Cross posted at The Burnt Orange Report
I recently attended a candidates forum in Dallas to hear Chris Bell and other Texas Democrats talk about their plan for victory. The message was driven home that in order to break the Republican stranglehold on our state, we're going to have to get the word out about these great candidates to our friends, our families, and our co-workers. Not only that, but we're going to have to get them to get the word out to THEIR friends, families, and co-workers.
They called it winning the Amway Way. I think of it as ripples in a pond. Use whatever metaphor you want, it is the basis of any winning political ground game.
I've diaried about Will Pryor before here. As many of you know, Will is running against incumbent Pete Sessions (R-Corruption), who was recently named one of the most corrupt members of the 109th Congress by the nonpartisan Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Needless to say, we desperately need a change in the 32nd district.
I went home after the candidates' forum thinking about "the Amway way." How I could reach the most people with the message about our candidates, especially Will Pryor? I know a lot of us live in "red" areas, and it's easy sometimes to just give up hope that we'll ever see a return to sane political thought from our representatives. So how do we keep our spirits up in the face of such a monumental challenge?
Then I saw that Will Pryor added a new diary on his blog that gave me some hope.
9,999
Last December, I consulted with my fabulous Political Director, Martin Weiser, and his father, Dan Weiser, a wise veteran of Dallas County demographics, about pursuing a door-to-door program in this campaign. They said, "we think you should set as a goal going to 5,000 households." I thought about it and said, "I want to go to 10,000."
Their reaction was to smile knowingly, and respectfully. "Well, maybe this candidate doesn't really know what that would mean," is the sense I got of their reaction.
But on a cold, overcast Friday afternoon in late January, on a North Dallas street near my house, I went to my first doorstep. No one was home, so I left them my literature, with a handwritten note, "sorry I missed you."
We've all been here, right? Dreaming up a moonshot dream of an accomplishment, with every hope in the world of following through. But big dreams and big goals often are met with big challenges and big letdowns when the political landscape gets thick with opposition.
Just a couple of hours ago, in a neighborhood in the lovely Lakewood area of east Dallas, on a delightfully cool evening, with the sun going down, I rang doorbell 9,999.
I might win this election. I might lose this election. But, either way, the opportunity I have had to visit with thousands of voters, to listen and to understand why voters this year are frustrated, and angry, is an experience, a year of my life, I will never forget.
To the thousands of voters who came to the door, to the thousands of voters who allowed me to share a few moments of conversation with them on a brutally hot afternoon, to the thousands of voters who thanked me for running, who thanked me for coming to their doorstep, who accepted my literature and said, "we will take a look at this and will give it serious consideration," I say "thank you."
To those who said, "can't vote for you, I'm a Republican, but can I get you a glass of cold water?," I say, "thank you."
And to those who said, "I wouldn't vote for you in a million years," I say, "I want to be your voice, your representative, in Washington. And I will listen."
To Martin Weiser and his genius and energy and good spirit, to Mary Campise, who made sure it happened, for her unfailing grace and ability to make me laugh when that is what I needed more than anything, and to the dozens of you who spent countless hours driving me and encouraging me along the way, I am forever in your debt.
Tonight I will say a prayer of thanks to everyone.
On October 5, a week from Thursday, at 5:00 pm, 10460 Heather Lane, the home of our dear neighbors, Bud and Janie Littlefield, live music, media coverage, 200+ friends and family, join us as I ring "Doorbell 10,000."!!!
To everyone who says that the challenges we face, global warming, terrorism, corruption, etc., are insurmountable, I say, "you're wrong."
10,000 doorbells ... one person. Think about that. A candidate walking an area perceived as hostile for months in order to get the word out. I found this inspiring, it's the epitome of the Amway Way Texas Democrats were pushing at the candidates forum.
So if you live in the 32nd, and you also found this inspiring -- get off your behinds and get on board (i.e. volunteer or contribute).
If you don't live in the 32nd...heck... if you don't live in Texas... this still applies to you. Take inspiration from Will's actions and get involved in your local campaigns. Walk districts, tell your friends and family, and most importantly - get them to tell their friends and family. We can't rely on this blog, the DCCC, or anyone to just take over the responsibilities of winning and growing campaigns and candidates in our hometowns if we don't all do our part
I'm writing these diaries about Will Pryor because I grew up in North Dallas, and I desperately want a change in the political path we've been on. I believe in Will Pryor as exactly the kind of Texas Democrat we need to represent a traditionally pro-GOP district. We all believe that everyone should do their part to bring about localized change. I'm just doing what I can to get the word out about a candidate I really believe in.
and in keeping with the Amway Way model -- maybe you guys will read this and tell your friends and family about Will Pryor.
Or Chris Bell for Gov.
or Chet Edwards for the 17th District
or John Courage for the 21st District
or Barbra Ann Radnofsky for Senate
Maybe we can all set goals that seem high... and then follow through in the 5 weeks leading up to the election!