(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Perhaps I need to introduce myself..... [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-02-02
I’ve been on DK since 2005 but haven’t posted much until recently. In the recent past I’ve received a number of critiques about my choice of subjects, and even some suggestions of “hate” and “agenda”. So allow me to discuss who I am, what I do, and why I do it.
My name is Chris Bastian
First off, I don’t hide my identity. No catchy usernames. No hiding behind an anonymous keyboard. What I say is what -I- think and I’ll stand by my comments. (nb: you’re also welcome to look up by FEC records).
I’ve had a complex life
Born in NYC. Moved to the Philippines in the 1970s and lived for 10 years in the Marcos dictatorship (which, needless to say, gives me a unique perspective on what an authoritarian government is and how ordinary people react to it. Went to Boarding School in the US and Italy. Have a Bachelors Degree in Urban Studies and Political Science and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning. I’ve had a 35 year career in transportation planning (primarily with the MTA in New York) and taught in Grad School for five years. I am married and have no kids. My wife and I are “1%ers” for those who like to typecast economic categories. I’ve been an atheist since I walked out of sunday school at age 7. In my retirement I serve on the Board of Trustees of my school in Italy, was on the Board of my neighborhood association for nine years and volunteer each week at a food pantry in Brooklyn.
I’m a Democrat
Important wording. I’m not a liberal or progressive. I’m not a centrist or conservative. I don’t have an ideology. I believe we progress as much as possible with more Democratic elected officials rather than fewer. I’ll support any candidate and their policies as long as they can be successful.
I’m guided by the hard rules of politics I learned in Philadelphia as a Democratic Ward Committeeman, which boil down to:
Make objective choices about candidates to support based on their ability to successfully campaign against a Republican and their competence at fulfilling their elected role. If ant any point they’re unable to accomplish those tasks, look for someone who can. (case in point: I supported Al Franken when he ran for MN-SEN and met with him several times. I withdrew my support when the Democratic Senate Caucus decided he needed to leave).
Never assume that voters think about issues the way you do. Always confirm their thought and their prospective support for the candidates you’re endorsing.
The day after an election, win or lose, get up and start working on the next race.
In my young days, I spent a lot of time volunteering, especially for Presidential candidates. Today I primarily focus on fundraising for candidates nationwide with likeminded people. My funding circle raised about $3 M in the last election cycle for House, Senate and State-level candidates in critical races.
I also am a newly elected member of my County Democratic Committee, as part of a reform group trying to break the abuses of the machine leadership.
I’m a Deep Pockets donor
In an average year, I’ll spend about $75,000 on candidates, committees and supporting groups. I’m currently a member of the DNC National Finance Committee. As such, I have the opportunity to meet with a wide range of candidates face to face, up to and including the President.(last week I had private meetings with three members of Congress). I use these meetings to get information on campaign strategies, policy goals and philosophies of governance. I will periodically share my findings here when I feel comfortable doing so.
I believe in data
One thing that has evolved out of the many requests for financial support I receive is a data-driven analysis of the candidate I’m meeting with. FEC financial records, Cook and Sabato ratings, political lean of the electorate, prior election results, etc. This has developed into a model I use to evaluate each race, both alone and in conjunction with other up- and down-ticket races. I want to ensure not only that the candidate will benefit from my support but that there isn’t a better race elsewhere that presents a better opportunity.
One think I advise fellow supporters to do is avoid emotional decisions in candidate selection. Amy McGrath was one of the worst (but totally predictable) election outcomes in recent years given the amount of cash that poured into her campaign. Doesn’t matter how much people hated Mitch McConnell; he wasn’t going to lose in Kentucky. Consider that the Koch brother never tried to defeat Nancy Pelosi; they worked to defeat vulnerable Democratic incumbents to make Pelosi powerless.
I don’t believe in safety bubbles
If we’re losing, we need to find a way to win. If we’re winning, there’s a way we need to find to win more. I want to know facts and analysis that challenge my biases and point the way to opportunities to run better campaigns, whether they’re “positive” or not.
I despise conspiracy theories
We lost the Presidential election because people who voted for Biden in 2020 didn’t vote for us. Voting machines weren’t rigged. Elon Musk didn’t use computer to change poll reports. Voter registrations weren’t dumped en masse in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Arizona (all with Democratic Governors, AGs and Secretaries of State). Latching on to conspiracy theories may be comforting (“it wasn’t our fault!”) but they’re hugely dangerous because they distract attention from changing strategies which might actually make a difference.
I’m not a fan of orthodoxy
“Of course we all agree that...” and “we should all be...” assertions that are based on an assumption that everyone thinks the same way are likely to get a critical response from me. I will never assume that anyone agrees with me on a subject until I’ve presented the factual reasons why.
I challenge ideas, not people
I will NEVER assume motives for opinions someone else states. I will likely critique the ideas, but never the person expressing them.
I don’t care…
..what you think about what I write. I’m not looking for recs. I post things that I think are useful to read. If you don’t like them, don’t bother reading them. I’ll still sleep soundly.
So, that’s about it. I think I’m able to provide useful content for political success in the future. You’re welcome to respond in any way you see fit.
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/2/2/2300885/-Perhaps-I-need-to-introduce-myself?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
