Dear Friends,
First, I want to tell you that my campaign has a great new website. Please come visit it. The final touches will be done tomorrow - but, it's ready now for you to see. The address is www.dollforcongress.org.
Pam Pohly, of Pam Pohly Associates, worked very diligently on redesigning our web site. She's a dedicated activist and Democrat and I'm so fortunate and pleased to have her organizing our online campaign. Pam's work was absolutely astonishing. Thank you, Pam.
Today, for the subject of my diary here, I just want to thank people. First, let me thank the great DailyKos community for welcoming my new diary here. I have enjoyed the comments made by those who have read my diaries - and, I have learned a lot from the DailyKos commenters. Thank you, Daily Kos.
I want to also thank those I saw on the road this past week, as we have been traveling extensively through the First District and want to thank a lot of people for their support of our campaign. On Sunday evening, we attended a fund rising event in McPherson. Carolyn Elmore is a wonderful host and a tireless worker for the people in the McPherson County, heck for the State of Kansas.
Monday we attended the Americans with Disabilities Act march in Hutchinson. The Act, passed in 1980, was celebrating its sixteenth year. We wonder if today's Congress would show this kind of compassion for people with disabilities. I don't think so. Based on Congress' past six year record I would suspect that the Act wouldn't even come to the floor for a vote in today's Congress.
Monday and Tuesday, we attended the Gray County Fair. My two older sisters Jan McNeice and Kathy Miller set the booth up and manned it throughout the fair. Something that has touched Janet (my wife) and my heart is the support that we have received from our families, they have been
wonderful.
Wednesday, the young Democrats in Salina, hosted a fund raising event for our campaign. Barbara Shirley, the President of the young Democrats, and her friends did an outstanding job with great food and entertainment. They were able to get Josh Svaty to introduce me. Josh is a
rising star in the political arena. Josh puts his heart and soul into the betterment of our beautiful State. Josh is an awesome politician and public speaker.
Thursday, we connected with a former coaching connection, Bob Dohm, in Medicine Lodge. Bob took me around the beautiful city of Medicine Lodge and we visited with a number of their businesses and wonderful people. After lunch we drove to the town of Sharon and met with a number of farmers to discuss issues. Bob was a fantastic host.
Thursday evening we attended the Pratt County Fair. Kermit Brown the Democratic Party Chair for Pratt County set up a wonderful booth and we had a good time visiting with the fair goers of Pratt County.
Friday, Sue Peachey of Pratt took me around the great city of Pratt and introduced me to many of the merchants of Pratt. In the evening Mike Perez and I manned a booth in Lakin. Mike is a very integral part of our campaign and we cannot express how much we appreciate all he is doing. We are very lucky to have Mike on our campaign team.
Saturday, our campaign caravan went to Dodge City. We participated in their wonderful parade. It was great seeing many childhood friends. We were joined by Jesse Garcia and friends during the parade and a good time was had by all. Ethel Peterson, the democratic chair for Ford
County, hosted a fundraiser for all the candidates of Ford County; we have a great slate of candidates who truly have the good of our State on their agenda.
Sunday, we attended the Lyon County fair in Emporia. Jerry Karr, the Democratic Party chair for Lyon County, hosted a democratic booth that was very busy the entire night. Jerry has to be one of the top county chairpersons in the State possibly in the country. Monday, again we used our coaching connections, Ron Slaymaker, former coach at Emporia State and my former boss (I was his assistant basketball coach in 1983-84), took me to many of the merchants of Emporia. To
have a host that is one of my all time favorite person was a wonderful way to spend a Monday. Coach Slay, as he is affectionately known, is a legend among the Basketball coaches of Kansas.
The rest of this week will be busy. Thursday, we will be in Abilene participating in their parade. Friday we will attend the Dodge City Days barbeque. Saturday we will be in Ellsworth for the Cowtown Days Parade and Sunday at the Finney County fair. We hope to see you on the road.
Congratulations to all the winners in Tuesday primary. Now is the time to gear up for November.
Surely my next posting will be about strategy and issues, as my previous ones have been - but, I just wanted to stop this primary week - and be thankful.
John Doll