I recently recieved my 2008 Paducah Grassroots survey from the DCCC. In it, there was a short questionaire, and a request for a renewal contribution to the DCCC. I wanted to share a little about this request, and give my own personal opinions, as well as provide my response to the DCCC.
Now, this survey started out like this:
At Democratic Party Headquarters, we are deep into planning our 2008 campaign strategy. But to give us a complete picture, we want to hear from leading Democrats like you regarding what needs to be done to win critical elections in your area.
So today, I’m asking you to provide your opinions and insights into how Democrats can take back the White House and strengthen our Democratic Majority in Congress by participating in our 2008 Paducah Grassroots Survey.
It continues with this paragraph:
And when you return your survey, I urge you to include your 2008 DCCC renewal contribution. We are counting on all of our members to renew their support this year, and we have not yet recieved your 2008 membership contribution.
Now, I think anyone who keeps up with my blogging knows I am as committed as anyone to expanding our Congressional majorities. However, I no longer believe that contributing to the DCCC is the best course of doing so.
Why would I say something like that? Well, there are several reasons. First and foremost is that the DCCC seems more than willing to concede my district again, and ignore the Democrats here. My Congressional candidate, Heather Ryan recently informed me that when she talked to the DCCC asking about finding out some information on Ed Whitfield, our Republican Congressman, not only was she told that it wasn’t the job of the DCCC to help a Democratic candidate for the House who is running against a sitting Republican, the young man on the phone actually got rude with her!!
This coupled with the fact that the DCCC refuses to invest a penney in our district, leads me to ask, if the DCCC is not supposed to aid a Democratic candidate in her campaign by helping her find information, what is the money I have sent them being used for? Then, to actually get RUDE with a candidate that is working as hard as Heather to me is unacceptable.
I filled out my survey, telling them what it would take to win races around here. I also sent them this note along with the survey:
Mr. Van Hollen,
Thank you for holding me in such high regard as a leading Democrat from my area. I have sent you my survey to try and help you make decisions to win this year in Western Kentucky. I can tell you up front that the main thing the DCCC can do to win here is invest in these voters once again. The DCCC and most Democratic establishments have ignored our district and voters for a long time now. We can win here if we invest in these voters.
I also want to convey something to you that disturbed me very much. When my Congressional candidate, Heather Ryan asked for a minor favor that didn’t include money from the DCCC, not only was she denied, but the person she was talking to actually got rude with her about asking them for anything.
To me, this represents a very unprofessional attitude by the DCCC. Heather Ryan is working very hard, as are the volunteers like myself in this district to do something the DCCC seems unwilling to do, fight for our home. We are just as dedicated as any Democrats anywhere and do not deserve to have our efforts demeaned because the DCCC doesn’t think our voters are worth their time and money.
Since the DCCC refuses to assist in the fight for Kentucky’s First Congressional District, and I have already made several donations to Ryan for Kentucky, I am considering my contributions toward fighting for my own Congressional seat as my renewal contribution to the DCCC, since we are doing work here that the DCCC has deemed not worth their time.
When the DCCC decides that my district and the 63% of registered Democrats therein are worth some time and effort, and when our Congressional candidate is treated with respect and not as a nuisance I will be more than happy to support the DCCC financially once more. Until then, every penney I can muster from my meager income must go towards fighting for Heather Ryan and Kentucky’s First Congressional District, since the DCCC is unwilling to do so.
Thank you,
Richard Dillon
You may or may not agree with me on this one, but this is something I believe very strongly about. I am tired of watching Democrats in this district being written off, and will not contribute to it anymore.
I owe grassroots Democrats in the blogosphere a debt of gratitude. You are showing the DCCC that many Democrats believe my district and candidate are worth fighting for. My ActBlue page for Heather Ryan has literally been jumping the last five days with donations. I had set a goal to raise $1500 for Heather by May 20, and now sit only $245 under my goal. You have my humble thanks.
Remember that anyone who donates to Americans for Ryan is entered into a drawing to win two pinback buttons from the 1960 campaign of JFK. Help us show the DCCC that Democrats are worth fighting for wherever they are!!
Once again, thanks for the support for Americans for Ryan, and with your continued support we WILL win this seat!!!
http://www.actblue.com/page/am…
Best wishes fellow Democrats!!