Reply #82: Make no mistake,

[walk softly]

we need to grow the talent in our state and counties. There is no way we'll all have trained staff with us until 2008. That thought shouldn't be frightening - volunteers across the country worked hand in hand with staff in this election and in that process became experts. It will be up to the State parties, District Central Committees, County Committees, and Precinct teams to continue the job that just started this election. We need to focus on our grassroots, identify candidates, maintain support for the volunteers with training in the tools we use such as the VAN, get precinct teams together for social activities and sponsor Young Democrats whenever possible. In Dubuque County where almost a thousand 18 year olds registered to vote as No Party in 2006, the Dubuque County Democrats initiated a scholarship award at all seven of the county high schools. In addition, we're offering individual scholarships to things like Wellstone Camps which cover everything from candidate to GOTV and recruiting classes. There are similar trainings offered by State Parties and other groups. I'm looking forward to 2008 - every year, every election we need to learn and grow and hopefully support will be available in some form, but WE are the Democratic Party and we're just getting started.