To add to your story, the RPV sent a "survey" and request for money to our home. Got it in yesterday's mail. Strange, as we are both, and always have been, Democrats who vote in every election.  Maybe it was a prank; who knows.  But the gist of the survey was "do you think the Democrats are working hard to take over and impose their agenda on Virginia?"  Kind of a mild scare tactic....nothing offensive though.  But as soon as I saw the return address, I began thinking ...  wouldn't it be nice if it were rather a letter from the DPVA. 

The Republicans are revving up to high gear and we are still sitting here wondering if the DPVA even reads this site and knows that we need drastic change.  Where is the outreach especially utilizing the cheap, effective and efficient Internet tools? 

What is going on there?  It is really scary....  What are the pols saying about this?

Lowell, can you post the website again of YouRoots?  Can you promote it on RK?

I found the DEMPAC link on RK.  But keep talking about it. 

Here is the link for DEMPAC, the brainchild of Josh Chernila, Antonia Scatton, Dave Leicthman, myself and several others.  In short, "DEMPAC is a political action committee dedicated to securing an enduring Democratic majority in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to achieving that goal through the empowerment of the volunteer community."  To view the DEMPAC presentation, click here.

Also, to read about YouRoots, please click here.  The summary of YouRoots is this:

YouRoots is a powerful, technologically sophisticated, online "marketplace" of volunteerism and the cornerstone of DEMPAC's action plan for creating an enduring Democratic majority in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

YouRoots will connect volunteers with opportunities and recognize those volunteers for both their online and offline efforts. Campaigns and organizations will have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field for the time and support of a vast, ready-made, experienced and highly-motivated volunteer base.

YouRoots will provide cutting-edge yet easy-to-use online organizing and campaign tools that were previously beyond the financial reach of all but the biggest campaigns, including the "Mojo" system, a new way to measure and reward volunteer activity.

The bottom line is that DEMPAC and YouRoots are revolutionary, cutting edge tools to "turn Virginia blue."  This could make a huge difference, and it could make that difference THIS YEAR!  All it requires is rapid and forceful "buy in" from a few far-sighted, visionary people with money to invest in the Democratic grassroots/netroots.  To date, I know that Josh HAS gotten buy-in from many within the Virginia Democratic political establishment, which is great.  The original plan was to have this fully up and running the day after the June 12 primaries.  Personally, I think this is still possible, but it will require immediate $$$ support. 

So, who wants to help us "turn Virginia blue?"  Please e-mail me at lowell@raisingkaine.com

Thanks.

Lowell

Lowell, I was going to post on this, but with a completely different take.  When I read the article, I wasn't nervous -- I laughed.

In my experience, caring about your community and caring about national issues are two completely different things, and political operatives of either party who work on Capitol Hill don't care about the community they live in.  They care about national issues -- that's why they're working on the Hill. 

I think Gillespie's plan sounds nice, and hey, if it works, it'll be great for the GOP.  But if this group of people cared about Virginia, the program wouldn't be needed in the first place.

How does the Hatch Act play into this.  If these people are government employees who are being contacted at their offices for partisan political reasons, doesn't this violate the Act? Or does Section 7325 exempt federal employees living in NOVA?

having those people is better that having no people.  What is the Virginia Democratic Party planning on doing?  I bet they'll actually do something similar.

A show of "virtual hands": Who will be at Va. Beach for the DPVA Steering Committee Meeting and the free cocktail repection on the 18th and/or the Central Committee Meeting the next day (10:00 A.M. to noon) ?

I'd love to hear these points addressed at all three events to whatever extent the agenda time constraints permit.

I will certainly "work the room" during the reception. I've always found that some of the most important discussions and decisions occur in a social environment, and a FREE cocktail reception is certain to out everyone in a relaxed and receptive frame of mind. Here we are once more with an opportunity to apply the Drinking Liberally principle, of course tempered by Josh's addition to Drink Responsibly.

  Go Blue Team !

  T.C.

dang I might have to go incognitio :-p

We should do the same - alot of the staffers and professional staff on the committees are now here in Northern Virginia because of our majority.  Lets frame the same debate -

Help = Majority in VA Senate = Redistricting = 2008 Victory.