I'm the new media director for the U.S. Senate campaign of Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. I'm taking a little break from doing battle with my insane to-do list to give the national progressive netroots a quick update on the amazing grassroots momentum we are witnessing here in Ohio. And to ask you to please, please sign up to make some calls to Ohio Democratic voters.
The pundits and skeptics continue to insist that we can't win this race because our opponents have raised big bucks, but as our candidate says this campaign is not about money it's about people. All the signs we're seeing are that the people are with Jennifer Brunner and she's on track to do what the Saints just did --pull off a big upset win against all the experts' predictions. It's happening because Jennifer Brunner has the courage of her convictions, puts her faith in people, and keeps her focus on talking to voters.
When Jennifer Brunner filed her declaration of candidacy petitions she had 2,250 signatures gathered entirely by hundreds of volunteers braving some of the coldest weather we've had. Her primary opponent still hasn't filed his petitions, and reportedly he is using paid signature gatherers rather than volunteers.
We now have hundreds of volunteers calling Ohio voters, many from home using our virtual phonebanking system, and the response is amazing. The number of people we call who like Jennifer Brunner is way ahead of those who say they are supporting her primary opponent.
In a Rasmussen poll just out, both Jennifer Brunner and her primary opponent are within the 4.5 point margin of error against the likely GOP candidate, despite all the campaign cash and endorsements that have been her primary opponent's obsessive focus. As a leading Ohio blogger has pointed out, the poll shows that Jennifer Brunner is way ahead of her primary opponent in "very favorable" ratings (18% to 11%) and significantly better on favorable ratings (43% to 38%) and unfavorable ratings (32% to 39%). The poll just confirms what we've known from the outset -- people respect our candidate's accomplishments as Secretary of State and they just really like her forthright, plain-spoken style.
Last week was our candidate's birthday, and hundreds of people left amazing messages of support on her online card. Check out the enthusiasm (more here):
"I saw you speak and have watched when you've been on the news and I am pleased with your no nonsense, common sense outlook. I am definitely in your corner. Good luck to you and Happy Birthday!"
- Cindy B.
"Happy Birthday Jennifer! Keep up the fight for truth, justice and equal rights for all! Stay strong and be a leader! We need more women like you to stand up! Enjoy your birthday and may you have a great year!"
- Penny H. and Carla S.
"Happy Birthday! It is refreshing to see someone working so hard for Ohioans, rather than special interests. I appreciate what you are doing and support you in your campaign for Senate. We need more people like you in Washington!"
- Heather S.
"I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I wish you well on your bid for the Senate seat that I cannot wait for Senator Voionovich to vacate. We need someone who will fight for us and not special interest groups. I want someone who will work with Senator Sherrod Brown to get us healthcare reform and jobs. Contrary to Republican rhetoric they are linked and can both be accomplished. Good luck to you Jennifer."
- Pam G.
"We are excited in Washington County to have such an admirable candidate for our Senate seat. We are getting busy and hope to make many calls in the next week. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and get some time to really celebrate. MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!!!!!!"
- Jane C.
We are seeing the momentum build as the primary gets closer, and if the DSCC and the chattering political class want to write off our campaign that's fine with us. But we need your help to keep our grassroots operation going.
The primary election is on May 4th, less than three months away. Please, sign up to do some virtual phonebanking. It's easy, and it's fun. You're calling Democratic voters, and the candidate you are calling for won the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award for her efforts to clean up Ohio's elections. How inspiring is that? Or if you can't phonebank, please contribute $25 today to keep our grassroots operation running strong.
Thanks.
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