I'm the campaign blogger for Ohio Secretary of State and U.S. Senate candidate Jennifer Brunner and tomorrow I'll be accompanying her to opening day of Netroots Nation. She's looking forward to meeting up with progressives who share her vision of positive change through the politics of empowerment, so keep an eye out for us. (If you want to set up an appointment, leave a comment below or on our blog or message me on Twitter.)
I've explained recently why I believe that Jennifer is the true progressive champion in this race, a fitting partner to Sen. Sherrod Brown, and also has a better chance of winning this important race in the general election. After the break, I'm reprinting an email that she recently sent to her supporters about health insurance reform, which I think reflects her passion and priorities.
Here is the email. After reading this, come over to Jennifer Brunner's ActBlue page and give her some contribution love. She is behind on fund-raising to date, but she is determined to stick this out and pull out a marathon victory. With our support she can do it. And follow Jennifer on Twitter and Facebook!
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Dear [supporter],
I’m a candidate for the U.S. Senate, and when candidates write they usually want you to support their election campaign. I'm writing you today for a different reason. Health care reform is an issue that transcends elections and politics. During this month of August members of Congress are in their districts. It is an absolutely critical time to keep up the pressure for positive change for health care. If we don’t pass health care reform now, we may not see meaningful change for many years. We simply cannot afford to let health care costs continue to spiral upwards and squeeze more Americans into the ranks of the uninsured and underinsured. So I am writing to ask you to please help President Obama in his efforts to keep health care reform on track by signing up through Organizing For America to participate in a health care event this month in your area.
I received an email from President Obama recently about taking action through Organizing for America, and you may have received it as well. I’m sure you’ve all seen the news coverage about how a small cabal of agitators have been disrupting events held by members of Congress who support meaningful health care reform. These rabble rousers have been shouting and bullying and even hanging a member of Congress in effigy outside his office. Political operatives including insurance industry lobbyists who are opposed to President Obama's health care reform proposals are espousing misleading and outright false statements about health care "rationing" and a supposed government "takeover" of American health care. Some have even been touting the outrageous lie that reform is intended to euthanize the elderly. We cannot allow the tactics of an unscrupulous and self-interested minority to block the change that we need, change that America overwhelmingly voted for in the 2008 presidential election. We must all, each and every one, get involved in the fight for health care reform.
Now is the time. This is the moment for which so many have hoped, prayed, and worked so hard. We can seize this opportunity and push for positive change, or we can continue to wait as we have for so long, while many of us and our loved ones suffer needlessly. We must get involved now. Please take a moment and RSVP for a healthcare insurance reform event in your area.
Thank you for your support, and thank you for caring about the great challenges that we face as a nation today. Your voice counts, your actions matter. Together we can move America forward to a healthier and brighter future.
Jennifer Brunner