On the first day, 144 of us made 2,162 contributions to twenty candidates totaling $9,879 in new support to the twenty most vulnerable Democrats who cast the toughest votes in favor of health care reform and in favor of reproductive freedom Saturday night. In contributions averaging just under $5, you demonstrated to these often moderate candidates that when they stand up for progressive causes, progressives will stand behind them.
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Today, let's double that. My goal is go reach at least 300 overall contributors raising $20,000 for these candidates -- elevating each individual candidate to at least 200 contributors and $1000 raised through this appeal.
Here's who we're supporting through these efforts -- these Democrats, elected in tough districts (and mostly in the past three years), for whom every tough vote can be the next opposition campaign ad:
AZ-01 Kirkpatrick, Ann R+6
AZ-05 Mitchell, Harry R+5
AZ-08 Giffords, Gabby R+4
KS-03 Moore, Dennis R+3
NY-19 Hall, John R+3
FL-08 Grayson, Alan R+2
MI-07 Schauer, Mark R+2
NY-24 Arcuri, Mike R+2
WI-08 Kagen, Steve R+2
CA-11 McNerney, Jerry R+1
IL-08 Bean, Melissa R+1
IL-11 Halvorson, Debbie R+1
IL-14 Foster, Bill R+1
MN-01 Walz, Tim R+1
NY-23 Owens, Bill R+1
NH-01 Shea-Porter, Carol R+0
NY-01 Bishop, Timothy R+0
OH-15 Kilroy, Mary Jo D+1
OR-05 Schrader, Kurt D+1
NV-03 Titus, Dina D+2
As I noted yesterday, some on this list can be among the most frustrating members of our caucus. They have not all always been on our side of every issue. Still, when they do the right thing -- when they do the progressive thing -- we ought to encourage them, to show that when Democrats act courageously, progressives will have their backs and support them.
So please, visit the WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK ActBlue page and spread some sugar around today -- $3 each? $5? $10, $20 or more? That's up to you.
If politicians in tough districts see that national support exists when they do the right thing on a big vote -- and there be no bigger than Saturday night's between now and November 2010 -- they will feel more comfortable doing it again the next time. They won't have to worry about losing some donors over these votes if they've gained our loyal support instead.
If you haven't given yet, give now. If you gave to some of these candidates yesterday, give to the rest today. Show them, right now: WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.
UPDATED! Since I started drafting this diary this morning, you've already helped us cross 150 contributors and the $10,000 barrier. Keep it coming.
UPDATED AGAIN: Despite not even making the rec list, you took us to 207 contributors, $15,106 raised so far. Please keep promoting this cause in your own diaries, your signature lines, your tweets, etc.