When the president speaks, don’t just listen

01/14/2006

Dear DFL Member and Supporter,

On January 31st, George Bush will deliver his State of the Union address, to be followed by the Democratic response. We can’t afford to sit back and listen—we have to act if we’re going to change the direction of this country. You can kick off this year of change by hosting a Watch Party that night.

Don’t let the name fool you—these Watch Parties are about more than watching. Your event will provide crucial information to Democrats in your community before the speech, and the opportunity to hear directly from our party’s leaders immediately after.

Besides connecting with your friends and neighbors to discuss the state of our nation, you and your guests can join a nationwide conference call with Governor Howard Dean, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, offering immediate reaction and opportunities for rapid response.

You can start planning your Watch Party in a few simple steps by visiting:

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

Throwing a Watch Party is simple. If this is your first time planning one, our online event tool takes care of planning your event and inviting others.

As the event approaches we will also make sure you get the latest research and information about what will be in the president’s speech so that you and your guests are prepared to respond everywhere—from the letters to the editor column to the water cooler.

Please consider hosting a Watch Party on January 31st:

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

These events will raise crucial dollars to provide additional support to the 50-state field organizing operation your Democracy Bond makes possible. The RSVP process suggests (but does not require) a one-time contribution or pledge from your guests.

We must invest now in order to win in November. We can’t afford to wait until the last few weeks before an election to try to get an operation together, and then watch it disappear after Election Day. Investment now means having the dollars to build the infrastructure to compete and win in all 50 states.

It also means investing in the relationships—neighbor to neighbor, American to American—that will form a powerful nationwide network of support that touches every community.

Schedule your event now to bring people together in your community and help them make a difference in 2006:

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

If every single one of us gets our friends and neighbors involved, we can make sure that when the president stands at that same podium in January 2007 and looks out at the new Congress, he sees more Democrats than Republicans.

Thank you so much,

Tom McMahon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

P.S.—Here’s a twist for you. Governor Dean will spend the evening at a Watch Party hosted by a member of the Democracy Bonds community.

A Democracy Bond is a commitment to give a small amount monthly to the Democratic Party—the community of bond holders is the backbone of our 50-state strategy, providing the bedrock financial stability that makes it possible to build a national infrastructure.

They have also helped our party cut the Republican fundraising advantage in half over the last year. While their stream of special interest money has remained steady, we have the potential to match their total—and in the process create a political party beholden only to the people.

One lucky Democracy Bond holder who decides to host an event will be randomly selected for a visit by Governor Dean to their Watch Party.

If you don’t already have a Democracy Bond but would like a chance to be eligible for a visit from Governor Dean on January 31st, use this special link to get your Democracy Bond now:

http://www.democrats.org/SOTUbonds