Democrats appeal to voters with huge grassroots effort

From Columbus Dispatch: 

Democrats plan on reaching out to 2 million people nationwide Saturday as part of a grassroots campaign that the party acknowledges is intended to emulate past Republican success in person-to-person political pitches.

So says Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who told The Dispatch yesterday that the huge undertaking is timed to coincide with 100 days before the November midterm elections.

Each of the 2 million people contacted by Democratic activists will be asked to connect with 100 people to pitch Democratic candidates and causes, Dean said.

Democrats are determined to do more person-to-person campaigning, Dean said. In Ohio, Democrats will hold 41 events Saturday, from barbecues to ice-cream socials, in a bid to persuade people to get involved, party officials said.

Dean said he believes Ohio is ripe for Democratic pickings in the fall as his party tries to win back a House and Senate majority. He named as prime pickup opportunities a challenge by Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown, of Avon, to Sen. Mike Dewine, and four House races in Ohio. The GOP House incumbents singled out by Dean as vulnerable were Reps. Deborah Pryce, of Upper Arlington; Bob Ney, of Heath; Steve Chabot, of Cincinnati; and Jean Schmidt, of Loveland.

07/27/2006 / Permalink / 2006, Volunteer, (all tags)

VIDEO: Chagrin Falls Blossom Time Parade

Residents of Eastern Cuyahoga and Geuaga Counties gather every Memorial Day weekend for the annual Chagrin Falls Blossom Time Parade.

Sherrod joined the festivities this year on the parade's 50th anniversary, marching with more than 100 Democrats and candidates from around the state.

In the words of our field director John Hagner  -- who has attended more than a few parades in his day -- the Chagrin Falls parade is one of the best in the state.  It is not hard to see why.

More than 30,000 area residents lined both sides of Washington Street in downtown Chagrin Falls to watch the marchers and floats go by.

By the sound of it, Sherrod had a lot of support in the crowd.  Cheers of "Go, Sherrod, go" were heard throughout the two-mile parade route.  Volunteers drummed up support by waiving campaign signs and carrying a large Sherrod Brown banner.

Sherrod turned the parade into a mini marathon as he ran in and out of the crowd, shaking hands with nearly everyone gathered along the route.  Old friends and new supporters came up to Sherrod along the way to wish him luck in the campaign.

Sherrod's wife Connie had her own base of support on the parade route.  Fans of her newspaper column and new book were found everywhere.

Take a look for yourself.  Watch the video below to get a feel for the day's exciting events.

06/02/2006 / Permalink / Northeast Ohio, Video, Volunteer, (all tags)

Vote in Tuesday’s Primary

Don't forget to go to the the polls today.

Sherrod only faces nominal opposition in the primary, but it is an important show of support for our campaign and the rest of the Democratic ticket.

This year we have an outstanding slate of candidates like Ted Strickland for governor, and Jennifer Brunner for secretary of state.

Remind your friends and family to come out as well. With your help, we can bring new voters to the polls to vote for change in 2006.

If you aren't sure where your polling place is located, contact your county board of elections.

05/02/2006 / Permalink / Volunteer, (all tags)

Help get out the vote for May 2 Ohio primary

Volunteers at Marietta office.

Next Tuesday marks the first major step on the Road to Change as Ohioans go to the polls to cast their ballots in the May 2 primary.  In 2006, we will have a strong slate of Democratic candidates, and our best opportunity in years to take back Ohio.

You can dramatically increase our chances to win this November by helping rally the base for next Tuesday's primary.

Click here to join us at a canvass, phone bank or a campaign activity near you.

This year's election in Ohio is seen by the national media as a referendum on the Bush administration and Republican rule in Columbus and Washington.

Do your part to change the direction of our state and our nation by getting Ohio voters to the polls next Tuesday.

We're already well on our way to building a grassroots campaign across every part of the state to mobilize voters this fall. Next Tuesday will be an early test of our organization.

Help us prepare for victory in the November general election.

Click here to get out the vote for Democratic candidates.

04/25/2006 / Permalink / Volunteer, (all tags)

Students for Sherrod Hold Organizing Summit in Columbus

Sherrod speaks at student organizing summit.

Earlier this month, student leaders from around the state gathered in Columbus to kick off an organizing drive to elect Sherrod to the U.S. Senate.

Sherrod told the student organizers that their involvement in his campaign would play a decisive role in this year's election.

"Young people have been at the forefront of every great social movement in our country's history," Sherrod said. "They will be a critical part of our victory in 2006."

The event took place at Drinko Hall on the campus of the Ohio State University.  Sherrod talked about jobs, health care, and the need to make college affordable for all.

"A few decades ago, 30% of college aid was in the form of loans, and 70% was grants. Today, those proportions have switched.  I have fought in Congress to make college tuition in Ohio once again affordable, and I will keep fighting in the Senate."

Sherrod's opponent in the election, Republican Mike DeWine, voted in 2004 against an amendment that would have increased the Pell Grant and indexed it to tuition costs. If the amendment had passed, the maximum Pell Grant would have increased whenever tuition costs rose.

"Year after year, President Bush has broken his campaign promises on college aid. And year after year, the Republican leadership in Congress has let him do it," Sherrod said. "Instead of helping students afford college, they have helped our nation's millionaires afford more yachts by passing trillion dollar tax cuts."

Voter turnout among young people rose significantly from 2000 to 2004. According to the nonpartisan Center for Information and Research on Learning and Civic Engagement, turnout among Americans aged 18-24 rose from 37% in 2000 to 46% in 2004. In battleground states like Ohio, the increase was even larger--a change from 38% in 2000 to 54% in 2004.

"Ohioans are demanding change, especially young Ohioans," Sherrod said. "This year, we are going to take our government out of the hands of corporate special interests and put it back into the hands of Ohio families, where it belongs."

04/20/2006 / Permalink / students, Volunteer, (all tags)

Join Sherrod on the Road to Change

Join Sherrod on the Road to Change Tour.

This Friday, Sherrod will launch a statewide tour where he will discuss his plan to grow jobs and build Ohio businesses and communities.

Our state has lost more than 185,000 manufacturing jobs since George W. Bush and Mike DeWine took the oath of office in 2001.

It is time for a new direction for Ohio's workers and businesses.

Join Sherrod on The Road to Change.  Stops include Ashland, Toledo, Cleveland, Kent, Steubenville, Youngstown, Dayton, and Cincinnati.

In the U.S. Senate, Sherrod will work with business owners, workers, and community leaders to dramatically expand economic incentives and opportunities for Ohio.

We look forward to seeing you on the road.

04/19/2006 / Permalink / Road to Change, Volunteer, (all tags)

Brown Spurs Ohio Youth to Action at Statewide Summit

Students for Brown Kick-Off Draws Dozens from Across Ohio

COLUMBUS--Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County) today joined with students to call for a new direction for Ohio at the kick-off meeting of Students for Brown, a statewide network of student activists supporting his campaign for U.S. Senate.

"Young people have been at the forefront of every great social movement in our country's history," said Brown. "They will be a critical part of our victory in 2006."

More than three dozen students attended the summit, representing colleges and universities from across Ohio. The event took place at Drinko Hall on the campus of Ohio State University. Brown discussed issues including jobs, health care, and the need to make college affordable for all.

04/08/2006 / Permalink / Education, Volunteer, (all tags)

Sherrod Rallies Clinton County Democrats at Spring Dinner

Sherrod at Clinton Co. Democratic Dinner

Democrats from across Southwest Ohio gathered for Clinton County Dinner

Sherrod traveled to Wilmington on Sunday to speak at the Clinton County Spring Dinner.  Sherrod was the keynote speaker at the event, which also included speeches by candidates for the 3rd Congressional District, County Commissioner and State Representative.

Sherrod was reunited with old friends, and supporters who backed him in earlier statewide campaigns for Secretary of State, including a few life-long Republicans.

Democrats are optimistic about candidates up and down the ballot this year, even in this southwest part of the state, where Republicans have run up big margins in recent years.

Republican corruption in Washington, and Columbus, and and the Democratic plan for jobs, health care, and education has built a broad base of support for change across Ohio.

The crowd responded enthusiastically to Sherrod's reform proposals, and vowed to do all they could to elect Democrats this November.

04/08/2006 / Permalink / Southwest Ohio, Volunteer, (all tags)