Is Tom Steyer the progressive answer to the Koch brothers?

[yallerdawg]

A Democrat we need!

Source: The Guardian, by Rory Carroll

“Are we afraid to tell the truth because it might piss someone off? No.” A thousand times no, says Steyer, thumping the table during a recent interview in Los Angeles. It is time to “retake” the United States. “We’re trying to do something to protect the country, protect the democracy, protect the people. This is a fight between right and wrong and I don’t see why people want to sweep that under the rug.”

The former hedge fund manager, by some estimates the biggest individual spender in American electoral politics, assails not just Republicans but those Democrats who, in his view, lack the guts or brains to fight for what is right. “They’re worried about pissing off Republicans. They want to create a civil atmosphere where there’s a possibility of civil discourse and compromise. Do you see any civil discourse and compromise from the Republicans? Or are they lying for money and putting us all at risk?”

Mention the public shaming of White House officials such as Sarah Sanders and Stephen Miller, a controversial tactic which has divided Democrats, and a Cheshire grin seeps across Steyer’s face. “Jeez, that’s too bad.”

He elaborates. “Let’s assume that you’re torturing children, then you come over for a drink at the local pub? Not with me. You don’t get polite discourse when you’re a torturer.” Ditto climate-change sceptics who shill for fossil fuel companies. “These guys want a pass to make millions of dollars and put the world at risk. Do you have a problem with that? Yeah, I have a problem with that. Do you want to lie to my face and put everyone at risk, and then have a cocktail, really?” He stretches his arm and gives the middle finger. “Not with me.”

Much, much more at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/13/is-tom-steyer-the-progressive-answer-to-the-koch-brothers


A "campaign" coming to your neck of the woods soon? Maybe!




Today at Need to Impeach:

[manor321]

1. Jesus christ. No oligarchs, please!

No, let's please not fight their billionaires with ours. How about we use party organization to influence government? Crazy idea, I know.

[yallerdawg]

2. What oligarchy is Steyer supporting?

He's trying to take one down!

[ret5hd]

4. Heh heh heh...you make me laugh.

[JHB]

3. No. At least, not yet and not doing what he's doing

The Kochs mostly kept a low profile and funded a lobbying and messaging infrastructure. Conservative and libertarian think tanks to develop arguments and papers for politicians to quote and wave around, groups like ALEC to craft and push legislation, astroturf groups to create the illusion of broad support, etc.

They made connections so that they didn't foot the whole bill themselves, and it was all constructed to look as normal and respectable as possible. No high-profile, easy to demonize "evil rich dudes" until relatively recently.

A liberal version doesn't need to do it precisely the same way, but it's the infrastructure & messaging parts that need to be built, or better knit together the ones that already exist.

The messaging part is especially important. There is absolutely no liberal equivalent right-wing noise machine. How much would it cost him to fund and promote people who are already out there, but are operating on a shoestring because liberal moneybags don't "do" media?

[yallerdawg]

5. It's a lengthy article at link.

*****

His Super Pac, NextGen America, with about 100 employees in its San Francisco headquarters and another 400 spread across with US, champions climate solutions, immigrant rights, social justice and healthcare by backing like-minded candidates in legislative and gubernatorial contests stretching from Arizona to New Hampshire, Michigan to Florida. It has spent $32m on youth organising, registration and turnout efforts this year.

Many dollars flow into low-profile races, so-called “down-ballot” elections, said Carolyn Fiddler, political editor of the Daily Kos. “It’s the less sexy side of the work he’s doing but it’s what I think will pay dividends in the long run.” Successful candidates tend to move on to higher office, she said. “And these folks will draw congressional lines in a few years. Down-ballot money is money well spent. The Republicans figured this out a long time ago.”

*****

[StevieM]

6. I hope that Tom Steyer will be the next president of the United States. (eom)

[yallerdawg]

7. As opposed to the one we have!

Amen, brother!