Comments on: Democrats need to be more welcoming to candidates: 2014 election edition

By: USAPP – March madness for Obamacare, drafting Ted Cruz, and should Democrats distance themselves from Obama? – US national blog round up for 15– 21 March

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:08:29 +0000

[…] an economic agenda, and its stance on civil liberties and Wall Street. On Monday, Occasional Planet writes that Democrats need to be more welcoming to candidates ahead of the mid-terms, after an […]

By: Lloyd Klinedinst

Lloyd Klinedinst — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 06:50:00 +0000

There were more than a dozen of democrats who went on Mar 18 to file … we were congenially received and coached and guided through the whole process, some even leaving with VAN access … of course, we called and made a date ahead of time..

By: Jo Ann Brown

Jo Ann Brown — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 00:07:00 +0000

They can’t tell you what they don’t know. Sorry. I suggest you get organized and up to speed ASAP if you are a serious contender.

By: ladyofspain

ladyofspain — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:20:00 +0000

Gloria and Arthur, I’m really sorry you received such a lousy welcome at Dem hdqs. In contrast to races for federal offices, the party is really making an effort to recruit and support candidates for state rep and senator. Several of us met at the office on Tuesday for a welcome and short training, including free pizza. This is the first time since I’ve been involved in MO politics (about 12 yrs) that anyone I know has received so much as a hello from state party staffers. Several of us are running in districts that trend Repub because 1) folks should have a choice 2) we need to gauge for future use how many will vote Dem if given the chance 3) Repubs will have to spend money in our districts which takes money away from other races 4) it’s a great opportunity to get our message out.
I don’t know why the state party doesn’t see that those same reasons apply to candidates for Congress. I know they were no help to Glenn Koenen when he ran in the 2nd last time. From what I’ve heard, there is no Dem opponent running against Vicky Hartzler. There’s a woman running in the 8th against Jason Smith (ugh) and a young woman running in the 7th against Billy Long (a bigger ugh.)
Let’s see if we can get the party big wigs to recognize the value of supporting Dems who are willing to run for Congress in MO.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:13:00 +0000

Man! As a MO Democrat I’m ticked off! Thanks for your post, and thanks to Arthur for running. I live in Kansas City now, but I grew up in Kirkwood. I know it’s a trending-wealthy area, but I know in my heart of hearts that a sane and vocal alternative to Akin/Wagner could break the stronghold that the GOP has had there for years. It’s probably really still stuck on the R/pro-life vote (I’ll say it–Kirkwood Catholics), but those same people who vote with their ethics on that issue are being woken up to their duty by Pope Francis to care for the poor and sick and reject the strong focus on abortion and gay marriage. I think the area is due for a change. I’ll do my part by telling my family and friends to vote for Lieber, best of luck!