Congratulations! We are thrilled, THRILLED, I say that there is a D candidate filed to run in EVERY FRIGGIN’ Congressional race in Texas. Good job! Way to go! We’re proud of our candidates and our recruitment! I couldn’t be more excited.
AND, we are building a bench! Here in Hays County we have D’s filed for (almost) every race down to dogcatcher. We can’t win, if we don’t run! Having grassroots candidates at the local level helps turnout (up and down the ballot), builds that bench, and teaches activists how to run and WIN races. The future’s so bright, we’ve got to wear shades.
Now, Democratic Operatives, let me chew your ass out for a second. Seems like a lot of you guys have forgotten how to win statewide, and certainly how to ride a wave.
Today’s lesson:
DON’T give interviews in which you are GIDDY about having a D filed to run in everyone of the 36 Tx-Congressional districts and THEN say “we hope to pick up 4 seats.” Seriously? Only 4? Out of 25 R held seats? Talk about Debbie Downer! You might sound “wise,” “realistic,” “battle-hardened,” and “experienced.” Big whoop. But you’re killing me with those low expectations. Those interviews are not about YOU—those interviews are about the NARRATIVE—and that narrative has got to be that we’re building a wave and we’re going to KICK ASS up and down the ballot.
When you hang crepe all over a lower tier D’s congressional narrative, you’re:
- dissing every D not in a top-tier race,
- making it harder for those lower tier races to raise money,
- robbing the party of morale,
- defining success as the “bare minimum” and
- switching the narrative from “we’re building a wave” to “we’re hoping to have a good day.
- ,You’re shooting a lot of those recruits you’re so rightfully proud of in the back.
What the HELL people!? What kind of cheerleader are you? We’re in the fight OF our lives, FOR our lives and you’d be happy with 4 seats!? For shame! And you’re willing to hang those low expectations all over our party? No WONDER D’s keep getting their asses kicked down here.
So, going forward:
- Stick with a winning narrative,
- Make it about the WAVE coming,
- Support ALL those candidates we fought so hard to recruit—don’t just throw them out as sacrificial filers (my god! look at Blake Farenthold! (or don’t—but you get my point)).
- Above all PLAY to win! 2018 is the best chance we’ve had in a generation. Make the most of it.
That is all.