The Independent View: Marching to the Polls

I read this article in the Nation by John Nichols.

President Trump created such mayhem during the days surrounding the anniversary of his Inauguration, but a more significant story was taking place far from the Beltway, in communities where the resistance has been gaining strength and focus before a Midterm Election that could hold the President and his allies to account.

While Trump lost the Popular vote Nationwide, narrow wins Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin gave him the Electoral College. Trump's Wisconsin win was powered by votes from the Western and Northern Regions of the State, places like the 10th State Senate District, which has historically elected Republicans and where Trump ran 17 points ahead of Hillary. But in a Special Election on January 16th, Medical Examiner and small-town School-Board Member Patty Schachtner swept to Victory in a results that saw a 37% swing to Democrats.

The reaction to Thrumpism isn't limited to Wisconsin. Noting that Schachtner was the 34th Democrat to flip a Republican State Legislative Seat since Trump took Office, Statehouse watcher Carolyn Fiddler observed: Democrats are still winning Republicans seats! Even when Republicans run in 'safe' and extremely gerrymandered districts and spend boatloads more money than the Democrats

More often than not, these Democratic Winners have been Woman, 22 of 34 Seats. This made the Wisconsin Win a perfect setup for the massive Women's Marchs across the Country, which filled the streets with Millions of Americans, 600,000 in Los Aneles, 300,000 in Chicago, 200,000 in New York, and 50,000 in Denver, who channeled the anger and frustration of 2017 into a mighty Cry for Change.

The marches highlighted #MeToo Activism and the Time's Up Initiative to combat Sexual harassment, along with a new Power to the Polls message. Echoing the Don't Just March, Runcall by groups like Emily's List, which counts more than 26,999 Women planning to seek Federal, State, and Local Office, many of this year's Marchers were Candidates themselves.

Trump isn't on the Ballot in 2018, but the Women who have been his most ardent and effective critics will be. As former Maine State Legislator Diane Russell, who is mounting a Progressive Bid for her State's Governorship, announced: We March to Elected Office