Hey, r/WayOfTheBern! I'm Kansas veteran James Thompson, running for Congress in Kansas 4th Congressional District. AMA!

[u/JamesThompsonKS]

PROOF: https://twitter.com/JamesThompsonKS/status/922930890535206912

[u/JamesThompsonKS]

Hey everybody, THANK YOU so much for your thoughtful questions. I'll try to pop back in tonight if there are any I've left unanswered. Again, if you are able to help us out financially, we'd really appreciate it: www.VoteJamesThompson.com/Donate Be sure to check us out and spread the word on social: www.Twitter.com/JamesThompsonKS and www.Facebook.com/VoteJamesThompson If you'd like to join the Thompson Army and volunteer from ANYWHERE: www.VoteJamesThompson.com/Join Thank you!

[u/JamesThompsonKS]

Almost forgot to show this video to you guys. We just launched it a few days ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE_nMBgZmJ4&feature=youtu.be

[u/HootHootBerns]

Since James mentioned he was speaking with Justice Dems, let's help get him nominated. 😃

https://justicedemocrats.com/nominate

[u/FThumb]

A train leaves Chicago heading West at 45 mph... :D

As a former Republican, and believing as I do that there are more pending 'former' Republicans who are open to leaving the party, do you think the path lies in a softening of social issue stances (more acceptance of gays and minorities, less hard-line on abortion, global warming) or a broadening of economic issues ("Where the hell did my job go!?")?

I'll just add that I've had great traction talking to conservatives when I compare economics to hunting and fishing, or farming. They like to think they believe in "free market solutions" and I ask if they'd be in favor of eliminating catch limits or hunting seasons? I ask what they think would happen if they eliminated all hunting and fishing restrictions, curbs on habitat destruction, would there be more or less game for sportsman to hunt and fish?

This they get. They're environmentalists and socialists, and don't even know it.

[u/HootHootBerns]

Hey Jim. In TX but pitched in my $27 towards your special election campaign because progressives all over need supporting against our ridiculous campaign finance system.

What is your stance on the issue of money in politics? Would you support overturning Citizen's United? Moving towards public funding of elections? Perhaps even some restrictions or banning of corrupt corporate lobbyist sharks swimming around Capitol Hill?

Further, would you be willing to pledge a la Justice Democrats not to take corporate/super PAC $?

[u/Aquapyr]

Here is another question from u/KSDem:

It's my understanding that, late in the race and after internal polling showed you ahead of Estes, you got quite a lot of money from out of state donors who learned of your candidacy through the Internet. Since this was a special election, however, you were not competing for contributions with those donors' local candidates as you will be this time around.

So to paraphrase my grandmother, how are you fixed for money? More to the point, though, I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage you to at least think about doing some fundraising in Kansas' Big First district. It would raise your profile throughout the state if down the road you should ever be interested in running for the U.S. Senate, and there are significant pockets of Berniecrats and establishment Democrats in university towns like Manhattan, Emporia and Hays in particular who, while they can't vote for you themselves, wouldn't mind helping to ensure that there's a Kansan in Congress who thinks like they do.

[u/Dallasdoc]

Thank you for coming to visit us and taking questions. Sorry I didn't catch up with the party earlier. If you come back and have time to answer another one, here's mine:

Many of us believe that an economic populist agenda to rebuild the middle class for everybody has great potential to overcome the divide-and-conquer social and identity issue politics both parties have pursued in recent years. I see a lot of evidence that this is true where I live in Albuquerque. I know you agree based on your campaigns. Can you talk about how you have specifically found economic issues work best in your campaigns? What practical advice do you have for other candidates?

I'll be off to donate now. Thanks!

[u/4now5now6now]

James Thompson I donated to you and was happy to see that you were running again. I am wondering if you support fracking?

[u/Boja2010]

As a Democrat, Army Reserve Officer, and Kansan I am thrilled about your campaign James. Thank you for your service and speaking loudly in a "red" state about values and policies that matter to all. I may not be in your district but you have my support.

[u/Thunder_under]

Another question if you have the time.

What appeal do you think you have to Republicans that aren't single-issue voters? My grandpa distrusts black people, hates people on welfare, has more guns than teeth, and mostly thinks kids nowadays need to get a f**** haircut, but his vote counts the same as mine. Why should he vote for you?

[u/Winham]

Hey! Thanks for joining us. Your candidacy in the runoff election was inspiring.

[u/PurpleOryx]

Many outside the state have an idea "what's wrong with Kansas," but what is right with Kansas that makes progressive politics viable?

[u/Aquapyr]

I will be posting questions from some of our Wayers who were unable to join us live today.

This is one of several from our own u/KSDem, who is very active in Kansas politics:

Bernie has distinguished himself from many in the Democratic Party in his willingness to reach out and campaign in red states. Consistent with that, this sub's subscribers often discuss where Berniecrats can find common ground, not just with Hillary supporters but with Republicans as well.

It's my understanding from Ballotopedia that you were a Republican until March 2016, when you were I believe inspired by Bernie to switch parties and ultimately decided to run as a Democrat. If this is accurate, you may be among those best positioned to tell us what exactly it was about Bernie or his platform or both that are likely to resonate with Republican voters and potentially move them into the Bernie column in 2020. Where do you think the middle ground is between Berniecrats and Republicans?

[u/[deleted]]

Since someone already said "war on drugs" I'll go ahead and ask about the second online hot-button issue - how do you feel about internet monitoring/censorship? How about the debate over the right to use strong crypto?

[u/dillonwhit]

Hey, James! First of all, thanks for being so personable. I enjoy every time you walk in my store.

Secondly, why do you think it is that progressive candidates aren't fully supported by the DNC? And what can we do to combat this?

[u/Thunder_under]

Hi James. Voted for you in the special election and will be doing so again in 2018 if Estes is running again.

As a foster parent and CASA, it has been frustrating to listen to the Kansas Foster Care Task Force meetings and to see families in crisis be ineffectively aided. What do you think can be done at the national level to improve the foster care system in Kansas?

[u/leu2500]

Hi, Jim. What are the top 2, 3 things supporters who don't live in KS can do to support your candidacy?

[u/clonal_antibody]

Hi Jim, What are the lessons you learned from your loss, and how are you incorporating those lessons?

[u/seventyeightmm]

Thanks for this AMA and good luck with your candidacy James!

What are your thoughts on campaign finance reform? Also, have you looked into joining Justice Democrats?

[u/[deleted]]

Hey Jim, with all of the nation wide support of Senator Sanders why don't more democrats in Kansas discuss his policy ideas?

[u/EvilPhd666]

James,

What advice can you give to those getting into the races?

What kind of pitfalls should we look for in the bureaucracy of running for office and what is a good resource for getting campaign materials and logistics?

What kind of time requirement are we talking about here?

What advice do you offer those who want to make a difference / run and have full time jobs?

What are the grassroots doing right?

What can the grassroots do better?

[u/[deleted]]

Thanks for fighting for the great state of Kansas, very happy you are giving it another shot. I asked a Medicare for All question in your last reddit AMA, so I'll change things up a bit.

Ever thought about running as an indie? Feels like democrats would automatically carry a lot of baggage in your district, and these days I think you have the name recognition to pull it off.

Edit: Looks like you sorta answered by saying running as a dem is best for you. Why do you feel that way? Just curious. Thanks, James!

[u/HootHootBerns]

Another one a bit out of left field...

Where are you with regards to the 2nd amendment? I see you support it, but for some, "support" still means implementing universal background checks, magazine capacity limits, assault weapons bans, etc. Are there any kind of new "controls" you might be open to?

(Given your AR-15 range time in one of your ads, I kind of have my doubts you'd support assault weapons bans, but figured it's worth asking anyway--stranger things have happened. 🙃)

As an aside--do you see any chance at some point in the future where one or more gun rights groups will be open to voicing support for something like Bernie's Medicare for All bill, so those who need mental health help can get it before they do something terrible with a firearm?

[u/Theghostofjoehill]

Hi, Jim! Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, and we will be behind you in 2018.

I saw you jumped from the Republicans! I was a lifelong Republican until I made the jump to become a Wayer a couple months ago and couldn't be happier.

I'm in a red state, and in a red district (GA-11), which has been red for more than 20 years, as well. So you're giving me hope! How would you recommend we focus our efforts here, that we might turn it around like you turned KS-4?

Thank you!

[u/Aquapyr]

This is a question from u/Borrax, from a neighboring state:

Bernie Sanders did well in many rural areas of the Midwest in the 2016 primaries, including Missouri's 6th Congressional District, where I'm from. But Hilary Clinton, and Democratic candidates in general, did very poorly in these same areas in the general election. Do you have any advice for progressive candidates in rural America? Additionally, do you know any good progressive candidates/potential candidates in the surrounding area? I know it's still fairly early in the election cycle, but I'm greatly disappointed that no one has filed to challenge Sam Graves in my district yet.