It seems like John Boehner either secretly wishes to be defeated or else he’s just spent too much time in gated golf-course communities like the one he lives in, and he doesn’t realize how desperately grateful most Americans are for Social Security, especially in these hard times. Either way, it would be nice to give his orange ass a little nudge — out of Congress and onto the golf course, where he seems to prefer to be, full-time.
Fortunately, this year, Boehner has the most serious and determined opponent he’s had since he was elected 20 years ago. Justin Coussoule is a West Point graduate, Army veteran and attorney who gave up a secure job with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati to take on Boehner. (The primary is over and Justin IS the Democratic candidate — I have to mention that because some people have asked if he has a Democratic challenger).
http://www.coussouleforcongress.com/
Here’s the really good part: Justin is no Blue Dog. He’s an unblinking progressive. He thinks those positions make sense for the lives of regular working people, and he believes he can convince people. He’s outraised Boehner’s last opponent more than three times, but he still doesn’t have much, so he’s working the grassroots. He is working hard — knocking on doors, making calls, going to meetings, marching in parades.
I interviewed Justin last week and posted parts one and two on the blog where I post, Ohio Daily Blog.
http://www.ohiodailyblog.com/...
http://www.ohiodailyblog.com/...
I got pretty busy later in the week, but I’ve just posted the third and final part:
http://www.ohiodailyblog.com/...
In it, he talks about the difficulties he’s encountered getting support from the Democratic Party, what he’s doing to counteract that, and why he feels the race should be on the national radar.
Here are a few excerpts:
"At the end of the day, only the voters of the 8th district can vote in this race. We want to keep it focused on what John Boehner has or hasn’t done for us and what I can do better. What people don’t care about here is running against John Boehner as minority leader. They don’t care about that; they care about what is he doing for us. But for awareness, fundraising and buzz, we are trying to leverage the national piece of the race."
"Grassroots-based efforts on the ground can move mountains. Our volunteer list is already over 400 people. That’s pretty strong from having created the campaign from whole cloth back in February. That’s help we can get for free. We can knock on doors and make phone calls, and that’s free. Anywhere five voters are gathered, I try to make an appearance, or someone on my behalf will make an appearance."
"What we have encountered is how disciplined Democrats are when it comes to supporting or advocating for a particular Democratic candidate. We understand the DCCC’s position, but we did think we could reach out to people like Wes Clark or Max Cleland or Democratic elected officials in the House or Senate, get an endorsement, even have them come out and help us build a little momentum. We have reached out to those people, and the response is we take our marching orders from party."
"Alan Grayson has endorsed us."
You say you are appalled and disgusted by how out of touch John Boehner is with regular people? You’re infuriated with his remarks about Social Security. Making a small donation to Justin is a way to make Boehner sweat a little. Justin can make $5 or $10 go really, really far. That wouldn’t even pay for hole of golf for Boehner.
http://www.coussouleforcongress.com/
https://secure.blueutopia.com/...