A lot of people are panicking right now, because of Palin, because of polls, because Barack Obama isn't doing everything in the exact way we think he should.
There's a lot of fear that the Republicans are going to lie, cheat and steal there way to another victory.
But you know what?
You Can Make A Difference !
Below are diaries written in the past week by people like you who have decided that this election is so important that they must do everything in their power to help Obama win.
These kossacks are an inspiration. I hope you'll read their stories and decide that YOU, too, can make a difference.
At the end of the diary are links to get you started.
Kossacks walking the walk
birghtstar does some women to women phonebanking
MsWings takes a leap out of her comfort zone in North Carolina.
Zach Alexander tries to decide how to best use his volunteer days
Deoliver47 encourages everyone to post comments - but NOT on Daily Kos
A TN grandmother packs up her van and prepares to go help Obama/Biden win in Colorado.
Newbie and first-time diarist talks about her experience canvassing
Heidiho610 has been canvassing in Ohio every week for the past month and a half, and writing diaries about her experiences.
drbaca1 writes a short diary about spending a three-day weekend registering voters in NM as part of the 30/30 voter registration drive there (register 30,000 in 30 days).
Emit posts an extremely touching account of his canvass of his neighborhood.
Monday night phonebanking liveblog. It's much more fun to phonebank with others -- even if those others are your cyber-friends :)
An Indiana Obama Canvasser's Oath
Granny Doc reminds us that even those who can't get out and do organized canvassing can make a difference.
glamatron writes about how easy it was for this first-time canvasser
DJShay discusses the Obama campaign's Neighbor-to-Neighbor tool, which allows EVERYONE to phonebank or canvass in their area or elsewhere.
Another first-time canvasser goes to Philly from Queens, NY and has a great experience!
lascaux tries out the neighbor-to-neighbor tool and canvasses his/her neighbors.
Chico, CA volunteers plan their strategy, by smileycreek
Phonebanker duus buys a yard sign for a 90-something Obama supporter.
Tim in CAmuses about what would happen if we ALL volunteered.
A diary about canvassing in Reno with terrific photos by itsolivia
nicweb asks how to be a more effective vounteer, and gets a lot of good answers
Volunteers work Ohio
One voter at a Time, by mwilhelm77
virtual me is a first-time canvasser in NH
The Palin pick pushed Thunder Road over the edge; he/she is going to spend 3 weeks in Ohio.
OpMama writes "I canvassed, and did not die!"
Student and first-time volunteer ronin122 asks for advice(and gets it).
Office openings -- volunteers are spilling out into the streets!
DavidW reports on the big opening of Obama HQ in South Florida
2,000 show up in CT for a campaign kickoff event
Pensacola office opens with overflow crowd
dday reports on the Palin backlash: 2,000 show up for L.A. office opening
Here are a few informative diaries about how to get involved and why.
Concern Troll asks, "what have you done for Obama today?" Good question!
Tips for phonebanking and canvassing by abarrenfuture
Leevank: Let's stop whining and start working!
What you can do to help Obama
Elise provides much-needed perspective and useful links.
pvlb give information about how people can get involved with voter protection through the "Counsel for Change" program.
HeidiEight also discusses the voter protection program. People with legal experience should really sign up for this.
Land of Enchantment entices kossacks to go to NM to volunteer
icebergslim reminds us that November is about GOTV
Heidiho610 wonders who's canvassing over the weekend?
barath highlights which states people should focus on to have the biggest impact.
**************LINKS*****************
(h/t to Elise)
Here are some actions you can take: (instead of that hand wringing you're doing)
- Donate. And then donate again. And then email all your friends and family and ask them to donate too.
- Make calls from home. It's easy. I do it every day. And when you're done making calls from home. Make some more calls from home.
- Attend an event near you.
- Pissed off about smears? Join the Action Wire Team and fight the smears. Do it here, do it at work, flyer your grocery store or the Main street in your town, etc.
- Make sure you are registered to vote.
- Join MyBarackObama.com
- Sign up to get information on campaign events.
- Explain Obama's policy stances and ideas. (And if you think this is useless - I can't tell you how many voters I have persuaded downloading this Blueprint for Change and explaining it.)
- Buy some Obama gear. Buy lots of it. Wear it everywhere. Give it to people as gifts.