Of Campaign Bros and Women who Go to Hell

There's a meme about these Bernie Bros, who insult Clinton supporters. Then there's the one about Bernie Girls (do we call them the Bernie Bras?) who only support the Bernster because they want to meet boys, presumably the Bros.

And of course the one about a special place in Hell for women who don't support women. That one rankles the most to me, as a second wave feminist, who actually marched and attended endless meetings, and struggled with building a sisterhood, and struggled with men who were either dismissive, rageful or scared of strong women.

We were definitely women who supported women, and we still are. But that does not mean we knee-jerk support any woman who comes along. It's easy when its a Sarah Palin or a Carly Fioina or a Michelle Bachman. But harder when it's a Hillary, who we know has had her own struggles with that horn-dog husband of hers and building her own career in his shadow, and a right successful one at that.

But she just isn't the progressive feminist we want. She is friends with Henry Kissinger fer Heaven's sakes! She is chummy with Wall Street banksters. And she still opposes the Glass Steagall Act which would keep the banks out of the investment business that led to all this greed and corruption and monetary crisis that rained down on the middle and working classes of this country in the first place.

So yes, I am a proud Woman for Bernie. I have yet to meet a "Bro" but I have met several thoughtful young men and women who remind me of me in my younger days. Idealistic, smart, and ready for a "political revolution."

They do not insult people, and they should not be insulted either. As for us old broads? I'm sure someone will start the meme that we just think Bernie's hot! So there.

Fund raising letters

Direct mail fund raising is one of the tools savvy candidates use. A short letter, on one page, if possible, with highlighted paragraphs of key issues and asking for the donation. There has to be a strong pitch or you don't get the dough.

A PS at the bottom catches the eye to promote an upcoming event, or just send the reader to the website.

The letters should ideally be mail merged from your excel spread sheet so they are personalized. You can do this yourself and stuff and stamp (a more personal touch for the smaller campaign, not to mention less expensive) or have a mailhouse do it for you.

Use a pre-printed no. ten envelope with your logo, and a union bug, or if you are really saving, use labels for the return address. Make sure a remit envelope with the union bug on it is on the inside, and if you are printing the letters on your home computer, put a disclaimer on the bottom, something like "printed in house by volunteers", "printed on pc by volunteers", or "labor donated," so people know you did this yourself.

Once the letters have been out about a week to your prospect list, start making follow up phone calls to the ones where no donation was sent in yet. This is the most crucial part of any campaign.

It's a one-two punch. First make the pitch. Then make the calls; it's the only way to actually collect the cash.

Then send a personal thank you note to the people who come through. They will be sure to donate more later.

It's a wrap! With rum.

As promised, here is a brief election wrap up for 2015. In San Francisco, two stalwart progressive GreenDog candidates who unfortunately ran into turbulent waters, were defeated. Wendy Aragon, who would have been a great addition to the City College board, and Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi. They both worked hard, but their better funded (and connected, in an establishment way) opponents were able to win. A loss for SF.

We were glad to see the return of Aaron Peskin to the Board of Supervisors, and only wish someone had challenged Ed Lee for Mayor. Next time we all hope.

In Marin, we had a big win with Gregory Mack for Novato School Board. He ran a great race, with lots of grassroots outreach and came in second place. Congrats Greg!

In other races, incumbents lost several seats on City Councils and special districts, signaling dissatisfaction. This malaise seems a general discontent, and distrust of elected officials, echoed throughout the land. We fear a rising conservatism (we hope it is a passing fever), and Yes, we are cheering on Bernie Sanders. And putting pins in voodoo dolls of Donald Trump and all the Republican scary clowns. Nothing to laugh at here.

Sorry to be a downer, but 2016 will be exciting and we are hoping for good things in the Bay Area and for Democrats everywhere. What do you all think? Comments accepted, rants encouraged, advice welcomed.

And recipes will be tried out. For now, I think a hot buttered rum is in order. Here's what the GreenDogs do on cold winter days.

Dotty's Hot Buttered Rum:

Boil water
Shot of rum mixed with brown sugar.
Pour in the water, mix lightly
Pat of unsalted (organic preferably) butter floated on top
Fresh grated nutmeg sprinkled overall
Drink, you'll feel better

Election Wrap up Coming

Wednesday night the Marin Women's Political Caucus will hold its annual Election Wrap up night with a twist. The twist this year is one of our stalwart panelists lost her re-election campaign this year for Novato City Council. This was a shocker and should make for a good discussion. Was it a "throw the bums out" election, as some pundits have postulated? Or was it more of a mixed bag. Many incumbents, after all, retained their seats, but we did see a higher than average change in several Councils.

Now former Councilwoman Jeanne MacLeamy telling us how she sees it

One big issue? Development and traffic. Always on the agenda, but with lots of moaning and wailing and gnashing of teeth over how "affordable" housing, especially the high density kind, will destroy neighborhoods, let "those people" loose on the populace and, of course, bring down property values, some of the noise has been downright nasty. Last year was just as bad, with incumbent Supervisor Susan Adams, whose only crime was sticking to her principles (very clearly enunciated in her first race more than 10 years  back), that she wanted to help create a very modest affordable housing project as part of a much needed and desired revamp of a local shopping center.  But the times they are a changin' and not necessarily for the better.

That's not for this Campaign Cook to say. We test the kitchen, its heat, its accessibility and we help the cooks and the wanna-be chefs work their magic.

Then we let the pundits and the analysts hash it all out so to speak. This year's Election Wrap Up ought to be downright delicious.

 

Epicurean Electoral Hash recipe:

Yield

Makes 6 servings

Active Time

1 1/2 hr

Total Time

6 hr (includes making brisket)

Ingredients

1. • Braised beef brisket
   • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
   • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
   • 2 medium fresh poblano chiles (1/2 pound total)
   • 1 medium Yukon Gold potato (1/2 pound)
   • 1 medium rutabaga (1/2 pound)
   • 1 medium Fuji or Gala apple
   • 1 stick plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
   • 1 small white onion, finely chopped
   • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
   • 6 large eggs

Preparation

1. 1. Finely shred brisket and transfer to a bowl, then mix with mustard and Worcestershire sauce until combined well.
   2. Roast poblanos on their sides on racks of gas burners over medium-high heat, turning with tongs, until skins are blistered and slightly charred, 4 to 6 minutes. (Or broil on rack of a broiler pan about 2 inches from heat.) Immediately transfer to a large bowl and cover tightly, then let stand 10 minutes. Carefully rub off skins from poblanos. Cut open lengthwise and remove stems and seeds, including attached ribs. Wipe poblanos clean with a paper towel if necessary, then cut into 1/4-inch dice and transfer to a large bowl.
   3. Peel potato, rutabaga, and apple and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, then cook in 1/2 stick butter with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden in spots and just tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to bowl with poblanos.
   4. Cook onion in 3 tablespoons butter with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in same skillet, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes more. Transfer to bowl with poblano mixture. Stir brisket into hash until combined.
   5. Preheat oven to 250°F with rack in middle.
   6. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides. Add half of hash to skillet and cook, turning portions occasionally, until browned and crisp in spots, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a large (17-by 11-inch) 4-sided sheet pan and keep warm in oven. Cook remaining hash in same manner in 1 tablespoon butter. Transfer to sheet pan in oven.
   7. Rinse and wipe out skillet. Fry eggs in 2 batches with 1 tablespoon butter per batch over medium heat. Serve eggs over hash.

Cooks' note:

Hash, without brisket, can be cooked 1 day ahead and chilled. Bring to room temperature before using.

Election's Over. Now Start Campaigning!

Yes, it is November 5th. The fall election is two days behind us, but the June election is coming up fast. Believe it or not, if you plan a run for June 2016, you better be on it now. Start fundraising if you haven't Remember, friends and family first. And what better time to visit with friends and family than the Holiday season!

You know you will be going to lots of family get togethers, Holiday parties and maybe even a high school or college reunion. It's that time of year. Get yourself a remit envelope, a small handout, professionally created and printed and practice your elevator speech.

When people ask you what you've up to, don't be shy. Hand them a card and a remit and tell them about your run. Ask for their support and, even if it's not appropriate to hit them up for cash at that moment (maybe the carols are playing or the turkey is getting passed around the table), the right time will come soon. Pick up the phone and call back every one you made contact with within a day or so of the contact, and make the ask.

And now for a delicious Holiday fundraising fettuccine. You'll need it to keep up your energy as you dial those phones and press that flesh.

Fettuccine with Sausage & Kale

 

• 1 pound fettuccine
• 1 pound spicy italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 large bunch kale, trimmed and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Directions

1. In large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta until al dente; drain. In large skillet, cook sausage over medium-low until browned, about 7 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and cream; simmer until reduced by half, about 7 minutes. Add kale; toss until wilted. Remove from heat; toss with pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan.

Down Ticket Races - Why Challengers Sometimes Must Spend More

I often get asked by my candidates why it seems to be costing them more than the competition to run. In fact, they sometimes get downright testy about it. "Why am I spending twice as much as Joe? In fact, Joe isn't doing anything at all, except a few signs. Why should I bother? Our feedback from people at the door is great. We look stupid spending big money in this small water board/school board/Town Council race."

Then I must explain to the candidate the realities of being a challenger. "Sally," I say, "Joe is the incumbent. Joe has automatic name recognition from his 15 years in office, not to mention that all important I in front of him name on the ballot. In other words, Joe doesn't need to do anything. The election is his to lose."

And lost it  may well be if Sally is willing to work harder, walk and phone more and yes, spend more money. No one knows your name. She has never held public office. Yes, she has gone to every meeting of the board since 2005, but so what? Her and three other people. And where are they, by the way I ask? How much have they donated to your campaign? Are they out walking with you? Are they making phone calls? (Probably not, because the candidate never asked. How you can run for office and still be the shyest person in the room has always been a mystery to me.)

"But I have my signs in all the best locations," protests Sally. "People like my walk piece. My first mail went out the same time as the sample ballot. Of course people know my name by now. All my friends say so. People are beginning to talk about how much more money I am spending than Joe. What about campaign finance reform?"

Absolutely, we believe in campaign finance reform. Campaigning should not be a sport for the rich. The playing field must be leveled. But we have to deal with reality. Reality says you have to take your message to the voters several times in several different ways.

"So, yes," I say patiently, "your first mailer was great. But it will be forgotten when people go to the polls without some reinforcement. Your signs are fine, but they don't tell anyone anything about you, and they are just one in a sea of signs along the roadway. Walking is wonderful, and if you could get to every door in the district and talk to every frequent voter, you'd be in like Flynn (whoever he is), but you have 2000 doorhangers, and there are 9000 frequent voter doors.

"And yes, you are doing well in debates; you have good endorsements. But if no one hears the debates, or sees the endorsements because let's face it, they don't read the newspapers like they used to. Facebook is a tiny percentage of your voting base and. your friends, God love 'em, are just that, your friends, not the average voter who will make up his mind on or close to election day. That person needs a reminder. That person needs that second mailer from you, in their hand."

"Oh," answers Sally. Then she either agrees to make a few more phone calls and raise that last bit of money for one small mailer to poll voters, (and these days, the poll voter universe is small, with most people opting to mail their ballot in), or she shrugs and says, "Nah, it's ok. I feel really good about it."  And who knows, she may be right. But in my experience, dear candidate, it is just not worth the risk.

So, yes, our candidates in down ticket races do frequently spend more, sometimes a lot more, than the competition. But only when they have to. Only when the competition is an incumbent, or someone with great name recognition, or there is a major controversy about which they disagree. In those cases, not spending that extra cash may well lose you the seat that you are so well suited for, because the ones who need to know, the voters, never got the message.

Signs of the Times

Candidates cannot get enough signs. They love them and they must have them. And I understand - they are tangible artifacts of their campaign. They are big and bold and bright and stand right out there along the roadside with all the other signs.

They scream "look at me!", while their competitors shout just as loudly "No, look at me!" And the Kentucky Fried Chicken sign goes "Mmmmmm."

On Election Day how many votes will your signs bring to the polls? I think we all know the answer to that one.

Save money, bake a cake instead. Then go out and walk precincts, raise money and get that mail out in time for the absentee vote.  Reward yourself with a piece of cake for every $100 raised, 50 doors knocked, or 25 phone calls made. Yum!