With One Year to Go, Wisconsin Democrats Hold House Parties Launching National Neighborhood Leader Program

With One Year to Go, Wisconsin Democrats Hold House Parties Launching National Neighborhood Leader Program

Democratic Party Chair of Wisconsin Chairman Joe Wineke today announced that Democratic activists across the state are gathering for nearly 30 house parties to launch organizing efforts for 2008. Starting this past week, and going through this week, activists across the state are holding “One Year to Election Day” house parties to launch the Democratic Party’s new National Neighborhood Leader Program. This unprecedented national grassroots organizing effort will provide Democratic candidates with the resources they need to win in 2008.

“From La Crosse to Sheboygan to Fond du Lac, Democrats are coming together and ready to work for change,” Wineke said. “Energized by the promise of new leadership, activists across the state are getting started now.”

Wisconsin Democrats are recruiting Neighborhood Leaders who will pledge to contact at least 25 voters in their communities three times between now and Election Day and recruit at least two more Neighborhood Leaders who will do the same. By Labor Day, the program will recruit over 500,000 neighborhood leaders nationwide. Participants in house parties will watch a training video featuring Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Political Director David Boundy before heading out to canvas in their communities.

“These leaders are going to be key to building a truly grassroots operation in 2008,” Wineke said. “One year from now, we will elect a Democratic president, take back the State Assembly, and increase our majority in the State Senate. Activists are coming together now, pledging their leadership and getting to work – because we are all ready for new direction.”

"Taking back the White House starts with taking our message into every community in Wisconsin, which is why I am so excited to see so many Democratic activists hitting the streets this week," Wineke said.  "Our unprecedented grassroots organizing is going to ensure that exactly one year from today we can elect strong Democrats who will go to work for Wisconsin's families."

For more information on the DNC's National Neighborhood Leader Program and this weekend's house parties, visit www.democrats.org/oneyearout.

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