Note: The following came in from a Wyoming Democrat. While we attempt to share work that reflects the WDP platform, you may come across some words that are not exactly what WDP would have written. Perhaps you will agree with and value what you read below, perhaps not. Your mileage may vary.
Two places to stream the debate online: via the Democrats’ event (requires signing up) and also PBS will air it on their YouTube channel. -wdp
Greetings, Friends! Monday, September 9, 2024
Are you all planning to watch or listen to the debate on Tuesday evening? I am looking forward to it for several reasons, but mainly this:
At a rally in July, Vice President Harris said “Before I was the Attorney General for the State of California, I was a courtroom prosecutor and I took on perpetrators of all types … predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type.”
So tune in! As always, if you have a young person in your life, please include them in the room! It is important for younger people to know that the older members of their family, whether family by blood or family by love, are paying attention to the presidential campaign because it will have real consequences in all our lives.
There is no one better suited than you to help younger people see the connection between the issues discussed in the campaign and circumstances in their own lives. You are also best positioned to point out the moral distinctions between Vice President Harris and the convicted felon she is running against.
And, frankly, we live in a community where the younger people in our lives can be overwhelmed by the support the felon has among our neighbors. If you watch the debate with them and talk with them about issues important to your family, you will empower them to think differently than many of their peers.
If Wyoming is like other states, we are likely seeing young women are somewhat more attracted to Vice President Harris, but young men are significantly more attracted to the former president. That might be something to think about with the young folks in your orbit. In either case, a respected family member who is positive and vocal about Vice President Harris and our democratic ideals is a powerful influence.
We knew who Donald Trump was in 2016. More of us knew who he was in 2020 which is why he lost the election by 7 million votes. And now even more of us know who he is, so in 2024 he should lose by twice that margin. It is easy for Democrats in Wyoming to feel written off and that, in a state where 70% of the voters chose the former president in 2020, our individual votes don’t matter.
But that is not so. Wyoming will never be one of the swing states that pushes one candidate or another over the finish line, but your vote is counted in that 7 million vote margin in 2020. And your vote will be in the 14 million vote margin this year! That is important because this election must be overwhelming in every state.
So enjoy the debate on Tuesday! 7:00 PM. If you are inspired and want to show your support for the Harris/Walz campaign, we have some yard signs for sale. Your local Democratic Party bought 25; I hope we run out! If we do, we’ll scramble to get more.
Pax,
Dave Throgmorton
Carbon County Democratic Party Chair