Within the last week, I have received calls from the DCCC and the DSCC asking for money for the 2010 campaign. I told them both, very politely, "No."
Here's why.
We are fortunate in that we have not been directly impacted by the recession, other than the market price of our house falling back down to around what we paid for it in 2003. We still have good jobs with one of the few companies that has continued to prosper during the downtown (it's an IT company, not one of the banksters). So it is not for economic reasons.
The reason I told both the DCCC and DSCC "no" is that I don't want any of my money going to the likes of Ben Nelson or Bart Stupak.
I am fortunate to have Donna Edwards as my Rep. Already there are signs that some ambitious PG County politician who has nothing to offer other than his own ego is going to primary her. So first of all, any money I give will go to her.
Second, Sen. Mikulski is running for re-election. MD is a quirky state but she still has solid approval ratings, no primary challenger, and no significant Republican opponent. So I may donate to her if she sees any significant opposition emerge, but I'm not that concerned about her. I'm more worried about Barbara Boxer than Barbara Mikulski.
There's lots of good Reps, such as David Price in NC and of course Alan Grayson. If I can, I will send a bit their way, and then of course there's ActBlue with a host of worthy challengers.
I don't want more Democrats. I want better Democrats. Pure and simple.