It's been quite a week to be sure. In the last seven days I've had the opportunity to talk with senators, congressional and national leaders. My campaign has been designated as an emerging race by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). And I've been front-paged on Kos. Thanks mcjoan for your
perceptive article!
I recently returned from a week in the nation's capital. During a whirlwind four days there, I sat down with representatives Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island and Mark Udall and Diane Degett of Colorado. I also had a chance to meet with Washington representatives Jay Inslee and Norm Dicks.
Between those meetings, I was racing across town to meet with reporters from Cooke Congressional Report, Roll Call, and The Hotline.
And an important meeting with the DCCC landed our race the designation of an "emerging" race. This is a new designation for the D-trip, and I'm pleased with the description they gave of races like mine:
"The DCCC Emerging Races list is made up of candidates who have taken traditionally non-competitive districts and, through the strength of their campaigns, put themselves in a position to win in November. Red to Blue and Emerging candidates all represent the new direction that American voters are searching for and all have pledged to put the priorities of middle class families first when they get to Washington. " - DCCC Press Release, Sept 15, 2006
We've been making headway in our race here in Spokane, but there is much to be done. My opponent began her assault of the airwaves this past week. We know her pockets are deep. Our challenge will be to help voters see through the smokescreen and understand her actual votes on key issues.
Today, I spent a few minutes at a local gas station, pumping gas for folks and paying the difference between the 2004 price and today's price. It's a Goldmark Guerilla Gas Giveaway, and we're planning several more for around the community this week. It's our way of reminding folks about the huge profits that our opponent has supported for big oil companies at our expense. It's time we move seriously toward energy independence in this country. And I think many voters are ready to support that notion, too.
On my trips around D.C., I looked down tree-lined avenues and caught a glimpse of the Capital building. What an opportunity--what a responsibility to represent the views of more than half a million residents there. My heart, my family, my land, my spirit is here in the Northwest. It is the people here that I am listening to now and will continue to listen to when I next go to Washington, D.C.
I'm going to be around for the next hour or so to respond to comments.
Thanks for contributing to my campaign