Here's a letter I wrote to John Kerry.com today

[benny05]

Original e-mail from JohnKerry.com today to give context:

Dear Benny,

We want to collectively thank each and every member of the johnkerry.com community for an extraordinary effort to strengthen our campaigns as veterans running for Congress in 2006.

In a short three-day period, thousands of people came together to raise almost $400,000 in direct support for our House races. It was a powerful display of the energy, passion and effectiveness of the johnkerry.com community.

And we want you to know that each of us is personally moved and deeply grateful for this exceptional show of support. Today in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Minnesota, and around the country, your online community's willingness to reach out and help is having a meaningful impact.

We are fighting to have our voices heard in Congress. Thanks to you we are closer to meeting that goal.

Sincerely,

Tammy Duckworth (IL-06)
Patrick Murphy (PA-08)
Joe Sestak (PA-07)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
Jay Fawcett (CO-05)

Here's my response:

Dear Senator Kerry and staff,

I received another e-mail this afternoon.

I did not/will not support your cause to support these particular candidates. My reasons:

*None of them are in my district, and quite frankly, your support of them when there are other good Dem candidates already running makes the impression within my community (fellow Democrats in Illinois) that the Democrative party is divided, not united.

* By openly requesting financial support for these candidates, especially Ms. Duckworth, this decision has angered many of my fellow Illinois Dems, and it may harm your chances for another bid for the presidential race.

*The ones who need the help the most are other Dems, such as David Gill from the 15th District of Illinois (http://www.gill2006.com), who are running against Republican incumbents that are vulnerable and are questionable because of their taking of financial support from folks like Tom DeLay. Gill is a physican who supports universal health care and a better environment. The DCCC will not help him even though he has a great opportunity to win.

*Pitting one Dem candidate against another for an empty seat in the primary is not good politics.

I appreciate your newsletter, and please keep me informed on other issues that you are personally fighting for us.

Sincerely,
Benny
Kerry-Edwards Supporter from 2004

The other reason, which I didn't state, is why Paul Hackett, also a vet, was asked not to run in Ohio. This is inconsistent with these message of geting vets in, even though it is for a senate race.

[WildEyedLiberal]

1. Well, his entire initiative is helping vets

I too would like someone to back David Gill, but I don't see that as mutually exclusive to supporting veterans. John Kerry has long been an advocate of veterans, so his hearty endorsement of Dem vet candidates is not surprising.

[benny05]

2. I understand Kerry's motivation

He needs to be re-elected in 2008 for Senator or perhaps another run at the Presidency. I am just stating that his decision to back Ms. Duckworth when there was already a possible electable candidate may be as he would say "regrettable" in the long run, especially if she doesn't win the election in the fall.

Most people presume we are a "blue" state because of Chicago. They forget the suburbs and the downstaters are not necessarily so. Dennis Hasert and Tim Johnson are cases in point. That's why I wish the DCCC would start picking other candidates like Gill to support.