Well, here’s to a wonderful New Year!
Much excitement tonight as Dean for America (you!) raised over $15
million for the three months ending at midnight. This sets a
Democratic record for fundraising. And this result was achieved,
as before, in small contributions.
I talked to my Dad in Iowa tonight—he figures the state will go for
Dean. Dad says that he and June are really really really sick of
the television ads for Gephart, Kerry, and Dean. They’ve never been to a caucus before, but
are considering finding one to check it out.
Most exciting is the grassroots campaign in New Hampshire—well over a
thousand face-to-face meetings in people’s homes, listening to each
other’s stories of living and of political interest, reweaving the
social fabric, one group at a time. Ten thousand New Hampshire
citizens have taken part in at least one of these meetings!
Members of a New Hampshire Dean Leaders group
A New Hampshire organizer
MeetUp continues to be our heart nationally—over a thousand organizers,
self-trained and increasingly experienced, bringing together
communities across the land. From netroots to grassroots.
My office at the Dean national headquarters in Burlington, Vermont, is along a narrow corridor, across
from the only real conference room. People come up and down the
hall all the time, peek in, connect, create intense
conversations. “Next!” “Aaah,” I laughed after one
rapid-fire sequence, “I love being a middle manager!“
The conference room
Inside the conference room planning an action
I am going to take the door off the hinges of my personal office, and have an open door
policy. I do now. My coordinators (as in American football—did I
ever think I’d be using football metaphors?) including Harish and Matt
and Zephyr and Nicco feel free to come in, and often if I’m talking to
one or two another will pop in for a few minutes. Harish,
searching for a (semi) quiet place was camped out on my floor yesterday
with his laptop for an hour or so. It has been a wild week.
Lots of technology, processes and people. Good fun with the team.
Laughs, long marathons, and the occasional magic miracle breakthrough.
……………………………………………………
I’m pretty exhausted tonight. It’s nice to snuggle in and just be, here in this house in the dark in the woods.
Happy New Year! Love you all!
