New Grassroots Climate Change Group Endorse 17 Candidates in 2014 Midterms - Wins 11 races, loses 6!

[sabrina 1]

Climatehawksvote 2014 endorsements

I had not heard of this, apparently new, Grassroots Group.

They seem to be doing what we are interested in doing, identifying and/or choosing candidates which they then support, who are 'hawks' on Climate Change.

The website linked above, explains how they went about accomplishing their goals in this last election, so I thought it might interesting to this Group.

Btw, I do recognize the author of the Home Page as a long time member of Daily Kos.

From the Site's Homepage, after the 2014 election where they, imo, scored a major victory, 11 out of 17 candidates endorsed, that seems like a 'win' to me.

http://www.climatehawksvote.com/2014

The work for 2016 begins now. We're hatching an entirely new flight plan for 2015-16, and we need your help in shaping it - take our short survey.

Our goal remains steadfast: to elect climate hawk leaders - those who prioritize and speak on the climate crisis. Simply put, climate change is the greatest threat facing the next few generations of humanity, not just another Democratic issue, but too many politicians are afraid to talk about it.

Waffling on carbon pollution and voting for fossil fuels should be as unacceptable as voting against a woman's right to choose. We don't tolerate elected officials and candidates taking money from tobacco companies who profit from human suffering and death; we shouldn't tolerate them taking money from coal, oil, and gas companies whose business plan is to cook the planet.

We're proud of every candidate we endorsed, no matter what the result - whether solar solutionistas or energy efficiency evangelists, all our candidates were no-compromises climate hawks. We're a grassroots-funded organization seeking to elect only those politicians who show leadership on climate change.

It is well worth reading their Endorsement link, especially the analysis of the races they lost , because even the losses show that a small group like this who are committed to changing the way the system works, CAN change the numbers.

More from the link where I found them on Daily Kos. What is interesting is that they used the SOCIAL MEDIA to great effect, and very little MONEY:

We Won The Final Tally For Climate Change Hawks Votes 2014 Races

Primaries:

Endorsed Brian Schatz and Stanley Chang in Hawaii-Senate and Hawaii-01. Local organizers registered voters, made thousands of calls, hosted debate watch parties, appeared at candidate events. Schatz won by 1600 votes (later won general election); Chang came in 3d in a 7-way primary.

Endorsed Ruben Gallego in Arizona-07. Local organizer appeared at candidate events, organized a rally, outreach to environmental groups. National blogging work to expose opponent's dependence on coal money became a race meme. Collected hundreds of local signatures on petition to local newspapers to cover candidates' climate position. Won primary (later won general election).

General election, in order purely alphabetical:

Endorsed Shenna Bellows, Maine-Senate. Local organizer registered voters and engaged targeted low-turnout student voters in person; phonebanking. National blogging to expose opponent's policy homeopathy. Lost, but hopeful that Collins won't be considered a moderate environmental Republican any longer.

Endorsed Lois Capps, California-24. Social media. Won.

Endorsed in Michigan: Paul Clements, MI-06 and Gary Peters, MI-Sen. Clements lost; Peters won. Registered voters, voter registration rally in Benton Harbor, phonebanking, national blogging, substantial earned media, coordinated events with local NAACP, boosted turnout in six targeted precincts by nearly 40%; details here.

Endorsed Heidi Hall, CA-01. Social media. Lost.

Endorsed Mike Honda, CA-17. Social media - educated fellow Kossack and local activist Glen The Plumber re Mike's high score on the Climate Hawks Vote scorecard and general record on climate; said local activist cited by Ro Khanna in concession speech. Won.

Endorsed Ted Lieu, CA-33. Social media, local speeches, outreach. Won.

Endorsed Jeff Merkley, Oregon-Senate. Social media. Won.

Endorsed Scott Peters, CA-52. Local organizer targeted low-turnout youth voters: spoke and tabled at all colleges in district; spoke to local climate activists re Peters' political courage; spoke to local Democratic clubs re Peters' climate record; spoke at local movie nights; tabled at farmers' markets, sustainable food businesses, and other public spaces chosen for emphasis on climate-friendly voters; appeared at rallies; leafleted; extensive social media. Won.

Endorsed Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire-Senate. Social media. Won.

Endorsed Tom Udall, New Mexico-Senate. Social media. Won.

Endorsed carbon price in the human forms of Chris Van Hollen, MD-08 and Dave Peiser, CA-49. Social media. Won MD-08, lost CA-49.

Endorsed Rick Weiland, South Dakota-Senate. National blogging; worked with South Dakota NDN PAC to get out the vote on reservations, targeting reservations where opposition to Keystone XL pipeline is strongest. Lost.

grassroots peregrine CHVNow it's time to start planning work for 2015. Do we get involved in Presidential politics? Score bills and alert media, as I did with Mary Landrieu and the Keystone XL pipeline vote? Take on the hard task of recruiting candidates for 2016? and if so, where? Stick to the basics of updating and upgrading our sophisticated scorecard measuring not just votes, but leadership on climate? Something else?

Emphasis mine

Seem like they did this with no Commercial Ads, mostly using Social Media and Activists knocking on doors.

Very impressive work imo. I will follow them on Twitter to keep up with their activities.

[Enthusiast]

1. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

[sabrina 1]

2. I think it shows, new and small as it is, that there are huge openings for Populists to get into and

and to choose their OWN 'approved' candidates over the Corporatists that are being chosen for them.

Even where they lost, they made enough inroads to try again in the next election.

I find this new tactic on the part of the voters to be very exciting, no longer 'following' but beginning to take the lead.

[rhett o rick]

3. We have to be united and persistent. Thanks for the post sabrina. nm

[BrotherIvan]

4. Excellent information

It shows what an organized, committed effort can do. Social media is an immediate way to communicate and keep up with others. No brainer.