Updated count on 310 in Boulder: 31 to 69. About the same margin we were outspent. Heres what we sent to supporters late last night: WE WON. Tonight, we stood up. We stood up and said NO to corporate control of our energy future. But more importantly, we said yes to something so much bigger: people. Yes, this was a campaign about energy. About our planet. About a corporation that just refuses to change. But all along what it was really about was people. People made this victory possible. People like you: The one who lives in Alabama and mailed us your laptop for our phone-banks. The one we phone-banked to talk about the issue and then came by our office an hour later to drop off drinks for our volunteers who were working late. You sent us the only money you had in your pocket, you brought us food, you spent every Saturday volunteering, and you sent us the kindest notes from around the world that kept our team going. You have moved us to tears, energized us to reach beyond our capacity, and sustained us through each day. You renewed our belief that our communities are strong enough to bring about the changes we need–and you made us certain that we would prevail. For the second time, our grassroots campaign defeated a coal industry giant. And for the second time, it is crystal clear: Xcel’s dirty money can’t buy community, trick voters, or inspire young voters to enter the political process. It can’t spark neighbor-to-neighbor outreach. It can’t mobilize a diehard army of volunteers. Only people can do that. And boy–did we have people. Over 1 million of you watched the story of our campaign. Over 6,000 of you gave to grow our reach. And because of that support, our volunteers and organizers were able to log over 100,000 voter contacts. In short, this has been the definition of a grassroots campaign because of you. For those of you far away: This fight has always been as much about our community as it is about yours. Thank you for supporting us, for sticking with us till the end. Honestly, without you, we might have lost our democracy to the highest bidder this round. But now, with this behind us, we are able to continue working to create a model for how communities around the country can take control of their energy future. Our communities need an impactful strategy to combat climate change. We are proud to have fought for this one alongside each of you, and we look forward to the work ahead. For now, though, we have this to say: Go home, Xcel. Your money is no good here. Now get some sleep. Forward, Steve, Carrie, Becca, Molly, Lisa, Nina, Jenn, Alexis, Getzan, Gary, Lizzy, Nina, Brian, Chris, Elena, Kate, Jonah, Ellie, Kaitlin, Rhiannon, Jill, Susan, Arielle, William, Nathan, Becca, Jackson, Galen, Alayna, Gina, Toni, Sidney, Kathryn, Jourdan, Mitchell, Nora, Becca K, Daniela, Julia, and Lauren
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 00:01:27 +0000