During these past few years when the Democrats were the underdog candidates, sites like the Daily Kos were a destination for all who felt hopeless from too many dark years of Bush and Republican terror. The Daily Kos community helped give me hope that together we could elect more and better democrats and then possibly try to turn things around. Many blogged, while others like myself, watched from the side-lines, donated my money, and spoke to friends, family, and associates about a progressive and better future.
Well, congratulations, we took the Presidency, House, and Senate, and just barely. These past 18 months, we have rightly been focusing on issues, how to turn things around and working towards a progressive agenda (health care, stimulus, wall street reform, jobs, environmental catastrophe, green energy, etc.). We did not get everything we wanted, but the people we elected often helped move our country in the better direction. High fives all around!
Meanwhile, all I hear in the media echo chamber is that while the democrats have been working to clean up the mess left behind by the republicans, republicans have been working at taking back the majority, fundraising, and helping frame the idea that the democrats are the ones who are inept, dangerous, and making a mess of things. You don’t need me to tell you that this ain't right. We focus our attention and passion on fixing their mess, while they passionately work at fundraising, telling lies, and trying to beat us?!?!
With all of these crises to distract us, the dominant and popular party (the dems) have let our guard down in fundraising.
“In red states and blue states — nearly a dozen competitive Senate races in all — Republicans raised more money over the last three months than their Democratic challengers. Yes, Democrats will argue, some of their candidates have more money in the bank. But the financial reports filed Thursday offer the latest indication of the momentum and enthusiasm advantage that Republicans carry four months before Election Day.” A Fund-Raising Gap by Jeff Zeleny (NY Times 7/16/10)
Back when we were the underdogs, almost every day there was a diary on some great candidate to dream in and fight for. Now that hope floats and we are in charge, most diaries are focused on policy. Of course we should be working on all these crises and making the world a better place, but we must now do more to keep the Democratic Party in power. I would hate for our country to go back towards a Bush/Palin/Bachman/Vitters direction.
I am not a full-fledged grass-roots, do-it-yourself activist but I am ready to follow and support those who are and tell us how we can help. Probably many like myself have been hesitant to donate to the DNC or the DCCC because we do not want our money going to Blue Dog democrats.
We can talk the talk, and walk the walk, but we also need to fund it, right?! So this is my plea to you. Help me to help you. Those who know, blog, inspire, and help us to win this election season.
(P.S. I am not a pro a blogger, so please go easy on me for my helpless tone, and lack of confidence in direction).
UPDATE: By the time I published this, I just noticed this lovely diary: The Dead Girl/Live Boy List, aka Our 12 Toughest Races by horizontalrule I went out and supported a few from this blog. Thanks for the suggestions.