This was going to be a historic moment no matter what. Once the field narrowed to Obama and Clinton, we KNEW we would make history. We would have either the first black or first woman nominated for President by one of the two major parties. Well, THIS, folks, is history. Real and amazing history. We have now done what our parents couldn't do.

Now is the time to get it right. Now is the time to come together. Now is the time...the Dream comes true this year bigger and brighter than it has ever been dreamed before. Let's do this thing TOGETHER.

Today I started petitioning for my local candidates. This is the beginning of the real push locally, statewide and nationally. We have the chance to solidify the House, take the Senate for real, elect a brilliant man to the White House, and win local elections across the nation.

We have already begun. We won some amazing victories in special elections, turning once "safe Red" districts Blue in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Progressive Majority, one of the most amazing grassroots progressive organizations, has already won some local elections in Wisconsin and in McCain's own state of Arizona. But now, today, the big game begins.

Are you with me?
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In 2004 and 2006, I supported Leonard Boswell, Congressman from Iowa's third Congressional district. Boswell has been heavily targeted by the Republican party and tends to squeak by to victory. His age and health were issues in 2006. I supported him through it all.

This year I am supporting a primary challenger to Boswell with some reluctance. Bottom line is I am tired of having to defend the district against increasingly aggressive Republican challenges just waiting for Boswell to retire. The time for him to retire is now and there is an excellent alternative.
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Next to the Democratic Primary, the most exciting and important race of Super Tuesday is the IL-3 Democratic Primary. Our readers in Chicago and Cook County have a very real choice in this Congressional primary. This race pits an anti-choice, pro-Bush incumbent, Dan Lipinski, against a grassroots progressive challenger, Mark Pera.

Dan Lipinski has been a consistent opponent of a woman's right to choose, a consistent opponent of life-saving stem cell research, and a consistent supporter of Bush's Iraq quagmire. He votes more in line with Bush's agenda than practically any Democrat in the House. In fact, he has voted with Bush 50% of the time!

By contrast, Mark Pera is a true Democrat. He has been endorsed by the National Organization of Women, the Jewish Political Alliance of Illinois, United Muslims and Arabs for a Better America, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Citizens Action/Illinois, Democracy for America (DFA), Mexicanos for Political Progress, Planned Parenthood, United Citizens for a Better America, and Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century as well as a whole slew of local politicians. For Americans who want change, THIS race is critical.

Here is Mark Pera speaking about special interests:

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Northside DFA Election Day Volunteering for Mark Pera (Chicago)
Start: 02/05/2008 - 4:30am
Group: Northside DFA
Cost: free
Address: Pier One Parking Lot, 5306 N. Broadway, Chicago

ELECTION DAY VOLUNTEERING!!!
- Tuesday, February 5th from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- We need maximum coverage on election day at our precincts. We need to have nice friendly faces with Mark Pera buttons and palm cards at every polling place -- so we need you! Even if you can only do part of the day, sign up now so we can get you in the schedule.
- RSVP at: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=24781

Northside DFA Canvassing for Mark Pera (Chicago)
Start: 02/03/2008 - 12:00pm
Group: Northside DFA
Cost: free
Address: Pier One Parking Lot, 5306 N. Broadway, Chicago

NDFA Event: Go Door to Door for Congressional Candidate Mark Pera

Mark Pera is running against anti-choice, pro-war machine "Democrat" Dan Lipinski in the February 5th primary election. We will meet at the Pier 1 Parking Lot at 5304 N. Broadway and carpool to our assigned precincts. This is the ground work that gets progressive candidates elected! First timer? We will start with a brief training and the pair you up with an experienced person.

RSVP and get details at: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=26978

Tuesday November 6th is election day 2007. I have been covering as many states as I could to highlight races that are important to progressives, relying on organizations I am familiar with like Democracy for America and its local affiliates and Progressive Majority.

Well, each time I post about this over at Daily Kos SOMEONE wants more. Now it's Utah. Yep...there are things the progressive grassroots can do in Utah as well. So here we go...PROGRESSIVES GET OUT AND VOTE IN UTAH!

First off is a school voucher referendum that needs to be opposed. VOTE NO ON REFERENDUM 1. This school voucher referendum is opposed by the Utah PTA, NAACP - Salt Lake Chapter, League of Women Voters, Voices for Utah Children, Communities for Quality Education (CQE), American Civil Liberties Union, Utah Family Partnership Network, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) - Utah Section, and many others. And there is a scathing editorial in the Salt Lake Tribune urging a "NO" vote on Referendum 1.

Democracy for Utah also has endorsed Ralph Becker for Salt Lake City mayor. Becker has also been endorsed by Salt Lake County Hispanic Caucus, Sierra Club, Utah Black Democratic Caucus, Cal Rampton (former Governor of Utah), and many, many others.
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