This is the second in a series of Grassroots Reports we will be providing over the final few weeks of the campaign to let the blogosphere know what 21st Century Democrats is doing in several key battleground states. This week we're focusing on Michigan where Democrats continue to build momentum. Recently, John McCain was forced to pull out of the Wolverine State in a move that will benefit not only Barack Obama, but Democrats all down the ticket - including our endorsed candidates Gary Peters, Mark Schauer and Andy Meisner.

21st Century Democrats has focused the majority of our resources in the important swing district of Oakland County. We've had organizers on the ground there for months and the polls have started to show voters moving in the Democrats' favor with Barack Obama now leading John McCain in the county by 6%. While this is a good sign, we must keep fighting hard until all the votes are counted on November 4th.

In Michigan's 9th Congressional District (which includes Oakland County), Gary Peters is running ahead of incumbent Republican Rep. Joe Knollenberg. Recent polling has shown Peters up by as much as 9 points, and he is `banking' a lot of support in preparation for a strong get-out-the-vote effort. The campaign has already identified over 55,000 `yes' votes for Gary! Things are also looking good in the 7th Congressional District where Mark Schauer is consistently polling 7-10 points ahead of his opponent, Rep. Tim Walberg.

Andy Meisner, our endorsed candidate for Oakland County Treasurer, is running a truly impressive field operation as he tries to move to a new post after three successful terms in the state legislature. 21st Century Democrats' organizers have helped the Meisner Campaign contact 34,143 voters and make 7,886 IDs. The numbers are looking very good with 7,886 voters identified as a `1s' or `2s' (meaning they will likely vote for Andy) against only 463 people who said they would probably vote for his opponent.

The prospects for a big Democratic victory in Michigan are strong, but we can't let McCain's withdrawal make us complacent. As Peter's Republican opponent's campaign manager said, "our voter turnout operation is knocking on doors to get people to show up on Election Day." These Republicans understand the value of knocking doors and turning out the vote - and so do we! I hope you will support our efforts in Michigan and around the country.

Our first state report (on Montana) can be found here.

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(Proudly cross-posted at C4O)

Last week, we finished surveying the lay of the land out West. This week, we begin to turn our attention to the Midwest. Yes, that's right. The Midwest looks to be once again a crucial battleground to win both the White House and Congress. And with just six weeks left until election day, we'd like to talk about the state of the races in America's Heartland.

So would you like to join us?

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In the last couple days, there have been several posts across the blogosphere citing what various candidates running for Congress have said on FISA and retroactive immunity for the telecoms.  But so far, it's been all over the map.  I'll try to corral all their statements into this diary, so you can see who the "good guys" are.

First, let's start off with the current House and Senate members who voted against this bill.  They do deserve credit, as it's their jobs on the line.

Follow me below the fold to see the dozens of Democratic challengers who are standing up for the Constitution, and are against this FISA bill and retroactive immunity.

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The 2008 Federal Election may be 280 days away, but life on the trail in a targeted congressional district has already heated up. We in the blogosphere do so much to impact the process, from contributions to candidates and volunteering our time (sometimes across the nation thanks to technology such as virtual phone banks) to simply giving attention to well deserving candidates who aren't receiving any from the mainstream media. But what is it like inside of these campaigns that we track, influence, and cheer for?

I work for Gary Peters for Congress in Michigan's 9th Congressional district. I'm focused on the campaign. I could tell you in my sleep that the district is currently represented by Republican Joe Knollenberg, however it has a Partisan Voter Index of R+0, making it one of our best pickup opportunities. I can rattle off the cities equally as effortlessly, and even give you a tour to some of the districts many landmarks including The Palace in Auburn Hills (home of the NBA's Pistons and WNBA's Shock), the Somerset Mall in Troy, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, or the Fallen Heroes Memorial in Pontiac.

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No, not in either party's primary...I voted for Democracy for America's 2008 Grassroots All Star!

I voted for Gary Peters. Gary is a true progressive. You don't have to take my word for it. Here is Gary in his own words:

"In Congress, I will fight to make China and Korea play by international rules and we must demand that the world trade organization (WTO) address non-tariff barriers that prevent the importation of U.S. made products into their markets...Michigan manufacturers and our workers can successfully compete against any competitor in the world but the rules of the game must be fair. We must have a change in Washington and put an end to the disastrous Bush/Knollenberg trade policies that have exported thousands of our jobs overseas."

"I find it unconscionable that nearly 47 million Americans live each day without healthcare...Unfortunately, drug and health insurance companies have not offered constructive long-term solutions and are in fact currently spending millions of dollars every year on lobbyists dedicated to protecting the status quo and blocking meaningful health care reform. In Congress, I will fight for universal health care for all Americans."

"President Bush, Vice President Cheney and the members of Congress who continue to blindly support this flawed policy have all failed us...As a former military officer, I believe the best way to support our troops is to bring them home and we need to start bringing them home now."

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/AllSt arVote

Gary has been fighting for the people in this community his entire life.  From his dedication to our country as a soldier to his dedication to the issues of education and health care in the Senate, he knows our community and has always been here working for us- not the special interests.
I want Gary to win and bring a DFA training to Michigan's 9th district. I want Gary to win and bring real change to the 9th District and to Washington. If you feel the same way, pass word along to your friends and families!

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/AllSt arVote

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