Susan VanPelt
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svpwema.bsky.social
Susan VanPelt
@svpwema.bsky.social
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svpwema.bsky.social
Diversity of tactics: legal challenges, slowing or stopping Congressional work, campaigning -- but with recognition that not every Dem is suited to campaign towards every electorate that needs reaching. Know thyself and each other.
Black text on white background: I've seen some very rightful, well-earned praise for Bernie Sanders campaigning hard in contested red state special elections now. Unfortunately, though, some of that praise has veered into a message that this is what all Democrats should be doing right now. Oh, hell no. I'd urge some caution and nuance with that. Sanders can do it because he has real credibility with disaffected voters in red areas. He's authentic and consistent, with messages that are accessible and resonant. Far from all Democrats can claim that, and many lack the strategic messaging needed. I am very convinced that the flood of Democratic money and volunteers "from away" are a big part of why Susan Collins won her last reelection in Maine, for example. Effective messaging requires knowing the audience (hostility to outsiders parachuting in is very common to rural and red areas) and knowing oneself (are you a "coastal elite" or can you actually relate deeply and authentically to the concerns of red state voters as they define them, not as you define the issues for them in a way that comes across as inherently patronizing?). Honestly, Jeffries and Schumer (top Dems in House and Senate respectively) probably better serve strategic interests by staying home. A diversity of tactics, always.
February 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
svpwema.bsky.social
Rally for Democracy in Springfield, MA today. Blue skies but fierce winds and thick ice everywhere (still cleaning up from recent storms). Larger crowd than I expected given roads/sidewalks, but I couldn't reach my phone high enough to get a sense of the size.
Springfield, MA City Hall from distance with click tower and columns visible. Crowd gathered in front on steps. Symphony Hall and US flag on pole in background. Old-fashioned look streetlamp and decorated electric box in foreground with snow/ice/water visible along red brick sidewalk (cleared about the best of anywhere in the city right now). On the concrete in front of Springfield, MA City Hall, a rally-goer rests seated on the ground with his dog. In front of him he holds a red and white sign that reads "STOP PROJECT 2025".Surrounding him are other rally-goers including someone dressed in purple and holding a sign that says "TAKE BACK DEMOCRACY". The crowd in front of the columns of Springfield, MA City Hall. In the foreground a rally-goer in a bright blue hooded coat raises an arm and fist. One visible sign reads, "SAVE DEMOCRACY".
February 17, 2025 at 8:49 PM
svpwema.bsky.social
The US VP is such a POS
At top in red text: "JD Vance vs. Auschwitz Memorial". Below that an exchange of posts. From JD Vance: "This is a crazy exchange. Does the media really think the holocaust [sic] was caused by free speech?" From Auschwitz Memorial: "When we look at Auschwitz we see the end of the process. It's important to remember that the Holocaust actually did not start from gas chambers. This hatred gradually developed from words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence "
February 17, 2025 at 8:31 PM