Tarryl Clark just wrote a nice diary on the rec list thanking netroots nation and the many bloggers that have helped her along the way. We appreciate being recognized as a key part of your journey.
Taking on Michele Bachmann takes a lot of courage. For that alone Tarryl deserved the two standing ovations you received on Saturday night. For that alone Tarryl deserves our support.
However, this campaign is not just about beating Michele Bachmann. This campaign is about standing up with leaders that will stand with us. After talking with Tarryl personally on Saturday, I can tell you she is genuinely interested in what we are doing and grateful for our help.
That being said we need to do what we can now when it can make a difference. Waiting until three days before the election like 2008 will not beat Michele Bachmann. This race, by all accounts, is going to be the most expensive house race in the country this cycle. It is going to be as Tarryl described "the heavyweight matchup" this cycle with someone who is concerned about the people she would represent against the "Hollywood celebrity in her own mind" Bachmann.
Michele Bachmann has said enough crazy things, done enough crazy things and postured enough to give us a picture of who she is and what she would do if she would get in power. However, we also need to know who Tarryl Clark is and that is someone that the folks in her district can count on. Today the Minnesota Police officers group endorsed her campaign
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said this morning that it is endorsing Tarryl Clark in the 6th District Congressional race.
Clark, a state senator,is challenging U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in what will be a wild and free-spending campaign.
The MPPOA release said the group represents 8,500 police officers throughout the state:
"[Clark] is dedicated to working with and advocating for Minnesota's law enforcement officers in Congress, just as she has in the state Senate," Executive Director Dennis Flaherty said.
A clear sign that the folks in this district want change. We know that Bachmann is going to raise money hand over fist. We need to do what we can to combat her.
Tarryl Clark wants to get things done while Michele Bachmann wants to just shows up and get credit
Casting herself as an economic populist, Clark has tried to focus on local issues in hopes of drawing a contrast with her opponent's love of the spotlight and the tea party speaking circuit. But when asked about Bachmann's most egregious misdeeds, Clark tends to veer clear of her opponent's most inflammatory statements, saying that she prefers to focus on "bread-and-butter stuff." She points out, for instance, that Bachmann refused to support federal funding to rehabilitate a deteriorating bridge in St. Cloud—only to show up for the ribbon-cutting ceremony a year later after the repairs were finished. "She opposes transit and rail, and fought a train that goes up to my end of the district...then comes to grab a headline," says Clark.
So you see this election is about getting rid of one of the crazies in Congress. However, it's also about electing someone who will stand up for the folks in their district rather than seek headlines and position themselves to be the next Fox News Beauty Queen. Join with me now in supporting Tarryl Clark. If you can't make a donation, maybe you can send the link to someone that can.