Pera news and Final Push to help Mark Win!

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jan 31, 2008 9:15 AM EST

After this coming Tuesday, and after Donna Edwards Maryland primary race on February 12th, our ability to have any influence on what Democrats are actually IN Congress becomes virtually nill. Why? Because there are basically no other competitive challenges out there against incumbent Democratic congresspeople! So if you have ever said, "Why don't the Democrats do ____?" don't let these next few days slip away. Help us change Congress by electing Northside DFA adopted candidate Mark Pera, and defeating anti-choice, pro-war, machine "Democrat" Dan Lipinski on February 5th!

FINAL PUSH - Can you come out for one of these events?

Saturday, February 2, going door-to-door for Mark Pera. Canvassing is fun and we will pair new-comers up with experienced people. As usual we will meet for carpooling at 10:00 a.m. at the Pier 1 at 5304 N. Broadway, or those who wish can meet us in the 3rd Congressional District via CTA. If you want to meet us there, email me at sjv60640@gmail.com for details. However, either way, if you can make it PLEASE RSVP at:
http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=26977
 
Sunday, February 3, "Get Out The Vote" flyering.  We will meet at the Pier 1 parking lot at 5304 N. Broadway at noon to carpool or those who wish can meet us in the 3rd Congressional District via CTA. Email me at sjv60640@gmail.com for details. Instead of canvasing we will be just be leaving flyers at the homes of voters reminding them to vote for Mark on Tuesday -- so it is an easy job. And yes, this is the same day as the Superbowl -- but dont' worry, we will have you home in plenty of time for the game. If you can make it, please RSVP at:
http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=26978
 
Tuesday, February 5, is election day and we need help ALL DAy.  If you can just do a few hours in the morning -- that's fine!  If you can only do the end of the day -- no problem! We just need as many people as possible down there getting out that final vote for Mark.  The best way to sign up for election day is to email me at sjv60640@gmail.com with the times you are available and your contact information.  You can also RSVP at:
http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=24781
 
Want to do more? Jacob at the Pera campaign office is setting up numerous visibility events, primarily handing out flyers at el and metra stops in the morning.  He also needs help making phone calls to voters and help with office work.  If you can help contact him directly at: Jacob@pera08.com
 

CAMPAIGN NEWS

1. Sunday's rally with Jim Dean was fantastic! We had a great turnout -- about 60 people came out for the event and afterwards knocked on lots of doors of voters for Mark. Jim Dean's comments at the rally were great also -- you can check them out in this 13 minute video of the rally at:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4255774340222631745

And the rally made the news -- Bob Skolnik of the Riverside Brookfield Landmark Newspaper wrote a story about the race and about our rally which includes this quote:

[...] On Sunday about 40 or so members of Democracy for America (DFA), a grass roots left of center group headquartered in Burlington, Vt. that grew out of the unsuccessful 2004 presidential campaign of former Vermont governor Howard Dean, gathered to canvass for Pera in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood.

Jim Dean, Howard Dean's brother and the head of DFA, flew in to knock on doors with Pera, who was also accompanied by his wife Leslie and two of their four children.

"I'll vote for you because you came to my door," Jim McArdle of south Union Avenue told Pera on Sunday after the candidate knocked on his door and spoke with him briefly. McArdle said that he had never before had a candidate knock on his door.

Dean characterized Pera's race with Lipinski as a battle between citizen activists and the status quo.

"The politics in this country is about a culture of activism versus a culture of incumbency," said Dean.

Members from DFA chapters in Chicago and Oak Park have been helping Pera in the campaign.

Sandra Verthein, the chair of the North Side DFA chapter said her group had knocked on 4,609 doors for Pera.

Lipinski campaign spokesman Matt Mayer said he is not worried about the help that Pera is getting. [...]

You can read the full article here:
http://www.rblandmark.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=3431&TM=83798.83

2. NOW (National Organzation for Women) has just joined NARAL/Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood and numerous other groups such as Citizen Action Illinois in endorsing Mark Pera for Congress. Congrats Mark!

3. Mark has been kicking butt with fundraising -- his net receipts stand at $612,932, compared to $464,812 for Dan Lipinski and $183,787 for Jerry Bennett and $12,865 for JIm Capparelli.  You can see more numbers and read a detailed rundown of the race here:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/1/30/20229/5378

4. Mark has new mailers out, and a new TV commercial about "special interests" on the air.  You can check it all out at his website at http://www.pera08.com.

5. If you can't hit the streets there is still one way you can help the campaign -- you can donate to Mark Pera at our Northside DFA Act Blue Page.  The average contribution to Mark's campaign is $70 -- while Lipinski's average contribution is $1,000.  Our donations do make a difference, so if you can afford it, make one today at:

http://www.actblue.com/page/ndfa_picks

Peace,
Sandra Verthein
Northside DFA

P.S. There are also lots of volunteer opportunities for our other endorsed candidates in these final days leading up to the election.  Find out more at http://www.dfalink.com/NDFA.

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Location: Chicago, IL 60640