Actually, the anger that we progressives are feeling over president Obama's

wavering on what we thought were sacred tenants of the Democratic Party can be directed at taking back the House...

Let's face it, most of the time democrats at the top of the ticket, whether it is the mayor, the governor or the president, suck all the attention thus harming the candidates at the lower levels.

Sure there is a shirt tail effect but that is rapidly become so mid twentieth century.

But it isn't just the attention, it's the energy, the money and the volunteers.

This time around, president Obama will have all the money and people he needs to get re-elected.

Truth be told, with the opposition being what it is, progressives can look down the ticket and start focusing on where the real fight is, in the halls of congress and the committee rooms of the 50 state capitals.

Just look at the results from the last election.

Here in Ohio, the party was focused like a laser beam on two week candidates, governor Strickland and senatorial candidate Lee Fisher.

Both did not excite people beyond the base so all the time, energy and money flowed toward these two fine but charismatically and ideologically challenged candidates leaving the rest of the ticket dangling in the wind.

And look where Ohio is now.

So, voting for president Obama but working for and donating to candidates at the local and state level might just be the ticket.

Remember, a lot of states are like Ohio and allow small contributions to political candidates for the state house on up to the governor to be deducted as a credit from state income tax.

Me, well, I am going to work for a couple of candidates here that might have a shot at winning in 2012. Even if the odds are long but at least possible, I will work and donate to those candidates who run on progressive issues such as job creation, environmental protection, increasing taxes on the well to do...

I think your ideas have merit.

Obama needs our votes but not much else; it's the local candidates that really require whatever support we can muster. In order to get above the crowded fields that they're running in, they need the folks who will make phone calls and knock on doors, plus money to support all the advertising etc that's needed.

The local level is where progressive candidates get their start.

Recommended.

Not a damn dime from me, that's for sure

I'm working with the county democratic association right now. If you wait until next year, it may be too late.

I've been at this game since 1976 and am sick and tired of loser candidates at the top of the ticket here in Ohio sucking up all the energy, money and volunteers...

MRS. WCGreen found some pictures today that were from my 1994 run for the statehouse. It reminded me of what I was up against and maid the original post all the more prescient.