The Democratic Reunion

A new e-mail from Howard.

I have results and big announcement for you today.

I wanted you to be the first to get the results of the fundraising drive. Over the last two weeks, over 11,000 people stood up to be counted by donating to support the 50-state strategy. The average donation was about $48 and you raised over $500,000 in less than two weeks.

But here's the most important statistic of this fundraising drive: of the more than 11,000 people donating to the Democratic Party in the last 2 weeks, 67% of them did so for the first time.

We're putting people back in control of the political process. Your voice has been heard loud and clear: we need a 50-state strategy to fight everywhere, and with your leadership in your own community we will.

Which brings me to the big announcement. On July 29th we will kick off the last 100 days until the election with the first annual Democratic Reunion.

The Democratic Reunion will be a series of events across the country, in every single state, that will bring people back into the political process and remind everyone who wants change that we're all in this fight together for the last 100 days.

Your local Democratic Reunion event can be a social event like a picnic, a voter contact event like a canvass, or a campaign event with local candidates. The only requirement is that you come together with your neighbors on July 29th and kick off 100 days of work to build your local network and win this November.

Plan your own Democratic Reunion event now using our web site. It's easy, fun and you'll be provided with the materials you need to be successful. If you've never done anything like this before, now is the time to start. Plan your event now:

http://www.democrats.org/thedemocraticreunion/create

Many state and local Democratic Parties have already started planning their Democratic Reunion events, and exciting things are happening.

In Washington, the state party will focus their local events on grassroots organizing to get the word out about Democratic candidates. In Arizona, there are already 25 local organizing events across the state that will build local energy for candidates up and down the ballot on Election Day.

In some states, local county parties will be holding picnics to introduce their candidates. In others, state parties will be organizing door-to-door canvasses in targeted neighborhoods. But remember -- if there's no event near you, you have the power (and responsibility) to create your own.

Search for an event near you here:

http://www.democrats.org/thedemocraticreunion/find

The outcome of this election comes down to one question: Do Americans want a fundamental change in direction, or do they want the same failed Republican policies? You and I both know that the Democratic Party is the only party that's committed to real change.

That's why we need to continue the work we started with the National Organizing Kickoff and strengthen the new relationships we formed during The 50-State Canvass if we're going to take our country back.

Your Democratic Reunion can be a day to contact 100 voters, or a day to organize the group you will work with to contact 100 voters before Election Day.

No matter what your event looks like, the purpose will be the same. Democrats will come together and focus on our common mission: building this Party at the local level and leveraging people power to win in November.

The past two weeks have seen an incredible showing of support for the idea of a 50-state strategy. Now is your opportunity to be a part of it on the ground where you live.

Thank you,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

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