I got a phone call yesterday from the DCCC asking for money. It went something like this:
Me: Hello?
(long pause - definitely a telemarketer)
Me (again): Hello, telemarketer!
DCCC Staffer: (chuckles) Hi. This is (So-And-So) from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee...
Me (interrupting): Calling for a donation, are ya?
DCCC Staffer: As you know, the election is just a few months away...
Me (interrupting again): Well, you tell Rahm Emanuel that every penny I'm putting into politics this year is going either to Howard Dean or to individual candidates.
DCCC Staffer: I see...
Me: I'm pretty mad about the way he's been dissing Howard Dean and I'm extremely mad at Chuck Schumer over this whole Lieberman thing so I'm not giving squat to either of 'em and I'd be delighted if you'd pass that on for me.
DCCC Staffer: I will try to pass that on but, you know, the DCCC is a very important...
Me (interrupting again): When your guy learns to play nice with my guy I'll think about sending him some money, okay? So, thank you. Thank you very much...
DSCC Staffer: Alrightey then...
Me: Thanks a lot.
(CLICK)
Shortly after hanging up the phone, I sat down at the computer to make my regular contribution to the DNC and, after doing so, it occurred to me that some measure of activism might be there for the taking. What better way to voice our support for Dean's "50 State Strategy" than with our dollars (and with a quick phone call making sure certain other Democrats know where those dollars are going).
So here I am, urging my fellow Kossacks to devote about five minutes of their day to the following:
1 - Contact the DCCC and very politely tell them the following: "I'm a grassroots Democrat and I'm calling to say that I support Howard Dean's 50-State-Strategy. Please remove my name from your calling list and don't expect my support until Rahm Emanuel shows Howard Dean the respect he deserves." If you're a people-person, do it over the phone at (202) 863-1500. If you'd rather do it on a computer, go here and fill out the contact form.
2 - Go to the DNC website, click the button and give whatever you can. Please answer the poll question below so we have some way to track the size of what we accomplish here. Please, by the way, answer truthfully!
As a companion to what I've done here, please check out the story Kos wrote today about the continuing success of Dean's efforts. Two points hit home: First, that Dean could sure use the money; second, that the DCCC is in no position to question the DNC's fiscal management.
So let's see how we do with this one.