Anyone want a little hope?

[dorktv]

This is not much and I am as angry as I think I will ever be at the party leadership but...

My name is Elizabeth Rogers and I was the youngest woman running for congress in America. I was running against JD Hayworth. I had an uphill battle with no party support, and less then $5,000. I was unknown when I started my race in Feb. of 2004.


I got 38.1 percent of the vote.


I may not have won but I got 38.1 percent. We can do it, but we need to lay the ground work to restart the process. So please take some hope that the woman who ran against a million dollar candidate with no support from almost anyone nearly broke 40%. Rest for a few days and lets start the ground work to take our country back.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. If you were batting in the majors, Elizabeth .......

.......... you'd be an all star.

In my book, for you to post this, you're an all-star, anyway.

Good luck, and thank you. Hope's in short supply around here today.

[pk_du]

3. Same here...really good to hear

I'd say YOU have a future in this game!

[pk_du]

4. Same here...really good to hear

I'd say YOU have a future in this game!

[Rose Siding]

2. Bless you and congratulations on that accomplishment

That is exactly the kind of thing I needed to be reminded about. Thank you, Elizabeth.

[Carni]

5. Congrats...and might I ask

How in the hell did you stomach dealing with your opponent!?!

ACK! He's one of the most obnoxious IMO...every time that so and so shows his face on my TV I want to throw things!

[dorktv]

9. he did not come anywhere near me. Mainly because

I stand up to him and never let him do what he wants (lie and spin). I am not someone who lays down when the count is out. So I guess I will be starting my next race for congress in January of 2005. :) I need to start that early to get more doorknocking done.

[maddezmom]

6. If you run again, you'll get party support

and if you have campaign debts please post...I'm sure a few of us still have a little $ to help out. God Bless you Elizabeth and thank you for posting. You gave me the hope I needed. :hug:

[dorktv]

10. We do have some debt. $1100.

if anyone wants to help out...please do so. We can use the assistance.

[maddezmom]

21. down to $1000.00

Confirmation No.: 134355
Contribution To: Committee to Elect Elizabeth Rogers
Contribution Date: 11/3/2004
Amount: $100.00
Contributor: maddezmom(changed the name to my DU user name)

[dorktv]

22. THANK YOU!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

and my treasurer thanks you.

[maddezmom]

26. you're very welcome

lived in the great state of AZ for a couple years :)

[dorktv]

30. Hot place huh?

[CitySky]

7. Way to Go, Elizabeth!

I just checked out your campaign website. You are a brave and true American.

:thumbsup:

[stevedeshazer]

8. Inspiring

You only need 12% more next time! :)

[dorktv]

12. I was hoping for at least 42.2% but eh...this is good.

I wanted to hurt him so it is harder for him to run against our Gov. Next time the seat is going to be open.

[trotsky]

11. YOU ROCK, Elizabeth!

Way to go. Thank you for standing up, working hard, and making a difference. You've made me feel better than I have since the vote "counting" started.

[dorktv]

14. You are welcomed. Read George Lakoff's Moral Politics

and let's start thinking of how to reframe our message!

[KittyWampus]

13. Wow, You Are An Inspiration! And You Must Be One Smart Lady

[dorktv]

15. My IQ was tested at 165 once.

But I am a Deanie who decided to take her country back.

[KittyWampus]

72. Kick

[Metatron]

16. Well done!

I just nominated this thread for the homepage.

[dorktv]

18. wow thanks

*blush* I just want people to remember that we should not lose hope. And it is a matter of ground work. We can take our country back but it is one step at a time.

[Only Me]

17. I agree totally...I wrote in another post that I'm looking at all

this in a new light. I loved John Kerry and think he would have made a great president. Bush couldn't even come close in my book. The differences were and are so obvious.

But what will really make our case for the next election is Shrub himself. I truly believe by the time the American people get through with these next four years, they will be more than ready for a new plan. We must use every day we have to promote our party and to brainstorm ideals on what we need to take away some of those conservative votes. We just need to take nothing for granted and work these next four years as if they were our last four days.

I have faith we will take the next election by storm!

[dorktv]

20. Reframe the message.

They say Death Tax we say what?
They say Tort Reform we say what?
They say Big Government we say Smart Government
They say liberal we say what?
They say Family Values we say what?

We need to look at what they say, decide what our message is and then get something simple that will say the entire message in a few words.

Like when they say big government people think of inefficient, bloated, wasteful...We need to say Smart government where we have a sensible government that does what the people ask of it but then gets the heck out of the way.

[Only Me]

31. Agreed. Here are some

thoughts...just JaneQpublic with no political back ground (Me :))...

I think the messages needs to appeal to the majority vote and be optimistic. We really need to know what the average voter really wants from their party. We need not loose site of what we are
about...but also understand our government has to represent the majority voter and they come from all party lines. (we want some of their voters)

We hear grass roots people and some conservatives say less Government.
But if we really listen, the people often say things, like Corp. fraud or environment negligance.."How can these corporations get by with this? Why doesn't the government do something?" When jobs are being outsourced, the people say, "Why doesn't the government step in and put caps on these things? Why doesn't the government cap insurance payouts, why doesn't government have better labor laws?"

You get the ideal. Government is also seen as a safety net for many people, it's the balance between the haves and the have-nots. In that respect it is a very positive thing. I think it really works if the voting public is fairly happy with there elected.

Torte Reform: Needs reformed, but in my state medical liability is only $50,000 maximum medical. To me thats a state issue. I seriously don't believe it is quite the crisis it has been made out to be.

Family Values: Yep we gottem! :) This is where investment in our mid-low income families and education really come in. Hillary Clinton had the phrase similar to it takes a village, or a nation to raise a child. The emphases was place on community service and the importance of family unity. Her vision seemed to appeal to our humanity. Even though we know it doesn't take a literal community, it conveyed the message of "us" and not just "me".

(This one is tougher) They say Liberal we go ..Offense..not defense and say their Divisors, elitists or wage oppressors. I also like Repug but that probably wouldn't stick or would it?!

I truly believe the next time with people like you and people in the party staying active we can do this next election time.

[dorktv]

35. Wage oppressors! Yes! That is great.

And the Community message needs to be tweaked but would work. Dean was always saying "we are a community..." if you can convince people that New Jersey is part of the same community as Texas you can really get some things done.

[crispini]

19. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Good for you!

[MinnesotaMike31]

23. Very impressive!

Great job!

[Darth_Kitten]

24. Good for you!!!

That's pretty impressive!! :D

You've got the right attitude.

[dorktv]

37. Are you going to run too?

:)

[Darth_Kitten]

38. heh heh.....maybe I should, one of these days.....

but in Canada..... :) I'm canadian, but I'm really impressed by what you did. I really admire those who actually stand up for themselves. :)

[Demos]

25. I am proud of you.

It takes a lot of courage to run for Congress especially with no money. You are to be congratulated. God Bless. Next time you'll win.

[dorktv]

27. Next time I am starting in 2005 so I can get that extra

13 percent. :)

[americanwomanone]

28. Elizabeth I am already proud to be a woman but..............

you just raised my head a little higher. Way to go!

[dorktv]

29. Hi five!

Women can do it!

[yardwork]

32. Thank you and congratulations!

The darkest hour is just before the dawn.

[ethereal]

33. kudos to you

elizabeth,

would you share with us how you got started and give advice on getting started to those who might want to consider running for office in 2006? are there things you wish you'd known starting out that you had to learn the hard way?


you are an inspiration to us all, and i look forward to supporting you in your next efforts.

[WINEWOMAN7]

34. Thank you Elizabeth

It's people like you that are the hope of our country.

Dian

[dorktv]

36. Thanks...I think that it will be done but I hate to say it..

it will take time.

[Cuban_Liberal]

39. More reasons to hope:

We elected OUR guys to the 3 most powerful positions in the county, a FIRST. We elected 5 of OUR guys to the 12-member county board, a board that hadn't seen a Democrat since the Civil War.

Baby steps? Maybe--- but maybe not, too. There were roses among the thorns on Tuesday too, y'all.

:D

[dorktv]

59. Every revolution has a beginning and we are having ours!

[quaoar]

40. Congratulations, Elizabeth

You have done what I have been threatening to do for a number of years now.

When I voted Tuesday for Congress there was no Democrat on the ballot challenging our Republican congressman:

http://bachus.house.gov/NR/exeres/537B8A60-5856-4086-9AC1-FED8E20C1249.htm

He had no opposition two years ago either.

So I am seriously considering running in 2006, even if all it accomplishes is giving people like me an alternative on Election Day.

The big obstacle is whether I would have to quit my job to do it. I'm in the media, although I do not have anything to do with political coverage.

So, do you have any advice for someone thinking of doing this? Other than not taking out a second mortgage? LOL

BTW, if you post a link to your website, I'd be happy to help you pay down that debt.

[quaoar]

42. Found your website

Hope the contribution helps.

Here's the link in case anyone else wants to help retire Elizabeth's debt:

https://www.campaigncontribution.com/version6/process/info.asp?id=3196&jid=&firstname=&lastname=&address1=&city=&state=&zip=&email=&amount=&employer=&occupation=&homephone=

And the home page:
http://www.er2004.com/

[BamaGirl]

49. Keep us posted on the Bama board about your thoughts along

those lines, quaoar. Hopefully, you would not have to quit your job, and if it's visible, you start with name recognition. I'd really like to see some early brainstorming for 2006 pretty soon amoung the Bama DU members. (That was hint. ;) I can't start a post yet.)

[dorktv]

60. Here is what I say:

You have two years (I started in Feb. of this year but only was active since Feb of 2003 and then only in my local area's Dem set up as well as with the Deaniacs) so you have a good starting time.

1. Make sure the local and state party will back you with what you need as well as the local Democracy For America.
2. Start fundraising with someone else doing it for you. You can attend fundraising events and ask online but have someone else asking for the money. It helps if you are just about your message.
3. Knock on doors! I went to all sorts of local events but I did not knock on as many doors as I should have.
4. Know what your district is, and where you would best be able to show that you are different and BETTER then the other guy. I was totally different the last person who ran as well as JD.
5. Keep up with current news, and learn EVERYTHING you can about Terrorism, economy, law, American history, and what is currently going on in Congress. Voters will ask you all sorts of wacky things and they deserve an answer.
6. Read George Lakoff's Moral Politics and start helping the rest of the ground troops of the Democratic party with creating the buzz words on why we are better: they say Tax cut, we say Baby Taxers, they say big government we say smart government...Buzz words that have good concepts behind them will help us more then anything.
7. Learn to talk to media but then you know that already
8. If you live in a Christian area, read the bible and memorize a lot of sections that pertain to helping those in need. Also there is a chapter and verse that has the Savior saying pray in private. Use that if they keep hammering away at you. Explain that you keep your religion quiet as the Lord sayeth then quote the chapter. Unless you are not Christian.
9. Have fun!
:)
that is all I can think of!

[Cuban_Liberal]

41. Kick

:)

[annabanana]

43. Here ya go Elizabeth!

You might just retire that debt today! Go get that sumbitch!

Confirmation No.: 134367
Contribution To: Committee to Elect Elizabeth Rogers
Contribution Date: 11/4/2004
Amount: $25.00

[Chimpeach]

44. Elizabeth, you are a true patriot

YOU GO GIRL!

__________________

"The country we carry in our hearts is waiting." Bruce Springsteen

[dorktv]

61. thanks! That makes it $925!

[SiouxJ]

45. Way to go! Can't stand that JD

I live just south of your district. The repukes have such a stronghold in this area that your numbers are very impressive. Yes, it gives me hope! Thanks and congrats!

[dorktv]

62. You in Kolbe's? Eva did not too bad either!

36%

[JDPriestly]

46. You're way ahead of the rest of us.

You are doing the work we need to do everywhere. Educating people little by little about the promise we hold for America. Keep working. Next time you'll win.

[dorktv]

63. I certainly hope so!

I want to win so I can start getting the lame stuff that Congress passed thrown out!

[DinahMoeHum]

47. This fellow Deanie salutes you. . .three donkey kicks!

Are you familiar with the group League of Pissed Off Voters?
www.indyvoter.org

I'm thinking, we should try to build alliances with those folks as well as with Greens, other Green-leaning people and the Clean Elections folks. Did you get support from them?

Meanwhile, I'll send you some $$ by snail mail to help you relieve your debt. And if the debt is already paid by the time you get my $$, you can use it to start a new campaign chest!

:kick::kick::kick:

[dorktv]

64. I will...and yes...I am working a little with our local group.

[GreenPartyVoter]

48. Great job, Elizabeth! *hugs*

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[BamaGirl]

50. That's great Elizabeth!

38.1% sounds pretty good where I'm sitting! Our cand. did not do as well.

[dorktv]

67. Well we keep on fighting in the Free world!

I think that next time will be better for both of us....and remember that Richard Morrison got within ten points of DeLay. WE CAN TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!

[niwi]

51. You rock, Elizabeth!

Thanks so much for fighting the good fight!

[Don Keyhotay]

52. The Woman's Movement is Bankrupt, thanks Hillary

Elizabeth, I have gone to the NOW homepage and found that they are so blinded in partisanship that there is literally nothing said about women in Afghanistan since 2002. This is incredibly petty, considering what a cultural revolution has happened. The Democratic Party is pretty much the same. When we cannot even give a high-five to this issue due to partisan blindness, we are meaningless. What does the woman's movement mean when we excuse powerful men philandering with young interns? How can we just ignore 40% of Afghan women voting when two years ago they were being executed in stadiums?

The Democratic Party is supposed to support minorities and oppressed people. But we've become so fanatically amoral (to mollify gays) that we can't reconize how morality actually has meaning for oppressed people.

I say this to you because I believe Democrats could build a strong party if they would speak up on real women's issues, like crime. It is supremely unfair that working women have to pay equally to finance the societal costs of containing violent crime, when they commit less than 5% of the acts. Fix that and women can live well with lower pay.

[Don Keyhotay]

54. Funny how y'all clam up

When the hypocricies are pointed out.

[HEIL PRESIDENT GOD]

56. Actually

We clam up when freepers take a shit on our board.

[Qutzupalotl]

55. You need to learn what morality is.

It's not denying equality for people different from you so you can feel superior. It's treating people as you would want to be treated if you were in their shoes. "As you do unto the least of these my brethren, so you do unto me."

We like it that Afghan women can vote. But they still have to hide from men. The warlords control most of Afghanistan. And we had to kill a significant portion of their population just to do that. Nothing like imposing our culture on another country.

It is supremely unfair that working women have to pay equally to finance the societal costs of containing violent crime, when they commit less than 5% of the acts.

No, it's not. You get to live in a safe society. Put a price tag on that.

[Don Keyhotay]

57. Oh, thank you for correcting me.

I forgot I'm not supposed to judge other cultures. That would be so immoral, and "imposing our culture on another country". One should never conclude that freedom and democracy bring happiness and prosperity, because that is just American bigotry, right?

So, I will sit here and politely acquiesce emancipation, but add the caveat that it isn't complete enough, and besides, it's meddlesome.

I'll admit the idea of transforming the woman's movement to crime issues will never wash; not in a society where a woman alone after midnight is "axing for it", and the men like it that way.

[Qutzupalotl]

58. Revolutions have to come from within.

Imposing a revolution on a foreign country won't work, even under the guise of granting freedom. It won't be accepted. Look how unsuccessful Bush has been. Foreign forces will fail to subdue the basic spirit of freedom and nationalistic pride in Iraq and Afghanistan. We're resented as an invading force.

I'm sorry you bought into the lie that we invaded Afghanistan to liberate the women. The pipeline had nothing to do with it, right? And it's just a coincidence that Iraq has the second largest oil reserves, near the surface, ripe for the picking, huh?

And isn't it great that we're against drugs, but support opium production in Afghanistan?

[dorktv]

65. well now that you have that out of your system...

Start working to change that! We cannot change anything just by complaining! I am working with my DFA group (run almost by women I might add) and I am one of the three women that ran here in the state for congress. And yes I am not happy with what is being ignored in NOW and other groups about world wide and local women but we have to start somewhere. I challenge you to go to your local now and get crackin'!

[RetroLounge]

79. Enjoy your dirt nap asswipe

RL

[dorktv]

80. wow...that is what happens when you are tombstoned?

or do you get sent to the little town in Arizona?

[bemildred]

53. Good for you.

Talk to Democracy For America, maybe they can get you some money
next time.

[dorktv]

66. I believe I was officially the last person to be endorsed

by Dean but it was so close to the election it did not help. HOWEVER! I did get a ton of assistance from my local DFA group.

[bemildred]

70. Good. I give them money. You can have some.

:hi:

[dorktv]

71. hey thanks!

[Debbi801]

68. Thank you Elizabeth. You're right, we can do it. nt

[dorktv]

69. And we will do it because DFA is the best replacement for

the DLC...three strikes and you are out!

[RedSox02]

73. It must have been fun to run against JD

That guy is easy to dislike. He is as Conservative as they come and I am sure he has quite a political machine. I am really impressed that you had the guts to stand up to him. Your right, 38% with little or no support is impressive. I admire the heck out of you.

[dorktv]

77. Someone said I had no negative ads but not having any

support is just as bad as Paul's negative ads.


Frank Constanzo for State Party Chair!

[MoonAndSun]

74. I was one of the 38.1%, and I was proud to vote for you.

thank you for daring to try, it's people like you who will be the hope for our party. :hi:

[dorktv]

75. Yes...it was great to vote for myself...and who knows

maybe we will get it in two years!

[UNIXcock]

76. Considering JD Hayworth's popularity and following in Scottsdale ...

... you did GREAT!

[dorktv]

78. Thanks!

[Abelman]

81. EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO!

We need more people like you willing to take the chance and run. At the state, local, and Federal level. Personally, I think we should be concentrating more on these than on the Presidency.

I just envision what might have happened if we hadn't gotten so caught up in the Presidential race and devoted more time and effort to the Senate and House races.

[dorktv]

82. No kidding...Half of the campaign here in Arizona

was only for Kerry. What was left was devoted to "winnable" races that mostly lost.