Loebsack Receives Positive Feedback on Possible Run Against LeachA Message from Professor David Loebsack
Recently, I sent a message to a number of listservs in the 2nd congressional district (including Blog for Iowa) noting that I am beginning an informal "exploration" of a run against Jim Leach in '06. So far, I have spoken to four groups of Democrats and numerous individuals. The response I have received has been nothing short of humbling.
Many of you know me as a teacher of political science at Cornell College since 1982 and a long-time Democratic Party activist in Linn and Johnson counties and beyond. But I have also worked hard to help the public engage in important issues by serving as a resource person for various civic groups, delivering lectures, facilitating discussion, moderating events, appearing on local television public issues programs, etc.
Why am I considering running at this point?
It is time that we in this district begin to halt George Bush and the hard right of the Republican Party as they try to move America ever farther in their direction. In recent days, we have seen this movement evident by the efforts of Tom DeLay and his allies as they try to capture control of the federal judiciary. Apparently, it is not enough to control the executive and legislature. They want all three branches of government in their grasp.
The simple truth is that Jim Leach remains a Republican who, as Julie Thomas put it in 2002, at a minimum serves as an enabler for the right-wing leadership in the House and the Bush administration. What is needed at this point is a representative who is in touch with the concerns of folks in this congressional district and who is willing to “lead” on issues that matter.
Just one example of Jim Leach’s bad votes makes this point. Recently, he voted for the House version of the Bush budget that would significantly scale back, if not completely gut, many of the programs and services that are the only sources of support for those who have nowhere else to turn, in many cases just to survive.
Indeed, the House budget is even harsher than the Bush budget. The values reflected in this budget, I believe, are not the values of the vast majority of folks in the second district of Iowa. Interestingly, there were a few Republicans in the House who had the courage to vote no, but not Jim Leach.
At this point, I continue to invite you to be in touch with me if you have questions about what I stand for, who I am, etc. Also, I am open to all advice and support. If you think I should move forward with this “exploration,” please let me know. If you think you would support me as a volunteer and/or financially, please let me know. If you think there are others who are more qualified than I and who deserve our unified support, please let me know. As I have said from the beginning, I do not plan to do this if I don't believe the necessary support (perhaps most critically the necessary financial support) will be forthcoming.
No doubt the road ahead will be difficult for any candidate who ultimately takes on Jim Leach in 2006. He is a well-entrenched figure who has been in Congress for nearly 30 years and he can self-fund any campaign if need be. Given these realities, any campaign in this district will likely have to build from the ground up.
We need to begin NOW to build a true grassroots movement to take back this district as a first step towards taking back America from the right-wing of the Republican Party. This will take some time but it can begin right here in the 2nd district of eastern and southeastern Iowa!
In response to the positive feedback I have received over the course of the past few weeks, I have taken the next step and set up an account where I will deposit any contributions that might be sent for this effort. While I am not actively seeking contributions at this point (I need to be better known first!), I am inviting pledges from those who know me well and think they will support this campaign should I make the decision to run.
We can take back our country from the right-wing of the Republican Party and we can begin to do so by electing a Democrat in the second congressional district who will lead on the issues that matter to folks in this part of Iowa. In the meantime, further contact information is below (e-mail: dloebsack@mchsi.com)
As always, thanks and take care.
David Loebsack
Mt. Vernon
P.S. While the bank account's name includes the word committee instead of campaign (the FEC suggested this), and although the Gazette article stated that a committee has already been formed, that is not the case. I am not that far in the process yet.
Loebsack Exploratory Committee
610 Third Avenue North
Mt. Vernon, IA 52314
Home E-mail: dloebsack@mchsi.com
Work E-mail: dloebsack@cornellcollege.edu
Home Phone: (319) 895-8418
Office Phone: (319) 895-4300
Cell Phone: (319) 721-5324
