I am going to delay my run against Sweeney

[adigal]

(Before I say anything else, I just want to say how proud I am to be a Democrat. The years that I thought I was a repub, I was always ashamed of "my" party. Every time the repubs spoke on the radio or TV, I would always turn the station, or lower the volume. I just went to John Conyers website, and I was so proud to read what he wrote. Since reclaiming me dem roots, I have not had to turn the station, or lower the volume, once when a Dem was talking.)

Mmmmmm...how do I put this, fellow Kossacks. I have spoken to precinct heads in my district in New York, I have spoken to many regular folks. And I believe the grass roots support is there in my area for a run by a teacher with a NYC fireman husband, disabled by the lies that were told by BushCo about the air quality at the WTC. Also, since my district is 66% repub, I think the fact that I was a repub supporter and now despise the new repub party, would help me get votes. But the time for the populist candidate is not now.

There is a woman who is probably going to run for office who is an attorney, a partner in a well-known firm, with ties to the Clintons. She can raise lots of money, much more easily than I can. She has lots of high level support, and, of course, I will do all I can to help her win the seat.

BUT...and this is a big BUT...I fear running this type of candidate. Ties to big money, big business, big politics. When we run candidates like this, do they understand the fears of the average parent?? The average homeowner??? I am NOT being a reverse snob, but, realistically, how many nights has Hillary tossed and turned in bed wondering how to pay the mortgage or what would happen if the boiler broke? How would she pay for it? I do not think this is the way to win back the hearts and minds of Americans to the Democratic party.

Every time I go to the grocery store, I talk to the clerk. I am always shocked at how much things cost, and I talk to them about it. I ALWAYS say, "God, can you believe how much our standard of living has gone down, while the wealthy have gone up? For the first time in 14 years, wages have gone down."

I have NEVER gotten a negative response. I don't care who these people voted for, when I talk their own pocketbook, or the security of their kids, they respond. The other day the clerk, with his Marine Corp tatoo, and his hard ass attitude, said to me, "Do you have kids?"

I told him, "Yes, I have three, younger kids."

He said, "I have two - 42 and 38 years old, and I really worry about them financially."

People, if we don't start talking to these people, every day, and run candidates who truly understand their problems, real men and women, just like the founders intended, people who live in the real world, then we will never win. The repubs will continue to beat us on phony value issues and we will die a slow and painful death.

So I am planning a 2008 run if our candidate for 2006 is not successful.

[quaoar]

1. What office were you looking at?

But the time for the populist candidate is not now.

Nationally, at least, the time is ripe for a populist candidate.

[adigal]

2. He is a NY state congressman

and I agree with you: we are all ripe for populist candidates.

[mikelewis]

3. You should run anyway

Who cares who the other person has ties to? That other person is not you and the other person doesn't have ties to the DU. You have a resource for support from a national organization dedicated to restoring integrity back to our system of government. Run for office. Don't back down because you believe someone else can win. Run because you know that even if you lose at least you will have tried. Who knows, you just might pull it off. If you do run, IM me and I'll donate to your campaign.

[adigal]

4. Thanks for the encouragement...

but the party really does not want any primaries. I can be a team player this time. I am still young enough and have lots to learn. BUT, if we are not successful in 2006, I will NOT back down in 2008. No way.

Thanks again.