(I posted this over at dKos a moment ago, http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/9/1498635/-Storming-the-Gates-Gat... it is sliding right off the recent list, which also makes me want to say to folks here: pay attention to the recent list over there and give some love to the Bernie diaries that aren't already on the rec list. Let's get more Bernie diaries on the rec list, because they don't make it the front page very much)

No, one does not simply walk into Mordor. Or the Whitehouse, for that matter. Getting past the gates requires determination and faith. It also requires help from some friends. And, like a whispering breeze through the mist, I hear a voice from an era long past urging me to storm the gates of the political system that loom before me in order to elect more and better Democrats. And, because I often listen to incorporeal voices blowing in the mist (I am a unicorn believing, fairy dust snorting Sanders supporter, after all), I wanted to share some thoughts, tips, plans, and reminders for folks looking to get past the Ides of March (or the Towers of the Teeth, if you are keeping up with the Middle Earth references):

These things break down into three big categories that Bernie supporters need to do:
1. Gather and Rally Your Allies – In your state and beyond
2. Do the stuff that needs to get done.
3. Donate

1. Gather and Rally Allies.
Maybe you are someone who is well versed in the issues and eager to talk to anyone, anywhere about Bernie. You rock. Carry On.
Maybe you are someone who is a little less sure about bugging your friends and family. Get over it. You’ll run into a few that are into Bernie. They will appreciate confirmation/ validation of their choice because it is coming from you, a smart, caring person whom they respect. You’ll run into some that push back. Big Deal. This matters. They’ll still love you after the election.

So,
If you are in one of the March 15th states, volunteer. Go canvas. It’s kinda fun. Go to your closest Bernie HQ and do whatever needs doing. Get the early voters to the polls. Get someone else involved. Can’t make it to a field office? Chat up your neighbors, friends, family, barber, florist, dentist, etc.

If you are not in a March 15th state: Call/email/facebook friends and family in next Tuesday’s battlegrounds:

Two main weaknesses of Bernie’s according to exit polls from Michigan and which should be countered when possible:
Electability – More people that listed electability as a prime motivator for their Democratic choice chose Hillary. Let everyone you know that Bernie outperforms her in every head to head match up to date. Yes, The R’s will unload everything they have on him, but it will be the same lines they use every cycle (socialist, hates God and guns, loves abortion, tax and spend, blah, blah blah.) What Bernie will be immune to is that Trump will not be able to paint him as a Wall St. sellout. Also, Hillary’s cast of skeletons in her closet is much larger than Bernie’s and not all of it is old news.
Terrorism / Nat’l Security – Again, Clinton won a sizable share of folks that listed this at the top of their priorities. Yeah, sure she was Sec. of State, which is usually a pretty good item on your resume for the job of POTUS, but her term in that position left us with some very serious concerns about collusion between the State Dept and the Clinton Foundation as well as the still open issue regarding her email protocols and her ability to keep American secrets safe. Also, her hawkish history makes yet another Middle Eastern war a very scary and real possibility.

When chatting with folks, a few general things to remind folks of:

• College students can vote in either their college state or their home state. Many are probably not aware of this.
• Early voting is underway – time is crucial. Get Bernie’s supporters to the polls this week. Now. Once someone casts a vote, they are more likely to share this with friends and family. They have taken an action (not just had a thought) that they are more likely to defend. Getting someone to vote today can help get others to vote tomorrow.
• Again, early voting is underway. Convincing a Hillary supporter on Monday that she is not the best choice doesn’t really matter much if that person votes on Thursday.
• Talk up Bernie’s positions that he been consistent on for years, such as fighting for American workers
• Talk up Bernie’s character that has also been solid for decades.
• Address concerns about Bernie, such as being “too radical” by reminding folks that Bernie’s positions used to be pretty mainstream in this country (FDR, for example), and that when we have lived under policies more in line with what Bernie envisions, we have been prosperous and productive.
• Address concerns about Hillary without demonizing her or pushing people away. A detailed rant about her email server will be likely to turn people off. Reminding folks that it is something Trump will pound her on and that it is not over yet is something that prompt a person to reconsider that “electability” assumption.

State specific information to pass on:

• Illinois – Semi-closed primary. ANYONE can request a Democratic ballot On election day, so let your sane Republican uncle know that his party will be sending Trump forward into the General with or without his vote and if he wants to keep Hillary out of the Whitehouse, he better make sure Bernie wins the nomination. Also, Illinois has same day registration, so any friends that say they forgot to register, they can do that on the March 15 also, even if they are only 17, but have a birthday before the general election. Illinois has early voting until 3/14.
o https://www.reddit.com/r/Illinois4Sanders
• Ohio – Open Primary – no need to declare any party affiliation. Registration is closed. If any friends who are feeling the Bern didn’t get registered in time, encourage them to help out in some other way. Ohio has early voting, so check up those friends and family to get them to the polls.
o https://www.reddit.com/r/OhioForSanders
• North Carolina – Semi closed primary. Voters must register as a democrat or undeclared to vote in this primary. Registration for voting on March 15 is over. However, same day registration is available for those that are voting early. Early voting is open until March 12. This is the link for NC Board of Elections site for county level info on locations: https://enr.ncsbe.gov/cbesearch/
o www.reddit.com/r/NorthCarolina4Sanders
• Florida – Closed Primary. Only registered Democrats can vote in this one and registration is closed. So, let you friends and family know that if they can’t vote for Bernie on the 15th, they can make it up to themselves and America by fanning the flames of the Bern in any way they can – phonebank, facebank, giving folks a ride to vote, talking up their friends, etc. Anyone who can vote, may do so early. Early voting until March 12.
o https://www.reddit.com/r/FloridaForSanders
• Missouri – Open Primary – Anyone can vote in the Democratic primary, regardless of party affiliation. Registration is closed, so once again, when you contact someone who can’t vote on the 15th because they are not registered, let them know they can still make a YUGE difference by sharing their support for Bernie within their circles.
o https://www.reddit.com/r/Missouri4Sanders

2. Do the stuff that has to get done
• If you are in a March 15th state, go volunteer. Yeah, I already said that, but it bears repeating.
• If you are not in a March 15th state: phone bank. That’s also a repeat, but it is that important. And, be forewarned: it is not as fun as canvassing or doing stuff down at the field office. Not even close. It’s pretty not fun at all. But it is super important. One bright spot about phone banking is that it is easy. Stupid easy. Got a computer or tablet with internet and a phone? You are good to go. Don’t even need to put on pants if you have those two things in the house. When you get started, you ail be convinced that you are doing nothing to help your candidate. You are. You are gathering information that the folks in those states will use to knock on doors, get Bernie’s backers to the polls, and even find new volunteers. The other bright spot is that once you do it, you will have the moral authority to guilt your friends that keep saying “I really like Bernie” into doing it also.
go.berniesanders.com/...
3. Donate. If you have, do it again. Then tell folks that you did it again. Ask your friends that like Bernie if they have donated. Let them know how they can do it. The media pays attention to the money race. Give them something to talk about.
Finally, a blast from the past from Middle Earth. (song starts at 1:10):

https://youtu.be/jVgZDcUQPEY?t=1m12s

Win the battle, lose the war,
Choice of evils lie before your feet,
Retreat, Retreat, Retreat!
If you win then you will lose,
Choice of evils yours to choose,
Retreat...
Retreat, retreat, retreat!
You are standing in the eye of the storm,
Move an inch, and you'll be dead,
You are standing underneath, the towers of the Teeth,
and the Eye...blazes red!