Note that even this self-described moderate site recognizes the existance and bias of the corporate mediahttp://www.thinkmoderate.com/
Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Of course they've already chosen candidates. In 2004 they hand-picked Kerry after their never-ending smear of Howard Dean. It's no different now, and it's no coincidence that the media is Hillary-crazy. So far as they're concerned, she is the entire Democratic Party and platform. Look at the way they're minimizing Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich despite the buzz they're creating. It's incredibly frustrating, and the main reason I refuse to watch any election coverage on TV. Why should they get to pick what I see?

Fortunately the Netroots have about as much election power as the MSM does.
Interesting to see how this angle shakes out.

Strange you should say this because Ive said it a couple of times about both guys. Im trying to figure out why this is the case. Both, on respective sides, have some very compelling points...shit....even common sense things and they are ignored like they were idiots.

For my whole life I've heard the opinion that if Lincoln were to run for president today, that he couldn't win.
He's not very attractive, walks kinda funny, his wife is loony toons and that big hat is pretty strange!

Yeah, but you live in flyover country.

The MSM never sets foot outside the DC/NYC cocktail/country club circuit. They are part of the "powers that be," idenify with their sources more than their audiences, and are terrified of anyone who would challenge the status quo.

MSM = corporate elite = enemies of any populist realignment of power.

I could say "= New World Order," but I mean that in the happy globalist corporatist sense, not the tinfoil hat sense.

Speaking of NET-ROOTS


http://kucinich.us/houseparties


House party kit includes:


25 signs
25 campaign pins
25 bumper stickers
50 contribute envelopes
50 volunteer cards
1 house party dvd




Make a HUGE impact - simply register three of your house party attendees to have a house party of their own. Assuming each new host registers three people to host their own house parties within the following 30 days - you could generate 243 house parties during the next six months as a result of your single party!

Don't worry that your place is too small or that you don't know a lot of people with extra income. If ten people attend each party and each party meets the goal of generating three more parties, in only six month's time you and your friends could bring in $25,000 and introduce 2,000+ new people to Dennis Kucinich. You may find this estimate to be low; your party could generate much more.

Use your circle of influence to impact this campaign tremendously - register by calling the number below. You'll learn how to get materials and a DVD, along with detailed step-by-step instructions on how to make your house party a success. And there will be a special gift for every host or hostess who meets the goal of generating three new parties.

REGISTER NOW - CALL 1-877-413-3664 - Option 4 - 10am-6pm ET Monday - Friday.

Can't commit yet? You can still participate in the program by contributing to help cover the cost of materials and promotion. [Click here to contribute]

This campaign is powered by you - you are the grassroots!




Never hosted a house party before?
Not sure where to begin?
Here are the simple steps you need to take to have a great event!



Goals of a House Party

• Introduce DENNIS, raise money, and recruit volunteers
• Get friends, neighbors and co-workers talking about DENNIS' platform
• Energize grass roots supporters and earn free media

1. Determine the Goal of your Party
The first step to holding a successful house party is to be clear about the party's goals.
This will help ensure the rest of your house party plan stays focused. Remember, a
house party can accomplish one or more of the following:

• Expand Volunteer Network
• Persuade Voters
• Raise Money
• Earn Media
• Foster more house parties

2. Pick a location. The best location for most house parties is a home or apartment. In some
cases, you may also be able to hold it at an office, club, or function room.

3. Register the party online at DENNIS' website. Download the house party kit and review
contribution guidelines.

4. Build the Crowd. Invite at least three times as many people as the number you want to
come. Most successful house party events attract 10 to 30 people and have a fundraising
goal of $100 to $250. You can build your crowd by:

5. Establish a "host committee" where each member of the committee takes responsibility
for inviting x number of people. Be sure every member commits to a specific task, such as
inviting five to ten friends.

6. Email your local KUCINICH group and other members of your social network. Always include
a pitch for money, a reminder to bring checkbooks, and directions to your party.

7. Call friends and family. Before you start make a list of everyone you plan to call. Be sure
you make it clear how people are to give their money.

8. Put a notice in the local newspaper or calendar. Ask someone on your host committee
to help design the notice. This will get them more invested in the party and it will take one
task off your shoulders.

9. Plan your Party. If they are to pay as they come in, then someone needs to stand by the
door and collect money. If they are going to hear a presentation and a pitch, then someone
needs to hand out envelopes for people to put their checks in and then pick up the envelopes.
Work out a rough schedule for the party beforehand. See below for a possible timetable.
Simple refreshments are fine. People don't come for fancy food, but to socialize and hear and
respond to a pitch about DENNIS.

10.Make reminder phone calls. One week before your party, call everybody that you invited.
This will remind those who've said yes and serve as an extra push to those who haven't
responded.

Make sure you staff a table by the front door and have your guests sign in. Put return envelopes and a basket out for contributions. Have extra pens and name tags handy. Display DENNIS' campaign materials.

Other tips:

• Ask everyone to introduce themselves and share their "story" about why they're
interested in this campaign and why it matters in their lives.

• Make a money pitch. The best way to raise money is to ask for it. The perfect house
party pitch is compelling and concrete and includes the case for giving and the actual
ask. See below for tips on how to do this.

• Report your results. Collect all contributions and the sign-in sheet and mail to

Make the Pitch
Good fundraising pitches are persuasive and specific. They tell people why they should give and how to do so.

Begin the pitch by making the case for giving. Party hosts are usually the best persons to do this and can simply talk about why they are contributing to DENNIS'campaign and describe the difference gifts will make.

Encourage participants to host their own house party. Have them complete the volunteer card and indicate HOUSE PARTY in large letters at the top. Make sure you indicate your name on the volunteer card as well and we will send you a special gift for the referral.

Hosts who are uncomfortable asking for money and commitment should find a surrogate, such as an elected official or local grass roots leader. Whoever does the job needs to do three things:

State a goal
"Tonight I'm asking the people at this house party to help me raise $5,000 to support Dennis' grassroots campaign to take our country back . . . "

Request an action
Tell people you want them to make a donation tonight. Give a specific amount – "If each one of us here tonight gives $25 we can easily make our goal of $500."

Also mention any matching schemes (such as anyone who gives $100 will receive a t-shirt)

Multiple requests (give money, volunteer time, host your own party, etc.), are okay, but keep the list short and specific.

Tell people how to act
Do you want someone to write a check? Tell them who to make it out to and where to put it – your hands, a basket in the hall, wherever.
Want people to volunteer? Show them the sign up sheet or give them a card.
Make your requests clear and concrete and close the formal program by thanking everyone for coming.
This gives people time to act on your request by writing checks, signing up to volunteer, or do whatever else you have asked.

Sample Party Agenda
6:30 PM Staff a table near the front door. Sign in guests, provide name tags, and display
materials.

7:00 PM Host welcomes everybody and calls on guests to introduce themselves and briefly explain
why they've come.

7:30 PM Watch DVD provided by the KUCINICH campaign.

8:00 PM Host or surrogate makes pitch for money and asks for commitment such as volunteering or hosting a house party.

8:30 PM Host closes the event by thanking everybody.

Host a virtual house party.

Send an e-mail to your friends and include pictures of your house and yard.
Tell them you really wish you had time to invite them over, but the urgency of the work precludes this. Talk about the work briefly and ask for money. This is particularly effective for people who have a lot of friends.

Thanks to Democracy for America Training Academy http://www.hcdp.org/grassrootstraining.pdf