Dear All:
I am the editor of Blog for Iowa. We work with progressive organizations to make sure that their voices are heard and the important issues in Iowa are spread across the state.
I am currently trying to figure out ways to get people who live out of state involved in our activities. I was thinking of something called "Adopt a Precinct," which would allow local candidates and organizations the ability to raise money through a google mashup. You go to my website, see a map, click on the different places and organizations which are highlighted by an arrow, and a box pops up - the group's leader, their needs, and how you can help give them money for specific things like signs or staff.
The problem with getting inolved in Iowa politics in the past is that people from out of state have little credibility when they come here (we're only 3 million people, you know?). So when the Perfect Storm, or those letters to individuals from out of staters came, we just saw them as not being representative of our ideas. Money can work a bit differently, you know? I welcome ideas, comments, and suggestions.