Another reason for hope

You know, the other reason I’m so hopeful about this election is the sheer volume of phone calls and e-mails I’ve been getting lately from a wide assortment of progressive organizations. In part that’s due to my belonging to several of them, but it also means they’ve mobilized actual people to make phone calls beyond the simple electronic mass e-mails. Last night I had a great chat with a woman from Atlanta who was making phone calls into swing states in support of Kerry. She’d gotten nothing but excited affirmation from her calls. Even if Kerry doesn’t win — and perhaps especially if he does! — there is a new grassroots network growing that has access to sophisticated tools and passionate conviction about important issues like caring for those who are most vulnerable amidst us, working for justice internationally and multi-laterally, human rights, caring for the environment and so on. This new organizing is built across multiple generations, and will be sustained beyond next Tuesday.

And if you're around this weekend, join me for GOTV efforts here in St. Paul. Eric and I will be running one effort out of our house, so e-mail me for ideas on when/where to go to help and so on.