I have a confession to make.

[PretzelWarrior]

I've told people before that because of my family background/religious affiliations, etc. I never voted in any election until 2000 when I was faced with the specter of Bush in the White House. I dutifully posted messages on CNN communities in support of Gore, I attended a Gore visit to Oregon...I voted for him. And we all know what happened.

Anyway, I've been faithfully voting in all of the state elections since then including all the special elections this state seems to hold on myriad ballot initiatives like Measure 30 tax increase this month.

However, I have NEVER EVER EVER contributed $$$ to any campaign--until today. I feel strongly about this, and I backed it up with my own words. I was caught up in layoffs, went to school again for awhile, built up more student loans, and got a job now for which I am definitely overqualified. In other words, I'm not sitting financially pretty right now, but I felt the need to do something. I gave $50 to the Kerry campaign.

No big deal to some of you. Perhaps you've given thousands of $$$ over the years to various political candidates. But this is my new paradigm. Putting hard $$ on the table to make my commitment known. I think John Kerry has a very good chance of being elected our next president in 2004, and I urge others who are supporting him to dig deep to see what they too can contribute. Of course, I urge the same of other true believers going for other candidates. Support your guy with the money he needs--he will need a LOT OF IT--to beat Bush in the summer and fall.

I also want to apologize for using a term for Dean supporters that I didn't realize was unacceptable. I got my very first DU moderator warning so maybe it means I am really invested in this process and my candidate of choice.

Thanks.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. i dont have much money either

so i am waiting for a nominee and then i will donate the money i can.

[PretzelWarrior]

2. that also sounds like a smart strategy

I hope others do the same. Together, we can kick the usurper out of the WH.

I wanted to give more at this time, but I knew I could go back and give more to Kerry if he wins the nomination or whoever else the nominee is.

I really want this one. I can taste it. We need to prevail, folks. We need to send a message. Even if they somehow rig things, I want it to be within a gnat's nose and not a landslide.

That way we can still make our case that at MOST, Bush is acting for the stupidest 49% of the country and the top 1% wealthy bastards who are scooping up the $$$$ thanks to Bush.

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Suggestion for undecided voters:

Consider donating to the DNC. That way, whoever we nominate will benefit. After all, we're going to support the nominee, right?

http://www.democrats.org

[PretzelWarrior]

4. I have a question re: DNC donation

if I did that, I'm not guaranteed 100% of it will go to the nominee am I? I'd much rather have direct control of my donation and give it to a specific campaign. The DNC can't give money to the presidential candidate, right? All they can do is air "issues" ads against Bush that don't directly provide support to the Dem candidate.

I say...hold on to your money if you're an undecided and give it to the nominee. Or split your giving amount. Give a % now to DNC and a % later to the nominee.

[Qutzupalotl]

13. There's a lot they can do with the money

especially at the convention. You are correct that it doesn't all go to the nominee, but they do help provide the nominee with additional resources. I like your suggestion of splitting the amount between your candidate and the DNC.

Giving to someone who might not win is a gamble. However, if your heart tells you to, do it!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

17. You could also donate to your county or state Democratic party

Their organizational and get-out-the-vote efforts will also help the nominee.

[MrBadExample]

5. Congratulations!

Seriously. Up until almost a year ago, I'd never contributed any money either. Then I got fired up by Dean and for the first time in my life gave money to a political campaign.

Actually, this election cycle holds a lot of firsts for me--first time attending a protest rally, first time contributing money, and (in April) the first time participating in my precinct caucuses.

Feels good to get involved, doesn't it? :) That's the one single good thing His Chimperial Majesty has done for me--I'm more active politically now than I've ever been in my life. (I'm over thirty, but hey...I always was a late bloomer.) My wife makes fun of me for getting worked up over the primaries and debates, but then she sits right down next to me and watches with me.

Here's to January 20, 2005. :toast: Down with the Chimp!

[PretzelWarrior]

6. I agree! I'm 34, so I know how you feel.

My wife is becoming more and more interested in politics too. We can create a whole new generation of activists. (THE GEN-Xers finally come to LIFE!)

Hey....I am curious how many NH Primary goers will be new voters. That will be interesting to see. Also, what % are registered DEMS/REEPUBS/IND.

Congratulations to you too. I'm glad to see many are aware of the real target in all of this.

It's not Dean and the scream. It's not Kerry and the wooden face. It's not Clark and the suspect Dem credentials. It's not the "dirty tricks" and push polling that always happens.

THE ENEMY IS BUSH. Bush is as much an enemy of the people in this country as Al Queda. I truly believe that. There are very evil and motivated terrorists out there. I don't kid myself. But they believe what they are dying for. Bush is a sick puppet who only cares about enabling the ruling class and destroying the government and weakening the already weak middle and working class.

[flpoljunkie]

10. Bushco is really revving up the Democrats for '04. Vote up 55% in Iowa!

I hope this fervent desire to get out and vote will help us take back the House and the Senate, too!

[kstewart33]

7. It's easy to get carried away for your candidate

I got my first moderator warning too this weekend, and I've always thought I was a rather subdued person.

It's easy to get carried away. It's great that you gave $50. That's a week's worth of groceries for a lot of people.

[AP]

8. You can donate as little as $5, at least to Edwards -- through my sig link

[flpoljunkie]

9. Bransonfu, that is a very generous contribution, especially in light of

your financial situation. It is a big deal.

It says a lot about your commitment to make John Kerry the next President of the United States.

[Westegg]

11. I still haven't given money to politicians...

...and I don't know when I will. My resources are limited, and I donate what little I can to animal shelters, homeless outreach programs and truly independent (i.e. Pacifica) radio stations.

I'm sure I'll sound naive when I say this but: there's far too much money in elections as it is.

[PretzelWarrior]

12. yeah, I know what you mean

In my opinion there's too much of the WRONG kind of money in politics today. The big PACs, corporate donations, sleazy "pioneers" old Bush has working for him, etc. is exactly the wrong kind of money.

I believe the grass roots few $$ here and there for something you believe in is much better and possibly almost as helpful as giving it to the Salvation Army, etc. NPR and Salvation Army are set for awhile thanks to McDonalds (LOL)

and getting Kerry in office may do much more for homeless and underprivileged than a few $$ here or there to a homeless shelter. HOWEVER I applaud anyone who gives to shelters, drug rehab programs, etc.

More power to you. I understand your convictions.

[GumboYaYa]

14. Congratulations.....

There are ways to get involved other than giving money. Contact the Kerry campaign where you live and do some volunteer work. You will be amazed how gratifying it is.

[Renew Deal]

15. Wait until you start getting banned.

That's a load of fun. Anyway, Congrats and good job. :toast:

[rucky]

16. ...and be sure to vote "YES" on Measure 30

those cuts would kill us, otherwise.

:D

[Feanorcurufinwe]

18. Once I realized that online I could donate as little at a time as I needed

I started making regular $5 donations

https://contribute.johnkerry.com