Dem redistricting group picks targets, unleashes Obama

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico


By EDWARD-ISAAC DOVERE 07/11/2018 05:21 AM EDT Updated 07/11/2018 07:46 AM EDT

Barack Obama says all the voter registration drives and first-time candidates running for office this year are “inspiring” — but that in the existential battle for America he’s been warning about, it's not enough.

“That’s all vital to protecting this democracy of ours,” Obama says in a new video being released by the National Democratic Redistricting Committee on Wednesday. “So is something else — and that’s rethinking the way we draw our congressional districts.”

The NDRC has zeroed in on a list of state legislature races for November, identifying specific targets in each priority state for the first stage of its attempted gerrymandering revolution ahead of the 2020 census. The goal, aides to the group are telling prospective donors, is to put as many as 29 House seats in 12 states within reach for Democrats.

The NDRC is preparing to do fundraising and organize campaign visits, including by Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder, who is leading the group. The group is convening allies on the ground and orchestrating digital get-out-the-vote efforts through voter contact and turnout. It will also be redirecting some of its own money into existing organizations in the states.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/11/democrats-redistricting-obama-708500

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[Nitram]

1. The community organizer is back!

[Sunlei]

3. He sent out emails last week for the community organizer group & I'm district 18 :P

Organizing for Action 7/3/2018

Friend --

I've spent enough time in Washington to understand the temptation of cynicism.

Just like you, I've had moments of frustration -- when our political divisions feel incurable, or the barriers to progress unbreakable.

But despite those moments, I believe now more than ever: Cynicism is a choice. And hope is a better choice.

The story of America's uneven, but undeniable, march forward -- our shared story -- demands a stubborn optimism.

You might remember, there were a whole lot of cynics out there when I first ran for president. They told us again and again that our hope was naive.

But you never listened.

When cynics said the change we sought was too ambitious, you didn't listen. When they said overhauling the health care system would be too difficult, you didn't listen.

Time after time, I've placed my faith in the power of ordinary people like you to bring about extraordinary change. And time after time, that faith has been rewarded.

As we approach these critical midterm elections, I'm asking you to once again choose hope -- to channel that awesome power we have, as citizens, to bring about the change we seek.

If you're frustrated with a political system that feels broken or leaders who don't represent your values, remember that cynicism is the guardian of the status quo -- organizing is the antidote.

We won't forge progress by yelling at our TV screens, but by talking with our neighbors. We can't just knock politicians and cast aspersions -- we've got to knock on doors and cast ballots.

The direction of our country will be decided in November, but we have to do the work now. I'm asking you directly, friend.

Thank you,

Barack Obama
44th President of the United States

[pazzyanne]

5. I was just going to say that!

That's the one skill Obama had that I most admired. He took a lot of ridicule for being a community organizer, but that was one of his greatest successes and the one that most frightened the GOP. Go Barack and Eric!

[DeminPennswoods]

2. Please target Darryl Metcalfe

Thanks

[aquamarina]

4. He is exactly right.

It doesn’t matter how great a candidate is if he/she is running against an incumbent in a district that is shaped like North Carolina Dist 12 or Florida District 20.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Excellent. Unleash The Obama! . . . nt

[Gothmog]

7. Yeah for AG Holder and President Obama