George Fearing for Congress
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Soon I'll write in greater detail about why George is such an excellent candidate for Congress, and there are some great diaries already out there about why Richard "Doc" Hastings is as bad as they get, and why it's in the national interest to unseat him.
Keep your eyes posted for some entries from Mr. Fearing himself in the coming weeks. For now, for the skeptics and the pessimists, have a look at some of the many reasons why this race is VERY competitive -- much more so than Republicans would like to admit.
But trust me. The Hastings crew is getting nervous. We've seen folks drive by or even sit in their cars in front of the office, peering in. They've mentioned us in a fundraising letter. It's clear that Doc's campaign knows that we will fight for this. And this year, we can win.
After the jump.
Hastings Fatigue is Growing at a Rapid Pace
• Hastings' support has been trending downward sharply in recent years and elections. Between 2002 and 2006, Hastings' margin of victory has shrunk by 14%.
• According to election results in 2004, Hastings was significantly less popular in Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties, where he is known best, than George W. Bush, thousands of Bush voters turning against Hastings.
The Tide of Change is in our Favor
• There has never been a better opportunity to unseat Republican Doc Hastings. Participation in the Democratic party has reached an all-time high in the 4th congressional district. Turnout for the presidential primary and caucuses have been record-setting.
• Similarly, Democratic fundraising and participation is extraordinary both within the district and nationwide. Party activists are more energized and hungrier than ever for change. Swing and independent voters inside the district and elsewhere are opening their ballots and pocketbooks to reject the GOP status quo that Hastings embodies.
Our Movement is United; Hastings' is not
• George has received numerous endorsements from within and outside of the party, and enjoys broad support as evidenced by his unanimous endorsement at the 4th congressional district convention.
• Hastings, however, faces much scrutiny and pressure from within the GOP despite his incumbency. He is faced once again by a Republican challenger in the August primary. George stands unopposed among Democrats.
The Financial Winds are in our Sails
• There has never been a better time to financially target the 4th to unseat Hastings. The NRCC has drained its coffers and is scrambling to support many incumbents (such as WA-08's Reichert) considered most vulnerable. NRCC chair Tom Cole has made it clear that this year Republican incumbents are on their own to defend their offices.
• George Fearing outraised Doc Hastings in the first quarter of 2008.
• In the first quarter of 2008, George had more than 10 times the individual donors than Doc financially supporting his campaign.
• To date, the Fearing Campaign has raised more money than any other Democratic challenger at this point in the race.
We Have The Right Strategy To Defeat Our Opponent
• The Fearing Campaign has outlined an aggressive grassroots strategy devised to capitalize on this year's momentum, take advantage of low media prices, and take George across the district many times over to meet the voters face to face.
• Central Washington is one of the cheapest media markets in the entire nation. A tremendous campaign can be waged with $1 million, which would only cover some of the necessary costs in other more expensive districts across the country. No campaign has ever raised or spent $1 million in this district.
2008 is truly the year for change in Central Washington. Since I wrote this, the campaign has only grown in size and strength. On June 30th, Rep. John Boehner came out to help Doc raise money at a closed-door fundraiser at a Pasco mansion. About thirty community activists stood outside the gates with signs and props to protest a plethora of corrupt votes and lobbyist pandering by Boehner and Hastings. From what I hear, when Doc's entourage drove by he looked out at the demonstration, and you could read his face like a book.
Doc knows that this November will be no stroll in the park. This year he isn't safe.
This year in Central Washington, a change is gonna come.
George Fearing for Congress
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