I was talking with folks at a DFNYC meetup last night about the OH-2 special election. People were really impressed with what was almost accomplished. Grassroots fundraising over a couple of weeks brought in nearly $500,000 in small contributions (around $50 average donation). A Dem candidate came within a hair of winning a district that is so solidly Repub that no Dem in 15 years has pulled more than 30%. Paul Hackett pulled 48%. The internet grassroots turned a sure-thing for the Repubs into a close race. This is our model for how to win 2006.

We all knew we would probably lose OH-2, but for a moment there it sure was great to see the grassroots momentum roaring forward and scaring the pants off the Republican party. We all just for a moment could imagine that Paul Hackett would beat the corrupt, chickenhawk, unAmerican Republican party. But it was not to be. Not yet. Not YET.

But we sure scared them, didn't we? Want to scare them some more? We really can get them on the run if we try. Come join me in our own, grassroots attack on the corrupt Haliburton Republicans. Keep reading and see how we can take OH-2 to every corner of the nation starting now.

We can't sustain that high a level of activity, unfortunately, but we can sustain a good level of activism and donations. There are important 2005 races that need out help right now and let me tell you that 2006 is right around the corner. I know someone running for Congress and he's been at it for more than a year already and bemoaning the slowness of the grassroots when it comes to the 2006 races. So let's use the momentum of OH-2 and let's barnstorm this nation from sea to shining sea.

Here is the strategy I am suggesting:

First, get active locally. The Grassroots thrive only if we all are involved and active. Anyone who hasn't done so yet really has to find their local DFA or Dem group to get active in. Our participation is what makes this a Democracy! If we aren't active as hell then big money interests have all the say. We don't want that, so we gotta be louder than them. Even a few hours a month with your local group can make a huge difference locally, and really all elections are won locally. Get involved! Get known in your community! It will pay off in future elections. For those with extra enthusiasm for a progressive takeover of the Dem party, run for your local County Committee or State Committee. If we don't participate in the local mechanics of the party, we will never be able to take control of our party.

If these groups don't suit you, there are a slew of other ways to get involved locally depending on your interests. If you like biking, join or start your own Critical Mass group. If you like running, join or start your local Running for Change group. If you are a drinking man/woman, join or start your local Drinking Liberally group. And there are so many other good ways to get involved (MoveOn.org, Wellstone Action, etc...). Find your niche of activism and get into it.

Second, fight for 2005. There are many important races right now that need our help. My favorite list of 2005 candidates is the DFA A-List. These are the DFA endorsed local candidates who need our support. Starting with local races gives us a chance to get a new generation of progressives elected. Once those progressives are in a local office they can aim higher. Small donations or, if you live in their area, donations of your time could give excellent grassroots candidates a real shot at victory. This group REALLY deserves your attention. I can tell you that some good local candidates--REAL progressives--never get anywhere because they don't get enough grassroots support. So the big money candidates win instead.

For those who want more high profile races, I recommend donating to/vounteering for, Corzine's Governor's race in New Jersey, or Kaine's Governor's race in Virginia. The NJ Gov race is drawing the attention of neo-Cons like Karl Rove and Dick Cheney, so you can thumb your nose at Rove and Dick by helping Corzine. And the Virginia Gov. race is really down to the wire, so Kaine needs all the help he can get right now.

Finally there is 2006. PLEASE don't think this is too far off to worry about yet. The 2006 races could be won by early money NOW. If we flood the 2006 races with money starting now, the Repubs will be running scared. And you can be sure the neo-Cons are grabbing as much cash from big business interests as they can for the 2006 races. To start with, I recommend three places to donate. First there is Frontier PAC, which is looking to the Western States, including the very winnable Montana Senate race.

Then there are two very smart and complementary ACT Blue sites that are targeting the ten most vulnerable Republicans, and the most targeted Democrats we need to defend.

You cannot imagine how important your donation of time or money is right now. I honestly think if we fight extra hard right here, right now, we will retake our nation. I think, conversely, if we let 2005 and 2006 slip by unfought or weakly fought or fought merely amongst oursleves, we will be powerless until at least 2012 or later. OH-2 showed us our strength. Now let's take that strength national! Whatever you can do now is like gold. Do whatever you can and bring our nation back to sanity.

I will be focusing from time to time on specific races. The ActBlue lists I mention above are a good starting point. But they cover only the races that are looking the closest right now. We need to hit some races that look solid Republican and do to them what we almost did to the solidly Republican OH-2.

Stay tuned. More to come! Or you can visit my Progressive Democrat Blog for ongoing activism updates.

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