We're now thick into another month, heck now we're even moving into another season, and still there's no one standing up to challenge Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia in his 2010 re-election bid. That is, not yet.
When the Draft Jane Kidd movement launched, we knew we would have to urge Jane to reconsider her position not to seek office in 2010 and to run to fight for Georgia's families and continue on her family's legacy of leadership. I was so excited to see Jane stand up to Johnny on healthcare reform, one of the hottest issues and one that presents a clear choice for Georgia voters between the two parties. She definitely looks like she can handle Johnny, and looks like she's ready to lead.
But, of course, there's more to the case to draft Jane Kidd then all of this. This, we hope, will begin to show why we need to draft Jane Kidd to run for US Senate.
To take on any sitting Senator is a daunting challenge. Taking on Johnny Isakson in Georgia in 2010 is no different. However, there is a path to launching a successful campaign and continuing to build a movement on the legacy of grassroots and leadership. Having the strongest possible candidate run at the top of the ticket in Georgia’s 2010 general elections is a crucial element in having any chance to win the Governor’s mansion or other statewide seats. It is also very important to consider who can deliver picking up votes and driving turnout in key state house and senate districts (especially right before the redistricting process begins) when drafting a candidate to run for Senate. There is an answer: Jane Kidd.
As chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, Jane is in the perfect position to transition to candidate for Senate and take on Johnny at the top of the ticket. Right now, the Georgia GOP is in chaos and there is a ripe opportunity to counter their extreme crop of candidates lining up for statewide office in 2010. There's only one problem - the Democrats are just as chaotic with yet another over-crowded primary for Governor and no clear face or message for the party. Jane can unite the party and give them a platform to believe in - she looks like she started to show that already with her confrontation of Johnny this week.
Jane is already the leader of the party and with such a gap at the top of the ticket, it's a natural transition for her to be the face of the ticket moving forward. Georgia needs a voice in the Senate again, and Jane is not only the leading figure in her party but she is one of the most high-profile women in the state.
There is an immediate opportunity brewing with the healthcare debate to hit Isakson and gain more name recognition while uniting Democrats under a key theme, which will pass. It's great Jane already is jumping in as the leading face for the Democratic message against Johnny.
Jane can launch her bid against Johnny Isakson with an aggressive health insurance reform message. This could not only quickly bridge a divide on a centerpiece issue, but would propel Jane into the media and get her name out quick with the most hot button issue out there. This also quickly reconnects Georgia to the national debate and attention, also good for Jane and the Democratic Party of Georgia.
Jane can also continue to hit the GOP by forcing Isakson to discuss controversial lies and nonsense of the far-rigth,such as “death panels” which he is connected to, and possibly create a wedge in state candidates and the GA GOP. This will come full circle with the vote on the healthcare bills and Isakson likely voting against the bill which will pass and can further isolate Johnny and the Georgia GOP to the extreme right.
Jane can also tout her past support for and successes of SCHIP and recall Isakson’s failed leadership for our children voting against SCHIP three times in the Senate. As a mother and grandmother, Jane will have a stronger platform to reach out and connect with women and moderate voters on this issue. For elderly voters, Isakson also voted against lowering prescription medicine costs, proving a failed track-record on health issues across the board.
There are also many opportunities also present to attack Isakson on his women’s issues and target moderate and independent female voters across the state. Specifically, his recent vote against Hispanic nominee Justice Sotomayor, which also can build bridges with the Hispanic community early on in the campaign, and his vote against the Lily Ledbetter Act and Equal Pay Bill.
Jane could continue to hammer that Isakson and his party represent no solutions, no vision, and no answers for our problems. While Jane isn’t the Senator, Isakson should be pressed to lay out his vision and platform, while Jane can remain steadfast in her longstanding vision of key Democratic principles and the vision that is being laid out by the administration and the Congress. The key fact there is that as a Senator, Jane would instantly bring Georgia to the table and provide better representation at this crucial time in our country.
Jane is a very unique candidate and in a one-of-a-kind position. Her family background provides her with opportunities which shouldn’t be passed up. The Vandiver name still has impact in pockets of the state, and Jane was meant for this seat. Jane comes from a family of Georgia Giants and her connections cross all backgrounds, all walks of life, all parties. Jane Kidd is just right for Georgia.
We need a leader who can fight for us. This is only a start of the case to draft Jane Kidd, but an important start. I hope you take the time to sign the petition, to spread the word and to encourage Jane Kidd to fight for us! It's time to draft Jane Kidd for the US Senate.