As mentioned in previous posts, Grassroots Democrats is working with states across the country to build strong, effective online plans. Early next week we'll be heading to Ohio. Check out information from our state briefing page below and read a report back from our time in Indiana.
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Next Stop: Ohio
The national focus on Ohio as a key 'swing state,, ensures that the State Party will be the center of intense political attention. Rebounding from the 2004 debacle, Ohio Democrats posted a large record of success in the 2006 election when Democrats won five of the six state-level offices, elected Sherrod Brown to the U.S. Senate, added three new Members to the U.S. House of Representatives (for a net gain of one) all while posting net gains in both chambers of the state legislature.
With State Party staff already organizing on the ground and newly elected Governor 
[0]Ted Strickland fully engaged in making the Party a more effective organization, there are strong indicators that the state party will be an influential leader in the 2008 elections.
To find out more about the Ohio Democratic Party and their goals for the 2008 cycle, check out our latest state briefing page by using the link below or clicking on the image to the right.
http://www.grassrootsdemocrats.com/files/Ohio1[1].pdf [0]
One of the biggest challenges facing the Ohio Democratic Party as they move forward is a lack of nonfederal funds - or what Grassroots Democrats is calling the 'Opportunity Gap,. As you can see in the graph in the state briefing page, the Ohio Democratic Party was forced to use over $100,000 in Federal funds on Nonfederal expenditures in the 2006 cycle. This is money that should have gone to campaign expenditures but was instead used on nonfederal costs like rent and the electric bill.
To find out more about the 'Opportunity Gap', use this link:
http://www.grassrootsdemocrats.com/files/OppGap_web.pdf [0]
Update from the Road: Indiana
Our trip to Indiana last week went extremely well. The Indiana Democratic Party is off to a great start as it prepares for a highly competitive election cycle. In advance of the mayoral races this fall, the IDP is constructing a new website with many more opportunities for action and coordination which will launch in July. Grassroots Democrats spent three days on the ground with state party staff to help them build a strategic online plan. Everyone, from Field staff to the Executive Director, is involved in making sure the new online strategy will be successful.
While the new website and most of the online plan will not launch until next month, the State Party has already begun to organize and expand their online presence. Specifically, field staffers are encouraging identified leaders to recruit new supporters online and in the field. Additionally, Indiana Democrats have entered the 'Social Networking, revolution with profiles and action groups on Facebook (TM).
Now off to Ohio!