Indivisibles,

Earlier this year, we blogged (yes, we blog occasionally!) about our three-pronged strategy to win in 2020: first, we needed work to weaken Trump in Washington through a relentless investigative approach as outlined in Indivisible on Offense. We called for oversight, we called for an impeachment inquiry, heck -- we called for a whole lot.

The second and third part of our strategy -- nominating a strong candidate with big ideas who can build a winning coalition, and growing the grassroots’ power -- is where our presidential primary engagement plan becomes essential.  

The formula is really simple, actually: Indivisibles are a nationwide network of activists who have built up local power over the past two and a half years, and candidates want access to that power. They know you are going to be the folks hitting the pavement for them next year. In 2017, we grew our power in the wake of Trump's election and used local, grassroots energy to save the ACA. In 2018, we built and sustained local, Democratic infrastructure in places long written off by the establishment. That’s why it’s critical that Indivisibles leverage our movement’s strength to engage deeply in the 2020 election cycle.

We’re definitely not sport analogy experts or anything, but it sounds to us like the ball’s in our court!

And we’re ready.

Luckily, we’ve got a playbook for that!

First up, we’re happy to announce our newest addition to our plan -- the 2020 Grassroots Playbook! As Indivisible, we must work to keep grassroots’ voices at the forefront of the primary conversation by developing open channels with candidates to push them on issues they should be paying more attention to (or taking better positions on) and identifying new, meaningful ways for groups and individuals to take action.

Our playbook is a one-stop-shop for Indivisible groups and activists to find the most meaningful way to take action in a given moment and be impactful. Our playbook centers on:

🇺🇸Showing up and asking the hard questions: Attending candidate events, hearing from them directly through our nation-wide activist calls, and asking candidates directly to weigh in on issues that are important to you.

🇺🇸 Raising the issues that matter most, in public: We’ll explore ways to engage with candidates’ platforms through issue forums and grassroots mobilizations ahead of key statewide Democratic conventions.

🇺🇸 Mobilizing for a massive day of action: This part of the plan will culminate the weekend after the Democratic National Convention, July 18 and 19, 2020, where we’ll unite, rally behind the winner, and hit the pavement to beat Trump in 2020.

Over the course of the primary, we’ll be adding lots of tools, trainings, and resources for you to get involved -- so bookmark it now! 

The Presidential Debates (and why we want your voice there!)

The first Presidential Debates are coming! But with so many candidates to follow and so many really important issues we know you’re concerned about, we want to make sure you’ve got everything you need to follow along and judge candidates on the ideas that matter most.

🎤We’ve created a Debate Watch Guide to outline many of the topics you care about. In our guide, you’ll have worksheets to rate and grade candidates on, and a bit of analysis and insider baseball on each candidate/issue from our Political Team. So whether you want to plan your own party, attend one of the many events already on our map, or just follow along at home, you’ll be totally prepared.

🎤Record a video now telling the presidential candidates what you want to hear from the debate stage. There’s no question that the candidates have to speak to the grassroots next week (and always). So tell us (or them!) what you want to hear from them in Miami and we’ll amplify you (and you might just end up in some pre-debate coverage). For example, "Biden: the We Are Indivisible Pledge has been signed by 17 candidates and over 37,000 grassroots activists. You're now the only major candidate that hasn't. What's up with that?"

🎤Opt-in to our exclusive Indivisible Focus Group by texting DEBATES to 977-79. We want to capture the Indivisible movement’s take on the debates as soon as they’re over - which means we’ll need an exclusive focus group that we’ll text right after each debate ends (11pm ET) and ask you how you feel.  

The issues we’re watching closely

Since the 2018 electoral programs, we have been increasingly concerned about the extent to which "electability" is being held up as the highest standard when it comes to 2020 Presidential candidates. We have the most diverse Democratic field ever and candidates pushing really exciting ideas -- and way too much of what we're hearing from voters and the media comes down to "who can win back Obama/Trump voters?"

We want to do our part to help change that conversation -- nationally and with our groups. And yes, we want to win. We believe the best way to pick a candidate who can win is to figure out which candidates are speaking directly to our values, and putting out bold policy platforms on the issues we care about. This isn’t just a values-driven strategy—it’s also strategic. The Democratic nominee will need to motivate a multiracial coalition of voters across huge swaths of American geography. Candidates who are able to articulate a real vision and plan on the issues we care about will be best positioned to motivate that coalition and win in November.

In evaluating Democratic performance in the debates and throughout the course of the primary, we’ll be looking at how candidates respond to questions and put forth big ideas on the core issues we think will drive the 2020 campaign: Democracy Reform, Immigration, Abortion, Climate, Health Care, Peace & Foreign Policy, and Racial Justice.

⇒ Democracy Reform
⇒ Immigration
⇒ Peace & Foreign Policy
⇒ Racial Justice/Racial Wealth Gap
⇒ Abortion
⇒ Climate
⇒ Health care

One more request (spoilers: this plan is big, which means it’s not cheap) 

Of course, this list is not exhaustive! But we settled on these seven as top issues that our movement has a moral responsibility to uplift, that Indivisible groups have invested time and resources into, and will help build and turnout our multiracial coalition to win in the general.

We’ve put countless hours into developing a plan that will really work. And it’s the most important effort we have ever undertaken together. But frankly, none of this work is cheap, and it’s work we can’t afford to skimp on. We’ve set an initial $80,000 goal (!!!) -- which may sound steep, and it is. If we come even close, it’ll be a HUGE accomplishment. And the great news is that we’re more than halfway there! But we haven’t made it yet.

So, we’re asking you to chip in. We don’t take any money from corporations or political figures, which means everything we do is fueled by you, the movement:

Can we count on you now to help us reach our initial $80,000 goal?  If you’ve been waiting for the right time to give, this is the best time to add your first donation.

Look Out for More Soon

This is not the end of our presidential engagement. And these are not the final tactics or issues that will steer our entire strategy. But these issues and actions will offer a frame for how we engage in the primary, and push our folks to move past ideas of electability (read: old, white, male) to engage with the candidates who speak most to their hopes.

We have not made a decision on whether or not to endorse yet, although it is absolutely something we are considering in the long-term. Endorsements are a powerful tool to exercise grassroots strength and play a meaningful role in the outcome of an election. The decision to lend support and resources to a candidate can go a long way to ensuring the issues we care about remain front and center in the primary and general election, but endorsing is something we'd only be able to do based on broad support across our movement.

Group leaders and activists will be hearing a lot more about the next phases of our engagement plan. Just remember to keep checking our 2020 Grassroots Playbook for more ways to take action and make your voice heard.

We hope you’re as excited about this election cycle as we are. In fact, we’ve heard so many incredible stories about how much 2020 means to you and our broader movement, and we’re ready to help you maximize every ounce of political power you’ve gained over the course of this movement.

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team