Teapartiers are racing to make the 2011 Congress, the most extreme we've seen in years. With Sharon Angle, Christine O'Donnell, Ken Buck and perhaps Ovide LaMontagne. Meanwhile, Jack Conway has been hard at work, trying to stop Rand Paul from becoming Teapartier Extraordinaire and the next Senator from Kentucky. Conway has been wisely making the race about local issues.
Conway has hit Rand Paul hard on his lack of support for federal drug programs and his aversion to coal safety laws. Rand Paul has been able to campaign mostly away from the national cameras after his disastrous Rachel Maddow interview. But now Conway is making sure voters don't forget how Paul's brand of libertarian isn't right for Kentucky.
"I'm for having ... laws against things that are violent crimes, but things that are non-violent shouldn't be against the law."
Did Rand Paul really say that?
Time is running out to win the gorgeous Red-to-Blue quilt and to help Conway give a heave ho to the teaparty. Tomorrow is the last chance to win this one-of-a-kind piece of Netroots history.
Conway has turned his recent donations, including his recent Daily Kos moneybomb, into this attack ad on Paul. Update: But Jack Conway will definitely need an infusion of cash, because Sarah Palin is set to headline a fundraiser for Rand Paul, in Louisville, this Thursday.
Rough transcript:
(Narrator): Listen to Rand Paul
(Video of Rand Paul): I'm for having crimes and having laws against things that are violent crimes, but things that are non-violent shouldn't be against the law.
(Sheriff): Thinks non-violent crimes shouldn't be against the law. That's crazy.
(sheriff #2): It should be a crime if you sell drugs to a minor
(Sheriff): Wall Street fraud, mortgage fraud
(Sheriff #3): Burlglary
(Sheriff #2): Someone that's promoting prostitution
(Sheriff#4): Theft
(Video of Rand Paul): Things that are non-violent shouldn't be against the law.
(Sheriff #5): He just doesn't get it
(Sheriff #2): We need a senator that's gonna treat criminals like criminals.
(Conway voice) I'm Jack Conway and I approve this message. Count on me to protect Kentucky.
Libertarian meet...real world. In CNN/Time's recent poll, Conway is running dead even with Paul at 46% each.
"Not surprisingly, Paul is winning among conservatives by more than 40 points," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "But Conway has a 22-point advantage among moderates."
Conway also has a noticeable advantage with seniors and urban voters.
In the Kentucky Senate race, Paul and Conway are dead even with 46% of the vote apiece. Conway is losing to Paul, an ophthalmologist and son of libertarian Ron Paul, in all age groups save one, 50-64, which Conway is winning 51% to 42%. Conway is winning in urban areas like Jefferson County — 61% to Paul's 30% — and maintains a slight lead with suburban voters, 47% to 44%. Paul is winning in the rural areas, 50% to Conway's 42%. Paul's strength comes from independent voters, a group he's winning by 50% to 39%.
Those numbers mean that your donations can make the difference. One donation could win you The Daily Kos Community Quilt. The Quilt embodies the vision of turning Red States to Blue and features impeccable handiwork (look for yourself):
Regal Shades of Red to Purple Patches:
Amazing Shades of Purple to Blue Patches:
Democratic Deep Blue Patches:
Time is running out on the contest to win this exquisite Red to Blue Quilt. Tomorrow is the last day of the Quilt contest. We are so close to our goal of $2000. Will you help us reach that goal? And as a bonus, just imagine Senator McConnell's expression if Jack Conway pulls this race out.
Please read on to find out the background on this community quilt project...
The Community Quilt Project Supports Jack Conway’s Run for the Senate
From Red to Blue
Jack Conway is Kentucky’s Attorney General. He is running for the Senate now – and his opponent is Rand Paul. Read about Jack Conway’s campaign here – and if you are moved to support him as we are, please donate at this Act Blue page. But, hey, the quilt people must have something more going on, right? Correct!
From Red to Blue
Back in 2006, at the very first Yearly Kos convention (now known as Netroots Nation), we had a quilt available for signing – something that has since become a tradition and a symbol of progressive blogger community. That quilt is "From Red to Blue", a roman stripe patterned quilt designed by Aunt Arctic, pieced by Aunt Arctic, my sister and me, and hand quilted by me. This quilt really is an artifact of that first convention – and it contains some fabulous signatures. Here they are, listed by block number:
1-1 Shirley Koegel
1-2 fabooj
1-3 Rain
1-4 Pastor Dan
1-5 Yerritt Blom
1-6 Mary Blom
1-7 Brian and Jane Elliot
1-8 Quicksilver
1-9 Francie Goodrich
1-10 Toni R. Ramiz
2-1 Joe Trippi
2-2 Sobermom
2-3 democracylover
2-4 Malecandra
2-5 Timothy D. Smith
2-6 Danielle Coppola-Smith
2-7 Kate Daniels
2-8 Adam Conner
2-9 Hunter
3-1 Christina Stallard
3-2 Arianna Huffington
3-3 Frisco
3-4 Scott Harrid
3-5 Atrios
3-6 Mariva
3-7 Eddie C.
3-8 Colleen
3-9 Liz Noteware
3-10 Murray Waass
4-1 Lo Owens
4-2 Anne Schu
4-3 Warren Lathe
4-4 Mrs. Pastor
4-5 Chunyang
4-6 Mark in San Fran
4-7 Bridgitt Funk
4-8 Chinton Wheeler
4-9 Ann Reed
5-1 China Parmalee & Elizabeth Compa
5-2 Ambassador Joe Wilson
5-3 Emptywheel
5-4 Twin Planets
5-5 Sharon Mahoney
5-6 Pachacutec
5-7 Gov. Mark Warner
5-8 Jerome a Paris
5-9 Barb Morrill
5-10 Rick Boston
6-1 Fred Koegel
6-2 Robert Greenwald
6-3 Shermanesqe
6-4 Jessica C. Clark
6-5 raginggurrl
6-6 Bonddad
6-7 George Lakoff
6-8 K.J. Lakoff
6-9 Linda Mercer and the Boise Peace Quilt Project
7-1 Howard Carlin
7-2 Ducktape
7-3 Jerome Armstrong
7-4 Ellen Harten
7-5 bendygirl
7-6 Susan S.
7-7 Ilona Meagher
7-8 Sam Seder
7-9 Alinda Lord
7-10 Pucklady
8-1 hono lulu
8-2 Maryscott O'Connor
8-3 Martianchronic
8-4 Eric Wagner
8-5 Ninth Elegy
8-6 Jim Edwards Hewitt
8-7 Nolan Treadway
8-8 Sarah R. Carter
8-9 Aunt Arctic
9-1 Christina S. O'Connell
9-2 Uncle Jack
9-3 Pamela Nelson
9-4 Raines Cohen
9-5 David Perry
9-6 Bonnie Hannifin
9-7 Ke (Kay?) Tibbetts
9-8 Derth Adams
9-9 paxpdx
9-10 Elizabeth Carter
10-1 hyperbolic pants explosion
10-2 Martha Tune
10-3 Andy Ternay
10-4 Chicago Dyke
10-5 Tracy Joan
10-6 Rep. Brad Miller
10-7 David Sirota
10-8 Milo Elliot and Rosemary Elliot
10-9 Jack Carter
11-1 Jeanne Vollmer
11-2 Vigilant Meerkat
11-3 Daniel Senning
11-4 M&M Gal
11-5 Jeffrey Feldman
11-6 Redd Hedd
11-7 Juliette Moore
11-8 Quotefiend
11-9 Brett Spivey
11-10 Glen Greenwald
12-1 Jesterfox
12-2 Momster
12-3 Diane Palmer
12-4 San Diego Dem
12-5 Londonyank
12-6 Rochelle Athey
12-7 mik
12-8 Nicole Sawaya
12-9 Skwimmer
13-1 Barbara B
13-2 CD Moondancer
13-3 Stephen Darksyde
13-4 Maribeth McIntyre
13-5 Baratunde
13-6 World Wide Ellen
13-7 Lisa Schiff
13-8 Brillig
13-9 Mary Ratcliff
13-10 Dante Atkins
14-1 Linda Lee
14-2 YKos volunteers
14-3 Pat Schwieterman
14-4 Frederick Rhine
14-5 Eric Boehlert
14-6 mc joan
14-7 Elizabeth D.
14-8 Evie Zeidman
14-9 virgomusic
15-1 Chris Bowers
15-2 Chris Kenngo
15-3 Greg Felice
15-4 Kos
15-5 Michael Schiavo
15-6 Terry Boggs-Moura
15-7 Mark R. Brown
15-8 Major Danby
15-9 David Keeler
15-10 teacherken
16-1 Kael Alford
16-2 Lucky Ducky
16-3 Diane Purcell
16-4 Maxomai
16-5 James W. Hill
16-6 Lakshmi Chaudry
16-7 Senator Harry Reid
16-8 Dan Abbott
16-9 Alex Vrevick-Ackelsberg
17-1 Kid Oakland
17-2 American River Canyon
17-3 Shockwave
17-4 DiAnne Gieser
17-5 Deborah Brown
17-6 Rick Hegdahl
17-7 Vince Vitale
17-8 "42"
17-9 Zack Brown and Anna Hentzel
17-10 Lil Bird
18-1 Scarecrow
18-2 Gina Cooper
18-3 Laura Fitzpatrick
18-4 David Atkins
18-5 Jamie Vollmer
18-6 Tim Waters
18-7 Ann Rose
18-8 Nancy Skinner
18-9 Outlandish Josh
19-1 Katie Halper
19-2 David T. Harris
19-3 Jamie Ekatomatis
19-4 Claude Hayward
19-5 Robyn D. McMillin
19-6 Jeanne & George Kalogrides
19-7 Mari Higgins
19-8 General Wesley Clark
19-9 John Laesch
19-10 Sari Joseph
This quilt is quite the autograph album! It is 62" square, contains all cotton fabric, a fine cotton batting, and was hand quilted by me with tiny stitches. There is a sleeve on the back to make it easy to hang on a wall.
By the by, on block 6-9 is one group name you might not know because I wrote for it and got it by mail -- but I was quite pleased to have a connection for this quilt with these ladies. I am talking about the Boise Peace Quilt Project, as written about by Col. Dan Smith on CounterPunch in May 2006. If you will recall, there was some intense saber rattling in the direction of Iran going on at the time. The Colonel wrote:
Fast forward 77 years to 1984 in Boise where a red, white, and blue "National Peace Quilt" with 50 panels--one for each state--is unveiled. Each panel contains a child's vision of what peace and security would "look like." The inscription on the quilt reads:
"REST beneath the warmth and weight of our hopes
for the future of our children,
DREAM a vision of the world at peace,
ACT to give the vision life."
Each U.S. Senator is challenged by the Boise ladies to take the quilt home and sleep under it for one night. In return, the names of those participating were embroidered on the quilt. Over the course of 1985-86, sixty-seven senators participated, recording in the "National Peace Quilt Log Book" their own personal vision of peace and how to achieve that goal.
This Mother's Day, May 14, marks the 20th anniversary of the collective dreams of peace recorded in a log book in Boise following (one hopes) a restful night. The Idaho Peace Coalition will send Mothers' Day Peace Entreaties to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee--whose chairperson and ranking member took their turn resting an dreaming under the blanket 20 years ago--asking the committee to redouble their efforts to develop diplomatic solutions to will resolve the animosity between the United States and Iran.
Label of From Red to Blue
This quilt could be yours! From now until September 15, every day you donate $10 or more to this Act Blue page, you will receive a chance to win the quilt – one donation per day will be counted. OR, if you prefer not to donate, you can enter by writing an essay of 50 words or less on this subject: "What Jack Conway’s Run For the U.S. Senate Means to Me" -- and send it to communityquilts (at) yahoo.com. If we find your essay to be topical, we will give you an entry in the drawing, one essay per person per day. The drawing will take place the last day in September.
One last note: I could use some help posting daily diaries on this quilt drawing. If you would like to participate, please let me know in a comment below! It is a chance for some community creativity in a good cause.
Thank you! DONATE HERE!