Control of the U.S. Senate may ride on the contest in North Dakota, and the polling for Heidi Heitkamp looks grim. She’s down by more than 10 points. The Republicans are crowing that they have this in the bag, and they’re sure they’re going to walk away with this one.
Well you know what I say?
HELL NO.
Let’s take a look at some things that I believe can help snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Bear with me, OK? My point not be obvious at first. But I think you’ll see what I’m driving at.
FACT #1:
North Dakota is the FIFTH HIGHEST state in soybean production.
FACT #2:
The current price of soybeans is $8.56 per bushel. Source.
FACT #3:
The estimated break-even price on soybeans is $10.05 per bushel. Source.
FACT #4:
North Dakota soybean growers stand to lose $1.49 per bushel at current prices.
FACT #5:
If the current estimate of soybean production holds (about 236 million bushels), that means that North Dakota farmers stand to lose $351,640,000 (!) this year.
FACT #6:
This is DIRECTLY attributable to the trade war launched by Donald Trump. From The Washington Post:
North Dakota soybean farmers, caught in the trade war, watch the season run out on their crop.
The majority of North Dakota’s beans go to China, to feed animals. TWO-THIRDS of North Dakota’s beans go to China.
Now, the harvest is in. The market has died.
FACT #7:
The Republican Senate candidate in North Dakota SUPPORTS TRUMP’S POSITION!
Now are you telling me—are you SERIOUSLY telling me—that in the last two weeks we can’t make this a killer issue in North Dakota?? Really?? $350 million in losses to the state’s biggest trading commodity, and the Republicans ARE FOR IT??
There are some more things I’d like to share.
Heitkamp was down by 10 in the last poll before the 2012 election. SHE WON.
This seat is salvageable.
What needs to be done?
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!!
1. Consider phone banking for Heitkamp. You can volunteer to do so right HERE.
2. Consider canvassing for Heitkamp. The AFL-CIO has organized an effort, right HERE. By the way, I URGE MINNESOTANS TO COME TO HEIDI’S RESCUE HERE! Just 500 people canvassing 100 voters apiece means 50,000 contacts, which is significant in a state like North Dakota.
3. You can volunteer in other ways, right HERE. And consider sending postcards.
DAILY KOS’ EFFORTS TO HELP NATIVE AMERICAN VOTERS IN NORTH DAKOTA HAS BEEN NOTICED!! CHECK THIS OUT!!
There are 75,000 potential voters at risk here. WE NEED TO KEEP FIGHTING!!
Go to ActBlue to help with $$$.
Oh, and one last thing: 344,360 votes were cast in ND in 2016. Being down by 12 points in ND means you are down by about 40,000 votes, by this standard. This is DOABLE. This is SURMOUNTABLE.
Early voting begins this week in North Dakota. HERE is North Dakota’s official information on voting in the state. Even more info can be found HERE.
DO NOT SURRENDER THIS SEAT! THIS RACE CAN BE WON!! LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN!!