Loebsack Receives Positive Feedback on Possible Run Against Leach

Recently,
I sent a message to a number of listservs in the 2nd congressional
district (including Blog for Iowa) noting that I am beginning an
informal “exploration” of a run against Jim Leach in '06.  So far,
I have spoken to four groups of Democrats and numerous
individuals.  The response I have received has been nothing short
of humbling.



Many of
you know me as a teacher of political science at Cornell College since
1982 and a long-time Democratic Party activist in Linn and Johnson
counties and beyond.  But I have also worked hard to help the
public engage in important issues by serving as a resource person for
various civic groups, delivering lectures, facilitating discussion,
moderating events, appearing on local television public issues
programs, etc.



Why am I considering running at this point?



It is
time that we in this district begin to halt George Bush and the hard
right of the Republican Party as they try to move America ever farther
in their direction.  In recent days, we have seen this movement
evident by the efforts of Tom DeLay and his allies as they try to
capture control of the federal judiciary.  Apparently, it is not
enough to control the executive and legislature.  They want all
three branches of government in their grasp.



The
simple truth is that Jim Leach remains a Republican who, as Julie
Thomas put it in 2002, at a minimum serves as an enabler for the
right-wing leadership in the House and the Bush administration. 
What is needed at this point is a representative who is in touch with
the concerns of folks in this congressional district and who is willing
to “lead” on issues that matter.



Just one
example of Jim Leach’s bad votes makes this point.  Recently, he
voted for the House version of the Bush budget that would significantly
scale back, if not completely gut, many of the programs and services that
are the only sources of support for those who have nowhere else to
turn, in many cases just to survive.



Indeed,
the House budget is even harsher than the Bush budget.  The values
reflected in this budget, I believe, are not the values of the vast
majority of folks in the second district of Iowa.  Interestingly,
there were a few Republicans in the House who had the courage to vote
no, but not Jim Leach.



At this
point, I continue to invite you to be in touch with me if you have
questions about what I stand for, who I am, etc. Also, I am open to all
advice and support. If you think I should move forward with this
“exploration,” please let me know. If you think you would support me as
a volunteer and/or financially, please let me know. If you think there
are others who are more qualified than I and who deserve our unified
support, please let me know.  As I have said from the beginning, I
do not plan to do this if I don't believe the necessary support
(perhaps most critically the necessary financial support) will be
forthcoming.



No doubt
the road ahead will be difficult for any candidate who ultimately takes
on Jim Leach in 2006.  He is a well-entrenched figure who has been
in Congress for nearly 30 years and he can self-fund any campaign if
need be.  Given these realities, any campaign in this district
will likely have to build from the ground up.



We need
to begin NOW to build a true grassroots movement to take back this
district as a first step towards taking back America from the
right-wing of the Republican Party.  This will take some time but
it can begin right here in the 2nd district of eastern and southeastern
Iowa!



In
response to the positive feedback I have received over the course of
the past few weeks, I have taken the next step and set up an account
where I will deposit any contributions that might be sent for this
effort.  While I am not actively seeking contributions at this
point (I need to be better known first!), I am inviting pledges from
those who know me well and think they will support this campaign should
I make the decision to run. 



We can
take back our country from the right-wing of the Republican Party and
we can begin to do so by electing a Democrat in the second
congressional district who will lead on the issues that matter to folks
in this part of Iowa. In the meantime, further contact information is
below (e-mail:  dloebsack@mchsi.com)



As always, thanks and take care.



David Loebsack

Mt. Vernon



P.S.
While the bank account's name includes the word committee instead of
campaign (the FEC suggested this), and although the Gazette article
stated that a committee has already been formed, that is not the
case.  I am not that far in the process yet.



Loebsack Exploratory Committee

610 Third Avenue North

Mt. Vernon, IA 52314

Home E-mail: dloebsack@mchsi.com

Work E-mail: dloebsack@cornellcollege.edu

Home Phone: (319) 895-8418

Office Phone: (319) 895-4300

Cell Phone: (319) 721-5324