Jim McDermott needs our help NOW!

No, I'm not kidding.  A safe blue seat in the heart of Seattle needs all the help that we can give it, today, now.  What's this about?  John Boehner.

Dear Friend:

I woke up Tuesday morning with some bad but not unexpected news.

An earlier decision was expected, but the Judge stalled for two months before releasing his final fee decision in the Boehner v. McDermott legal matter late Monday afternoon.

Short version . . . the Judge ruled that I must pay $1,111,388 in legal fees and interest. As of today, my committees have $996,871 on hand. I need to raise:

$143,717.43

A "demand" letter from Boehner's legal team is on its way. I have been advised that the money is due immediately. Payment is needed to clear this matter up once and for all.

There is a way (maybe the only way) for me to get from here to the $143,717 that is needed to end this long costly legal battle.

It is with your help! Your support today is vital.

Please contribute now!

Here's the rest of the email:

As a result of the long legal case, new First Amendment case law has been established and we have succeeded in protecting the right to dissent in our country. I am - we all should be - proud of our effort to defend and strengthen our First Amendment rights.

Now is the time to move on - there are important matters before Congress that need undivided attention.

Legislation that I sponsored to provide up to $7 billion for critical unemployment relief is pending and under attack by Republicans. Those unemployment dollars will provide a safety net for low-income families caught in the sinkhole of the Bush Administration's financial melt down - certainly a better use of federal dollars than funding wars.

Another issue that requires undivided attention . . . IRAN!

Can't you feel it? I can! It's the same feeling I got just before the Bush Administration rushed into the Iraq war. I spoke out bluntly against the Iraq war and warned the American public about the lengths to which the Bush neo-cons would go to get their way.

   * Speaking out forcefully against the Iraq war was the right thing to do!
   * I am proud of the long legal battle to defend our First Amendment freedoms. It also was the right thing to do.
   * And. . . my unemployment relief legislation to protect those hurt by the economic downturn is the right thing to fight for in the Congress.

Above all, constant pressure on the Bush Administration and scrutiny of their chest-pounding bravado for a war with Iran is the right thing to do!

I appeal to you to send an immediate donation to my Legal Expense Trust today, so that I can settle this legal matter! Let me devote all of my time and attention to the important matters before Congress and do all I can to elect a new President in the fall!

Your donation today to the McDermott Legal Trust - www.McDermottLegalTrust.com - will reach the Legal Trust in time to make the final payment.

Sincerely,

Jim McDermott