Election Prep Checklist

Al Gore gives a great speech when he talks about the difference between what the morning after an election victory is like compared to the morning after a loss. It goes something like this: You wake up in the morning, there is a crick in your neck and a pain in your back. Your alarm didn't go off and you're late for work. It's raining outside and the coffee machine is out of filters. You stub your toe getting the paper (which is all wet from the rain) and "Four More Years." Or you wake up rested and ready. The sun is shining, the birds are singing. Together with your paycheck you find the morning paper with the headline "Kerry Landslide." Now with little over a month to go to the election. I now present to you the following handy checklist to prepare for the upcoming elections.

1. Register to vote. I know, I know but just make sure o.k? I would hate to spend all this time convincing you to vote and have you not be able to. You have a couple of weeks left in California, but don't put it off.

2. Chip in money if you can. You can't give any more money to the Kerry/Edwards campaign. But you can give to the Democratic National Committee. The DNC blog is called "Kicking Ass" and that's what they will do with your money.

3. Put in some time. For those of us who are broke the best thing we can give is our time. Find a place to put in a little volunteer time. If you live in a swing state there will be plenty of Presidential action. If not, find a local candidate who seems worth it and put in a little time. Call some voters, change some minds.

4. Find a mind that you can change. Think about everybody you know. The key minds we are after are: 1. Wishy-washy people who have not picked a guy yet. 2. "Soft" conservatives who are upset with Bush. 3. Dumb-ass liberals who are still going to vote for Nader. 4. Lazy-ass liberals who would vote for Kerry if we can only get them to lay down the joint and vote. Find these people! We can start working on them soon, but the important thing is to find them.

You have your marching orders. Go forth loyal readers! Onward to victory!