Many of us felt that we couldn't possibly lose to Bush--he was just so obviously bad for our country. At that moment, many of us felt like this could be it. This could be the election when we beat the Right, ended the Bush nightmare, and put a (decently) progressive candidate in the White House. We were wrong.
As we've seen Obama's lead in the polls vanish over the past few weeks (the latest Zogby poll shows McCain with a 1 point lead), it's a fitting reminder: this year's fight will be at least as hard as '04. Get started here.
Part of what got us in trouble in 2004 was complacency: progressives saw Bush's steady stream of blunders, and many of us didn't think that America would make the same mistake twice. Because McCain is so much like Bush on the issues we all care most about, it'd be easy to fall into the same trap, to think the Democrats have this election wrapped up.
This time it's our turn not to repeat our mistakes. The blessing in disguise? It's not too late. We just need to get moving.
It's time for everyone to get into the fight. Giving money is great. But I think grassroots action will be even more important this election. Obama's ads and speeches might remind people that Bush got us into this mess, show people that McCain can't get us out (not when he voted with Bush 95% of the time last year), and persuade people that Obama can provide the clean break that our country desperately needs. But personal persuasion works much, much better.
We need people to start e-mailing and texting our friends, knocking on doors, engaging our neighbors in discussion, getting our younger friends to register and turn out to vote, and delivering the truth -- face-to-face, person-to-person -- about the candidates and who can lead America in a new direction.
Barack Obama seems to get this. Look at where he came from. Look at how he's run his campaign. But as impressive as his grassroots operation has been, assuming that he's got the grassroots covered could be a big mistake. That's why we're running our own grassroots campaign to help elect Obama, with dozens of people going out in 11 battleground states to recruit volunteers and persuade undecided voters.
And, the same grassroots action that can put Obama into Oval Office can give him the support he needs (or stiffen his spine at times) in the face of the inevitable political, corporate and ideological opposition we can expect after next Jan. 20.
We have a base of volunteers spanning the nation, and we're organized to set you up with the volunteer opportunities and resources you need to do your part this political season. Sign up to make a difference this election; it's not in the bag, but it's not too late.
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