Hi Friend,

Quick Updates:


- We had our first volunteer meeting this week, and I've had a chance to
connect with several of you for the first time, which was nice. If you
missed it and would like to connect, I have one coming up tomorrow (via
zoom only), as well as an in-person meeting next week. See details below.
- Seven Days
<[link removed]>
did
a largely fair piece on my candidacy this week, and VPR has one coming out
soon.
- And I've had several people reach out saying that they had Becca
Balint yard signs, and would like to switch to mine. What a statement that
will send to their neighborhoods.
- A supporter named Ken wrote a very encouraging letter to the editor,
which is pasted below. I encourage any of you to adapt it, or use it for
thought food.
- I have a meeting this week with Andrew Yang's "Forward Party" which
may result in some resources or collaboration. (But not me joining any
party.)
- Here's How I Win (chart below), I think this is doable. What do you
think?
-
Vermont Total Madden Balint Redic
NUMBER
Progressives 85,000 15,000 70,000
Dem Moderates 45,000 15,000 30,000
Swing Voters 85,000 60,000 20,000 5,000
Republicans 70,000 45,000 0 25,000
Total 285,000 135,000 120,000 30,000

PERCENTAGES
Progressives 30% 18% 82% 0%
Dem Moderates 16% 33% 67% 0%
Swing Voters 30% 71% 24% 6%
Republicans 25% 64% 0% 36%


The volunteer meeting tomorrow will be at noon:
[link removed]
Meeting ID: 825 3204 1274
Passcode: GB1kVm

The following week will be in person, at the Rockingham Meeting House.

Thank you all so much for
Respect and gratitude,

Liam

KEN'S LETTER:

Liam Madden Colors Outside the Lines



Given the current state of political discourse, we might be excused for
thinking: “Why vote? It only encourages them.” The two major political
parties continually urge us to live in a polarized society, listening only
to our preferred echo chamber. Both political parties –
governments-in-waiting – ask us to cleave to them for fear of the other,
expecting us to value party unity and discipline, often at much too high a
price to our consciences and our communities. Fear and uncertainty,
unfortunately, are what they appeal to – and depend upon – for their
survival. We should stop responding to such calls.



Given this situation, I am altogether amazed and thankful that Liam Madden
has made himself a candidate for Congress. He calls us to reach out to one
another in an effort to build something different and better. Liam
recognizes that the current system is broken – something we all know and
feel in our hearts, I believe. He dares to propose that new (or perhaps
older) ways of doing things are what will save us.



He colors outside the red and blue party lines and invites us to join him
in doing that.



We cannot wait for “the next big thing” for help. Instead, we must build
and re-build “a lot of small things” that we do ourselves. Clearly, it is
not to the large, wealthy political parties and those beholden to them –
nor those to whom *they* are beholden – that we can look for solutions. The
communities we live in belong to us. The state we live in is ours. And,
yes, “this land is our land.” Liam Madden’s candidacy offers us an
opportunity to work together to “rebirth democracy,” as he puts it.



Often candidates display lists of their qualities on election banners, such
as “leadership,” “courage,” and “vision.” Liam is someone, as more and more
people are recognizing, who embodies these qualities.



He has chosen his positions thoughtfully and deliberately, and they have
the virtue of defying clear party-line identification, as does he.



In the tradition of independent Vermont thinkers and leaders, he is the
kind of person around whom we can gather and with whom we can hope to work
in times like these.



His website is here: [link removed]



The VT Digger profile of his positions is here:
[link removed]




The short and inspiring biography of him on his website ends as follows:



*“If you are satisfied changing the players, you have plenty of good
options this election. If you know in your heart that we must change the
rules of the game, you have one clear choice. Send me to Congress. Let’s
rebirth democracy together.” *



He is just what we have been looking for – both here and nationally – in a
candidate for higher office. He makes me want to vote (and more).



Ken Smith

Brighton