This is my first diary.
I don't know about you guys, but my Inbox has been filled recently with appeals from a variety of Democratic groups for fundraising dollars. Normally I just read and delete them, but today I decided to respond.
First of all, the email came from "John Edwards" and was entitled: "Big Changes." I was curious to see what someone I trust and admire had to say. Turns out it was a solicitation to donate to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. It asserted that the "51 seat" strategy was insufficient to bring about real change.
I was compelled to respond. While this painful and divisive primary continues, with both sides pouring money into campaigns to best each other, organizations like the DSCC are likely struggling to compete for dollars. People like me are focusing donations on individual candidates instead of the Democratic party.
In my view, John Edwards could do much more to change the Senatorial fundraising picture if he helped accelerate our selection of a candidate. I believe he should endorse the person who is most likely to boost downticket candidates -- the person who has embraced all 50 states, not just the handful of big ones -- Barack Obama. At any rate, I would like to see Edwards (and others) step up and offer some assurances that we will end this before the convention.
Just in case anyone else receives this email (or one of countless others) and wants to respond in a similar fashion, I'm pasting my email response for easy cut-and-paste.
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Hi John Edwards,
I appreciate your commitment to this country and to the 50-state strategy. I would ask that you support the candidate who embraces this inclusive approach and has the chance to pull many, many downticket candidates with him: Barack Obama.
Until the democratic primary is over I'm afraid I have to commit my dollars towards getting Obama nominated. It's a shame that it has gone on this long - we're wasting money combatting each other when we should be using our money to pursue precisely what you've outlined in this appeal. Bringing a speedy end to this process will have more impact on your fundraising than an email solicitation.
Thanks again for your service to this country.