Eric Hoffpauir

Name:	Eric Hoffpauir
Location:	Saint Louis, MO

My personal volunteering highlight:

I have a lot of moments in activism that I'm proud of, such as freezing overnight in a tent to get a brief appearance on the Diane Rehm Show in support of Howard Dean's presidential run, but I'm perhaps proudest of getting OU Hillel and the Arab Student Association to cosponsor an event for the first time in memory at the University of Oklahoma. I put together a film festival and included two films on Israel and Palestine, and after weeks of talking to both organizations and addressing their concerns, finally got them to agree to put their names side by side on the festival and to become the lead financial supporters of the festival.

More about my volunteering with DFA:

I'm sad to say that after getting my start in electoral politics with Dean for America, I'm currently not involved with DFA. Our local chapter became inactive after the lead organizer developed health problems and nobody else had the time or skill to fill the gap.

More about my work on current campaigns and issues:

I'm not currently a formal member of an issue or electoral campaign, although I have managed online outreach for a statewide progressive candidate. I do tend to focus on issues in my blogging, mostly about energy and climate change, health care, and progressive voting reform.

What motivates me:

Politics wouldn't exist without people. I'm motivated by my cousin, who only seemed to find happiness after coming out as a lesbian yet still faces a life of discrimination. I'm motivated by my friend, who doesn't have health care coverage from his employer and can't seem to find affordable coverage on his own because of a minor pre-exising condition. I'm motivated by the people of my hometown 50 miles from the Gulf Coast, who may be forced to permanently relocate if we can't get our act together on reducing carbon emissions. I'm motivated by my mother's example, who is always compassionate and curious toward people who are different or less fortunate than she is.

How I try to motivate others:

I try to motivate others with carrots and sticks. As a blogger, I believe it's important to sketch out an idea of a better way and to give people reasons and inspiration to fight for that goal. I also believe it's important to give constructive criticism to others if they are falling short of their goals, even if (or especially if!) they are partners in your own efforts.

Where I see myself in five years:

I see myself as a blogfather, spawning new progressive blogs that take Missouri politics in a new direction. As we've seen in states like Virginia and Texas, a strong progressive blogosphere is key in turning the progressive movement's political fortunes around in the state, and I want to take the lead in that effort here in Missouri.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan for the Stand with Dr. Dean campaign:

I Want America to Lead Again. Support Real Universal Health Care Reform!