Let's Meet at Netroots! My Training:"Fight Everywhere: How to Run for Office in Deep Red Territory"

I have GOOD NEWS, fam. I am one of the few who have been accepted to do a training at Netroots Nation this year! This is a BFD and here’s why.

It was a little over four years ago that I launched Bold Blue Campaigns (then, Bold Blue Media Alliance) right here on Daily Kos with one simple thing I wanted to do: to fully and directly support Democratic state and local candidates no matter where they were in the country. I recognized from my own experiences with campaigns that there was a HUGE gap. And it was killing us a party and as a country. The gap was simply that small, low budget campaigns couldn’t attract experienced staff; couldn’t afford crucial platforms and had to half-ass it on important services. And it was costing them (and us) elections. I felt like there had to be a way to fix that. So I came up with an idea:

What if we copied the model that we liberals love so much for things like universal healthcare and applied it to political campaigns? What if large number of people pitched in to make things that are normally unaffordable, affordable to people who need it most?

It’s pretty simple but it's revolutionary and probably a tad bit disruptive. But, fuck it. I decided it needed to be done and that’s why I started Bold Blue. Some of you supported the effort and even called it the “New 50 State Strategy” (blush), which I sort of dig.  It’s been four years and it’s been an uphill slog. I can’t lie. There have been times I wanted to quit. I didn’t expect to be the most popular kid on the block, but I did build in some “not stepping on your toes” allowances so as to not kneecap myself too hard.  Still, I have been ignored and even faced hostility from people and organizations who I just think don’t want to see anything change. No lie. I’ve worked shit jobs to keep the lights on and run up a bit of debt believing this will all work out in the end. I'm either stubborn or stupid. 

But over those four years, we’ve had the honor of working with a handful of campaigns. Some won their elections. Some didn’t, but they improved the turnout from prior years. ALL were thankful we existed. That’s what has kept me going. Bit by bit it seems the word is getting out that there is someone who really cares about results and understands the constraints (and importance) of smaller, lower budget state and local campaigns.

So far this year, I’m humbled that we are already fielding calls from potential candidates, campaigns and even local parties in places as diverse as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Maryland, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin. It seems like things are shifting.

Well THIS year I submitted a proposal to do a training called: FIGHT EVERYWHERE: How and Why to Run for Office in Deep Red Territory. 

To be honest, I did not expect to be accepted. There were reportedly over 300 training sessions proposed. And even though I knew mine was different than anything else on offer — EVER — I was used to not building to much expectation. If I dwelled on every rejection or unenthusiastic reception, I’d have stopped years ago. I just keep bangin’ and keeping it moving. I pressed SUBMIT and went on to the next thing.

Well, when I found my training had been accepted, I was ecstatic! It felt (and still feels) VALIDATING. I’m not gonna lie: I cried like a baby. LOL. It was a tremendous release.

I want to tell you about this training and if there is anyone here who is in a red state, red district or who knows people who might benefit from this training, and if you are coming to Netroots, please let me know here and I will specifically reserve your space.  You can also go to our Facebook page where we set up an “event” for sign ups.

My training is about redefining what it means to win in these difficult districts because I believe that progress is possible in every one of them. I believe they should not be overlooked. There is great opportunity and potential and great power there. The training goes over Bold Blue Campaign’s unique “Plant-A-Seed” campaign strategy. This is the service and support track we employ with campaigns that are in deep red districts. We don’t turn them away. We use this strategy to help them change thought and party-build through victory in their districts. The Plant-A-Seed strategy is a bit different from how we work with political campaigns that are competitive because it combines elements of a normal political campaign with a smartly chosen and very targeted public awareness campaign. It returns quantifiable progress data that can be built on, cycle over cycle. You can take a look at a (very) abbreviated outline of the training here.

Sadly, the training at Netroots is only about one hour. So anyone who attends will be given a voucher to complete the training with us online at no charge.

I also do this training onsite, so if you would like me to come to your location — no matter where you are — let me know. The costs are negligible (just cover trainer(s) transportation and lodging) thanks to those grassroots supporters who help subsidize the services we provide to candidates, campaigns and parties — many of whom a kossacks. I’m actually humbled that FINALLY people seem to be noticing what we do. It’s important work.I made a little video about it yesterday. I don’t know if this will play correctly as an embed, so if you want to go to my Facebook to see it, here’s the link. 

Well, fam. That’s my story today. I know I’m not around as much as I used to be. But rest assured it’s because I am working hard to do my part to transform this country into the the fair and promising society that we envision as liberals. I happen to believe it’s possible if we start at the foundation and I have invested years of my life toward making this a reality.

I spend more than a minute on Facebook these days juggling my own page and the company page. But I’m not all that good at The Twitter.