On GET OUT THE VOTE drives

[iconicgnom]

One thing I learned as a volunteer working to get out a progressive vote in Canada is that this effort isn't as essential for the right-wing reactionary political parties as it is for the left-wing progressive cause. However the left-wing progressive cause is labelled or mislabelled -- it's that easy for the rich to buy a name. Hell, right under our noses they bought out the name "Liberal" here in BC, and laughed - it's that easy for the political right to do it.

So I don't pay any heed to false distinctions between big 'L' and little 'l' "liberals", or "conservatives", or put any credence in these descriptions. They don't distinguish a damn thing. Can anyone say what the difference is between "neo-liberal" and "neo-conservative", without inventing idiotic fine-points? I judge political parties on what they do, not how they're named.

Oops, I went on a tear. Back to my subject. What I learned is that when overlaying maps for
1. Likely to vote (% turnout for population of the district)
2. Income (average for population of district)
3. Voter preference (progressive left vs. reactionary right)
there were HUGE overlaps. These overlaps were NORMAL.
higher income <-> more likely to vote <-> reactionary right party
lower income <-> less likely to vote <-> progressive left party

By "lower income" I mean the ordinary working family. I don't mean the homeless. In other words, the whatever colored or situated working folk are the progressive base, whatever the MSM might say otherwise - and the ONLY thing that splits this base is religious fundamentalism.

Of course, my experience is from work in a medium size city, Vancouver B.C., soon to be host of the 2010 olympics (it's just across the border, so y'all gotta come!).

Oh yah, back to my subject!! In this circumstance, up front and personal get out the vote drives are absolutely critical. This is why I'm very heartened (looking across the border) at Obama's campaign. He and his campaign clearly understands that THIS and ONLY THIS is the way a "50 state strategy" can work, and it's the only way a progressive program can both win and establish itself in this crazy age. I'm ecstatic that he's directly debating the notion of religion vs the kind of "fundamentalism" or "extremism" that characterizes right-wing politics, and terrorist politics.

I'm very much hoping that the Obama campaign is just getting the fuse lit. That the 200K throng in Germany is like an opening act to what's going to happen in the US Aug 25-8 and forward. I want to see something happen in the US that'll be the envy of all the world.

It's odd, but I'm almost starting to EXPECT it!

[Indiana_Dem]

1. I hope you're right.

This Sunday I've organized a big "Cookout for Change" in my rural little Midwestern conservative county, population around 50,000. Every county is supposed to be having one according to the area field organizer. We're supposed to bring in more volunteers to help register voters and then GOTV in Oct/Nov. Let's hope and pray for the 50-state strategy, grassroots, bottom-up politics! Then at the convention there will be a mass effort to have the attending 75,000 people text and call others to register to vote! Totally a genius idea!

[iconicgnom]

2. The cookout will be more low key, to enjoy the summer, get to know one another... ?

That sounds fun. This's the year for it, you've got the candidate if ever you do - and you might as well relax about that, too

The Republicans, a lot of the MSM, is opposed to the idea that the Dems should feel relaxed and actually enjoy this time, with this candidate. That's the other side of the meme that Dana Milbank was paid to put out yesterday (surprise, it exactly coincided with the newfound McCain attack theme!). One side of that meme is overt and smears "Obama's presumptuousness", but the other side implicitly targets those 200K in Germany as being nothing more than mindless "fans" exactly like "fans" of Britney, Paris,... So their participation is smeared too, and of course likewise the participation of all Obama supporters including you and me.

What I understand from this is that the right doesn't want us to be seen having a good time this summer, cheering on the Dem candidate, whether we're Germans, Canadians, Americans, or whatever... and they're trying to insinuate that it isn't very cool. Like they know from cool...

Oh jeez, I go on tangents, esp. late at night :toast:

[Indiana_Dem]

3. It's actually a cookout to bring in more volunteers for voter registrations and GOTV.

You're ok--I go on tangents all of the time late at night! lol