John Leek

Name:	John Leek
Location:	Ocean Springs, MS
Where I blog:	Cotton Mouth Daily Kos MyDD

My Experience in progressive politics:

I started out in 2001 going door to door for a family friend and Republican mayor of my hometown. You'll have to forgive me for that. In 2003 I went door to door in my super Republican neighborhood for Democratic Governor Ronnie Musgrove (now running for Senate), who was unfortunately defeated that year by Haley Barbour. In 2004 I called hundreds of households using Moveon's calling tool to identify Kerry voters. In 2005 I ran the field organization for the Democratic candidate for mayor expanding the original plan to canvas half the city to 5 out of 6 wards. She won by roughly 100 votes becoming the first Democratic mayor in decades. I also started a High School Democrats Chapter. In 2006 I was awarded Young Democrat of the Year for Jackson County, Mississippi for my local efforts. In 2007 I launched Mississippi's first progressive political blog focusing solely on politics and volunteered time or advice to a dozen candidates. I was awarded 2007 Young Democrat of the Year for Mississippi for my work.

My personal volunteering highlight:

1. In 2007 family members from a different part of the state called me to tell me one of the Republican candidates statewide pulled them aside at church and asked who I was working for. I wasn't working for anyone at the time, and they told him it wasn't any of his business (even though the personally are Republican). God bless them!

2. Phone banking for a mayoral candidate in 2005 I called an elderly man who we had identified as a supporter. He said he would vote except he was too dizzy to drive. After some persuasion I raced to his house and picked him up delivering him to the curb of his polling place. On the way back he shared that he was a veteran and he hadn't missed voting in years. Even if we had lost I would have felt my efforts were worth it to help an elderly veteran vote.

Steps I've taken to combine on-line and off-line action:

I've helped put together rallies with Moveon including hosting two events.

I interjected myself in state primaries to defeat DINOs and was successful in one race posting blog posts including an interview with the real Democrat, posting negative information on his opponent and working through contacts to make the information go viral by e-mail.

In blog posts we post contact information of representatives around some important bills.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

With the help of Kid Oakland and many generous donors nationally and locally, and staying with family in Chicago I was able to attend the 2nd and last Yearly Kos in Chicago. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I want to meet the folks I work with online and fellowship with them while helping connect us to build a more progressive America. I also LOVE Austin, though I suspect the conference will take up most of my time. (Not a bad tradeoff ;)

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

I want to continue to connect with the larger blogging community and learn as much as I can from fellow bloggers so I can be a more effective agent for change.

What is a progressive activist:

A progressive activist is someone who sees problems and tries to fix them. They are progressive in that they seek to improve the lives of others by including them and working together for common, positive goals.

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

They are the democratization of media. Progressives do better when people have access to diverse opinions and too often a progressive opinion can not be found in the corporate media. They help to arm citizens with the facts and hold traditional gatekeepers accountable.

How I think Democracy For America fits into the progressive movement:

Democracy for America plays a vital role. They help normal citizens without the advantages of mass media or huge money get things done. The only training of candidates and staff that has been done in Mississippi in years was done last year by DFA. I participated in that training and learned a lot. The candidates (even those who lost) who participated will be far more effective activists and advocates for the underrepresented. Y'all do good work!

In 10 words or less, create a bumper-sticker slogan against John McCain:

John McCain Only Cares About Power, Not People