Bulletin: PA Is Going To Matter

Jacobin’s Matt Karp didn’t sugarcoat it, and neither will we: Sleepy Joe Biden won Tuesday night. He didn’t win decisively, and, depending on how big a lead Bernie ended up with in California, we might not even end up that far behind in pledged delegates, but the primary, which might’ve been a Super Tuesday coronation for Bernie Sanders, the best, most electable candidate the Democrats have, is now all-but-guaranteed to be contested until the July convention. We pick ourselves up, and we go again.

There’s plenty of good, lengthier analysis on what this means for the race elsewhere, but here are a few takeaways for us here in Philly:

• It’s 2016 All Over Again, But Not the Republican Kind: Almost overnight, the Democratic primary field went from Bernie versus twenty-some centrist hacks and incoherent cranks to, for all intents, Bernie versus Biden. In another world, a disorganized party establishment might’ve failed to coalesce around one candidate (say it quietly: like Trump in 2016), letting Bernie’s base carry him to the nomination. Instead, we got a one-on-one with a party pick who (say it loudly: like Clinton in 2016) is an incredibly weak candidate who will do no better than Hillary did against Trump. From now until the end of the primary, our job is to draw the contrast, to ask all the people who just want Trump out: do you want to do 2016 again?
• Every Delegate Counts: “#StayInLine,” Bernie staffers and volunteers tweeted last night, urging voters in California and Texas, some who’d been waiting for three hours or longer, to wait past closing to make sure their votes counted. With fewer viable candidates, the delegate math is simpler: get more than Biden, and we win. From here on, when we lose states, we need to run close. When we win, we need to win big.
• Pennsylvania is Going to Matter: Look at the calendar for March and April, and suddenly, if it wasn’t already, April 28 has got to be circled in red. We might gain ground in Michigan, we might lose it in Georgia, but we’ll be delegate-viable everywhere, and so will Biden. That means the race will likely still be close when New York and Pennsylvania vote on the last Tuesday in April. Our efforts will almost certainly help decide the 2020 Democratic primary. So sign up for a canvassing shift below. 

Regardless, our message was always going to be to keep working, get involved, take nothing for granted. After Tuesday’s results, though, we’ll add: think of someone else, a friend, family member, or coworker, who’s just as frustrated about the state of American politics as you are. Check out the events list below. What can you bring them to? A canvass? A social event? A phonebank? Send them a text now, scroll down, and RSVP plus one. You’ll be glad you did.

General Meeting Recap

We unanimously endorsed Pennsylvania state-level candidates Elizabeth Fiedler (PA-184), Rick Krajewski (PA-188), and Nikil Saval (SD 01). They’re great. We’ll be canvassing for them this weekend. 

Krystal Ball brought the house down. We have video somewhere if you missed it. This bulletin’s gone on too long already, so just watch the video.

🐀 The Bernie Campaign Dispatch 🐀

RSVP to any of our Bernie events for weekly email updates from Philly DSA for Bernie

“Now 300% More Local”: Elizabeth Fiedler, Rick Krajewski, and Nikil Saval

This Week in Unions If your union does something cool between Bulletins, let us know on Facebook or Twitter! Also, if you’re a union member and a member of Philly DSA interested in getting involved with our Labor for Bernie work, please fill out this form. A follow-up on the Philadelphia Teachers’ Union vote last month: Jerry Jordan remains union president; the Caucus of Working Educators came closer than last time and has pledged to “keep working for the schools our children deserve.” Teachers, students, PA voters, and student-debtors: join faculty unions from Temple, CCP, and Arcadia for a Candidates Forum on Higher Education at 5:30 pm on March 19, CCP’s Bonnell Theater. Confirmed attendees include Liz, Rick, and Nikil (yay!) as well as Sen. Larry Farnese (boo!). After Teamster leaders shoved the 2018 UPS contract down members throats, "Vote No" leaders, like Local 623's Richard Hooker Jr. , fought to take back their union and build member driven Locals. Reformers, backed by the Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU), are now gearing up to win in the 2021 International Union election. On Friday, March 27, TDU will host a fundraiser party headlined by Philly’s own Richard Hooker, Jr. Click here to RSVP. Mr. Hoffa also announced his retirement. The Constitutional Convention of the PA AFL-CIO moved its April convention from Philly to Pittsburgh due to a local labor dispute. Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder said in a statement, “It is in the spirit of solidarity with our Sisters and Brothers belonging to UNITE HERE 274.” Remember the wildcat strike at UCSC in December where graduate workers demanded a cost of living adjustment? It’s still happening. UC President Janet Napolitano (who you might remember as Obama’s DHS Chief) fired at least seventy-four teaching assistants for striking. “We are sick, we are tired — and now we are fired,” GSA Executive Board Solidarity Member Natalie Ng said. “But we won’t give up.” Another heart-wrenching loss in Texas: FC Dallas 2-0 Your Philadelphia Union. Sergio Santos kicked a guy in the tummy. Next up is LAFC on Sunday.

Events

Hotel Worker Picket

Friday, March 6 | 4:30 pm | Wyndham Hotel, 400 Arch St

Bernie and Rick Krajewski Canvass in the 188th District

Saturday, March 7 | Shifts at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm | 5213 Grays Ave

Bernie, Nikil Saval, and Elizabeth Fiedler Canvass

Sunday, March 8 | Shifts at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm | 1314 South Warnock St

March Happy Hour

Wednesday, March 11 | 5:00 pm | Tattooed Moms | 530 South St

Marx Reading Group: Capital Vol. 1

Wednesday, March 11 | 7:00 pm | Chapterhouse Cafe | 620 S 9th St

“I’m a Medicare for All Voter!” Philly Campaign Kickoff (feat. Rep. Pramila Jayapal!)

Friday, March 13 | 6:30 pm | Philadelphia Community College, Bonnell Building | 1700 Spring Garden St

Bernie for President Policy and Organizing Training

Saturday, March 14 | 12:00 pm | First Unitarian Church, Griffin Hall | 2125 Chestnut St

A Planet to Win: Philly Book Launch

Tuesday, March 17 | 6:30 pm | First Unitarian Church | 2125 Chestnut St

Why Did Labour Lose? Marxism and Politics Lecture Series

Thursday, March 19 | 7:30 pm | Houston Hall, Golkin Room | 3417 Spruce St

What is the Workplace Democracy Act? Labor Leaders on Bernie’s Plan for Unions

Thursday, March 26 | 6:30 pm | 1319 Locust Street | Hosted by 1199C, AFSCME

New Members Meeting

Friday, March 27 | 7:00 pm | Location TBD 

Upcoming Committee Meetings

Communications Committee Meeting

Monday, March 16 | 6:30 pm | Temple University, Gladfelter Hall 413 | 1115 W Polett Walk

Canvassing Committee Meeting

Monday, March 16 | 7:00 pm | Penn Bookstore | 3601 Walnut St 

Political Education Committee Meeting

Monday, March 16 | 7:30 pm | Good Karma Cafe | 928 Pine St

GND Strategy Committee Meeting

Monday, March 23 | 6:30 pm | Penn Bookstore Cafe, 2nd Floor | 3601 Walnut Street

Branch Events

BuxMont DSA: New Members Meeting

Saturday, March 7 | 12:00 pm | Horsham Township Library | 435 Babylon Rd

Delco #DSAForBernie Canvass

Sunday, March 8 | 2:00 pm  | 1307 Edgewood Rd, Havertown

Delco DSA March Meeting 

Wednesday, March 18 | 7:00 pM | Haverford Township Free Library | 1601 Darby Rd

BuxMont DSA: Media & Communications Committee, Website Meeting

Wednesday, March 18 | 6:30 pm | Starbucks | 10 N Main St | Doylestown

BuxMont DSA: March General Meeting and Potluck

Tuesday, March 24 | 7:00 pm | Reformed Church of the Ascension | 1700 W Main St |Norristown

Announcements

Support 👏 Philly 👏 DSA 👏!
Local Dues - support our campaign work and cover everyday operating costs like meeting space // Contribute to Philly DSA PAC - help fund our independent electoral campaigns // Accommodations, Accessibility, Childcare - let us know what you need to stay involved // Moved away from Philly? - update your address on the DSA national database.

Harassment and Grievance Process
In accordance with Article XIII of our Bylaws, a commission has been formed to receive, process, and review grievances for disciplinary action. To read more about the process or to file a grievance you can do so here.

 

In solidarity,

Philly DSA Bulletin Team

 

Inquiries | Website

 

PAID FOR BY PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA (WWW.PHILLYDSA.ORG.) NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE.