Post by Moses on Mar 29, 2005 13:27:54 GMT -5
Corruption and influence peddling allegations against House Republican Leader Tom DeLay say something about the political reality today.
A sleazy, out of touch Republican establishment keeps the government at work on corporate giveaways and ideological crusades -- while the opinions and problems of ordinary people are ignored. Exposing that reality and working to change it are a big part of what Democracy for America does.
But there's another part of the Tom DeLay story, and it demonstrates another major part of our work together.
That story is back in Texas.
In 2004, Democracy for America helped a grassroots candidate give the most powerful man in Congress the scare of his life. Richard Morrison gave DeLay the toughest fight in over 20 years, forced him to campaign and spend money in his home district like never before, and put this seat in play for 2006.
And that's just one story. Among the over 100 candidates we supported were Anita Kelly, the first African-American woman elected to the circuit court bench in Montgomery, Alabama and Brian Schweitzer, the new Governor of Montana and a rising star in the Democratic party. Your contributions, hard work and commitment put these people and others like them into office.
That work can't stop -- we can't afford to pay attention to politics for only a few months every four years. Up and down the ballot there are elections happening this year -- and we've got to lay the groundwork now for the campaigns of 2006 if we're going to make a real impact.
That's why you will be choosing the A-List -- the new group of fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates we will work to elect. It will be the clearinghouse for the most interesting, inspiring and innovative candidates in the country.
We've already received hundreds of applications and suggestions -- DFA grassroots supporters like you have found innovative incumbents they want to help, new candidates they want to put in office, or even decided to run for office themselves.
You've created a powerful organization that can make an impact on the national scene by taking on big issues. But you've also built a network of hundreds of local groups that, by supporting candidates at the local level, can reshape the political landscape.
If you know a candidate who should be on the A-List, make a recommendation now:
www.democracyforamerica.com/recommendation
Below are just the first three of the A-List candidates. In the coming weeks we'll roll out more names and new ways for you to get involved, so stay tuned.
Thank you.
Jim Dean
Chair, Democracy for America
The first candidates on the A-List:
Andres Ramirez knew that running for Mayor of North Las Vegas wouldn't be easy against an incumbent. But with the same determination he showed while spending years working on voter outreach (including a trip to Iowa for Governor Howard Dean), Andres took on the challenge and wants to unite the many diverse communities in North Las Vegas. With DFA support, we can put Andres over the top in this crucial race on June 7.
www.andresramirez.com
Harvey Johnson is a Democrat out of conviction, not convenience. The first African-American mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, Johnson has led the city for 8 years and serves as the president of the National Conference of Black Mayors. Much of his life and talents have been spent expanding economic opportunities for underserved Mississippians. His re-election this spring will keep a strong Democrat -- with a strong record -- moving Jackson forward.
www.mayorharveyjohnson.com
LeAnna Washington has spent over a decade in the Pennsylvania State House fighting for working families. Now she is running in a May 17 special election for a State Senate seat vacated by successful DFA-endorsed Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz. LeAnna has been endorsed by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, and the Philadelphia School Police Union because of her proven leadership. Join the local Montco Meetup in supporting Representative Washington in the fight to make sure this seat stays Democratic.
www.leanna4pasenate.com
A sleazy, out of touch Republican establishment keeps the government at work on corporate giveaways and ideological crusades -- while the opinions and problems of ordinary people are ignored. Exposing that reality and working to change it are a big part of what Democracy for America does.
But there's another part of the Tom DeLay story, and it demonstrates another major part of our work together.
That story is back in Texas.
In 2004, Democracy for America helped a grassroots candidate give the most powerful man in Congress the scare of his life. Richard Morrison gave DeLay the toughest fight in over 20 years, forced him to campaign and spend money in his home district like never before, and put this seat in play for 2006.
And that's just one story. Among the over 100 candidates we supported were Anita Kelly, the first African-American woman elected to the circuit court bench in Montgomery, Alabama and Brian Schweitzer, the new Governor of Montana and a rising star in the Democratic party. Your contributions, hard work and commitment put these people and others like them into office.
That work can't stop -- we can't afford to pay attention to politics for only a few months every four years. Up and down the ballot there are elections happening this year -- and we've got to lay the groundwork now for the campaigns of 2006 if we're going to make a real impact.
That's why you will be choosing the A-List -- the new group of fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates we will work to elect. It will be the clearinghouse for the most interesting, inspiring and innovative candidates in the country.
We've already received hundreds of applications and suggestions -- DFA grassroots supporters like you have found innovative incumbents they want to help, new candidates they want to put in office, or even decided to run for office themselves.
You've created a powerful organization that can make an impact on the national scene by taking on big issues. But you've also built a network of hundreds of local groups that, by supporting candidates at the local level, can reshape the political landscape.
If you know a candidate who should be on the A-List, make a recommendation now:
www.democracyforamerica.com/recommendation
Below are just the first three of the A-List candidates. In the coming weeks we'll roll out more names and new ways for you to get involved, so stay tuned.
Thank you.
Jim Dean
Chair, Democracy for America
The first candidates on the A-List:
Andres Ramirez knew that running for Mayor of North Las Vegas wouldn't be easy against an incumbent. But with the same determination he showed while spending years working on voter outreach (including a trip to Iowa for Governor Howard Dean), Andres took on the challenge and wants to unite the many diverse communities in North Las Vegas. With DFA support, we can put Andres over the top in this crucial race on June 7.
www.andresramirez.com
Harvey Johnson is a Democrat out of conviction, not convenience. The first African-American mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, Johnson has led the city for 8 years and serves as the president of the National Conference of Black Mayors. Much of his life and talents have been spent expanding economic opportunities for underserved Mississippians. His re-election this spring will keep a strong Democrat -- with a strong record -- moving Jackson forward.
www.mayorharveyjohnson.com
LeAnna Washington has spent over a decade in the Pennsylvania State House fighting for working families. Now she is running in a May 17 special election for a State Senate seat vacated by successful DFA-endorsed Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz. LeAnna has been endorsed by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, and the Philadelphia School Police Union because of her proven leadership. Join the local Montco Meetup in supporting Representative Washington in the fight to make sure this seat stays Democratic.
www.leanna4pasenate.com