AL-03 Josh Segall Launches New Web Site

by: countrycat

Tue Mar 09, 2010 at 15:21:19 PM CST

AL-03 Congressional candidate Josh Segall launched his new campaign Web site today.  In an email to supporters, he encouraged everyone to check it out:

It begins a new phase of our campaign – delivering my message to the people of Alabama.

Beyond the standard sections where you can donate, volunteer and read my bio, the website also includes the following:

• On my homepage and “In the News” page, we have included social media share buttons that include counters.  The buttons are the simplest way to share our updates with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.  Try it now by sharing the recent article about DCCC naming us a Race to Watch.

• I have laid out the foundation of my platform in three preliminary issue stances.  Below each issue, you can even endorse my position and send me a comment.  (I love getting endorsements, especially yours.)

• Using the “Tell a Friend” page, you can easily spread the word about our campaign.

Take a look at the website now and use these tools to share our campaign with family and friends.

I am excited about the upcoming months of the campaign.  The people of Alabama deserve an independent leader who will break the partisan paralysis in Washington.

Thanks for your support.

I'm glad he's starting to focus more on social media.  That's becoming a much more important tool for campaigns.  As voters trust media, ads, and even candidates less, they do still trust their friends.  I like it when a candidate makes it easy for me to distribute information about them on blogs or Facebook.

After you enjoy the new Web site, send Josh some $$ to help him defeat Mike Rogers!

AL-03: Mike Rogers has a Lot of Gall

by: mooncat

Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 22:05:41 PM CST

That's what my mother always called it, as in, "He's got a lot of gall!" anytime someone tried to get away with something outrageous.  See the Merriam-Webster online dictionary entry for "gall":

2 : brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence

That exactly describes Rep. Mike Rogers' (R, AL-03) actions.

• Thursday:  Mike Rogers votes against the Jobs Bill.
  
  
• Friday: Mike Rogers sends out a newsletter in which the 2nd sentence is, "Like many people, I am deeply concerned the Democratic leadership’s focus is misplaced on a health care reform plan, instead of the main concern of the American people – jobs."

Helllooo?  President Obama and the Democratic leadership are focused on the jobs issue -- you're the doofus voting NO on every bill that looks like it would create jobs for ordinary Americans.  If you ask me, it's part and parcel of the Republican plan -- the more pain they can create in America, the better their chances in the next election.

Rogers and his allies are hoping we'll reward his bad behavior.  I think we're smarter than that.

Mike Rogers has an excellent Democratic opponent - Josh Segall.  You can help Segall with a contribution, large or small, right here! 

AL-03: Mike Rogers Opposes Jobs Plan

by: mooncat

Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 11:00:00 AM CST

Why am I not surprised that Rep. Mike Rogers opposes a bill that would create jobs and provide tax relief to small businesses and help families during this Great Recession?

“Once again, Representative Michael Rogers has refused to stand with hardworking families and small businesses by opposing the one thing they need the most: more jobs,” said Ryan Rudominer, National Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Representative Rogers’s objection to putting folks back to work and helping small businesses make payroll proves how out of touch Rogers still is with the pain of hardworking people.”

Alabama's unemployment rate is the highest in 26 years. 225,000 people are looking for work in this state.  That's huge.  Every member of the Alabama delegation ought to support the HIRE Jobs Bill.  In fact, only Democrats Artur Davis (D, AL-07) and Bobby Bright (D, AL-02) voted for it.

Mike Rogers has an excellent Democratic opponent - Josh Segall.  You can help Segall with a contribution, large or small, right here!

Background

1.      A payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers, to create some 300,000 jobs and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees

2.      Tax cuts to spur new investment by small businesses to help them expand and hire more workers [H.R. 2847, 3/04/10]

3.        Tax relief for businesses to spur immediate job growth. A new payroll tax exemption would create a common-sense, targeted, and effective way to encourage employers to begin hiring unemployed workers today and is estimated to spur about 300,000 new jobs, according to economist Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com. [The Hill, 2/18/10].

End of the Quarter, End of the Year, Time to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

by: mooncat

Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 12:43:53 PM CST

The candidate with the most money doesn't always win, but the candidate who runs out of money always loses.  We need to help our candidates raise ENOUGH money to be competitive.  If you haven't already given, today is the very best time to help a progressive Democrat because contributions made today show up on their 4th quarter fundraising report and SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS.  The more they raised in 2009, the more people will want to give them in 2010.  Hey, it's human nature, everybody wants to climb on a bandwagon.

First up, if you're unhappy that no candidate has emerged in AL-05, please give to Josh Segall, the genuine progressive Democrat who has been doing the very hard work of persuading AL-03 voters that Democrats are not looney, socialist, America-haters like they hear on the radio, but hard working Americans who care about our fellow citizens.  Running against an incumbent is not easy and Josh has been tirelessly campaigning against the Republican noise machine personified by Mike Rogers.  He's at the top of my list of Democrats Worth Investing In.  Please consider making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, or whatever you are able to give.

Jeremy Sherer, candidate for Alabama State Treasurer, is next on my must give list.  Sherer is seeking the spot currently abused by Treasurer Kay Ivey (R) who is at the center of the PACT debacle.  Sherer is another hard worker -- he's attended just about every Save our PACT meeting from one end of the state to the other.  I've heard all three candidates for this office speak about PACT problems and there's no question Sherer is the smartest and best informed of the bunch.  Please help Jeremy Sherer with a contribution if you can.

Sherer in 2010
112 Adams Avenue West
Oneonta, AL 35121

Susan Pace Hamill is running for State House district 63 in the Tuscaloosa area.  Hamill is a long time champion of tax reform in Alabama and a Good Investment for your progressive contributions.  She's very close to raising $100,000 for her year-end filing which is important towards attracting support from other big players next year.  Some are saying this could be the ugliest and most expensive house race in recent memory.  Give to Susan Pace Hamill for a better Alabama!

Hamill Campaign
P.O. Box 2347
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35403

Gubernatorial candidates:

This message came from the Artur Davis campaign:

If you believe that a new Alabama is being born, and you want to join the growing numbers of Alabamians who are ready to take state government back for all of us, it's important that you give before midnight tomorrow.

It doesn't take much to make a difference -- will you make a contribution of $25 or more now?

Davis is running on a platform that includes sweeping ethics reform and support for a new constitution -- pretty progressive stuff for an Alabama candidate.

Ron Sparks' campaign sent this message:

We have a campaign that can use your time and your contributions.  Together, we can and will build a better future for Alabama.

Sparks is running on a platform that includes an education lottery and regulation/taxation of gambling.

The Congressional candidates in AL-07 are all in need of support -- I can't say which is the most or least progressive.  Perhaps some smart, local commenters will chime in:

Martha Bozeman
Earl Hilliard, Jr.
Patricia Evans Mokolo
Terri Sewell
Shelia Smoot
Eddison Walters

Below the fold, some Legislators you should consider supporting.

Josh Segall on Alabama Politics Tonight

by: mooncat

Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 13:58:23 PM CST

If Knology is your cable provider, view the show on channel 43.
If Charter is your cable provider, view the show on channel 96.
 
The show is on at 8 PM and 9:30 PM and can be viewed on:
    Thursday, December 17th
    Friday, December 18th
    Thursday, December 24th
    Friday, December 25th
 

Big Pharma Buying Ads for Mike Rogers -- Almost a Year Before the Election

by: mooncat

Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 23:18:01 PM CST

Big Pharma is spending a ton of money to keep Josh Segall out of Congress.  We need to make sure they don't succeed.

 

The claim is false, like so many claims Rogers made about me in the last campaign.  

...

 

The country is engaged in an epic health care debate and the cost of medical care is at the heart of it.  

... 

 

The SINGLE LARGEST source of unnecessary health care cost in America is prescription drugs.  We pay more for prescription drugs than any country on earth.  The Pharmaceutical Industry is one of the most heavily subsidized industries in the country even though it has been the country's most profitable industry for thirty years.  The first place to start cutting health care cost is prescription drugs.

...

 

I believe strongly that we must invest in innovative research to find cures to debilitating and painful illnesses.  But most new medical treatments come from public universities not the private prescription drug industry.  The Pharmaceutical Industry has increasingly spent money on lifestyle drugs and marketing for those drugs rather than cures for the country's worst illnesses.  The industry has focused more on finding marginal uses for old drugs than critically important advances.

 

The pharmaceutical industry spends billions to convince us otherwise and Mike Rogers is another way for them to do it. 

... 

 

I am a pro-business Democrat.  I believe in our capitalist system and I don't criticize corporations for the sake of political gain.  But pharmaceutical companies have violated a public trust and set up an entitlement system that does not serve the public good.  Help me by making a contribution and I'll speak plainly about it in Congress.

A Shout Out to Young Candidates - Jeremy Sherer Discusses Running for Office

by: countrycat

Thu Oct 15, 2009 at 15:30:00 PM CDT

Running for political office isn't an occupation for the faint of heart.  It takes stamina, money, time, and effort.  The time involved can hurt a career and strain personal and family relationships.

Although I guess that's obvious, I never gave it much thought until I met Alabama Treasurer candidate Jeremy Sherer at a Save Alabama PACT meeting in Huntsville.  He had taken an entire Saturday to drive up with his family and meet with parents.  Later, I noticed that every single news article about PACT parent meetings across the state always mentioned that Sherer attended the meeting.

Here's a sample of PACT meetings Sherer has attended recently:

Thursday, October 15th - Cullman County
Tuesday, October 13th - Blount/Marshall County
Monday, October 12th - Morgan/Lawrence County
Tuesday, October 6th - Lauderdale County
Thursday, October 8th - Baldwin County
Monday, September 28th - Tuscaloosa County

Add in recent Democratic party events in Cullman and Phenix City, and you have to wonder when Sherer sleeps - much less how he works full time and shares parenting duties.

So I asked him.  And his response made me appreciate fully for the first time just how much of a commitment it is to run for office - particularly a statewide office.

I can't imagine how anyone even tries it unless he/she is independently wealthy.  The thought of simultaneously fundraising, campaigning, working, and being a parent is so daunting that I'm amazed anyone accepts the challenge. 

I'm also grateful to the people who are so invested and hopeful about the future of Alabama that they're willing to try.

Last Day of the Fundraising Quarter -- Give 'Til it Hurts

by: mooncat

Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 13:05:54 PM CDT

No matter how progressive, no matter how principled, no matter how much their values align with yours, the simple fact is that Democratic candidates can't win elections without money.  And if they can't get it from individual small donors, they'll be forced to turn to the folks who can write big checks and who may try to call in favors for those checks later on. 

In that sense, the netroots is truly revolutionizing politics, by offering access to a large pool of folks who are savvy and engaged, but may not have the price of entry for $5000 a plate dinners to bend the ear of potential decision makers.  We're interested in good government that works for average Americans, not just for the wealthy.  To make it happen, we have to open up our wallets and give to the candidates we believe in, even if our personal pain threshold is only $5 or $10.  A thousand $5 contributions is a lot healthier for democracy than a single $5000 one, IMHO.  So unlimber your credit cards, this is your chance -- the books close for federal candidates at midnight tonight.

Our best bet to elect more and better Democrats from Alabama is Josh Segall in AL-03.  Josh came heartbreakingly close to picking off incumbent Mike Rogers (R, What am I doing in Congress?) last November -- a little more money or support would have flipped that seat for us in 2008 -- and we need to make sure he has the resources to do it right in 2010.  He's one of only a handful of candidates to reach out to the Alabama netroots so far and we know he's far more progressive than the guy he's trying to replace.  

It may seem early, but Josh Segall is already working hard to line up the resources to win in 2010 -- he just held 8 events in 11 days all over the state and has brought in more new donors than ever before.  He sent this email yesterday:

Every day, week and month is a critical part of our plan to win next year.  We have to convince hundreds of thousands of people to vote for a new direction in this district.   

We’ll do it by knocking on more doors than have ever been touched in this district, by holding more town hall meetings, house parties and fundraisers than anyone has ever had.  We are working on that effort NOW and we’re working as hard in September of 2009 as we will be a month before the election.   

Click here to donate $25, $50, $100 or more online and keep our momentum going. 

The midnight fundraising deadline is important to building momentum and to garnering national attention and national support for Segall in AL-03.  Yes, I'm talking about the DCCC who spent millions on Parker Griffith and Bobby Bright last year that, in hindsight, would have been better invested in Josh's race.  Hopefully, we won't see a repeat of that this cycle.  Segall's campaign really is working like it's already 2010 and, if their event in Huntsville is any indication, people are excited about his candidacy and digging deep to help him beat his goals and beat Mike Rogers in 2010.  Josh can win, but he needs our help to do it.

Please consider making a contribution to Josh Segall of $5, $10, $50, $100, $250 or whatever you can do today!!!

Attention North Alabama: Help Send a Real Democrat to Washington

by: mooncat

Wed Sep 16, 2009 at 21:52:12 PM CDT

If Congressman Parker Griffith has left you bitterly disappointed and resolved never to contribute another dime until he at least gives lip service to Democratic ideals, why not throw your support to a real Democratic challenger in a nearby district?  The fact that the district is demographically more friendly to a Democrat -- and thus might support a more progressive Congressman -- is just gravy.  There is such a candidate, Josh Segall, running in East Alabama's AL-03.  Believe me, if you're within striking distance of Huntsville, you need to be at this fundraiser.  

You are cordially invited to a fundraiser in support of Josh Segall to benefit his candidacy for Congress in the Third District of Alabama.
 
Thursday, September 17, 2009
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Watson, McKinney, & Artrip PC
203 Greene St SE
Huntsville, AL 35801-4810
 
Suggested minimum contribution: $50
Refreshments Provided
 
Please RSVP by emailing chad@segallforcongress.com or by making a contribution online:

Contribute
 
Make checks out to: Segall for Congress
PO Box 4236
Montgomery, AL 36103
 
For more information please call 334-834-5800 or email chad@segallforcongress.com

Notice that you can give even if unable to attend in person. We did the "more Democrats" thing last year and got Parker Griffith and Bobby Bright -- I suggest we focus on "better Democrats" next time.  Please help Josh Segall any way you can. 

Remembering Our Candidates: End of 3rd Quarter Fundraising

by: gradyw

Wed Sep 16, 2009 at 20:51:41 PM CDT

Dropped by a fundraiser for Josh Segall tonight - our endorsed candidate in AL-03. Josh nearly beat do-nothing Mike Rogers in 2008. Unfortunately, I had to leave early to get to another appointment and did not get to stay and record his speech.

Josh is raising money all over the state this week. Monday in Anniston. Last night and tonight in Birmingham. Tomorrow in Huntsville. He's working hard to help us get rid of Rogers.

Fight at Mike Rogers Town Hall

by: mooncat

Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 08:56:02 AM CDT

Worried seniors + disingenuous Congressman = violence at retirement home.

Mike Rogers (R, AL-03) can't keep the lid on town hall meeting at a retirement home! Way to look like a leader, Congressman. Brittany Whitley of the Auburn-Opelika News offers a first hand account:

When the meeting ended, I got up to gather names and ask a few more questions. Right behind me, the man involved in the initial confrontation was swinging at another man. He hit him, and after a scuffle, was pulled off.
People quickly began to leave. As I was walking out, one man confronted me, saying I didn’t need to put what I had just seen in the paper.

The instigator was apparently anti-reform -- Whitley says early in the meeting another reform opponent stood up and said "I'm not here to make nice." No kidding. If you can't win the argument with facts, there's always fists. 

These were older people, almost certainly concerned by widespread misinformation on rationing, death panels and so forth. Instead of reassuring them with actual facts and calming the situation down, Mike Rogers let it escalate to the point of violence -- or maybe even helped it along.

I understand the Congressman addressed the death panel rumor by pointing out the largest health care costs are associated with the last 2 years of life, so when the government needs to cut costs, you can expect the cuts to come from there.

Small wonder a fight broke out after that.

Earmarks for Private Companies

by: mooncat

Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 05:00:00 AM CDT

Mary Orndoff found Alabama's Congressional delegation submitted 147 earmarks to steer hundreds of millions in federal money to private, for profit companies, some of whom are campaign contributors:

• Mike Rogers (R, AL-03) submitted 40 requests for $272 million .
• Sen Jeff Sessions (R) submitted 38 requests totaling $225 million.
• Rep. Robert Aderholt (R, AL-04) submitted 29 requests totaling $127 million.
• Sen. Richard Shelby (R) submitted 21 requests totaling $127 million.
• Rep. Parker Griffith (D, AL-05) submitted 17 requests for $74.5 million.
• Rep. Bobby Bright (D, AL-02) submitted 2 requests totaling $19 million.

Reps. Jo Bonner (R, AL-01), Spencer Bachus (R, AL-06) and Artur Davis (D, AL-07) submitted no earmark requests.

[Mike] Rogers submitted 40 requests for private companies worth more than $272 million. Of those, three made the cut and are in the House version of the defense spending bill, albeit for lesser amounts than requested.

Mike Rogers is reputed to be the least effective member of the Alabama delegation. Looks like that reputation is deserved -- he can't even deliver on special favors for his friends, although not for lack of trying.

There's a real Democrat running against Mike Rogers in AL-03 -- donate to Josh Segall today, for honest, effective representation in Washington.

Mike Rogers (AL-03) On the Endangered Species List

by: mooncat

Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 21:45:40 PM CDT

From Roll Call:

The National Republican Congressional Committee on Thursday will name 15 more Members to its “Patriot” program to boost the party’s most vulnerable incumbents in 2010, bringing its membership to 25.

Who's at the top of the list for "most vulnerable incumbents in 2010?  Our own Mike Rogers (R, AL-03) who barely squeaked by last November -- and challenger Josh Segall (D) is back to take another swing at Alabama's least effective member of Congress. 

The NRCC's Patriot program is modelled on the DCCC's successful Frontline program to protect incumbents.  Yes, it's true, Republicans do not have any original ideas.  Let's hope their copycat skills are poor, too.

Meadowcraft Jobs on the Line in Wadley & Selma

by: mooncat

Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 05:00:00 AM CDT

Everyone tells us the economy is bad and credit is tight, but the economic crisis is personal for thirteen hundred people in Central Alabama.  Plantation Patterns, a subsidiary of Meadowcraft, Inc. with plants in Wadley and Selma has been in bankruptcy since March 20 and may permanently close their doors on Friday.  In Wadley, the company employs about 500 people making wrought iron furniture in a town with a population of less than 650.  There is no other industry in town and Mayor Jim Dabbs says the loss of Meadowcraft jobs would devastate Wadley.

"Other than Meadowcraft, we have a couple of restaurants, gas stations and Southern Union Community College."

Making matters even worse, Meadowcraft owes the city of Wadley around $168,000 in unpaid utility bills.  In addition to the Wadley plant, Meadowcraft also employs approximately 800 people at a plant in Selma, Alabama where they make soft goods such as cushions and umbrellas.  Over 20% of people in Randolph County (where Wadley is located) live below the poverty level.  For Dallas County (home to Selma) the figure is 30%.

Meadowcraft's problem isn't slow sales.  Nope.  The company has orders for furniture.  What they lack is cash.  Unfortunately, Jerry Camp, former president, and Larry Maynor, chief financial officer, were dismissed last March in the wake of "accounting irregularities," leaving the company with unpaid bills and a shortage of cash.  As in, struggling to meet payroll and unable to pay creditors -- some of whom forced Meadowcraft into involuntary bankruptcy. 

Meadowcraft has orders.  They have equipment.  They have workers.  There's no question this is a viable business.  The problem is they can't get credit to continue operating until the current management can purchase the business.

And who can't they get credit from?  Wells Fargo/Wachovia -- who accepted $25 billion in federal Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) money just a few months ago.  I don't know how much Meadowcraft needs, but I'll bet Wells Fargo Chairman's 2007 compensation of $22,874,952 would make a healthy dent in it.

I heard about the plight of Wadley from Democratic congressional candidate Josh Segall, who also told me there will be a Rally to Save Meadowcraft Jobs Thursday morning at 9 am in Roanoke.  If anyone is in the neighborhood with a camera, please send pictures.  Details of the rally are at the end of this post. 

Josh Segall Hires Former DCCC Southern Field Director, Chad Horrell, As Campaign Manager

by: countrycat

Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 11:11:27 AM CDT

I hope Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) is looking forward to retirement or a lucrative career as an industry lobbyist - or any future that doesn't include a seat in the US House of Representatives.

Josh Segall, who is making another run at Rogers in 2010, announced that he has hired Chad Horrell as campaign manager.  Horrell brings an enormous amount of campaign experience and field organizing know-how to the Segall campaign.

From Segall's press release:

Chad oversaw the national party's field programs for every targeted race in the South, from Virginia to Florida to Texas.  He worked with the country's strongest candidates, many of whom went to Congress, and orchestrated some of the largest efforts their districts had ever seen to have conversations with voters at their doorstep. 
 
This is exactly what we intend to do in this campaign ...

It's an indication - as if we needed one - that Segall will be a much more formidable candidate this cycle than in 2008.  Not because he's changing his positions on the issues, but because he's finally attracting the attention of the national party, its candidate support structure, and fundraising assistance.

Congratulations to Josh Segall and a big Alabama welcome to Chad Horrell too.

Help Josh pay his new campaign manager and get his message out to voters in AL-03 by donating now to the Segall campaign...

Josh Segall Officially Kicks Off His Campaign for AL-03 Against Mike Rogers

by: countrycat

Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 15:18:10 PM CDT

It's official!  Josh Segall is making another run at Mike Rogers in Alabama's 3rd Congressional district.  After an amazingly close race in 2008, Segall is already attracting more state and national attention.

Expect this race to be on everyone's "hot list."

Segall's announcement email states:

Because of our success last cycle, our race this cycle will be one of the nation's most high-profile.  That means more time, focus and outreach to spread our message of economic growth and prosperity for Alabama and for rural areas all over the country.  With national exposure and with your continued advice and generosity, I believe, to my core, that we will win this race.

From your email, to the voters' ears and pocketbooks, Josh! 

There are just eight days left in this reporting period, but that's plenty of time to give Segall a big financial boost. Click here to donate!

On the flip, you can watch clips from his 2008 debate with Mike Rogers.  If that won't open your wallet, nothing will...

TVA Coal Ash to Perry County - An Economic Decision That Proves Josh Segall's Point

by: countrycat

Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 07:21:39 AM CDT

Updated: Added a video of the Segall/Rogers debate.  Josh has some great points about developing rural Alabama.  It's on the flip.

"For that kind of payroll, the city fathers would tie a big red bow around City Hall and hand it over."

Addie Pray makes this droll observation in the novel, Paper Moon.  Set in depression-era Alabama, it details the activities of two lovable con artists.  In this instance, the pair is scamming small towns by promising to build a paper mill with a payroll of 120 people.

In some parts of Alabama - specifically Perry County and other black belt communities - it's like the Depression never ended.

Now, in 2010, the promise of greater prosperity is much worse than a paper mill.  It's TVA coal ash, and the city fathers County Commission is actually excited by the possibility of accepting 15,000 tons of toxic coal ash laden with heavy metals into their county every day.

Learn why on the flip.

Mike Rogers (AL-3) Veteran's Advisory Board

by: Alexander

Sat May 23, 2009 at 04:11:03 AM CDT

The Anniston Star published an article about Mike Rogers and his new advisory board (Dan Whisenhunt, 22 May 09, www.annistonstar.com).

The article elaborates on the formation of a 31 member panel that will provide comments and recommendations to Mike Rogers and that will "guide him as he votes on veteran's issues".  Well, he could use some guidance, after all, vetvoice has listed him as a someone "you can add to your list of elected officials that hate veterans."

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1256

If this at all sounds encouraging, then by all means read the article in its entirety.  From it you will learn that what veterans really need is tax credits for their employers.

Donate with your head, not your heart

by: mooncat

Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 23:17:35 PM CDT

Or maybe donate with your head and your heart.

Desmoinesdem nails it:

What if a million of the dollars we sent to the MN-06 race had been spread around 10 or 20 other districts? A bunch of the candidates I wanted to support as part of an expanded field got blown out by large margins, but an extra $50,000 could have made the difference for Josh Segall in AL-03, or for several candidates who weren't on my radar, such as Bill Hedrick in CA-44.

$50K might not have put Josh Segall over the top last year, but Michele Bachmann's gaffe brought in $3 million to the Tinklenberg campaign.  I'm thinking 10% of that would have been enough to turn the tide in AL-03.

So, how many of us will commit to donating strategically in 2010, looking at which candidates need and can use the money as well as which have an opponent we really want to see ousted? 

"Hobby" Candidate Scares Incumbent Republican in AL-03

by: mooncat

Sun Apr 19, 2009 at 22:10:33 PM CDT

Alabama Republican Party, spinning like a top:

... it is apparent that Segall views running for Congress as a hobby, and not a serious effort that impacts the lives of hardworking Alabamians. It is unfortunate that Josh Segall is injecting politics at a time when the rest of the Nation is focused on rallying our economy.

As an unknown, so-called "hobby" candidate, Josh Segall raised a million dollars and came within 6 points of beating incumbent Mike Rogers last November in a state Barack Obama lost by over 20 points.  Geez, imagine if Segall had been serious in 2008 instead of just a "hobbyist."

Actually, save your imagination because Segall is back for 2010 -- more experienced, better financed, smarter and just as concerned about the future of the Alabamians in the third district.  No longer a "hobby" candidate -- like he ever was -- I think we'll see the second time's the charm for Josh Segall.  Mike Rogers better start looking for a hobby, 'cause he's going to have a lot more free time starting in January 2011.

Somebody call the DCCC -- we've got a serious Democrat running in AL-03 and he deserves some serious support this time.