The CA-45 district is a Republican stronghold, the "playground of Presidents," the place where every Fortune 500 CEO has his winter golf getaway, where President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford reside. We have Palm Springs, we have the PGA West. We have Rep. Mary Bono (R), little miss "What will we tell the children?" from the Clinton impeachment. Since that day in the sun, Mary Bono's presence in DC has been largely negligible. She's been an obedient Rubberstamp Republican, voting the GOP Party line 90% of the time. No real effort was needed to get re-elected, until now. So naturally, she and her staff are ducking, smearing, and otherwise hiding from the voters.
Want a ducky? Our fabulous campaign manager, Joe Huser, has one for you on the flip:
David Roth presents the first real threat to Republican domination here, but true to form, this Rubberstamp Republican would like to assert her own reality. Her excuse for ducking every opportunity to debate Roth in our town hall events so far? I'll let Joe tell you:
A letter from Joe Huser, Roth for Congress Campaign Manager:
Can You Believe This?
Bono 'Ducks' Debates
Dear friends and supporters:
I've seen candidates try to dodge debates, but this is unbelievable!
Our opponent is "ducking" the debates....
Contribute at least $50 now, and we'll send you a ducky! Click here!
Just yesterday we received a letter from our opponent's campaign office signed by her campaign manager. You want to read it? Here's the main paragraph:
". . . your campaign has engaged in a barrage of clichés and negative personal attacks. We cannot even begin to discuss a formal debate with you until you prove to be a serious candidate, speaking out on the issues and cease your negative campaign." - Marc Troast, Bono Campaign Manager
Negative personal attacks? C'mon! On my very first day on the job David told me that Mary's personal life was out of the question. Off the table. This campaign would only be about issues. We won't shy away from telling voters about our opponent's record, but you won't hear negative personal attacks coming from us.
I can personally attest that this is true. I've been an active volunteer since January. I once mentioned the unpleasant flap regarding Bono and Rep. Mack that I found on a Florida paper's site. "No way," says staff, "David won't go there. Don't touch it." Wonkette had fun with Bono's son's MySpace page. "Kryptonite," says staff, "don't even mention that to David." And I must say that I'm glad to have it so, (especially about leaving offspring out of it entirely), and it reinforces the warm and wonderful feeling I get from this campaign. David Roth is all about issues, and changing Washington, and so is the staff. Very Mr. Smith around here, (and therefore no links on this subject). Back to Joe Huser:
Not speaking out on the issues? That's crazy - absolutely crazy. Everyday we discuss the issues that people care about: energy prices are out of control; the Middle East is a mess; and clearly we need urgent healthcare reform. Our opponent has rubber stamped the Bush agenda on all of these issues, and put this country on the wrong track.
Prove to be a serious candidate? That's an insult to tens of thousands of people who already voted for David in the Primary and to all of you who give us so much and put this campaign on the map.
Every day our campaign continues to grow. We moved into a larger office this week. Next week we will open an office an Indio. We are looking for space in Moreno Valley. Joe Trippi's on board. Senator Boxer and Congresswomen Linda Sanchez and Lynn Woolsey have been here to stump for David; and Congressmembers Barney Frank, Maxine Waters, Loretta Sanchez, and Susan Davis are coming, too!
But I need your help. Help me show the Bono camp just how serious we all are! Let there be no doubt that we're the ones who are going to talk about the issues. But we need the resources to get our message out. Campaigns are expensive - advertising is expensive and we need your support.
Help us Change Washington! Please click here to contribute!
Thank you!
Joe
By the way, Roth's support here is unprecedented. From a pre-primary Roth press release:
PALM SPRINGS, CA - May 2, 2006: For those who ever doubted whether David Roth could beat Mary Bono in the 45th Congressional district, his fundraising is already a record and he is the second most successful Democratic challenger in the State. The 17 Democratic challengers facing Republican incumbents this year have raised an average of $70,626 to date. Having raised $247,881 as of March 31, Roth has garnered 251% more than all but one of his fellow Democrats.
By way of contrast, most (9 out of 14) Republican incumbents in other contested races in California have proven more successful at fundraising than Mary Bono. These Republican incumbents raised an average of $687,830 while Bono has collected only $470,981, or 32% less than her Republican peers.
The word we get from connected Palm Springs people is that Bono's camp is flipping. Well, they have cause, and I don't envy them. Anyone associated with this current Republican cult of corruption has much to worry about, the least of it being this November's election.
What will they tell their children about the work they did on behalf of human traffickers, war profiteers, and corrupt lobbyists? See dengre's diary today for more on that: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/4/23043/47662