As we are quickly approaching the end of the 2nd quarter of political fundraising, I am writing this diary for the sole purpose of trying to get you to give your $10 (per Markos suggestion) to my candidate:
Albert Kissling, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Mexico's 2nd congressional district.
www.kisslingforcongress.com
Come join me on the flip as I tell you why you should help out Al.
While many eyes are focused on the House race in NM-01 (I believe Patricia Madrid will beat Heather Wilson) and NM-03 is considered safe Democrat (Tom Udall is a fantastic rep), others are writing off NM-02 as safe Republican. Now, I won't dispute that this has been true in the past, but believe me, the tide is turning.
Steve Pearce's voting record has been solidly in lockstep with the administration's failed conservative policies, and the near-rabid devotion some folks around here had in past for Bush and his policies has all but faded. Sure, there are the diehards, but they are beyond redemption.
The people in New Mexico have a fundamental understanding that the current neo-conservative policies are essentially not what is in the best interest of the country. The war in Iraq has touched many lives in my state, and it continues to be a major concern to many. As the money flows for war, it has disappeared from helping those who need it most. Homelessness is on the rise, and our local day shelter and food bank are seeing more people come in for assistance. We have a poverty rate of about 25% in my county alone, so cuts in essential services hurts us greatly. Gas prices are nearing $3 a gallon, and this hurts the working men and women of New Mexico who haven't seen their wages increase with expenses.
Steve Pearce has consistently voted for policies in favor of the wealthiest and most connected americans and against the working men and women of New Mexico. These failed conservative policies have benefitted only a few at the expense of many. This does not represent our American values. This does not coincide with our sense of fair play. This is not good for New Mexico.
Enter Al Kissling, Democrat from Las Cruces.
Al is a retired Presbyterian minister who has never run for public office (at least to my knowledge). He decided to run when no one else would because, as I've stated, NM-02 is "safe republican." Al is an intelligent, pragmatic and principled gentleman. He is taking on this challenge because he believes that policies of the past few years have been "immoral, unfair and profoundly un-American."
Al has spoken with farmers, ranchers, educators, immigrants, workers, volunteers, old, young and everyone in between, and he has an understanding of the diversity of people of Southern New Mexico. He has listened to their concerns about healthcare, education, fair and living wages, privacy, environmental issues, etc. And from these conversations, he plans to take with him to Washington an agenda that benefits all New Mexicans, not just the few benefactors of recent years.
Al has outlined his positions on various issues at his website.
Now, where you guys come in.
Al needs your help. Pearce has a lot of corporate money behind him as well as the $$ backing of the repug party. Al is running a real grassroots, get out and pound the pavement campaign. I'm not going to shit you, this campaign will not be easy. But Al's name is getting out there and people are asking about him. A few bucks here and there from you guys would really help out getting Al's name out to more and more people and really help him get a push (read more $$) from the Democratic Party.
NM-02 has a chance to help change the makeup of Congress. I would be proud to have Al Kissling as my representative. And I am proud to help out his campaign in whatever way I am able.
We haven't given up here in NM-02. A few $10 contributions would go a long way in making sure that others don't give up on us as well.
Thanks for indulging me!