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So...Moving On
This is not one of those sappy "lets all come together and heal"
posts. I think the need for that is clear and we don't need to hold
hands and sing Kumbaya to realize that John McCain would be a
disaster in the White House.
So...Moving on:
What can we, as committed Democrats, actually do to help to win this
thing? I'm really looking for ideas here, and I'm sure I'm not the
only one wondering. Could those of you who have a bit more experience
in political circles offer any suggestions?
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Comments (14)
Vote for Obama. Don't vote for McCain. From one cat to another.
June 5, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I spend some time every day posting discouraging posts on Republican blogs. Things like, "I'm really worried about McCain. How did we end up picking this guy? He's old as dirt, and he's not even a real conservative. Is there any way we can have a re-vote or something? He can't even give a decent speech. I just don't think he can win." Stuff like that. I call it my Get Out The Despair campaign. It's actually a lot of fun. Give 'er a try.
Oh, and also donate money to Obama and the DNC.
June 5, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Bunnycat of Doom. Very cool!
June 6, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
donate moola and sign up on the ground for the hard-grind get out the vote effort.
June 5, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just gave another $25 to Obama tonight, just for the hell of it.
I think I'm over the $900 mark now.
Well, jeez...there's a lot of hell going on, isn't there??
June 5, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry...
I thought I was told at the end of February in Ohio that the sky would open, and the light would come down and celestial choirs would sing and we'd all come together and sing Kumbaya... so now, I'm really disappointed.
I was looking forward to that... been practicing my harmony and a special Teena Marie/Mariah Carey-esque 3 octave slide with optional Beyonce booty-shake. I've gotten really good at it.
So now we've got to move on.
Best and Most Practical tip: get out and work for the candidate. Already today I had two calls from the Obama campaign here in NM... one to help round up housing for the influx of volunteers, and the other to attend an organizing meeting for the general campaign. Do what you can to win your precinct or congressional district.
Kumbaya My Lord... Kumbaya....
Kumbaya My Lord... Kumbaya....
June 5, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Find your local Obama group at barackobama.com and start volunteering.
Donate money.
Donate money.
Donate money.
June 5, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
When donating, don't forget the DNC and DCCC. Because this is a national forum, we don't talk about Congressional races much, but it's not all about the Executive Branch.
June 6, 2008 8:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Talk to your friends; talk to your neighbors. Even more important - listen to them too! Start paying attention to local races and issues as well.
Americans are conditioned to be afraid to talk about politics, at least according to some European friends of mine. They observed that we're too afraid of "offending" someone by disagreeing with them; that we are afraid of conflict. I see some truth in that observation, but my experience is that most people enjoy talking politics if you can find a way to get over the initial awkwardness of bringing it up.
Gotta tell you, I am a fan of the Texas hybrid system, because, even if for no other reason, "Did you go to the precinct caucus?" was a great conversation opener this year.
June 6, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
These have all been great ideas - and I am already doing most of them. I guess I get frustrated sometimes because I live in Massachusetts, so my vote really doesn't count. I should count my blessings for that in this case...
June 6, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've had a similar experience in Virginia until recently since VA was solidly Repub for a long time. A lot of my friends vote absentee and then drive up to places like PA for get out the vote carpooling on election day. So if you live in a solid Blue or Red state then vote absentee and then head on over to a nearby state to help turn those purple states blue!
June 6, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm using the period in between graduating from undergrad and enrolling in law school in the fall to canvass for contributions in the Bay Area. Simply turning one relatively ineffectual California vote into hopefully a few influential votes in Virginia, North Carolina, or Colorado.
June 6, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Help Virginia out! We have to chance to go Blue for the first time since long before I was born!
June 6, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even if you don't volunteer money or time for Obama and the nationals (DNC, DCCC), you might take a look at the local race in your district and give it a little of your attention. Granted, I don't think there are any big contests in MA, but my house race, in WA-8, is hot.
Darcy Burner is going up against Dave Reichert, a guy who willingly ties himself to W. She lost in '06 by an average of 5 votes per precinct. You can help her at darcyburner.com.
June 6, 2008 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
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