I share the opinion with many on this site that Don Berwick came away from the Convention this past weekend as a winner. From my position standing in front of the stage during Don’s speech, I was amazed at how he absolutely electrified the delegates in the DCU Center. And in the final tally, Don finished just one percentage point away from second place!
Now, the Berwick campaign enters its most critical phase yet. As Eric Cantor’s loss in Virginia starkly illustrated, elections are still not decided by money, but ultimately by mobilization of grassroots support. We have less than 90 days to convince at least 400,000 voters in Massachusetts that Don Berwick is the right person to be our next Governor. It’s going to be a lot of work, but coming out of the Convention, the momentum is definitely on our side. Don raised over $211,000 in May, putting him second among the Democratic candidates. Expect that total to be even higher in June. Some amazing endorsements have been announced in the past few weeks, including ones from Marshall Ganz and Paul Farmer. The Berwick campaign also currently has perhaps the largest grassroots operation in the state, with hundreds of volunteers making phone calls and knocking on the doors of their neighbors.
I am one of these volunteers, because I have realized that sitting behind a computer is not going to win Don the election. Sure, the likes on Facebook, re-tweets on Twitter, and recommendations on Blue Mass Group are important, but if you’re reading election updates fifteen minutes a day and then sitting on the couch for three hours watching TV, you could be doing more to help Don get elected. So consider canvassing for Don! Convince a friend or family member to canvass with you. And if it’s your first time volunteering in a political campaign like it was for me, I can almost guarantee you that you’ll have fun in the process!
It may feel at times that the odds are against us, but the one thing that no poll or pundit can capture is the pure goodness that I have seen emanate from Don Berwick. I have been inspired by great candidates like Barack Obama and Elizabeth Warren in the past, but it was Don’s candidacy that finally convinced me to register as a Democrat. This is a man who isn’t just running to be our next Governor; he is building a movement in our state based on social justice, equality, and compassion. Join us and let’s reinvigorate the political landscape first in Massachusetts, and then the nation!
May the best – truly the best, most moral and considerate candidate win! I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with guys who can sermonize with the best of them and can’t govern.