Personally, I'm terrified. The Upshot (NYTimes.com, July 19, 2019), Nate Cohn's statistical forecasting site, suggests that Trump's "advantage in the Electoral College, relative to the national popular vote, may be even larger than it was in 2016, according to an Upshot analysis of election results and polling data." And here's the punch-in-the-gut news: "Wisconsin was the tipping-point state in 2016, and it seems to hold that distinction now, at least based on the president’s approval rating among 2018 midterm voters."

Nate Cohn is not the only pundit focusing on the importance of Wisconsin to the outcome of the 2020 presidential elections. Here are a few other articles:

• Wisconsin will be a hot spot for 2020 presidential candidates. Here's how the state is preparing.
  
  
• Trump Asks Wisconsin to Help Elect Him Again in 2020
  
  
• Trump’s chances in 2020 aren’t nearly as bad as people think

I bring this to your attention because we can't afford to be complacent. We can't afford to waste any time. We need to feel the fierce urgency of now. It won't be good enough to wait for the traditional weekend for Get Out the Vote. It won't be good enough to get around to organizing next summer. It won't be good enough to look at Trump's approval ratings in Wisconsin, note that he is under water, and go back to sleep! That's why Grassroots North Shore is working NOW to contact those voters who might be inclined to vote Blue but who do not always vote. We're on our own listening tour — to find out what issues are important to these potential voters and to build relationships with them. Election wins take only a few votes per ward. And we don't want to wake up on November 4 regretting that we did not contact a few more voters on the North Shore and in Ozaukee and Washington counties! Be a part of the action. Sign up for an August date:

• Wednesday, August 7, Deep Canvassing
  
  
• Sunday, August 11, Deep Canvassing
  
  
• Wednesday, August 21, Deep Canvassing
  
  
• Sunday, August 25, Deep Canvassing
  
  

We also have scheduled some dates in September.

You also don't want to miss our "Funraiser," Are you ready for Political Jeopardy? on Sunday, August 4. The event will include a night of political jeopardy games plus a silent auction of themed baskets, artwork, and crafts. Have fun while helping Grassroots North Shore Keep the Lights On! The event doors open at 3:30 at North Shore Presbyterian Church (4048 N Bartlett Ave, Shorewood). As usual we will serve light refreshments. So RSVP already!

And we're hosting Democratic Debate Watch Parties on Tuesday, July 30, and Wednesday, July 31, in several locations on the North Shore. It's more fun to watch with fellow like-minded people, so plan to come to these events. For more information, look on our website and our Facebook page.

• Tuesday, July 30
  • Art Bar (722 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee)
  • Camp Bar (4044 N Oakland Ave)
  • Ferrante's Restaurant (10404 N Port Washington Rd, Mequon)
• Wednesday, July 31
  • Art Bar (722 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee)
  • Martha Pincus' house (7045 N Belmont Ln, Fox Point)
  • Ferrante's Restaurant (10404 N Port Washington Rd, Mequon)

Finally, Ginny Gennis explains how health insurance in America (dis)functions. You can read the first part of her essay here. You'll find the whole thing on our blog.

EVENTS

Wed Jul 24, 2019

Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Drinking Liberally Glendale, 6:30pm - 9pm
Bar Louie, 5750 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale
Drinking Liberally Glendale meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. A monthly meetup to eat, drink, and talk politics with like-minded people. More information.

Drinking Liberally Port Washington, 6:30pm - 8pm
Schooner Pub, 114 N Franklin St, Port Washington
Drinking Liberally Port Washington meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

Judicial Independence Corrupted, 7pm - 7pm
Boswell Book Co., 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee
Former Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals Charles Benjamin Schudson explores the decision-making process of judges, going behind the bench to hear judges forging appellate decisions about life and death, multimillion-dollar damages, and priceless civil rights. He will discuss his new book, entitled Independence Corrupted: How America's Judges Make Their Decisions.

Fri Jul 26, 2019

Stand for Livable Climate, 12pm - 1pm
Zeidler Park, 4th Street & Michigan Street, Milwaukee
Help make climate justice happen! Join 350.org Milwaukee and allies to Stand for a Livable Climate, a weekly rally across the street from WE Energies focusing on its policies of using fossil fuels, thwarting renewable energy, and giving inordinate returns to investors vs. a fair cost to consumers. More information.

Outspoken: Women's Voices, 7pm - 7pm
Boswell Book Co., 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee
Peabody winner Veronica Rueckert will discuss her book about how women can claim the power of their voices and what needs to change so they can be heard. Rueckert, former host of Wisconsin Public Radio’s Central Time, offers a substantive yet entertaining analysis of why most males and many females don’t grant women the power to speak and solutions for change.

Sat Jul 27, 2019

Community Brainstorming, 8am - 11am
St. Matthew CME Church, 2944 N. 9th St., Milwaukee
Community Brainstorming Conference Breakfast Forum. Breakfast: 8 am, Program: 9 am. The 2020 Democratic Convention's Impact on Wisconsin. Panelists: -Jason Rae, Secretary, Democratic National Committee; -Alex Lasry, SVP, Milwaukee Bucks (Finance Chair, DNCC 2020); - Chris Abele, Milwaukee County Executive; -Tom Barrett, Mayor of Milwaukee; -John Chisholm, Milwaukee County District Attorney; -Dr. Lakeshia Myers, Representative, Assembly District 12. Moderator: Martha Love; Chairperson: Hon. Russell Stamper Sr. All Are Invited, Come and Participate.

Canvassing w/ Democratic Action, 11am - 1pm
East Branch Library, 2320 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee
Canvass in neighborhoods that often aren't a focus during campaign season. This is a great opportunity to talk to people who don't always get contacted by progressive organizations and find out what issues matter to them most. Organized by MKE Democratic Action.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Locust Street & Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Tue Jul 30, 2019

Summer Institute: Disrupting Whiteness in Mindfulness Movement, 5pm - 7pm
Nō Studios, 1037 W McKinley Avenue, Milwaukee
Mindfulness for the People, in conjunction with Academy for the People, is pleased to offer *Disrupting Systemic Whiteness in the Mindfulness Movement, an immersive self-study experience designed exclusively for white mindfulness researchers, teachers, and practitioners on a racial awareness journey. Key points of self-study include: How does my own white racial identity impact my approach in mindfulness research, teaching, and practice? What does it mean to want/need to engage People of Color as a white mindfulness researcher, teacher, and practitioner? How do I reduce my own potential for harm to People of Color as a white mindfulness researcher, teacher, and practitioner? Pricing includes the following: 8hrs of content; 9hrs of practice; Racial accountability self-study guide; Event meals; Certificate of completion; Access to a digital community of peers and resources that support disrupting systemic whiteness in the mindfulness movement.

Debate Watch Parties, 6:30pm - 9pm
Art Bar (722 E. Burleigh St., Milwaukee); Camp Bar (4044 N Oakland Ave., Shorewood); and Ferrante's Restaurant (10404 N. Port Washington, Mequon)

Second Democratic Primary Debate, featuring the first half of the qualifying candidates. More info.

Democratic Primary Debate, 7pm - 9pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
First half of the qualifying candidates.

Wed Jul 31, 2019

Debate Watch Parties, 6:30pm - 9pm
Art Bar (722 E. Burleigh St., Milwaukee); Ferrante's Restaurant (10404 N. Port Washington, Mequon); and Martha Pincus' house (7045 N Belmont Ln, Fox Point)
Second Democratic Primary Debate, featuring the second half of the qualifying candidates. More info.

Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information: http://www.bouncemilwaukee.com/rtr.html

Democratic Primary Debate, 7pm - 9pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Second half of the qualifying candidates.

Fri Aug 2, 2019

Stand for Livable Climate, 12pm - 1pm
Zeidler Park, 4th Street & Michigan Street, Milwaukee
Help make climate justice happen! Join 350.org Milwaukee and allies to Stand for a Livable Climate, a weekly rally across the street from WE Energies focusing on its policies of using fossil fuels, thwarting renewable energy, and giving inordinate returns to investors vs. a fair cost to consumers. More information.

Sat Aug 3, 2019

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
South Howell Avenue & East Howard Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Aug 5, 2019

Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30pm - 9pm
Clarke Irish Pub, 314 W. Main St., Waukesha
Drinking Liberally Waukesha meets the first Monday of each month. More information.