Little Blog Blue

If you look over to the right hand column you'll see a new graphic for "VoteBluePA / Act Blue / Donate to Candidates Online". Here's the scoop on that:

VoteBlue's greatest strength are its members. The best way we can make Pennsylvania blue is by being involved: registering new voters, staying informed, contacting our representatives, talking with our friends and neighbors, and taking action. But money still plays a big part in politics. The good news is that the kind of money in politics is changing. With the internet, money can be raised by collecting small amounts from millions of individuals. Instead of being beholden to a few big special-interest donors, politicians will now be beholden to thousands of average voters. 1,000 people donating $10 is way more powerful than 1 person donating $10,000.

What is Act Blue?

Act Blue is a Political Action Committee:

ActBlue is the universal Democratic bundler. We enable anyone — individuals, grassroots groups, and millions-strong organizations — to use the best practices of EMILY's List and MoveOn to fundraise for the Democratic candidates and causes of their choice. With ActBlue, together these fundraisers can raise otherwise untapped millions for Democratic campaigns and progressive causes.

You can get most of your questions about Act Blue on their FAQ page.

To start, here are the candidates and organizations listed on VoteBluePA's page:

• PA Governor
  • Ed Rendell
• US Senate
  • Bob Casey
  • Chuck Pennacchio
  • General Fund - to be given to the Primary winner
• US House
  • Tim Holden PA-17
  • Allyson Schwartz PA-13
• Organizations
  • Democratic National Committee

Why donate now? First, as Emily's List says, Early Money Is Like Yeast. $10 donated now is worth more to a campaign than $50 donated just prior to an election. Second, June 30th is the end of the 2nd fundraising quarter, when campaign finance reports are due. Bob Casy wants a good showing to show that he can be competitive with Rick Santorum. Chuck Pennacchio want a good showing to show that he can be competitive with Bob Casey. A good showing by Tim Holden or Allyson Schwartz may scare off a strong Republican challenger and make their road to reelection easier.

So please think about contributing now to the candidate(s) of your choice. It's not the dollar amount that matters. (Act Blue accepts donations as low as $5 -- they realize that we are in year 5 of the weak Bush Economy!) What matters is the total number of donors who will stand together to be heard.