Loebsack says "I filed papers to run" at 2nd district workshop.

[rurallib]

Acing as the MC for the speeches from gubernatorial candidates, David Loebsack began the evening the statement many of us had been waiting to hear. He said he had filed paperwork to run for the US House from the 2nd district last Wednesday.
I totally believe Loebsack can win. Leach has shown a stupendous lack of leadership over the last 4 years, save one vote not to go to war. The second district deserves much better representation than we have had. Representation that will consistently vote more in line with the people of the second district. I cannot imagine most people of this district would be truly happy if they knew Jim Leach was voting with DeLay and company 75% of the time. After 30 years you'd think Jim Leach would have enough stature and integrity to stand up to some of the shenanigans his party is pulling. Yet we hear nary a word.
I don't know about you, but I am beyond ready to help Leach return to Iowa to become a professor.
Loebsack will have a mountain to climb in taking on Leach. He'll need money for sure. Money donated now will help get his name out there before early. At some point I am sure he'll need some good volunteers, too. Here is his web site:
http://www.loebsackforcongress.org/

[Debi]

1. Yea!!!

[blueloo]

2. great

I'm excited about his candidacy. Leach has gone from Rockefeller Republican to budding conservative overnight. Does the University of Iowa student body have enough power to swing a congressional election? I know Wisconsin-Madison has proved that they do.

[rurallib]

3. Can the UI students swing the election? I'd say yes!

But not just with their votes. I have no doubt the good folks with the Johnson county Democratic Party will have an office with telephones and walking maps looking for help about a year from now. I'd think a strong and enthusiastic volunteer corp could really help swing voters line up behind Loebsack. They will help point out that the current rep is not as well loved as once believed.
Momentum can help carry the day. It almost did in Ohio 2 with Paul Hackett. There is nothing like young enthusiastic supporters to give momentum a huge boost. Hope you can help.
Johnson county and Linn county have lined up for Leach in the past. This despite a majority Dem registration. I think folks are finally waking up to what Leach is (and isn't) doing. Students can REALLY help tip the scale in those two counties. And they could add a little help in Muscatine county also.

[Debi]

4. This is an exciting time for the Second District

Cedar Rapids (Linn County) is in HUGE transition and Democrats can take over the representation of the county - with Linn and Johnson Counties supporting him Loebsack can beat Leach. Once again, this isn't just about getting David to Congress, if the fire is lit under the Supervisor/State Rep./State Senate races the Second District can be the Democratic District it should be!

We need Seth back here....he knows who is running for what and where in Linn County. He can explain it better than me.

[IA_Seth]

5. Linn County

You are right, Cedar Rapids is in HUGE transition right now.

The last I heard there were over 40 candidates that had filed for CR's new 9 member part time council. I expect that number to grow somewhat before its all said and done, however I also expect that of the 40 current candidates a third or so will probably drop out beforehand or have just a minor showing. These are all non-partisan positions, but there are some pretty solid Dems in the running at this point. The campaigns should be heating up here within a month or so. If I didn't think money would have been a problem I would probably try my luck at a seat!

Anyway, in addition to the new life being breathed into CR, we have some State Rep and State Senate races within the CR area that should provide some momentum to the Democratic cause. Tyler Olson, who I think is a future star of the Iowa Dems, is running in State House District 38, currently held by Rob Hogg-D (another solid Dem) who is giving up his seat to run for State Senate District 19 (which I believe is being vacated by Chuck Larson-R). I think both of these young Dems have a great chance at both winning their races and activating Dems in our area.

I am sure there are other races that I am leaving out, but I am at work after all!

[Debi]

6. I knew you'd have your finger on the pulse of CR!

I really believe that if both CR and Iowa City (Linn and Johnson Counties) have high Democrat participation, David Loebsack is your next Member of Congress. (As long as people aren't lulled into believing that Leach is one of 'Us'). We will need Democrats that vote straight party ticket.

I don't think Leach's "I didn't vote for the war" stance is going to be as helpful in this election cycle...he DID vote for the bankruptcy bill and I think that hurts Iowans young and old!

Great job Seth...keep us all informed.

(Will have the pleasure of meeting with David during the Iowa Federation of Labor Convention this week...)

Debi

[rurallib]

7. Working our butts off to turn Muscatine blue also

We've got Nate Reichert in the legislature, Kas Kelly as a supervisor and came through for Kerry. The reason this is so important is that the very heart and mind(?) of the Iowa GOP resides in Muscatine in the Octagon House Press and Iowa For Tax Relief group led by (I believe) David Stanley.
It absolutely killed them to lose their county last election. We are feeling our oats and are taking them on in their home territory. We did it before, we'll do it again.

[Debi]

8. Let me repeat myself...YEA!!!

This is awesome!