CORI Bush was electorally hammered by Jason Kander in the Missouri Senate Primary in 2016 – but four years later, she is en route to becoming the latest progressive voice in congress.
Alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Paula Jean Swearengin, she becomes the third candidate profiled in Netflix’s ‘Knock Down the House’ documentary to win her primary election.
THIS NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE EARLIER ON SUBSTACK. SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE HERE TO GET THIS AS SOON AS IT IS POSTED.
But was it any surprise? Bush was well organised, with an effective social media presence supplementing dozens of committed campaigners. The ‘incumbent effect’ can be very real – I’m not sure Lacy Clay was expecting the race to even be close.
Nerds indeed.
Contrast this to the bizarre campaign of Joshua Collins, who raised over a quarter of a million dollars but came 15th out of 19 in the race for Washington’s 10th congressional district.
Social media can be important, but sole Twitter campaigning doesn’t create electoral change.
TO GET THIS NEWSLETTER 24 HOURS EARLIER, BECOME A PATRON NOW.
It’s why Jess Scarane, who is hoping to unseat Senator Chris Coons in Delaware next month, has a dedicated volunteer team who have been hitting the phones throughout the pandemic.
We spoke exclusively to the 35-year-old candidate, who told us that she will look to pursue a very different, more anti-imperialist foreign policy line to the incumbent.
Look out for part two this week.
Anti-war is very much on the menu, especially when this week marked the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.
Contributing editor James Moules wrote about the occasion and the ever-present spectre of nuclear annihilation.
Here’s a round-up of some of our top stories this past week –
Poland
Our Polish election post-mortem continues – we spoke exclusively, once again, to Professor Aleks Szczerbiak about the future relationship between Law and Justice and the US – be it Donald Trump or Joe Biden – and why the Democrat being elected in November may not be all that bad for Andrzej Duda.
Law and Justice aren’t putting all their eggs in Trump’s basket
To hear the full conversation, become a Patron now for just 3$ a month.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen
Jeremy Corbyn is still going through a lot these days, months after standing down as Labour leader.
But he’s also continuing to fight for justice abroad – he called on the international community this week to cooperate over the situation in Yemen.
Corbyn calls for action over ‘biggest humanitarian crisis anywhere in the world’
Our North American correspondent Scott Costen detailed the Canadian state’s secret relationship with the Saudis in a devastating expose.
‘Canada’s hands are absolutely covered in blood’: A look at Ottawa’s ties to Saudi Arabia
In other Canadian news, Mr Costen also looked at the growing optimism of the Communist Party of Canada.
Disability
Disabled people are still being discriminated against globally – and Declan Carey talked to three times HBSA Disabled Sportsperson of the Year and 2019 Pride of Britain nominee David Williamson about it.
LOOKING FORWARD
Joe Biden – fresh off a racism controversy – is all set to pick his VP this week. As expected, no progressives are on the list. So much for that olive branch.
Elsewhere, the fallout in Lebanon after the explosion in Beirut is heartbreaking. There are several ways you can help, including donating to the Lebanese Red Cross.
Featured Image: Craig Currie via Photo News 247
Subscribe to stay updated, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Redaction cannot survive without your help. Support us for as little as $1 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RedactionPolitics.
Redaction Report 