WDYDT to elect a Democrat?
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 07:19:20 PM PDT
What Did You Do Today to Elect A Democrat???????
If you are pissed at Hillary or can’t stand Obama, this is not the diary for you. There are plenty of places to voice your opinion, but I would be most appreciative if this diary is not one of them.
Twenty-eight weeks to November 4th. Can you believe it? It was such a nightmare when Bush was elected to a second term. It was such a sad time in my life. I was re-invigorated when Claire McCaskill won in 2006 - buoyed by the taking of the House & Senate. Although not ideal - I am happy that there are no horrible Bush appointees to the Supreme Court in the past year & a half. I am glad that Bush has had to use his veto pen WAY more in the last year & a half.
But in my heart, I am an electioneer. I love the thrill of victory and want to taste it again. We wanted it so bad in 2006. It was such an exciting time to be on DKos. We won! We won!! After all the misery of 2000 & 2004 - we WON!
It takes work. I did this series in 2006 & it was an army of really dedicated folks that were walking in the cold rain, making the calls, registering the voters, handing out flyers, giving money.
Here we go . . . .
- Are you a deputy registrar? Most times, it requires a 2 hour training and you are good to go. Of course, you can visit Obama's voter registration page. Find out the information on your own at your own Election Board of Secretary of State website.
- Who is running in your area? Life may seem dictated by the Presidential, but there is some very earnest person who is right now running for a State house seat. He or she does not have a lot of money and a lot of support, but they are out there walking their neighborhoods and would be very appreciative of a couple hours of your time to walk or call on their behalf? How about instead of giving $50 to Obama - you give $25 to a State rep campaign and $25 to Obama?
- Have you talked to your friends and family about who you support and why? You might be surprised about their thoughts and it’s good to begin this dialogue now rather than two weeks out.
- Have you raised money for your candidate? Initially it feels weird to ask for money, but it comes with relative ease after a while. You can start by hosting a small fundraiser for a local candidate.
- Got a Room? There will be people coming to your state very soon that need a cheap place to stay. They might be paid staff to the campaign but their pay is horrible. They usually work 15 hours a day & you may never see them. But it would be great if they had a nice comfortable room and some leftovers waiting for them in the frige.
- Local Democratic Club? Are you active? Have you checked out their website? I bet they have an event this weekend to help a local race. If you don’t have a club, can you start one?
- Letter to the Editor - Why does your candidate rock? Why does the opposition suck so bad? We have a competitive Congressional race here in the KC area with Kay Barnes going against Sam Graves. Let the people know which is a better choice! The DNC will help you with the letter!
- Volunteer to be a poll watcher, a judge or election official. There is usually some training involved but don't we want to be the ones making decisions at the polls?
- Spring is "festival" time around here. There are many weekend festivals that you could campaign for your candidate. Make your own flyer & get out there.
- Have you written a DKos Diary about your candidate? (Other than Presidential) Write it, pimp it, whore it . . . set a goal of $1000 for donations from the Kossack world. Have an Act Blue page set up for your candidate. You will be surprised what people do when they are asked.
- Protect that vote. Are you a lawyer or just someone who wants to make sure that every vote gets counted? Find out about the laws and the machines in your area. Be the smartest person in the room when it comes to the laws. Obama has put out a call for a lawyers & law students to come to Indiana to protect the vote. Almost unheard of in a primary situation, I am half-tempted to fly up for the day.
- Bumper Sticker? I currently am sporting an Obama and a Jay Nixon sticker on the back of my mini-van. Does it make a difference? Hell if I know but I am happy to let the world know that I support my candidate!
- Money? It’s going to be a pretty constant theme Do you have some money to give to a candidate? Then you should. Now!
- Have you marked November 3rd or 4th off on the calendar? It’s important. Put a big X through those days & plan on working GOTV. I generally always take the day off the day afterwards because I am generally hung-over (a bad hung-over in 2000, 2002 & 2004; a good hang-over in 2006) .
- The DNC has tools to help people get motivated. Find out what other Dems are doing in your area and across the country!
- Have your own fundraising party for a candidate. Invite ten people over for a BBQ & ask them to bring $25 each. Give them some lit & have a few beers. People can give $25 - almost anyone can give $25.
- Talk to your neighbors. If you live on a block with twenty houses, plan to go to five houses a night for the next four weeks. If they don't answer, leave them lit. If they do, see if they share your views & if they want to get involved. And then the night before the election, call them to make sure they are going to vote!
- Who at work is in your camp? Make sure they are registered & will vote. Don't have any allies? Make friends & convert them - it's so easy at this point.
- Donate Money!
- A lot of campaign offices are UP & RUNNING in your area. I bought two trash cans and brought them by Jay Nixon’s office today. Not one campaign where I have been involved has trash cans. When I find out they are up & running, I go by & bring them trash bags. Next week, it will be cleaning supplies. The following week - bottled water.
- Be a campaign fairy godmother - can you bring some home-made cookies or some nice whole-grain sandwiches to the campaign office? Veggie trays are always welcome!!
- Give money!
- Turn off those g-d news shows. All of 'em. You will feel better.
- This is a marathon - not a sprint. Take time for yourself. Exercise & eat right. I started Weight Watchers the week after Texas & I am down 8 pounds!! I rock. I am happier for it. We are going to be working our asses off in the fall, so make sure you are Ready To Go!!
- Give Money!!
- Your great idea here!!
- Say nice things about people. We are a deeply divided party right now - there will be a period of hurt for everyone whose candidate didn't get the nomination. Ask Edwards supporters - I lived with one & he is now very much on the Obama bandwagon but he was hurting for quite a while.
- Get on that phone and start calling people!
Share the stories. Tell us of the doors slammed in your face or the convert you got on a call. Pimp your candidate! This is a friendly place. And you will get your name in the WDYDT spotlight!!!
