This letter was sent to the CPPS mailing list on December 30, 2009.
Dear CPPS Supporter,
As the January 26 elections approach, once again we want to encourage you to vote YES on Measures 66 & 67!
If you’re still undecided, or if you want to help us spread the word, please take a moment to read the letter below from the Vote Yes for Oregon Campaign Director, Kevin Looper. We hope you find it informative and inspiring.
A Letter from the Vote Yes For Oregon Campaign Director, Kevin Looper
Really, you don’t want to be that person.
In twenty years of politics, I’ve talked to that person hundreds of times. After a close election, that person always comes up and says the same thing: “Oh my, I had NO IDEA it was going to be such a tight election, or I’d have done more to help.”
That person usually speaks without meeting my eyes. I do the same. It’s an awkward conversation to have, what with both of us looking at each other’s shoes. So let me please just tell you now:
The vote on Measures 66 & 67 is gonna be close.
When we took up this fight, the Oregonian headline said, “Proponents bet against history on tax votes.” No one thought we had a chance. Now the polls say we are ahead, but this is no time to relax. Polls measure opinions, but our job is to chase votes.
A lot of motivated, early voters are against us. No one really loves taxes. But some people really, really hate them, and those people are guaranteed to vote. Tobacco lobbyists and bank executives don’t have to go door to door to get out right-wing voters.
It’s a different story with our base. I hope my Mom will forgive me for saying this, but the good people of Portland and Eugene could use a little kick in the pants. Especially the young ones — and in this election, a young voter is under 60 (congratulations to all of you who qualify!).
It’s amazing to see hundreds of people on the phone every night, and the power of more than 900 people canvassing last weekend alone. But we need more. We need you.
So please, before it is too late, volunteer. Don’t worry about the rain. This is a once-in-a-lifetime political moment. We have the chance to make history, change the balance of power in Salem between school funding and social service advocates and the big corporate lobbyists, while preserving about a billion dollars worth of funding for schools, seniors, health care and public safety. This will only happen with your help.
If, for some reason, you really can’t make it in, go to our website and donate $100 so we can run another radio spot, or $500 for a cable ad.
Don’t read this and think, “I’ll do it later.” Sign up right now, before you forget or someone asks you to do something else.
Oregon is a great place because great people like you care about it. Don’t miss your chance to shape its future. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and we need every free moment you have dedicated to helping secure this vote. ‘Cause, as I hope you heard me say, it’s gonna be close.
And come January 26th, I want to be able to look all of you in the eyes, smile, and say, “We did it.”
Sincerely,
Kevin Looper
Campaign Director, Vote Yes for Oregon
P.S. Seriously: right now. Click here: http://voteyesfororegon.org/volunteer/
Please Support Our Work
CPPS remains fully committed to building a sustainable network of diverse parent, family and community voices to ensure a high-quality education for all children in Portland Public Schools. Please become a member or make a donation today, and join us in voting YES on Measures 66 & 67.
As always, thank you for all that you do for Portland’s children and public education!
Best wishes,
Kathy Couch & Linda Olson
CPPS Co-Presidents
kathy@cppsportland.org, linda@cppsportland.org