We can’t stop now

The polls may look good right now, but I remember New Hampshire. We can't afford to sit on our hands now. Even if the polls are accurate, after 8 years of Bush I don't want another 50+1 election: I want to see record turnout and that's why we've got to press on and expand the lead as far as we can. The more people that vote for Obama, the more political capital he can govern with. Already, the Republicans are trying to sow seeds of doubt and illegitimacy over an election that hasn't even ended yet. All this talk lately about ACORN, voter registration fraud, "traitor" this and "Bill Ayers" that; it's all to start sowing the seeds of an illegitimate presidency in the eyes of those who didn't vote for Obama and we cannot let that happen.

Even my state of Washington — which is expected to vote democratic just as it has in every race since 1984 — we cannot take for granted; which is why I'm going canvassing in these final weekends, knocking on the doors of my neighbours to make sure we get as many people to vote as we can. The higher the popular vote totals, the greater the mandate and the easier it will be to brush aside delegitimatising efforts by Republicans. We need every vote; in states like Washington, California, New York and Illinois as much as in states like Florida, Ohio, Missouri and Virginia. Even states like Montana, Nebraska and Texas can help drive up Obama's popular vote tally.

So whoever you are, wherever you live: thank you for your generous donation. Every little bit helps and it will definitely help with get-out-the-vote efforts, and the time for such efforts couldn't be any more critical. But it can't stop there. Each and every one of us needs to do whatever we can to make sure we get as many people to vote as we can. If you can't canvass, do some phonebanking. If you can't do some phonebanking, talk to your neighbours and co-workers. But do something.

Our moment is now. What are you waiting for? Go rack up those numbers!