Democrats need to do better in the month of December. The holiday season is an opportunity for Democrats to ensure that we are prepared for the major battles we know are coming in 2005. We can't take a month off, every day is a news cycle and any week we don't win is another week the majority wins.
In January, we need to be lying in the tall grass, prepared to strike at any opportunity and capture any advantage. Snakes know how to defend territory and now is the time for us to fight like a COBRA. December is our month to:
Contribute strategically
Organize locally
Battle electronically
Reform nationally
Advance personally.
We are the
COBRA and we need to fight.
Contribute Strategically
If you want to give a holiday present to future generations, give to the Democratic causes that need money right now. We need to finish the last fight before we start pilling up money for 2006. Contribute strategically during the month of December:
A currently tied vote for one state house race in Montana will decide if newly Governor-elect Brian Schweitzer (D) will have a Democrat or Republican as Speaker of the House. If we win our legal case over the bizarre double-count votes or if we can stall in the courts until after January 3, then the next Speaker is a Democrat. The Montana Democratic Party needs the resources right now to win over the holidays. Contribute Strategically
Democrats are 42 votes from retaining the Washington State Governor's Mansion. There is a $750,000 fee for the next vote count. Additional legal fees and the cost of winning in the court of public opinion drives up the price further. This is our state and we need hold on during the holidays. Contribute Strategically
Organize Locally
We all need to do a better job of organizing locally if we ever hope to win nationally. Our message needs to extend into every conversation and we need to do better from the ground up, in every precinct, in every state. Democrats are not in a position to take anything for granted and we can't afford to give up anywhere. Being strong in 2006 starts with better organizing now:
Democracy for America is hosting meet-ups tonight where "many groups are starting to plan for 2005 by researching filing deadlines for local offices, recruiting and encouraging people to think about running, and planning ways to get more involved in the Democratic Party." Meetup tonight to Organize
Democracy for America has a great new tool to find out information about your local Democratic Party. They are making it as easy as possible to get involved in organizing at the grassroots level where you live. Find out when your local Democrat Party meets and organize the grassroots. Many of the meetings in December and January will also decide who be voting for our next Chair and why. Get Local and Organize
Battle Electronically
Republicans are acting like Bush has a mandate and we need to fight back, in real-time, every day. We need to stop bad ideas before they spread and force a fight on every issue. The internet provides us an opportunity to engage the Republicans relentlessly. If you know how to use a computer well enough to be reading this, then you have the skills necessary to battle the GOP online over the holidays:
The blogosphere's best minds have banded together around BlogPAC. If you believe in fighting hard online and want to join online battle, sign up to be a BlogPAC member. Send an email to your friends asking them to sign up and spread the word. BlogPAC needs a million email addresses by Bush's inauguration, so sign up and Battle Electronically
Continue the pressure to make sure every vote counts. Working in December as a (small 'd') democrat will strengthen us in January to fight as Democrats. Understand Actionable Fraud and do what you can to Help America Recount.
Monitor the online skirmishes and be prepared to respond rapidly when we need action. The CBS/NBC censorship scandal demonstrated that our opposition won't allow holiday cheer to stand in the way of oppression. The best practices from the Sinclair blockade are already being put to use. Support online battles you believe in and keep fighting.
Reform Nationally
The month of December will see much of the battle for control of the Democratic Party. It is vital that we elect reform leadership for the DNC and modernize our Democratic Party. All of the action is going on behind the scenes right now, we will only have a voice if we speak up immediately:
Pay attention to the race DNC Chair by reading Jerome Armstrong who is keeping us up-to-date: 11-30, 11-26, 11-24, 11-22, 11-22, 11-22, 11-18, 11-16, 11-15, 11-12.
Use the Draft Howard tools and the Phraxos phone list to contact your DNC representatives and demand fundamental reform to create a modern Party that will win. You can read Why I am a Reform Democrat or I am a Reform Democrat for ideas.
Demand candidates for DNC Chair list their vision before the election. I believe Donnie Fowler was the first candidate to announce candidacy and list a vision. Other candidates need to follow Fowler and let us know where they are coming from and what they would do if elected.
Advance Personally
December is also a great time to cozy up in front of the fireplace and reflect back upon the cycle with an eye towards learning to do better.
Read a George Lakoff book or read class notes from his Political Linguistics 290
Read what Kid Oakland thinks about being a Fighting Democrat.
Read classic posts like Matt Stoller's How to Leverage the Fact that Democrats are Right on Everything.
Understand Why Pat Toomey Lost.
Learn why Chris Bowers says we should reject the concept of electability and focuses on a 50 state strategy.
Hop on the Political Cluetrain.
Keep reading, keep learning, keep writing and remember the minority has to work harder and smarter every day...even during the month of December!