You just about had me completely reeled in. Just the other day, right here on BlueNC I told Anglico that I was ready to declare my intentions to support you. I pledged my undying love in a political sort of way. Then you did something that snapped the line and I'm once again wondering which candidate will gain my support in '08.
By now you know that I'm very loyal, so I'm sure you're wondering what you could have possibly done to lose me. It's very simple. It was something you said in your last letter to me.
Dear B,
The tide is turning in Democrats' favor. We have a strong chance of winning back the House in the 2006 elections. I've been working hard, traveling the country, and have already raised more than $6.65 million for Democrats. I've attended fundraisers for strong congressional candidates in more than a dozen states this election cycle and I'm committed to helping as many candidates as possible before November. Now, I'm looking to the One America online community to tell me which competitive races should be my primary focus.
Today, I'm launching One America Votes. This fall, I will headline fundraisers for two Democrats running for the House who have been selected by our online community. You - the voters - can choose candidates in any of the districts targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The DCCC has targeted critical races where extra help can make a real difference in November. We need to hear from you by Friday, August 4th.
Cast your vote now.
If we want to build One America, we need to change our country's leadership. George Bush and the Republicans have done everything in their power to increase the gap between rich and poor. It's time to replace them with Democrats who will build One America - One America that is committed to ending poverty, lifting more families into the middle class, and giving everyone who works hard something to show for it.
I am committed to helping as many House candidates as possible before November and am looking for your input as to which races should be my primary focus. Please take a moment to vote and choose two candidates who will work hard to build One America that works for everyone. The deadline for voting is August 4th.
Let's decide together. Vote today.
I'm interested in getting feedback from your family and friends as well. Please forward this message and ask them to participate in One America Votes with you.
Thanks for taking a moment to help. Your input is important to me.
Your Friend,
John
You can imagine my excitement when my new-found political love announces he's going to help out other deserving candidates. I knew there would be two great men here in NC that I would have a chance to vote for on your list. So, with great anticipation I followed your link.
That's when it happened. I fell out of politicolove with you. Instantly. You see, there was a name missing from that list. A very important name. Larry Kissell. There are 47 boxes to check and 45 names. Two of the boxes represent candidates that haven't won primaries yet so can't be named. How can you do that and leave off the name of a fellow North Carolinian who won his 3-way primary with 54% of the vote?
I understand the DCCC has picked their little list of favorites, but I was counting on you to stand on your own two feet....to have a backbone. I don't count on the DCCC to have any sense, but I was counting on you.
There must be forces at work here that I can't understand besides following the DCCC lead. (I'm thinking head-up-the-arse syndrome.) Maybe you don't like good strong progressives. Maybe you're jealous because you think I love Larry more than I love you. (I do.) I don't know. I can't figure it out.
So, John. This is it. We're through. I know you have plenty of supporters, but this could have been special you and me. Suck it up, buddy. We can still be friends.
Warmest regards,
B
Comments
Dear John letter - 1st in a while....
that doesn't count letters to my dear hubby by that name.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
This really sucks.
Because I am a John Edwards supporter and will remain one. BUt, WTF. Why isn't Kissell getting any love?
Might I suggest you post this on OAC? ;)
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
He's listing straight DCCC picks
This does suck and it's uncalled for.
Actually, the whole email is wimpy and weak..."Let's decide together" is the sort of thing you say to a 4 year old to get them to do what you want them to do.
Going with the DCCC picks is a cop-out. He needs to stand on his own two feet.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
What if...
he's already planning on campaigning for Larry, hometown mill worker and all that...well, it could happen.
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
I checked with the Kissell campaign
before I wrote this. I didn't want to blast Edwards if he had good intentions. Alas...he's a cad.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Come on
This is just juvenile.
Um...no, it's not...
It's funny and snarky. I could have written a lot worse because it is uncalled for to ignore a great candidate in his own backyard. Actually, it's very short-sighted.
If Edwards is going to be hooked through the nose by the DCCC then I doubt I would support him in '08 anyway.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Found a better picture
Heh
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Saw it on Kos
earlier today and felt exactly the same way.
Edwards is a huge disappointment on this issue and I can't think of a single explanation for his lack of support.
Bush Economy
As soon as I got my email
I emailed the Kissell camp. I really didn't want to write anything until I checked with them first to see if there was something else planned. Honestly, the man should be there for the barbecue. We could stop and pick him up and give him a ride.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
I, too, have proclaimed a love for Edwards
But I agree that he needs to take care of those in his backyard first.
Bigger Picture
In the bigger picture of the Democratic, this is a direct reaction to the Dean 50 state strategy. Dean is focusing resources on building the state parties, and Rahm has been complaining that there is no big money from the DNC to support their targeted races. This is Edwards stepping into the fray to support the DCCC's targeted campaign versus Dean's long term party building.
That's pretty short-sighted of him
n/t
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Please don't say that...
please don't tell me Edwards is siding with DCCC vs. DNC. Perhaps, instead, he is helping the DCCC but agrees with the 50-state strategy? I certainly hope that is the case.
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Somebody's Feeling Ambitious
Mr. Edwards wants to be President. The Whys and Wherefores of that can be debated, but there's no question that Edwards is doing everything he can to line up as much support among the Democratic Party Social Infrastructure as he can muster before '07.
Edwards isn't trying to help the little guy, he's trying to help the big guys' favorite little guys, so the big guys will get behind him.
Warner's raising money for folks, too. Feingold, Boxer. Anyone with even an inkling and a brain is doing what Edwards is doing.
It stupidly leaves Larry Kissell twisting in the wind.
The good news is that this is a race BlueNCers can do something about. As evidenced once again by SD's CAFTA post, this race comes down to one nasty little acronym.
"Hayes lied about CAFTA" - would make a great sign/ad. Some Asheville folks just got money together to put up two billboards about how much people ought to hate Mexicans, I'm sure we could come up with enough to litter the 8th with those words/images.
Picture Hayes crying on the floor of the Senate as an announcer decries him as a wimp who gets owned by the Bush Republicans over and over. The BlueNC community can get that image into the media.
As soon as I can catch my breath I'll be following up with media ideas.
------------
John Edwards = 20th century politics.
Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us
Screwy...many congratulations
to a great guy, Heath Shuler. My grapes aren't so sour that I can't vote for the best guy of the bunch that's been nominated. I did a single-shot vote for Heath and have emailed the form to my mother and several friends.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
I did the single vote for Heath
like you, SD. But in the last name text box I wrote my last name plus an little extra identifier. I wrote, " Hxxxxxx (Kissell fan) " :) You think that'll screw with their database? Hope not. Don't mean to mess 'em up. Just wanted to throw in a little attention grabber.
Like some of y'all, I really like John Edwards. Can you imagine the Cabinet this guy would assemble? Can you see Jim Hunt or Bill Friday as Secretary of Education? Can you see Wes Clark as Secretary of Defense or State? wow. Of course, Wes Clark as Pres. and Edwards as Attorney General would be excellent, too. I'm digressing off the dreamscape cliff. :)
Anyway, Edwards' constituent services while he was Senator were directly responsible for me and my coworkers getting TTA retraining funds after being "optimized" out of the telecom industry in 2002. Our employer fought it hard. The next group from the same company that applied for Trade Affected Re-training status was denied. We worked with those guys in the same building. They lost their department to Canada just the same as us. They deserved that designation as much as we did. But by the time they applied and appealed, there was no John Edwards in the Senate fighting for them. They lost their appeal.
I also used the "We want to hear from you" thingy at the bottom of the One America page to send a friendly, totally off the cuff, very unofficial, "who the heck is Leslie H.?" invitation to Senator and Mrs. Edwards to come over and join NC'ers at the Kissell fundraiser/BBQ Aug 5th at the fair grounds. Maybe if all of us did that, every day, from now until the fifth ... who knows? ...the squeaky wheel and all that.
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
Excellent Leslie!
I need to get you some information for your interviews. Would you click on my user id and contact me through the little contact button? I just wanted to send you a sample questionnaire/email to save you some time.
I'll go send the Edwards family a little invite myself.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
If a district like the Eighth was in play in Iowa
I'm guessing he'd be all about it. IS he coming to campaign for Kissell anyway? Has he sent a check at least? John Edwards is a good man and I have given him money and campaigned for him. I don't know why he would pass up such a good opportunity to help someone who echos his priorities like Larry Kissell does. I'm guessing that he is too preoccupied with Iowa. I hope he comes back home to us and shows the world he can play in the South and the Midwest. He could be a kingmaker knocking out Robin Hayes. I hope regardless of his one america committee he gets serious about getting good Dems elected at home like Larry Kissell. I hope he has plans to help and this thing he did is just politics at the DNC like you guys said.
If not, I'm going to be very disappointed in him. Why don't we all write him and encourage him to go help Larry?
Giving Edwards a Ride.
Yes. Will you call his office and invite him?
At the very least, make his people tell you no.
Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us
Will do.
I just emailed, and now I'm jumping on the phone.
The staffer says
I called and encouraged them to put Kissell on the list. The staffer said: "We're just using the DCCC list."
I said, "Well that's just not acceptable."
We shall see.
I like that you have the number to call
that's great.
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
I wish.
I just followed SD's link and found it there. The only connection I have is to my modem.
:)
Great Dear John letter
This move by Edwards may have some political upside for him somewhere, and I'm sure the people he'll end up supporting appreciate it, but it shows stunningly bad judgment by the ex-Senator from North Carolina. I don't count myself among those with keen social skills, but even I wouldn't have done something this ham-handed.
Thanks A...
I was going for haha cute pissed off instead of raging pissed off witch.
I can handle him going for the DCCC list but I think everyone would understand if he said he was adding a couple of challengers from his home state.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
While you're off trying to mau-mau candidates
Why don't you ask Larry Kissell to stop the demagoguery on illegal immigration:
From the Post, Troy, 7/11/2006 :
"Kissell is against amnesty for illegal immigrants and has called for tighter control of our borders to keep illegals and terrorists from slipping into America's porous borders. Kissell's immigration plan will use the vast technology resources of the newly formed Homeland Security Department to identify and track down illegal immigrants and terrorists.
Kissell has also praised the state Legislature for making it harder for illegal immigrants and terrorists to get a North Carolina driver's license. "Giving illegals and terrorists a driver's license makes it easier for them to operate and thrive right here in North Carolina. Stopping them before they get a foot-hold in our area is a good first-step in rooting out terrorists and illegal immigrants," said Kissell."
That to me, friends, looks like a pander. He compares the folks working in the fields (working class by even Larry's high standards) to Osama bin Laden. He wants to bring the vast resources of Homeland Security (no Bureaucracy there) down upon the many undocumented workers being employed by minimum-wage avoiding, law breaking employers in the 8th district. But Larry doesn't want to say what he thinks of those employers. Why not?
I'd like to support Kissell, but this just sounds too much like Patrick McHenry for my taste. Larry's website indicates he is against this sort of superficial policy based on little more than over-heated rhetoric. It's a shame his views on the biggest issue this country is facing, next to Iraq, aren't more fully thought out. It's a shame a so-called progressive is hawking his willingness to send the Federal government hunt down the downtrodden but not saying a word about the Feudal lords exploiting them. It certainly can't help a fifty-state strategy to go alienating the burgeoning largest minority in America.
Why don't you ask him about this?
Cold Calling for Kissell
I'm cold calling for the picnic this Saturday in Kannapolis and it is going so-so. Then, I get in touch with a woman who is a Democrat, has voted for Hayes because he's local, but doesn't understand why Hayes is voting the way he does. After a nice conversation she more or less RSVPs for the picnic.
As an aside, what I always hear is that these kinds of thing have a 10% return rate. That is about what I am figuring.
Also, someone from the campaign email me, I have the numbers of a couple people, one will probably need a ride in November.
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
One America Blog
is here:
http://blog.oneamericacommittee.com/story/2006/7/27/2523/59801
Go over there and suggest that John Edwards campaign for Larry. A couple of us already have.
What are you people thinking?
That's our boy up there with horns and a tail!
I left a responce for gregflynn and Anglico at http://blog.oneamericacommittee.com/story/2006/7/27/23367/0315#10 stop by and show me some "love".
I have a tough road in life, since I support the devil for president.
If you want to do outreach, cool.
If you want to go out there and do what you can to support your candidate then more power to you.
If you support the depiction of John Edwards as the devil then go demand his support all over the blogs - then so not cool.
I think this picture and the content on this thread really sucks. I might have agreed with you about the choice on the list, but not the cheap shot that you took with the picture. The snarkey content of the blog entry is fine with me, by the way, but not the picture. Nice job on the photoshopping, clearly it was time well spent.
I won't be back, you can stalk me at OAC if you choose to.
Dear John Action
I've take the liberty of doing some guerilla blogging.
Try some recs and comments at:
MYDD
OneAmerica gregflynn Diary
Helping Dems - You Decide: [Vote for Heath Shuler with Larry Kissell in your name!]
Helping Dems, You Decide: Larry Kissell NC-08 wants your help John
Midweek Open Threads
Already got bites on the last one!
Greg
Done, Done, and Done
Thanks for getting right on this, though we'll need another push at the beginning of the week to assure some attention.
Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us
Done, done, done
Screwy, I'm pretty sure we have their attention ... just based on my phone call with their staff. The question is pushing them into action.
Greg: this is fabulous. Thank you so much for getting things rolling. Excellent.
Good Job troops......
I am in total and complete agreement with all of you that Larry Kissell should be on the list, and I dont even live in the 8th District . But I have worked with a couple of his staff over the phone on vet's info and really enjoied it. If i did live there it is a sure bet I would vote for Larry!
Edwards lives in NC
I have no inside info, but I just assumed John Edwards will be working hard for his own state. He wanted to know where else in the country we might need him. It's just a given, isn't it that he will campaign there in North Carolina? I don't think the devil picture will help any of us elect Democrats. You should take that down.
Nah....John and I broke up
the cutesy little devil pic stays.
John shouldn't have dissed folks in his own backyard. You get him to campaign/fundraise with Larry Kissell and I'll draw hearts and a halo on his pic.
You think a cutesy little devil pic is going to keep us from electing Democrats? That borders on absurd. I'd say a bigger threat to our ability to elect Democrats is when a potential presidential candidate ignores strong grassroots Democrats in his home state. Now THAT could damage our prospects.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Sheesh!
Settle down, children! Let's not over react. I know you've had your feelings hurt but why the tantrum.
Anonymous,
I appreciate your effort to cool this thread, or at least the motivation behind it. But you're not really helping. There's a world of territory between "hurt feelings" and "tantrum," and I think the people expressing their concern in this thread have a legit complaint, and the overreaction isn't limited to their side.
As the original JE fanboy
I can tell you two things:
1) It is not surpising to see only 1 NC race on his list. Nor is it surpising to see JE play by the DCCC, which has the more weight in the important Democrat circles right now, than go along with his on list of races or Dean's DNC.
and 2) I encourage outrage over his lack of support to help his HOME state. Many on the campaign will right us off if we are not a sure thing in 08. However that being said, I would rather have JE as President and would still support him even if he doesn't get on the ball with Larry Kissell.
We cannot crash the gate if we let one issue, albeit a very personally important one, get in the way of winning back the country and saving our nation. JE can do that, and so can LK.
Thats my two cents. Flame on.
Be just, and fear not.
Our children need to know that some people fought back, when others collaborated.
Why would I flame you?
I just love reading your take on things....
And guess what?
Edwards added Larry to the list.
Pushing back can work.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
By Golly, Larry's on the List!
That's great. Now, can we get John to campaign for Larry?
Hearts & Flowers
to EVERY blogger here and your friends, et cetera, who sent a little note or made phone calls to the Senator's people and his OAC site. I'm feeling good knowing there might be a Pres candidate who actually listens to people and realizes when he's made a goof ... whatever the reason.
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
I don't like the picture, either
but I do agree with the sentiment. John Edwards could vary from the DCCC script just a little and help out one of our own. Like it or not, JRE does have some some fences to mend in his home state.
The 2004 Kerry-Edwards paid no attention to NC, and we got left with effin' Richard Burr in Edward's Senate seat. Campaigning now for some home-state Dems would certainly help to make up for that.
I hate that picture so much
would you please lose it?
Senator Edwards did as asked, he added Larry Kissell to the list on the OAC blog.
Senator Edwards is so far from the Devil it isn't funny. And that picture isn't funny either. Just my opinion. Maybe you would like to take the time to ask Valerie Lakey if she thinks it's funny. You know, the little girl whose guts were eviscerated for lack of a 15 cent piece of equipment in a pool drain that could have saved her the last ten years of agony??
Cool is cool and funny is funny... that picture is neither. I know,
I know, freedom of the press etc. You all are just too cool and funny, who am I to ask for simple decency?
Congratulations on your "victory". Savor it knowing you let that picture stand and the "Devil" heard you and made it right.
I ask you, who is cool?
Good heavens Nan
get over yourself. Annointing Edwards for sainthood because he did his job as a plaintiff's attorney is more absurd than my silly drawing.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Hehe...hearts and halos
are up above on a newer post as promised. I switched back to the old John Edwards.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Hey SD
Your new pic in the new thread will not load. Just a little box with an X in it.
Thanks SD and good job on this!
Seriously, every opportunity counts for us NC Dems.
And in the words of the immortal Flava flav "YEAH YEAH!"
now back to work people.
Be just, and fear not.
Our children need to know that some people fought back, when others collaborated.
Thanks Todd
I guess stealing bandwidth from blogger is a no no.... Oooops
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
John Edwards is the Devil!!!
Yeeeeaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggh!!!!!!!!
Everyone who got their Edwardian knickers in a civilized twist over a funny little blog picture better buy in larger sizes on the next trip to the kicker bin. You want Edwards to run for President, but you don't want to see him criticized? You can't have both. One or the other.
Edwards is a fine candidate and a good man, but all your caterwauling over a simple picture that matched the context of the "Dear John" makes me want to go photoshop John having sex with a raccoon.
Don't make me spite you.
I support John Edwards' candidacy. I supported Howard Dean's candidacy. My support doesn't mean I won't make fun of both of them if so moved.
Learn to live with people who blend humor and politics, you'll live longer.
Yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us
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