Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Charles Booker likely would have made a better candidate against McConnell than Amy McGrath was. Against Rand Paul, Booker would represent the government doing things to help Kentucky's people. Libertarian Rand Paul wants the government to do little to nothing.

 Booker's stand on issues has been explored during the primary contest he lost in 2020 to Schumer-backed mediocre former Marine, Amy McGrath, who got hammered in the general election.

Booker represents progress. It appears at this time he is contemplating a run against Rand Paul.

As soon as a firm decision is made, presuming he runs, we all should help by contributing. 

Expect a follow-up post if Booker commits to a run and sets up a campaign effort.

Another interesting contest? Marco Rubio's seat will be contested in 2022. Think about Alan Grayson as the Democratic Party challenger to Rubio, who has a feeble record in terms of being Florida's GOP Senator with his major issue being his reelection, not the needs of pandemic challenged citizens of the State that sent him to the Senate. 

A contested Democratic Party primary in Florida is to be expected. But aside from Grayson, there appears to be few progressive political operatives in Florida. 

Certainly not DWS. She is another story entirely. Having undermined progressive chances back in 2016 while being head of DNC.

If the Dems decline again to run progressives, and to try to roadblock them at every opportunity as has been Schumer's pattern, the Republicans could again hold Senate control over Supreme Court nominations as was the case under the Trump - McConnell putsch to gut Roe v. Wade. Their knives seem to have been sharpened with the cult woman from Notre Dame added to the other two appointees Trump and McConnell crammed through against the people and against progress.

Roe v. Wade is in the crosshairs.

As to other Senate seats progressives may seek, it is wait and see.

However, Booker and Grayson are good starting points.

Wouldn't it be good to see Rand Paul back being an eye doctor instead of a nuisance Senator?

UPDATE: You don't need a Schumer barometer about Florida and Rubio, just read Politico. If Schumer has a third potential candidate as his favorite, we shall see, but between Grayson and Demmings, you know who he'd choose. So frustrate him, please.

________FURTHER UPDATE________

Do not forget to contribute to help reelect Warnock in Georgia. He won a special election where the seat is again contested in 2022; so he has to run again.

As a progressive, Warnock will likely run a similar contest to what got him elected to the Senate from Georgia, most recently, giving the Dems its tie-breaker status for VP Harris, where both Georgia seats were needed to do so.

Reelect Warnock. He is a legitimate progressive, wanting what is best for the people rather than kissing up to billionaires and corporate big wigs.

And if you do not live in Georgia - contribute to keep the man in the Senate.

So, bottom line, as best as things can be seen now - three to help fund, Grayson, Warnock, and, of course, Booker. Progress will not happen by magic. It will happen by the right persons running righteous campaigns, well-funded because the Republicans will always be well-funded, with dark money running in parallel with their candidates. 

_________FURTHER UPDATE________

If you contribute to Schumer's DSCC you will have your money allocated as they think best. If you pick individual candidacies and contribute selectively, it will be as you think best. It would be as bad as Manchin to keep the Senate narrow advantage, yet if Rubio and Rand Paul could be ousted, Manchin would no longer hold the hammer to pound down progress. Also, if McConnell gains a majority via 2022 voting, at least you can feel you tried to better a really bad situation. Manchin and Sinema each is bad news, together worse news, but if seats can be held with two more picked up, Manchin and Sinema would be part of things, not pivotal to getting anything done or stymied.

________FURTHER UPDATE_________

Ballotpedia has a helpful page on Senate seats to be voted on in 2022.