I have got to get this off my chest. How many of the Duer's who are

[saracat]

looking at 08 elections are working on local races? My DH is running for state senate and the lack of volunteers is appalling. The state party sends all volunteers to "targeted " congressional races and the rest of us are lucky to get leftovers. Last Monday we had a phone bank with only 4 volunteers and this weekend we had only one volunteer.As Tip O'Neill said, "all politics is local", and I am sure that for those of you that do nothing but speculate on the '08 presidential elections there are candidates who are more likely to have an immediate impact on your life who would appreciate your help. I see all the whining that is going on, yet I see it is still the GOP who get their people out to work and to the polls.Oh, and another thing, some of the people who have helped our campaign the most have been Republicans and no my DH is not a DINO and they are NOT RINO's, they just want change.So everybody, get off your butts and help your local and state candidates!

[Erika]

1. As Mark Twain said, he's a democrat.

He belongs to no organized political party.

[tech3149]

12. Actually that was Will Rogers, but the sentiment still applies n/t

[Journeyman]

14. It was Will Rogers who said that. . .

Mark Twain eschewed political affiliation, for the most part, but on those occasions when he sided one way or the other it was usually with the Republicans or the Acorn Party, which he described as a "…third party having no political affiliation, but … concerned only in the selection of the best candidates…."

[TxBlue]

2. Hear! Hear! Local & State Races are Key

I think a little goes a long way because they're aren't alot of volunteers and this election can be won with grassroots vs. millions in ads. People are fed up w/ status quo.

And to answer your question, I'm working it locally.

[saracat]

4. Thank you for your efforts. It just seems many just either sit at

tjhheir keyboard dreaming of 08 or are enticed by the "glamour " of fedral elections. But the local elections are where we take the power back!

[seriousstan]

11. No, this has become a chat room for many. Spout, shout and sit.

[Infinite Hope]

3. Even DUers are lazy.

There are over 96,000 members. How many of them are actively on the ground in THIS campaign that is so critical? Certainly less than 10%, probably less than 5%, and quite possibly less than 1%.

But they have plenty of time to come here and complain. Volunteer no matter where you are. That should be a mandate to even participate on this site.

[saracat]

5. Now there is a thought! But it would probably violate free speech!

[Horse with no Name]

7. I think you would be very surprised to find that many ARE active

Look at the state forums.
DU is very well represented across the country in our local election processes.

[Journeyman]

17. Wow. Been here three weeks and have everything figured out…

wish I had such a gift.

[Infinite Hope]

20. It's not that difficult to figure out...

If 96,000 on here were walking the walk, Democratic campaigns across the nation would not be strapped for volunteers. They have a few volunteers, but how many of them have the internet at home? Of those, how many know about and are members of DU? Not many.

There aren't 96,000 of them or even a reasonable fraction of that. People on this board are more aware than the vast majority of Americans and there is no excuse for less than 75% of the members to be volunteering at least 1 hour a week in some way. Campaigns can always find ways to put you to work even if you have to work from home. I know from experience there is ALWAYS something you can do no matter what the circumstances. DUers, find a campaign. Go to work. Walk the walk.

[blm]

32. I think many volunteer and come here and tell the stories about it

I also appreciate that there are those who monitor the media. That also can effect the races, when lies or smears need quick refutation. If we hadn't loudly complained to media outlets about Rush, would there have been a strong condemnation from other media? Probably not.

It can all be good, if we are CONSISTENT, vigilant, donate dollars, or walk the hard walk in our towns.

[saracat]

6. I notice that not that many are raising their hands! Are you trapped behind the keyboard?

[babylonsister]

8. It's not fair, but where do you live? Does your DH have a shot?

Have you bribed everyone in your state forum to help?:evilgrin:
I'm contributing time and effort, but that's because DeLay really pissed me off.
I think it also depends on how invested people are in what's going on; if they aren't
stirred up, they don't even get it.

[saracat]

15. Arizona, and yes he does have a shot!

He is up against a far RW super Christian women who touts those as her only qualifications! I hope the repugs are sick enough of her to get rid of her,She was actually ranked least effective legislator so naturally she wants to be promoted to the Senate ! Gag!

[Infinite Hope]

22. Minnesota/North Carolina...

You're right that it's difficult because people are not invested. That's why it's important that aware people like DU members be volunteering because volunteers are a scarce resource.

Bless you for volunteering.

I ran 5 capmaigns in a county through the summer in Minnesota and continue helping them organize signing and LTTE's and other efforts over the internet as I'm now in North Carolina and volunteering on a congressional campaign here.

[Horse with no Name]

9. The Texas Party has only given a tiny amount of money

to targeted candidates.
It really sucks because they are holding on to the money and it could be used.
And I am off my butt.;)
Good luck to you.

[Infinite Hope]

21. Volunteer hours are more important than money...

because even if you don't have any candidates who can win, it's important to make a dent. Volunteer and chance the minds of 10 people this election in your district. Campaign next time and have those 10 people join you doorknocking. You each change the minds of 10 more people. It's about making in-roads in such districts.

[Horse with no Name]

23. I'm doing that

As are many other DU'ers.

[Infinite Hope]

25. Thank you...

many DUers are...I know that much. But it should be the vast majority of them when in reality it's a small fraction.

[saracat]

24. You are so right. I do wish the party itself thought more that way!

[Mind_your_head]

10. What does 'DH' mean?

'DH' = 'Dear Husband'???? :shrug:

I don't want to distract from the point of your post, but "BACK IN THE OLD DAYS" people would spell out what the an acronym meant and then put the acronym in parathesis so people (ppl) would know from there forward when they read the acronym it stood for 'this'.

Peace,
M_Y_H

[saracat]

16. Yup. Sorry. I am just used to the acronym fro other boards!

[babylonsister]

18. DH=dear husband, SO=significant other, and my personal

favorite, Mr. PITA (pain in the ass), but that only applies to the cooking forum. :hi:

[madfloridian]

13. One of us is poll watching...other is driving people to vote.

Some of your postings here in the past indicated that many people there did not like it when Dean came there. Could that be affecting volunteerism, after all we are known for that.

Just wondering. Our state is going to need to change the leadership, but I choose not to blame Dean but them. They ignore plans he wants, they refuse to take part in GOTV efforts the way the DNC does it...they do it their way. Their way means just that...leaving us out.

We need to change that, that is our job. Most of our active folks here are DFA or PDA, not the DEC. They have meetings and fundraisers, rent offices, and then yell that no one is working on the ground.

[saracat]

19. Thank you Madfloridian, but I have NEVER said people didn't like it when D...

I have said I don't think he oversees the allotment of money to the states very well and some employment choices could be better! I blame Dean, the DNC and the state parties for that! And volunteerism is down because volunteers are usually treated badly and that is one thing I am trying my damndest to change! Thank you for those efforts madfloridian. Both are very important on election day.Let's hope more people do such things! Cheers!

[Pragmatic Pilgrim]

26. Can't give time? Give money!

Okay, some people are scared to canvass or phone-bank (I happen to LOVE it). Different strokes and all that. But anyone who can't get all the way up off their butts should at least be able to reach back and pry their wallets loose. I walk & talk for Dems in two states and I've scraped money from the bottom of my near-empty barrel for Dems in six states.

Passionate for the Dems but don't feel comfortable talking? That's fine. Just put your money where your mouth is.

[saracat]

27. Well for local election in Az, most Dems run clean, so they can't take money!

Our federal candidates can and locals who run "traditional" but most Dems are clean elections candidates .

[newyawker99]

29. Hi Pragmatic Pilgrim!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Liberty Belle]

28. I'm communications director for a state senate race in CA.

Here are some ways we got more help:

Call a local college and arrange for campaign interns.

Offer free pizza or other food/drinks at meetings and after precinct walks.

call it a precinct walking "party".

Create fun flyers people will want to carry. We designed door knockers that compare our candidate with his opponent's sorry record and wacky votes.

Ask everyone who supports your candidate to provide some emails of groups that they belong to, as well as friends and neighbors. Invite them to a get-together and hit them up hard to help out.

give everyone a precinct list, or partial. If they don't want to walk, ask them to phone.

Consider a coordinated campaign with local candidates. We made up "Teacher's Choice for Public Education" flyers that include our candidate (a teacher of the year running for State Senate) as well as several school board candidates then persuaded teachers union members to carry our slate flyer.

If your candidate supports unions, ask local union heads to send out a plea for members to walk precincts.

team up with a State Assembly candidate and have volunteers carry both sets of materials.

Find an issue that ignites people to show up. Our opponent voted against helping wildfire victims, while our candidate is a fire survivor who helped fire victims rebuild.

Ask specifically for precinct walkers and callers at every fundraiser, meet-and-greet event, or meeting that you attend.

If you want to talk further, pm me.

[Tom Rinaldo]

30. I'll be camped out for 5 days in NY CD29 through Election Day

It's three hours from home but that is where Eric Massa is trying to unseat a Republican incumbent. I have done and will continue to do other stuff from home, and closer to home, before then.

Nice thread!

[lonehalf]

31. I do telephone polling for my County Democratic Committee and

also canvass door to door for Democrats in general.

Off topic -

When I typed the word "General" it reminded of a story told to me by a fellow Marine.

A Marine was going home on leave

His father picked him up at the train station.

As they were going home they noticed a sign on a driveway that said

"General Jones
Private Entrance"

He made a sigh for his driveway that said:

"Private Gibson
General entrance"

[pat_k]

33. Menendez, Stender . . .

The races I'm doin' my bit for.

Wish my district and state were "bluer" -- but the "toss-up" factor does make it exciting / nerve-racking.

Worked for Clint Curtis (v. Feeney) thru primary. http://contribute.clintcurtis.com">Send him a few bucks if you can!

[JetCityLiberal]

34. Great reminder saracat

For the first time my wife and I were able to give the max to our State Representative, he has ALWAYS responded to us even when we disagree. We have door knocked three weekends and I make nightly "remember to vote for our current Rep" phone calls, my county has gone all mail in.

It is hard sometimes, but VERY gratifying. and it is nice to be able to call or e mail this guy with questions or complaints and concerns and always get a response, he is open to having his mind changed by his constituents.

for saracat :thumbsup:

Thank you for all you are doing locally as well to get Democrats in the majority at all levels of government.

[saracat]

35. Thank you Jet City Liberal. I appreciate and I am sure yoiur state rep does!

People have got to see the big picture and it begins with the local races. Unfortunately many are bedazzled by the glamour of the fedral races and forget the people who effect you every daY ARE THE LOCAL CANDIDAtes.We have a fabulous Dem Governor but she is hurting really bad as we have a GOP leg and Senate.Someone has to help her so our daily lives can be better. Congress is important too but it simply means we have to help everyone!

[joeygirl]

36. Unfortunately, that's the way it is. If it's a presidental year, then

people want to work that race. Here in MI, the Gov and Senator are trying to get re-elected, so everyone wants to work on those races. Local races get lost in the shuffle. It's really just the nature of the beast. The irony is that many of the volunteers don't realize that they'd get a ton more responsibility on a local race, then they would if the worked on one of the high profile races.

I'm volunteering up and down the ticket this year because I want our people to win.

Good Luck on your races.

[KoKo]

37. Ops and Astroturfers....are the '08'ers. There are plenty of folks here

working with time and money and have done it before and doing it now. And we pass along the "good stuff."

Ignore the Astroturfer/Ops. They come and do their work here..because it's what they do.

Sharing the info...the polls and what's going on is good, too for folks without ability to volunteer or give much money.

But..thanks for your post...because there are some lazy louts who hang about here too...and prodding them off their duffs is a GOOD THING! :thumbsup:

We all do what we can, though and if their are less volunteers it's more to do with the apathy out there. Some have given up...which means others have to "tote more weight" to carry it.

[WCGreen]

38. I went through the same thing back in 1996....

I got absolutely o help from the state party...

But I wasn't expecting as much...

[styersc]

39. Your comment is the very reason why all of this high-fiving...

... is premature. The GOP has been much better at getting volunteers involved in the last few election cycles and can still throw a wrench into this. I hope you get more cooperation. By the way- what is a DH?