Just checking in

Hi everyone, this is Julie. I've been gone from Red State Rebels for about 10 weeks, since I started working as communications director for the Idaho Democratic Party on October 1. Until November 30, on the DNC payroll under the 50-state strategy, I was bound by DNC employee rules against independent blogging and fundraising for the IDP. But since we 50-state strategy employees have been temporarily (we hope!) furloughed pending the new administration, I am free to surface here, at least for the time being. Here are a few things that have been on my mind:

Many people who worked really hard on the Obama campaign are now looking for ways to make a difference. In my IDP gig, I am seeking grassroots/netroots communications volunteers in every county (for general party building) and every legislative district (to keep tabs on GOP mischief in R-dominated districts and do incumbent protection in D-led areas). Several Obama volunteers have already signed up, and I know more are out there!

We'll be doing everything from LTE-writing parties and blog comments to issues-oriented YouTube videos on Democratic-sponsored bills in the Idaho Legislature. If you have a few hours to spare each month - and you know you do; you spend more time than that reading blogs! - please consider volunteering, especially during the upcoming legislative session. Email me at julie at idaho-democrats dot org if you're interested, and tell me where you live (street address) so I can get you hooked up with the right LD team. We'll be ramping this up in mid-January, so raise your hand now if you'd like to help.

The IDP is bustling these days. In addition to the grassroots communications projects, we recently added Amber Pence as a membership and development director, we're crafting a 2010 field plan that will maximize off-year Dem gains, and we're improving our data base to help counties and candidates identify ever-more Democratic voters. But all this takes money ... so if you were among the thousands of Idahoans who kicked in an occasional (or monthly) $10 or $20 or more to the Obama campaign, I hope you'll consider doing the same for the Idaho Democratic Party. And if - during the holiday season - you see friends and family who've left Idaho for bluer pastures, please ask them to consider helping out, too.

Finally, are you receiving the weekly e-newsletter from the Idaho Democratic Party? (It arrives Tuesday mornings, if you are not sure.) If you're not signed up, you're missing the best way to stay on top of what the IDP and state legislators are doing. We have just shy of 1,250 subscribers right now - not so hot in a state where 236,440 people voted for Barack Obama. You can sign up right at our website; see the form on the right side of this page, below where it says "Register to Vote." Give us your first name and email address, watch for the opt-in email, and you will be good to go.

Happy holidays to all, in case I don't make it back here for a while ...

Comments

[Nemesis]

Julie;

I'm glad you had the opportunity to give us an update on your situation. I'm feeling particularly adrift now that the election is over, and I need to get going in some grass roots activities.

Thanks for the links.

[Citizen Julie]

You betcha.

Also, a special request to people from outside blue Boise (the soldily Dem Districts 16, 17, 18 and 19) ... YOU are the people who can make the greatest change in Idaho. Please email me even if you have only an hour or two a month, especially if you live in west Ada County, Canyon County, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls or Coeur d'Alene. EVERY county is important, but these are areas where we can make the greatest difference and bring Idaho government back into balanceover the next few years.

[The Boise Picayune]

Election? There was an Election?