Reply #13: Excellent, productive post.

[Radical Activist]

It's frustrating to see so many posts using Obama as a cop-out for their own lack of organizing. Progressives need to whine less for change from above and work more for change from below. I've been deeply disappointed to see so many on the left act as though Obama is the only one in the country with any power.

I would add one advantage California has over many other states: ballot referendums. It gives an additional motivation for people to vote even when they aren't excited about the candidates. I know that can sometimes help Republicans, but it's worth thinking about for those states who don't have that form of democracy yet.