Tools we can use

Politics is all about people. Thetechnology of politics is about how they communicate and organize - and that technology is changing.

Things are changing in the way successful campaigns are organized because of new tools that make it easier for activists to become more active, which makes it more likely that they will get involved.

There's an entire generation of voters that get itsnews online...and they're engaging in their political activity online as well. Our party has to be there in a way that's useful to them, with the tools that they can use to impact the things they care about.

Ournational party has to expand and strengthen the tools and resources that it makes available for our state and local organizations. There is so much more we can do in terms of internet driven communications, organization and fundraising platforms - giving people the tools for successful grassroots activism on their own schedule.

Currently, our national party has eight standing committees: "Budget", "Rules", "Resolutions" (platform), "Arrangements", "Site Selection", the "Committee on the Call", "Contests" and an "Executive Committee" - but not one that focuses on supporting our party's grassroots development.

There has been some talk of creating a permanent "Grassroots Development" committee that will do just that. And that's exactly what should happen. The sooner the better.

We can't just rest on our laurels and do more of the same old things we've done in the past. We've got to get ahead of the curve. Our national party is getting a wakeup call....and we need people in our leadership that willanswer the call and have the experience to meet the challenge.