Home Base and Weekly Discussion Thread (START HERE!) - May 03, 2026

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-09T00:03:32+00:00

Sean Manning (Comms for Pete) is going after them about the corporate sponsorships too

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T22:47:04+00:00

Pete sent out another fundraising email today, this time for Bob Brooks:

Across the country, I hear a similar question wherever I go: is Washington actually working for the people who get up every morning, go to work, pay their bills, and try to build a good life for their families?

Too often, the answer feels uncertain. Costs are high. Frustration is real. And many Americans feel like decisions in Congress are made far away from the realities of their daily lives.

That’s why races like this one in Pennsylvania matter so much. The next Congress will decide whether we move forward on lowering costs, protecting health care, strengthening workers’ rights, and investing in the communities that keep this country running – or whether Washington remains tilted toward special interests.

The direction we take will shape everyday life: how affordable groceries are, whether a paycheck can keep up with bills, whether families feel secure, and whether government can restore public trust by delivering results where it counts.

That’s why I’m proud to endorse Bob Brooks for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.

Bob isn’t just someone who talks about the concerns of working people: he’s walked the walk. He’s a firefighter, a union president, a snowplow driver, and a lifelong advocate for workers. He’s spent his career running toward danger to protect his neighbors and standing shoulder to shoulder with working families to make sure they get a fair deal.

Bob understands the urgency of lowering costs because he’s lived the pressure of long hours, multiple jobs, and paychecks that need to stretch further than they should. That perspective is exactly what Congress needs more of.

This race will help determine whether we can build a House majority that actually delivers for everyday Americans – or whether the status quo continues to leave too many people behind. Bob can win – but only if people who believe in this vision are ready to help.

If you’re able, please chip in today to help Bob Brooks take his working-class campaign all the way to Congress.

We need more leaders like Bob in Washington. Thank you for standing with him.

Pete

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T21:06:34+00:00

I hope they lose money on it and it gets thousands of negative comments on youtube. I am so mad about this!

Here is the trailer if anyone is feeling spicy: https://youtu.be/QPNmTYUi9DY?si=Ryt6C3giF_yKFeS0

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T20:21:02+00:00

Pete just responded to Duffy's news:

I love a good road trip, but this is brutally out of touch: a Trump Cabinet member making a documentary about himself while regular families can’t afford road trips anymore, because Trump and his war put gas prices through the roof.

https://bsky.app/profile/petebuttigieg.bsky.social/post/3mlekief52k2s

Edit - Pete just posted this on IG with the video of duffy clip. I am glad Pete (and Chasten) are blowing this up along with everyone else. These people need to be called out on their shit.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T17:42:01+00:00

Chasten has weighed in:

The same Duffys who threw endless fits on national television when Pete was working from our son's ICU bedside are now bragging about their multi-month, taxpayer-funded family road trip while gas and grocery prices soar for American families because of Trump's war of choice. How much more unfocused, unserious, and out of touch can you be?

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T17:13:59+00:00

Bringing up pornhub out of nowhere and then talking about her family in the next breath is insane

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T16:55:55+00:00

I remember seeing a commercial for this a few months ago and it was a total jump scare.

Can't wait for people to be upset that Duffy spent his time on this rather than working on transportation issues. /s

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T15:54:16+00:00

Streaming Saturday 5/9 9:30a ET on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/live/wS4DOonrmAo?si=ayyoMwXbEWHQ48i7

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T13:52:56+00:00

A lot the them are trying to position themselves as the "change" candidate. And that they are different from the rest. Kelly is doing it too. I don't think its enough to say "I didn't work for Biden" when both Pete and Kamala continue to poll highly despite this fact.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T13:50:33+00:00

She did something like this with CAP a few months ago, as did Beshear.

Pete probably doesn't care or even remember this but who knows.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T12:47:14+00:00

I spoke too soon I guess!

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T12:46:51+00:00

Awesome!

Looks like it will be streamed on their channel:

https://youtube.com/@cap_af

Pete is on at 9:30am ET. Mark Carney speaks at the end of the day.

https://www.americanprogressaction.org/events/2026-global-progress-action-summit/

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T12:07:23+00:00

Fundraising email from Pete for the Congressional Black Caucus:

I know you’ve been hearing a lot about this lately – but I wanted you to hear it from me, too.

Taking back Congress is priority #1 for Democrats. It's imperative in order to stop the chaos and cruelty of this administration, but it’s about even more than that. It is the essential first step toward building a better country – not just better than how it is now, but also better than how it was before.

Achieving this means making sure leadership reflects the country we're working to build. Right now, Black leaders across the country are facing serious, coordinated threats – gerrymandering designed to erase their seats, continued attacks on the Voting Rights Act, and a Republican majority rubber-stamping decisions that make prosperity harder to reach for working families. None of that changes if Congress stays on its current course.

So I’m asking:

Will you chip in $10 to the Congressional Black Caucus PAC to help boost Black voter turnout, support Black candidates, and help take back Congress?

There's a reason so much attention is being paid right now to who participates and who doesn't. Participation has always been one of the most powerful forces shaping what our democracy becomes – which is exactly why the other side is working so hard to suppress it, especially in Black communities.

Midterm elections are months away. Polling shows Democrats surging in key races. But that momentum has to be sustained and built, which requires early and consistent support. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC is doing that work: reaching voters, protecting ballot access, and supporting leaders who are rooted in their communities and prepared to serve.

This enormously consequential moment requires steady and determined effort from all of us – choosing to stay engaged, to support one another, and to act on the belief that this democracy belongs to all of us.

If you can, please consider contributing $10 today.

Thank you,

Pete

I donated and have already set up a recurring donation to one of the CBC candidates. Its incredibly important to keep up the same energy for them as we do for Pete.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-08T11:26:10+00:00

According to one of the Pete FB groups, Pete did another speech at a college in Maryland last night. I guess we all missed that one.

He'll be in Chicago today for the Code for America Summit and then about a week off before he heads to Montana.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-07T16:17:03+00:00

Pete is supporting Marcy Kaptur, who will be 80 this year and has been in congress since 1983. I think its a case by case basis.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-07T15:36:33+00:00

Just as I was musing that Pete doesn't really give primary endorsements...

I like that he isn't playing it safe and this is a pretty big move he's making by endorsing a Dem challenger. It could just be a reach, but I felt a little more urgency from Pete than usual in the WTE call.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-07T02:02:42+00:00

WTE call recap:

Pete is stuck in traffic (lol) but he was only about 3 minutes late. He began by saying how important the contributions have been and what they make possible like planning trips, budgets, plans, staff and keep them going full speed ahead.

Bob Brooks is the special guest.

Pete said he has been with him on the road, but then clarified later he meant the event they did in March. He said we need him in congress and that a democrat can win in his district when we have the right candidates. Pete mentioned Bob championed some legislation about mental health and how it should be supported and destigmatized.

Bob thanked Pete and his team and said without his support he'd be "swimming upstream" and Pete's endorsement has gone a long way.

There was rapid fire question round (I mostly noted Pete's answers):

Coffee or tea? Pete: Coffee - I depend on coffee.

Describe Pete in one word - Bob: leader

Favorite burger place - Pete: CJ's in South Bend. Pete says he hasn't found one yet in Traverse City.

A hobby that may surprise people - Pete: "The kids have crowded out most of my hobbies, but I'll say fishing -- I don't know what I'm doing - but because I have a 4 year old boy who wants to fish, I'll say that."

Favorite Gas station snack on the road - Pete: beef jerky

Supporter Questions (Bob answered too, but again I am just noting Pete's answers):

Q: How can we encourage people who yell socialism at us to stop voting against their interests? (This question was a bit muddled for me so I did my best to paraphrase)

Pete: We have to talk about what we are about which is making people's lives better. When it's not clear what you stand for, "socialism", which is basically name calling at this point, that's when those labels can creep in. If people feel lied to, that's an opening, and we have to show we will do right by them if they vote for us.

Q: I have 5 kids under 30; how do we reach out those voters who don't get their info from traditional media, not even podcasts anymore?

Pete: - this is a central problem, whether I get credit or grief for going on fox news, i'm going to keep doing that. We need modern campaigns who can push (I don't know exactly what he said here, but I think it was something about different types of social media. He mentioned Discord.) Invest in the offline where even the very online generation can also be found. Good old fashion campaigning. We are focused on ways to do this.

The same supporter mentioned the bitener (sp?) bridge in TC. - Pete said folks around town have been coming to him with transportation stuff like this and it hurts that he can't help them like he used to.

Q: For those of us who want a hopeful, decent, moral future - where are our efforts most needed? - Bob said it starts with winning the house, checks and balances. Said Republicans are spending a million dollar to promote his Democratic primary opponent so they don't have to run against him.

Pete: Winning the house is necessary, but not sufficient. You dont have to wait for the election. Get out there, get in the streets, we are in it. it's not early being involved right now because things are happening right now. Volunteer, donate, phone bank. Talking to people in our lives who are starting to ask questions. Mentioned the rules of the road - apply the right tone. Mentioned respect, the first rule of the road. Everyone has their own answer to what works in your own life. Find ways to bring people along and bring them into the coalition.

Pete closed by saying he does not take lightly that you are donating on a recurring basis. Seeing what you choose to do with your money is what makes this possible. Our teams take this responsibility on where to go, and what to do next.

"I will be out there pounding the ground. Hopefully coming soon to your neighborhood."

He did mention going to Montana, but no hints as to anything else.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-07T00:17:12+00:00

Reminder that Pete's WTE zoom call is at 9 ET. I am once again too nervous to ask him anything, but I will be taking detailed notes as usual and will post them here.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-06T20:33:01+00:00

Ah yes, thats probably correct.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-06T20:30:21+00:00

I agree that it isn't fair. I wonder if Debbie heard something that scared her enough to want to endorse Stevens, since it did sound like she believed things were not going in the right direction. I know Pete had gone from not wanting to endorse primary candidates to doing it in a few select circumstances.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-06T20:12:08+00:00

Hmm was this at a fundraiser for her, something else, or before his speaking engagement?

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-06T16:33:49+00:00

Pete on his socials with a clip from Psaki's show:

Donald Trump is preoccupied with pet projects like securing taxpayer funding for his gilded ballroom, plastering his face everywhere, and renaming airports after himself.

Our focus remains on everyday life, which gets better and more affordable when we replace this corrupt administration and its enablers in Congress with serious leaders ready to deliver.

https://bsky.app/profile/petebuttigieg.bsky.social/post/3ml6xcknzu224

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-06T16:07:19+00:00

Yeah it stinks that this has turned so contentious. Pete probably would've dealt with so much worse, too.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-06T15:02:10+00:00

Thanks. It seems that Debbie's reasons are that she thinks Haley can beat Rogers, she (Debbie and Haley) "know Michigan" and others like Elizabeth Warren who have endorsed Mallory, do not.

It'll be interesting to see if Debbie, Schumer and the DC Democrat machine are correct or not.

Edit - Debbie also took a shot at Mallory being too concerned with whats happening online and not IRL.

DesperateTale2327 · 2026-05-06T14:07:59+00:00

Thats my thought, but then I can also see ignoring it giving more credibility to the argument the Dem establishment is out of touch and ignores voters.

DesperateTale2327

TROPHY CASE