Senator Byrd and Moveon

[tavalon]

A few days ago (March 29th, actually) I got a letter from Moveon asking for money. They were actually asking for it for Senator Byrd's reelection campaign. See, the republicans don't like Senator Byrd because in the last few years he's had some fiery speeches on the Senate floor that usually called them out for some nasty deed they were trying to do. Anyway, Senator Byrd had until today to raise funds for his reelection campaign because he had to report his campaign expenses and funding to the FEC and if he has a strong financial backing this early, it will send a message to the republicans that it will cost them a pretty penny to mount a successful run against him.

Anyway, I read this and having been inspired by this man's speeches, I donated some. Apparently so did a huge number of others. I just got an email from Moveon this evening and it seems that we, the grassroots, in just two days gave a bit over $817,000. The Moveon representative admitted that he expected more like $200,000 to $300,000.

I'm amazed by us, really amazed.

I'm also hoping that this phenomenal response will send a message to our democratic leaders - stand up for us and we will protect your back.

[adwon]

1. The last line of your post

should be the party motto.

[mogster]

11. Agree. The last line was good stuff! n/t

[dweller]

2. could you post a link for this?

i'd like to send that data to some WV'ers.

tia.
dp

[tavalon]

3. They were both emails I received

I can post them here if you want. I'm sure Moveon wouldn't mind the publicity. They may have copies of both the emails on www.moveon.org.

[dweller]

4. i'm not seeing details on their site

so post what you are comfortable with, and i'll send along the news.

thanks
dp

[BigBearJohn]

5. Here's the letter (I donated too!)

If you had asked me, a few days ago, to guess how much MoveOn members would give to support Senator Robert Byrd, I would have told you that we'd be lucky to reach a couple of hundred thousand dollars. After all, it's early in the cycle, folks are busy, and you've been so generous recently on our Social Security and judicial campaigns.

But as I write this email, only about two days after our email went out, 19,214 of us have given $817,403.76 to support Senator Byrd. It's a whopping amount in electoral politics—more than MoveOn members have given in support of any other Senator—and at this early stage, it'll make a tremendous impact. This could be a knock-out blow for Republicans who are considering running against the Senator.

What you've done over the last few days won't just be felt by Senator Byrd—although I can tell you that the folks at the Byrd campaign are totally blown away by your generosity. By making our contributions together, we're showing all of our Democratic elected representatives that if they stick their necks out for the issues people believe in, we'll have their backs.

I know that money's tight. Thanks so much for making this investment in an important leader and in a Democratic Senate. And thanks for everything you've done to make MoveOn PAC a great success.

Sincerely,

--Eli Pariser
Executive Director, MoveOn PAC
March 31st, 2005

[tavalon]

6. Could you also post the first message?

My MSN mail program won't let me cut and paste. Damn, I need to get around to moving my mail back over to Outlook Express or some other not so f'd up email program.

[BigBearJohn]

10. Here is the original letter

Dear MoveOn member,

Below, I've attached a note from Senator Barack Obama about the key moment Senator Robert Byrd faces in the next few days. But before we get to the note, here's why Senator Byrd is so important to us:

Two and a half years ago, when Congress was voting on the use of force against Iraq, Senator Byrd from West Virginia stood on the Senate floor and delivered a fiery speech. He told his colleagues that, "I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation which is over 50% children is 'in the highest moral traditions of our country.' This war is not necessary at this time." For those of us who opposed the war, he became a hero. And he's remained one, on many issues: just last week, Senator Byrd joined us at a MoveOn PAC rally to make a passionate appeal against the Republican plan to seize total control of judicial nominations in the Senate.

Now the senator needs our help. He's up for re-election in 2006. Because of his courageous stands, Republicans in the Senate have made him a primary target. They're already raising money to defeat him. And a critical deadline is coming up: on March 31st, Senator Byrd will report his campaign expenses to the FEC. He needs to show the press and public that he's got strong support.

Can you chip in now to support Senator Byrd?

You can give online at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/byrd.html?id=5282-4360681-BtKNBi.enKfmpZoh6pmGcQ

Thank you for everything you do,

--Eli Pariser
MoveOn PAC
Tuesday, March 29th, 2005

[dweller]

8. Thanks BBJ!

:thumbsup:

that's what they'll need to hear about their senator.

Peace.
dp

[Just Me]

7. Awesome!!! Believe me, he's really gonna need the help.

The vultures are seriously out to get him.

On edit: I hope like hell that MoveOn is preparing for the "former KKK" shit that these assholes are gonna be floodin' all over the radio waves and tv. They have got to be locked, loaded and ready to counter. They better set up a "war room" for him. It's gonna' be ugly.

[Daphne08]

9. Senator Byrd is one the last true statesmen left.

[bread_and_roses]

12. credit card companies not paying him off?

I don't call voting "yes" on the Bankruptcy Bill "standing up for us."