I've published a series of primaries matter diaries over the past few weeks including an epiphany diary about how I learned that challenging Dem incumbents matters
Even then just 11 days ago there were some comments in that diary that surprised me
We can't Win in Pennsylvania
We will lose in Arkansas Regardless
But as you know , we did win last night in Arkansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. These were not just moral victories for progressives. These were hard fought real count em at the ballot box victories.
Keep reading to learn about my $100 Candidate match tonight
In January, our friend MinistryofTruth invited Joe Sestak to come live blog with us over at The Progressive Electorateand he gladly accepted the invitation. Like many others we took a leap of faith and endorsed Sestak.
Answers like this from soon to be Senator Sestak transformed my moment of epiphany into taking action
I would never have voted, in contrast to Arlen, to permit the deregulation of Wall Street, that gambled with our seniors' savings and the homes of working families; nor for tax cuts, of which 53 cents of every dollar went to the 1 percent wealthiest of Americans; nor to twice try to privatize Social Security; to cut Medicare by almost 300 billion dollars; against SCHIP 3 times, including for lower-income pregnant women; against Pell Grant increases four times; and against an increase in Vet funding for PTSD for returning service members; or for a tax loophole that ship jobs overseas and allow corporations to keep profits abroad rather than pay taxes; nor for the "Halliburton loophole" that forbids EPA from knowing which chemicals Halliburton is using to drill for natural gas in Pennsylvania...and 2,000 other votes for President Bush's failed policies.
I believe in education security, and worked successfully for the increase in Pell Grants, Stafford Loans and Perkin Loans; and a health care plan from the day I got into Congress; and economic security focused on working families, not big business. There is much more, as we will here, that I am for, as we go on tonight. But probably the biggest difference is on principled, accountable leadership: I would lose my job to do what is right. The type of deal to keep Senator Specter's job that was made is against the principle that we are no longer a country of kings and king makers and that the party is one that discourages people from being part of the process. The establishment forgot that we did not gain the White House through political calculation, rather it was audacity and the belief in the working family.
We bucked the "political kingmakers" last night and did what we thought was right for where we want our country.
We have a little more than five months until the general midterm elections. Still a lot of time to prove the pundits wrong. We will not be a victim of history and lose fifty seats in the House. We will not lose several Senate seats.
Last night showed us that we want real change even in our party. Last night showed us that we aren't going to be told by the Democratic establishment that we have to support their handpicked candidates.
Continue to push for Bill Halter in Arkansas for the next few weeks. Continue to help Joe Sestak get momentum against Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania. Continue to help Jack Conway against Rand Paul in the Bluegrass State.
We now have all of these candidates on our Progressive Electorate/Daily Kos Act Blue Page
Help us reach our goal of $30,000 raised this cycle
We also have others that are fighting to win their primary. Support them or another candidate of your choice.