Congresswoman Mazie Hirono of Hawai`i is running for U.S. Senate. I am asking you to please consider signing up today to contribute $5 per month to her campaign. Here are 5 reasons why I think that would be a great investment:
1) She's a reliable, courageous progressive.
2) She's a leader.
3) She's a pragmatic, effective legislator.
4) She's compassionate.
5) She's in a tough, important race.
I'll provide some links to substantiate these statements (and provide a contribution link) if you'll please follow me below.
1) She's a reliable, courageous progressive.
Throughout her tenure in Congress, Mazie has consistently had one of the best voting records, and she currently ranks in the top five of Progressive Punch's ratings. She's also had the courage to stand nearly alone on matters of principle and conscience. I think reliability, bravery, and foresight should be rewarded.
On the Edmund Pettus Bridge outside Selma, Alabama (on the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail).
2) She's a leader.
Beyond voting well, Mazie has taken the lead on important issues, notably including early-childhood education, renewable energy and alternative modes of transportation, and - perhaps most important of all - the People's Budget. This is the only budget initiative currently in Congress that actually achieves fiscal responsibility, and as a nice bonus it does so by promoting social justice. I think the People's Budget will provide a roadmap for progress in future campaigns and legislative sessions. Mazie's leadership has been recognized nationally by Pre-K Now and locally by the YWCA of Hawai`i Island (among others).
With constituents at home in Hawai`i.
3) She's a pragmatic, effective legislator.
Mazie has shown a knack for working with colleagues of all persuasions to get good legislation passed. Remarkably, she's even been able to do it in the Boehner Congress. How does she get things done, even in trying circumstances? I don't think there's any magic to it. I think it's all about hard work and tenacity. Determination should also be rewarded, I think.
At work in Congress.
4) She's compassionate.
Mazie has often provided a voice for those who aren't always heard in Congress, taking up the causes of Filipino veterans and their families, the Native Hawaiian community, and the girls and women who rely on Planned Parenthood for health care. She's also stood strong against the attacks on Social Security and Medicare, knowing that those programs are literal lifelines for so many. Her compassion extends to the animal kingdom. A longtime animal lover (who's been known to give a pet cat an entire section on her campaign website in the past), Mazie has prioritized habitat protection for Hawai`i's many endangered and at-risk species. She also recently introduced legislation that will help to further the animal-human bond, the K-9 Companion Corps Act.
Defending access to health care for women and girls.
5) She's in a tough, important race.
In 2012, Hawai`i will have an open U.S. Senate seat for the first time in 36 years. There's a lot at stake, and this will be a hard-fought race. As reported today, it's not clear how many Democrats will run in next summer's Democratic primary. Mazie has the highest favorability ratings of the potential candidates (indeed, she's the most popular politician in the state). But progressive women always face challenges in big races, particularly from a male-dominated punditocracy. The next fundraising cycle ends this month. As the frontrunner, Mazie faces high expectations, and her fundraising report will be scrutinized for both the level of money raised and the number of donors. If she's perceived to do well, that will lead to even better fundraising opportunities. (Ellen Malcolm was absolutely spot-on when she famously declared that early money is like yeast - it makes the dough grow.) Every dollar contributed is important, and every donor is important. Small donors are critical!
On a Maui farm.
Thanks for reading and for considering a contribution. Monthly contributions can be set up easily on my ActBlue page.
Aloha and mahalo!