A letter from Alan Grayson

[ooglymoogly]

Don't know if this has been posted as I'm not on DU as much as I used to be.

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The Washington Post ran this report on April 16, 2011: (does not appear that I could get the whole letter to transfer)

In one stark example of the GOP freshman slump, Rep. Dan Webster (Fla.) reported raising only $29,950 in the first quarter. That’s less than the $36,784 collected by the Democrat he defeated in 2010 – former representative Alan Grayson – who hasn’t asked for money or even said whether he intends to run again.

And the day before, on April 15, 2011, the National Journal reported this:

One of the weaker fundraising efforts in the House this quarter – at least for a member facing the prospect of a competitive race – comes from freshman Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), who raised only $30,000 in the first three months of the year. In fact, his fundraising haul was so unimposing that he was outraised by the congressman he defeated, former Rep. Alan Grayson (D), even though he’s not currently an active candidate for 2012. Grayson’s campaign brought in $38,000 – most from small donations from dozens of donors apparently hoping he’ll mount a comeback.

It’s true – I never asked anyone for a penny for our campaign during the first three months of 2011. Despite that, 1,000 of us decided to show their support by making a contribution to the campaign. And because of that, we raised more money than Dan Webster did.

And our money is clean money – not money from PACs and lobbyists. I’d sure like to know why Outback Steakhouse’s PAC gave $5,000 to Dan Webster, one-sixth of Webster’s total haul. What a “G’day” that must have been for Webster!

Anyway, I’d like to see the same headline on July 15 that we saw on April 15: “Out of Congress, Grayson Still Outraising GOP Congressman”. And there is only one way that that’s going to happen: if you hit that “CONTRIBUTE” button below. (Or you can mail a contribution to the Committee to Elect Alan Grayson, 8419 Oak Park Road, Orlando, FL 32819.)

If you are one of those “donors apparently hoping ’ll mount a comeback,” then please donate to our campaign.

Last time I didn’t ask. Now I’m asking. Hands together, like that picture above.

Let’s do it again.

Courage,

Alan Grayson

I'm donating and I hope he can get some help from his friends on DU.

https://secure.mydccc.org/o/30019/t/270/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=77

http://www.graysonforcongress.com/

https://secure.mydccc.org/o/30019/t/270/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=77

[Lionessa]

1. I'm sorry, I think Grayson is wonderful, but unless he's actually going to

commit to running again, what right does he have to ask for contributions? Just to get a headline? WTF, isn't he nearly as rich as god? So why is he needing money? If he's not running, what will come of it. Is he pulling a Palin here just to keep money coming in and then what? Where does Alan intend on spending it? Like Palin for a family trip and mostly personal stuff hidden beneath "maybe I'm going to run" or what?

[ooglymoogly]

2. If this letter is not a clear indication that he is running

I will eat my hat. He is running all right. He is asking for our support.

[Lionessa]

3. Then that's what the request for contributions should say, it doesn't

It says he wants another cool headline.

[ooglymoogly]

6. Yes you have it, you just came away with the wrong

extrapolation. Why indeed would he be asking for donations if he were not running. I have never been given cause to mistrust Grayson. But hey, what are seeds of mistrust for, but to be sown.

[Lionessa]

7. I agree he hasn't done anything to deserve mistrust, but at the same time

he's never that I recall been anything but straightforward, so this is quite unsettling. If he's running then he should say so, if he wants a headline, which is what he's saying (and by past experience of his straightforwardness, I'll take him at his word that is his desire), then this is wrong.

[formercia]

4. We need more people like Alan Grayson in Congress

He's someone with a spine. So, folks, put your money where your mouth is.

[calimary]

5. Hey thanks for posting this, ooglymoogly! I LOVE it. And we need Alan Grayson

back in a position of prominence. Hell, whether he runs for Congress again to get his old job back, OR just stays on the sidelines but keeps being an irritant, I do not care. All I care about is that we hear more from him.

Look, we've lost Anthony Wiener - one of the most vociferous champions of the issues WE care about. Who's out there taking his place? ANYBODY? Who's the firebrand? Who's out there making provocative and catchy and quotable statements that get press and face-time in the media? Who? ANYBODY? And how many of those do the bad guys have? Crap! You can't count freakin' that high! WHO is out there making noise on OUR behalf? We've got SQUAT so far, except for maybe Bernie Sanders, and he doesn't make many feathers fly. We need ARMIES of people being loud and noisy and cantankerous and hugely quotable.

I don't care WHERE Alan Grayson places himself in the political spectrum, inside or outside the Beltway. I just want him out there SOMEWHERE! Somewhere - where we can see and hear him!

In "The King's Speech," one of the best-known clips is where Bertie shouts to Lionel - "I HAVE A VOICE!" Shit. I wish WE did.