Tulsi in Person and 27,000 More Needed
Got to see Tulsi in person at Bronco Billy's Pizza Palace in Fremont, CA yesterday. There were well over 100 people there (probably less than 200) and it was standing room only with people in an overflow next door. The energy was amazing, with people very pumped.
Tulsi was in very forceful form last night, actually appearing angry at times saying regarding the current political climate that "This is not a joke!" giving an example of how an amendment she proposed only got 60 co-signers out of 435 that would have removed 3 pages that allow the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to do anything they choose--without any approval from Congress--to Iran, including going to war. She was royally pissed. She reiterated a point she made in San Francisco a day earlier where she said she was not intimidated by the number of stars someone has on their shoulder, and that she did not fear the military-industrial complex. She was bold, her voice carried weight, and yet at the same time completely composed.
Later in the question and answer part, one woman of seemingly Middle Eastern or Persian ethnicity completely broke down asking how she could be sure Tulsi would actually do something--Obama had promised much of the same and nothing had come of it. What power do any of us have over it and would Tulsi be pressured into doing nothing once in power? It was something to see and hear, and was almost heart breaking the emotion she put into it. Tulsi came down and hugged her in a very tight hug for what seemed like a full minute, and at least 4 full grown (and burly) men that I could see took out or asked for tissues to wipe their eyes. It was moving, and Tulsi spoke about people like all of us needing to be heard.
More than ever, I know she has what it takes to be an extraordinary leader.
Yesterday, her campaign announced they had 38,148 individual donors. Today, that number seems to have climbed to around 38,600. Tulsi has the rest of March, and all of April and May to reach 65,000 individual donors in order to get into the televised Democratic debates. That means she needs about 27,000 new individuals to donate to her campaign.
(As an aside, assuming an average of $27 per donor, that means she's running at around $1 million right now.)
Please, if you have any interest in seeing Tulsi on those debates, and are willing to undergo a bit of Tulsi spam, donate a bit to her. Doesn't matter how much, even $1 will count. Go to Tulsi2020.com and follow the links to do so. If ActBlue isn't working for you (as it wasn't for me), or if you just won't do ActBlue to donate, there is a mailing address for checks. Please include your occupation and employer in order to be counted as a separate donor.
She is in Las Vegas campaigning tonight. From March 21 through at least March 24 she will be blanketing New Hampshire with appearances.
Post scriptum: one other interesting note--this streak of white in Tulsi's hair is natural. It appeared during her rotations in Iraq. She decided to keep it and not color it as a reminder of the rotations she had there.
Comments
Does she need $65,000 to get on the debates
or need 65,000 donors? This is just one more way for the democrats to keep progressives from trying to change their party.
I did like that question for how do people know that they can trust her after what Obama did. Even if someone is dead serious about something people will now have doubts about them because of no drama Obama.
Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?
Donors
They need 65,000 individual donors, or more than 1% in nationwide polls.
Thanks
I just read this tweet about it.
This is such a stupid way to run a country that says it stands for democracy. I wonder who came up with this idea? Perez or Nancy?
Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?
I assumed that it was a rule of the networks!
What problem is this new DNC rule supposedly addressing? Chaffee, O'Malley, Webb and Sanders did not leave the Anointed One enough space on the stage during the first debate?
Every time I think they could not possibly get any worse without formally changing parties, they prove me wrong.
Donors, but I think the number of states
states of the donors' residences also matters. IOW, if all 65,000 donors are from California, for example, she's out of luck. I think.
I asked my email list to donate a dollar or more, just to help get her voice onto the debate stage and I donated. My family and friends are scattered around at least a dozen states. Some, but not all, got back to me saying they'd donated, so I don't know if everyone donated. I was happy to ask them, but I'm not going to hound anyone.
@HenryAWallace on qualifying.
on qualifying.
Tulsi will need donors from at least 20 states, IIRC
NYCVG
Thank you.
Everybody should, at least, buy some Tulsi merch.
It's not the amount of money people donate that matters, it's the number of donors.
We bought 2 Tulsi buttons and a tee shirt. The buttons cost $4.99, that counts as a donation.
TULSI 2020
We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.
Nice article on Tulsi
Tulsi talks about the warmongers in congress sitting in the ivory tower thinking up ways to kill people.
She sure sounds like a good candidate, but this is probably why everyone is against her. I think because of the way she speaks out against wars it's important that she gets to the debates and that's why democrats will do everything they can to keep her from them.
Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?
@snoopydawg If one thinks that the
If one thinks that the MSM blackout of Bernie was bad. They have gone one step further with Tulsi. They certainly do not want her ideas going mainstream.
The 65,000 donor requirement doesn't seem unfair . . .
. . . to get on the debate stage nor the 1% polling requirement. It would be more unfair if there were no requirements and the DNC could pick and choose the debaters which would enable them to diss Tulsi. It's up to us to back her up even if we support another candidate or oppose voting on principle. Oh wait, sending money to a candidate would, oh never mind, that's not my argument.
I support Bernie but I sent a buck to Tulsi to help her get on the debate stage. I encourage everybody else to do the same or more no matter their candidate or stand against voting.
Very important
her courageous views on foreign regime change wars get heard on the debate stage. No other candidate is emphasizing FP.
I have no illusions about how difficult it will be for her to get the nom, but I do want her voice heard. Unfortunately it appears her fundraising operation is not up to speed. Andrew Lang, who has never run for office before, has already met the 65k threshold. So has Mayor Pete Buttigieg (sp) of South Bend, IN. She does have a couple of more months to make the goal, and it's likely this will be done, but still this is going too slowly. I have already contributed, and hope others here will consider a small contribution, and will tell their friends.
the hard work of campaigning
[video:https://youtu.be/FYhZknjBq5k]
Mahalo.
https://www.euronews.com/live
May be someone asked Tulsi to comment on
Chris Hedges article. Chelsea Manning and the New Inquisition .
How much Aloha will she bring to and for the Whistleblowers?
This is all very difficult, isn't it? Who would want to be a President in the US? Hugs to Tulsi, I wouldn't want to go through what she is.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Pete Buttigieg disapproves of the whistleblowers
As an aside, one of the other declared Dem candidates, Pete Buttigieg, who claims to be a progressive, is no friend of Manning and Snowden. In a recent interview with CBS News, he said that he's "troubled" by Obama's commutation of Manning's sentence.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2020-candidate-pete-buttigieg-troubled-by-c...
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
He has not been on my radar so far, so do I need to
know him? From your quote I wouldn't even speak to him. Pffft.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Yes and no
I don't recommend him to be POTUS, but I guess it's good to know of him, since he's currently one of the Dem candidates.
He served in the military, and word is that he has some connection to the intelligence (spy) agencies. If true, it's not surprising that he wouldn't approve of Manning's and Snowden's whistleblowing.
As we saw in the 2018 elections, there were numerous Dem establishment candidates with CIA backgrounds who got themselves elected to the US Congress.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
I think I will ignore them all til fall 2019
then I make an effort again. So having good connections with the spy agencies is a plus when it comes to running for President? Sounds inspiring ... but not to me.
https://www.euronews.com/live
ok, stupid response, what do I know. So forget it./nt
https://www.euronews.com/live
Hey,
I thought it was a great response.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
I worry about Tulsi
I watched Tulsi's San Francisco appearance on YouTube. In addition to the above, she stated that as POTUS she would be hands-on with respect to foreign policy. She said she wouldn't just accept what the foreign policy and military advisors told her, or automatically follow their recommendations.
That's the kind of thing that the MIC does not like in a president. They really, really don't like it. As in, alphabet agencies taking steps to make sure the person who is POTUS doesn't do it.
At this point, they're trying to handle it by ignoring and marginalizing Tulsi. If her campaign gains momentum, I hope she can get a security detail the way Bernie did during the 2016 primary.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
of course the MIC doesn't like her
the more courageous of her to not shut up on her campaign appearances.
They want us to fear for her. I am pretty sure, she either will take the risks into considerations and 'adapt' or she will be 'disappeared', if not literally then digitally. The MIC has no Aloha.
https://www.euronews.com/live
JFK still is the only
prez to repeatedly challenge the MIC, especially the CIA. The Kennedys weren't used to taking orders or being pushed around, and JFK was skeptical not just of his fruit salad-on-the-chest advisers but also his civilian nat'l security advisers. Obama didn't have the inner strength to challenge the TPTB even if his initial inclinations were to go in a different direction.
JFK was born into wealth of an old elite North Eastern
family clan. I have difficulties to see similarities in that regard of JFK and Gabbard. The Gabbard family were local people from Samoa, ie local Samoan middle class. Here is her father's bio.
Mike Gabbard.
There is a difference there. Also, Mike Gabbard was a Republican, before he switched.
Reading all his bio, I lose my hope, but would support her, if I were in the US. There is nobody else, who would incite my willingness to engage. I donated and would volunteer probably. But I am stuck in Germany, where some of our politicians asked that US ambassador Richard Grenell should be expelled, It's that bad. But no hopes for real resistance against the MAGA ambitions.
I think one just has to wait and watch what happens. It's a movie I don't like, because it looks as if it will not have a happy end.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Just noting how
rare it is for a prez to directly defy the national security/MIC state. Rare and dangerous. This is the situation she would be facing if the nearly impossible happens and she becomes president.
I have no doubt the two families mentioned are very different, which wasn't my point. But some similarity in the way she grew to be able to defy her father on LGBT rights, as JFK had to learn to become his own person politically despite a very strong-willed father.
JFK's brother, RFK, would have been the same
and we know what happened to both of the Kennedy brothers.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
Obama's inclinations...
were always to serve his large donor buddies and con the rest of us.
His lack of 'inner strength' was a feature, not a bug.
The current working assumption appears to be that our Shroedinger's Cat system is still alive. But what if we all suspect it's not, and the real problem is we just can't bring ourselves to open the box?
The donations
have to be from 65k different people, right? Or can I donate to Tulsi again and have it count?
Must be 65k
unique donors, so donating again will only help her to increase her dollar intake, not advance her chances of getting on the debate stage. Tell your friends to consider a small donation of $5 to have her voice heard in the debates.
@zett yes. 65,000 unique
yes. 65,000 unique donors.
NYCVG
When I was in CA last week,
my politically active niece blasted Tulsi for her past LGBTQ views. She has since "changed," but it's a factor to consider when talking to folks. I didn't know that about her and googled it and found it. Now, I'd be able to offer my niece a retort, but I was unprepared last week. My niece also likes that Buttigieg fellow. She's a her heinous worshipper, so now you know how many of them are thinking.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Regardless of the smears,
Tulsi's voting record is firmly on the side of LGBTQ issues.
Yes, Tulsi has some problems in the past when she was a young adult in that regard due to the heavy influence of her father, Mike Gabbard who is a devout Catholic. Show me someone who has grown over the years and whose voting record is right and I will pick them over pure rhetoric any day.
We must remember that here at C99 and in the real world also, not all of us grew up in politically liberal households. Some of us (myself) found our way on our own. That is what Tulsi has done and I commend her for it.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Amen!
Funny how right wing Dems are allowed to “evolve” or whatever on issues with lip service and “some of my best friends are...” while continuing to vote in a manner representing their old views while anyone else has to be 100% pure from the word go. Hell, HER practically praised Nancy Regan as an “AIDS activist” during the campaign and we were told we were being BernieBros for caring! Give me actions over words every time.
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
President Obama
publicly opposed gay marriage and later evolved on the issue:
And of course
Hillary Clinton evolved on gay marriage also:
When people hear her they are impressed
...kinda reminds me of Bernie's 2016 campaign. The debates don't begin till June...
https://www.npr.org/2019/02/14/694841980/initial-democratic-primary-deba...
...and the primary election almost a year away. Mine is March 3, 2020. Your scheduled primary should be here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/12871941
In 2016 I introduced many people to Bernie. Lots of them supported the $hill because they thought she was a stronger (not better) candidate. Most have apologized and regretted not supporting Bernie. So this year when I recommended Tulsi they were much more open about it. Several are with Bernie, but most have moved on to Tulsi. We'll see. If the trumpeteers crank up another (hot) war in Venezuela or Iran...heaven forbid...it would add to Tulsi's appeal IMO. It is a ways till 2020....
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Donations
I donated to Tulsi today. I am shocked that she has not yet met the threshold while Andrew Yang and the other guy have. It goes to show just how effective the blackout and smear campaign against her has been thus far.
I stumbled across a YouTube video recently put out by a dyed in the wool conservative who coaches public speakers. He analyzed Tulsi as a public speaker and said that Tulsi is one of the most effective speakers that he has ever seen. He was very impressed with her but said he would not vote for her because she is a Democrat.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
I have to tip
my hat to the Andrew Yang campaign. For a political neophyte, his campaign amazingly seems to be hitting on all cylinders. He's a very impressive, intelligent and likable guy who doesn't do pol speak and evasiveness. And he has a refreshingly bold and intriguing central proposal of the UBI which he prefers to call the Freedom Dividend. It is creating a buzz of discussion.
He also has firm stands on a number of other issues, available to view at his website, all rather clear and straightforward.
He hasn't been on a CNN Town Hall as yet, but now that he's guaranteed to be in the debates, I don't see how the network could refuse to have him. And that will just add to his appeal. Definitely a long-shot but definitely someone to watch.
Liz Warren was on the CNN TH last night. Just saw a clip on YT -- she has now come out boldly in favor of abolishing the Electoral College and her answer got wild applause from the MS audience. She might need some issue this bold in order to get traction in the race. Bernie seems to be sucking up most of her potential support.
I agree
His website is very policy specific, maybe moreso than any other candidate.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
oh darn, look at this, from the Guardian two hours ago
here
no comment.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Likely has more
to do with her strong anti-Dem Establishment stance on foreign policy than with the domestic social issue. I understand the peculiar fellow who runs Dkos also has endorsed a primary challenge, probably for similar reasons.
Agree,see my comment above about differences of JFK
and Gabbard's family.
https://www.euronews.com/live
I also
got to see Tulsi in person at a different venue in Fremont, CA on Sunday. It was a wonderful crowd, also about the same number as you described, VERY POSITIVE, very intelligent questions, and most enthusiastic in response to her positions on war, peace, and military expenditures draining the country. There was a respect for military veterans and appreciation for all supporters including active military and veterans as well as several local, south Bay Area council members and assistant mayors, and very much a young, Asian-American and Southeast Asian-American presence as well.
I'm used to going to hear speakers like Chris Hedges in the Bay Area and being blinded by the white hair of hundreds of people in my age group, over 70. But at Tulsi's event, it was so refreshing to see young people, overwhelmingly in their 20's, 30's and 40's, some with children, and totally willing to stand throughout her speech and applaud strongly with respect. I didn't think they were applauding for her. They weren't overawed by her celebrity or fame. They were applauding and smiling and nodding in support of WHAT SHE SAID.
Debate Requirements
The candidate must register 1% or more support in 3 polls between January 1 and two weeks before the debate. The polls don’t have to be national; public polls in the first four primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, or Nevada also qualify, but they have to be done by major news organizations or qualifying universities.
Candidates can qualify for the debates if they show their campaign has received donations from at least 65,000 unique donors and a minimum of 200 unique donors per state in at least 20 US states.
The top 20 candidates will be selected using a methodology that favors candidates that meet both the polling and grassroots donations thresholds, followed by the highest polling average, followed by the most unique donors.
voices for me
Tulsi Gabbard, Ilhan Omar, Winona LaDuke, and Barbara Lee all speak for me.
Note how all are unhyphenated women of color.