Wanna run for Congress in a District that's soft puke to Moderate puke???

[rpannier]

Give the constituency 8 Billion reasons to vote for you. Ask the incumbent congressional puke how 8 billion dollars of American tax payer money just disappeared under the Coalition Provisional Authority and there has been ZERO, nada, zip attempt to find out what happened to that money.
You could also throw in about Halliburton's many F-ratings from the US Army on cleanliness and efficiency, how they gouged the government for subpar services, etc.
Even in a flag waving area, these are questions that should resonate with people. It's about money, efficiency and accountability.

[Punkingal]

1. Yes, but the DCCC doesn't want you to run....

Unless you have millions of your own money to spend.

[JNelson6563]

2. Not entirely true

If there is no one else willing to run they will agree to almost any candidate to fill the slot. Financial support won't be forthcoming though and in some cases, rightly so.

Julie

[Punkingal]

3. I just think it's wrong not to help....

That only helps the Republicans. (Unless of course the Dem candidate is loony.)

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. If they had money to spare I would hope they would help, but...

There is never money to spare it seems. Every dollar spent on one race is a dollar not spent on another race. Some times Democrats really need to invest dollars toward the future and put some into districts which they almost certainly will lose now but can begin to turn around with effort, when the person they are backing is good at pounding the correct issues. But pouring money into a race to help a relatively unknown and possibly unqualified candidate who doesn't know how to fight on their own, if they are running against a strong and popular incumbent usually isn't the best choice to make with scarce resources.

[Punkingal]

5. I understand that,

But I also know appearances with the candidates and urging unions and the base, etc. to help is important, and sometimes they don't even do that. As for qualifications, well, there have been lots of unqualified people in Congress. Sonny Bono's wife comes to mind...God, what a joke she was during the Clinton impeachment. At this juncture, I just want Democrats who have a moral compass to be elected, and I don't care what their background is.

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. I agree with you really

Having a good moral compass, some intelligence, and a backbone meets my bottom line requirement for running for Congress. Not all Democrats who end up running meet those requirements though. And if they don't even have a shot at beating a Republican to begin with, then I don't want to see money wasted on those who don't reach that standard. But if it is a person who does, who can make a powerful case to people in their district that the Republicans are selling them down the river, then I would like to see that person get some support, even if they are unlikely to win first time out.

[JNelson6563]

6. You are exactly correct

Money should go to races that will make the best use of it. There is still too much of a mindset out there that simply for being willing to put one's name on the ballot one should get buckets of money and folks working their guts out for nothing but that race (as volunteers of course).

Julie

[safi0]

8. I live in

One of these areas that your talking about. My (R) congressman got 63% in his last election about 10pts better than Bush. In order to beat him I think you need a really well funded candidate. Someone who can show that he's not a moderate which is what he portrays himself as.