Red? Blue? Purple.

photo-8You’ve heard them, the Democrats claiming “we’re going to turn Georgia blue” in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018…  I grew tired of this trumpeting in 2009 when we first started hearing about the demographic shift; the popularity of President Obama; the promise of Governor Barnes.  Every Democrat wants to hear this.  It makes us feel hopeful and all warm inside.

It’s time to face facts.  Georgia will NOT be blue in 2014, it’s unlikely in 2016 or 2018.  If we play our cards right, invest our time and treasure, and demographics change as predicted, I am hopeful for 2020.

Will Georgia go for a Democratic President sooner than 2020?  That may be possible.  Will we elect at least one Constitutional Officer before 2020?  That’s possible too.  But for the benefits of being a Blue State to begin to take effect for Georgia, we need to win majorities in the State House and/or State Senate.  For that, we have a very long way to go.  It’s a daunting task, a marathon not a sprint, and many of our citizens are not even in training for the races ahead.  Preparing for the marathon requires engaging the Rising American Electorate (minorities, young people, and unmarried women).  To do so we must build a rock-sold progressive infrastructure. Claiming we can win this marathon in 2014 or 2016 is akin to telling me that if I start now I’ll be bikini-ready by Memorial Day.  Nothing but disappointment comes from believing either scenario.

Do you want a Blue Georgia? If so I recommend investing time and treasure in the good work of the organizations below.  In ADDITION, seek  candidates to support, as well.  Efforts from both the organizational segment and the campaign segment is required for us to win this marathon.

It takes a fucking village, people.

Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)
Georgia WAND (Disclaimer: I sit on the board of Georgia WAND)
Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates
Georgia Equality
Young Democrats of Georgia
WIN List
League of Women Voters of Georgia
Better Georgia


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8 responses to “Red? Blue? Purple.”

  1. David Avatar

    I think Hillary Clinton would have a better chance of winning GA in 2016, than any statewide Democrat in 2018. Unless she “sweeps” somebody in, her winning Georgia in 2016 won’t be much more than a pyrrhic victory, as GA’s electoral votes would be after 330+ elsewhere in America.

  2. JMPrince Avatar
    JMPrince

    Yep all the time. And here too: Barrow not running for Senate.
    http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/298271-rep-barrow-wont-run-for-senate-in-georgia

    JMP

  3. BEZERKO Avatar
    BEZERKO

    Speaking of Psych, the USA network show, Sean was running for mayor of Santa Barbara, and Gus was his campaign manager. Gus is prepping Sean for a debate and he reminds him of rule number one. “Never answer the question they ask you, answer the question you wish they had asked you.” Wow, wisdom from a comedy.

  4. JMPrince Avatar
    JMPrince

    Amen. Although there’s some remote scenarios I’d certainly like to entertain. Like restarting the great American tradition of whiskey at election time. Bribery for the little man. It’s the least we can do for the masses. Worth a 2nd look.

    http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/food/2010/10/swilling-the-planters-with-bumbo-when-booze-bought-elections/

    JMP

  5. Tim Cairl Avatar
    Tim Cairl

    to be fair, the hate is more directed than at everyone 🙂

    Personally, I can look past a LOT of faults if you just do some damn work and are somewhat capable about it. If not, then yeah, all bets off.

  6. Drew Avatar
    Drew

    Meh. Nathan Deal is very unpopular; the Republicans are likely to nominate a caveman for Senate; and there will be several open Congressional seats, including Kingston’s, which is as Democratic as Barrow’s. These bode well for the Democratic Party.

    The negatives are the fact that it will be the sixth year of Obama’s presidency, which is historically bad for the incumbent party, and the fact that everyone involved in Democratic politics seems to hate one another.

  7. griftdrift Avatar

    Cocktails? No one told me there would be cocktails!

  8. Julez Avatar
    Julez

    Thank you for this post.

    I attend a great many progressive and or Democratic events, and this “Turn GA Blue” thing has bugged me for a while, especially when some screechy little man was slamming it all over FB in 2012.

    It’s beyond laughable when these slogans are not tied to any plan, tactic or method to do that. Yes, I open these emails and LAUGH AT YOU!

    Do people in the totally not exclusive clicktavist circles really think minds/laws/movements are built because they have a catchy slogan and a cocktail?

    Really. Do you? If so, please leave. You’re in the way of the people doing the heavy lifting.

    It takes work, real honest effort and then maybe you might see some change.

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