Out of all the election race diarying going on, I'm adding my bit to encourage you to donate to
Tony Trupiano in MI-11.
MI-11 is a swing district, Bush took it with 53%, his numbers now are just at 30%. McCotter isn't even scheduling public events because they just seem to get him in trouble. His photos from previous events are from 2003 and 2004. He's got a lot of money though.
Tony Trupiano does not. But he's got game, an outstanding ground-game, so your donations can be put to good use. His record justifies broad-based, progressive support from anyone who wants to put their money where their mouth is.
More after the flip.
For any progressive who thinks of the big, meta issues--you should
show Tony some love. Tony advocates publicly financed elections, not popular with corporate donors. He won the endorsement of ImpeachPAC and was among the first to say we had been lied into war, and demanded accountability. Tony has been leading on progressive causes for years, and deserves our support.
MI-11 has weird demographics, Wayne County is working class and Oakland County is white-collar. McCotter has been good for big business, they know who lines their pockets. He's oddly weird to pin down
I contacted Tony's campaign in April to volunteer, he contacted me and we spoke personally the next day. I've read similar comments from other people, and this personal aspect is providing a tremendous amount of energy for his campaign. I wrote him 25 minutes ago to ask for information, he has just written me back.
He was at FDL this past Sunday for their Blue America series.
Howie Klein wrote:
Tony has had a devoted following in Michigan because of his popular radio talk show where he has given voice to the aspirations and frustrations of "regular Joe and Jane" middle-class Americans. He has a well-deserved reputation for standing up for the dignity of America's working men and women and never kissing ass to the corporate overseers. If you ask fans of Tony's radio show why they like him, the response you are likely to get is that he's a guy not afraid to speak Truth to Power.
This means that his fundraising must come from us, because he is not going to get the funds through companies or the established political structure. He needs it from the blogs. As he tells Stuart O'Neill, he isn't going to owe anything to anyone when he gets to D.C.--except for us.
What he's done instead is build a ground operation with over 600 active on-the-street volunteers. A month ago 82% of the 323 precincts in MI-11 had precinct captains. He had a GOTV operation on primary day with over 100 volunteers. Tony has personally knocked on 10,000 doors. Listen to the interview Stuart O'Neill at Political Interviews did with Tony, the latest is here.
Tony describes what happened on primary day in Michigan. There were no challenges in MI-11, no big reason for Democrats to turn out, but Tony Trupiano got just over 40% of the vote. McCotter got 50%--terrible for an incumbent. Out of all the Republicans. McCotter was down by 10,000 votes.
The vote defecit in working class Wayne County was only 4000 votes--Tony didn't spend a dime, his ground operation did this. McCotter previously won Oakland County with 5 to 1 margins, that dropped to 3 to 1.
So what can you do?
1. Donate. Please, now. As Howie Klein said at comment 12 in the FDL chat with Tony:
Howie Klein says: September 23rd, 2006 at 11:08 am *
Hi, Tony! Welcome to Firedoglake. I hope when you're in congress, you'll think of yourself as Tony Trupiano (D-MI,FDL)
2. If you're in the district, call and volunteer. They are organized and ready for you, a serious structure is in place. The number is 734-367-0490.
Check out Tony's events calendar.
Saturday, September 30, 10am -- We will be canvassing in Plymouth Township. We will be meeting at Allen School, which is loacted on 11100 Haggerty Road between Ann Arbor Rd and Ann Arbor Trail.
Sunday,October 1, 4pm -- We will be canvassing in South Lyon. We will be meeting at Mchattie Park, Which is on the north east corner Lafayette and Dorthy St. For more information please call 734-367-0490
Weekly: Monday-Thursday, 6:30pm & Saturday 10am-- Canvass from the office. Meet at 13740 Merriman Road, Livonia.
Every Day, Phone Bank, Canvass or Work in Your Own Neighborhood: You can be instrumental in getting the votes that will elect Democratic candidates in November. Spend a couple of hours making phone calls or knocking on doors or talking to your neighbors. We can't do this without you. RSVP to 734-367-0490 or via email. No experience required -- training provided.
3. Listen to his interviews, and help transcribe them. Write letters.
This is a guy that deserves a lot more attention than he gets. I'm as at fault as anyone, but the donation feels good.
Crossposted at michiganliberal.com with minor edits.