Thomasville, GA loves to send teabaggers out to protest Democrats. Yet Democratic Senate candidate RJ Hadley gets good press there and tomorrow will attend two events in Thomasville, taking his campaign for the U.S. Senate to the teabaggers' den.
So why should Georgia elect a black Yankee Ivy League computer scientist to the Senate?
Because he says things like this:
Because he's a real progressive Democrat in a state that's sick of being bankrupted by Republicans. Because he's been tirelessly touring the state for months. Because the incumbent, Republican Johnny Isakson, is "surprisingly weak".
Ah, Johnny Isakson, who voted against Al Franken's amendment to let people who were gang-raped by military contractors have jury trials, who asked for stimulus funds before he voted against it, and who thinks Reagan inherited a big debt and only spent a little. Isakson thinks health care reform will run up the national debt (nevermind CBO says the opposite.)
RJ Hadley is a socially networked candidate: on facebook, twitter, linkedin, and of course his campaign website: http://www.hadleyforussenate.com/ Here are more stories about RJ and THomasville.
RJ is a black Dartmouth graduate who grew up in New Jersey, but he recently discovered his great-great-grandfather was from Thomas County. He's been tirelessly touring the state of Georgia for months, speaking at everything from Democratic party events to Tea Party meetings.
"I’m a Democrat, but I’m out listening to everybody. I’ve been to tea parties and Republican, Libertarian and Democratic events. I was even up at the Christian Alliance, places that I’m not supposed to be."
In case that makes you doubt he's a Democrat, watch this:
Dailykos diary about that event here.
In case that makes you think he always agrees with Obama, you should read his facebook page; RJ is against offshore drilling, for example.
Yeah, but what does an elitist Ivy Leaguer have to offer Georgia? RJ has answered that:
I understand what it means to move forward through challenging times. As a young boy, I had to overcome the pain of my parents’ divorce and the devastation of losing my childhood home to foreclosure. I grew up in a small rural community in southern New Jersey and opportunities were limited. My mother, who was a social worker, always told me that education would be my ticket to a better life. With determination, hard work, and scholarships from my church, I enrolled at Dartmouth College. This was great for me academically and I also met my lovely wife, Tarah, there as well!
There's more; follow the link.
So, if you're in southwest Georgia, RJ says this about tomorrow:
Not expecting this to be the friendliest crowd. Could use some backup if you're in the area! rj
Friendly event:
Thomas County Democratic Party Reception
Thursday, April 8th @ 4:30pm
222 Gordon Ave.
Thomasville, GA
Maybe not the friendliest event:
Thomasville Citizens Meeting
Thursday, April 8, 2010 @ 6:15 PM
Thomasville Municipal Auditorium
144 E. Jackson Street
Thomasville, GA
Y'all come!
And now a moment with those of you who think RJ can't win.
First, because he's black. Have you heard of Sanford Bishop, D GA-02? Keeps getting re-elected by 2/3 majorities in a majority-white district in the deepest south, and just voted for health care reform. Lots of people in supposedly-liberal Minnesota probably wish they had somebody like Sanford Bishop representing them today.
Second, because he's not from Georgia. Newt Gingrich (R former Speaker of the House) was born in Pennsylvania. Sanford Bishop (D GA-01) was born in Alabama. Jack Kingston (R GA-01) was born in Texas. Need I go on?
Third, because he went to an Ivy League school. Well, hey, nobody's perfect! Besides, Dartmouth's almost as good as the University of Georgia. Except in football.
Fourth, because he has no big corporate backers. This is dailykos, right? That should be a plus, not a minus. Sure, it makes this an uphill slog. But remember, Markos's own favorite pollster says Johnny Isakson is vulnerable. And RJ is out there working to win. You can help. You know how.
PS: For those who think Atlanta will decide everything and Thomasville is irrelevant, all I have to say is, "Bless your little hearts!"