To thank me.
And to thank you.
Because over the past two days, we've been demonstrating to Democrats in vulnerable districts that when they stand with our party and for progressive causes, the netroots will have their backs. And they have noticed what you are doing.
Between Monday's and yesterday's appeals, over 200 contributors made nearly 3,000 contributions to the twenty most at-risk members who voted both for the House health care reform bill and against the anti-choice Stupak-Pitts amendment, raising over $17,000.
These are the Democrats who cast the toughest votes, the ones whose districts are most likely to oppose them for what they have done to move health care reform forwards. But in contributions averaging just under $6, you have demonstrated to these often-moderate candidates that when they stand up for progressive causes, progressives will stand behind them.
Today, let's go further. My goal is go reach at least 300 overall contributors raising $25,000 for these candidates -- elevating each individual candidate to at least 200 contributors and $1250 raised through this appeal.
Here's who we're supporting through these efforts -- these Democrats (listed by District, Name, PVI), elected in Republican and swing districts (and mostly in the past three years), for whom every close vote for reproductive freedom and health care reform can become the next opposition campaign ad:
AZ-01 Kirkpatrick, Ann R+6
AZ-05 Mitchell, Harry R+5
AZ-08 Giffords, Gabrielle R+4
KS-03 Moore, Dennis R+3
NY-19 Hall, John R+3
FL-08 Grayson, Alan R+2
MI-07 Schauer, Mark R+2
NY-24 Arcuri, Mike R+2
WI-08 Kagen, Steve R+2
CA-11 McNerney, Jerry R+1
IL-08 Bean, Melissa R+1
IL-11 Halvorson, Debbie R+1
IL-14 Foster, Bill R+1
MN-01 Walz, Tim R+1
NY-23 Owens, Bill R+1
NH-01 Shea-Porter, Carol R+0
NY-01 Bishop, Timothy R+0
OH-15 Kilroy, Mary Jo D+1
OR-05 Schrader, Kurt D+1
NV-03 Titus, Dina D+2
It's an interesting mix of folks who have often been bold advocates on our behalves (Grayson, Hall, Shea-Porter) and others from whom stepping out on this limb is a bit more surprising. (I met Congresswoman Titus recently, and she's quite cool -- a former political science professor who's now doing politics for real.) When they do the right thing -- when they do the progressive thing -- we ought to encourage them, to show that when Democrats act courageously, progressives will have their backs and support them.
So please, visit the WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK ActBlue page and spread some sugar around today -- $3 each? $5? $10, $20 or more? That's up to you. And then promote it on your Facebook page, your Twitter feed and your own diaries.
If politicians in tough districts see that national support exists when they do the right thing on a big vote -- and there be no bigger than Saturday night's between now and November 2010 -- they will feel more comfortable doing it again the next time. They won't have to worry about losing some donors over these pro-choice and pro-health care votes if they've gained our loyal support instead.
If you haven't given yet, give now. If you have given to some of these candidates already, give to the rest today. Show them, right now: WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.
Updated, 2:35p: Cong. Mary Jo Kilroy just called as well, wanting to thank all of you for your support. As I said -- they notice things like this. Keep it up.
Updated, 3:45p: We are exceedingly close to 250 contributors and $20K raised. Help put us over the top.
Updated, 4p: Over that top! 258 contributors, $20,065 raised thanks to you. Keep it up. Next goal is to get each of the 20 recipients over $1000 each.
6pm, EST: We're nearing some very interesting benchmarks -- 293 contributors so far, almost to 300. You've made almost 4200 separate contributions, averaging $5.20 per-candidate, per-contribution. Only four Members on the list don't yet have 200+ contributors, and only five on the list haven't crossed $1,000 in aggregate contributions yet. Feel free to focus your efforts on crossing those hurdles ... but, seriously, just give whatever you want to whomever you're comfortable with. The important thing is to do something, because they notice. Great job today, gang. Please keep this on the REC list.