I submitted the following Letter to the Editor to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a week ago. They haven’t ran it in that week, so I’ll settle for posting it all for you, dear readers, to consider and comment upon if you so desire:
The Journal Sentinel’s article on the quarterly FEC reports for Wisconsin’s congressional races (“Gard holds large lead in fund raising†7/19) failed to mention Nick Reid’s energetic campaign against 37-year incumbent Dave Obey in Northern Wisconsin’s 7th district.
Last quarter Reid raised more money from Wisconsin voters than Obey did, and he has more cash on hand than any other GOP challenger in the state.
Obey’s lack of attention to his district, his unapologetically liberal voting record, and his reputation as the Democrats’ king of pork-barrel spending all show how out of tune he is with the values of Wisconsin families. Reid’s youth and energy provide a welcome alternative to yet another term for Congress’ biggest cheerleader for big government.
Be ready for Reid’s coalition of grassroots Republicans, socially conservative Democrats, and fed-up independents to surprise pundits with a strong performance this November.
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Just like the GOP3 blog, the Journal is focussed on the 8th District because of its higher profile and the intensity of that race… the Journal considers the 7th district a safe seat for Dave Obey. Not to be a pessamist, in many ways, they are right… Unless Reid is waiting, I have yet to see a major effort to reach voters other than being on radio or have a headquarters open. I live in very pro-Republican area. No one knows who Nick Reid is… he’s got a lot of work if he’s going to have even a chance. He cannot win because he’s Pro-Life and Pro-Marriage. He needs to focus on economic development, solutions for fiscal responsibility, energy and immigration. Most of all, he just needs to get out there and meet the voters… Remember the 85/15 rule (85% is name recognition, 15% is issue driven).
Other races could be focussed on just as well, I.E. the 3rd District… However they are not…
I had the opportunity to visit with Nick and Beth Reid this past weekend, and they are aware of the challenges. Just hold on everyone, because Western Wisconsin has some plans in the works, and I believe the momentum will be more than sufficient to unseat Ron Kind and Dave Obey.
As far as radar recognition, Ron Kind and Dave Obey really don’t do anything that would make them important in Congress. Thus, they don’t receive Green or Sensenbrenner type attention.
When the 3′rd and 7′th go Red, I am sure that the deserved attention will be granted.