Successful campaigns require money and boots on the ground. Representative Bruce Braley is already trying to recruit the small donor and volunteer army he’ll need for next year’s U.S. Senate election.

Without Democratic primary competition or a Republican candidate to define yet, Braley can’t fire up his base by pointing out his opponent’s flaws. Instead, he is using online petitions to identify and energize supporters. So far, those petitions are narrowly focused on issues important to activist groups–in contrast to the broad themes of Braley’s message to Iowa voters as a whole.  

The bigger a campaign’s e-mail list, the bigger the potential response to fundraising solicitations and calls for volunteers to GOTV. Yet getting passive supporters to provide their names and addresses can be a challenge. Most people don’t seek out campaign websites when surfing the web. Nor do they want to spam their e-mail contacts asking friends and relatives to sign up for endless political fundraising solicitations.

Online petitions can tap into strong opinions, making people excited to sign and share the link with others via e-mail or social media.

Governor Terry Branstad’s re-election campaign hatched a brilliant list-building scheme earlier this year, when staff created a website and petition to save wrestling as an Olympic sport.

Braley has yet to come up with anything quite that good, but his campaign is creating petitions on hot topics. “CIPSA” isn’t a household word, but for some internet users, the battle against the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act is a huge concern. Braley’s Senate campaign is asking people to “Tell the Senate: Stop CIPSA!”

The apple sure doesn’t fall far from the tree. Just like SOPA, which was defeated last year, CISPA will violate your privacy and open the door to Internet censorship.

Bruce Braley opposes both SOPA and CISPA, and is leading the charge to stop the bill in the US Senate.

Join this effort, sign our petition today!

The US House has passed the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). Now, it moves to the Senate.

Just like the Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA) defeated last year, CISPA radically alters the law to allow government agencies to violate your privacy by sharing information with private companies and by allowing corporations to share information with the government.

CISPA is just another attempt to roll back online freedom. It opens the door to Internet censorship.

Tell the Senate: Stop CISPA. Add you name to the petition below.

Braley was on record last year opposing the Stop Online Piracy Act.

At this writing, the front page of BruceBraley.com links to a petition on keeping student loans affordable.

If Congress doesn’t take action by July 1st, interest rates on federal student loans are going to DOUBLE – from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.

Join Rep. Bruce Braley’s fight to keep college loan interest rates low.

Become a citizen co-sponsor of the Student Loan Affordability Act!

BECOME A CITIZEN CO-SPONSOR



Add your name to the list of Iowans who support Bruce Braley’s efforts to keep student interest rates from doubling:

Rep. Bruce Braley is leading an effort to keep college education affordable by introducing the Student Loan Affordability Act, which would prevent rates from increasing. Current interest rates will double in July unless Congress acts. Don’t let federal student loan interest rates double, add your name to be a citizen co-sponsor of Rep. Braley’s legislation.

Yesterday the Braley campaign sent out an e-mail blast linking to this new petition:

To the Boy Scouts of America:

For more than 100 years Scouting has been one of the great traditions in America. Since it’s foundation millions of Americans have learned how to become leaders in their community and have embodied important moral values like honesty and service, constantly seeking to build a better community for themselves and generations to come.

Unfortunately, Boy Scouts of America continues to stand by a discriminatory policy that excludes gay Scouts and Scout leaders. Not only are many young Americans excluded because of this policy, countless non-gay Scouts are being told that their parents can’t participate. It’s time to stop teaching our youth that discrimination is acceptable.

I want Scouting to continue to be an American tradition and shape future generations by instilling the core values of Scouting in them, but I know it will not remain relevant unless it lifts the ban on gay youth and parents.

By signing this letter we recognize the importance of Scouting and the need to teach America’s youth the value of service, integrity, and leadership. We also ask that you lift the discriminatory policies that are preventing everyone from participating in Scouting activities when your National Council meets on May 23rd.

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce Braley



Tell the Boy Scouts:

Stop Discrimination!

It’s time to end the ban on gay scouts and scout leaders.

Add your name to our letter today!

The text of the e-mail cleverly linked the anti-discrimination message to Braley’s personal biography and advocacy for veterans (a major campaign theme):

[First name] —

It was over forty years ago that I joined a Cub Scout Pack in Brooklyn, Iowa. I worked hard to become a Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Lion. I was proud to build my own Pinewood Derby car and thrilled when my car won First Place. I was blessed to have great adult leaders who were Den Mothers and Scoutmasters.

Scouting has changed a lot since those days in Brooklyn. Last week, the Boy Scouts of America announced a significant change to allow gay scouts, and I applaud them for that change. But in a time where gays and lesbians serve their country openly and with courage in the military … prepared to lay down their lives for their country … it boggles the mind that these same veterans could be barred from serving as a leader in their child’s Scout troop.

Just last week, the Boy Scouts of America announced that they plan on changing the rule to allow gay Scouts, but not gay leaders. The BSA board will vote on this plan in May, and that’s why I need your help.

It’s a step — but it’s not far enough. I’m joining the efforts of a fellow Iowan and fellow Eagle Scout, Zach Wahls, founder of Scouts for Equality, to call for change. I’m sending an open letter to the Boy Scouts of America. Will you sign it today?

Tell the Boy Scouts — everyone should be allowed to participate, and we need to stand up for equality. Sign the letter today.

Let’s make sure Scouting remains about teaching young people leadership and integrity and not about discriminating against others by excluding openly gay participants.

In this day and age, an American institution like the BSA needs to lead and denounce discrimination of all types and forms. The Boy Scouts have an opportunity to show our youth what real leadership looks like, and to send a message that equality and inclusion is acceptable, not discrimination.

Sign my open letter urging the Boy Scouts of America to stop discrimination.

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce

I doubt the Boy Scouts national board will pay attention to how many people signed Bruce Braley’s petition, but this controversy over LGBT scouts and troop leaders is great fodder for list-building. Whatever policy the Boy Scouts endorse–signs point to a compromise everyone hates–will inspire a zillion water cooler conversations and “shares” on social media.

Any comments about the U.S. Senate race are welcome in this thread.