In 2004, I was fortunate to win my third term in the U.S. Senate. During that election, we were also able to win 27 counties in Wisconsin that President Bush also won. We didn't win by 11 points that November because we had more money, or flashier lit pieces, or more T.V. ads (although we did have better T.V. ads - click
here to view). The reason we won was because we ran the best ground operation Wisconsin has ever seen. I'm proud to announce today the 20 different campaigns and states around the country where we hope to help build similar campaign organizations this November.
In July the Progressive Patriots Fund formed the Patriot Corps - a program designed to donate trained grassroots field organizers to democratic campaigns across the country. Thanks to your support, over the last few weeks we've been able to hire 20 energetic Corps members. The Patriot Corps team is in Milwaukee this week for a comprehensive training led by the same staff who helped me build such a strong field campaign in 2004. Next week the Patriot Corps team will be sent out to work on campaigns in 16 different states. Here's where the 20 member Patriot Corps is headed:
Wisconsin - We will be sending one Patriot Corps staff member to the winner of the 8th congressional district primary, held on September 12th. The 8th CD covers much of northeastern Wisconsin, and is consistently viewed as one of the most competitive races in the country. We have a real chance at picking up this open seat. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will also receive a Patriot Corps staff person to help organize around the state. In addition to the highly competitive 8th CD race, Gov. Jim Doyle is up for reelection, and there are a number of very competitive races in the Wisconsin State Legislature that could determine whether the Democrats take control of one or both chambers this November.
Texas - John Courage, our first Pick a Progressive Patriot winner and the Democratic candidate in the 21st District, is running a tight race against incumbent and Delay crony Lamar Smith. The Patriot Corps staffer will work to help John organize in San Antonio.
Pennsylvania - In a race that has been picking up steam since spring, Retired Vice Admiral Joe Sestak has mounted a strong challenge to incumbent congressman Curt Weldon, in the Pennsylvania 7th, and a Patriot Corps member will be headed there to help with his campaign. In another race gaining national attention, Lois Murphy is running against incumbent Jim Gerlach. Lois is running a very competitive race and the Patriot Corps staffer placed with this campaign will work on an aggressive grassroots effort that will help take back the 6th CD.
Colorado - Bill Winter, another one of our Pick a Progressive Patriot winners, is running against incumbent Tom Tancredo in the Colorado 6th. Bill is a Marine and Navy veteran and a Patriot Corps member will help him win in the 6th district - which includes Denver's southern suburbs.
Ohio - In Ohio, the Patriot Corps staffer will spend a month working with Sherrod Brown, the Democratic nominee for Senate, and month working as a field operative for the Democratic Party of Ohio - helping on all of the competitive races around the state.
Montana - As everyone knows, Montana is home to one of the most competitive senate races in the nation and is a state where democrats have made big strides in recent years. The Patriot Corps member assigned to Big Sky country will work with the Montana Democratic Party in support of Jon Tester, Monica Lindeen and numerous candidates for state office.
Minnesota - Minnesota has a number of competitive races that have national significance. First the race to replace retiring Democratic Senator Mark Dayton is heating up with Amy Klobacher making a strong push to hold onto that seat. Keeping control of this open seat will help the Democrats regain control of the Senate this fall. The Patriot Corps member with the Klobacher campaign will work to help with the statewide, grassroots operation. A second race of national importance is the race to win back control of the open seat in the Minnesota 6th. Patty Wetterling is running a strong campaign and the Patriot Corps staffer sent to her organization will help get out the vote in the 6th district. This race is one of a number of seats Democrats are working to pick up in our efforts to retake the House this November.
Missouri - Claire McCaskill is running against incumbent Senator Jim Talent. This race is one of a handful of very competitive senate races around the country and will be critical to the Democrats regaining control of the Senate. The Patriot Corps member on the ground in Missouri will work to help organize field activities for the McCaskill campaign.
Connecticut - The Patriot Corps member placed in Connecticut will be sent to work with the Connecticut Democratic Party. There they will work on the competitive races for House candidates, a number of important races for the states legislature, and of course they will work with our Senate candidate, Mr. Ned Lamont.
New Jersey - A Patriot Corps member will be placed with the Democratic Party of New Jersey. This staffer will assist Senator Menendez and other Democrats to work on the coordinated campaigns already, highly tuned grassroots operation.
Michigan - The Michigan Democratic Party will host a Patriot Corps staffer and that person will work towards keeping control of the Governorship, the State House and picking up seats in the Michigan congressional delegation.
New Mexico - Attorney General Patricia Madrid is running an exciting campaign in the New Mexico 1st congressional district against incumbent Heather Wilson. The Patriot Corps member placed here will help organize a strong field presence for the Madrid campaign and help them towards victory this November.
Iowa - State Senate Candidate Rich Olive, the winner of one of our Pick a Progressive Patriot contests, will receive a staffer to help him in his campaign to win the open seat for the Iowa 5th Senate District in Des Moines. The Iowa Senate is split down the middle, 25 - 25, so this makes this state race critical in the Democrats quest to regain control of the State Senate. The Iowa 1st Congressional District Candidate Bruce Braley is the Democratic nominee in the most competitive House race in the country. Bruce will also host a staffer for one month and then that staff person will work with the Iowa Democratic Party - helping regain control of the General Assembly, elect Chet Culver Governor, and support democratic campaigns around the state.
North Carolina - Heath Schuler is running to replace Congressman Charles Taylor in the North Carolina 11th. The Patriot Corps staffer will hit the ground running and will join an already strong field operation and help organize the grassroots in the month leading up to the election.
California - The Patriot Corps member sent to California will join the California State Democratic Party as a field operative. Once on the ground they will be sent to join any number of competitive races to gain seats in the California congressional delegation and state legislative races. They will also be helping out former Pick a Progressive Patriot winners Jerry McNerney, running in the California 11th, and State Treasurer Phil Angelides, in his bid for Governor.
Nevada - Tessa Hafen is challenging Rep. Jon Porter in her bid to represent the Nevada 3rd. Tessa's campaign will use the Patriot Corps staffer placed with them to build on her already strong grassroots field campaign and help organize the way to a win in November.
A few of these campaigns may not be seen as your typical "top tier" races by some, but I believe Democrats need a 50-state strategy if we're going to win this November and in the coming years. The places where we are sending Corps members will help play a part in that effort. Extra bodies on the ground can make a huge difference.
I mentioned the states and campaigns where we are sending the Patriot Corps to some friends and they were surprised we weren't sending them to just places like Iowa and New Hampshire. Some people here may be similarly surprised. Both are important states with vital races, however, this is about 2006, not 2008. This is about having an impact this year and has nothing to do with what the future may hold for me.
We created the Progressive Patriots Fund and the Patriot Corps to promote a progressive reform agenda and support candidates across the country and I'm proud to say that's what we are doing with the Patriot Corps.
Every state, every campaign, every day matters between now and the election if we hope to grab hold of the historic opportunity Democrats have in November. I will keep everyone updated with reports from the field from our Patriot Corps members. In the coming days, you'll also be able to view their progress on our website, www.progressivepatriotsfund.com.
