With the 2010 elections on everyone's mind, Progressives need to remember that their biggest opportunity to further our agenda is not in November. By the time the general election rolls around, we're stuck with whatever candidate the party has pushed through; whereas our real chance to influence the outcome in a meaningful way is right now, in the weeks leading up to the primary elections.
At this moment, we have a chance to help one of our own: Jennifer Brunner, who is running for U.S. Senate in Ohio. I’m new to the DailyKos community, and have mostly just lurked, but it’s clear to me that we all need to get involved in this race. Why? Here are 5 reasons:
1) She's got courage
President Obama called out in his final HCR speech, in Ohio, for courage. "We need courage", he said, adding "I don't know about the politics, but I know what's the right thing to do." The Senate could use a little more courage. As we just witnessed in the HCR fight, there's a void of courageous leadership at the national level, and she can help fill that void.
With all the threats being thrown around these days, it’s sadly relevant that Brunner has gone through all that before, as she oversaw the 2008 elections as Ohio’s Secretary of State. Attacked by Fox News and receiving death threats, she had to be guarded by the Highway Patrol. Did Jennifer back down in the face of those threats? I think we all remember how ’08 worked out...
2) She knows how to win
She understands the importance of the grassroots – and that in the new environment of activism + new (read: free) media, you can run a campaign on ideas and accomplishment instead of pure fundraising prowess. Wouldn't we rather have more politicians beholden to the voters instead of corporate sponsors? Jennifer understands that money counts, but votes - and voters - count more. Think of her as the anti-Coakley. She's definitely "feisty". And polls show that her method is paying off.
3) Progressives and other major constituencies support her
In a Democracy for America poll at Primary Matters, Jennifer was beating her opponent in the primary, Lee Fisher, 78% to 8%. That is not a typo. And it's not just Progressives that like Jennifer. The National Organization for Women endorsed her. Feminist Majority PAC loves her. And the Cleveland Stonewall Dems, in her opponent's own back yard, endorsed Jennifer. And she has huge support across Ohio's African American communities.
4) She understands what this race is about
Of course, jobs will be huge in November -- and her opponent was Ohio's Director of Development, before he pulled a Palin and quit to run for office full time, an act that makes him worthless in the general election, considering that Ohio's job situation is not so great.
But with the world moving on from HCR, the next big fight will be about reforming our financial institutions. Jennifer is the only Ohio Senate candidate in either party to reject all campaign donations from banks that received TARP funds. Jennifer is the only candidate with her hands clean, untouched by government-propped banks that are mercilessly buying politicians and foreclosing on homeowners.
This race will also be about money -- and with Brunner polling ahead of her primary opponent while spending 1/5 the money, she's the only chance we'll have in a general election where we're guaranteed to be outspent regardless of who our candidate is. And Rob Portman is raising more every day.
5) She’s just plain awesome
At least, Kossacks seem to think so.
It looks like the Brunner campaign is trying to do get in one last big fundraiser before April media buys start. Go to www.victoryforcourage.com. Take 5 minutes, $10, and show Jennifer what the grassroots can do for her. More important, let's show every other Dem out there what we're able and willing to do for any public servant with a prominent backbone. As Jennifer Brunner said when she filed to run for Senate: "Voters just want someone... who's willing to go to bat for them; and who's willing to say, 'I'm going to do what I think is the right thing even if I won't get elected again.' But I find that when you take that attitude, usually you're doing the right thing and voters like it."
UPDATE
I have just been informed that tea-baggers are protesting outside of Brunner's SOS office in Columbus. Will follow with more updates as they arise.