I have now been doing this newsletter for almost 4 years! When I look back at the first issues, I am amazed at how primitive they were. My readership was only about a dozen Brooklyn activists. Readership has sure grown and now is national. And I am getting frequent emails from people in places like Georgia and North Carolina asking for help on various issue that concern them. Thanks to all my readers!

This issue I take a look back at that first issue. I also focus on marriage equality and the ongoing Georgia Senate race. I have dropped a few states I was focusing on because of a lack of consistent readership. I had planned to drop a few more, but if the readers are there, I will stick with it.

Here is this week's newsletter:

Well, we won. Big time.

Obama even won Virginia (which didn't surprise me at all), North Carolina (which I am not TOO surprised at) and Indiana (which DID surprise me). Obama even won one of Nebraska's electoral votes (which get split). Missouri seems to have barely gone McCain. I was convinced Florida would be stolen again, but the Republican Governor of Florida, though a typical Republican otherwise, seems dedicated to fair elections. And Obama wound up getting almost 53% of the vote.

If you are like me and you grew up hearing the refrain, "America isn't ready for a black President," you now will never hear that again. America isn't just ready for one, it OVERWHELMINGLY is ready.

This is an update on my previous list. I have compiled a list of good candidates in twenty states based on my own research, Progressive Majority, and the Indigenous Democratic Network. This is in NO WAY intended to be comprehensive for any of these states, and I may re-post as new endorsements and new states get updated. But I am one person trying to do all I can. I think there are some fabulous candidates, from Senate right down to school board, in many of these states. So please vote for these candidates, spread the word in your state (if appropriate), and add your own endorsements. Again, don't rag on me if I missed some one. I know I missed people. But I did the best round up I could of as many states as I could and am on the verge of collapsing.

Please pass this along and, if applicable, take any helpful info with you to the polls.

This is it folks. Last few days of what I consider the third most important election of my lifetime. I put 2000 first because in many ways (terrorism and global warming in particular) the Supreme Court's seating Bush as President instead of Gore was a pivotal moment in world history...and a disastrous one for all of us. I'd say 2004 was second because then we had a shot at minimizing the damage from a Bush presidency. Now we need someone who can fix the mess and a strong majority of Americans believe Barack Obama is the person to do it.

Things look good. But take no chances. Once again I am posting the actions I have been asking people to do. I know lots of you have put time and money into this year's races. Just a few more days. Here, once again, is what you can do right now from your own home to boost our chances of winning.

I have compiled a list of good candidates in twenty states based on my own research, Progressive Majority, and the Indigenous Democratic Network. This is in NO WAY intended to be comprehensive for any of these states, and I may re-post as new endorsements and new states get updated. But I am one person trying to do all I can. I think there are some fabulous candidates, from Senate right down to school board, in many of these states. So please vote for these candidates, spread the word in your state (if appropriate), and add your own endorsements. Again, don't rag on me if I missed some one. I know I missed people. But I did the best round up I could of as many states as I could and am on the verge of collapsing.

Please pass this along.

Obama's ahead, but this week I focus, more than anything, on what you can do from home to win for Obama and win Senate and House seats. I also have many candidates highlighted in some 20 states as well as groups and events worth you attention.

Readership is up, particularly in states like Georgia and Colorado.

Newsletter below. Hope it is helpful!

North Carolina is another key battle ground this year with Obama neck and neck with Bush-Republican McCain for President and Kay Hagan neck and neck with Bush-Republican Elizabeth Dole for Senate. Kay Hagan has picked up some very key endorsements, as highlighted in her latest ad:

And here is a rundown of some of those endorsements:

This year Georgia has the opportunity not only to elect a fine Democrat, Jim Martin, to the Senate, but also to right a wrong committed by Republicans 6 years ago. Jim Martin is running against Republican Saxby Chambliss who ran a sleazy, nasty smear campaign against Vietnam War hero and disabled Veteran Max Cleland. Saxby Chambliss, in comparison to Max Cleland's war record, was given five student deferments and he received a medical deferment for a bad knees due to a football injury. So Chickenhawk Chambliss smeared a genuine war hero, Max Cleland, to win a Senate seat.

Now Democrat Jim Martin, also Vietnam Veteran, is running to defeat Chickenhawk Chambliss. Here is the latest ad from Jim Martin's campaign: