Now We Begin
by Jennifer on 01.20.2010
After months of building a campaign that starts and ends with you, I filed my petitions this morning for the United State Senate in Ohio. Hundreds of volunteers have been walking door-to-door talking to their friends and neighbors about our campaign, collecting signatures, and building the kind of field operation we need to win this race - in the primary and the general elections.
I love Ohio; I love its people; and Rick and I love campaigning - because we get to meet you, often one-on-one.
But that's not the way the Washington insiders have wanted me to be in this campaign. I tried to play their game-which was mostly sitting in a call room to raise money from wealthy and powerful people. When I turned my back on that, the insiders' game plan against us was to get us out of the race by choking off funds. I knew that was wrong. You knew that was wrong. And together, we overcame these obstacles.
I listened to you and learned what you cared about, were concerned about, held sacred and wanted someone to fight for. Now, according to the latest indendent poll numbers, our real grassroots campaign with a bold progressive message is showing how we can win.
A Rasmussen Reports poll in Ohio shows our campaign has bumped up 7 points and is now running in a statistical dead-heat with former President Bush's Trade Representative, Rob Portman (43% to 40%). I will continue to be clear and unapologetic about my stands on the issues at the center of our lives, because I have listened to you. A weaker stance that equivocates means a weaker showing. And the same poll proves it, showing Portman with a solid seven-point lead over my Democratic primary opponent.
You have demonstrated that a candidate does not have to enter a "Senate-Seat-for-Sale Sweepstakes" to get your support. In fact, you and others like you are showing that candidates who stand on their values win. As the results in Massachusetts demonstrate, candidates who retreat from their values and depend on money and endorsements slide. Candidates who courageously talk about progressive values centered on people and their lives connect to voters who want to be listened to.
This poll shows exactly what our campaign has known all along - taking the issues directly to people has allowed them to see we will stand up for their interests. Those people now say that we are best positioned to defeat Rob Portman in the fall.
You have made the difference for us. We've got a strong foothold now, but there's still a mountain to climb. We're filed, but there's still a campaign to be run.
Ohioans need living wage jobs, health care, better trade policies to keep our jobs here, expanded educational opportunities, better access to child care and elder care, the promises of clean air and clean water, laws to protect consumers from financial predatory practices and guarantees of equal civil and human rights. We can best get there with a Democratic Senator who will be courageous, independent and smart, who brings public service experience with a record of accomplishment and who is committed to the hard work needed to get things done.
I will work day and night to be that Senator for you, but I can't do it without your help. Ohio's primary election is May 4th. I'm asking you to contribute now - $200, $100, $50, even $25, or whatever you can, to help our campaign continue this grassroots momentum for the votes we need to bring us what we really need - jobs, a better quality of life and a more prosperous state.
Thank you,
Jennifer Brunner
P.S. - Thanks for all you've done to help get us to this point. Now we begin. Your investment will mean we can continue our grassroots reach to thousands more voters. Please contribute $200, $100, $50, even $25, or whatever you can.