Fighting Dem Carl Sheeler (RI-Senate) Live blogging at Kos

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Carl is live blogging at http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/16/125812/011">dkos right now.


Fighting Dem Carl Sheeler (RI-Senate); What Makes Carl Run
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What Makes Carl Run?

I suppose this question could be asked of any candidate in any primary race. But why has it so persistently come up in the Rhode Island Senate race? Part of the answer is in the following. Lincoln Chafee, the first term Republican incumbent (the most vulnerable of candidates), is running a neck to neck race with a "Reagan Republican" challenger in the GOP primary. For this and other reasons, the DC Political Report gives this race a five star (most competitive) rating with a likely Democratic win. This alone should make the Democratic field for the campaign a crowded one. Yet there are only two serious candidates left: Carl Sheeler and Sheldon Whitehouse. Other candidates have dropped out or are simply out of play. Whitehouse has a larger treasure chest than Chafee, he has greater name recognition as an ex-Attorney General and former candidate for Governor of Rhodes Island, and he is supported by the Democratic establishment who fear a repeat of the race in 2000 where a contentious primary battle among Dems paved the way for the Lincoln Chafee win.

The field was more crowded previously. After the third quarter of 2005, the two "forerunners" were Whitehouse and Matt Brown, the current Secretary of State. At this time Whitehouse and Brown were in a fundraising battle and Carl as late as February of this year was under the radar at around 5%. Dems dismissed his candidacy and Pundits suggested that with good luck Carl might top out at 10%. Now in a recent poll, Carl is just 10% shy of Whitehouse in a recent poll (Whitehouse's 55% to Sheeler's 45%) and Matt Brown, despite his name recognition, well-established party support and former fundraising ability has dropped out and Carl has advanced in fundraising and name recognition to become a serious challenger.

Clearly, many folks in Rhode Island find that his candidacy has meaning. And when you calculate into the mix the fact that a 32% of the primary voters (the most likely GE voters) are still undecided, you have the makings of a volatile primary race. Certainly this indicates that the Democratic nomination is not a shoo-in for Sheldon Whitehouse as far as voters are concerned. Carl has gone from the dark horse candidate far behind Sheldon Whitehouse and Secretary of State Matt Brown who were favored by the party, successful in fundraising, and better known to voters. If the trend continues as Carl picks up momentum, the race will be a dead heat by the September 12th Democratic primary. Carl has become a major contender against all odds.

So two good reasons that Carl is running is that the Republican incumbent is there to be beaten and the people of Rhode Island are not completely sold on Whitehouse as the man to do it. And we will see below that further factors in Carl's rise is his own winning character (personable, straight from the shoulder, connected to the people), strategic sense (his billboards all over Rhode Island were a move that have had a huge impact), and his indomitable spirit. Many have voiced that they want a serious option to the politics-as-usual, recycled candidates and Carl has become their man.

But what does Carl Sheeler himself say about the reasons he is running? When Fighting-Dems.com asked Carl this question, here is what he told us:

Why I am running for US Senate (D-RI)… why now?

If Lincoln Chafee had run as a Democrat or Independent, I might not be running for U.S. Senate. I’d raise my kids, be a good husband, neighbor and friend. If among all the ethical, high quality people we have in Rhode Island had run for US Senate, as a Democrat, I’d remain a business owner, teach college courses, write articles and do what most middle class families do.

But instead, we have Sheldon Whitehouse. I have no ax to grind with Sheldon. In fact, he has called me “very likeable” and I appreciate it. But I’ve done my opposition research just as his Republican opponents have. His past lapses will undoubtedly be raised by the media and/or his opponent(s) to the detriment of providing bipartisan balance in our US Senate.

Too few elected officials are willing to break ranks from partisan posturing so the job gets done on behalf of the public. I expect our leaders to be selfless in their public service even above partisanship. No one, no matter how wealthy, well connected or Ivy League educated is above our laws. If an elected official, even the President, ignores the law, I expect (s)he to be held accountable. We need folks who will be willing to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution. Our Constitution is what allows us to be uniquely Americans.

I’m running because when Sheldon first announced, his campaign wanted to “stay the course” in Iraq. I’m running because his campaign has repeatedly merely attacked Chafee and the Republican Party instead of offering real solutions to our bread and butter issues that we working families experience. I chalked that up to his being born into privilege. The “disconnect” between those from working and wealth income happens all too often.

I’m running because history shows when candidates receive contributions from the wealthy and special interests, they seldom provide access to folks like you and me. This is why our youth, our elderly, our struggling, our military personnel and veterans receive a lower priority than that of health care, insurance, energy and education lobbyists

Those originally signing our Constitution recognized to avoid the dire results of too much power in too few hands our government needed to have checks and balances. They recognized there would be conflicts and classes of people.

They understood the influence of religion and law. They understood people wanted their rights protected and our government’s role is limited to ensuring our pursuits of prosperity, freedom and justice.

I’m running because in order to serve well and decently one leads by putting the public first. We’ll have our differences locally and globally, but a statesman finds the common good to build bridges. The time is now to honor our troops and bring them home. The time is now to lower fuel costs by improving our Middle East and energy policies. The time is now to engage faith-based, civic, business and academic organizations to find values based solutions to quality education, family security and health. One million dollar a month political ads are great – but enduring bipartisan solutions are better. It’s time.

Why have voters responded to Carl Sheeler's candidacy?

Carl is the kind of guy who you'd trust your kid sister with and who'd lend you his pickup truck to move some gear across the state. He can blend with the beer and pizza crowd or play short stop, but has the mannerisms to wear the pinstripes in the boardroom without airs. This is likely because of his modest Brooklyn youth and serving as a combat officer with his fellow Marines in the bush and desert on tanks. He's a blend of street and book smart and has the credibility in the courtroom, boardroom or an armored column.

His parenting five kids, self depreciating, hard working, sometimes failing, sometimes achieving business savvy and insight have broad appeal to small business owners, every day folks and intellectuals alike. He's no nonsense, but has wit and the courage of his convictions to challenge status quo and say what many are thinking. He's respectful of those who are faith based as well as those having political differences and sees the commonality in and cause-and-cure for most issues.

His opponents and even establishment political parties have referred to him as likeable, articulate and intelligent. He takes the seriousness of what needs to be done to heart, without taking himself too seriously. This "can-do" spirit is infectious among volunteers and those who meet him for the first time. Authentic responses to pointed questions bode well for him to the detriment of detractors.

This is almost the exact opposite of the case of his Democratic opponent, who has endeavored to reinvent himself in Carl's image, to include changes on his platform, but can't lose the patrician aristocratic air that prevents him from making others feel good about themselves and comfortable with him. His vacillating and evasive responses to sharp questions appear inauthentic and run counter to his claims of being a progressive populist and moderate -- which he projects himself to be through the prism of his team of DC advisors who are shaping his image.

This same Ivy League, khaki pant, blue sport coated limousine liberal is unlikely to watch softball as he is to have played it. Even his commercials make reference to his father's service a Marine and ambassador, not his own single term as a state attorney general. He simply does not "get" every day kitchen table issues that are not part of the life of the privileged set.

Carl is willing to challenge the electorate by addressing our shared responsibility that our democracy is not a spectator sport and allowing it and our American dream to erode is not an option on his watch. It's the bearing and the meaning in his message that has Carl joining ranks of Russ Feingold and Paul Wellstone before him.

This is the answer given last February by tas on loadedmouth.com in wanting a real Fighting Dem:

Democrats need to start fighting. Bare knuckles, no punches pulled, and attacking hard. No more me-too Democrats… No more poll-watching Democrats who are too concerned with poll numbers rather than soldiers dying in Iraq. No more wannabe-bipartisan Democrats who are sensitive to Republican's false criticism that Democrats are "hateful"… What strikes me about Sheeler is that he just comes out and says what needs to be said; what he believes…. He doesn't tap dance around the issues and try to be politically safe, he just comes right out and says it: "IMPEACH BUSH"…

And in a press conference cited by tas, Carl had ended with these fighting words: "I’m fighting to get our country back, our democracy back. I’m fighting for my family and for yours, too." So tas concluded: "Our Sheeler for U.S. Senate campaign is about working folks who share our convictions by challenging Americans regardless of party affiliation to engage in acts of patriotism …Sheeler needs our support. We can't shun him. The Democrats need to be sent a message that we intend to fight."

On June 6th, Ava Lowery, the peace activist who has come into prominence with her website, Peace Takes Courage, endorsed Carl with these words in the article The People's Senator: Carl Sheeler

When Americans think of politicians today, they tend to think of people who are not like themselves. We don't have many politicians today that we see as being that average American who we connect with - a person that truly speaks for us. Carl Sheeler is that average guy who speaks for the average American. Sheeler is an antiwar Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senator in Rhode Island. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who served in the first Gulf war. Sheeler ran in 2004 as an Independent, against a four-term Republican State Senator in 2004 garnering 41% of the district's vote even though he had entered the race late. Mr. Sheeler is one of the few politicians left who seems to have a grasp on what the American public truly wants. He cares what the average American thinks and he truly represents the ideals that he claims to stand for. He is a man of integrity, courage, commitment, and patriotism. Peace Takes Courage is proud to endorse Carl Sheeler for U.S. Senator. On September 12, vote for a candidate that truly represents us.

In her interview with Carl, he gave the following answer to the question "What do you think is the most important issue facing America today?

Absence of representative leadership that upholds the oath to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution and places the good of the many over that of the few. This is the root cause why we invaded Iraq and has resulted in the lost faith and hope of our citizens that domestic security and the proper preservation of our troops and tax dollars would be restored to a much needed domestic agenda and revised foreign policy that extricates from its core the motivations of the energy industry.

Leadership is the key. And we need a higher standard of leadership in the U.S. Senate.

Carl Lloyd Sheeler for U.S. Senate (Rhode Island)
Marine Veteran, Small Business Owner Family Man, Educator and Democrat

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Carl Sheeler's billboard, " Be Patriotic, Impeach Bush " (shown above), faces southbound traffic north of Providence on the east side of I-95. Facing the northbound traffic is the other billboard, "Fund Our Future, Not Bush's War".
Website,
Blog, Issues,
Biography,
Contribute

Military Service:
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps. U.S. Marine Corps combat & staff officer and training instructor who participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Earlier on in high school, after receiving Senatorial and Congressional nominations to the US Air Force Academy, Carl broke his wrist and was no longer qualified. Carl says, "There is no shame in success or failure, just another lesson." Carl is a member of the Marine Corps Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the RI Retired Officers Association of the U.S. and the Rhode Island Veteran’s Action Center.

Family:
Carl was born in Brooklyn, NY, is married to Sara and has five children, including step-children. Carl's former and current wife, both of whom were marines, fully support his candidacy.

Education:
Dr. Sheeler has a Ph.D. with a concentration in finance from Union Institute and University (Cincinnati, OH); he graduated from the Command and Staff War College and Amphibious Warfare School (Quantico, VA non-resident program); his bachelors with Concentration in Industrial & Organizational Psychology was from the University of Illinois-Chicago. He has also attended University of Maryland (College Park), Undergraduate and Graduate School programs.

Career:
Presently a business owner and financial expert witness for the past 14 years for Allison Appraisals & Assessments, Inc., a 50 year-old nationwide company providing business valuation & litigation support services. Has also held management positions at Abbott Laboratories – Diagnostic Division and American Automobile Association – National HQ’s as well as an Adjunct Professor, Bryant University teaching business and entrepreneurship. Carl is a member of many business, academic and civic organizations.

Previous Political Experience:
Carl ran as latecomer for State Senator in May 2004 as an Independent, against a four-term Republican State Senator in 2004 garnering a surprising 41% of the district's vote.
Campaign Themes, slogans, sound bites: Take Back Our Country; Bring the Troops Home; Be Patriotic, Impeach Bush; Fund Our Future, Not Bush's War; Two Whitehouses in DC is one too many.

The 2006 Mid-term Election Rundown.
The primary on September 12th is shaping up as a hot battle. Not only is the Republican side engaged in a rough battle, but a clear alternative to the GOP is offered by the Democratic challengers. The Fix, (Washington Post) calls the race in November the 3rd most likely Senate seat to switch party and Chuck Todd (National Journal) considers it the 4th most likely. The Cook Political Report, Roll Call and Larry Sabto all see it as a toss up. Only a couple of others observers give it a "weak" Republican advantage. Given that Kerry took RI by 60% to Bush's 39%, it might be suspected that the blue tides of change will bring forth the Democratic sentiment of the state.

The 1st term Republican incumbent Lincoln Chafee is facing a stiff challenge in the GOP primary from a "Reagan Republican". The Wall Street Journal reported in Laffey vs. Chafee - The first skirmish in a very important war that "the Club for Growth PAC has endorsed Steve Laffey, the Republican Mayor of Cranston, R.I., in his primary challenge against Sen. Lincoln Chafee. Jim Laffey though getting no party support has raised almost 100K more than Chafee. Given the strong Democratic opportunity for a win, it is surprising is that the on the Democratic side the race has already narrowed to the battle between two contenders, Carl Sheeler and Sheldon Whitehouse. Whitehouse began the campaign with all the advantages, but recent polls have shown Carl hot on his tail. Carl is pressing Sheldon to debate, but Sheldon so far is disinclined. See the press release on the hand delivered challenge here: Sheeler Throws Down Debate Gauntlet before Whitehouse.

Carl Sheeler Says:

Public interest is what defines my political platform, not special interests. That makes me a real political outsider. I can’t buy a U.S. Senate seat and I’m not going to condemn the good personal fortunes of the other candidates in the primary and general elections. Between them, these men have millions of dollars at their disposal to get their message to you and media does not come cheap. I’ve made a personal investment to run for what I believe in, which is a better Rhode Island and America.

I see myself as a blend of conservative and progressive. We ought not to be spending money we don't have in tax revenues. Our constitution ought to be defended - nobody is above the law - to include challenging improper claims of executive authority. We dwell too much on socially divisive issues when the crux of most every day life challenges are economic inequality and fairness: pay and taxes.

Honestly, I could use financial contributions from supporters who believe the way I do. Your “two cents” opinions and contributions are equally important. After all, this race is your voice. All of it helps to get our message out to each and every Rhode Island voter. This race is about changing the way that we do politics, not only here in Rhode Island, but across the nation. It’s the good cause. It’s worth doing, and I expect to win.”

With your opinion and financial contributions, together we can ensure that we will build a campaign true to representing people from the bottom up.

Carl Sheeler

[RI EMT]

1. Carl Sheeler "A Breath of Fresh Air"

Carl,

You certainly are a breath of fresh air and your "Patriotic Impeach Bush" billboard is a work of art! You should make posters of the billboard and sell them on line I would buy a couple if you do. Our country needs more fighting Dem's like yourself. Candidates who are not afraid to speak up and take on the real issues which our current President (if that's what you call him)seams to be ignoring.

You truly are a true patriot, a peoples person, a candidate that will fight for the average family and make us proud to be Americans again.
Our country needs more vets like yourself who will fight the fight and walk the walk not just simply give us lip service.

I am proud to support you and wish you the best of luck with your campaign. Every true progressive Dem should be throwing contributions your way. Please support Carl in any way possible even if it's only $50.00.

LoriAnn

[RI EMT]

2. The RIPDA is asking for your help?

I ran across this and hope you can help. I have cut and paste the following post.

The RIPDA is asking for your help?

Carl Sheeler’s campaign is 3 weeks away from the Rhode Island primary September 12th. All the help he can get will help him take back this seat for the democrats.

You may either have a separate interview with Carl Sheeler, refer to some of the recent interviews which other bloggers have conducted at "Bloggers for Carl" or add a link to your page.

Bloggers please Contribute - Bloggers Contribute http://carlsheeler.com

The Progressive Democrats of America are pound to endorse Carl Sheeler for US Senate. The next US Senator from Rhode Island is a "True Progressive Democrat" who will represent the average American, not special interest groups or political insiders.

The Sheeler campaign at my suggestion will add a new link called "Bloggers Contribute" to his home page. This is the link Bloggers Contribute I will be posting on how we are doing!

My goal is to have 1,000 bloggers or more contribute $20 over the next weeks so the campaign may run some additional TV spots over the last two weeks before the primary. The Sheeler Campaign is not excepting special interest money or funds from the political insiders.

The average contribution that is being sent in is $43 unlike his entrenched political insider whose average contribution is $983. That’s almost twice the amount of money the average working class family brings home in two weeks.

Sheeler’s campaign is 6 points behind with 36% still undecided; you can see how important this is. Now is the time for all of us too unite and make this work for Carl and America.

Anything you can do will be a huge help.

I have also attached my press release.

Friend in cause,

William Shaw
RIPDA State Coordinator