If there is anything I hate about politics, it's asking for money. I never do it. I hate it.
But the North Dakota senate race between progressive Democrat Heidi Heitkamp and millionaire Republican Rick Berg is important. No - it's vital. It is not just a matter of control of the U.S. senate, although the race may well decide whether Democrats or Republicans set the agenda in the senate for Obama's next term. It is also a question of whether Democratic candidates are ever again willing to take on the crushing tide of corporate money and step up for the American people.
Because I feel so strongly about this race, I am willing to do that which I hate. I'm begging you for donations. Moreover, I'm going to do it all week. Every day. If necessary, more than once a day.
I'm hosting a fundraiser picnic for Heidi on Saturday, after our local Independence Day parade. I would dearly like to announce that we Kossacks have raised $20,000 this week. You see, Heidi leads in the polls, but the Republicans are slamming her on the air. With their huge money advantage, they could buy this seat unless we step up and tell them "NO!"
Heidi is a well-liked former state attorney general, and her opponent is a freshman congressman, the richest Republican of the class of 2008. He has voted the party line 100 percent of the time.
I have to save some material for what will undoubtedly be ever more desperate pleas throughout the week, but the clearest endorsement I can give comes from a friend of mine, a 72-year-old retiree who subsists on coffee and FOX News. Ed recently told me, "I sure hope she wins. That's one smart gal."
I've created an ActBlue page titled KossacksForHeidi so we can chart our progress And get the deserved credit (although I mistakenly spelled it "heidii"). Please, please click on the link below and give $3, $5, $20 or more. Whatever you can give can help keep this seat blue.
https://secure.actblue.com/...