Just in: Kerry giving 1 mill to DNC for Grassroots Organizing.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

I want to talk to you today about the future of the Democratic Party and about a dramatic step that we can take to make our party stronger.

In 2004 you did something amazing. You helped build the largest, most aggressive grassroots effort in history -- and that has fundamentally changed the face of Democratic politics.

Thousands of you have written in about how to continue the fight. I believe the answer is to transform the movement you built into a permanent grassroots presence for the Democratic Party in every state across this nation. If we want to prevail in the 2006 elections, we've got to start mobilizing now.

To help kick-start this, I will make a contribution to support grassroots organizing at the Democratic National Committee in the amount of $1,000,000. Join me with a contribution of your own to show the incoming DNC Chair that you want to support organizing in your own community:

http://www.democrats.org/BuildTheParty

A new DNC Chair will be elected at the end of this week. Let's make sure that he has everything he needs to start strong. The Democratic Party should have powerful and nimble organizations in every single county and precinct. There's only one way to win - we've got to compete everywhere, all the time. Our party should be a constant positive presence in every American community, and we can be if we tap into the grassroots energy of volunteers.

In 2004, members of the JohnKerry.com email list alone knocked on millions of doors and staffed thousands of phone banks to reach out to voters. Members of our Media Corps had thousands of letters to the editor published; and members of our Phone Corps recruited tens of thousands of new volunteers to work in swing states. I know that for most of you, it was your first time volunteering with a campaign. None of that effort will be wasted as long as we keep building on what we started.

Together, your contribution will show the new DNC Chair that you want to keep working -- and it will show the Republicans that the movement you helped build in 2004 is stronger than ever:

http://www.democrats.org/BuildTheParty

Contributions will help pay for year-round organizers, ongoing recruitment and training of grassroots leaders, infrastructure such as phone banks and the latest technology to support field work.

The $1,000,000 I am pledging will come out of our campaign committee's funds. This is an investment in the incredible movement that you started last year - a movement that can continue to build our party, advance our values, and elect Democrats.

Thank you again for all you have done and all you will do in the future. Let's go to work and get it done.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

http://www.democrats.org/BuildTheParty

[bemildred]

1. Good for you, John.

More is better.

[stray cat]

2. Lets give Dean a nice welcome to the DNC Chair.

One million is certainly a nice start - now for the real grass roots.

[FreedomAngel82]

5. I agree

I'm glad he's helping in supporting Dean. :) The money could definietly help him with his efforts if he needs it. So he already has some cash in the bank. :)

[blm]

3. Something tells me that Kerry and Dean have been working together

already.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Hardly outside...

The realm of possibility. $1mill is quite the vote of confidence.