I just sent the following letter off to my local newspaper, The Fort Bragg Advocate, and to Rep. Mike Thompson's office. Mike Thompson represents a district in California that voted for Barack Obama 45-43% (80,491 to 77,134). This district is progressive. It runs from Del Norte and Humboldt in the north to Sonoma and Napa in the south. Mendocino county (my county) was the first in the nation to outlaw genetic seed. I've contacted Thompson's office and I've asked him to make a public statement justifying his continued support of Hillary Clinton now that she's talking up her "nuclear option" for winning by changing the rules.
I'm hoping others will support this letter by contacting Mike Thompson's office.
Here's the letter:
Dear Editor:
I’ve called Mike Thompson’s office several times to ask why he’s still supporting Hillary Clinton when Obama won this district 45% to 43% and now holds the majority of delegate votes. Thompson’s office tells me the race was close and that justifies Mike giving his superdelegate vote to Hillary.
I learned close only counts in horseshoes. Imagine if close counted in elections, if losers didn’t concede because they were close. That’s what the Clinton campaign is doing. They’re arguing that being close justifies Clinton’s nomination—based on their assessment that Clinton is the stronger candidate. Thompson’s office says the voters haven’t finished speaking, and yet, the voters in this district have: they didn’t agree with Senator Clinton’s vote for the Iraqi war; they didn’t like her talk of obliterating Iran. They voted for Barack Obama.
It’s time Mike Thompson get behind the Democratic nominee. Especially now—unless Mr. Thompson wants to stand for division, for the "nuclear option" of changing the rules so they favor Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy. Is that the kind of politics Mike Thompson supports? The backroom business of ignoring the voice of the people? I hope not.
I’ve watched the Clintons employ every Rovian tactic in the book, including misrepresentation, distortion, exaggeration, innuendo, smear, outright sniper-fire lying, and even threats of retribution. I see no justification for supporting her efforts to move the goalposts in this primary. Civilization and democracy survive because people make rules and then play by them or face consequences.
It’s time: Mike Thompson represents all of us who cast votes for the Democratic nomination for president. Barack Obama won that vote in this district and he holds the majority of elected delegate votes. It’s time Mr. Thompson acknowledge Obama as the nominee.
Thompson's job is to represent his constituency—his constituency has spoken.
Here's the contact info:
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
231 Cannon Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3311
Fax: (202) 225-4335
NAPA DISTRICT OFFICE
1040 Main Street, Suite 101
Napa, CA 94559
Phone: (707) 226-9898
Fax: (707) 251-9800
HUMBOLDT DISTRICT OFFICE
317 3rd Street, Suite 1
Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 269-9595
Fax: (707) 269-9598
MENDOCINO DISTRICT OFFICE
430 North Franklin Street
PO Box 2208
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 962-0933
Fax: (707) 962-0934
YOLO DISTRICT OFFICE
712 Main Street, Suite 1
Woodland, CA 95695
Phone: (530) 662-5272
Fax: (530) 662-5163
Here's his email, if you're in his district