The BAT is BACK! (Well--almost.) Go Dems GO!

[janx]

You can sit around and parrot what you see in the media, worry and bitch about Hillary Clinton or whomever--or you can do what you're supposed to do and contribute toward the effort for 2006 and beyond.

Another 100,000 by tomorrow. We can do it.

http://www.democrats.org/specialreports/50states/index.html

From Tom Hughes, Executive Director of DNC

"Today I'm meeting with the first set of organizers you have hired. They're in Washington for workshops this week. Saturday they will head home to West Virginia and get to work.

Each of them has put together a short bio for you -- take a look, because you made this possible:

http://www.democrats.org/50statestrategy

You blew past last week's $250,000 fundraising goal in just 48 hours -- surprising Governor Dean and everyone else. That made it possible to add a fifth state (Kansas) to the four new ones announced last week.

Governor Dean challenged Democrats across the country to push that goal to $500,000 by Friday this week -- that's tomorrow. If we reach it together, we can get the ball rolling this week in another batch of four more states.

You will have more than tripled the program -- adding nine new states in two weeks. And it will have happened with small donations that have outpaced anything the Democratic Party has seen in an off-year between elections.

Let's do it:

http://www.democrats.org/challenge

A lot of folks responded to Governor Dean's message last week asking for a way to track the progress of your fundraising. As you can see, there's a graphic on the right with the total -- it will be updated every hour so that you can see the difference you're making by contributing and spreading the word. And we'll be tracking the progress on the web site.

Your small donations are moving this program so fast that it's hard to keep up. The staff is working around the clock to get the pieces in place to get started in the new states you fund today and tomorrow.

Growing our party from the ground up in every single state will be hard work -- but it's absolutely necessary if we're going to build the long-term capacity to win in all 50 states.

It's up to you -- can we get started in another four this week?

Thank you for everything."

Sincerely,

Tom McMahon
Executive Director

[Teaser]

1. Just gave.

C'mon folks. It's THE BAT!

[janx]

3. It's the BAT--and it's for ALL of us!

All Dems! All 50 states!

Let us do it, do it continually, and never stop--even if it's $5, $10, $25.

We can do this!

[SCDem]

2. Yep I gave about 1/2 hour ago

but it hasn't been updated in over an hour :(
I like seeing immediate results!

[janx]

4. It's addictive, I know...

;-)

It'll happen. Stay tuned!

[janx]

5. Going up...! As of 1:00 p.m.:

[Teaser]

6. In the old days

this post would've filled up with comments in 10 minutes flat.

[janx]

7. I posted the link in GD as well,

but it's sinking like a rock!

Are people happier complaining?

This is it--the time for the party to kick in and shine! Are people happier being miserable?

[Pirate Smile]

10. It should be on the Greatest Page now so that should help.

[janx]

11. Excellent!

!

[Cha]

20. Just nominated ..

per your suggestion:)

[NoPasaran]

22. Well, now some people are happier whining

Or fantasizing about some magic wand that will impeach Bush and his gang than actually kicking in a few bucks or doing he hard work to actually take the country back.
:dem:

[JNelson6563]

8. You beat me to the bat

Hey Janx, I just sat down to take one last look at e-mail before taking off and caught this mail that you posted. I thought I'd come and see if anyone had put up "the bat" on DU and here you are!

I hope we all take a minute to help the cause. Next year is very important and getting started now (yesterday even!) is crucial. If we all do a little, together we can do a lot!

:kick:

Julie

[janx]

12. This is it. This is why Dean is chair; this is the whole thing.

If people will give a little, the 50-state strategy is possible.

[SCDem]

14. Exactly

Today I was only able to give $25. But last week I gave $25 when the email went around. And then with the bat up now even though I only contributed $25 I can see in the last hour that $23,645 was added to my $25. That feels good and it feels like I am not alone in my desire for a more democratic union!!!

[janx]

16. The great thing about the "bat" is that you can actually see,

with every update, just how not alone you are!

[Eloriel]

9. But, but...but he's NOT doing well raising money

according to another story posted:

Howard Dean's Raised Voice Isn't Raising Cash
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1517824&mesg_id=1517824&page=

[janx]

13. Yes, Eloriel.

;-)

I noticed that. :rofl:

[BigBearJohn]

15. I wrote them to say I will donate when they talk about Downing Minutes

[Teaser]

23. Who's they?

Hasn't Dean already?

[janx]

17. Over four hundred now...!

[UrbScotty]

18. Higher! Raise the Roof!

:D

[janx]

19. Keep it kicked!

Thanks!

[dhuss]

21. Just gave..

not much but every bit helps...

D.H.

[janx]

24. There should be a new update in a matter of minutes... n/t

[Pirate Smile]

26. It is on the Recommended Diaries on DailyKos also.

[janx]

27. Good!

That's a great site. I hope we see it everywhere.

[Rainscents]

65. Dhuss... Welcome to DU!!!

:hi:

[Teaser]

25. Just gave again!

Baby ain't gettin' any diapers tonight!

[SCDem]

28. LOL That's too funny

S/he needed to be potty trained anyway right!!!

[brystheguy]

29. Kansas????

I read the email and I was pretty surprised to see that. It must be to fund Dennis Moore and help his re-election. Democrat in a very Republican district. Somehow he always squeaks through. He still annoyed me by voting for the bankruptcy bill though. By the way, I gave.

[janx]

30. The idea is to fund the grassroots efforts in each of all 50 states.

The money goes to the local DNC folks, who attend national DNC meetings but who ultimately decide how to conduct campaigns--because it's those people on the ground, in their own states, who ultimately know what will work there and what won't.

Nebraska just got a tidy sum as well.

Good for you!

[Rainscents]

66. Brystheguy... Welcome to DU!!!

:hi:

[Teaser]

31. Give some money, my beeyatches.

Give till it hurts.

For example, I gave twice today, and now my ass hurts. I expect to give one more time today, and as I think about it my thumb is starting to ache.

[zipplewrath]

32. State of Underground

I wonder how much money the State of Democratic Underground would raise? Nah, not that much.

[Rainscents]

33. I just donated again!!!

Thank You!

Thank you for your generous contribution to the Democratic National Committee. Your contribution will provide the critical support to keep our Democratic victory plan on track.

If you have any additional comments or questions, email us, or send postal mail to:

[Blue Belle]

34. Done!

:patriot:

[Gronk Groks]

35. Can't afford it, Gave anyway....

This is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. The Republicans are turning it into a Facist Dictatorship, with Nukes! If we don't stop them VERY SOON another Dark Age will be upon us...

[Rainscents]

36. Welcome to DU! I'll donate $25.00 for you.

:hi:

[Gronk Groks]

39. Took me far too long

To finally get pissed off enough to be politically active. Have been lurking here for 6 months, telling myself that I have to take care of my family first. The lies/propaganda finally pushed me over the edge. No more Mister Nice Guy, the Republicans have pushed me too far...

[Rainscents]

41. I feel the same way with you... Most of us here DU have the same feeling.

I sincerely, Welcome you to DU and I gave $25.00 on your behalf!

[Gronk Groks]

44. Thank you Rainscents

It is appreciated. However it will take far more than money to defeat the Evil Imperialists (no, no must not let Star Wars take over my...) The truth is that the multi-pronged disaster the current administration is heaping upon the common (non-millionaire) American will take us from the last super-power to third world country in less than a generation. It will be future generations that look back on this time and ask "what were they thinking...":wtf:

[Rainscents]

46. You know, my ex-boyfriend called me (Staunch Republican) and I almost

failed off the chair listening to him ranting on and on about this administration. I just listen and when he got done, I asked him nicely and said... Do you feel safe about the direction this country is going? He said, hell no and we are heading for 3rd country! I mean, this man is STAUNCH REPUBLICAN and him and I fought over and over about direction this administration was taking us. He refuse to listen to me for almost 3 years. I truly believe, people are starting to waking up now. I can see the end of the tunnel now... ties are tunning and it won't be long.

[janx]

37. $440,136.00 and climbing...

[Rainscents]

38. Janx... Thanks for updating this info!

[janx]

40. I get addicted to it--it's terrible. It's not as if I have nothing else

to do, but I keep coming back to see how things are progressing!

[Rainscents]

43. LOL... Me too! I don't post many, only when I am pisst or has something

to say. My English is not that good, so, at times, I feel little intimidated. I wished, I could write like most people here on DU. Oh well, at least, no one is complainning about my writing.

[janx]

45. Are you bilingual?

If so, you're doing very well--except it's pissed, not pisst.

;-)

You're doing fine.

[Rainscents]

47. Yes, I am! I speak Korean also. I am half Norwegian and Half Korean.

LOL... Thanks for correction!

[janx]

67. Well you're all American now!

:toast:

I've always wanted to be fluent in another language.

[SteveIrving1]

64. Do they need it in cash or check?

Really can I just put some money in an envelope and mail it to them?

[Rainscents]

68. SteveIrving1... Welcome to DU!!!

I think you can, check is good and at least, you have receipt.:hi:

[janx]

70. Yes, you can.

Democratic National Committee — 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003

[realFedUp]

42. the temperature's rising...

hope they have a graphic of donations
exploding out the top
:-)

[janx]

48. $447,013.00..up, up, up...!

I think we're going to make it!

[katywho]

49. Added my $$$!!!!

[Rainscents]

50. Hi KATYWHO! Welcome to DU!!!

I'm sure DNC appreciate anything people donate!

:hi:

[janx]

51. $453, 258.00...still climbing...

[Rainscents]

52. Great news! I like it!

[Teaser]

53. We ain't gonna make it

unless we redouble our efforts. I'm going to give again, even though it hurts. We've got 50,000 to go and only 5 hours to make it. Last hour we only gave 6000 and the hour before that 7000 or so.

We need to give 10000 an hour to make it.

DAMMIT!!!!

[janx]

55. We still have tomorrow!

Governor Dean challenged Democrats across the country to push that goal to $500,000 by Friday this week -- that's tomorrow. If we reach it together, we can get the ball rolling this week in another batch of four more states.

Never fear. We'll reach it tomorrow.

[Teaser]

56. The goal isn't midnight?

I hope that's right.

[janx]

58. I don't think so.

Tom said "by Friday," so the end of the week will work. Luckily we're not up against one of those election fundraising deadlines.

Another half a day...four more states!

[XemaSab]

54. 25 bucks and

kicked!

[janx]

63. $462,075.00 and still going up.

[Clarkie1]

57. I liked the original Dean bat graphic much better.

I always thought that was a great All-American kind of image.

Keep kicking this thread.

[janx]

59. It was a nice image, but this isn't Dean's graphic--

so it had to change.

At least we all now have something we can check to see how things are going.

[Teaser]

60. Kick

C'mon beeyatches. Give it up for Howard. YYYYEEEEAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!

[dandrhesse]

61. fundraising for 2006 will not help if no election reform

[janx]

62. Fundraising for 2006 is supposed to help us with election reform.

We must have decent people working for us who will push for it and enforce it, and that, too, is best done on the local level.

[janx]

69. $466,590.00 We're getting there!

[janx]

71. kick

[izzybeans]

72. I'll give more when they actually show up in my home district to

help the local candidates compete with incumbents. Until then, this grassroots, win in every district thing, is merely an empty slogan. I'm waiting for a shift in organizational strategies. All I'm hearing is rhetoric without seeing any action. Can somebody set me straight?

here is where I am at now (a stance that is always revisable if someone can convince me otherwise):

They have the money (mine included). Now they need to make some better decisions and learn how to organize in every district, not just in swing states or a few key areas. They have legions of people willing to help them in every district, people who can teach them what it means actually field a candidate there. Just ask John Jennings who couldn't even beat the dunce of the House, John Hostettler (R-8th district Indiana). He carpetbagged and got beat, but almost won. This from a man who knew very little about the district and had no platform to speak of. The Dems didn't even send support until a week before the election. I guess they thought that this candidate once being a scout for the Boston Celtics would have been good enough (this district being the homeland of Larry Bird and all). Whenever they want to actually win back the red states they'll start investing some meaningful capital in those areas. Until then, I just can not give more money since I see no evidence of it being put back into the district i onced called home, and will again very soon.

If you're confused by what I'm typing just talk to progressive candidates in rural areas of red states. They'll tell you the support they received is both unhelpful and inadequate and that these two negatives have yet to actually change in a meaningful way.

All that would have been required for winning that seat in the house would have been a few more legs on the ground, helping disconnected progressives, hidden like Winston Smith amongst the Proles and legions of androids from THE PARTY, to reconnect, organize and fight against the prole-feed constantly spewed in the local media and limbaughwave radio stations. Then if you got those national party folks to actually listen to the citizens in the district about what mountains they must climb during the election cycle then perhaps they might have something. As of yet, they do not...in fact have something.

I want to give more money. I really do, but for these reasons I'm waiting.

[NoPasaran]

74. Soemtimes you have to buy a few eggs before you get the chickens

Of course, there's always a reason for doing nothing.

[izzybeans]

76. They're eggs are plentiful. I've done my part.

edited to add: I'm waiting for the reason they are doing nothing in those areas. Yes there is always a reason for doing nothing.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

73. $479,104 as of 9:00 a.m. EST

Keep it up! Let's break $500,000 TODAY!

[janx]

75. Should make it by this afternoon. n/t

[janx]

77. $489,789.00 at noon eastern. Still climbing. n/t

[janx]

78. oooooohhh! $498, 931.00...

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

79. Donated Again

$20.06 -- I enjoy the symbolism.

[Rainscents]

80. It looks like, we are almost there!!!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

81. Done

We Did It!



On Edit: Woo Hoo!!

[janx]

82. YES!

[Rainscents]

83. Hurayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!

[realFedUp]

84. can't we get some animation at least at the top....

some cheap pay off...