South Dakota, Maryland, Arkansas, and... COLORADO!

[janx]

From Tom McMahon at the DNC blog:

Thank You

I just wanted to say a special thank-you to all of you who have responded to the challenge Governor Dean has been writing and speaking about over the last two weeks. It was great to see so many of you behind the 50-state strategy, and so many of your comments were inspiring to read on all the various threads about this push.

Please keep reading for more about the program and the names of the four new states you made possible today.

No one was expecting to hit the goals as fast as you did, so it took a little scrambling to make the preparations for the announcement (calling Governor Dean, who is on the road today, to tell him that you hit the goal; calling the four state chairs to let them know that you made it possible to start the program in their states).

Your enthusiasm to build our party in every single state has made this program move fast than anyone imagined. Resources and energy are being put to work in nine states already — including five that were announced just last week. (Kansas, the state whose program you funded last week in the kick-off of all of this, is already hiring its first organizer — you will be hearing more about your party's work there soon.)

Now, thanks to the funds you brought in this week, we can kick off in four more states:

* South Dakota
* Maryland
* Arkansas
* Colorado

The state parties in each of these states are in different positions, and the program will emphasize meeting their needs. All four of these states have Governor's races in 2006, so getting started now is important, but as Governor Dean has made clear, this program is as much about 2016. Putting organizers on the ground will help in the short-term by tapping grassroots energy and organizing precincts where Democrats have never been active before. But the real goal here is to reshape the landscape in the long-term.

This makes 13 states total — nine added to the program in the last two weeks. I want to be straight with you — this isn't the last time you're going to hear about the need to fund this program. The money raised this week lets us get started in these states. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of planning and talking to do with the state parties, and a lot of money to raise to make this 50-state strategy a reality. But as long as we're in this together we can do it. Thank you so much.
Posted by Tom McMahon, Executive Director @ 07:19 PM

http://www.democrats.org/blog/comment/00012148.html#comments

[Cha]

1. Congrats, Janx! Who

do you want for Governor of Colorado?

[janx]

2. Rutt Bridges (sounds like a movie actor) is a very viable

candidate, but I'm fond of Rollie Heath also. Rollie has run before.

[Cha]

8. I had to look Rutt up..

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2776145

[janx]

9. Right. I don't know that Rollie will run.

At one point I found an updated web domain name implying that he might, but who knows?

Ritter--forget it.

I hope the pubs run Beauprez.

[iwantmycountryback]

19. How about Hickenlooper, the mayor of Denver?

I heard he is the favorite if he decides to run.

[TVTech]

21. Don't think he'll run...

I'm pretty sure I heard Hick will not be running. Anyone think Wellington Webb might?

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Yea, Arkansas made the list!!!

[janx]

5. That is going to be a good one to watch!

It should keep General Clark busy, too.

[UrbScotty]

20. Go Arkansas!

Blue in '08!

[corbett]

4. Important Post

Thanks for posting this! I gave $60 to this effort (all I could afford).

After Kerry actually won in Florida and Ohio, I swore to myself that I wouldn't give any money to the party until meaningful election reform with teeth which takes effect for the 2006 elections is signed into law. Governor Dean turned me around with his 50-state plan and choosing the redder states as the launch points.

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050601/the_key_to_impeachment.php

[janx]

7. I can't afford to pitch in every time.

We do what we can. This is getting more exciting by the day--or by the hour!

[corbett]

10. Money's Tight Because Of KKKarl's Trickle-Down

I understand if you can't make a donation. Instead, please share this link with others:

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050601/the_key_to_impeachment.php

[janx]

13. Will do. Any site with a name like that should attract

people--or should. ;-)

[Mich Otter]

14. "Tinkle-On Economics"

Don't you just feel the flow from those above you on the economic totem pole? Many are drowning in the generosity of those who say,"Piss on the poor".

[Rainscents]

6. I am so glad we are making difference!

[janx]

11. It's an ongoing project! n/t

[Andromeda]

12. This is good news!

.

[elshiva]

15. As a Marylander, I have to say thanks!

Ehrlich, our gov, is a homophobic neocon... Let's get him out of the governor's mansion, since he can't seem to raise the minimum wage to 6 frikkin' bucks!

[Eloriel]

16. FANTASTIC -- what great news!

And to think I nearly passed this thread up. :evilgrin:

[AuntiBush]

17. Thank goodness! We need you here!

What is the schedule for the 4 states? How does one get in invite to attend?

P.S. Watched on C-Span 2 today! It was fabulous!

[janx]

18. Contact your state DNC chair.

Get involved locally. If you go to the DNC site

http://www.democrats.org/

you will find (on the left)an option that says "Get Local." Choose your state from there!