In my opinion, I think someone who really knows how to articulate such things should come up with a realistic picture of what Medicare for All looks like in practice, because a lot of people do not know. The knee jerk reaction of most people I have talked to is, “But our taxes will skyrocket!” Some taxes may go up, but people don’t figure in the hundreds or thousands of dollars spent every month by employers and employees to pay the premiums. They don’t consider the percentage that is pure profit for private insurers. They don’t consider the unnecessary “overhead” that is involved in advertising and luxurious office spaces.
I am on Medicare. It is not free. I pay a Medicare premium of $202.90 - taken out of my Social Security check. I have a supplemental plan that costs $89 a month and covers all my other expenses. So, yes, I pay about $310 a month, but I have had three physicians’ appointments and over 20 physical therapy sessions this year and have met my annual deductible of $283, it is all gravy for the rest of the year. I call that a pretty decent deal. (I think people under a certain income level do not have to pay that $202.90, but I am not sure.)
Anyway, just a thought. If we could get people to truly understand M4A, more would jump on the bandwagon. And yes, Corbin, I am aware of the obstacles we will encounter, such as personnel and infrastructure. Those need to be addressed, as well.
As an 88 year old on SS - the $202.90 comes out of my SS check every month and always has - I doubt anyone gets away without that! I have Medicare Advantage - no premium, but co-pays etc.
Thanks for this and all you write. I wanted to alert you to another race in Arizona, Kai Newkirk is running against Greg Stanton the Democrat - Kai is not taking any corporate $ either. https://www.kaiforaz.com/
Brad Lander and Mamdani formed a relationship despite being oppositional candidates. It has served them well. I'd love to see cooperation grow as a democratic value.
I agree 💯 Marsha. I think Corbin is on to something. I dont think many citizens realize how "the party" (D or R) sucks up all the newbies instantaneously.
It would be nice if the AFWH website had an interactive map of the US. Hover over any state and it gives the list of candidates that are part of the slate. Maybe even identifies contested seats for which we are still seeking a candidate. Goal should be to have a slate candidate for every open seat.
This a sound, strategic idea. I will donate to your project and some of these candidates.
But do you really need to do polling? Anat Shenkar Osario often shares why polling is not helpful. And she’s very smart and has a good track record.
Do we need to know if voters think it’s a good idea for progressive candidates to work together? Who would be against it? People understand that there’s power in numbers.
Why not used the poll money for something that brings these candidates together for a few hours, stream it or the best parts, use bits of it in ads, let more if us get to know more of them, and your strategy.
Polling is rarely helpful for candidates with a compelling vision and agenda. It tends to make them hesitant to say anything that might turn off voters. Then they get bland and generic. You already know what most voters want, you listed it.
Not sure polling really does spur candidates on to stronger policies. I am a Democrat voter, but I have been sorely disappointed in the timidity Democrats have shown. Our policy and budget challenges will be enormous when we are left to transform America after the devastation caused by the entire Trump régime. We cannot be timid about making immediate significant improvements in peoples’ lives.
Too bad you have to raise and spend money to convince paid ‘professionals’ of something that is already known. Lots of polls validate your list of people’s priorities.
I’ve watched both Sam Forstag (include him!) in MT and Platner in ME. and thought just what you’re proposing here.
The three hurdles I saw for them were: 1)The DNC, 2)AIPAC and 3)the DC establishments corrupting influence, which will be their primary reason to band together. I will donate!
I've always felt like the structures of American party politics lend themselves to proper left-wing insurgency by adopting bloc politics. Fantastic to see someone put that into action. Really hopeful for many of these candidates - interested in how you're thinking about some of these races where AFightWorthHaving would be supporting multiple runners in the same race? Is it simple cross-endorsement, or is there any plan to exert any pressure to encourage consolidation of the left-wing vote so that progressives don't wind up splitting votes from each other in a race against an establishment Dem?
The goal would be to see who’s willing to take part in being a bloc during the election. That coupled with leadership pledges and a Medicare for All floor vote are intended to be a filter. I think it’ll be a fairly fine filter.
What to do if there are 2 excellent candidates running for the same seat? In the Bible parable: when two people claimed the same baby, didn’t King Solomon award the baby to the one who was willing to give it up rather than see it cut in half? Hopefully candidates are running, not for ego, but because they care passionately about the well-being of our country. As a unified slate, surely we can work out compromises and a long term strategy. One of the candidates could endorse the other and we help them prepare their campaign for 2027 or 2028 to take over another important elected position. We’re in this for the long term game, not just 2026- building a coalition, a slate of people who work as a team to change our nation. The TEAM is more important than any individual ego. Because the stakes right now are the future of a cooperative society or authoritarian oligarchy rule.
I gotta call bullshit on Cory Booker, because he is not pushing for new leadership. His 25-hour speech took hear off Chuck Schumer after the March 2025 betrayal. Booker then backed Schumer's choice, Brian Shatz, to replace Dick Durbin.
He took millions from AIPAC and he doesn't belong on this list!
Also, Rebecca Bennett is a lifelong Republican who fought for oil as a Navy helicopter pilot & told me she aspires to be like John McCain (a conservative Republican). She's a top fundraiser in a district with far better Democrats.
As a Bernie Sanders supporter of 1984, 2016 & 2020, I am not sure Cory Booker and Rebecca Bennett belong anywhere near this list.
It's true that Booker doesn't appear in this article but he is listed on the NotKeem website as "standing up" – which, yeah, everything James said is true.
That is simply tracking folks that have publicly said they won’t support current leadership. We all know why Corey Booker is taking the position. I wouldn’t vote for him. I think Schumer is cooked.
In this time of national crisis, we’d ideally find our common ground and orgs like A Fight Worth Having, Leaders We Deserve, Environmental Voter Project, VoteVets and others would cooperate and get behind a slate of candidates to get them elected.
Corbin, Audrey Denney in CA-01 is running in two races. Doug LaMalfa, the incumbent, passed away earlier this year, so there is a special election in August to replace him. That is the *existing* congressional district. And, yes, it’s rated red. But CA-01 was also redrawn by Prop. 50 last fall and the new district is rated blue by Cooks, etc.. That’s the district she’s running in for the general. The primaries for both are on the same day, June 2nd.
CFAR is a brand. CFAR means: A candidate listens to, is loyal to, reports to, and is bound by contract to only serve his/her constituents, not corporations, not lobbyists, not special interest groups, not the Deep State, not the ruling elite.
I'll share this and talk it up. Excellent basic plan it is, to attach bodies to nodes in a net of shared purpose for good governance.
Thanks!
What about Brad Lander in NY10? Trying to flip the seat from Aipac whore Goldman.
In my opinion, I think someone who really knows how to articulate such things should come up with a realistic picture of what Medicare for All looks like in practice, because a lot of people do not know. The knee jerk reaction of most people I have talked to is, “But our taxes will skyrocket!” Some taxes may go up, but people don’t figure in the hundreds or thousands of dollars spent every month by employers and employees to pay the premiums. They don’t consider the percentage that is pure profit for private insurers. They don’t consider the unnecessary “overhead” that is involved in advertising and luxurious office spaces.
I am on Medicare. It is not free. I pay a Medicare premium of $202.90 - taken out of my Social Security check. I have a supplemental plan that costs $89 a month and covers all my other expenses. So, yes, I pay about $310 a month, but I have had three physicians’ appointments and over 20 physical therapy sessions this year and have met my annual deductible of $283, it is all gravy for the rest of the year. I call that a pretty decent deal. (I think people under a certain income level do not have to pay that $202.90, but I am not sure.)
Anyway, just a thought. If we could get people to truly understand M4A, more would jump on the bandwagon. And yes, Corbin, I am aware of the obstacles we will encounter, such as personnel and infrastructure. Those need to be addressed, as well.
As an 88 year old on SS - the $202.90 comes out of my SS check every month and always has - I doubt anyone gets away without that! I have Medicare Advantage - no premium, but co-pays etc.
Health care should be free, fully paid by the government with tax money collected from people and corporations.
Thanks for this and all you write. I wanted to alert you to another race in Arizona, Kai Newkirk is running against Greg Stanton the Democrat - Kai is not taking any corporate $ either. https://www.kaiforaz.com/
I really like Kai. I’m not sure but my guess is he’s raised under the 100k threshold for the purposes of this list.
I believe you are correct at this point. Glad you know him though.
Mai Vang, CA-07, is not running against DeSaulnier (CA-10), as it’s listed. The incumbent is Doris Matsui
Thanks
And Matsui should have retired AGES ago.
Get Marianne Williamson to work with all the chosen candidates to tune them into creating the soulful species we must become.
YES!! This is organizing at an appropriate scale.
Brad Lander and Mamdani formed a relationship despite being oppositional candidates. It has served them well. I'd love to see cooperation grow as a democratic value.
I agree 💯 Marsha. I think Corbin is on to something. I dont think many citizens realize how "the party" (D or R) sucks up all the newbies instantaneously.
It would be nice if the AFWH website had an interactive map of the US. Hover over any state and it gives the list of candidates that are part of the slate. Maybe even identifies contested seats for which we are still seeking a candidate. Goal should be to have a slate candidate for every open seat.
Also, Mai Vang in CA-07 is running against Doris Matsui, not Mark DeSaulnier (who is in CA-10 & a decent rep).
This a sound, strategic idea. I will donate to your project and some of these candidates.
But do you really need to do polling? Anat Shenkar Osario often shares why polling is not helpful. And she’s very smart and has a good track record.
Do we need to know if voters think it’s a good idea for progressive candidates to work together? Who would be against it? People understand that there’s power in numbers.
Why not used the poll money for something that brings these candidates together for a few hours, stream it or the best parts, use bits of it in ads, let more if us get to know more of them, and your strategy.
Polling is rarely helpful for candidates with a compelling vision and agenda. It tends to make them hesitant to say anything that might turn off voters. Then they get bland and generic. You already know what most voters want, you listed it.
Skip the poll, put the money into the strategy.
And thanks for having one!
The polling is what helps skeptical campaign staff and candidates do something starkly different.
Not sure polling really does spur candidates on to stronger policies. I am a Democrat voter, but I have been sorely disappointed in the timidity Democrats have shown. Our policy and budget challenges will be enormous when we are left to transform America after the devastation caused by the entire Trump régime. We cannot be timid about making immediate significant improvements in peoples’ lives.
Too bad you have to raise and spend money to convince paid ‘professionals’ of something that is already known. Lots of polls validate your list of people’s priorities.
I’ve watched both Sam Forstag (include him!) in MT and Platner in ME. and thought just what you’re proposing here.
The three hurdles I saw for them were: 1)The DNC, 2)AIPAC and 3)the DC establishments corrupting influence, which will be their primary reason to band together. I will donate!
I've always felt like the structures of American party politics lend themselves to proper left-wing insurgency by adopting bloc politics. Fantastic to see someone put that into action. Really hopeful for many of these candidates - interested in how you're thinking about some of these races where AFightWorthHaving would be supporting multiple runners in the same race? Is it simple cross-endorsement, or is there any plan to exert any pressure to encourage consolidation of the left-wing vote so that progressives don't wind up splitting votes from each other in a race against an establishment Dem?
The goal would be to see who’s willing to take part in being a bloc during the election. That coupled with leadership pledges and a Medicare for All floor vote are intended to be a filter. I think it’ll be a fairly fine filter.
What to do if there are 2 excellent candidates running for the same seat? In the Bible parable: when two people claimed the same baby, didn’t King Solomon award the baby to the one who was willing to give it up rather than see it cut in half? Hopefully candidates are running, not for ego, but because they care passionately about the well-being of our country. As a unified slate, surely we can work out compromises and a long term strategy. One of the candidates could endorse the other and we help them prepare their campaign for 2027 or 2028 to take over another important elected position. We’re in this for the long term game, not just 2026- building a coalition, a slate of people who work as a team to change our nation. The TEAM is more important than any individual ego. Because the stakes right now are the future of a cooperative society or authoritarian oligarchy rule.
I gotta call bullshit on Cory Booker, because he is not pushing for new leadership. His 25-hour speech took hear off Chuck Schumer after the March 2025 betrayal. Booker then backed Schumer's choice, Brian Shatz, to replace Dick Durbin.
He took millions from AIPAC and he doesn't belong on this list!
Also, Rebecca Bennett is a lifelong Republican who fought for oil as a Navy helicopter pilot & told me she aspires to be like John McCain (a conservative Republican). She's a top fundraiser in a district with far better Democrats.
As a Bernie Sanders supporter of 1984, 2016 & 2020, I am not sure Cory Booker and Rebecca Bennett belong anywhere near this list.
Are you confusing Cori Bush with Cory Booker?
I could have saved myself five minutes of rereading if I had read this reply first. LOL
It's true that Booker doesn't appear in this article but he is listed on the NotKeem website as "standing up" – which, yeah, everything James said is true.
That is simply tracking folks that have publicly said they won’t support current leadership. We all know why Corey Booker is taking the position. I wouldn’t vote for him. I think Schumer is cooked.
I didn’t see Booker listed.
I'm not sure if it's been edited or not but I am fairly certain it was there when I commented.
Does your list include young Democrats endorsed by Hogg? We need a chronological spread, would you agree, Corbin?
In this time of national crisis, we’d ideally find our common ground and orgs like A Fight Worth Having, Leaders We Deserve, Environmental Voter Project, VoteVets and others would cooperate and get behind a slate of candidates to get them elected.
Corbin, Audrey Denney in CA-01 is running in two races. Doug LaMalfa, the incumbent, passed away earlier this year, so there is a special election in August to replace him. That is the *existing* congressional district. And, yes, it’s rated red. But CA-01 was also redrawn by Prop. 50 last fall and the new district is rated blue by Cooks, etc.. That’s the district she’s running in for the general. The primaries for both are on the same day, June 2nd.
Corbin: Why don’t you unify them with the CFAR?
https://no-contract-no-vote.us/how-the-cfar/
https://no-contract-no-vote.us/the-cfar-is-a-game-changer/
https://no-contract-no-vote.us/winning-elections/
https://no-contract-no-vote.us/faq/
CFAR is a brand. CFAR means: A candidate listens to, is loyal to, reports to, and is bound by contract to only serve his/her constituents, not corporations, not lobbyists, not special interest groups, not the Deep State, not the ruling elite.