Thread by @buildbridges4am

What a discussion as we began "Part 3: How To Make America A Democracy Again" of @danpfeiffer's "Un-Trumping America" on Monday night.

Follow along for a recap, but if tl/dr, sign up for our final week: events.democrats.org/event/284418/. #BookClub #Democrats #Grassroots

Q1: “The best way to fix our elections is to win more elections at the state & local levels.” What state/local candidate are you providing #grassroots support to?

A1: @katejbolz, @ACampaNajjar & @CharlieCrist were mentioned.

A1 (cont): Some of our #BookClub members have joined us for #PostcardsToVoters. You too can support candidates like @candacefor24, @ChristinePMarsh, @BrendanTJohnson & more. #Grassroots #Democrats

Tuesdays 👉 events.democrats.org/event/289041/
Sundays 👉 events.democrats.org/event/289046/

Q2: @danpfeiffer brings up the idea of using voting centers that allow voters to vote wherever in their community. Does your state conduct voting using neighborhood polling places or voting centers? #BookClub #Democrats #Grassroots #Voting

Q3: How would you make the #Democrats argument on voting? #Vote

A3: A democracy works when all who can vote can do so easily & safely (#VoteByMail). If more people voting is bad for your party platform, then there is a problem with your party platform.

Q4: “Democrats need to outline a bold vision for voter expansion." Solid discussion on @danpfeiffer's ideas. Which idea do you like most #Democrats to expand the vote? #Voting

A4 (cont): Some resources on lowering the voting age to 16... #Voting

⭐️ From @fairfightaction, fairvote.org/why_should_we_…
⭐️ From @voxdotcom, vox.com/policy-and-pol…

A4 (cont): A resource on national voter registration from @BrennanCenter, brennancenter.org/our-work/resea… & a resource on mandatory voting from @Stanford News, news.stanford.edu/2018/11/30/cas…. #Voting

Q5: @danpfeiffer argues that we need to “Fix the Senate” & provides two big ways to do so, eliminate the filibuster & make more states. Which do you prefer?

A5: Today @BarackObama called for the end of the #filibuster in his beautiful eulogy for @repjohnlewis & @BernieSanders agreed with the president. Our discussion was split on this idea, but would thoughts change now? 🤷

washingtonexaminer.com/news/bernie-sa…

A5 (cont): Getting rid of the #filibuster was championed by 2020 democratic presidential nominees @ewarren, newyorker.com/news/current/e…, & @PeteButtigieg, vox.com/policy-and-pol….

A5 (cont): Consensus for D.C. (btw, the House agrees, nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/…) statehood & Puerto Rico as well, but many skeptics at the idea of adding states by splitting up California or other scenarios.

Q6: How would you make the argument on abolishing the Electoral College? But before we get there...what say you, "Should the electoral college be abolished?" #electoralreform #electoralcollege

A6: 1 person 1 vote. No other election uses, why should the presidential race?

Lots of interest in National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. In fact, @BrennanCenter writes how a recent #SCOTUS decision supports it. #ElectoralCollege #ElectoralReform

brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/20…

Q7: @danpfeiffer writes “While I agree that Democrats shouldn’t engage in the dangerous political nihilism of McConnell, turning the other cheek will be the death of the democracy.” What are your thoughts on this dilemma?
Where do we draw the line? How do we draw the line?

A7: General consensus...#Democrats need to be unwavering in our beliefs & do what is possible to see them through, but never compromise our values in doing so. Think @MichelleObama...

Q8: Combating Citizens United was again brought up & so the question was asked...Should declining lobbyist & corporate PAC money be a requirement for all #Democrats?

A8: Some in #BookClub said "yes", others said "no, not until we win in 2020".

Q9: “We must fund the party the same way we win elections - by inspiring millions of Americans to invest in their own future.” How are #Democrats inspiring Americans to invest in their future (donate to democratic candidates/causes)?

A9: Values (see @JoeBiden's below). Engagement in policy writing. #Democrats #BookClub #Grassroots

Q10: “The ability to raise real money from real people depends on showing those people that they have actual ownership of the campaign." What does the people having “actual ownership of the campaign” look like to you?

A: Change metrics. Relational organizing. Digital captains.

That's a wrap for Week 4 of our #BookClub on "Un-Trumping America" by @danpfeiffer. All are welcome to join us for the final week, Monday at 8:30 pm ET. #Grassroots #Democrats

events.democrats.org/event/284418/

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