Progressive Democrat Issue 74: APRIL 29TH NATIONAL DNC ORGANIZING

April 29th was Howard Dean and the DNC’s national Neighbor-to-Neighbor organizing day.

Howard Dean sent out the call and across the nation Democrats responded. Last Saturday was the National Neighbor-to-Neighbor DNC grassroots canvassing day. More than 1000 events were scheduled across all 50 states reaching an estimate 1 million American voters. It was an unprecedented effort at grassroots canvassing.

Why were we doing it? We didn't collect money. We only signed up volunteers if they showed considerable interest. The effort was mostly just outreach. Our goal was to show our faces as proud Democrats and to engage in a dialogue in every state with America. Read more to hear stories from around the nation.

Some didn’t like the fact that it was the same day as the big march in NYC. I liked it! This way, no matter where people went in NYC there were liberals in the streets showing their pride in their political beliefs and activism. As people came home from the march, they found us at our table or they found door hangers on their doors reminding them that we can all do more than march. We can be active within our party, improving the Democratic Party as well as improving America.

My own event in Park Slope was small, but fun. Our reach went beyond our stated zone because one person took door hangers to cover her neighborhood in Bayridge and two people from Queens came by to take flyers into Manhattan for the Peace and Justice March. But our main efforts were a group taking door hangers through some of the less political areas of Park Slope to reach new people, and a couple of us setting up a table in front of my building in the heart of Park Slope. I tabled for more than 2 hours with a fellow Brooklyn activist and one of my regular readers handing out information on both the national and local Democratic Party and handing out DNC and Democracy for America pins. The response to both of these main efforts was overwhelmingly positive. Not only did people show appreciation for the Democratic Party, but they also were very happy to have normal neighbors like us reaching out within our neighborhoods to other voters. Our activism inspired them and made them feel better about the Democratic Party.

THAT'S why we were out there. We showed that we were proud of our party and we made them prouder as well. To a couple of people with complaints about the party we suggested that their involvement could make the difference.

Most of us felt great afterwards and, since we have some materials left over, we will print up more flyers and do this again on our own initiative perhaps next month.

That is what grassroots is all about. The Democratic Party isn't "THEM," it's "US!"

Here are some excerpts from people’s experiences around the nation, from the DNC website:


FLORIDA: Candidates getting involved

FL-5: Florida Congressional Candidate Rick Penberthy
We organized one of the door to door canvass efforts today. We had loads of fun and hit over 600 homes in two precincts here in Pasco Coutny [sic], FL. I've attached a picture or two of our efforts. A candidate putting his party in the spotlight and using his volunteer base to strengthen the Democratic Party. Rick is a Fighting Dem and a high school teacher. For more information, visit www.RickForCongress.com

VERMONT: DNC, Young Democrats and Democracy for America uniting for a common goal

The VT Young Dems had a canvass day. The main purpose was to piggy back on the DNC canvass and get some names to recruit for the VT YD. We took census data, figured out the youngest areas in town, and canvassed them. I don't know the final tally, but it looks like we raked it in, in terms of new volunteer names. We'll be hitting the streets with a fresh cadre of new volunteers soon!

We used the DFA Night School to help us with our canvassing. It prepared us well for the canvass this afternoon.

Phoenix, Arizona Preaching to the Choir and Getting out the Vote for 2006:

Canvassing in Phoenix in LD-10 wasn't bad today -- it wasn't too hot this morning and the event was reasonably well-organized (they're not always). We were canvassing Dems who voted in 2004 but not 2002, trying to encourage them to vote in the midterms. We also collected signatures on nominating petitions for some of the Dem candidates who still needed some. (Under AZ Clean Elections law, a candidate must obtain a certain number of signatures on a nominating petition before they can get on the ballot -- everybody from the governor on down to precinct captain.) I met some nice people and got quite a few signatures for three candidates (for state treasurer, corporation comminssioner and state representative). I'm also going to start attending the monthly Dem meeting in my legislative district to see what else I can do to help. A good day all around.

Rochester, NY Fighting for a Fighting Democrat

I knoced on doors for Monroe County Dems in suburban Rochester, NY for a couple hours. We gave each household a Dem doorhanger, Eric Massa flyer, and a volunteer flyer. The response was overwhelming positive (except for one Repubican who abruptly slammed the door). They were happy to see they were not forgotten and had alot to say. People were unhappy with mostly Iraq and cost of gas.

I talked to a former GOP who just chaned to non-affiliation. He left the GOP because they are no longer 'moderate' and will stop voting GOP for the immediate future. His major concern is energy independence - "I hate knowing when I refuel my tank, the money goes to the middle east and the terrorists...we must become self-reliant". I slowly nudged my head up/down and agreed. We talked how ANWR drilling is foolhardy and how Pataki sucks (he will vote for Spitzer for NY-Gov).

Overall, I great reaffirming day. We can make a difference if all of us put a little shoeleather on pavement!

Colorado Young Dems and Old Dems hitting the streets together

The Young Dems organized our canvass and us old folks from the Statehouse District helped out. We had about 19 people talking to Dems, Independants and R women betweeen 25-55. Many of the YD's had their first canvass experience. It was a nice day and a nice result. We got a couple activist recruits, and pretty good responses. Of course, on a nice day less than half the people were home.

Very well organized by the Young Dems!
We also were using the State Party VAN database so will be able to load our results in for the Statehouse District campaign. We have a good Dem rep in the middle of CO CD7, both heavily targeted cuz the districts are 50/50. This is a great start for the campaign.