I mentioned earlier that this election has been an incredible experience personally because of the endless enthusiasm and support from Courage members and grassroots activists throughout the state and around the country. I know I'm not alone in that. The last few days in particular have been exhausting for everyone here at the Courage Campaign as well as for many of our members. Throughout the state in our own ways, everyone has been running ragged trying to deliver a strong finish tomorrow.

I spent a good portion of Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium checking out The Call rally that brought evangelicals from across the state and around the country to San Diego for a full day of "corporate prayer and fasting." I saw estimates ahead of time anticipating as many as 100,000 people. As you can see in the first video, that didn't quite happen. Organizers reported 33,000 entries throughout the day, but many people went in and out and/or didn't stay especially long (I accounted for 4 out of those 33,000 myself). But once I left Qualcomm and went to check out the No on 8 candlelight rally in Hillcrest- it was totally different. Streets were blocked off, you could hear it before you could see it, I had to park nearly half a mile away. And when I finally got there, it was a completely different atmosphere.

People were happy. Not just smiling, but genuinely and enthusiastically happy about being around each other and celebrating inclusiveness. Everyone took the issue seriously, but they also realized that this is about appreciating each other. That we're all in this together, so we should really start enjoying it. I dunno...it was good for my soul at least.

This is the end of the stretch run. We know how hard you've been working this whole election and it's been an honor and a privilege to work with you. On Saturday, from No on 8 headquarters, Julia Rosen emailed the lay of the land and the situation as we ask for to step up one last time this cycle to finish the job:


Greetings from the "No on 8" campaign headquarters in San Francisco.

I just arrived here from my home in Sacramento and the office is bursting with volunteers. The Courage Campaign team is buzzing with energy as well, with staffers deployed across the state today working hard to get out the vote, as so many of you are in your own communities.

Eden will be joining me here at the "No on 8" office. Rick is going to a "No on 8" phone bank in Los Angeles and Robert is phoning against 8 in Monterey. Todd is canvassing in Glendale. Meanwhile Miles, our graphic designer and web developer, is holding down the Courage fort, on call at a moment's notice.

Jethro, our videographer, just flew back from Salt Lake City, and is editing video of our delivery of 17,345 signatures to the Mormon Church in Utah. And Lucas is blogging from "The Call" religious-right rally in San Diego, where 71,000 evangelical extremists are gathering at Qualcomm Stadium to pray and organize in support of Props 4 and 8.

We've been working hard for the last few months to bring home a huge progressive victory on Tuesday. And, with just three days left until Election Day, we need your help to bring us down the final stretch.

Every time we have asked you to stand up for progressive values and support progressive campaigns in California, you've stepped up.

Now, with our resources stretched thin and less than 72 hours left, we need your help to turn out progressive voters. Can you contribute $25, $50, $100, $500 or more to the Courage Campaign Issues Committee to fuel our final stretch run to Election Day?:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/FinalStretch

As you know, the Courage Campaign is a people-powered online organizing network of over 100,000 progressives in California. And, with your support, we have accomplished so much together in a very short time:

* Together, we have raised $85,791 for the "No on 8" campaign and helped netroots activists raise over $1 million against Prop 8 on ActBlue.

* Together, we rented an airplane to fly a "No on Prop 4" banner over Sarah Palin's rally and millions of voters in Los Angeles.

* Together, we delivered 17,345 signatures to the Mormon Church, going all the way to Salt Lake City to bring media attention to the Mormon Church's shameful funding of Prop 8.

* Together, we mobilized hundreds of volunteers for the "No on 4" and "No on 8" campaigns.

And, together, we can win on Tuesday with your help.

With less than 72 hours left we need your help to bring progressive voters to the polls on Tuesday. Please dig deep and give what you can afford -- $25, $50, $100, $500 or more -- to fuel our final stretch run to Election Day:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/FinalStretch

My fellow Courage Campaign staffers will be working practically around-the-clock from now until the polls close on Tuesday. I know I will -- and what dreams I may have will be of victory on Election Day.

We just need your help to make those dreams come true for all of us.

Together, we can make 2008 a new era for progressive politics in California.

Julia Rosen
Online Political Director

P.S. With 12 propositions on the ballot and basic rights, freedoms and the safety of at-risk teenagers at stake, we can't leave anything to chance. That's why we will be re-sending our popular "2008 Progressive Voter Guide" to you on Monday.

If you support the Courage Campaign's work to build a progressive California, please contribute whatever you can afford to help us distribute our 2008 Voter Guide to as many progressives as possible before they go to the polls on Election Day:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/FinalStretch