Running Against Bush on September 18 Nationwide
WASHINGTON, DC--On September 18, 10,000+ runners, walks and bikers in 100+ cities across the country will be logging 100,000+ miles, all as part of a massive grassroots national effort to elect a new president. National Run Against Bush Day activities will include events in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. See Run Against Bush for a list of local events.

The innovative Run Against Bush campaign is energizing the voters across the country by combining running with politics, or "staying active with being active," according to Marc Laitin, a former high school teacher and Director of Run Against Bush. The group is making an impact in the running community by introducing politically-minded citizens to running, and runners to political activism. The group has even motivated the founding of a similar but competing group, Run for Bush.

National Run Against Bush Day events are being planned for Washington, DC; Baltimore, Chevy Chase, and Lexington Park in Maryland; Doylestown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Wynnewood in Pennsylvania; and Charlottesville and Norfolk in Virginia; with announcements on other cities and towns forthcoming. Please contact Ben Coffey-Clark at 203-347-3343 for more information on National Run Against Bush Day events.

The grassroots political action committee Running for Change was formed last December by a diverse group of eight teachers, civil servants, and nonprofit and private sector professionals with little or no political experience. Its 9,000 members span all 50 states and Run Against Bush T-shirts have been worn in well over a 100 road races. Since accepting its first donations in February, the group has raised nearly $300,000 in mostly $25-30 amounts from individual members. Proceeds will support the presidential campaign of John Kerry via donations to the Democratic National Committee, Democratic parties in battleground states, congressional candidates locked in tight races, and voter outreach efforts such as America Coming Together.

Running For Bush on the Trail Campaign
DENVER--Run For Bush (http://www.RunForBush.com) is a grassroots effort to campaign through exercise for George W. Bush. The campaign concept is to simply put on a 'Run For Bush' t-shirt and hit the jogging trail, the walking path, the gym, or to simply go about one's daily tasks. The shirt does the campaigning for the wearer and the effort becomes even more dramatic when members form 'Run For Bush' running groups.

Campaign founder Patrick Brown says, "The goal of Run For Bush is to show our presence to everyone we can, whether that be at the grocery store or in the park, not just at rallies which are already full of Bush supporters. By taking the campaign into everyday activities, we can reach those who are undecided, obviously important in this election. The unexpected part is that campaigning in these uncommon places seems to actually elicit conversation from those who are interested, because of their comfort level; and that conversation is what is effective."

While people join 'Run For Bush' for many reasons, Brown says that the appeal is centered around four main points: It is positive in its message, it does not require a time commitment, it is done while participating in everyday activities, and it is non-intrusive. Heather Hill, a member, says she joined the campaign because, "Run For Bush allows me to show my support while running, something I would be doing anyway. I also don't have the type of personality to want to campaign door-to-door, but I still wanted to show my support for President Bush. For me it's a perfect fit."

"The beauty of the campaign," Brown adds, "is that most people simply aren't used to seeing campaigners on the jogging trail or in the gym. It allows us to show our support for President Bush to everyone we pass, instead of just moving through life without consideration. And for someone who does not have time to volunteer for formal campaigning, it is their way to take action."

For more information or to join 'Run For Bush,' log on to http://www.RunForBush.com.