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