Dem voters in safe CDS--support George Fearing as well as Darcy Burner

[eridani]

If you live in the 7th CD, you know that McDermott could be caught with a live boy or a dead girl and still get elected. Democratic candidates in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 9th are in reasonably good shape after the primary as well. Many Democrats from those CDs are contributing a lot of time and money to Darcy Burner's campaign--an obvious place where people in safer Democratic districts can potentially do a lot of good. I'd like to suggest that money and effort could also go a long way in George Fearing's campaign in the 4th CD.

I just got back from the quarterly WA State Democratic Central Committee meeting, where I had an extended chat with Mimi and John Latta of Benton County. I had mentally blown off the 4th and 5th CD races as not worth any further investment, but they clued me in to some of the political realities of the dry side and changed my mind. Mark Mays in the 5th CD is by their estimation not running hard but essentially setting himself up for another try in two years. George Fearing is running hard in the 4th CD, and actually stands a chance of winning in the general election.

Reality #1. 35% in a primary strikes most wet siders as being too ridiculously low to warrant further investment in a campaign. The same percentage on the dry side is a stellar beacon of hope. The reason is that over there, Democrats tend to not bother voting in primaries because actual contested races are so rare. Jay Inslee got 23% of the primary vote in the 4th CD, but went on to actually win the general election. By that standard George Fearing's 35% is an outstanding achievement. It has not been equaled in the 4th CD by any Democrat in a primary election since 1972.

Reality #2. A little money goes a very long way in eastern Washington media markets. $100 can get you 10 TV ads or 12 radio ads on stations with serious long distance broadcasting ranges. (Yes, two is actually the correct number of zeros.)

Reality #3. Democrats in eastern Washington are making major progress in filling their local farm teams with competent officholders. Many of them have young kids at home and are unwilling to make political moves which could move them long distances from their families. As they rack up experience in local offices and the state legislature, that will be changing in a few years. So in addition to Obama having decent coattails at the top of the ticket, a number of people at the bottom of the ticket have enthusiastic supporters as well pushing from below. There is an especially good candidate for the state legislature in the 8th legislative district.

What this means is that Democrats in comparatively safe districts should really make an extra effort on behalf of George Fearing. This could be a good year for us in the 4th CD.

http://www.georgefearing.com

[eridani]

1. You may also be able to donate to a PAC soon

This note from the Chair of the 34th LD Democrats--

Not only do I echo this appeal for help with George's campaign, I'm working on a way to make it happen for us over here.

George's campaign manager, Cindi Laws, tells me Teamsters Local 839 in Pasco is setting up a PAC that will produce radio and TV ads for George, and that she will get me the info of how people might contribute to it.

She says that in addition to local radio and TV, the ads probably will go on YouTube so we can see them and judge their effectiveness. I'll keep you posted.

For those of you who have not met George, he is a straight-up guy, not plagued by a big ego. I have no reservations about supporting him.
--
Ivan Weiss
PO Box 860
Vashon WA 98070
ivan.weiss {at} centurytel.net
[phone]

[chicagoexpat]

2. I'd suggest you can also

Contact the Washington State offices for donations or volunteering, Obama & the Coordinated Campaign w/ state offices:

Seattle: 1310 Mercer St, Seattle WA 98101, 206-903-0172

Others at:

http://www.chrisgregoire.com /

http://www.waforobama.com/Offices.html

[eridani]

3. Fearing's campaign manager made a presentation at King County Dems meeting

--Tuesday night. Backed all of the above up with detailed spreadsheets. Fearing is really a bargain for your downticket donations.

[eridani]

4. Mike Lowry is sponsoring a dinner for Fearing 10/25 in Seattle

Congressman Jay Inslee

Invites you, in the most urgent terms, to Send George Fearing to Washington & Make Central Washington the Alternative Energy Capital of the World

Saturday, October 25 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Carpenters Hall
209 Vine St at Second Avenue
in Belltown, Seattle

$5000 (PAC) Salmon-safe Hydropower
$2300 Wind Farm
$1000 Solar Farm
$500 Geothermal
$250 Biomass
$100 Wave Technology

Sponsored by Governor Mike Lowry

Online pre-event registrations encouraged to support our media purchases. Where else in Washington can $100 buy 10 radio ads?

www.georgefearing.com/site/donate

RSVP to Ezra Eickmeyer, 360-301-1842, ezra {at} olypen.com

Paid for by George Fearing Democrat for Congress, 4th CD

1315 George Washington Way
Richland, WA 99352

[eridani]

5. Final call for funding

DEMOCRATS RESPOND TO POSSIBLE UPSET IN WASHINGTON’S 4th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DONATED ONLINE OVERNIGHT

Democrats responded to a wave of excitement in Washington’s 4th Congressional District by opening their pocketbooks with last minute, on-line contributions, reports candidate George Fearing. Democrat Fearing was considered by outsiders to be a long shot – until yesterday, when poll results showed him possibly overtaking long-time incumbent Republican “Doc” Hastings.

“We are really grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support,” said Fearing, “In this District, we can buy our local cable and radio stations right up to the last minute, right through Monday. It is exciting when others come to believe what we have known for a long time – Democrats can win in Central Washington as long as we can raise money to get out our message. Democrats have built this district, from the Grand Coulee Dam to the interstate highways. Democrats have protected this district, from the national parks to the wild and scenic rivers. Democrats have created the policies that made this district economically viable, from the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project to alternative energy projects. If we are going to advance, we need to elect a Democrat back to Central Washington.“

The poll shows Fearing within 5 points of unseating conservative incumbent Doc Hastings. Additionally, when the poll asked, “Are you happy with the performance of your Congressman”; 65% of voters said ‘No’.

“Doc Hastings does not represent the district, he represents the Republican Party. When Doc was Chairman of the Ethics Committee, he allowed predatory pedophiles like Mark Foley to roam the halls of Congress, preying on pages” said Cindi Laws, Campaign Manager for Fearing. “Of those named to the Dirty Dozen list while he was Chairman, 3 are in jail, 4 under criminal indictment, and the rest resigned in utter disgrace. Only Hastings remains in office.”

“Doc Hastings voted to deregulate Wall Street. He voted to deregulate the mortgage industry. He voted to deregulate the banking industry. We ask voters all the time, are you better off than you were 14 years ago?”, continued Laws. “There is only one answer, and it isn’t just ‘no’, it’s ‘HELL NO’!”

“If you don’t like the outcomes of Congress, you should change your Congressman,” said Fearing. “And each one of you has the ability to make that change. No district needs change more than Central Washington.”

“We are calling on unions, progressive associations, the Democratic National Committee, and friends across Washington to help us finance additional media outreach in the final stretch. There is panic in the Doc Hastings camp and this is the time to push our race over the edge.” said Fearing.



The best way to donate is online at http://www.georgefearing.com/site/donate/.

For more information, contact Cindi Laws, campaign manager, at 206-790-4232.

Cindi Laws
cell 206-790-4232
Campaign Manager
George Fearing for Congress

[eridani]

6. Looks like the primary/general gap rule of thumb for Dems isn't holding

Fearing is at 36%, just one point above his primary result. Will have to ask the people I met in September WTF is going on here.