It is official! The campaign has made the announcement. John Edwards plans to step up and help Larry win in November. Details haven't been released, so stay tuned for more information. There are so many things going on. Here's a rundown in case you missed anything.

Larry Kissell won the DCCC's "Action for a New Direction" competition. Here's a little more information to give you an idea of just how organized and mobilized Kissell volunteers are.

On Saturday, September 9th, over 25 of our most competitive congressional campaigns participated in "Action for a New Direction," a national volunteer mobilization day. One thing was clear -- Democrats across the country are ready for change and are ready to hit the streets to make a difference in this election.

In total, some 4,000 "Action for a New Direction" volunteers knocked on nearly 50,000 doors, made over 25,000 calls, identified thousands of supporters, registered hundreds of new voters, wrote thousands of neighbor-to-neighbor postcards, and put up thousands of yard signs. With a total of 863 volunteers knocking on 11,646 doors, Larry Kissell's campaign in North Carolina's 8th district turned out the most "Action for a New Direction" volunteers!

"Congratulations to Larry Kissell, his staff and his volunteers!" said Karin Johanson, DCCC Executive Director.
The prize? A fundraising letter for Larry Kissell from DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel is on the way to the national database.

That's right. The Kissell campaign was responsible for mobilizing almost one fourth of all volunteers out of more than 25 campaigns competing. Amazing. I promised when I started promoting this campaign on DKos that they would make good use of your donations. The campaign staff and campaign volunteers are working hard to make your donations stretch further.

Also,national database! Do you know how big the National database is? Huge....HUGE. With two weeks before the end of the quarter, this could make a big difference for Larry. Don't wait for Rahm's letter or email, though. Please visit ActBlue today and contribute to Larry. Every little bit helps.

Another bit of information that you might not have seen is that Larry Kissell was added to a new list of "emerging races" with the DCCC. The red-to-blue list has over 30 names on it and most are candidates who have had no trouble raising their own money. Larry's recognition has been completely based on good, old-fashioned, grassroots campaigning. This recognition should also help bring donations Larry's way. Way to go Larry and staff!

The Kissell Campaign also has released a great site, HelpLarry.com where you can enter your personal information and receive a list of 8th District voters to contact. You also print off a script. It's a wonderful idea and thousands of lists have already been printed. Get your list today. Make 10 calls. Then make 10 more.

On top of all of this, Larry has been featured in almost every single paper in the district. There is only one that has failed to acknowledge this race and that is one of the two papers in Concord - Robin Hayes' base. The Richmond County paper editorial board referred to Hayes as Judas Iscariot. The Charlotte Observer has run a front page, "A" section, above the fold piece on Larry's involvement with the Netroots and his use of emerging technology. The piece quoted Hayes as saying he knew blogs were something to do with the internet. What a buffoon. Many of the articles have been about how Kissell has simply put his feet to the pavement and is knocking on doors. He is relentless. Rain or shine.

Last, but not least, we have some endorsement news. Citizens Trade PAC, the fair trade coalition of labor, environmental, family farm and consumer groups and the Sierra Club, a 750,000 member organization working to promote smart energy solutions, safe and healthy communities and protection of America's wild legacy have endorsed Larry Kissell. The North Carolina AFL-CIO, the North Carolina Association of Educators and the Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy (VETPAC) endorsed Larry's candidacy earlier this year.

Don't forget to give 'till it feels good.