Kerry Convention Party advice request

I'm hosting a party the night that Kerry's speaking at the convention.  I've never done anything like this before and thought maybe some Kossacks could offer some pearls of wisdom.  I'm cooking baked ziti and other Italian fare to lure attendees - other than that, I don't know.  Some thoughts I had:

• putting together a little handout guide to key Senate and House races across the country is probably a good idea since most of the people I invited don't know much about them.  Or maybe that's a bit much, and I should concentrate on the Kerry campaign?  Maybe do up a little guide to the issues instead?
• how aggressive should I be in soliticing donations and having people fill out the volunteer cards?  Any particularly graceful way of doing that?
• any other troubleshooting advice?

Of course, all Kossacks are invited.  Here's the link to my party - it's in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY.  

Martin's convention party

•  You Know ...

  I've been doing these kinds of events for years, and the reality is, you can easily outthink yourself. What you're really doing is gathering folks around and talking up the presidential race. Focus on that. Maybe do some research on opportunities for volunteering for an organization doing get-out-the-vote and suggesting that your guests contact them. I'm personally going to do some work for LCV (League of Conservation Voters) and their enviro victory project (www.envirovictory.org), because I'm a major environmentalist. But many, many other organizations will be out there, too. ACT (Americans Coming Together) is another good one. Just print out a few of these web pages and suggest folks commit a weekend or two, or a week, to one of these organizations. The ground war is so important right now.

  I wouldn't confuse things with other races, not on Kerry's big night at least.

  by ColoDem on Sat Jul 17, 2004 at 08:37:10 AM PDT

  •  Thanks.

    The get-out-the-vote organization information is a great idea, for myself and others.  

    by queerbklynboy on Sat Jul 17, 2004 at 08:41:35 AM PDT

•  I'm putting together a pamphlet for my party

  of key counties...e-mail me if you're interested.

  by KevStar on Sat Jul 17, 2004 at 10:11:56 AM PDT