off the top of my head..

A useful internet tool is the moderated chat system. I know of one in particular which allows users to submit questions, the moderator sends the questions to the chat for the speaker to answer. The people logged in see the questions and answers in real-time, like a town hall meeting, only there is no travel required.

another thing to consider is a more comprehensive forum system, outside of the blogs, that is geared towards (and advertised as) constituent input on matters which concern them the most.

lets make sure the voting machines are legit before the next elections.....in new hampshire, the phones were tampered with to stop calls in the the dems....
if we no longer have honest elections in our own country, how can we impose our so called democratic ideals on another country?
what a bunch of malarky....

I've been thinking about this, too.

We need to reach those that have never voted and those that don't bother to vote because they think their vote doesn't matter to anyone. Why don't we go to places where we haven't tread in generations?

Where did the FDR Democrats go? We should be standing outside of the places where the working poor and middle class contractors go everyday to make their livelihoods and play.

I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be visable in the community and actively approaching people. Maybe the reason the Republicans get by with saying we don't have an agenda is because we have been invisible.

Why don't we hold rallies? Why don't we march in community parades? Why don't we participate as a group in community fund raising events and races?

It's time to quit letting them paint us as leapers. Let's show voters that we are proud of who we are and what we want to accomplish...and that they too can speak up in public.

And most importantly, we need to listen. What is it that they need from their government? What do we have to do to get them to vote? We have to make ourselves easily accessable and then really listen.

Then we need to get them registered, help them check to see if they are still registered and what to do if they aren't. Show them how to vote absentee if their state allows it; or if not, show them how these new voting machines work so they aren't ruffled at the polls.

We have the right agenda. We always have had it. What we need is citizen feedback and interaction. The more we reach out, the more volunteers will join us. The country longs for a change of heart and direction. They will want to be part of it.

Races in Montana
Primary Date: June 6th, 2006

MT-AL
Challenging GOP incumbent Dennis Rehberg:

Eric Gunderson D
Monica Lindeen D

THE MONTANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

............................................

Determined to turn Real People’s concerns into common sense laws…..most people are not lawyers.

Eric J. Gunderson
A real person, like you!

As the son of a Naval Veteran and a Medical Professional, I wasraised in various locations while learning compassion for people. I know the worries of military families. I know the challenges ofbroken families. I know the satisfaction of working hard to build afuture for the growing family. AND I know the heartbreak ofstarting all over again.Life is rarely fair, but hope for a better tomorrow is the string thatkeeps freedom singing in Montana and America.

As a businessowner for 8 years, I know the difficulties, needs and realities ofgovernmental influences. Along with beneficial aid, the governmentbrings unnecessary interference and even at times, impossible toattain mandates. From personal experience, I know what needs tobe addressed through common sense lawmaking. The most valuableexperience does not come from a textbook. It comes from trial,error, struggle, success and yes, even failure.

ERIC J. GUNDERSON FOR CONGRESS

...........................................

About Monica

Monica Lindeen has proven herself as someone who knows how to set a goal, work with others, and get things done. Monica grew up the daughter of a hard working truck driver; her mother worked as a waitress and raised their family on a modest income. Lindeen learned from her parents the value of a hard days work, the value of an education, the value of reaching out to help another, and the value of family and community. This is the magic that is Montana.

Those who know Monica best say she has never met a challenge she didn’t like. She took those Montana values she learned from her parents and put herself through college at MSU-Billings, earning a teaching degree in English and History, and completing the majority of her master’s degree work while teaching part-time in the English Department and the Department of Educational Foundations. Monica was the first in her family to earn a college degree.

MONICA J. LINDEEN FOR CONGRESS

...............................

Races in Ohio

OH-01
Challenging GOP incumbent Steven Chabot:
John Cranley

OH-02
Challenging GOP incumbent Jean Schmidt:
Victoria Wulsin

OH-03
Challenging GOP incumbent Michael Turner:
Stephanie Studebaker

OH-04
Contesting this open seat:
Richard Siferd

OH-05
Challenging GOP incumbent Paul Gillmor:
Robin Weirauch

OH-06
Contesting this open seat:
Charlie Wilson
……………………………………………………………………….

OH-07
Challenging GOP incumbent David Hobson:
William Conner

OH-08
Challenging GOP incumbent John Boehner:
Morton Meier

OH-09
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Marcy Kaptur

OH-10
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Dennis Kucinich

OH-11
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones

OH-12
Challenging GOP incumbent Pat Tiberi:
Robert Shamansky
……………………………………………………………….

OH-13
Contesting this open seat:
Betty Sutton

OH-14
Challenging GOP incumbent Steven LaTourette:
Lewis Katz

OH-15
Challenging GOP incumbent Deborah Pryce:
Mary Jo Kilroy

OH-16
Challenging GOP incumbent Ralph Regula:
Thomas Shaw

OH-17
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Tim Ryan

OH-18
Challenging GOP incumbent Robert Ney:
Zack Space

THE OHIO DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Right On! Keep up the good work!

I hope the Dems. are more organized this time around. 2006 may be our last chance to hold on to the rights we have left. No telling what that bunch may do next.But at least their own members are starting to notice their over the top maneuvers. If anyone hears about anything going on in the N.Y.C. area please post it.I had volunteered to work in Ohio in 2004.They contacted me then I never heard from the person in Ohio who was supposed to call me. I'll bet I'm one of a very very large crowd.

RACES IN NEW YORK
Filing Deadline: July 13th, 2006

NY-01
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Tim Bishop

NY-02
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Steve Israel

NY-03
GOP incumbent Peter King

NY-04
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy

NY-05
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Gary Ackerman

NY-06
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Greg Meeks

NY-07
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Joseph Crowley

NY-08
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Jerry Nadler

NY-09
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Anthony Weiner

NY-10
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Edolphus Towns

NY-11
Contesting this open seat:
Emanuel Andrews
Yvette Clarke
Chris Owens
Noah Perry
David Yassky

NY-12
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Nydia Velazquez

NY-13
Challenging GOP incumbent Vito Fossella:
Steve Harrison

NY-14
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Carolyn Maloney

NY-15
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Charles Rangel

NY-16
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Jose Serrano

NY-17
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Eliot Engel

NY-18
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Nita Lowey

NY-19
Challenging GOP incumbent Sue Kelly:
Judith Aydelott
John Hall
James Martorano
Darren Rigger
Ben Shuldiner
Gary Suraci

NY-20
Challenging GOP incumbent John Sweeney:
Kirsten Gillibrand
Morris Guller
Edwin Pell
Douglas Walters

NY-21
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Michael McNulty

NY-22
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Maurice Hinchey

NY-23
Challenging GOP incumbent John McHugh:
Bob Johnson

NY-24
Contesting this open seat:
Mike Arcuri
Les Roberts

NY-25
Challenging GOP incumbent Jim Walsh:
Paloma Capanna
Ken Howland
Daniel Maffei

NY-26
Challenging GOP incumbent Tom Reynolds:
Jack Davis

NY-27
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Brian Higgins

NY-28
Democratic Incumbent
Rep. Louise Slaughter

NY-29
Challenging GOP incumbent John Kuhl:Eric Massa

THE NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC PARTY

I am an older Lady and in all my many years of watching the Democratic Party, I have never see everyone working so hard!

I know the people have noticed it. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike have seen our Democrats beating the other parties in contacting the people to make sure they know what our plans for the USA are, as soon as they get in the majority.

Where do we learn about which specific campaigns nationwide are important to volunteer and/or raise money? I want to focus on those campaigns that could potentially help the democrats assume control of the House and Senate again. Any suggestions would be appreciated !!

More than anything, Dems must pick political battles carefully. The "real" economy, the war, the climate of corruption, Scrub and the prince of darkness; aka: the president and VP, congressional and senatorial misconduct, Katrina and the Gulf Coast.

Much as I respect Sen. Clinton...she is a lightning rod and many are stuck on failed national healthcare, her husband, etc. She has co-opted Al Gore's messages. She's unelectable.

Drop Kerry (he showed nor articulated any vision, he stayed on the defensive). I'm a Democrat and he showed me zilch. That train has left the station.

Al Gore is the candidate for the next election tell his handlers to leave him alone this time. If they had not had him "back off" and be nice to Jr. Idiot, he might have gathered enough votes and they wouldn't have been able to steal an election.

If Hillary is the presidential candidate in '08, this whole country looses.
It could quite possibly destroy the two party system. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans will gain by having Hillary run. Instead the third parties will start to gain a foot hold, because so many people are so thoroughly fed up with both the Republicans and the Republi-lites, and fail to see a difference between the Republi-lites and the true Democrats, that they don't trust either party.
This is a political pivot point.
If we don't ditch a number of the Republi-lites, and consign the rest into a corner where we can exersize damage control, a lot of people are going to go third party, none of which will win in this race.
This is the 600lb gorilla in the living room, and he's still growing.

Keeping California in the loop is the ticket to winning our elections, and selecting humble candidates who are not laughing at government, yet willing to put out good ideas and catch their constituents interest. The canvassing was only a start, we've got to keep the ball rolling.

California residents want to know how to become more involved. I am reaching out to my neighborhood Democrats and inviting them to join me in sending a "Bill' to Washington DC.

Our elected officials don't have a clue until we shake them up with our efforts to bridge the gap between governing and The People of the Country.

What this "Bill" will look like? And, what its contents will be is pure magic. I will keep you in touch as we move along. I am asking all organizers to join me when we have completed this "Bill", or in the least I will send it to you for more input.

Start a newsletter and invite your local Democrats to your meetings, and show them you have a plan for real change. It takes a lot out of you, but, it works.

Edie
edie021950@hotmail.com

Just commenting on 'AloneinCa' ----

Gore is great, now. He has the energy, and no matter what Hillary does or doesn't, Gore is the viable candidate. What is wrong with all elections is the thought that money wins the elections. It is not the golden rule. The little unknowns can even win elections. I believe Gore has learned his lesson, and all we need to do is push the envelope for him. I like the way he role-plays, as he says he loves his new life. That can be changed. At this moment and time, if we want the White House, we had better start the ground work. Nothing is impossible. There is nothing worse than losing an election with your eyes wide open, and that is what we will get with Hillary.

So far, three prominent Kansas Republicans have switched over to the Democratic Party in order to run for office on a Democratic ticket.

Last winter, Republican District Attorney Paul Morrison switched parties in order to run against ultra-conservative State Attorney General Phill Kline.

Shortly afterwards, Cindy Neighbor, a former Republican legislator and local school board member, re-registered as a Democrat in order to challenge Mary Pilcher-Cook for the State Legislature.

Just this week, former Republican Party State Chair Mark Parkinson changed parties and accepted an offer to run as Lt. Governor along with popular Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. A resentful Bill O'Reilly launched a baseless attack on Gov. Sebelius, but the man is just a sore loser.

Kudos to the DNC for its 50-State strategy. Kansas Democrats really appreciate it!