Co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, Raul Grijalva, has a big target on his back. There are two 527s taking major aim at him. One is founded by former McCain staffers, and is based in Arizona. The other is national and is associated with far right anti-immigrant groups.
The reason? Simple. Raul's courage in opposing SB1070, in calling for a boycott of his own state. It is something that has even caused him enmity among some Arizona Dems - Gabby Giffords has spent big bucks for an ad buy attacking supporters of the boycott.
This is unusual territory for Grijalva. Normally he could expect to win comfortably, easily in the double digits, 15-20 points. But the mood in Arizona is especially nasty right now, on top of the national mood. Turnout in the Republican primary in Yuma and the west valley of Phoenix was so high that his political people are concerned.
If I have convinced you already, you can join me in throwing some cash his way. I suggest you follow the normal Netroots protocol and add $.10 to your contribution to show it is from the Netroots.
Still not convinced? Then please keep reading.
Once before this community responded when I asked for something for Raul. Before he began participating in this community, I had told him he was a hero to the netroots for his strong advocacy of a meaningful public option. He did not believe me. So I arrange with one of his key people and we sent over 600 emails thanking him, and many also donated to Raul.
Raul is now a registered member of Daily Kos, and those of you who went to NN10 in Las Vegas got to experience this warm and dedicated progressive. If you follow his postings here, you also know that Glenn Beck has called him - and labor hero Dolores Huerta - "A Couple of Racist Commies"
Raul has been strong on labor issues - he was an early supporter of the Lily Ledbetter Act.
He has advocated on behalf of ordinary people - not only for the public option in health care, but for stronger oversight of the financial sector - one reason he voted against TARP is because it lacked such oversight, a point Neil Barofsky, the special inspector general for the program has now made.
Let me be clear. Raul is not the kind of person who asks for contributions merely to build up a war chest. He and his people would not be seeking contributions if they did not feel a real threat. They want sufficient funds to be able to do direct mail and build grassroots operations. Remember, he is a huge target, and if it starts to appear that he is vulnerable there will be massive amounts of national money pouring in on behalf of his opponent, who is a 28 year old tea partier.
Raul tries to make his events accessible. For example, he is for those of you in the national capital region holding an event at the American Legion Hall at 224 D ST SW next Tuesday (9/21) from 7-10. The cost ranges from $250 down to $25. It is his "Annual Southern Arizona Fall Fiesta" for which food and and musicians are brought in from AZ. Those interested in participating can RSVP at Raul.M.Grijalva@FraioliAssociates.com and checks can be made payable to "A Whole Lot of People for Grijalva" and mailed to PO Box 75214 ~ Washington, DC 20013-5214. I went to this event last year, and it was a lot of fun. I cannot go next week because that is my back to school night.
He is also doing several events in Los Angeles. There is another low dollar event with Dolores Huerta for which one of the hosts should be well known to most of those reading this: Heather Digby Parton. That is 6 PM this Saturday in Beverly Hills, and if you want more information about it, You can go to this link and call the campaign office.
There is another event on Saturday, from 1-4, at the Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles. For info on that event, you can use this email: gbuelna@sbcglobal.net
My wife and I are finding our finances so restricted this year that we are very much limiting our political contributions - we have to pay our own bills, and we have almost no discretionary funds. We had previously committed to financially supporting Tom Perriello. After my conversations last night with Raul and one of his key people, we are now scraping up $100 to help Raul.
Raul Grijalva is pro-environment. He is pro-labor. He serves on the education committee. He is a progressive leader. He is unafraid of being oustpoken.
We cannot afford to lose his voice. He and his people would not be asking for our help if they did not need it.
Can you help?
Peace.