Thread by @dcpetterson

A few years ago, Barack Obama described why Republicans like vote suppression. At 55% turnout, Republicans win. At 60% turnout, Democrats win. At 65%, Democrats win in a walk. At 70% turnout, there is no longer a Republican Party.

1/6

The competition for ideas, Obama say, was won by Democrats long ago. Now, we're in a competition for engagement.

Democratic ideas, principles, programs and candidates are all massively popular, and have been for a long time.

2/

When Republicans prevent people from voting--even through "passive suppression," simply discouraging engagement and making people think their votes don't matter--the people primarily affected are Democratic voters.

Creating more interest in in elections = Democratic wins.

3/6

Less than 60% of American voters voted in 2016. More than 60% voted in 2020. That was the difference between a Trump win and a Democratic win.

Lauren Bobert won her 2022 reelection by about 500 votes. 500 people should have cared a little more.

4/6

The drumbeat telling you your voice doesn't matter, that "both parties are the same," that "nothing changes"--that is fascism talking. The push to vote for a third party candidate who can't win, just to "send a message"--that no one will hear--is fascism speaking loud.

5/6

Al Gore lost the presidency to G W Bush in 2000 by less than 500 votes in one state.

Yes, Republicans work very hard to suppress the vote. This is why they do. We can beat them by simply beating them.

Get off your ass and make sure people vote.

6/6

(YOU do always vote, right? You do always #VoteBlue, right? And not just for president--in every election, and for every office on the ballot. Right?)