Republican Party Chair for Massa

[trillian]

Cross posted from dkos

Republican Party Chair for Massa
by Eric Massa
Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 12:02:34 PM PDT

My campaign is gaining momentum and support from far and wide and from young and old. From my loyal Netroots enthusiasts - those internet aficionados who taught me how to bring the old town hall meeting to a global community - to older supporters who have seen this great nation through ups and downs, and who know what sort of country they want to leave for their grandkids. I am thankful for both kinds of support, and this campaign would not be as successful without it. More than anything, I'm proud of how this campaign has brought our district's citizens together, united in support of the values our campaign stands for, and the knowledge that our country needs change.

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Below is a letter I want to share with you. It is from Sherman Moreland, the former Chemung County Chair for the GOP and a born and bred Republican. If Sherman can no longer stand the tactics and values of the Republican Party - who can? And if you're like Sherman, fed up with the way things are going, or believe that grassroots candidates funded by everyday people (like the netroots community!) can make our country and NY's 29th a better place to live, then support the Netroots August Push by donating today...

Dear Eric:
I'm a life-long third generation Republican with 58 years of proactive party membership, but I'm having this problem staying the course. The policies, ideology and outcomes of the Bush Administration governance and buttressed largely by a go-along Congress are starkly in contrast with and contravene everything I have believed and thought my Party stood for.
Traditional fiscal conservativism has been turned on its ear into trillion dollar debt riding on a wave of annual deficit spending of hundreds of billions. Constitutional conservatism that jealously guarded our Bill of Rights, separation of Church and State and the built-in system of checks and balances has given way to the blatant disregard when found inconvenient to power and the unparalleled invasion by government into the private lives and affairs of its citizenry. All done for the sake of ideological dogma and national security witch hunts.
My choice seems to be either "Hail Caesar" or "Hell No, I won't go" for this bastardization of traditional Republican credos. My Party has been stolen by a Washington wrecking crew of Neo-cons and ninnies. Corporate and other special interest money has poured into the GOP coffers and into campaign slush funds managed by the like of the notorious Tom DeLay and used to buy the votes and loyalty of Congressman like "Randy" John R. Kuhl, Jr., who, I am told, has accepted more of such largesse than any other NYS GOP House member. Nonetheless, Randy assures us he is "no rubber stamp" for the Bush/DeLay axis. I've been told that when Tom DeLay tried to offer his largesse to Amo Houghton, Amo turned him down cold. Randy, you're no Amo Houghten. You're his antithesis. Consequently, I must in good conscience vote to replace you in Congress with your Democratic opponent, Eric Massa, who I understand is a well-intentioned, well qualified individual of principle and integrity, just the right mix.
Allow me the literary license to paraphrase a statement Republican, Senator Barry Goldwater thusly: "Mindless party loyalty is no virtue. Breaking with miscreant party leadership is no vice."
Sherman Moreland
Horseheads

Read the original letter


Part of the reason I wanted to share this letter with you is that it highlights how important it is to be open to new ways of thinking - to be ready to make a change when you know it's the right thing to do. Like Sherman, I try to live my life that way. Certainly, when I began this campaign, I had no idea what an important role the Internet would play in the election - and now I can't imagine running a successful campaign without it. Among other things, Netroots epitomizes the political dialogue that we'd like to see in halls of Congress, the transparency and inclusion we need more of in our government. I'm so proud to be a part of this movement, and thankful for all the good friends I've met at the Yearly Kos Convention and on the blogs.
I know you've already done so much for me, but I need to ask you to do more - we need to win this November, and to do so we need your support. My financial filing deadline is TODAY. Help me continue to raise more money than my Republican opponent, Randy Kuhl. And don't forget: donations go further in NY's 29th district. Prices are lower here, so a dollar spent here is more powerful and helps our campaign more than in most districts.
So if you have the resources, donate to my ActBlue Netroots Page, and to all of the other outstanding Netroots candidates.

[NCarolinawoman]

1. As I understand it, he is running in the "reddest"district in NY state.

I believe that the people there just need to get to know Eric Massa, who is a class-A individual. This is what I believe about Jim Webb as well. They just need the money.

[jen4clark]

2. True and true!!

Eric is a gem and once people see/hear him they realize he's the "real deal." As General Clark said the other day, when he was stumping for Jill Derby here in NV, as bad as it is that winning campaigns is all about money, that's the reality right now and that's what we deal with now. I don't have tons of money, but if everyone sends a little, it adds up.


Thanks for the post trillian! I think many Repubs -- at least the ones with a conscience -- would love Eric.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Massa was actualy the very first recipient of 06 money from ......

........ la famiglia de Sparklies. I wrote him a check way bigger than I've ever written to any politician any time in my life. Sparkly and I met him at a 'thing' in DC. We'd gotten there early and he was on hand. The crowd was thin then and we got to speak with him pretty much one on one for nearly 45 minutes. I wrote him the check on the spot.

Since then, my attention's turned elsewhere. How's he doing against Randy So UnKuhl? Does anyone have any polling data?

[Donna Zen]

4. You joined MrZ

We were staying at a hotel, and by the time I made it downstairs for a Massa breakfast, MrZ had already been cruising the scene. I asked MrZ about writing a check for Eric Massa. Ha, he had already done it. To meet Eric is to want him in congress.

Anyway, I write the political checks in my house. This was the first and only one written by the Z-man...only Eric could have performed that small miracle.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. It was easy to do .....

.... we talked 'Navy shit' most of the time.

He has way better sea stories than I do.