All of us have hit rough bumps along the road. Growing up in a working class family, sometimes carrying the burden of bringing home the
presents for the family during the holidays, convinced me a teenager
should not have to take on such responsibilities.
In perspective though, my challenges growing up are trivial compared to
the real problems so many around the world, and even in our local
communities, face everyday. The stories I have heard in my year of
campaigning for Congress in southwest Virginia would humble the worst of
complainers.
The hardships of our world make many of us into cynics, constantly
wondering why the proverbial glass is half empty. Complaining is so easy
and cynicism can become second nature to those "stuck" in the routine of
life, just trying to get through each day.
America needs a reason to believe why we can accomplish the improbable.
Just as "ask what you can do for your country" landed humans on the
moon, our country needs a reason to believe again.
Our grassroots movement over the past year is larger than any one
election or than my candidacy alone. My values guide me to a commitment
that delivers a positive message full of reasons why we can be practical
idealists. This practical idealism gave birth to a nation yearning for
freedoms and justice for all.
Elections and candidates will come and go. Hopes and dreams built
overnight into tall peaks can be swept away by a flood of corruption,
selfishness, and power scavenging.
I believe it important for me to stay steadfast in my convictions to
deliver a positive vision that sees an America 50 years from now with a
generation that can promise a prosperous future for their children. This
American spirit is why we love our country so much and though the
temptation of negativism that pervades our political arena will
sometimes whisper in my ear, I will not, and must not, allow that
darkness to pull me in the wrong direction.
While others will most surely use negative tactics against me now and in
the future, I owe it to the citizens of our great Republic to remain a
carrier of truth, an explorer of knowledge, and a champion for justice.
###
Besides, why would you want to get into office if you did not have an optimistic view of what you could do when you get there. It seems to me that going overtly negative is a way of stealing a victory that leaves the spoils hollow and un-fulfilling at best.
If Sam is going to whine about "negative campaigning" every time a question is asked about him, well, he needs to understand that, yes, politics, or "life," as he puts it here, "can be rough."
I'm afraid he hasn't seen anything yet.....I'll refer people to my own blog, "Rick Howell Speaks," for more details. But the fact is that Sam Rasoul has only raised 1.9% percent of his funds from the Sixth Congressional district that he seeks to represent, that is, after you take out what his own family has given him. Again, nearly 60 percent of his disclosed contributions have come from such places as Ohio, Louisiana, and Illinois. Who are they and why are they supporting Sam?
Sam's judgment in this matter gives weight to the idea that he just doesn't possess the experience needed to take on an entrenched incumbent such as Mr. Goodlatte. Drew Richardson, on the other hand, is a retired FBI agent with 25 years in the field. Now, he still works as a forensic consultant and is a college professor and a writer.
Good God....we have to get this right. Democrats should pick the best candidate to face Goodlatte. It's not "negative campaigning" to raise necessary questions. If anything, it's a preliminary round of the kind of thing Rasoul is likely to face if he winds up as the party nominee.
I'm sure people on this website would be interested in hearing an online debate between Sam and Drew regarding their visions for this country, why they are the best to represent Democrats in the 6th District this November, and what they would do once in office to help achieve this vision.
Sources of funding, understanding a campaign's backers -- those are process questions, frankly. And process is absolutely not trivial. But I think you'd agree that it pales next to the questions I raised in the paragraph above. I'd rather a campaign be waged on a competition between ideas, ideals, and resumes than on process questions.
It will become readily apparent to all who pay attention that Drew Richardson has the experience and the credibility to make the best race against Goodlatte. The other candidate will lose and lose badly....