Progressive Democrat Issue 70: Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day

Howard Dean has been gradually building the DNC as a more responsive, more grassroots organization. His efforts, only partially realized, did WONDERS for the Democrats in 2005. We kicked butt in the 2005 elections. And his efforts have raised record amounts of funds for the DNC mostly through small contributions, reducing the Democratic use of soft money, the kind of dubious funding that the Republicans are so fond of using and even abusing.

Now Howard Dean is ready to take the grassroots organizing arm of the DNC to the next level. This is where we come in. This is where we back up Howard Dean's restructuring of the Democratic Party. Saturday, April 29th is Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day, the culmination of Dean's efforts to date as head of the DNC.

Here is Dean's message:

On that Saturday, thousands of volunteers will recruit hundreds of thousands more Americans committed to changing the status quo this year during door-knocking events in communities across America.

Democrats have a clear vision for America, and we're going to get the word out by making personal contact with our neighbors. And along the way we will build new relationships among volunteers on the ground, a network that will have an impact beyond a single day.

Whether you've never volunteered or you're a seasoned door-knocking veteran, it is crucial that you take part in this historic organizing push.

Please RSVP for an event near you.

In many states, Democratic Party staff on the ground have already put together staging areas for massive voter contact events on the 29th. Thanks to donations from people like you, hundreds of thousands of pieces of literature are being printed and shipping in bulk to those locations right now.

If there isn't an event near you, don't worry. Some state parties will have canvassing events on alternate dates, or have other important events planned for that weekend.

You can still plan your own canvass in your community. Our online tool makes the planning process easy, and if you create your event before April 10th, we will get doorhangers to you in time for your canvass on the 29th.

You can create your own event here.

Whether you're attending an event or hosting your own, we have also put together materials on the web to help you make your canvass as effective as possible.

The online package includes tips on canvassing, a suggested script for when you get to the door, and the doorhanger itself in various formats for you to print extras on your own.

Here is the online resource center.


Two-thirds of Americans reject this president and the Republican leadership -- and they are waiting to hear from us.

We are all members of one American community and it's up to us to make sure that our country has a government as good as its people.

Democrats have a big task in November. We will only win if every one of us takes responsibility for the outcome of the election now -- while there is still time to build our operation.

Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary grassroots push.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

Please dedicate April 29th to help take back America!