This is pretty cool.

In 2008, a couple pro-Obama organizers founded TravelforChange.org, a simple website that connected Obama volunteers with airline miles donors. The idea was to get as many volunteers to swing states as possible. The PAC that I ran, Vote Today Ohio, got three or four volunteers to Ohio on Travel for Change miles.

Most of these small operations fizzled out after Obama won. Hell, even some of the biggest operations fizzled! But Travel for Change has been reborn, with a crisp new focus — defeating Maine’s anti-marriage Prop 1. Travel for Change sent out an email yesterday inviting volunteers and miles donors to get back in the game; I’ve posted the email here.

For folks who participate in the cyclical world of political organizing, the “off season” can be a boring, low-energy time. Not that important elections aren’t happening in the off season; indeed, my friend Mark Winston Griffith is barnstorming Brooklyn to win a hotly contested City Council race here in New York. But for those who only get excited by national issues, there’s very little outlet for their energy.

If it sticks around, Travel for Change may help to change that, by allowing nationally focused activists to plug into state-wide or local issue campaigns. I certainly hope it succeeds. Kudos to Alisa Whitfield, Jay Cash and all the Travel for Change donors and volunteers for keeping the momentum going!