Progressive Democrat Issue 88: PROGRESSIVE GRASSROOTS GEARING UP FOR NOVEMBER

This year has so much potential not just for Democrats, but also for the progressive grassroots. Already, the grassroots are geared up for puting up their biggest fight to date. I want to highlight a couple of ways the grassroots are prepared to take a stand against the corrupt Halliburton Republicans and to restore integrity and democracy to our government.

Starting with Democracy for America, here are just a few things that DFA has done just in the last month:

1. Raised thousands of dollars for key Secretary of State candidates so we can start restoring fairness and accuracy to our elections, something I am working on as well.

2. Expanded DFA coverage of congressional districts though their linkup groups to cover 420 of the nation's 435 congressional districts. That leaves only 15 Congressional districts with no DFA group! You can find your local group or start a new group here.

3. Trained 2000 activists in message development and dissemination through their "Night School Program." You, too, can sign up for training here.

And that was only in one month.

MoveOn.org has been focusing their attention on putting out TV ads in key congressional districts. Market research has shown that these TV ads have been turning districts from leaning Republican to leaning Democrat, opening up more possible pick up chances. You can view these ads and donate to put more on the air by going here.

But MoveOn.org is firing up a new effort, one which my wife and I will be doing our small part for. They are gathering thousands of volunteers to participate in phone banks around the country, targeting the 30 hottest House races. Joy and I will probably be hosting one of their organizers here in Brooklyn where one of their phone banks will be located. You can sign up to participate in this effort here.

I know of a few other efforts but they are local to NYC. If you know of any other national efforts, please post them in the comments. But the most important thing is to volunteer or donate now if you want to win in November.

Progressive Majority is one of my favorite new groups. They start at the VERY local levels (School Board, state legislatures, election boards, etc.), and they win! In 2005 they won 71% of the races they got involved in. They are hoping to win even bigger this year. They have an excellent slate of candidates covering Arizona, Colorado, Washington State, and Wisconsin as well as working to increase the diversity of representation across the country. Please see their list of candidates and donate to one or two if you can. Remember, since they are targeting more local races, your donations can make much more of a difference.