We need to remember that Jim Martin can win his Senate runoff against Saxby Chambliss on December 2nd. We should all wage a GOTV phone bank campaign into Georgia to ensure that Martin wins.

If Begich wins in Alaska and Franken wins in Minnesota, then Martin's win would bring us to the 60 seats we need to prevent Republican filibusters.

Let's not sqauander this opportunity, and let's do all we can to get Georgia Obama supporters to the polls for Martin.

She could actually apply to be part of the Obama administration at:

http://change.gov/page/s/application

8 ears ago, in the same kind of frustration, a friend suggested that I go down to the elections office and have myself sworn in as a deputy registrar. Since then, when I absolutely have to do something political, I can call up the League of Women Voters, or the Dallas County Dems and find a voter registration drive.

The Progressive movement is so broad that the end of the election gives us all a moment of pause: what do we do next?  We all face this dilemma -- or at least I do.  Obama and the election unified all those strands into one movement. And what do those of us do who are in the bluest of districts and states, populated with like-minded people.  As a friend of mine said, "And is that a problem?"  

Yes, so I have my list of things-to-do for myself and for my friends until the next election.

1.  Read the blogs to stay up to date.

2.  Identify GOP representatives in my state and send them messages to support progressive agenda. Also send messages to Dems to buttress their positions. Send thank-you notes when they do.
   
3.  Volunteer and participate at local Democratic Party events.
   
4.  Participate in Local events such as citizens' association meetings and other local organizations to introduce yourself to the community.  It will make it easier when the next election rolls around.
   
5.  Consider running for local elections.  Its the easiest way to get involved and see how things work.  Who knows, you may have national appeal.
   
6.  Practice listening to neighbors on important political issues; politely disagree when appropriate.  You can preach later, once you understand their positions and how strongly they are held.
   
7.  Contribute to causes that are important to you.  It doesn't have to be much because those organization want to be able to say how many contributors there are.
   
8.  Relax and take some time off to spend with family and friends because the next election is less than two years away and maybe shorter for local elections.

Cheers and Congratulations to us all

I would recommend your friend to get involved in local politics.  With Obama's message of unity and bipartisanship, there are sure to be more politicians following suit and being more inclusive.  This will encourage more people to volunteer.

I do not believe that "Campaigns" are ever over any more.

Many localities/ states have off year elections City Councils/ Port Commissions/ County Commissions etc.

These groups have an influential role in setting the local and national agendas. Work on these races. get progressives in on grass root level offices.

Volunteer for Planning Commission boards and other government appointed Citizen committees. For too long these have become the bailiwick of paid lobbyist pressuring governments for more corporate welfare.

I am sure that each state has a battle that needs help. California repeal of 8. In Wash. State there is a developing battle on Puget Sound Energy wanting to go completely private and citizens in separate counties fighting to establish local PUD's ( Pub. Utilities Districts) to buy out and operate the local infrastructure rather then surrender control to foreign investors.

These are examples find the local fight.

Most importantly keep those contacts, data bases and discussion groups up and running so as to have an existing progressive grass roots whose influence can be brought to bear early in the developing issues/ campaigns.

Recruiting "Better" Democrats and preparing for primary battles is another cause that needs to have preparation.

Those are my modest suggestions.

This is where a party's "bench' is developed. Start

Keep organizing and ask people what they want to do.  Me and a local organizer put together a get together last Thursday to celebrate the victory, and are planning a potluck next month to talk about what to do next.  We plan to suggest some alternatives: a local voter registration drive, lobbying legislators to support the Obama agenda, signing up with HCAN, getting involved in a local progressive municipal campaign.  But I agree, we have to do it quick, now, before the energy dissipates.

I hope that if we're progressives, we're about more than winning elections.  That's just the means.  The end is a more empowering and equitable future for more people.

So if your friend doesn't see political activism in her future, there are a whole host of organizations which take a little piece of the progressive agenda and work that out in the local community.  Look around.  Find some folks who are making other folks', and their own, lives better by improving health, safety, nutrition, education, housing, environment, etc., etc., etc.

A new Administration, and even a (progressive) movement, can't organize everyone who is energized.  But if we really get it, we can build a new world from the community level on lup.

The START study course is a free, 24-week study course that you conduct on your own with friends. All the materials are freely available on the web. START was originally developed by radical Quakers in Philadelphia in the early 1970s and it has been recently updated to address current issues. START provides a way to recruit and work with your friends on a local level, to learn more about a wide array of progressive issues and previous social change movements, and to develop skills for organizing and working with other people.

I think we need good-hearted people who will go into business that will clean up the corruption and bad business practices, as well as help jump start the economy.  We need people to pursue their interests, which may involve the arts or crafts, or sciences, etc.  Everyone will have their unique niche, and I think it's not enough to volunteer or go into public service.