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donors and volunteers are valuable, and shouldn't have their time wasted:

three times in the past eight days i've been asked about how a potential volunteer and contributor should budget their time in campaigns within shouting distance of chicago.  this isn't really an easy request.  how you should spend *your* time and money should reflect your priorities, your ideological leanings, and your "vision" for the country.  if you are really concerned about local things, even in so-called red districts, you should spend your time helping to build up your local party organization, regardless of your candidate's chances in the fall.  think strategically, act locally.

meaning, how you spend your time and money doesn't have to be objective.  an exercise like this one does.

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