The end of a fundraising quarter is always busy and always a hard time to reflect much, but those who know me know I can't let all the wonderful things happening go by without sharing, and most importantly thank all those who helped make it happen. Our campaign for North Carolina's 8th has been truly blessed. In fact, after being the closest race in the nation last time, I'm told it is the number one race in the nation this time.
From the Netroots support that sustained and propelled our campaign to within 330 votes of victory last cycle, to the DCCC now fully on board for a 2008 rematch, to Ambassador Joe Wilson campaigning with me this week, which The Southern Dem has covered for everyone so well... Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
But it was a small news item recently in the Charlotte Observer that truly made me realize exactly what’s happening here.
Speaking of Larry Kissell, his narrow loss to Robin Hayes in 2006 has left some would-be constituents pondering what could have been. "Larry Kissell Is MY Congressman," reads a bumper sticker spotted recently on a red Pontiac Vibe in downtown Raleigh.
Except that the car's owner is apparently not from North Carolina's 8th Congressional District. The car has an Indiana license plate.
My friends at BlueNC.com made a limited run of those during the recount to show support, and it still tickles everyone I know (probably except my opponent) to see them on the road.
But’s that the Netroots. Adopting a worthwhile cause, fighting the good fight, even if halfway across the nation or world, because it’s the right thing to do. I’ve also heard from countless folks in seemingly hopeless red states or red districts that literally adopted NC-08 as their district. Thank you! I’m proud to be your Congressman, at least Congressman-to-be.
Something Ambassador Wilson said Saturday also really brought this all together for me.
"Southern Democrats have been in the wilderness...it is time for Southern Democrats and that philosophy and that approach and that willingness to fight the fight on behalf of all Americans irrespective of where they come from or who they are or what they are."
I want to be your Congressman, and make you proud, irrespective of where you come from. And NC-08 certainly needs your support as one of the poorest districts in the nation. I need you too. This is the end of a very important fundraising quarter. We’ve got to show the DCCC and DC odds makers that the Netroots were right all along.
You know I hate to ask but this is important. We have to show them that we are going to see this through. I need your help. I am still teaching full time and can't do what most campaigns do raising money all day, every day. I have to go to work like all of you and campaign full time after school. Please contribute if you can. Some of my blogging friends have come up with something to give back to you that makes me proud, besides all-important good government.
Every ActBlue donation ending in $3.30 ($13.30, $23.30, etc) between now and the end of the month will be thanked with the campaign’s own version of a "Larry Kissell is MY Congressman" bumper sticker. I hope you’ll display it proudly in your Red State or Red District, and know that I will be in Washington representing ALL Americans with your support.
Please do all you can in the next 5 days. It’s that important.