Cross-posted at MyDD with minor changes.
Hi, everyone. As you know, my Dad is Jack Carter, who's running for US Senate in Nevada. The campaign has really started to take off - we won the primary last week (thanks to edgery for breaking the news here at DKos), and now we're definitely moving into the next phase of the campaign. Here's what you'll get in this campaign update:
- Joint appearance with Wes Clark
- Interview with Reno blogger, Myrna the Minx
- The next phase of the campaign - we need your help!
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Joint appearance with Wes Clark
The day after the primary (you can see the results here), Wes Clark joined Dad at campaign headquarters. The statement released by the campaign reports:
Jack Carter, the Democratic nominee for United States Senate, today declared that "our national security is surely the most important issue America faces today" as he met with Gen. Wesley Clark, the founder of the Securing America political action committee.
Speaking at Carter campaign headquarters, Gen. Clark called the war in Iraq "a war without a winning strategy." He added, "The war on terrorism is not exactly being won," and called on Nevada voters to support Jack Carter's senate campaign.
After winning the Democratic primary Tuesday night, Carter told supporters that Americans "are looking for a focused attack on Al Qaeda instead of a breeding ground for new terrorists." Gen. Clark echoed those remarks, saying, "People are looking for leadership in the U.S. Senate, looking for people who are thoughtful, caring, and have insight. I think Jack Carter is just that sort of guy."
The retired four-star general and former Presidential candidate added, "I think there's a revolt coming from grassroots America. I think they're tired of being deceived." Looking ahead to the campaign between now and the November 7th general election, Jack Carter said, "This marks the true beginning of the battle for our country."
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Interview with Myrna the Minx
Myrna the Minx runs a great blog called Reno and its Discontents that has become a must-read for Nevada political types. She has also begun a semi-regular guest-posting gig at Taylor Marsh's place. For a really great introduction to John Ensign, my Dad's opponent, read this post. Scary stuff.
She did an email interview with my Dad a couple weeks ago. Here's are a few excerpts (but you should read the whole thing):
MTM: You are from one of America's great families-your parents have dedicated themselves to addressing global poverty and elections and other social justice causes-I'm compelled to ask you what its like to grow up in that kind of environment and to be a part of the Carter family? What does it mean to you to be a part of the Carter Legacy?
This is a tough question because answers about one's family are very complicated. Instead, let me tell you what I learned first hand that other people might not have picked up in their lives.
When I grew up, I believed there were two classes of people, the ones on TV and the rest of us. The ones on TV were talented, smart, knowledgeable and somehow better than us. In 1972, Dad was Governor and all the Democratic contenders for the Presidential nomination routed themselves through Atlanta. These included McGovern, Lindsey, Humphrey, and many others. With the exception of Hubert Humphrey, I was disappointed in every one of them. Looking back at it, I suspect that they were ordinary when I expected Super. My image of the "better class" was shattered.
My mother called us into a family meeting in late 1973 and announced to us that "your father is going to run for the Presidency of the United States." Our immediate reaction (the three sons ranged in age from 21 to 26, Amy was 6 and didn't participate much) was, "Cool. We've met the other guys and you're better than they are."
I was in law school during Watergate. That, coupled with my experience in the Navy with Vietnam, left me with a fairly cynical view of the American public. But our campaign required us to spend nights in our supporters' houses, giving me a first-hand look across the nation at the average American family. I had a political epiphany. I discovered that my fellow countrymen were well-informed, full of reasonable solutions to the problems of the day, and totally unselfish. All they wanted out of their involvement was good government.
So, I've learned that 1) the guys who run things are not better than we are, and 2) we, the average Americans, are very well able to run things by ourselves. And, not only are we as qualified, but we're a lot more able to run things without thinking that we're better than everyone else.
I have no conflict between religion and science. I majored in physics. I believe in galaxies, other planets, global warming and stem cell research . . . and God.
MTM: Your opponent, John Ensign, has been dubbed one of the 50 most beautiful people on Capitol Hill and a white man who can jump by Wonkette. Obviously, he's a man of considerable talents. How can you compete with someone like that?
I can play "Sweet Home Alabama" on the guitar. Rock-n-roll.
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What's coming up
After he won the primary, my Dad made this statement:
Nevadans are looking for solutions instead of partisan bickering. They are looking for a focused attack on Al Queda instead of a breeding ground for new terrorists. They are looking for fiscal responsibility instead of exploding budget deficits. They are looking for an energy policy that doesn't pay oil companies. In short, they are looking for the same things I will be working for in Washington as their Senator.
You can help make this a reality! The campaign on the ground is really shaping up. In the past two weeks, the campaign has grown. We've had to get new office space to accommodate the number of people who have volunteered for the campaign. What we need most is
money. If you can't contribute, talk to one of our new full-time volunteers,
Greg, who has been and will be soliciting your help for the campaign. John Ensign will always have a cash advantage over us - we've got to overcome that advantage with hard work and dedication. Read
Greg's introductory diary and email him if you think you can help. It should be tons of fun, and really, there's no better calling than bringing some sanity back to this great country. Here in Nevada, we've got a great shot at taking this seat!
Thanks for reading!
Sarah
You can always find more at the Carter Blog