Election day is Tuesday and all the Democratic candidates are gathering support from the "grassroots" to GOTV. And it is working. But they need your help this one last time.
Alexi Giannoulias needs your help in fighting back Mark Kirk's lies. So I am placing a donation button below. Please help me raise some serious money for our friend, Alexi Giannoulias. The deadline is near to send a message to Mark Kirk. Donate today to my personal fund raising page for Alexi titled, Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots for Alexi Giannoulias. Or if you feel more comfortable, donate today directly to the campaign here, or donate on Act Blue here.
And note that thus far you have given Alexi on Act Blue $138,970 given by 3,375 donors. Wow! Back in April we had only raised a handful of dollars from a handful of donors. And thanks!
Please give and give generously (and often). Thanks.
I know I am from Chicago and voting for someone in the same election twice is not uncommon.
So I am told.
Although I have never witnessed such an occurrence, in the 1960 election that John F. Kennedy narrowly won the election as President of the United States, thanks to help from Cook County tallies and specifically Chicago, it was alleged that many voters were counted twice.
That is great folklore.
But this year, Alexi Giannoulias will appear on the ballot twice. Once for a six year term. And once for the unexpired term vacated by President Barack Obama and now being held by Senator Roland Burris. This was mandated by a court ruling.
Seriously.
Vote for Alexi Giannoulias twice. Both slots are very important, but let me tell you about the significance of the "unexpired term." Alexi Giannoulias will be sworn in shortly after the election and will become a United States Senator immediately. Before the class of 2011 that will get sworn in this January.
And that means a small, but significant edge in Senate seniority. Key committee assignments. Judiciary would be nice. He is a lawyer and a progressive and could have an impact there. You can fill in the wish list of committee assignments for Alexi.
I ask the question in an earlier post: Can you feel it for Alexi Giannoulias? My answer is a resounding yes. I feel it for Alexi Giannoulias to reclaim President Barack Obama's old senate seat.
Alexi Giannoulias is someone that I have been telling you about and telling you about and telling you about. That man is my friend, Alexi Giannoulias, the current Illinois State Treasurer. I met Alexi in late 2005 and when he called to ask for my support and I must admit I was a bit leery at first since he mentioned that Barack Obama gave him my phone number (you can check my book, Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots, for the complete story if you are curious).
I can feel this entire statewide thing falling into place.
I have been telling you about this rising political star, Robin Kelly, the next Treasurer from the State of Illinois.
Give to Robin Kelly's campaign. She is running on little money, high energy, high integrity. Let's boost her up as a group. Give to Robin today or on an Act Blue for Robin page. If elected, Robin Kelly will be the first African-American female elected to statewide office in Illinois.
Let me tell you about two of my personal friends (in the photo, Robin Kelly, left and Alexi Giannoulias, right) that are on the Illinois statewide ticket for 2010. One of them is Robin Kelly, who is currently the chief-of-staff to the Illinois State Treasurer. Robin Kelly is running for Illinois State Treasurer. As a prominent Democrat told me recently, "Robin wins this race, she's an instant star of the Democratic Party not just in Illinois but nationwide." Just like . . . I'll get to that.
I want to tell you a little about Governor Patrick Quinn. He deserves our support. He is first and foremost pro-union, pro-working man and woman, pro-people. He cares about people and he needs your help too.
Important writer's note for Quinn. Just a couple things. First, Governor Patrick Quinn needs your financial support. Donate to Act Blue for Quinn, just the way you have generously supported Alexi Giannoulias on Act Blue.
Patrick Quinn loves a good fight. So it was fitting on Saturday that Governor Patrick Quinn appeared at the Celtic Boxing Club in the Mount Greenwood community of Chicago. Irish. Boxing. A good fight. That is the essence of Patrick Quinn.
For my part here in Illinois, I will be supporting Alexi Giannoulias for United States Senate. Patrick Quinn for Governor. Robin Kelly for Illinois State Treasurer. I have linked all of them to Act Blue in case you want to donate to these great candidates.
Let's all get out there and show them how it's done by electing Democrats in our home districts.
John is the author of an award-winning book published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books.