False Equivalence Gone Wild

The Trump Campaign, and "The Donald" himself have complained forever about how biased the media is towards his candidacy. The facts speak to a different bias; one that results in voters believing they are voting for "the lesser of two evils." John Oliver, on Last Week Tonight addressed this. Watch it. Then read this Paul Krugman piece.

As a PCO, you need to be able to address this when doorbelling for our candidates, including Hillary Clinton. The prospect of a Donald Trump Presidency is frightening. Speak up, speak out, get out, and GET OUT THE VOTE!

First 2016 Presidential Debate

FiveThirtyEight says Hillary Clinton won the first Presidential Debate. I certainly think so, but I'm biased.

What did you think?

Beyond the Foundations

posted by Kendall Miller on Into the Breach

Let's compare how the candidates have performed in their personal charitable giving.

The total of all Donald Trump’s donations since 2001 comes to  0.038% of his supposed net worth. That’s not pocket change. That’s pocket lint.

The Clintons have donated 37.6% of their net worth. Simple math shows that the Clintons are almost 1,000 times more generous with their money.

Today is National Voter Registration Day

Today is National Voter Registration Day, which means that volunteers, community leaders and organizations are “hitting the streets” across the country to register people to vote. Why?

Many American miss the opportunity to have their vote count each election because they didn’t properly register or update their registration in time.

In Washington you can update your voter registration online up until October 10th. All you need is a Washington State License or ID.

Not registered to vote? You can register online here!

Already registered to vote? Post this on your Facebook page, or email 3 people you know so that you can spread the word about National Voter Registration Day!

Have you moved recently? Make sure to update your voter registration.

It is important to vote in ALL races, not just the top tier ones. Local elections matter for issues that impact all of us – education, the environment, and the economy.

Don’t put this off to another day; make sure your voice counts. Exercise your rights and update your registration today!

Tina Podlodowski Event in Richland

Wednesday, October 12^th

5:00- 7:00 PM

Bookwalter Winery

894 Tulip Ln

Richland, WA

RSVP: Joe@NewmanPartners.com or (206) 328-2969

Suggested Contribution Levels*

Supporter $100 - Friend $250 - Advocate $500 - Sponsor $1,000

*Contributions of any amount will be gratefully accepted!

Carbon Tax Forum, Sep 30th

Please come out for this important discussion on I-732; the only substantive policy proposal in the nation for reducing CO2 emissions and promoting clean energy.

The Days Grow Short

If You're Registering Voters, You Have Only 2 Weeks Left to Do So On-Line or by Mail. 

 

Key Dates

• Deadline for mail-in & online voter registration: October 10
• Ballots Mailed: October 19
• Deadline for in-person registration: October 31
• Election Day: November 8
• Certification: November 29

Quick Links

• Register to Vote
• Sample Ballot
• Voters Pamphlet
• Online Replacement Ballot
• Request Replacement Ballot by Mail
• Ballot Drop Box Locations
• Election Results

Gary Downing, 16th LD, Pos. 2

Come out and support your candidate. Gary Downing (D) will be debating Terry Nealey (R) for Position 2, in the 16th Legislative District, Washington, in Walla Walla, on September 25th.

 Help support Gary's campaign. Donate at http://www.elect-downing.com/

Rebecca Francik, Candidate, 16th Legislative District, Pos. 1

Campaigns require volunteers and money. Work to GOTV, and give whatever you can afford to Vote Francik, at http://www.votefrancik.com/

Come on! Let's elect this good woman to represent us!

Don't Forget the Picnic

WHEN
Saturday,
September 24, 2016
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

WHERE
Jefferson Park
1400 Geo. Washington Way
Richland, WA

You are invited to the Benton County Democrats ANNUAL PICNIC.

What to Bring: Conversation, blankets, chairs, and your spunk! This is a catered event with live music by our local Barefoot Randy, free face painting, and games.

Cost is $20/Adult (children under 10 FREE). Cash or check please.

Please RSVP no later than noon Friday with an email to events@bencodems.org so we can get a count for our caterer.

Tina Podlodowski for WA Secretary of State

Did you know that automatically registering residents to vote when they get or renew a driver’s license has resulted in 250,000 new voters in Oregon after only one year. Tina Podlodowski plans to initiate this practice in WA after we elect her as Secretary of State in November.  Statewide, Tina is within 2% of pulling ahead of the incumbent.  Our votes (and contributions) can make the difference.

Late Word from Chuck Lopresti on BCDCC CSG Resolution

Chuck Lopresti, BCDCC Platform Committee Chair, reports from Yakima.

Happy to report that our resolution to Retain the Columbia Generating Station (CGS) was passed (with minor amendments) by the WSDCC in Yakima yesterday afternoon.  The amendments were intended to shorten the resolution and remove some peripheral 'Whereases.'  The intent of the resolution, to put the party on record to support the CGS through its remaining 30-year lifetime, or until its energy could be replaced by "green" energy, remains intact.

Our resolution even as amended in effect reverses the original resolution #143 to shutdown the CGS. 

I am happy!

Quiz: Would Hillary Clinton Make a Good President?

What is a "TrumpBot?"

“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters” (Donald Trump).

TrumpBots are people immune to reason, who will vote for Trump no matter what. The way to deal with these people, is NOT to deal with these people.

Instead of attacking Trump, or his supporters, focus on telling living, breathing voters -- non-TrumpBots -- why Hillary Clinton will make a good president.

Daniel Akerson, in a Washington Post article, wrote, "A good leader must demonstrate such qualities as competence, integrity, empathy, character and temperament. Hillary Clinton has these essential qualities...Clinton has been tested. She has demonstrated balance, calm and an even temperament. She has an unparalleled knowledge of foreign and economic policy; she has run complex organizations such as the State Department. Over the years, she has demonstrated that she can take criticism and work with even her most strident political opponents. Like other leaders, including myself, she has made mistakes. I believe she has learned from those mistakes. In my opinion, she is ready to be commander in chief on Day One."

Let's get busy and GOTV with positive energy and positive messages.

Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility Music Event

Come See Joe Brasch, Charlie Butts, Chris Grant & Ron Reed at the Saranac Pub Rooftop for a great acoustic-set of tunes from their new CD, Fool's Paradise on Sunday, September 25th at 2:00pm to support the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, and its push to pass Initiative 1491.

Snacks, beer & wine and non-alcohol refreshments will be served.

21 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

Benton County Democratic Central Committee (BCDCC) passed a resolution "strongly" supporting I-1491.

Trump's Lies Require a Whole New Genre

Mark Twain is credited with popularizing the saying, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” I wonder under what category of lies Twain would lump Donald Trump's lies. I imagine he'd have to come up with a whole new "genre" to accommodate Trump's epic litany of fabrications, frauds, fakery, and phantasmagoria.

Republicans have been surprisingly successful painting Hillary Clinton as “a liar,” while turning a blind eye to their candidate’s bizarre travels through fantasy land. I've asked myself, "Why?" and I've decided it's because no one really expects Donald Trump to tell the truth. Apparently Trump equates being truthful with being "political correct," and we know well what he thinks about political correctness.

It's troubling, scary really, to see Trump closing the gap in the presidential polls. Let's get busy people, and GOTV!

If you need help using VoteBuilder, contact John Christensen, Neil Norman, or Richard Badalamente. We can run you through the basics.

Cyrus Habib Meet & Greet in Pasco, Sunday, the 18th

Cyrus Habib, Democratic Candidate for Washington Lieutenant Governor, will be doing a "meet and greet" this coming Sunday, Sep. 18th, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 598, 1328 Road 28. Pasco, WA 99301. Everyone is welcome.

Habib serves the people of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and the Points Communities in the Washington State Senate. In the Senate, Cyrus is a member of the Democratic leadership team, serving as Democratic Whip, which makes him one of the top ranked Democrats in the Legislature.

The Washington Post has named Habib one of the top 40 politicians in the U.S. under the age of 40, and Governing Magazine has listed him as one of 12 legislators to watch nationally because of his ability to work collaboratively to get things done.

Upcoming Events

Electric Car Show for National Drive Electric Week

Sat. Sept. 17, 2016, 11:30 am - 4:30 pm

A variety of Electric cars to observe and discuss with their owners.
Richland Public Library
 955 Northgate Drive, Richland WA

Electric Auto Association

Strategy Meeting for Benton County/8th LD PCOs & Volunteers

Sat. Sept. 17, 2016, 2 pm

Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 598 1328 Road 28, Pasco

Contact: Tony Ramirez, (509) 790-8556

Washington State Democratic Central Committee Meeting

September 16, 2016 (All day) to September 17, 2016 (All day)

Yakima Convention Center
10 N. 8th St
Yakima, WA 981901

Contact: mackenzie@wa-democrats.org 

8th Legislative District Monthly Meeting, 6 pm to 7 pm, and

Benton County Democratic Central Committee Meeting, 7 pm to 8:30 pm

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016

Laborers' 348 Hall, 2505 Duportail St, Richland, WA

Benton County Democrats ANNUAL PICNIC 

Sept. 24th, 2016 from 1-4pm

Jefferson Park, 1400 George Washington Way, Richland

I-732 Carbon Tax Forum

Fri, Sept. 30, 2016, 7 pm

WSU-Tri-Cities East Auditorium

2710 Crimson Way, Richland, WA

The Clinton Foundation

According to a September 1 article in the Seattle Times, Charity Navigator gave the Clinton Foundation -- the former first family’s nonprofit -- high marks Thursday, after an evaluation prompted by heightened interest in the organization.

I recently wrote an opinion piece on the Clinton Foundation, which attempts to put the Republican-generated controversy over the charitable organization in context. My article points out that the feigned outrage over the Clinton Foundation by republican operatives, now given rude voice by Donald Trump, is the height of hypocrisy, but most people won’t realize this. You have to know something about Citizens United and McCutcheon vs FEC to understand just how hollow the Republican charges are.

PCOs and volunteers need to be knowledgeable about this issue in order to answer questions voters may have when they are contacted about voting in the 2016 General Election. You can start here.

Brunch with Governor Inslee

Meet with Governor Jay Inslee at the Allen Brecke Law Offices, 3360 West Clearwater Ave. in Kennewick on Sunday, September 18th, from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm.

RSVP to Seamus McKeon, Seamus@JayInslee.com, or (206) 328-4091


Co-Host $1,000 | Sponsor $500 | Friend $250 | Guest $100

Beautiful Day for the Union-Sponsored Labor Day Picnic

Labor Day Picnic, September 5, 2016

Union volunteers stayed busy grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for the Labor Day picnic in Columbia Park yesterday. Long lines of picnic-goers snaked through the park waiting to load up their plates. Kids made a beeline for the free ice cream and cotton candy, then headed to the bounce houses. Live music from the stage reverberated through the throngs of picnic goers. It was a perfect day to be among friends celebrating America and what union labor brings to our country.

UA Local 598

Supreme Court Refuses to Reinstate North Carolina's Move to Suppress Voting

A divided U.S. Supreme Court refused last Wednesday, August 31st, to reinstate a set of voter restrictions enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in the battleground state of North Carolina. Last month a federal appeals court invalidated the restrictions, declaring that they were deliberately targeted at making it more difficult for African-Americans to vote.

UA Local 598 Labor Day Picnic

Last Year's Labor Day Picnic in Columbia Park

Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598 and other local unions will host a Labor Day Picnic in Columbia Park in Kennewick. The picnic is free to the public. Volunteers will man the barbecues while live music plays on Columbia Park's main stage. Food will be served between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the first 300 people get a free tee-shirt. There will be a bouncy house for the kids, and for grownups, a show and shine motorcycle and car show.

The picnic will bring together union members from all professions to celebrate the American worker, including food workers, nurses, firefighters, construction workers, the 15 building trades, and the plumbers and steamfitters.

Come out and get to know the union-affiliated members of our community.

Down to the Wire

Have you been planning to write that letter to the editor supporting Hillary Clinton for president, Patty Murray for senator, or Jennifer Goulet or Gary Downing for the 9th and 16th legislative district house seats, respectively? Maybe you've been squirreling over an opinion editorial on the need to support I-732 dealing with climate change, or I-735 on getting big money out of politics? Well, you'd better get those letters and op-eds in the mail, because we are getting down to the wire.

In Washington, Oct. 21st is the start of an 18-day voting period (through Election Day). Ballots are mailed out and Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers.

Voting starts in less than six weeks, on Sept. 23 in Minnesota and South Dakota, the first of some 35 states and the District of Columbia that allow people to cast ballots at polling sites or by mail before Nov. 8. Iowa is expected to have ballots ready by the end of September, as are Illinois and two other states.

The electoral battlegrounds of Arizona and Ohio are to begin voting on Oct. 12, nearly four weeks before Election Day. The electoral battlegrounds of Arizona and Ohio are to begin voting on Oct. 12, nearly four weeks before Election Day. North Carolina and Florida will be underway before Halloween.

For PCOs, making personal contact with the people in your precincts is key to getting out the vote. There's no time like the present to do this. And in another 6 weeks or so, they'll be no time at all. If you haven't already done so, log into your Votebuilder account and print the names of your democratic precinct members, and a walking map of your precinct (if you need help doing this, contact John Christenson at 509-783-0282). Then go for a walk.