On January 30, I announced my candidacy for Chair of the 4th District Congressional Committee. Since then I have had the pleasure of talking with many of you about my plan for the district. I have also learned a great deal about your hopes and goals for the committee. Because I cannot possibly speak to everyone before the caucus, I would like to take a moment to address some of the more common questions here.
My slate is the Victory Slate ... a name which reflects my intentions for the 2008 congressional election. I have not filled the entire slate, because I do not believe it is proper for me to choose the representation for our entire district. I trust the people of the 4th district to elect their preferred vice chairs and delegates, and I will work with anyone who is elected.
My plan is to raise funds, recruit volunteers, and build a committee that strengthens our local organizations. There are several pieces to this plan, and I will publish more information in a separate announcement. For now I will say that my plan is meant to be simple, thorough, and easy to implement throughout the district.
As I mentioned in my announcement, my purpose in running for Chair is to win the congressional election in 2008. Not everyone supports this position. There are some who think that the 4th district should put our resources into winning the legislature so that we can redraw the congressional districts. Once we have more favorable districts, then we’ll put resources into the congressional election. I respectfully disagree with this position, because it is based on the belief that we shouldn’t try to win if winning is too hard.
The fact that the 4th district is gerrymandered in favor of the Republican incumbent means less than you might think. The nature of this district has changed since it was drawn, and Dave Camp is out of touch with his constituents. He signs trade agreements and brags about the Bush economy, while more of our good union jobs leave the country. He supports the escalation of a war with a country that did not attack us, while more of our young people slip into poverty and have no choice but to turn to the military rather than college. He votes against the environment and against stem cell research, when he knows that our present economy depends on tourism and our future economy depends on science. In 2006, Camp had to spend $6.86 per vote to hold off a challenger who had $62,000. In contrast, Governor Granholm spent $6.82 per vote to fend off a challenger who had $41 million. Dave Camp is not as strong as he appears.
Still there are people who think that it is not realistic to believe in victory. They say that it’s not practical to spend our time and money fighting Dave Camp. They say that it’s just not possible to win.
These people are wrong. Do not believe them.
I often write about my grandfather’s participation in the Sit Down Strike of ’36-’37. I’ve never written about my grandmother, but she had a role too. In the early days of the strike, she would bring food and supplies to the "boys on the inside." When hostilities escalated, she joined the Women’s Emergency Brigade. Armed with a rolling pin, my grandmother stood up to men with machine guns.
My grandpa was very proud of the Sit Down and the UAW, and he talked about it a lot when I was growing up. Over the years he must have talked about that strike thousands of times. Never once did he use the words ‘realistic’ or ‘practical.’
I’m not asking anyone to stand in front of machine guns. I’m asking that you believe in yourselves and your fellow Democrats. I’m asking you to give us the chance to win the next election. I’m asking you to join me in rejecting the politics of defeat.
I’m asking for your support and your vote. You can vote for me at the convention on February 24th.
Thank you,
Christine Barry