Forget about President Obama right now. He's managing his own campaign just fine and has a nice pile of cash to do it with. Instead, have a look at the process in your own districts for nominating candidates for Congress and state legislatures. Have a middle-of-the-roader in office? Want a progressive? Now's the time to make that happen. If you aren't already involved in your local Democratic Party organization, you still have time to get involved. Make a difference!

In caucus states, caucusing on the precinct level is on the immediate horizon. Go to your precinct caucus. Become a caucus officer. Frankly, if you're willing, you'll probably become the chairperson. Become a delegate to your district convention and caucus there for a worthwhile candidate. Become a state convention delegate. Find out how to do that in your state and go for it. Then, you can work to select strong candidates.

In non-caucus states, get involved in your local Democratic Party organization. There is one right in your district or precinct. Be active. Be heard. Become a delegate to anything you can. Use your knowledge and dedication to make things happen. These are small organizations and you can make a difference.

Campaign during the primary period for the candidates of your choice. You'll be one of the few out there doing that, frankly. Contact the candidates of your choice and find out how you can help during the primary. I guarantee you'll be more than welcomed by the candidates. During the primary season, volunteers are scarce, and you can make a real difference.

Once the primaries are over, work to campaign in your own precinct for candidates you support or for Democratic candidates in general. Knock on doors. Talk to anyone who will listen. Get and distribute campaign literature. You'll meet interesting people in your own neighborhood and you'll be surprised what you learn from them and what you can help them to understand.

2012 is a crucial election year. If we can retake Congress and the state legislatures, we can begin to reclaim our government. Right now, legislatures have terrible public support. It's a prime year to replace poor legislators with people who will make a difference. We can do it, if we're willing. If we don't do it, we may find ourselves in states and a nation that is controlled by people who will further destroy our country.

This is not a demand on my part. It's just an encouragement for DUers who want to make a difference in 2012. It's more than worth doing, if you are willing to do it. If you're not, that's OK, too. But do, please, show up at the polls. Vote for candidates who support your views, even if they don't support everything you do. Their opponent supports none of your views. There is a difference.

You can make a difference if you want to. If you don't want to, then this post isn't directed at you at all.