Doris Matsui orders a boycott; Mai Vang gets the tip jar
Hasan Piker is living rent free in the Matsui campaign's brain trust!
With the best of intentions, individuals and small advocacy groups often turn to petitions to demand action from the government. Online platforms have made launching one easier than ever. Getting anyone to care remains stubbornly difficult.
Unless a petition attracts substantial support, it usually dies quietly, surrounded by unopened emails.
It was therefore curious to see Rep. Doris Matsui’s well-financed campaign reach for this particular instrument of grassroots desperation.
Titled “Stand With Survivors Sacramento,” the petition targeted Matsui’s opponent, Mai Vang, for appearing with controversial online personality and political commentator Hasan Piker.
The petition read:
We the undersigned, urge Councilwoman Mai Vang to stand with women survivors of violence and boycott the Sacramento Democratic Socialist GOTV event featuring self-admitted millionaire misogynist HASAN PIKER on Wednesday 10/28 at 4:30pm.
HASAN PIKER's use of strident and toxic misogyny toward women and survivors of violence as a means to build his online following and social media clout should be called out and cancelled by "courageous" women leaders instead of celebrated and promoted. PIKER does not represent our values and associating with him sends the wrong message to girls and women.
So how many people answered this call to action?
The petition displayed 121 signatures and one visible comment. The campaign had summoned a groundswell and received a lightly damp sidewalk.
Meanwhile, according to several sources, the Sacramento State get-out-the-vote event raised $81,000 for Vang’s campaign — a useful late infusion of cash.
There is no telling whether Matsui’s petition helped publicize the event. But when you demand a boycott and your opponent leaves with $81,000, it is probably best to change the subject.
None of this means Matsui’s campaign is out of options. It has plenty of tools, along with millions of dollars supplied by Matsui’s personal wealth.
This petition was simply one tool that accomplished less than advertised. It seems Piker is living rent free in the Matsui campaign's brain trust.
The campaign keeps throwing spaghetti at the wall, hoping something sticks.
This batch landed on the floor. Vang left with the tip jar.
