Progressive Democrat Issue 49: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Continued from last week because THIS is what matters in 2005

Going to bat for Virginia, for Democracy and for America:

The elections are around the corner. Virginia is one of the key states for 2005 and it isn’t just Kaine for Governor. Kaine’s campaign is an important part of the Democratic 50-state strategy to save American democracy, but there is much to be done at the local level.

Keep in mind, elections are won at the local level. Voter turnout is determined on the local level. The fate of state legislatures are determined on the local level. So what is going on locally in Virginia?


Here are some races I want to highlight. Donations and volunteer hours are CRUCIAL at this time to win these races. Winning these races will help Kaine win Virginia. They will also help set the Democratic Party up for future wins in 2006. So your effort for these local races can help shift the balance in this nation away from the corrupt, dictatorial, anti-civil rights Republicans to the more honest, more grassroots, more freedom-loving Democratic party.

The other thing I want to emphasize is that Progressives are going to bat for certain candidates. The credibility of the Progressives in Virginia and the credibility of you and me depend on the left effectively helping candidates to victory. These are the fights that progressives groups like Democracy for America have chosen to fight. Victory in these fights are particularly important for the credibility and the future effectiveness of the Progressive movement. A small donation or a donation of a few hours of time could help establish the credibility of the Progressive grassroots in Virginia. THAT is what I am asking you to do.

First of all, I am asking you to help Democracy for America fight for Leslie Byrne for Lt. Gov. This is a fight that DFA thinks is worth fighting for, so you and I need to recognize it’s importance and help win a victory for DFA:

Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. For more than twenty years, Leslie has been serving the people of Virginia with distinction. She has fought tirelessly for working families and against special interests. Through her commonsense values, fiscal discipline and responsible investments in education, transportation and job growth, she has proven she is a stand-out leader. She won her contested primary this summer -- with your help, we can elect Leslie Byrne in November, and bring a progressive voice to this so-called “red state.” The election is November 8, 2005.


But let’s get even more local. Let’s go from Democracy for America to Democracy for Virginia. Here is a link to a list of candidates for VA. House of Delegates that have been endorsed by Democracy for Virginia. Monetary or volunteer time for these candidates help to give credibility to Virginia grassroots, so PLEASE do your best for these folks.

Finally, I have received a personal call to action from the Loudoun County Democrats. They are a lynchpin in the Virginia state-wide elections, and they have some particularly interesting races of their own. Many of the Loudoun County races overlap with the DFV targeted races. So donating to the Loudoun Democrats could help many good candidates.

But the request from the Loudoun Democrats for help went one step further. They particularly want to target one race where the (as they put it) “godfather of the Republican religious right” may be defeated. This could be a key race in Virginia and nationally. So, at the direct request of the Loudoun Democratic party, PLEASE donate time or money to help David Poisson defeat far right wing Delegate Dick Black.

With your help, Virginia could make history in November and take a HUGE step towards restoring democracy in America.