azteclady has movedAnother one: Florida.
Check your voter registration regularly and frequently.
The inimitable Elie Mystal on the current initiatives to curb SCOTUS overreach and protect democracy.
"The road toward court reform leads to court expansion or it leads to nowhere. Biden, and now Schumer, are willing to take the first steps."
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/no-kings-act-schumer-trump-immunity/
@JuliusGoat on so-called "centrists" (and the Nazis they side with):
"And I've given up engaging people who ask me to prove to them that Trump and the Republicans are supremacists and fascists. The question is like being asked to prove gravity; it reveals such a desire to not observe things that it exposes itself as an active desire to not understand."
Very timely reminder by @AnarchoNinaAnalyzes that, especially online, there is nothing that "everyone knows". There are billions of people on Earth. You can be sure, a lot of what you think is "commonly known", is not--and that's before misinformation and disinformation come into it.
#ElonMusk is investing billions to spread fascist propaganda--and not everyone who will vote in November knows it.
https://social.treehouse.systems/@AnarchoNinaAnalyzes/112954728927239630
AnarchoNinaAnalyzes (@[email protected])
Like many of you, I have grown sick of discussing noted Afrikaner fascist supervillain Elon Musk, and given his various battles with the U.K government and EU regulatory bodies over his presumed "right" to incite fascist violence on the social media platform he purchased entirely for that purpose, I don't think Musk's quest to normalize fascist ideology and put his thumb on the scale to elect fascist politicians in the Pig Empire is the widely underreported story it used to be. With that having been noted however, I'd like to briefly push back on the idea that "everybody knows" what Musk's game is by now, and that his efforts largely consist of preaching to the choir; an idea firmly rooted in the false assumption that anyone who isn't a fascist has long since exited Twitter (or X, if you insist.) Even setting aside the fact that this position is pretty ridiculous given that Pig Empire governments, politicians, news outlets, and celebrities all continue to maintain an active presence on "Daily Stormer the Social Media SiteTM," the empirical data simply doesn't back that position up. If we are to presume Musk is somehow only speaking to fascists, then the data suggests we as a society have a *much* bigger fascism problem than anyone is prepared to admit: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/08/election-disinformation-elon-musk-x-trump-harris/ Election Disinformation From Elon Musk Is Drawing Billions of Views on X "The report from CCDH, a nonprofit organization focused on protecting civil liberties and holding social media companies accountable, found that 50 false or misleading posts shared by Musk on X between January 1 and July 31 of this year racked up a staggering 1.2 billion views. The group categorized the posts under three main themes: false claims that Democrats are “importing voters” through illegal immigration (the bulk of the content that researchers examined); false claims that voting is vulnerable to fraud; and a manipulated video, also known as a deepfake, of Vice President Kamala Harris. According to the report, while independent fact-checkers found the content in all of those 50 posts shared by Musk to be false or misleading, none of the posts in question contained a “community note,” X’s user-generated fact-checking system that the company promise’s can contextualize “potentially misleading posts.” Just this week, Musk claimed in a post on X that community notes offer “a clear and immediate way to refute anything false in the replies,” adding, “the same is not true for legacy media who lie relentlessly, but there is no way to counter their propaganda.” Imran Ahmed, CEO of the CCDH, said in a statement accompanying the report that Musk “is abusing his privileged position as owner of a small, but politically influential, social media platform to sow disinformation that generates discord and distrust.” Yes, you read that correctly, at the time the CCDH report was published, fifty posts by Musk that are essentially election disinformation or fascist propaganda have received 1.2 billion (with a b) views; no doubt aided by Musk's manipulation of the Twitter algorithm to make his own posts the most popular content displayed on the platform. Furthermore, I think it's important to understand that this report looked at just fifty posts by only Musk himself; it says literally nothing about all of the other influencers, politicians, and nazi propagandists working to spread fascist ideology on the platform whatsoever. Finally, while I'm certain that there are a great number of chuds viewing Elon's posts, the reality is that pretending it's only chuds doing so simply cannot be supported by the raw data; whether X users like it or not, they're seeing Musk's fascist content by design. Look, fascists have been producing fascist propaganda for a very long time, and they do so for a reason - because if enough people consume that propaganda, it works to spread and normalize fascist ideology, creating permission structures for fascist political activity. You are not immune to propaganda, and neither are the millions and millions of unsuspecting people consuming nazi ideology on Twitter/X. This in turn means that Elon Musk and his social media platform are a legitimate fascist threat to Pig Empire society, and the vast portions of our establishment who remain on the platform, drawing unsuspecting readers to a place where they will be exposed to the fascist content Musk's site is disseminating, are part of the goddamn problem. Given the fact that Musk now appears to be actively suppressing content that disagrees with his reactionary, revanchist worldview, it is simply no longer acceptable for establishment figures in the Pig Empire to claim they must keep producing content for Musk (which is what posting on Twitter ultimately does) because "that's where the people are." Plunging the world into a nazi hellscape for views and likes, is simply not an acceptable tradeoff for anyone, anymore. #Fascism #ElonMusk #Propaganda #SocialMedia #Twitter #X
Louis DeJoy--who inexplicably remains U.S. Postmaster General--wants to further destroy the Postal Service, under pretext of "making it solvent".
Senator Jon Tester has introduced a bill that would slow that process.
The real solution? eliminate artificial burdens on the USPS imposed by a Republican Senate--and fire DeJoy.
Aside: Tester is up for reelection in November, and we need him there. Vote!
The Real Young Prodigyes have relased this in response to the cuts to school buses for mostly-Black neighborhoods and schools in Louisville KY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYKRz7sHZ1w
These cuts have also led to lawsuits (source: https://whas11.com/article/news/community/jcps-parents-lawsuit-bus-transportation-cuts/417-3a9ada38-9e87-4850-80af-7efc802199e9)
Per @bolts, there's a chance to elect a progressive state supreme court judge this November: Pamela Godwine has union support. (source: https://boltsmag.org/your-state-by-state-guide-to-the-2024-supreme-court-elections/)
VOTE!
The Real Young Prodigys - Where My Bus At (The Bus Song) [Official Music Video]
#OlayemiOlurin speaking, among other things, about why immigrants have a right to care about the politics of the country we live in, where we pay taxes and contribute to our communities in many tangible and intangible ways, even when we cannot vote.
So if you can vote? Please don't be the asshole who doesn't vote "to make a point", and helps Trump become king for life.
This Immigrant’s Updated Thoughts on Kamala, Walz & the Election
Non-Republican candidates running for any and all public offices in #Florida are at risk of being summarily dismissed by Governor #RonDeSantis, in order to install one of his handpicked fellow fascists to enact unpopular and harmful policies.
Which then allow him to do things like this:
https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2024/08/21/florida-state-parks-jonathan-dickinson-golf-course/
If you can, attend the meetings on Tuesday to record your opposition--and check your #VoterRegistration and #Vote in November and every election thereafter.
Speaking of #RonDeSantis, here's how the political landscape is changing in #Florida:
DeSantis endorsed 23 school board candidates across the state.
11 lost outright.
6 are headed to runoff voting (check your #VoterRegistration by the way)
Only six--a quarter--won outright.
Florida is not likely to ever be a truly progressive state, but holy cats, it is definitely not an unrecoverable abyss of ass backwards conservatism.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/20/ron-desantis-school-board-results-00175296
I also want to note how #Politico slants their reporting here: the issue is not what role parents have in shaping their children's education. The issue is *which* parents have been given authority to dictate how other parents educate *their own children*.
Reporting is not neutral when it erases context in favor of the #Christofascists
So, again: check your #VoterRegistration then #Vote
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/20/ron-desantis-school-board-results-00175296
#WillBunch on the #2024DNC and how it's so different from all that's come before for at least four decades--and yes, that includes Barack Obama's campaigns.
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/chicago-dnc-democrat-vibe-ecstasy-20240821.html#loaded
On that vein, if you haven't, perhaps give this #PoliticsGirl short video a watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gu1gHT5BOU
Most of us reduce elections to the one issue (or office or candidate) that we think most affect us, forgetting how interconnected it all is.
We need to win the WH, the Senate and the House to avoid going full fascist nation--but also so that we can pressure elected officials to protect us via rational regulations (meaning: not funded by industrial lobby)
For example (pardon the casual fatphobia and ableism) by @notjustbikes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN7mSXMruEo
These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us
Save $20 on an annual subscription to Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/notjustbikesEngineers, planners, politicians, and advocates all around the world are tryin...
Check your registration, keep checking it, take a screenshot confirming you've registered, check you have the ID you need to vote.
Because the Christofascists are ready to disenfranchise as many voters are they can, and to scare and even jail however many they can--including elderly people.
Texas officers raid house of 87-year-old woman who complained about poor ballot access
An 87-year-old Texas woman who complained about local seniors not being sent mail-in ballots had her house raided by officers for the state's election integrity unit.The New York Times reported that Lidia Martinez, a retired educator who lives in San Antonio, was shocked last week when officers came...
Hey, look, fresh indictment of Trump, same charges, and fuck the Christofascist SCOTUS majority and their immunity for Trump--because, let us not lie to ourselves, if Biden were to use that ruling to do anything for the poor, or people who can get pregnant, or the fucking air we breathe and water we drink, he would not be covered.
#Crossfire 1986, start at 1:18 #FrankZappa used the phrase "fascist theocracy"
Zappa defines "Fascist Theocracy"
On Crossfire, with Tom Braden, Bob Novak, and some guy named John Lofton, Frank Zappa coins a new term. Complete video here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9...
"A vote for Trump is a vote to ban abortion in all 50 states; anyone who suggests otherwise is just trying to elect him (so he can ban abortion)" --@lolgop
Not everyone is terminally online, not everyone knows Trump didn't "change his position" on #Abortion. Not everyone knows that Republicans and Trump will do absolutely anything to get him elected, so they're free to control the rest of us to death
A vote for Trump is a vote to ban abortion in all 50 states
Anyone who suggests otherwise is just trying to elect him (so he can ban abortion) It’s pretty ridiculous. As abortion rights have become an even bigger issue in the 2024 election—with Trump flopping into public support of the ban in Florida that has destroyed abortion access for the
#COVID19 is still here; many people are left with #LongCOVID symptoms of varying severity, from fatigue to brain fog. #BigPharma have little motivation to do anything about it, so our only recourse is to #Vote, elect Democrats, and then bully them into doing the right thing for the country rather than corporations. (h/t @rebeccawatson)
Bonus: this strategy works for anything and everything you care about.
The Good & Bad News About the New COVID Vaccines
There's a lovely video about VP Kamala Harris visiting a Penzey's Spices store in Pittsburgh (clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpTCweo0tCQ; if you are a woman/femme of a certain age, have tissues handy. I cried).
MAGAts started leaving a flood of negative reviews, despite most not being actual customers, which leads to this statement by the company: https://www.penzeys.com/shop/about-republicans/
Kamala Harris Visits Spice Store In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania While Preparing For Debate
Check your voter registration, take screenshots, get ready to fight for your right and responsibility in November.
Jamelle Bouis on J.D Vance's blood libel against Springfield Haitian immigrants.
Original headline versus "let's not offend the Nazis" headline.
I do not consent either.
#USPolitics #2024Election #RepublicansAreWeird #RepublicansAreCreepy
All over the U.S., Republicans are purging the voter rolls to cheat in November; do not let these fuckers disenfranchise you: check your registration now, and every day.
Senator Ron Wyden just dropped the text of a bill to overhaul SCOTUS:
Read through, the links to the full text are at the bottom.
There are a number of key Senate races that we must win if we want to keep control of the Senate and be able to do anything about SCOTUS or the judiciary at all, let alone anything else.
If you can, please read this thread by @Celeste_pewter about how we can help some at risk Senators (Jon Tester, Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey, Tammy Baldwin, and Angela Alsobrooks), as well as competitive races in FL and TX
https://bsky.app/profile/celestepewter.bsky.social/post/3l536t3jygr2a
Celeste Pewter (@celestepewter.bsky.social)
There's a lot of speculation about the DSCC's new ad buys into Florida and Texas this morning: Yes, it's a good sign for Allred and Mucarsel-Powell, but it's also because of Montana. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/26/senate-democrats-colin-allred-texas-florida/
Check your voter registration DAILY!
https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration
Republicans are purging voter rolls constantly, and they won't tell you about it.
#VoterRegistration #Vote #USPolitics #2024Election
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4901476-north-carolina-purges-747k-voters/
A lot of people in the U.S. think that people with disabilities have it made: just apply for welfare! The reality is that more people go broke or die waiting for any benefits than those who get any help--and that help is limited and cruel.
Call your representatives and push them to pass #SocialSecurityReform
Also, vote for a better government.
Disability Benefits: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
LOLGOP (aka Jason Sattler) on "Why the polls are bunk?" or, as I like to say, "if you are living outside the U.S., YOU SHOULD VOTE IN THIS ELECTION"
#USPolitics #2024Election #Vote
https://i-know-how-much-you-care.ghost.io/why-the-polls-are-bunk/
Democrats are suing the Georgia State Elections Board over the ruling that all ballots must be counted BY HAND on election night, a ruling that is sure to fuck up the counting and compromise the integrity of the votes.
#USPolitics #2024Election #Georgia
Gift link:
Voter registration has been extended for South Carolina: residents now have until Monday October 14 to register to vote.
#SouthCarolina #VoterRegistration #USPolitics #2024Election
https://scvotes.gov/voter-registration-deadline-extended-to-october-14/
One month from today--please check your voter registration, please make a plan, get your ID, vote.
The Election of 2024
Magic words to use if/when encountering difficulties when voting.
Between now and then, though, check your voter registration; make sure you can exercise your right.
Ending a piece on Sally Fields's 1964 truly horrific #Abortion experience with a paragraph about Melania racist piece of toxic shit Trump and her sudden-and-opportunistic "passionate support" for abortion is a choice.
Check your voter registration. Make sure you have the correct ID, make a plan to vote.
Downballot races will affect your life as much as a President Kamala Harris; research those vote.
ICYMI: since Donald Trump slashed regulations and defanged public safety agencies such as the FDA and USDA, the number of food recalls has increased by at least one order of magnitude.
The only people who benefit from cutting regulations are the people at the top; everyone else's risk of dying of something as stupid as poor refrigeration or bad handling.
Vote Democrat all the way downballot.
Trump wants the military to "deal" with his political enemies---the "radical left lunatics", a term that includes every Democrat, from the current president to regular citizens registered with the Democratic party.
This is fascism, and the U.S. press does not report on it with any urgency, because they're willing accomplices.
#PressIsComplicit #USPolitics #2024Election #Fascism
Better link:
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-military-target-americans-oppose-him-1235132806/
The lies Trump and the rest of the MAGAts tell are having a tangible negative effects on the efforts by FEMA and other agencies to help people affected by Helene: armed fuckers are going around "hunting FEMA".
Check your registration and vote Democrat all the way downballot; we must fix this mess with facts and education.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-10-13/armed-militia-hurricane-helene-15497437.html
National Guard’s report of ‘armed militia,’ prompts the relocation of North Carolina hurricane recovery officials
Federal emergency response personnel on Saturday had employees operating in hard-hit Rutherford County, N.C., stop working and move to a different area because of concerns over “armed militia” threatening government workers in the region, according to an email sent to federal agencies helping with response in the state.
A profile on one woman bringing progressive changes to her deeply conservative Texas town.
Check your registration, check your ID, make a plan, Vote.
Need help researching candidates? use https://bluevoterguide.org/
or @bolts's Cheat Sheet here: https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/your-guide-to-the-elections-in-november-2024/
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirms that President Jimmy Carter has voted, for Kamala Harris.
Great news, spurring last minute mobilization: if you are in Nebraska, check your voter registration, register if you haven't yet, and get ready to vote on November 5!
#USPolitics #2024Election #Nebraska #VoterRegistration #Vote
https://boltsmag.org/nebraska-voting-rights-supreme-court-rules/
Nebraskans Rush to Undo Harm, After Court Rebuffs GOP Bid to Block Thousands of Voters - Bolts
Tens of thousands of Nebraskans who’d been blocked for months from registering to vote regained ballot access on Wednesday, though with little time to act before the November election. The... Read More
#Nebraska: you can still register to vote!
Online deadline is tomorrow, October 18; in person deadline is October 25.
Check your #VoterRegistration and do the thing! Don't let Republicans silence you!
From president and downballot, exercise your right and do your civic duty: vote!
https://boltsmag.org/nebraska-voting-rights-supreme-court-rules/
Nebraskans Rush to Undo Harm, After Court Rebuffs GOP Bid to Block Thousands of Voters - Bolts
Tens of thousands of Nebraskans who’d been blocked for months from registering to vote regained ballot access on Wednesday, though with little time to act before the November election. The... Read More
John Oliver on the likelihood of election interference from MAGAts and other fascists.
(keep your finger on the mute button, there're several Trump clips in there)
Election Subversion 2024: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
John Oliver discusses the attempts made by Donald Trump and his supporters to undermine the upcoming election, what we can expect after election night, and t...
The YT channel Legal Eagle comes right out with it: the choice in this election is between the rule of law and a fascist.
Note that there's some Trump voice a couple of seconds after the 5 minutes mark; also some discussion of Trump's mental condition (as evidenced by his recent behavior) and age, as well as a long list of his crimes.
The Most Important Election Of Our Lifetimes
On November 5th, only one choice can preserve the rule of law and our democracy. ⚖️⚖️⚖️ Do you need a great lawyer? I can help! https://legaleagle.link/eag...
Attention, U.S. voters! If you vote by mail, you must pay attention in case you need to "cure" your ballot for any errors (real or manufactured)
IF you are in #Georgia and have already voted by mail: there are reports that about 800 mail ballots have been rejected so far. You can check the status of your own using this website:
If you are in #Nebraska, today is your in-person registration deadline!
If you have a felony conviction: you can vote!!!!
https://boltsmag.org/nebraska-voting-rights-supreme-court-rules/
Check your #VoterRegistration check you have the necessary ID, and do the thing: #Vote!
Nebraskans Rush to Undo Harm, After Court Rebuffs GOP Bid to Block Thousands of Voters - Bolts
Tens of thousands of Nebraskans who’d been blocked for months from registering to vote regained ballot access on Wednesday, though with little time to act before the November election. The... Read More
Via BookRiot, by #KellyJensen:
Save public #Libraries and schools by voting down-ballot --this piece includes a good breakdown on what you need to do to vote responsibly in every race:
https://bookriot.com/save-public-libraries-and-schools-by-voting-down-ballot/
If you need more help with local candidates, check out this two resources:
and/or
https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/your-guide-to-the-elections-in-november-2024/
Via Courtney Milan on Bluesky, an appeal for Coloradans to help save the House.
Electing Harris president is essential, but so is keeping the Senate and flipping the House; with the trifecta, true reform (judiciary, immigrations, abortion, an so forth) is possible.
On the same day that the Washington Post announces that it won't endorse a candidate (Bezos would rather Trump win than risk his web services being investigated/broken up), the Philadelphia Inquirer asks:
"Voters face an easy but tectonic choice in the race for the White House. Will they choose the first woman or the oldest man to be the next president? Will they choose the prosecutor or the convict?"
#USPolitics #2024Election
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/a/endorsement-president-kamala-harris-democracy-20241025.html
#TheBulwark offers some insight on why The Washington Post, the paper that broke Watergate for those who may have forgotten, is now declaring itself an impartial observer.
Short version: billionaires look only after themselves.
#USPolitics #2024Election #JeffBezos
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-washington-post-bends-the-knee
After the Los Angeles Times pulled its own endorsement, a number of editors have resigned; more at The Wrap.
Billionaires will ALWAYS side with authoritarians, out of self-interest.
#USPolitics #2024Election #PatrickSoonShiong
https://www.thewrap.com/la-times-case-against-trump-kamala-endorsement-canceled/
LA Times Planned 'Case Against Trump' Series Alongside Kamala Harris Endorsement Before Owner Quashed It | Exclusive
Alongside its endorsement of Kamala Harris, the Los Angeles Times editorial board had also planned a multi-part series against Donald Trump before it was quashed by owner Patrick Soon-Shiong.
Associated Press weighs in on the Washington Post/Bezos, "democracy die at the hands of billionaires" thing:
"Trump meets with execs from Bezos-owned Blue Origin"
#USPolitics #2024Election #Jeff
Bezos
https://apnews.com/live/2024-election-trump-harris-news-updates#00000192-c592-d7d8-a7be-efbf2ca80000
If you are in #Arizona, the local elections in your state are of key importance for the future of the state, from ballot initiatives to control of the state House and Senate, to the state Supreme Court; Daniel Nichanian, founder and editor in chielf, lays it out in this BlueSky thread:
https://bsky.app/profile/taniel.bsky.social/post/3l7ers3ufyx2r
Seriously, go read it, the state is on the verge of truly radical shit from the GOP.
Taniel (@taniel.bsky.social)
I think Arizona's elections may be the single most important rn — even putting aside the presidential election. The amount of items on the ballot that could transform state politics, upend the election systems, as well as criminal justice and courts, is remarkable. Here's why.
You may want to share this piece from The New Republic (via Yahoo News):
"More than 100 #Arizona Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and progressive Democrats and community leaders have signed a letter making the case for those reluctant to support Kamala Harris against Donald Trump."
These Democrats understand the assignment: keep Trump out of the White House, then push the new president to end the #Genocide in #Gaza
https://www.yahoo.com/news/extreme-danger-harris-earns-stunning-143857259.html
Via the Brennan Center:
"In Pennsylvania, as in every state, college students can vote where they attend school. Call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE if you have any questions/issues registering or voting in Lancaster County or elsewhere in Pennsylvania."
#Pennsylvania #2024Election #USPolitics #Vote #VoterRegistration
One way to realize how outsized the influence of U.S. politics is in the world at large, is to see videos made by people in the U.K. explaining what's at risk here, exhorting people to register and vote, and so forth.
Is Halloween GAY Christmas?
Election Protection Hotline!!!
If you need assistance, for any reason, from now to election day:
Election Protection hotline numbers
English 866-OUR-VOTE866-687-8683
Spanish/English 888-VE-Y-VOTA888-839-8682
Asian Languages/English 888-API-VOTE888-274-8683
Arabic/English 844-YALLA-US844-925-5287
You can call or text, and trained volunteers will help you.
"Given Trump’s & Musk’s scorched-earth strategy of lies, once ballot counting begins, provisional ballots are likely to be the next candidate for “everything looks suspicious when you don’t know how anything works.” (Edward Perez)
The opening page of the New York Times opinions section.
Gift link to the piece: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/10/25/opinion/what-trump-says.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VU4.viDv.Lw2HG_V0-lMo
If you dropped your ballot in a box in #VancouverWA or #PortlandOR, check whether they have been/are received--you may have to request another one, or go vote on the day.
CHECK THE RULES IN YOUR COUNTY
Track your ballot here:
https://www.vote.org/ballot-tracker-tools/
If you are in #Ohio and you haven't voted yet, please read this piece over at @bolts, on the redistricting initiative, and how the GOP used language to deceive voters:
https://boltsmag.org/ohio-issue-1-gerrrymandering-misleading-language/
Trump's 10/27 rally at Madison Square Garden didn't "devolve" into a Nazi rally--it was planned as one. Those speaking didn't "inadvertently" "echo" the speeches of the MSG rally of 1939--they consciously reproduced them.
https://newrepublic.com/article/187616/trump-msg-ugly-racist-rally-closing-argument
Guin Kelly@herhandsmyhands I hate that this is part of our politics these days. Seriously glad our county set up where you can sign up for text updates, so I know my ballot was received, my signature was confirmed and what group it's assigned to for counting.
@GuinKelly It is so bad in some states where disenfranchising anyone who might vote Democrat (or mildly progressive Republican in some races) is the name of the game.