Interested Citizen or Political Hack?
The League of Women Voters, the offspring of the suffrage movement, has worked for over a century to educate Americans on their rights and duties as voters. A bipartisan, nonprofit group, organized in every community, county, and state in the union, the mainstay of American politics has held rallies, moderated presidential debates, and lobbied for and against congressional legislation. But the atrocities and attacks on the Constitution and human rights of recent times have caused the League to go further than ever before, and yet, the term, political hack, does not seem an appropriate label for this organization. Why?
In the past several weeks, citizens’ groups, some bipartisan, others derived from local political parties, have organized town meetings hoping to have the opportunity of an unfiltered and direct conversation with their local congressional representative. Many of the early gatherings were disastrous for the elected official. The expression “We reap what we sow” has become the norm in politics now, and no one should be surprised at the level of incivility and vitriol. Trust seems as antiquated as the nail files candidates used to hand out at events.
After jeering crowds and images of besuited congressmen in their red ties making a hasty retreat from their podiums, the Speaker of the House strongly suggested that the members of his party refuse to take part in citizen-initiated events. So, some ingenious bipartisan voters organized empty chair town halls with you guessed it—lots of audience members but no one on stage occupying that empty chair. In Lexington, Kentucky, 1200 people gathered at a local historic theatre to ask their absent representative questions. He was unable to engage in a civil conversation because he was down the street at a fundraiser. Were the 1200 attendees political hacks? Why not?
Some observers might believe that these events were organized only to embarrass and ridicule the elected official—that the audience was going to cheer as the guillotine blade dropped. It would have been a very different story in the 1990s if organized by a chapter of the League of Women Voters. I participated in one of those in a different state in what seems like a different life. We were polite and were there to exchange information and make civilly minded decisions. We took tough questions and didn’t please everyone but that wasn’t the point. No one was worried about percentage points and potential donors. We were our constituents’ representatives.
In Maine we have two representatives from opposite sides of the Democratic Party. In some ways that is ideal, covering the spectrum of opinion as it does. But because of its geography and settlement patterns, Maine’s political districts have vast differences. Jared Golden, representing District 2 must walk a tightrope. He tiptoes barefoot along a picket fence between factions. He often votes with Republicans in Congress, but the Dems need him to build up their numbers. He strongly supports military measures having served after 9/11, but he often appears not to trust Democrats. The latest incident occurred recently when he refused to take part in a town hall meeting. Following the advice of Speaker Johnson, he utilized the “duck and cover” maneuver and escaped. Too bad. Once again, one must wonder, would his audience have been interested and concerned citizens or political hacks? Would the Representative and members of his constituency have learned and looked at information differently if they had met? And maybe, a couple of those “political hacks” would have become Golden “voters”?
To surround ourselves with only those who agree with us is a huge mistake. And maybe even more importantly, to label every interested political constituent as a political hack feeds into the ugliness and distrust of public life.
— Margaret Spratt, Ph.D.
Golden Refuses to Engage in Public Town Halls—Even When Constituents Show Up Without Pretense
In a recent WMTW article, Congressman Jared Golden’s office dismissed grassroots public forums organized by the Blue Anchor Project and Indivisible Maine as “buzzy events” that could be “commandeered for partisan or political gain.”
These are the only two organizations currently hosting open, town hall-style events in Maine.
Let us be clear:
These events are open to the public
Questions are not pre-screened
The attendees include veterans, seniors, students, working Mainers—and many who have supported and voted for Rep. Golden in past elections
To suggest that these voices do not matter simply because the events are not controlled by his office is not only misleading—it is deeply disrespectful to the people he was elected to serve.
Congressman Golden has not held a single public town hall in his district.
Instead of facing his constituents directly—on their terms—he has chosen to avoid any unscripted public setting, even as Mainers across the political spectrum ask for transparency, engagement, and the chance to be heard.
Who exactly does Rep. Golden feel comfortable facing—if not the people of Maine?
The Blue Anchor Project will continue to show up, hold space for public dialogue, and elevate the voices of those who are too often ignored—whether elected officials attend or not.
Maine Voters Demand Accountability, Pingree Agrees to In-Person Town Halls Thanks to Blue Anchor Project
For too long, Maine’s elected officials have dodged direct conversations with their constituents. That changed when Maine voters took action.
The Blue Anchor Project, alongside other grassroots organizations, applied pressure to demand transparency and real accountability from our representatives. This led to Rep. Chellie Pingree agreeing to hold in-person town halls—a huge victory for voter engagement.
Watch the Full Report Below
Read the full News Center Maine article here:
News Center Maine: “All Maine Members of Congress Criticized by Constituents”
Why This Matters
Across the country, voters are demanding answers from their elected officials. Many representatives, however, have avoided holding in-person town halls—leaving constituents feeling unheard.
That is exactly what happened in Maine, where people have been frustrated by a lack of transparency. We took a stand, and now our representatives are being forced to listen.
This is proof that grassroots organizing works.
How We Made It Happen
• We organized town hall events and left empty chairs for absent representatives.
• We amplified voter frustrations, calling on our officials to answer directly.
• We made it clear that evasion is not an option—and our representatives had to respond.
As a result, Rep. Chellie Pingree has now agreed to start holding in-person town halls. But this fight is not over. Now, it is time for the rest of Maine’s congressional delegation to step up.
What’s Next?
Now that we have seen the power of voter engagement, we need to keep the momentum going.
Stay involved.
• Follow us for updates: @blueanchorproject
Support Our Work
This victory proves that grassroots pressure works—but we cannot stop here. The fight for transparency and accountability is just beginning. Your support ensures we have the resources to keep pushing for real change.
Joint Press Release - NDN & BAP
For decades, the Democratic consultant class has failed working-class Americans—wasting billions on flawed strategies, ignoring grassroots organizers, and paving the way for Republican victories. The establishment claims they’ve learned their lesson, but history tells a different story.
That’s why New. Digital. Now. (NDN) and the Blue Anchor Project (BAP) are joining forces to take real action. Together, they are exposing the grift, holding scam PACs accountable, and rebuilding a Democratic movement that actually listens to the people.
• NDN is redefining Democratic engagement with Concepts of a Pod—a video podcast that connects donors directly to real grassroots efforts, exposes corruption, and amplifies voices ignored by the establishment.
• BAP is a direct-to-voter PAC dedicated to registering new Democrats, countering misinformation, and mobilizing working-class power in key battlegrounds.
The establishment wants to keep playing the same game. NDN and BAP are here to change the rules.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Liam Kent & Geordan Neinstein
Email: liam@blueanchorproject.com / geordan@newdigitalnow.org
Phone: (202) 697-0739 / (818) 610-9544
Date: February 6th, 2025
New. Digital. Now. and Blue Anchor Project Unite to Rebuild a Democratic Future That Works for the People
In a bold response to the systemic failures of the Democratic Party’s consultant class and elite leadership, New. Digital. Now. (NDN) and the Blue Anchor Project (BAP) are joining forces to empower working-class voters, counter misinformation, rebuild donor trust, and restore the Democratic Party’s commitment to real, grassroots-driven progress.
A Party That Has Lost Its Way
“For decades, the Democratic Party has failed working-class Americans—not because of its candidates, but because of a consultant class and party elites more focused on power and profit than on representing the people. In 2016, they failed Hillary Clinton’s historic campaign by ignoring grassroots voices and relying on flawed data. In 2024, they pressured a sitting president off the ticket with bad information and political threats, only to reuse the same broken strategies and set Kamala Harris up for a devastating loss. In what they called a ‘historic campaign,’ these consultants wasted billions of dollars, abandoned working families, and paved the way for Donald Trump to win—again.
This isn’t just incompetence—it’s systemic greed and arrogance that betrayed the Democratic values of FDR and LBJ. By dismissing organizers on the ground and taking voters for granted, the party has handed Republicans the momentum, while the blue wall continues to crumble under their watch. The time for change is now—before it’s too late.
That’s why New. Digital. Now. (NDN) and the Blue Anchor Project (BAP) are coming together—laying a foundation to fight back and rebuild a Democratic future that actually values and listens to working-class communities.”
A New Vision for Democratic Engagement
NDN is redefining grassroots Democratic engagement with Concepts of a Pod, a video podcast hosted by veteran digital and field operatives to connect directly with donors, expose scam PACs, and amplify a range of diverse voices on the ground that have been ignored. Our first of their kind digital focus groups deliver real data and insights that candidates up and down the ballot need to compete; while the podcast ensures donors know who their money is going to, and legitimate grassroots organizations have the resources they need to succeed.
BAP a direct-to-voters PAC, built to empower the working class to fight back against the political ruling class and rebuild the crumbling blue wall in the Northeast. We are registering new voters ready to make their voices heard, building grassroots energy to support Democratic candidates who truly represent us, countering misinformation with the truth to ensure voters know the facts, and bringing elected officials closer to the communities they serve.
Rebuilding the Blue Wall—Stronger Than Ever
NDN and BAP are partnering to amplify working-class voices, restore trust among the Democratic base, and create a movement that reflects the values of the people—not the interests of the ruling class.
“The blue wall may be cracking and crumbling, but we are here to rebuild it—stronger and more resilient than ever.”
—— ——
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact both:
Liam Kent & Geordan Neinstein
liam@blueanchorproject.com / geordan@newdigitalnow.org
(202) 697-0739 / (818) 610-9544
About New. Digital. Now.
NDN is a progressive digital and field-driven movement to redefine digital engagement with voters and donors for down-ballot campaigns through an innovative media and data-driven strategy. You can see all past episodes of Concepts of a Pod on our YouTube channel, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
About Blue Anchor Project
BAP is a direct-action political organization working to empower working-class voters, reinforce the Northeast blue wall, and hold the ruling class accountable. You can find all our recent content on our YouTube channel, and website.
About the Partnership
For too long, the consultant class has gatekept the resources needed to run a successful media campaign, leaving underfunded local campaigns and organizations in the dust. BAP is the first of these organizations to join NDN in this new network, built to democratize these resources. If your Democratic campaign or committee is interested in joining our network, we’d love to hear from you!