| This post isn't actually about asking anyone to to pay off any campaign debts, it's a post to point out an action that illustrates good character. Many longtime readers will remember the story of John Courage.
John has a long and deep relationship with many of us here at Burnt Orange Report, starting with a personal friendship that pre-dates this blog's existence when he ran for Congress in the 21st District in 2002. That was right after the first round of redistricting after the census, when I was still in high school in Fredericksburg which was in the old 21st. John was the very first campaign I did anything for, manning his campaign booth at our county fair, and handing out literature at the polls on election day.
He ran again in 2006. That was under the new re-redistricted map, which actually made the 21st competitive as it had moved into Austin. But the Supreme Court reviewed it, and in order to correct injustices done to Hispanics on the border, made the 21st more Republican in the middle of an election. Matt was running that campaign, and rather than him or John quitting, they stayed on and directed their resources to helping down ballot which had the added effect of helping Valinda Bolton become a state rep instead.
John had been a Netroots candidate, with support from the blogs, Democracy for America, and Russ Feingold's PAC. He was one of the early and first examples of the growing force of the online progressive movement in Texas. Even after losing, he went on to form the True Courage Action Network which worked for good government, redistricting, and campaign finance reforms in the 2007 session.
He gave back and supported his friends. And even after all this time, hasn't forgotten sending out the rare email of support for an out of state candidate- Russ Feingold who is now up for re-election.
Friends and fellow Democrats,
Many of you have been great supporters of my 2002 & 2006 campaigns for the U.S. Congress and I will always be grateful for your support. Some of you may also know I have been and remain a strong supporter of other local and state Democratic Party activities and candidates. I rarely advocate sending our people and resources (especially financial resources) to out of state to support other candidates (an exception being the Barack Obama campaign). However I am going to recommend to you and to your fellow Democratic Party friends that you consider making a contribution to the re-election of a great Democratic Senator, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Russ personally supported my 2006 campaign for Congress and came to Texas to help me.
I will always remember his kindness and support and want to do what I can to return the confidence he showed in me.
Russ is running for re-election and I don't know how tough his re-election race may be, but he is truly one of the progressive Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate. Listed below are just a few of the things people have said about Russ Feingold's leadership in the Senate over the recent past. I hope you will read these statements and then join me in making as substantial a contribution as you can to his re-election campaign.
You can go to the following link to make an online contribution. I would ask you to add .21 cents to your contribution to let to let the Senator's staff know that your contribution has come from my efforts as a former candidate for the Texas 21st Congressional District. Contribute to the Russ Feingold Campaign .
Democratically yours,
John Courage
If you want to give a small amount, say $10.21 (in remembrance of the 21st District Race Sen. Feingold helped John out in 4 years ago), that's cool.
But what's cooler is John Courage for remembering his friends and pointing out once more why we always supported him. Politics is a better place because of people like you. |
