Getting excited about a House candidate

I live in the deep red 2nd congressional district of Northern California.  It's a great place to live, but one of the bad points has been the feeling of virtual certainty that I would never have a representative in either the California Legislature or the US House who represented me.
Now, for the first time in over 30 years, I feel a real glimmer of hope that might change.  And I want to call your attention to a race that is not yet on the national radar, but that I hope will soon be.

Our district is pretty much the Northeast corner of California, far from the big liberal population centers.  It's a district of farming, ranching and forestry.  It's a district where the Republicans have about a 12 % registration edge.  And it's represented by Wally Herger. A few years back The Hill did a special feature on "The 10 Least Effective Members of Congress".  Wally made the list.
He's a man whose only noticable qualifications for office are good hair and good teeth - and the R after his name.
Every year, the Dems - not wanting to leave the district blank - put up a sacrificial lamb to carry the banner of the party.  Nice people and good Democrats all.  But in my memory not one has ever believed he had a chance to win.  Not one has acted like he had a chance to win.  And not one has gotten significant help from the state or national parties.

Now, for the first time, in a year that promises to be a wave year for Democrats, we have a candidate who means it.  A candidate who has already won elective office.  A candidate who might give me a chance to have a real representative in Congress for the first time in over 30 years.

That candidate is Jeff Morris.  Jeff is a member of the Board of Supervisors in Trinity County.
See his website here:  http://jeffmorrisforcongress.com/

I sent Jeff a modest donation a while back, after he won the Democratic primary.  But one thing still worried me: Was he serious?  Did he really mean it?  Was he worth investing my time and energy?

Today, I went to our downtown farmers market to pick up some flowers for my wife's birthday - and there he was!  I spotted Jeff standing talking to a small group of folks so I went over and introduced myself.  He was warm and open and made a great personal connection, remembering my name from my little donation.  And I was able to ask him straight out.  Do you mean it?  Are you in this to win?  He convinced me that he is.  He knows what this year means and all the reasons why.  He's the real thing - a candidate who - given the state of the country, given the state of the Republican party, can win even in this district.  I'll support him, and I hope you will too.
Visit that website and kick in a few bucks, so I don't have to spend the rest of my life represented by idiots like Herger.
http://jeffmorrisforcongress.com/

•  tips for turning Red California Blue

  by Chico David RN on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 03:52:39 PM PDT

•  Oh yeah, WallyWorld

  Herger showed up for a town meeting in Paradise during the fires...and basically gave a rah-rah Wally stump speech.  What a tool.

  I'm definitely on board for Jeff Morris.

  Will you be at the grand opening for Obama's HQ in Chico tonight, David?  I'd love to met you.

  I'll be wearing the O'Bama '08 Vote Irish t-shirt.

  by smileycreek on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 04:00:20 PM PDT

  •  I'll be there

    Only for a little while, other commitments,  but I'll look for you.
    David

    by Chico David RN on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 04:02:07 PM PDT

•  I'm off to opening

  of the Local Dem/Obama headquarters, so won't be here in the event anyone pops in to discuss.  Priorities.
  David

  by Chico David RN on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 04:38:49 PM PDT

•  I thought CA-03 was the NE corner...

  ... of your state.

  jest sayin'

  

  by Land of Enchantment on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 05:23:55 PM PDT

  •  Typo, I meant CA-04

    Sorry, 'bout that.

    by Land of Enchantment on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 05:24:33 PM PDT

    •  You're right

      but you see how easy it is to get it confused ;-)
      I also get axcited about Charlie's campaign in 04 and I tend to get them confused.
      DW

      by Chico David RN on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 06:06:11 PM PDT

•  fixed the content to match reality!

  If I was a Republican,I could just pretend the reality didn't exist.

  by Chico David RN on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 06:08:31 PM PDT

•  Tipped, Rec'd, and now I'm off to add a bit to

  Jeff's campaign coffers, just cuz David and Smileycreek both like him.

  8^)

  by watercarrier4diogenes on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 06:46:27 PM PDT

•  Yup - Jeff's the real deal

  Anyone familiar with Trinity County knows how hard they have struggled to keep essential community services afloat. I know Jeff well. He's spent years hammering out long-term solutions that make a day-to-day difference for regular folks. He's got deep roots in the district, and he has what it takes to go the distance. He's worked his tail off as a county supervisor, while keeping his eye on the bigger issues facing CD2. Unlike Herger, he's not just about toeing the party line. He's about providing real leadership that actually helps local communities. Give him all the support you can. It's going to be a tough race, but this is the year it could happen.

  by cranberrylib on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 10:20:23 PM PDT