Mad. Sad. Scared.

Those were some feelings expressed this week on a PCCC staff call after Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema joined 50 Republicans to oppose 48 Senate Democrats fighting for voting rights.

Part of the outrage was that the 48 Democrats represent 34 MILLION more Americans than 52 senators who voted against democracy. The Senate is ALREADY rigged for minority rule, and the 60-vote filibuster procedure makes it even worse.

Part of the sadness and fear is that American democracy itself -- the ability to cast votes and fairly count votes -- is likely gone if Trump Republicans seize control of the election machinery in 2022.

There was also some hope.

Our organization has a rich history of giving early support to Democrats who actually stand for something, are effective, and win.

Before they were famous, we supported Jamie Raskin, Raphael Warnock, Katie Porter, Pramila Jayapal, Elizabeth Warren, dozens more in Congress, and hundreds more elected on the state and local level. In 2022, we are fighting to protect and expand the Senate majority (and deny Manchin and Sinema a veto) by endorsing real progressives in key Senate states.

We are also the first national group fundraising this cycle for the Democratic Association of Secretary of States so that the people counting the votes actually support democracy. And we're giving support to the Arizona-based Primary Sinema campaign. And we're training and supporting hundreds of state and local candidates.

A member of our government relations team recalled yesterday that his former boss (Senator Tom Harkin) was once the only senator supporting filibuster reform. Then, there were three (Jeff Merkley, Tom Udall). Now, there are 48 -- in large part thanks to Jeff Merkley's leadership! And every competitive Democrat running for Senate is pledging to be the 49th and 50th vote!

So...there is hope. But let's be honest, this week was heart-wrenching. It's ok to be mad, sad, and scared.

We wanted to ask how you are feeling right now? Where do you intend to put your energy the next few months? Or do you need to cry and take a breather? Can you fill out this survey? We will read your answers, and it will impact our planning for the year.

-- Adam Green, PCCC co-founder (@AdamGreen)

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