Blue Majority: What You Get for Your Money

DavidNYC and MissLaura have both made compelling cases for making your contribution to our Blue Majority candidates this week, before the end of this quarter's filing deadline.

In addition to those arguments, think about this one: a contribution to a congressional candidate is a long term investment. A president's term is at the longest eight years. If his or her vice president then serves, maybe there's another eight. But good Congress people can make a career of public service. The Freshman class that we help elect in 2008 could be shaping public policy for the next three decades, at least. That's a full generation, one that could be shaped by progressive visionaries.

Consider Darcy Burner, organizer of the group of more than 40 candidates who've now signed on to A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq, and the others on our  Blue Majority list who have signed on: Donna Edwards, Leslie Byrne, and Eric Massa. These candidates are doing something many of our elected Democratic representatives are not willing to do--make a pledge to us that they will do everything in their power to end this war as soon as they are in office.

The plan is already shaping some of the media discussion of the war and this election. Last night, Daniel Schor included it in his commentary about the war and the election on "All Things Considered." The Seattle Times, which published an exceedingly mean spirited and dishonest editorial endorsements against her in 2006, turned op-ed real estate over to her discussion about the Responsible Plan this week.

That's just one example of the potential of these candidates to change the narrative of this election. They have the potential, once elected, to accelerate the end of the Iraq War. They have the potential to help put our country on a new, progressive path for the next generation. Imagine having a Speaker Burner, a Majority Leader Edwards. Dan Maffei chairing the appropriations committee, Gary Trauner at the helm of natural resources. These candidates have that potential, they have that ability. Every candidate on the Blue Majority list has that potential.

That's what you get for your money--a new generation of candidates who are willing and ready to lead. More and better Democrats, for decades to come.

So give what you can.