Carol Shea-Porter; Running for Congress from New Hampshire

[Tom Rinaldo]

I got the chance to see her speak about 10 days ago in New Hampshire, and she is a perfect example of a wave of bright, articulate, principled and committed new Democratic candidates who are starting to emerge from the Democratic Party's grassroots all across this nation.

You people in New Hampshire are lucky to have her fighting, both with and for you there. I was up in New Hampshire to attend several events Wes Clark was participating in, including some meant to show his support for her. So I expected to be impressed by Carol, because Wes Clark endorsed her if nothing else, but I didn't expect to be blown over by how authentically charismatic she is, in the most sincere, down to earth way possible.

Though it happens that I became aware of Carol Shea-Porter through my interest in Wesley Clark, I know that there are many other powerful new voices rising up from the roots of the Democratic who I don't know about yet. People who were galvanized into determined political action a few years ago while supporting other Democratic Presidential candidates; Howard Dean, John Edwards, John Kerry, Dennis Kucinich, and probably others. It's happening people, it's happening, we're moving up.

Carol was a grassroots activist for Wes Clark in 2004, and it was obvious to me how much of a true grassroots candidate she remains now. I was impressed to find that Carol defeated better known and funded opponents to win the Democratic primary for the nomination in her district, completely with the use of volunteer energy. And all that energy was evident in every event I attended inside her Congressional District. No matter what happens on Tuesday, the Democratic Party in New Hampshire has been infused with dynamic new energy, which bodes very well for the future there.

Focusing on Carol Shea-Porter specifically, she is doing exactly what General Clark is asking of all of us this year. She is bringing national security issues into the heart of her campaign, she is educating people about them in an incredibly effective manner, and she is exposing the fraud that passes for foreign policy inside this Bush Administration.

Here are a few comments by Carol Shea-Porter that I recorded at a breakfast town Hall meeting that she held along with General Clark (who couldn't mask how impressed he was with her if he tried, which obviously he didn't!):

(Speaking about the Republican Congress):

"Here's the real scary part of this. While they go on approving everything, providing those tax cuts for the top 1%, which created 48% of the deficit by the way - while they're doing all that they're borrowing money from Communist China. You want to talk about at National Security risk !?!

Picture this; We're going over to China. We're going to tell China what they're to say to North Korea. I'm talking about the loss of moral leadership and authority. I like to say, because I think it really clarifies that what's happening here is the parent going to the child every Friday night and hitting them up for allowance, and then telling them; "By the way, now that you've given me this allowance, I want you to go to bed now.

You can't do it. You can't (unintelligible) your financial house. You can't be out of order and out of control, borrow money from somebody, and tell them what to do, because everybody knows the person who has the money in their pocket is the person who holds the power.

And if you doubt this, just picture that when our visitor from China came to the country a few months ago, he didn't go the the White House first. He went to Microsoft."

[Blue_In_AK]

1. I love the progressive grassroots candidates...

They seem so much more honest and genuine than the ones getting all the money.

[Tom Rinaldo]

3. That's really what it is

They are the ones who are there in heart, mind, and soul. They are still "of the people", and it is damn refreshing to have them running for us now.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. We have one here, too...

Diane Benson running against 16-term R. corrupt porker Don Young. She has come from 30 points down four or five weeks ago to within 9 now, with 15% still undecided, so we're very hopeful. She's made this gain running her campaign with almost nothing but contributions from individual Alaskans -- no help from the national party. I really love her - I can see you have the same passion for your candidate. I wish you all the best luck in New Hampshire.

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. Best of luck in your local race also

Actually I'm from out of state, so she's not "my" candidate, but there's nothing not to love about her.

That's some serious ground being made up on a shoestring in Alaska. If Democrats ever had the same access to money as Republicans do, Congress would look very different. But then again, there's a chance some Democrats might look different too, lol. Give me the roots and I'll take half the money any day of the week.

[democrat_patriot]

2. She sounds great. How is her race going?

Who is she running against?

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. Rep. Jeb Bradley. This NH media snippet kind of sums it up...

Portsmouth Herald
September 30th

"...Although his approval rating is hovering around 50 percent, Bradley still has a sizeable lead over Democratic opponent Carol Shea-Porter. Of those polled, 52 percent said they would go for Bradley this fall, while 33 percent chose Shea-Porter. Fifteen percent were undecided.

While many see this gap as an indication Bradley will take the district for the third time, the Shea-Porter campaign is spinning the numbers in their favor.

Harry Gural, campaign spokesperson, issued a release touting Shea-Porter's nine point jump in the polls. In July, Shea-Porter lagged behind Bradley in a head to head race, 58 percent to 24 percent, with 17 percent undecided.

"We have a strong message to send to people who feel abandoned by the Bush-Bradley team," Shea-Porter confidently stated. "When Republicans and Independents hear what we have to say, they will vote for me."
http://portsmouthherald.com/news/09302006/nhnews-ph-wee.in.politcs9-28.html


Bradley started out with a huge advantage in name recognition and money. Carol was just starting to get new radio ads running a couple of weeks ago. She really has energized the base of the party in her district, and she is a dynamic woman. Fund raising I gather has picked up but she would have to be considered a long shot for an upset victory this time around. But really, you never really know for sure, especially in a throw the bums out election year. Her volunteers are determined and fired up.

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. I think a more recent poll has this race getting a bit tighter n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

8. A fired-up base can work wonders...

I really hope Ms. Shea-Porter pulls this off. If I wasn't already so tapped out from contributing everything I can spare to Diane's campaign, I'd send some money her way. :)

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. New Poll Out! Shea-Porter closes to within 5% !!!

University of New Hampshire Poll Dated 10/29 - 11/01

Bradley 47

Shea-Porter 42

Undecided 10

Their last poll from 9/15 to 9/24 had Bradley at 53 and Shae-Porter at 35!

Wow.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2006/house/nh/new_hampshire_1-120.html