Fired Up and Ready to Go

Advancing Change 2010, our organizing initiative we’ve launched in cooperation with Organizing for America, is off to a roaring start.  We’ve now had two training sessions, and over 150 people have taken part.  Our most recent session last Wednesday drew a big crowd of nearly 100 to the Firehouse Grill, and people turned out from just down the block in Evanston and from as far away as McHenry and Humboldt Park.  I’ve been truly impressed and inspired by the folks who’ve joined us: they’re committed and compassionate and vitally concerned.  Great company, too.  We’re expecting a similar turnout for our next meeting on Wednesday, May 12. 

What’s got people so fired up?  It’s the Advancing Change agenda. 

This is path-breaking work, as we’ll be reaching out to first-time Obama voters to ensure that they remain engaged.  History suggests that these people, who were drawn in to the political process by the hope and change represented by the Obama campaign, will not be inclined to vote in a mid-term election.  But the numbers are clear: if we can get these people to the polls this November, we can significantly affect the results in a Democratic direction. 

Who are these first-time Obama voters? 

Many are young – the college students, for example, who got so energized in 2008.  But they’re also struggling single moms and senior citizens on fixed incomes.  This group of voters is more minority, younger, and generally more progressive than the traditional midterm voting demographic – and that’s why reengaging these Obama voters is so important.  If we can get them to become regular voters, we’ll be having a transformative effect on the electorate and on the Democratic Party.  We’ll be helping to secure the change we fought for in 2008.  

And where are we going to be carrying out the Advancing Change agenda? 

We’ll be promoting Democrats in national, statewide and local races here in Evanston, especially in our lower-turnout wards.  We’ll also be assisting Dan Seals in the 10^th Congressional District, to ensure a Democratic pick-up in that crucial race. 

Want to join us with this exciting and innovative work?  Or just want to know more?  Come to our next AC 2010 training session Wednesday, May 12, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Firehouse Grill, 750 Chicago Avenue (just across the street from the DPOE office.)  You may come at 6 to join other friendly folks for dinner (ordering off the menu) before the meeting gets underway.  Please let us know if you plan to come: rsvp to info@dpoe.org or call the office at 847 491-0865.  

We’ll need lots of people to Advance Change.  We hope you’ll join us!