404152018-06-29T15:52:00.001-07:002018-06-29T16:01:46.005-07:00Vote Dems Vote!Time to talk about the Supreme Court. With Anthony Kennedy retiring the tRump slavering over his new pick, we could be looking down the barrel of a loaded rifle that will be firing away at civil rights, women's rights, gay rights,workers rights, not to mention the environment, immigration and whatever else you hold dear, for forty years or so. If we don't do something about it.<br />
<br />
Now.<br />
<br />
Elect Democrats in November. Wherever you are, stop what you're doing and get to a phone bank or fly to a District with a potentially winnable Congressional race. This is our task. No whining!<br />
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Of course, we'd love it if they were young, progressives like <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2018/jun/28/this-is-the-beginning-alexandria-ocasio-cortezs-victory-speech-video">Alexandria</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2018/jun/28/this-is-the-beginning-alexandria-ocasio-cortezs-victory-speech-video"> Ocasio-Cortez</a>, who beat old-timer</span> Joe Crowley, considered a favorite to be the next leader of the House Dems. Not so fast, Joe. He did graciously endorse her and even played a song for her on a guitar.<br />
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So, the old timers (and I are one) are moving aside to let the youngsters take over. Some of us old-timers are progressives don't forger. (Think Bernie). So i really don't see it as a generational thing, but more of it's time to be feisty, resist, fight back, solve problems and move forward with programs that actually help people.<br />
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Getting that message to voting public is the rub. All good ideas welcomed at this blog!<br />
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It's almost the Fourth of July! No firecrackers please; fire danger and you'll scare the dogs. But do indulge in some all American Strawberry Shortcake. Home made, with organic berries and cream of course. Put a few blueberries in there for a red, white and blue effect, if you wish.<br />
<br />
From Fine Cooking. Very yum! <br />
<h1 class="recipe__title">
Classic Strawberry Shortcake</h1>
<div class="recipe__publish">
<span class="recipe__author">By <a href="https://www.finecooking.com/author/karen-barker">Karen Barker</a></span>
<span class="recipe__pubdate"><a href="https://www.finecooking.com/issue/2011/05/issue-111">Fine Cooking Issue 111</a></span>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGOnOXSfcjtzg3ZMk80fGH6I5SxW1YAyiGbPteDcvRxTglKAfcun6hpzbQP1xEprtH2yxk50jmUXq5iXiq5aILEC0FbzXJmEs_8fv3TuUC3hLOk9GHhRRP6w7uiz7uIhkahwP2zaQzZM/s1600/strawberry.blueberryjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGOnOXSfcjtzg3ZMk80fGH6I5SxW1YAyiGbPteDcvRxTglKAfcun6hpzbQP1xEprtH2yxk50jmUXq5iXiq5aILEC0FbzXJmEs_8fv3TuUC3hLOk9GHhRRP6w7uiz7uIhkahwP2zaQzZM/s320/strawberry.blueberryjpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<figure class="recipe__image--main"><figcaption class="recipe__image__caption"></figcaption>
</figure>
<br />
<div class="recipe__info">
<div class="recipe__yield">
<span class="recipe__yield__heading">Servings: </span>6</div>
<div class="recipe__blurb">
These biscuits get their light,
tender texture from buttermilk and baking powder, and their rich flavor
from an egg, cream, and lots of butter. This simple dessert is best made
at the height of strawberry season, using the juiciest, sweetest
strawberries you can find. Looking for more shortcake inspiration? See a
slideshow of <a href="https://www.finecooking.com/slideshows/strawberry-shortcake-recipes.aspx" target="_self" title="twists on this classic version">twists on this classic version</a>, from <a href="https://www.finecooking.com/recipes/chocolate-strawberry-shortcakes.aspx" target="_self" title="chocolate biscuits">chocolate biscuits</a> to <a href="https://www.finecooking.com/recipes/roasted_strawberry_shortcakes.aspx" target="_self" title="roasted berries">roasted berries</a>.<br />
<span style="color: #1b6f79;"><b>Watch a video</b></span> of <i>Fine Cooking</i>‘s Homegrown/Homemade team <a href="https://www.finecooking.com/item/20687/homegrownhomemade-strawberries" target="_self">making this strawberry shortcake recipe</a>.</div>
</div>
<div class="recipe__ingredients">
<h2 class="recipe__body__heading">
Ingredients</h2>
<h3>
For the strawberries</h3>
<ul>
<li>1 lb. ripe strawberries, hulled (about 4 cups)</li>
<li>2 Tbs. granulated sugar; more to taste</li>
</ul>
<h3>
For the biscuits</h3>
<ul>
<li>9 oz. (2 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour; more for rolling</li>
<li>1/3 cup plus 1 Tbs. granulated sugar</li>
<li>2-1/2 tsp. baking powder</li>
<li>1/4 tsp. baking soda</li>
<li>1/2 tsp. kosher salt</li>
<li>4 oz. (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces</li>
<li>1 large egg</li>
<li>1/4 cup heavy cream; more for brushing</li>
<li>1/4 cup buttermilk</li>
</ul>
<h3>
For the whipped cream</h3>
<ul>
<li>1-1/2 cups heavy cream</li>
<li>2 Tbs. granulated sugar</li>
</ul>
<div class="recipe__nutrition">
<div class="recipe__nutrition__header">
<h2 class="recipe__body__heading">
Preparation</h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h3>
Prepare the strawberries</h3>
<ul>
<li>Put one-third of the berries in a medium bowl and, using a potato
masher, crush them into a chunky purée. Slice the remaining berries 1/4
inch thick and stir them into the mashed berries along with the sugar.
Taste the berries, adding more sugar if necessary. Let the berries sit
at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Make the biscuits</h3>
<ul>
<li>Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to
425°F. Line a large heavy-duty baking sheet with parchment.Sift the
flour, 1/3 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and baking soda into a
large bowl. Stir in the salt. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or your
fingertips, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture
resembles coarse cornmeal.In a small bowl, beat the egg and heavy cream
with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk. Make a well in the center of the
flour mixture and pour in the cream mixture. Mix with the fork until the
dough is evenly moistened and just comes together; it will still look a
little shaggy. Gather the dough and gently knead it three or four
times. If the dough seems dry and doesn’t form a cohesive mass, work in
more cream, 1 tsp. at a time.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it into a
3/4 -inch-thick disk. With a sharp 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, press
straight down to cut the dough into rounds and lift straight up to
remove (don’t twist the cutter or it will seal the sides of the biscuits
and interfere with rising). Transfer the rounds to the prepared baking
sheet. Gather the dough scraps, gently knead them together, re-roll, and
cut out more biscuits until you have a total of 6.<br />
Lightly brush the biscuit tops with cream (about 1 Tbs.) and sprinkle
with the remaining 1 Tbs. sugar. Bake, rotating the baking sheet once,
until the biscuit tops are lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Let the
biscuits cool slightly while you whip the cream.</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Whip the cream</h3>
<ul>
<li>In a large, chilled metal bowl, whip the heavy cream and sugar to
soft peaks with an electric hand mixer. (Use immediately or refrigerate,
covered until ready to serve).</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Assemble the shortcakes</h3>
<ul>
<li>Using a serrated knife, split the warm biscuits in half horizontally
and transfer the bottoms to 6 dessert plates. Spoon about
three-quarters of the macerated berries and their juice evenly over the
biscuit bottoms. It’s OK if some of the berries spill out onto the
plate. Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and cover each with a
biscuit top. Spoon more berries and cream over each shortcake and serve
immediately.</li>
</ul>
<b>Make Ahead Tips</b><br />
The biscuits can be baked 10 to 12 hours ahead and reheated in a
350°F oven before serving. The strawberries can be macerated up to 2
hours ahead. The cream can be whipped up to 2 hours ahead and
refrigerated, covered. If necessary, lightly rewhip before using.<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-81426849849646792232018-06-17T14:50:00.000-07:002018-06-17T14:50:05.507-07:00Yard Signs, Again, Ad Nauseum <section class="col-xs-12 layout" id="top-content"><div class="moat-trackable pb-f-theme-normal pb-f-dehydrate-false pb-f-async-false full pb-feature pb-layout-item pb-f-article-article-topper" data-chain-name="no-name" data-feature-id="article/article-topper" data-feature-name="no-name" data-pb-fingerprint="0focTxveKqv" id="f0fFfY5ioJIpUq">
<div class="border-bottom-off border-bottom-100-pct">
<div class="article-topper " id="article-topper">
</div>
<div class="article-topper " id="article-topper">
</div>
<div class="article-topper " id="article-topper">
<h3>
<b>Here we go again. More information we already knew about yard signs. But go ahead, waste your campaign dollars.</b> But try keeping it to under 2 percent of the budget please: </h3>
<div>
<div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8 col-lg-9" id="topper-headline-wrapper">
<h1 data-pb-field="custom.topperDisplayName" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">(From the Washington Post - The Fix) </span></i></span> </h1>
<h1 data-pb-field="custom.topperDisplayName" itemprop="headline">
Sorry campaign managers: Lawn signs are only 98.3 percent useless.</h1>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="pb-container">
</div>
</section> <div class="moat-trackable pb-f-theme-normal pb-f-dehydrate-false pb-f-async-false full pb-feature pb-layout-item pb-f-article-article-deck" data-chain-name="no-name" data-feature-id="article/article-deck" data-feature-name="no-name" data-pb-fingerprint="0fc6WfweKqI" id="f6Moug1ioJIpUq">
</div>
<div class="pb-sig-line hasnt-headshot has-0-headshots hasnt-bio is-not-column">
<span class="pb-byline" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person">By <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/philip-bump/"><span itemprop="name">Philip Bump</span></a></span> <span class="pb-timestamp" content="2015-12-29T11:33-500" itemprop="datePublished">December 29, 2015</span> <span class="pb-tool email"><a href="mailto:philip.bump@washpost.com?subject=Reader%20feedback%20for%20'Sorry%20campaign%20managers:%20Lawn%20signs%20are%20only%2098.3%20percent%20useless.'"><span class="fa fa-envelope"></span><span class="envelope-label">Email the author</span></a></span> <span class="pb-bolt"></span> </div>
<article class="paywall" itemprop="articleBody"><div class="inline-content inline-photo inline-photo-normal horizontal-photo">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="95ad6284bb"></a> <img class="hi-res-lazy courtesy-of-the-lazy-loader" data-hi-res-src="https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_908w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/04/02/National-Politics/Images/sanotrumveep0403ipadbackground.jpg&w=1484" data-low-res-src="https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_908w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/04/02/National-Politics/Images/sanotrumveep0403ipadbackground.jpg&w=480" data-raw-src="https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_908w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/04/02/National-Politics/Images/sanotrumveep0403ipadbackground.jpg" src="https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_908w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/04/02/National-Politics/Images/sanotrumveep0403ipadbackground.jpg&w=1484" /><br /> <span class="pb-caption">Volunteer Corey Essler holds a sign for Rick Santorum, Monday, in Menasha, Wis. in 2012. (AP)</span></div>
<div class="inline-content inline-photo inline-photo-normal horizontal-photo">
<span class="pb-caption"> </span> </div>
No
one loves lawn signs more than political candidates. Political
candidates love lawn signs because 1. They love seeing their name
around, 2. They assume that the number of lawn signs they see somehow
correlates to the level of support they enjoy and 3. They know that
campaigns have lawn signs, and candidates are biased toward mimicking
what winning candidates have done. Between 1984 and 2012, according to <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/11/the-popularity-and-irrelevance-of-our-lawn-sign-wars/264488/">one study</a>, use of lawn signs in campaigns quadrupled.<br />
<br />
The problem with lawn signs, as any campaign manager would probably tell you, is that they are expensive, <span class="s1">annoying, logistically tricky </span>to distribute and — most importantly — don’t seem to do much of anything. Candidates like to <em>feel</em> as if they’re winning. Campaign managers like to <em>know</em>
that they’re winning or at least making progress. So campaign managers
like things that have either measurable effects on voters (like
identifying targeted supporters) or demonstrated past effects (like
advertising). Lawn signs don’t fit into either category. To a campaign
manager, lawn signs are similar to randomly handing out fliers at a
grocery store: a waste of time, money and energy.<br />
<br />
Now there’s data out that, in the main, proves campaign managers right. Last October, we <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/10/22/can-a-good-ground-game-help-democrats-overcome-late-polls-an-expert-weighs-in/">spoke</a>
with Donald Green, a professor at Columbia University who has done
decades of work assessing the utility of various methods of voter
outreach. He's also the lead author of <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261379415002310">a study</a> released
this month that evaluates the efficacy of lawn signs. Green partnered
with researchers at universities in Upstate New York, Pennsylvania and
Virginia to test signs in four races at the federal, state and local
level.<br />
<br />
Cutting
to the chase: “[I]t appears that signs typically have a modest effect
on advertising candidates’ vote shares — an effect that is probably
greater than zero but unlikely to be large enough to alter the outcome
of a contest that would otherwise be decided by more than a few
percentage points.” The effect of such signs, the study suggests, is
about the same as direct mail.<br />
<br />
Of the researchers’ four
experiments, only one involved what you might generally think of as yard
signs. In three of the experiments, signs were placed in public places
within randomly assigned precincts. In the fourth, signs were placed in
supporters’ yards — the thing that campaigns often spend a lot of time
coordinating. In that case, interestingly, the effects were essentially
zero. Aggregated, the four experiments suggested that there was a 1.7
percentage-point boost to the candidate from the signs -- with a
standard error of 0.7 percentage points. (In precincts adjacent to the
targeted ones, there was a slightly smaller benefit.)<br />
<div class="inline-content inline-photo-right" style="width: 273px;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4379077dc8"></a> <img alt="(Green, et. al.)" src="https://img.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/files/2015/12/Screen-Shot-2015-12-29-at-11.26.20-AM.png" /> <span class="pb-caption">(Green, et. al.)</span> </div>
(The
study included a sign, at right, paid for by FreedomWorks and used in
the most recent Virginia gubernatorial election, which unfortunately
misspelled the name of the state.)<br />
<br />
In how many races would that
sort of lawn-sign bump make a difference? Of 6,000-plus general and
primary elections in House and Senate races between 2006 and 2012, only
2.2 percent of races were within 1.7 percentage points, according to our
analysis of initial results. In other words, this could matter in
1-in-50 races.<br />
<br />
The
study also offers a result that candidates will love and campaign
managers will hate. The effect is very small, but it would be hard for a
campaign manager who's arguing for robust get-out-the-vote efforts to
say no to a candidate who demands lawn signs in order to boost his
margins. The silver lining is that the study suggests that the
much-easier distribution of lawn signs in random public places is more
effective than finding supporters and plunking signs in their yards.<br />
<br />
But
when have candidates ever sat down and considered the political science
before making judgment calls in close races? Superstition dictates lawn
signs, and candidates are the ones raising the money and putting their
name on the ballot. The study would essentially have had to demonstrate
that candidates who used them lost before a candidate would have second
thoughts about the efficacy of lawn signs. And even then, he'd probably
still buy them.</article>asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-8778972356976506312018-06-12T16:23:00.001-07:002018-06-12T16:23:35.906-07:00It's that time again!Yes, they are still counting votes from the primary election, but if you are planning to run in the fall for a non-partisan seat on a local board or Council, now's the time to start. Gathering endorsements, making phone calls for fundraising. Hiring a consultant and getting your website up. Don't wait until July. In fact, snag a slot in the July 4th parade with your group of friends and a few signs even if they're homemade. Let people know you are running.<br />
<br />
Start thinking about your issues, your bio, and planning that 200 word campaign statement. Assemble a small "Kitchen cabinet" to help you with issues and tasks that need to get done, like setting up houseparties, ordering walk and phone lists, interviewing consultants, a treasurer and maybe a fundraiser. You want to be organized, have a short timely message and enough funds to send out some mail, buy a few house signs and have a good handout to take with you to events and hand out at voters' homes once you hit the campaign trail in earnest.<br />
<br />
Eat light but do go for the brain food.Here's a quick and tasty recipe:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRONAmIbY30R92fTGxCCr5pYLRNHIgZ-hp09j_xDsLUynrm74T8l8juqHHgKHc46Rff6iJ0hw0ByeFcTFUl7UXp-NBRPelnglov8tyDsDNROgRSa_DFqmDv4j5g0lJuSvOz5rCerC8nU/s1600/tostada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRONAmIbY30R92fTGxCCr5pYLRNHIgZ-hp09j_xDsLUynrm74T8l8juqHHgKHc46Rff6iJ0hw0ByeFcTFUl7UXp-NBRPelnglov8tyDsDNROgRSa_DFqmDv4j5g0lJuSvOz5rCerC8nU/s320/tostada.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2>
<b>Yummy salmon tostada</b></h2>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 131%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 3.5in;" width="336">
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8 6-inch corn tortillas</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Canola oil cooking spray</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 6- to 7-ounce can boneless,
skinless wild Alaskan salmon, drained</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 avocado, diced</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 tablespoons minced pickled
jalapeños, plus 2 tablespoons pickling juice from the jar, divided</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 cups coleslaw mix (see Tip)
or shredded cabbage</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 tablespoons chopped
cilantro</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 15-ounce can black beans,
rinsed</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 tablespoons reduced-fat
sour cream</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 tablespoons prepared salsa</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 scallions, chopped</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lime wedges (optional)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preparation</span></b></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Position racks in upper and lower thirds of the oven;
preheat to 375°F.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Coat tortillas on both sides with cooking spray. Place
on 2 baking sheets. Bake, turning once, until light brown, 12 to 14
minutes.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Combine salmon, avocado and jalapenos in a bowl.
Combine cabbage, cilantro and the pickling juice in another bowl. Process
black beans, sour cream, salsa and scallions in a food processor until
smooth. Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on High
until hot, about 2 minutes.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To assemble tostadas, spread each tortilla with some
bean mixture and some salmon mixture and top with the cabbage salad. Serve
with lime wedges, if desired.</span></li>
</ol>
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asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-69923314078244584672018-06-07T14:10:00.000-07:002018-06-07T14:10:15.515-07:00Yes, Virginia, your Vote DOES Count! It's Election night. I'm signing people in at our County Dem headquarters, where people have gathered to watch election results and share wine and snacks. A woman who has been volunteering to make out of district calls
to help Democrats in red districts comes over to chat. "I live in [large town in our County]," she says, a town which has had a very contentious race between a
long time County Supervisor and someone trying to unseat her. "But I
didn't vote," she goes on. "I voted in all the other races, but I<span class="text_exposed_show"> could not decide who to believe when it came to the Supervisor race."</span><br />
<br />
This race has been in the paper for weeks, months. The candidates have
been walking precincts, sending brochures, attending debates and forums
all winter and spring. The Democrats endorsed the incumbent. How could
she not know who she wanted to vote for?<br />
<br />
It turns out she was
what's known as a "confidential voter," who doesn't show up on the voter
roles because of some issue of safety, say a stalker, or a bad domestic
violence situation you are escaping from. So she received none of the
usual materials from candidates.<br />
<br />
However, she is on our
Democratic email list. She can read the local press. She can attend
candidate events, and she could have asked friends, neighbors, or others
she trusted. Instead she saw only TV ads, and decided she trusted
neither candidate. My mind was exploding. This promises to be a close
race. How could an otherwise educated, seemingly informed and involved
person, be so unconcerned about the one race that will actually affect
her life?<br />
<br />
Votes are still being counted all over California which allows vote by mail ballots to be postmarked on Election Day so long as they arrive within three days. But it looks to be a low turn-out election, even with all the hype about the possibility of "a big blue wave." We are heartened that in some red districts, Democrats are in second place in some contests for Congress, but that will mean we have to get out our voters in November in big numbers to have a chance.<br />
<br />
This woman will help out with that effort. She is very concerned that we take back the house. Why oh why then, I think, does she not even bother to learn about what's happening in her own back yard? elections have been won and lost by a single vote. Your vote does count. When will people get it?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHSGc9LKTzUAxSSoQD16bXWqWrKtyqPNT8oJInv6xLrHXAygXdb7RfQiM1tFBERQT2h_EU-zptw-ZkqBNG0DoL4rVEDFQ1ED5ucnuLu48HpHb97KDb8zGfJgCLg8mQZMRxYxiBsqZoe4/s1600/My+vote+counts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHSGc9LKTzUAxSSoQD16bXWqWrKtyqPNT8oJInv6xLrHXAygXdb7RfQiM1tFBERQT2h_EU-zptw-ZkqBNG0DoL4rVEDFQ1ED5ucnuLu48HpHb97KDb8zGfJgCLg8mQZMRxYxiBsqZoe4/s1600/My+vote+counts.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-41342874737543620622018-05-29T11:30:00.000-07:002018-05-29T11:30:01.432-07:00Your last few daysSounds ominous, doesn't? Your last few days. Not on this earth, but on the campaign trail. The election is in one week. You know a lot, maybe most, of the electorate has voted. At least those of them that will vote that is. Turn out is presumed to be low in these off-year, down ballot primary elections. But if the race is hotly contested, if there are many candidates, and if you are not leading in the polls by double digits (and frankly, even if you are - anything can happen now!), this is no time to slack off.<br />
<br />
Keep phone banking and walking those last precincts, or return to the ones you might have missed, or where no one was home. Plan your GOTV activities carefully. Know where all the polling places are located, and which precincts vote where. Make sure you get the list of consolidated precincts from your County Registrar of Voters, or City Clerk. Numbers do change, many precincts vote in the same location, and you want to be in the right place at the right time on election Day.<br />
<br />
Line up your "yes" voters for last weekend calls, and to check the polling place on election Day. If they haven't voted, you'll need to call and remind them, gently, to cote. Even if they are absentee voters, they can walk their ballot in to any polling place (at least in California, if you are in another state,check your jurisdiction's rules), and they can mail their ballot right up to election day so long as they arrive in three days. Best to get those ballots in early, just in case.<br />
<br />
Watch what the competition is doing. Any last minute attack ads that need to be addressed? Be prepared. If you have a few signs left over, plan to have some eager volunteers to "honk and wave" on election morning and commute time, to remind people "oh yeah, today's the day."<br />
<br />
Plan a modest party on Election Night to watch the returns come in (most will be posted on line as they are counted) and thank your volunteers. If you make into the General election in the fall, you want these volunteers to be with you all the way. Make them feel special and appreciated.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEFvel-fSaPNbIEsK_asNoIIbRODo3W-3es_wul0zmOiwm3sGAHalnot2VzFKdgrqWA3A1tWMyCoLQd2AZ9s2lVtGOdlhAhDM3lLx8Q00GVdzk29Oj6wRt5OZFkKw6Y8UvnoXzrh39PM/s1600/vote+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEFvel-fSaPNbIEsK_asNoIIbRODo3W-3es_wul0zmOiwm3sGAHalnot2VzFKdgrqWA3A1tWMyCoLQd2AZ9s2lVtGOdlhAhDM3lLx8Q00GVdzk29Oj6wRt5OZFkKw6Y8UvnoXzrh39PM/s320/vote+cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Election Night Cookies - Yum!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Win or lose, if you've given it your all, you will feel rewarded for a job well done, new friends made, and groundwork laid for whatever you choose to do next.<br />
<br />
<br />asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3640831066292845758.post-31965191897439234952018-05-17T11:51:00.000-07:002018-05-17T11:51:23.737-07:00Candidates Who aren't Really RunningWhy, you might ask, do people throw their hat in the ring, when they plan to spend no money on an actual campaign. They might buy a few signs, maybe print off their policy points on a sheet of paper from their home computer and attend a couple of debates. But that does not make a serious candidate. Without any effort to raise money, not a lot, but just a enough to get one or two mailers out to voters and have a walk piece to carry around to people in the precinct. Never mind a consultant to help you craft and effectively market your message, what's the point?<br />
<br />
Is it just to see your name on the ballot? Just to make sure the incumbent has some competition, even if it's a token race? Or is it some kind of misplaced ego thing. Do these people really believe that even with no effort on their part, somehow, voters will decide they are the best person for the job?<br />
<br />
In a recent race for Supervisor in a southern California county, of the eight people who filed, only four raised any money at all, with only two of those hiring a campaign consultant and sending mail into voters' homes.<br />
<br />
The other four filed form 470, the form that you file with the County and State, that says you plan to raise and spend no more than $2000. For a Supervisor race, even in a small county, you need to spend several thousand more than that just to reach any voters at all. Most people never get to candidate debates. A few more, but still a low percentage of the total, read the local newspapers. And guess what: Signs don't get you votes. That's generally where the $2000 is spent.<br />
<br />
I guess the reasoning is, "If I spend a lot of snazzy red, white and blue signs and plaster them all over the place, in the road medians and freeway exits, everyone will see my name and be sure to vote for me."<br />
<br />
So not true. The rule of thumb is the voter has to be "touched" by the candidate at least 7 times, and more than one of those ought to be in a mail. Other ways to reach out to voters are walking precincts, for which you need a good catchy piece to hand out, along with several volunteers to help you deliver materials, phone calls to the voters' homes, preferably by a live person and not a robo call (although there are times and circumstances when these can be very effective, if done correctly), letters to the editor, opeds in the local papers, ads online and in print, and signs. In that order of effectiveness. Notice what's last on that list. If you're in a large County, you might consider TV and radio, plus a savvy internet campaign that is carefully targeted to reach your voters with the best message that will resonate with them.<br />
<br />
Polling at the outset to get the lay of the land and help craft your message effectively, is always a good idea, but not necessary. In any event, even in the smallest of communities, $2000 does not get you very far. <br />
<br />
You might just throw a big party with that money instead for the candidate that comes closest to your values and invite all your friends. You can have a caterer come and maybe even a small chamber orchestra. Or donate it outright. That way, you can feel your money is being put to good use, and not just adding to highway clutter with more signs.<br />
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<br />asixtiesgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14376492552011806001noreply@blogger.com0