We have two good, authentic potential candidates for two key positions. Both have a proven record of sticking to their guns come hell or high water. They are Michael Moore from Michigan and former Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Both should run for Governor of their respective states in 2018. We need Democratic governors in both these states (and more) for the 2020 census and redistricting, and after two years of Trump, 2018 will be their kind of environment and their moment.
Michigan
Michael Moore would be a perfect fit for Michigan. He roots run deep there and he is remains in touch with the people of Michigan and the Midwest. He has “star power”, knows how to communicate, gets people talking about him and the issues that matter, and he won’t get pushed around by a Republican flack. And I bet he’ll get an army of volunteers.
Also, the incumbent Republican is termed out and open seats are generally easier to win than trying to defeat an incumbent. And the polluted water supply of his home town of Flint won’t help the Republican at all, whomever it is.
Five years ago, Michael Moore’s line was "America is not broke ... the cash is just not in your hands". It resonated everywhere and probably still does. It even "hit home" with a friend of mine who is a retired Air Force officer and not necessarily a great admirer of Michael Moore. But the telling point is my friend brought it up in conversation, not me. If Moore can get this guy to think favorably about him, then we've got a winner!
Something else: it might be possible to use Michigan’s ballot initiative process to push a measure to establish an independent California-style redistricting commission to eliminate gerrymandering and a advisory opinion on the National Popular Vote* for President. Those two should help get Democrats to the polls to vote for Michael Moore.
Wisconsin
And across the lake, I cannot think of a better candidate for Governor of Wisconsin than former Senator Russ Feingold. He won’t be competing for attention with Presidential candidates in 2018 and he can run a “sympathetic” (or parallel) campaign with Senator Baldwin who will be up for re-election then.
Here’s an issue I bet Russ Feingold would support: A ballot initiative process. Wisconsin does not have a ballot initiative process but could sure use one (so could Pennsylvania, but that’s another topic.) Get an independent redistricting commission and the National Popular Vote* to the ballot in Wisconsin and I bet they’ll both pass. Besides, can you imagine any Republican running for governor to campaign against initiatives like these two?
So, let's look to the future and convince both Michael Moore and Russ Feingold to run for governor.
What say you?
* — Article II Section 1 Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution mentions the “legislature” in connection with appointment of electors. So unless the people voting on a ballot measure can be construed as a “legislature” then it is likely the national Popular Vote measure would have to be passed by the legislature itself.
(This is the updated 2016 version of a previous diary.)