I just got the most amazing little note - Congressman Grijalva is thanking us for the work we did in stopping a $5,000,000 media campaign against him in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District.
We did this. Beth, and Sandi Behrns, and I, we went first because we got the call to action. But all of you helped.
I think some of you spend too much time within these orange padded walls; you are like war dogs, penned up and nipping each other. If you slip through the gate and apply your writing and organizing skills elsewhere you can have dramatic effect.
Congressman Grijalva is asking that we continue to defend him and that we stretch out and do the same for other Democrats. Your pen is mightier than the sword; come in and you’ll find suggestions on how and where to wield it.
One of the country's richest developers has let it be known that he's not interested in engaging the Grijalva campaign and its allies in a protracted and brutal fight. I want to thank all of you, as allies, for your response. This let's everyone know we're not alone and shows the power of individuals who organize for what they believe in. Your support is not forgotten. - Raúl Grijalva
We heard about the $5,000,000 being aimed at Congressman Grijalva last weekend. Sandi Behrns struck first over at Alan Colmes’ site, then I had a follow on piece here on DailyKos that made the rec list.
Two articles like that, some chatter on Twitter, then the Arizona folks picked it up, and the Arizona media couldn’t ignore it. The whole thing took about 72 hours and then it was over, as far as could be determined. I got a quick note from someone at the campaign yesterday, asked if I could quote it, and that block above, direct from Congressman Grijalva, was what they sent back a few minutes ago :-)
We’re trying to get the same thing done for Harry Mitchell in Arizona 5. The sleazy trust fund babies David and Charles Koch are trying to purchase this seat and install a predatory foreclosure speculator named David Schweikert in his place. Now Harry isn’t a Progressive, but he is no blue dog either - the man is a moderate Democrat in a conservative minded district. He votes for much of the legislation we want passed, he has a respectful working relationship with Speaker Pelosi, but when she wants something Harry’s constituents don’t approve of he has no fear of saying “no”. A guy like this is a good deal for us and for the people of Arizona 5.
There’s another Arizona problem brewing. Baby Quayle fluttered in to Arizona 3 ten short months ago, carpet bag clutched in his tiny claws, with dreams of picking up where John Shadegg left off. Standing squarely in his way is Democrat Jon Hulburd. I’ll just shut up here and let Jon’s record speak:
Hulburd earned his Masters in International Affairs from George Washington University, working at the U.S. Senate during the daytime and attending university classes at night. His Senate work ran the gamut of legislative office duties, including everything from intern to mail clerk to legislative assistant, eventually specializing in the policy areas of immigration, trade and foreign affairs.
It’s no wonder Baby Quayle is desperate to avoid debating this guy - he has agreed, finally, but he is trying to put it off until much of the early voting is done. I read a bit more of Hulburd’s background and I’m cringing - when this guy finally gets hold of Baby Quayle it’s gonna be painful to watch.
So, a thumpin’ success in Arizona 7, juicy targets in Arizona 5 and Arizona 3 ... and you guys are wasting innocent electrons and valuable time on meta minutia.
The Koch Brothers are trying to buy Arizona 5 for David Schweikert. Why are you not out there stomping them so hard the media has to pay attention?
Seriously, Baby Quayle is running, or more correctly he is hiding, and nobody here has stepped up to dig him out of his hole so Hulburd can get at him? Quayle used to write pr0n under the name Brock Landers - Where is the snark, people, where is the SNARK?!?!
OK, so that’s that. The Republicans put up the worst of the worst this cycle - there are plenty of easy targets. You see what was done for Grijalva - if you can string 500 words together, if you can write twice a week, and if you can bring a friend to help you can lead the mainstream media by the nose, drive Google results that benefit Democrats, and you’re worth 0.5% of a House district’s vote on 11/2/2010. That might sound like a small number to you, but it’s a Big Fuckin’ Deal to a campaign manager.
Operators are standing by ... @StrandedWind, or @Spedwybabs, or MinistryOfTruth, or @SandiBehrns, or @tickle_b and if not one of us we’ll certainly point you to someone else who can help you take care of business.
And lets not forget that these House races are downticket for Rodney Glassman's effort to retire McCain. Lighting fires in regional races boosts GOTV for the whole operation. Disclosure - we work for the Glassman campaign.