Barbara Nesbet, fund-raising chair for Silicon Valley, reminds us that election laws state once Senator Kerry is nominated at the Democratic Convention in Boston on July 27, no further money from our Kerry for President campaign can be accepted by the candidate. However, the Republicans will have five more weeks to fund-raise before their convention. That makes our House Party hosts and helpers so critical to our fund-raising effort. This Thursday, June 17 at 7:00pm you can learn how to host or help with a Kerry House Party; call (408) 395-5908 for location information. Everyone can play their part. Contact bnesbet@hotmail.com to find out how. And don't forget to visit our website at www.SiliconValleyForKerry.com and click "donate" before it's too late.

To honor former President Ronald Reagan, Senator Kerry elected to suspend his campaign schedule until after the national period of mourning. "Ronald Reagan and many of us disagreed on one issue or another; but he always disagreed with a smile, without partisanship," Kerry told reporters after attending Mass at St. Anthony's in Boston last Sunday.

You can help connect with voters in states that are "border-line" Kerry by joining Otto Lee's Swing State Committee. The group is currently developing its strategies for reaching out to the undecided. Volunteer by emailing to otto@ottolee.org.

The day the Pentagon extended active duty for thousands of U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, Sen. Kerry accused the Bush Administration of instituting a "backdoor draft" to keep troops levels high enough. Kerry criticized Bush for relying on the National Guard on foreign soil when they should be focused on homeland security. "Members of the Guard are first responders," Kerry said. "To take them out of their communities is to take down a critical first line of defense."

Just a few dollars can make the difference on Election Day. Since March hundreds of grassroots contributions from John Kerry supporters like you and me matched every $2000 check George Bush's fundraisers brought in. This is the only reason John Kerry has been able to counter George Bush's negative and misleading attacks.

Every contribution large or small helps. John Kerry's campaign will only win if the same people who will support him on Election Day can provide the grassroots contributions which have fueled his campaign so far.

Please click on http://volunteer.johnkerry.com/member/268150 and make a small contribution … and ask you friends to do the same!

Together we will take back the White House. Thank you.

Do you know any Republicans who have said they can't bring themselves to support Bush in 2004? We are hearing this more and more. But most of them feel they are all alone. Republicans for Kerry is forming now. An initial private and confidential informational reception is being held for Republicans on Sunday, June 27 from 4 to 6pm in Los Altos at the home of Peter and Sue LaTourrette. Its purpose is to help GOPers who are "Kerry-curious" get the information they need and to realize there are many others out there like them so that more of them find their way into the Kerry fold as the campaign progresses. Some have already declared themselves as endorsers for Kerry (including moderate Republicans like George Comstock, Mayor of Portola Valley; Jon Silver, Former Mayor, Portola Valley; and others who will be announced later).

Won't you please help us spread the word among local Republicans you feel are likely to be receptive? A gentle phone call to find out how they are feeling about supporting Bush these days is a good start. If they are solidly non-Bush Republicans now, then following up with the information about this event gives them a way to find out more about Kerry that does not require a contribution or commitment.

Please RSVP to Gail Slocum (former Mayor, Menlo Park), at gailslocum@comcast.net

Please join the Santa Clara County Democratic Party this Saturday morning, June 19th, for the June Call to Action Meeting from 9am-12noon at 70 W. Hedding Street, San Jose, in the basement cafeteria. This is the SCCDP's monthly meeting where county activists come together to talk about how we are forging ahead in taking back the White House, the Senate and the Congress, as well as winning crucial local elections!

At this Call to Action, the SCCDP will be providing detailed training to facilitate your being a precinct captain, block captain, or assistant to a captain. A precinct captain adopts a precinct where he or she meets and keeps in communication with neighborhood Democrats and unregistered potential voters regarding the election season. This is an important training for anyone who is interested participating in this most valuable activity. RSVP to 408-445-9500.