The National Democratic Party talks a good game ... but when it comes to
supporting all Democratic candidates, it falls way short.
Consider Jane Dyer who’s running for SC’s 3rd Congressional district open seat.
She’s the ideal candidate: mother, grandmother, native of the district, Clemson
graduate, USAF pilot veteran, currently AirBus 300 Captain for FedEx. And,
she’s happily married to John Dyer, a retired, highly decorated Vietnam vet.
She’s articulate, bright, determined. She listens. Her energy while
flying full time and campaigning full time is awesome. She’s a leader.
Jane won her June Democratic primary 65% to 35% over her opposition. This in
a state primary full of surprises like Alvin Greene.
She’s done this without national help. She’s done it the old-fashioned way:
going to events and parades, talking to community leaders and businesspeople, canvassing, phone banking, shaking hands and kissing babies. And, of course, the new-fashioned way through Facebook, Twitter, website, and national blogs like this one.
Believe me, running in this red state as a Democrat takes courage. She has that. If we win the Grassroots All Stars vote with Democracy for America then that courage will begin to be validated nationally, consider voting for Jane at http://www.grassrootsallstars.com/...
Talking to belligerent tea partiers with frozen glares is just part of the territory here.
As progressives who care about grassroots, not only do you need to know about her and read her blogs but also give her the help that national entities hold back when they feel that it’s not a sure thing.
Your support of Jane Dyer sends a message to Washington bigwigs that people-
powered campaigns can win even in the reddest of districts.
She can win. In 2008, she ran as a novice against Gresham Barrett, a popular long-time Congressman. With no staff and little money, she decided to run just a few months before the election. And she received a respectable 35% of the vote.
Now, her opposition Jeff Duncan is another career politician ... and auctioneer.
He’s heavily funded by the Club for Growth and the Minuteman Project. He
carries a copy of the Constitution in his pocket ... and wants to take away the citizenship of “anchor babies.” You get the picture.
But even here, here in the red country, there are people who are unhappy
with the lack of common discourse in Congress. They’re not the ones yelling
in groups or writing online diatribes. They are not sure where to turn. They
do know that they want to respect their Congressional representative again.
So, when they meet Jane with her common sense, good manners and smarts, they
take notice.
I recently watched her greet a fair-goer who first said to her, as he started walking away, “I’m a Republican.” She kept talking and he kept listening and talking and listening and nodding his head in agreement. Her authenticity shines through.
That’s what will power her win.
That, and your support. Helping Jane win is a powerful way to show the D.C. powers-that-be that it’s not just money that counts.
Please consider casting a vote for her in the DFA poll by clicking through to http://www.grassrootsallstars.com/...
Best regards,
Jamie Hahn
Jane Dyer 2010 Campaign Manager
www.janedyerforcongress.com