Do It Again in 2007

By: Josh
Published On: 11/20/2006 12:09:25 PM

Contact poldir@raisingkaine.com and pledge to do in 2007 for your Democratic candidates what you did for Tim Kaine in 2005 and Jim Webb in 2006.

About year ago, after Raising Kaine helped to "blog Tim Kaine into the Governor's Mansion," we had an internal debate among the leading blog contributors on the direction and future of the blog, PAC, and community.

It was a time of great excitement about the achievements of Virginia Democrats, and the power of online and offline activism. We were, and remain, dedicated to producing change in this nation, to building an Enduring Democratic Majority.

Back then, the questions arose: How could we (underfunded) few help to make real change in Virginia?  How could we work together to turn a great victory into a lasting political transformation for the common good?

Many wanted us to discuss or champion issues. Many wanted us to focus on the Kaine Administration. Many wanted us to create a driving, coherent criticism of the radical extremism that rules the Republican Party in Richmond and in Washington. Many wanted us to just go with the flow.

All of us agreed on two critical things:
1. We needed to continue to stand up for real Virginia Values and support a vision of a greater America.
2. Winning Matters.

Contact poldir@raisingkaine.com and pledge to do in 2007 for your Democratic candidates what you did for Tim Kaine in 2005 and Jim Webb in 2006.

Contact poldir@raisingkaine.com and pledge to do in 2007 for your Democratic candidates what you did for Tim Kaine in 2005 and Jim Webb in 2006.

The end result of the discussion amounted to this. Raising Kaine would proudly proclaim itself the "Voice of Progressive Virginia". We would dedicate ourselves to creating an enduring Democratic Majority in the Commonwealth. We would champion the critical issues facing Virginia by fighting for our fundamental beliefs: Democracy and Universal Opportunity and the Common Good, Investing in the Future, Responsible Government, Strong Communities, Healthy Families, Energy Independence, Sustainable Growth, Fair Trade, and Leading the World by Example. Our focus would be on two goals: Electoral Victory and Legislative Accountablity. And so, we faced an uncertain future with only our mission, our values, and each other.

In 2006, we put ourselves at the epicenter, not only of one of the most epochal elections in Virginia history, but possibly the race that determines the direction of the nation and the world in the 21st century.

Our Vision makes us powerful.  It helped us win and will help us succeed now that Democrats have taken back the reins of power.

Our most powerful value is the Common Good, and by helping to elect Jim Webb to the US Senate, you have done a great deal to about to bring the Common Good back to American discourse.

You did incredible work this year for Jim Webb. Every single one of you has my deepest gratitude.

We moved the world this year, and that's only a bit of an overstatement.  I want to give y'all a sense of what's possible in the years ahead.

We have the momentum.  Webb was able to win for a number of reasons, but the fact that literally thousands of supporters swarmed to his banner is high on the list.  If those same volunteers act on behalf of their local Democratic candidates this year, we will be able to move Virginia to a top-tier swing state in presidential politics, we will be able to control the state legislature (which manages 75% of the laws that rule our lives), and we will be able to build an Enduring Majority for the Democratic Party in Virginia. 

This year, there are already 2 great champions challenging for the state Senate.  Chap Petersen and Janet Oleszek are stepping up to take on Republicans in NoVA.  If we win back both of those seats and take back O'Brien's seat, we'll have a 20/20 split in the Senate and we'll control redistricting if we can get the Lt. Gov elected in 2009. Four pickups will give us flat out control.

The Republican Delegates in the state legislature have proven that they are not willing to make the difficult decisions necessary to prepare for Virginia's future.  They'll spend.  They'll borrow. But they won't make tough decisions. And in less than 10 years, there won't be any money for new road projects while education and cops get robbed.

There are Republican delegates who have seats in areas that went for Kerry, Warner, Kaine, and Webb.  We can take those back.

Congratulations on this great win, but please stay involved.  Virginia is no longer a Red State.  In 2006, you played a huge part in that.  In the years to come, you can turn Virginia blue.

Josh Chernila

P.S. If you made it through that lenghty letter, you have already proven yourself a dedicated Democratic activist.  Please contact poldir@raisingkaine.com so that we can get started working for Electoral Victory in 2007.

Contact poldir@raisingkaine.com and pledge to do in 2007 for your Democratic candidates what you did for Tim Kaine in 2005 and Jim Webb in 2006.

Comments



Well done, Josh! (cycle12 - 11/20/2006 12:18:16 PM)
I'm in!

Steve



Thanks, Steve. (Josh - 11/20/2006 1:02:09 PM)
There's tons of work to do this year, if we do it we win.  End of story.


Agreed, Josh (cycle12 - 11/20/2006 1:41:35 PM)
Recently we've enjoyed several major happy endings to the stories of Warner, Kaine and Webb, and I predict that there will be many others, soon.

Let us endeavor to help write a more positive Virginia and U. S. history as we continue with our winning ways.

And we already know WJWWD . . .

Thanks!

Steve



Solemnly pledge to oust Delegate Bob Marshall (snolan - 11/20/2006 1:19:05 PM)
I am already budgeting my contributions for 2007 candidates and have already pledgedd to support whomever opposes Bob Marshall in the 13th house of delegates seat at the very least.

We very much need to reclaim the state legislature so we can get some election practice improvements in place, and correct so rather silly law-making going on with the current group of mis-legislators.



Bruce Roemelt Will Run (d'moore - 11/20/2006 2:11:52 PM)
Bruce ran an awesome campaign against Marshall last time for a first time candidate. I saw him last night and he  plans to run again. He is awesome!


Count me in (pitin - 11/20/2006 3:14:05 PM)
for whatever you may need!


New Wedges, New Wimps (K - 11/20/2006 4:23:09 PM)
Now that gays and lesbians have been written out of Virginia's constitution, I can't wait to see what bit of ignoble gay-bashing the Republicans will use in 2007 -- and I can't help but cringe already at the ways timid Dems will probably run away from civil rights for ALL Virginians.