Oh man, this is a GREAT story!

[WilliamPitt]

My mom worked to unseat Charlie Bass up in NH, and kept a close eye on this race. What a neat opening paragraph:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/11/15/a_win_from_the_blue/

A win from the blue
Unknown tapped a Democratic tide in N.H.
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | November 15, 2006

WASHINGTON -- The last time Carol Shea-Porter had been in the same room as President Bush, she said, her T-shirt's message -- "Turn your back on Bush" -- won her a push out the door from a Bush supporter as she left an airplane hangar in Portsmouth.

When Shea-Porter saw Bush again Monday night at the White House, she shook his hand as the next House member from New Hampshire's First District. The conversation was cordial, Shea-Porter said, but that doesn't mean she's forgotten the message of change that sent her to the nation's capital.

"Our obligation is to take what we heard and to speak it loudly in Washington," Shea-Porter, a Democrat, said yesterday in an interview in the courtyard of the Rayburn House Office Building, where she is undergoing orientation for newly elected members of Congress.

Shea-Porter is one of the very few people in the age of big-money campaigns who can watch "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and truly see herself. She's of a political breed that many believed was extinct: the angry citizen who decides to run for Congress -- and wins.

No other newly elected representative came from as far off the national radar screen as Shea-Porter, a 53-year-old community activist who never before ran for public office. She defeated Representative Jeb Bradley last week in a race that shattered the myths of what it takes to win a congressional seat.

She had no slick ads or Washington consultants. Her campaign was run by a medieval scholar who worked alongside a nutritionist, an accident investigator, and a pair of court reporters. The Democratic establishment brushed her off as unelectable. She was outspent 5 to 1.

Yet Shea-Porter won with a grass-roots, fiery message centered on opposition to the Iraq war and the president's agenda. She spoke to crowds of as few as three, encouraged her neighbors to spread the word, dogged her opponent at town hall meetings. And she won a congressional race that few thought winnable until close to Election Day.

...more...

:toast:

[Beetwasher]

1. Wow, Indeed!

Hopefully we'll be seeing more Shea-Porters in the future! Man, I love's me some internets. None of this would have been possible w/ out it. It's truly a sublime gift for the grass roots, people-powered movement.

[jfkraus]

4. The Internet

The use of the internet for everyone is so important. That is why we need to push and remind our newly elected representatives about the importance of Net Neutrality. It must be preserved!

[annabanana]

2. Well, It was nice of the Dems to offer to pay off

the debt that she didn't have.
That is a very good story.

[Demit]

3. "The morning after the election, the DCCC called with its first offer

of financial support." Yeah, that Rahm Emanuel sure has his finger on the pulse of America, all right. Add this to the Tammy Duckworth saga of Rahm's brilliance.

This was such a great story. I knew Shea-Porter was outspent, I knew she had beaten Rahm's candidate in the primary by 20 points, but it was great getting more of her profile. Thanks for posting it!

[bleedingheart]

10. the best part is that she didn't have any debt.

[buddysmellgood]

5. HOPE

[mopinko]

6. my favorite thing about this election is that so many like her

will be going to washington. much to rahmmie's surprise.

:toast: :toast: :toast:

[burythehatchet]

7. someday the clip where Howard Dean couldn't remember her name

will become a classic.

[GardeningGal]

8. This story restores a little faith in the process.

It's nice to see a candidate without a huge bankroll actually can win.

Thanks for posting.

[Autonomy]

9. Ow, you dented my cynicism!

[Captain Hilts]

11. So wonderful I could cry. nt

[Guaranteed]

12. Awesome campaign, sounds like. I wish they all could

be like that.

Straight message.

[TahitiNut]

13. But... but... but....

... I keep hearing that 'moderation' and 'bipartisanship' are what won the election. Yeah. Riiight. :eyes:

[melissinha]

14. Loser Jeb Bradley on C-span now

Just said he is supporting the forest designation "New England Wilderness Act" and the fact that he now has time to hike some more!

[catnhatnh]

16. See ? At last a politician who LISTENS to the voters....

...We TOLD him to take a hike......

[hunter]

17. hah!

:rofl:

[melissinha]

31. ROFL

:rofl:
Sounds like he knew it was coming cause he has been practicing...

[electropop]

19. My Stars!

He's disappeared from Washington in a puff of smoke!

[porphyrian]

15. How can the American spirit be dead with things like this that prove otherwise? - n/t

[pnwmom]

18. They should make a movie about her.

Mrs. Shea-Porter goes to Washington.

[Schema Thing]

20. What Can We Say, Clarkies Have Good Instincts ;)

[Tatiana]

21. AMAZING!

What a brave and courageous woman! :toast:

[progressoid]

22. The last paragraph is pretty good too!

...Democrats are beginning to learn Shea-Porter's name. The morning after the election, the DCCC called with its first offer of financial support.

"They asked us if we wanted them to pay our debt, and we told them we didn't have any," Shea-Porter said. "But it was nice of them to offer."

[Nikki Stone1]

23. This story really cheers me up!

Thanks, Will.

[KoKo]

24. Indeed, a Great Story....worth the whole read of the article. Thanks! n/t

[AB_Positive]

25. My first post on here - resident of NH-01

And while I voted for Shea-Porter, I didn't really think she had a shot, but I voted for her because it was the right move.

I'm thankful the rest of our district believed so to. For once I'm proud of this now-blue state for being willing to stand up and believe in liberty.

We also voted in a state constitutional amendment protecting all in new hampshire against state and federal Eminent Domain - good stuff all around!

-AB+

[newyawker99]

26. Hi AB_Positive!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[yellowdogmi]

30. Welcome to DU!!!!!

B-)

[stepnw1f]

27. Awesome... We Need More Like This (nt)

[Bluerthanblue]

28. I'm so proud of her- "Mrs.Shea-Porter"(Smith) goes to Washington-

and she worked hard for her seat on the bus-

I'm not in her district, but I followed her closely- and voted Hodes to join her-
My 13yr old son 'played' her at his school in their 'mock debate and election' -
So we became very familiar with her stand on the issues, and her character-
And she won! Not only "mock" but for REAL!

I have great respect, and hope for her, as well as Paul Hodes.

I only wish it was Judd Gregg that had been vunerable this election.
He needs to go-
He needs a come-'down'-ance.

Great story, thanks for sharing her wonderful victory.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

29. Good to know that this can still be done in the People's House

even if it can't be done in the Senate

[petunia.here]

32. A truly inspiring story.

Thanks for posting and bringing it to my attention. Very cool!

[KoKo]

33. Kick....because the Night Crowd would enjoy this read...it's uplifiting!

[kimpossible]

34. Yeah mom!

:toast:

[Blue_Tires]

35. brilliant n/t