Don't Mourn, Organize!: Let's phone bank for Edwards
Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 08:51:27 AM PDT
Many people here have written thoughtful, beautifully written diaries about why they are supporting John Edwards. Some of them literally moved me to tears as I read them, others inspired me to get off of my butt and volunteer for local progressive candidates running for Congress. I did it yesterday, in fact.
We all know that our country is in the midst of a deep crisis. I don't need to spell out to this crowd the many ways in which millions upon millions of people are suffering in this country; in large part because a relatively small number of obscenely rich and powerful people feel a sociopathic need to become even more rich and powerful at the expense of everyone else.
Please follow me over the jump.
John Edwards has a vision for a different America. His speaks to me in a way the other candidates have not been able to. I know I am not alone. I've seen the same type of statements from hundreds of other John Edwards supporters here. There's just something about his message, isn't there?
He has shown real leadership on the critical issues facing our country. He has been a voice for real change in the way things are done in DC. And I for one would hate to see that voice disappear if he is forced to drop out.
There's a way for us to keep him in this race. John is polling at or close to 15% nationally as well as in many states. There is a chance that he could collect enough delegates to wield influence at the convention. This is the first presidential primary I have been following this closely. I'm not sure what kind of influence is possible, but any influence sounds good to me.
So here is our challenge. What are we willing to do to help him get there? How important is it to you, personally, to keep his voice and influence alive?
Some of you are getting on planes or in your cars and helping on the ground. That is fantastic I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your efforts! I wish I could join you.
For those of us who can't, our mission, should we choose to accept it, is this: Volunteer to phonebank voters from home.
Can you volunteer one night a week? Two? How about three? Not forever. Until the end of February. Then we can reevaluate. Our phonecalls can help put John over that 15% threshold. We can do it. If even 40 or 50 of us made calls a few nights a week, we could reach tens of thousands of voters and make a difference.
What happens if we don't do this? My fear is that his numbers will drop and he will just fade away. The calls for him to drop out will become lounder and louder. And if his numbers drop into the single digits, it might become much harder for him to come back another day.
We're all busy, I know. But when was the last time someone like John came around? He is the first candidate I have been truly excited about in many years. A lot of you here have said the same thing.
So let's do this! I am pledging to phone bank at least 2 nights a week for John. How about you?
The link to sign up to phonebank is below. Let's get started! The South Carolina primary is only 5 days away! And we have work to do!
Link to Edwards phonebank
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