Almost. Just check out this diary by Vault5151 and I'll tell you the tale of a total unknown who is now one of the most active and, not to mention, controversial figures on New Orleans' new and improved City Council. Her name is Shelley Midura and you can learn about her here. Or better yet, just "google" her up and you'll find that she doesn't exactly sit on her butt.
However, if you read my first link, you learned that WSDU, a local radio station in New Orleans was running a bogus, on-line poll, to determine which candidates would be the top two contenders for the seat on the Council. Once the top two were decided, then they would get to spar it out in a debate over the radio.
Don't be a chump. Follow along below the jump.
This happens to be my district so I was intensely interested in this particular fight. Indeed, I had decided that Shelley was my kind of candidate but I was worried she wouldn't have a snowball's chance in New Orleans - especially against the incumbent Jay Batt, the deep pocketed, corporate interest, friend's first candidate - to win the election. Batt was so bad that there was actually a website and very visible movement that was well-financed called "ABB", "Anybody But Batt".
Well, to make a long story short - Midura not only moved up from last place but she won the damned poll and it was all because of you, dear kossacks. Ya'll made it possible.
However, that was not the end of it. The radio station and presumably Jay Batt, were not going to give up without a fight so the station cast doubt on the legitimacy of the poll. Egads and little catfishes!!! What was a good kossack to do?
Well, the poll stood. Midura beat the crap out of Jay Batt and she continues to beat the crap out of all that threatens a return New Orleans to destruction. She almost single-handedly got the Council to enact long standing legislation that provided for ethics reform overseen by an Inspector General. As a result we now have this guy in the newly created position of Inspector General. We salute you, Mr. Cerosoli. (Quite a resume I might add).
So, what's this got to do with Gilda Reed?
Check this out. Why is this important? Well, there's the obvious. It says it right there in the title...."Democrats Back Reed". That's important. But what's really important is that our Gilda is getting publicity. She's getting her name in the paper. For months now, she's been totally ignored by the polticians in the state and worst of all, she's not been able to garner much publicity. But perhaps the tide is turning.
You might want to pay particular attention to the chart which is a little past the middle of the page. It's a Campaign Finance Chart. It shows the following regarding our Gilda. Since I can't get the chart to reproduce, I'll just quote the figures for Reed as follows:
Beginning New New Ending
cash receipts spending cash
Gilda Reed 2,480 24,444 19,109 7,816
These amounts are for the period of Jan. 1st through Feb. 17th.
Note her biggest competitor's coffers: Steve Scalise started with $274,426. He spent $140,332. Currently he has $358,504. This guy is a very, very bad guy. Read YatPundit's diary on this Scalise. You'll know why we can't let him win.
What's our Gilda to do? The article gives you an idea of where and how your contributions will be spent. Dig this:
Reed filled her tank on her campaigns dime a dozen times since New Year's Day, according to the latest campaign finance reports released Tuesday. While far from her greatest expense -- the fill-ups collectively cost $476.48 -- that she was the only candidate to itemize her fuel expenses speaks volumes about her tactics against better-heeled opponents. That is, roving the six-parish district in a big red van.
Queen of the whistle stops and she doesn't sound worried. When asked about advertising, our Gilda said:
"Right now we're not strapped to do anything before the primary because we believe we have it," she said. "We are deliberately saving it for later, when I have a Republican opponent."
"IT" meaning the nomination, of course.
Now, for the final piece of this article. St. Tammany Parish is a conservative Republican stronghold. It's also a large part of Gilda's district and she'll need to garner alot of support from St. Tammany if she's to win. She feels confident she can do it. Especially when she has this:
WHOS BACKING WHOM? St. Tammany's Democratic Parish Executive Committee has endorsed Gilda Reed of Metairie over Vinny Mendoza of Kenner in the partys 1st Congressional District primary March 8.
On Feb. 20th and 21st, many of us, from Louisiana and elsewhere ran 24-hour Gilda Reed diaries in order to fundraise for Gilda. Here's my meager contribution to that effort. Soon, we'll know how much ya'll managed to raise for Gilda. But in the meantime, here's Gilda's diary showing her appreciation after that effort.
Kossacks, you are stronger than you think. If any of you ever think that you aren't making a difference, let this diary inspire you. When we work together, we can make change happen.
Sometimes, ya'll are simply exasperating, but know that, in the long-haul, your heart and generosity is the soul of this country and the progressive movement.
Hey! That felt good. Enjoy yourselves today.