Scribbler writes: "Since it is quite likely that Daley, Obama, Etc. will decline to speak because of the "out now" message, is it possible to use that as a way to embarress them politically? Or educate more politically inexpereinced liberals?"

Sure. But you'd have to flip the script. Rather than extending a sanitized invitation to elected officials, the first step would have been to publically challenge rather than passively 'court' those with a absymal record - Obama, Daley, ect - in pre-march publicity to support the demand for Out Now! in advance of the march. Then, and only if they agree, extend an invitation to show up and voice that support. But insist that they take a clear, unambigious stand against the war that supports the immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq as well as an end to funding for the war - taxpayer dollars that could be better used to provide for public health, affordable housing, transportation and the educational needs of the our kids. While you're at it, ask them to take a stand against attacking Iran as well.

However since it is far more likely that targeted major politicians will decline or refuse to respond,( which it now appears they are doing anyway because of scheduling conflicts) plan on leaving empty chairs on stage with their names prominently displayed to drive the point home. Remember that this is Chicago, and in the figurative spirit of Uncle Al's time honored adage “You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone...” be sure to include this little tidbit about empty chairs in your final media advisory, making sure every politician who fails to respond positively to this challenge gets a copy in advance. Without exception.

And finally, day of, have as many speakers as possible make the point that while our elected officials may refuse to answer a Oct. 27 public call for accountability to the antiwar majority, they can run, but they can't hide. The action is the message.

In the runup to the Oct. 27th march and rally, organizers could have extended these challenges at pre-event pickets or other creative events outside or better yet inside these politician's respective offices, emphaizing Oct 27th as a deadline for meaningful action. Doing so might have just possibly provided a local hook to generate a little local corporate media attention in advance. And this campaign could have been an chance to stop simply paying lip service to pressuring elected officals around the war, and make Oct. 27 a real opportunity to do so. But that's apparently not what the organizers have in mind here.

Instead, it's likely we'll be offered a varient of the Pelosi shuffle if any of the major politicians decide to show - something along the line that electing whatever Democrat secures the 2008 Presidential nomination and securing a veto proof Democratic majority in Congress remains the only real viable formula for possibly ending the war at some later date. A prelude to "Go, Hillary - Out in 2013

Meanwhile the body count in Iraq will continue to climb.