I see five important projects for grassroots supporters of Senator Obama. 

First and foremost, we need to educate undecided voters about Senator Obama's very long list of senatorial accomplishments and political experience.  I've done some research on Senator Obama's voting record, accomplishments, and experience.  In the weeks and months ahead, I'll try to prepare and build upon a list of talking points for anyone who's interested in having a quick list of 20 or 80 things to mention to undecided voters about Senator Obama. The voters who haven't yet committed to Senator Obama already know he's a charismatic speaker.  They want to know about his substance, and viewing more videos of his speeches may not persuade them to support him.  Here's what I've been doing to try to sway undecided voters.  I make a point of carrying his latest book with me to various places.  Friends and acquaintances will often ask what book I'm reading.  I show them the book.  I wait for them to ask a question about Senator Obama, which is an opportunity for me to quickly recite 10 of his top accomplishments and impressive political experience.  Or, if they don't ask a follow up question.  I ask them who they support.  (Usually, the answer is Hillary Clinton or John Edwards.)  I then ask them how long their candidate has been in office.  I ask them what their candidate has accomplished thus far.  I then note that Senator Obama compares very well to their candidates on those same criteria, and then quickly list some of Senator Obama's top 20 accomplishments and experience.  You don't have to persuade an undecided voter to vote for Senator Obama.  If, after talking with you, they are more likely to take Senator Obama seriously, then they are more likely to pay more attention when they see news articles that list his accomplishments; they will be more likely to do their own research on Senator Obama; and they will be more receptive when the next Obama supporter canvasses them, either informally or at the Democratic caucus.

Second, we need to encourage everyone who supports Senator Obama to donate what they can afford, whether it's $5, 10, 20, or 200.  Senator Obama recently told a reporter he hopes that everyone who is inspired by him donates $5 or 10.  If all his supporters do this, he'll definitely raise $100 million.  The fundraising primary is the only primary that happens before Iowa.  This is your chance to vote ahead of the people in Iowa and New Hampshire.  The first fundraising primary ends March 31st of this year.  Soon after that, the media will give heavy coverage to the candidates that raised the most money in the first quarter, thereby anointing front runners.  $10 you donate to Senator Obama's campaign before March 31st will have more impact than $30 donated in January of next year.  Why?  The early fundraising leaders will have momentum, and draw even more attention from major donors, voters and the media.  It becomes a virtuous cycle.

Third, we need to make this a two person race as quickly as possible.  Hillary Clinton is extremely well known yet doesn't poll above 40%.  Once voters realize that John Edwards isn't a viable candidate, and he drops out, things will be a bit easier for Senator Obama.  I definitely see Senator Obama beating Hillary Clinton in a two person race.  But if there are 3 or 4 candidates running, it's *possible* Hillary Clinton could get a plurality of the primary vote, only to be defeated in the general election.  That's why, when the opportunity comes up in blogs or in conversations, I gently question Edwards supporters about his sponsorship of the bill to authorize war in Iraq.  I note that Edwards started running for president in 2002, just two years into his only term of elected office.  I note how time consuming it is to run a presidential campaign, and wonder out loud how much Edwards could have learned from his last four years in the Senate.  I ask what Senator Edwards has accomplished, either in the Senate or elsewhere, to make him prepared and qualified to be president.  I note that if Edwards was inexperienced in 2004, then he's still just as inexperienced, since he has held no elected office in the past four years.

Fourth, we need to get likely Barack Obama supporters excited about voting in the next presidential caucus, and make sure they get out to vote.  That means campaigning at the University of Washington, Seattle University, community colleges, at large shows and festivals (e.g. the Shins at the Paramount, Sasquatch, Bumbershoot, Folk Life), street fairs, facebook.com.  We need to note the high stakes (e.g. Iraq, maintaining solvency of Social Security, outsourcing of jobs, growing national debt, far right leaning judiciary), and the quality of the Democratic candidates.  

Finally, in every precinct in this state, we need to have at least one Barack Obama supporter who is committed to attending the caucus, and who can in 30 or 60 seconds, quickly share with the rest of her/his caucus, a quick list Senator Obama's impressive achievements, experience, position on key issues, and why he would be the best candidate and president.