Truman's Conscience

Florida Fightin' Dems On The Move!

I first met Dave Bruderly at the Florida State Democratic Party Convention in 2003. When I walked over to introduce myself I was half expecting to find him holding either a copy of Al Gore’s “Earth In The Balance” or Miquel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote de la Mancha.” At the time he was in the middle of his second campaign against then 16-year veteran U.S. House of Representative Cliff Stearns, R-FL6. He would go on to lose again in the 2004 race by the same margin he lost in 2002: nearly 2 to 1.

Now Dave finds himself in his third campaign against Mr. Stearns as part of the Fighting Dems. As of last count there are now 55 forming a Band of Brothers in a concerted effort to retake the House this year. Unfortunately, the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) doesn’t seem to be interested in most of these candidates of which many are Iraqi veterans who have returned from the front disenchanted and angry. They feel their only recourse is to join the political process and take back the ideals we were founded on and give the veterans something back after they have given their all.

As an engaged Democrat I’m growing more and more frustrated each election cycle as the DCCC employs the same losing tactic every campaign cycle by not concentrating on fielding as many candidates as possible but only spending money and resources in races they deem “competitive.” The DCCC isn’t serving us well as voting Democrats and activist when they continue to fight the GOP on their grounds and on their terms.

Well here’s a thought for 2006. Let’s run as many Band of Brother candidates as possible and have them take over the DCCC for 2008. Perhaps then we’ll have enough veterans in office that understands what it means to take the fight to the enemy. Head on over to Dave Bruderly’s campaign site or blog and pitch in what you can. This is no longer just a fight, this is a struggle for survival for every thing we have fought for. Perhaps these veterans can show us a thing or two about winning campaigns.