Hey Kossacks -- I'm posting Jerry's latest letter to his supporters here for you. He's on the campaign trail today, but he might be able to check the comments later if you have any questions for him (I'll join in on the comments as well). Enjoy the good news below. -- Eden w/ McNerney for Congress
Our campaign is on a roll.
It started with beautiful new direct mail pieces flooding the district and TV and radio ads hitting the airwaves (check out these ads at our new web site's multimedia page). From Manteca to Morgan Hill, we're getting our message to the masses and going toe-to-toe with Richard Pombo.
On Monday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recognized our campaign as an "Emerging Race" along with several other excellent candidates across America. According to the DCCC, the Emerging Races list is "made up of candidates who have taken traditionally non-competitive districts and, through the strength of their campaigns, put themselves in a position to win in November."
On Tuesday, the League of Conservation Voters enthusiastically endorsed my campaign for real change, citing my commitment to investing in renewable energy and reversing the climate crisis. I'm thrilled with this national endorsement from one of the most effective environmental organizations in America.
On Wednesday, after putting out a new call for contributions, we raised over $50,000 in five days. Your hard-earned dollars are being put to good use as we speak -- every dollar raised is paying for the field operations and voter contact materials necessary to combat Pombo's recent spending spree of negative attacks.
With only one week left until the Federal Election Commission deadline, we're less than $500 away from the most important financial goal of the campaign -- $1 million raised for this election cycle.
The best news this week has nothing to do with money or endorsements.
It's about people.
Volunteers are everywhere in the district, wearing Jerry McNerney shirts, passing out McNerney for Congress bumper stickers and talking to voters in all four counties. Tuesday was a wonderful example -- on short notice, over 40 folks streamed into our Dublin headquarters, envelope-stuffing a huge mailing to thousands of our supporters. Here's a photo of just one wave of volunteers who gathered that day:
It's so inspiring to see the outpouring of people participating in their democracy again after years of feeling shut out and shut down. It's not often in history that a small group of dedicated and inspired people can change the direction of a great nation -- and this is one of those times. My race is ground zero for change. If we work together, we can change the direction of our country.
If you've been waiting to get involved, wait no longer. There are only a few weeks left until absentee ballots are mailed! Next weekend, volunteers will be walking neighborhoods and calling voters in yet another Four-County Canvass. From Stockton to Pleasanton, there will be twelve different voter contact events in every corner of the district.
You can plug in anywhere you want. Just go to our new web site, click on "Events" in the menu bar, and click on "Upcoming Events" to check out all of next weekend's volunteer opportunities (events beyond this weekend can be found on our full Campaign Calendar).
There is a new energy in this district and our country. This rebirth of people power can defeat Richard Pombo in November and bring a breath of fresh air to Washington in January. Whether it's by contributing or volunteering, please realize your power today and get involved (and tell a friend!).
Thank you for everything you do.
P.S. Let's keep the good news going. A few days ago, A.J. Carrillo (my campaign manager) asked our supporters if we could meet our $1 million goal by Monday. I think we can do it BEFORE Monday! We're less than $500 away. Please help me "kick out the sell-out" right now at http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/contribute.
Update [2006-9-24 19:25:47 by McNerneyforCongress]: We did it!