Yesterday's New York Times had a front-page story on me and my political committee -
TerriPAC If you missed it,
here's the link.
I won't excerpt the whole story but it seems a few pundits have figured out that this issue - and what it really means to all of us - won't go away. And they've figured out that there's a political price to pay for being on the wrong side of it.
Standing with Ned Lamont in Hartford, Angie Paccione in Denver, or Jim Davis in Florida, I already knew that.
Think what you will of the Times and other charter members of the main-stream media, the exposure for our cause and my PAC was amazing.
In a matter of hours, we received hundreds of supportive emails, campaign invitations, more media requests and more than $10,000 in donations from across the country. Just like that. It was great.
And I think Ned Lamont must have liked the article too. Did you see his photo?
Reminding Connecticut voters, and voters everywhere, of where politicians like Joe Leiberman were on this issue is why we started TerriPAC.
In just a few days (September 5th) voters in Florida will go to the polls. The key race for Democrats will be primary match-up for Governor between Congressman Jim Davis and state Senator Rod Smith.
If you don't know already, I have endorsed and TerriPAC is supporting Jim Davis.
Not many people know this but when Tom Delay wanted to pass his law aimed squarely at me and Terri, he wanted to do it at midnight - with nobody in the building. That's what the Senate wound up doing.
It was one person, a little known Congressman from Tampa, who objected to passing a law this important at midnight under cover of darkness. That Congressman is Jim Davis.
As I've been told the story a few times, Tom Delay was so excited to hear an objection from the Democratic side that he moved the debate to Sunday and scheduled it in the afternoon and evening - so America could watch.
And they did.
Because America saw members of Congress debating my family decisions and invading my most personal space and because America saw President George Bush fly back from his Texas vacation to sign this bill, we all learned what they were really up to.
Tom Delay, Bill Frist and their right-wing buddies weren't moved by conviction. They were moved by politics.
And America got to see it. As Jim Davis says, at that moment and in the middle of that debate, the President's poll numbers took a dive. And they have never recovered.
What does this have to do with Florida?
Jim Davis has a safe seat in Congress. He could stay there forever. But he's left Congress this year because he wants to restore courage and honor to our state. A state that has been run down and run over for eight long years by Jeb Bush.
Jim Davis, the Congressman who stood up to Tom Delay and George Bush and spoke on the floor of the Congress to defend my rights and our freedoms, is running for Governor.
As I said earlier, he has my vote and my support.
But since Jim Davis stood up for me, I wanted to do more than just support him. TerriPAC wrote Congressman Davis a $500 check - the maximum allowed by law in Florida - and tomorrow we begin an independent radio campaign for Jim Davis.
I don't even think Jim Davis knows about it yet. You may be able to hear the ad before he does. It's on our website but you can hear it here.
That ad will run on Air America radio stations across Florida from tomorrow through Election Day. You can help support that ad and keep in on the air by making a contribution to TerriPAC here.
I know some people will say Senator Rod Smith voted against a similar bill in the Florida Legislature. That's true and he deserves credit for doing so.
In a few days, Democratic voters in Florida will have their say. I have faith they will make the right choice.
As a prelude to Election Day in Florida, I'll be spending this weekend in south Florida - Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Naples.
On Saturday, I'll be endorsing Martin David Kiar for Florida House in District 97. If he wins his Primary on September 5th (and he's favored), he'll face incumbent Republican Rep. Susan Goldstein. Goldstein voted for the Florida bill that would have allowed the state government to replace political judgements for family ones.
On Sunday, some local supporters of TerriPAC are hosting a brunch for me and TerriPAC. If you live in South Florida and are interested in meeting me at brunch this Sunday in Aventura, email the PAC Director at Director@TerriPAC.com
Monday I'll be speaking to the Democratic Club of Collier County in Naples.
In between, we're doing some more media to remind voters about what's at stake this election and support our candidates. So next week you may see me again on CNN, MSNBC and hear me on Air America.
As you can see, we're very busy. I've gone on too long. But there is much to do and so much in our nation that needs to be fixed.
As always, if you know a good candidate who needs our support or a politician who takes our rights for granted, let us know. We'll be there.