BILLBOARD News Now
Not Time for Silence
President Trump has us in a fix. All the while he sits at the resolute desk coloring maps, renaming Lake Ontario and contemplating a new name for an ocean. He has us in a trade war, a real war, an affordability crisis, deportation of our neighbors, fighting with a friendly country (Canada), out of hand inflation, making it more difficult to get healthcare, and ICE is on the street. He turned Washington into a “work zone”, knocked down part of The White House, cut down nearly 60 trees at East Potomac golf course for an overhaul and if the Kennedy Center does not bear his name, he will tear it down. It’s become clear the President use chaos and fear to govern. As Americans face Trump’s challenge to their right to vote and speak their mine, they must not stay silent.
It should be everyone’s goal to influence midterms November 3, 2026. This is the time for citizens to engage.
To help those wondering how they can engage, here you will find a few ideas. Make it your goal to get 5-10 other people to vote. This may be more powerful than arguing with 500 people online. Call or talk personally with family members, people who normally skip midterms, younger voters and people who have become discouraged and say “My vote doesn’t matter.” Don’t tell them who to vote for…just ask if they plan to vote in November.
The focus should be on turnout, not political arguments. Try to reach people who already care about issues to cast a ballot. Don’t make the conversation about Trump but what is at stake. Remember, this election is about who will control Congress. Talking about issues, not personalities.
There is a lot of misinformation circulating, don’t let it discourage you. There is already major dispute over voting rules, voter rolls, ballots, citizenship and election administration. Don’t let this cause you to remain silent.
Here are some ideas/questions you may use in talking with your family, friends and neighbors, etc.
- Is your economic situation getting better or worse?
- What is happening to health-care costs and availability?
- What’s going on with government spending and the national debt?
- Is the country being governed – competently or chaotically?
- Which candidates respect elections, the Constitution & rule of law?
Staying silent is not an option for 2026. Manpower is more important than money. Check these ideas out.
- Knocking on doors & making phone calls
- Helping voters understand the ballot
- Working with a local campaign can accomplish more than hundreds of angry social-media posts
- Help people who have trouble voting (elderly, new residents, first-time voters, people unsure if they’re still registered
By not staying silent you can make 2026 a referendum on “What kind of government do you want for the next two years?”
GET ENGAGED.
Use icons and envelope above to forward this post to your friends.
Follow us on Twitter (X), Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook or Threads.
1933 vs 2017
(Please note: Research for this piece came from Herman Guy Kump: A Political Profile by Albert Steven Gatrell. Governor Kump’s granddaughter gave me the book.) It is beginning to sounds like our State is facing issues in 2017 similar to 1933. Today one can read in...
Gov. Justice Here’s One
Governor Justice is looking for “big ideas”. Here is a middle sized idea. These ideas could help avoid a tax increase on our state’s residents. Plus help an industry with 7,300 jobs and communities and businesses that depend on the horse racing. The concept is known...
History Repeats?
After reading Dan Milbank’s piece this morning I decided it was time for a blog. My life has been consumed by politics. As a youngster I passed out Republican literature at the polls (when you could get closer than 300 feet), helped local candidates run for office,...
Manchin Decides
Before telling West Virginians U. S. Joe Manchin told the nation he will not run for Governor. He appeared on CBS “Face the Nation” today.
A Manchin Dilemma
I am beginning to think about the landscape and strategy for the 2016 campaign as the Republican controlled Legislature begins to wrap up. Today I found an insightful analysis in Real Clear Politics. With Senator Joe Manchin deciding which roads to travel in 2016 –...
Disgusted
Disgusted is the way I reacted last night after reading a Twitter post about a $100,000 breakfast being organized by a “secretive” and likely “extreme” conservative group. You must read/click this link to see exactly what is going on. It is unfortunate the organizers...
Is Manchin Coming Home?
The Associated Press has a story running that Senator Joe Manchin may be coming home. After last November election results “Joe” may be the best hope for a revived Democratic Party in our State? Who knows when it comes to Joe? Click on this link to learn...
How did I do?
On New Year’s Day 2014 I wrote in my blog about the West Virginia political environment. Today before I look forward I took a quick look back to see what I missed. Never did I expect a campaign as messy and mean. The campaign turned voters off and many Democrats...
Pivoting to 2016
After the historic West Virginia election as well as a smashing Republican victory across the nation political junkies and policy wonks like me are pivoting to 2016. In my case it is the intrigue of the presidential contest and the adjustment both parties will need...
Realistic View
(Editor’s Note: The commentary below came as an email from Bob Harris. I thought it was powerful and should be shared. Mr. Harris grew up in Charleston where his father was editor of The Charleston Gazette and later Chief of Staff to Senator Jennings Randolph. Bob...
Final Look
The 2014 election cycle is the first in which I have not been actively involved at some level in years. What a mess it has been to observe and I am certain readers have seen the same. There has been so much money with some of it questionable, too many untruthful ads...
Daisy
(Editor’s Note: With campaign ads beginning to flow there is none more famous than “Daisy.” Mr. Babb’s piece is offered for those new to campaigns and political advertising. For those inclined to watch a link is provided below.) By Drew Babb Drew Babb teaches...
BILLBOARD Archives
Political Tidbits…9.01.14
It’s Labor Day…traditionally the start of the 2014 campaign season… but it started 11.07.12…not to be outdone the 2016 is already underway…at least for the presidency…and Senator Manchin being a placeholder for WV Governor. State GOP Chair Lucas and his 2014 team have...
Running
(Full disclosure: I am a member of the WV Racing Commission. The views expressed here are strictly my personal ones). There is nothing as exciting as horse racing. Saturday will be the 45th running of the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack &...
Manchin For President?
POLITICO’s Huddle reports this morning that U. S. Senator Joe Manchin has not ruled out running for President. The story by Scott Wong is below. By Scott Wong ([email protected] or @scottwongDC) IF HILLARY PASSES, MANCHIN FOR PRESIDENT? - Sen. Joe Manchin says a...
Lottery Revenue vs. More Taxes
A new opportunity for the Lottery industry and horse racing became public last week. EquiLottery a Kentucky based company has developed an innovative horse racing and lottery game. Just last month I wrote with Lottery revenue continuing to decline I would assume the...
Have We Learned?
An earthquake hit the Republican Party last night. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-Va.) was defeated by a Tea Party challenger. This will fuel Tea Party types with the real impact hitting in 2015 and 2016 as battle for the Republican nomination moves into...
Why Not?
Revenue in our State is needed as badly as pothole filling. The legislature faced with trying to find funds to restore “people” services in its recent special session had to move money from one account to another. No one can argue about funding badly needed social...
Political Tidbits…5.27.14
Political Tidbits…5.27.14 2014 primary election is over…summer is almost here…and the traditional start of political campaigns is long over…campaigns now are continual…likewise it appears negative campaigns are edging into mean ones…expect to see mean and costly races...
Where’s the money?
“Where’s the money” is the question facing legislators as they enter the final stages of the 2014 legislative session. It appears the only ideas for getting more money to balance the state budget is a tax on cigarettes or tapping into the rainy day fund. Here some...
Who Will Control WV Legislature?
Who Will Control WV Legislature? Candidates begin to file for West Virginia offices tomorrow. The 2014 election will not be like any we have seen when it comes to the WV Legislature. A national movement has been underway which has helped both Republicans and...
Ready Set Go?
January first two thousand fourteen is the beginning of the 2014 election season - but not for WV Republicans. They have used every day and opportunity during the last year. On the other side appearances would say Democrats are on idle. For GOP stalwarts the late...
Must Read
Most of my readers are either political junkies or people interested in politics, government, public policy or commentary. So here are “must reads.” Political polling always seems a mystery to those not engaged in the practice of campaigns. There is an excellent...
Extremism
There is a cancer growing on the Republican Party. Extremism. Extremism does not win national elections. Senator Barry Goldwater only won 6 states and 52 electoral votes in the 1964 presidential election. Winning the nomination was one serious fight in the GOP. ...