Earlier on this site there was significant
excitement and conversation on this website about
Barry Welsh, who is running in Indiana's 6th Congressional District.
Barry was in Indianapolis, but I informed him of the discussion, and he was extremely excited. Ever since he declared his candidacy, he has been reaching out to the netroots community both locally and nationally to seek his support in banding with other candidates likely to win in Indiana--such as Brad Ellsworth (IN-08) and Baron Hill (IN-09)--to turn Indiana back into a Blue State.
So, this diary is, in part, a big "thank you!" from Barry for supporting him so eagerly and accepting him into the community. He recognizes the internet is his most valuable resource, and was elated to hear about the recent diary. Its other function is to give you guys an update on what he's up to with his campaign.
There's more...
Cross posted at
Deny My Freedom
This week, Barry was happy to learn that he had been named an official Candidate for Colbert. What does this mean? That he has shown the amount of backbone (or, as Colbert would say, balls) needed to give Republicans in Congress the boot and energize the Democratic party. It also means that he has the sort of close relationship with the blogging community that has been seen in the "blogs for colbert vs. the world" atmosphere following Colbert's Speech.
He is the first running candidate to have given the site his full endorsement, saying:
http://www.CandidatesforColbert.com
"It is an honor to be a Colbert Candidate. Not as much of an honor as having a baby eagle named after you at the San Diego Zoo, mind you, but an honor none the less. I sincerely hope that I am the first Congressional Challenger that he has on the show and asks, 'So why do you hate America?'
OK, I will leave the joking to the pro, Colbert has used satire to it's fullest and is a genius with that tool. Speaking truth to authority can come in different forms and achieve the same results. Speaking truth to authority is something I share with Mr. Colbert and that is why I feel I was chosen as a Colbert Candidate, and I endorse this site."
(Please visit the site to donate to Barry and similarly valuable candidates including Ned Lamont and Francine Busby.)
As mentioned earlier, Barry's campaign is picking up steam, and he's showing a better and better chance of beating incumbant Mike Pence this November. A recent internal poll conducted by Welsh's campaign shows the following spectacular chances for a Welsh victory in 06:
2006 IN-6 Congressional Race.
Do you plan to vote in November? (Non-Primary voters)
Frequency Percent
Yes 239 74%
No 84 26%
Total 323 100%
Do you plan to vote for Mike Pence, Barry Welsh, or are you undecided? (Likely voters)
Frequency Percent
Pence (R) 91 38.1%
Welsh(D) 72 30.1%
Undecided 76 31.8%
Total 239 100.0%
*note: poll even reflects a bias
towards Pence, as detailed in ManFromMiddleTown's
diary.
Barry also wants all of us to know that he is kicking off his "wake up the middle class!" national campaign this Thursday, June 1, with a local rally in downtown Anderson, Indiana... but also with a national call to action.
This is some of Barry's Message to the nation at large:
June 1st is now set as a National Day of Mourning for the Middle Class. Let's unite through solidarity and show Congress, the Senate, and the President who really controls this country. They seem to have forgotten for whom they work. They forget who fights the wars, pays the highest taxes, educates our children, transports our goods, cares for our sick and elderly, builds our cities, grows our food, and owns the most businesses. It's time to show our leaders what we can do when we've had enough!
On June 1st wear black as a protest. Don't buy gas. Drive with your headlights on. To remind them that the middle class has a voice, at 5:00 pm eastern, 4 pm central, 3 pm mountain, and 2 pm pacific time no matter where you are, honk your car horn for exactly one minute.
If you're tired of high taxes, low wages, high gas prices, the war, unsecured borders, corrupt politicians, broken levies and broken promises; if you're tired of the smoke and mirror games and promises of ethics reform from our politicians who vote to do nothing; if you lost your job or know someone who had their job shipped overseas, now is the time to act.
Emphasis mine.
Here are some details about the local rally:
- What: National Day of Mourning for the Middle Class
- When: Noon on June 1
- Where: Downtown Anderson, IN --In the center of town across from the Paramount Theater.
- Why: "Do you think there is still a Middle Class? Think again! Now it takes two incomes to maintain the lifestyle of only 30 years ago. More middle class citizens are living paycheck to paycheck. There have been more foreclosures in the last 3 months than in the past 3 years!"
This is an image from a t-shirt Barry is selling across the state and nation to help get the message out about the attack on America's middle class. It will help raise funds for his increasingly intense campaign:
You can purchase the T-shirt to show your support for the middle class and Barry's campaign on either a local or a national scale here. (Shirt to be added soon.)
It can also be printed out and used as a sign or flag at the rally.
Once again, Barry says thank you so much! for the support of the DailyKos community, and as an active member of this website, plans on seeing you all very much in the future, running up to the election.
Resources:
http://www.barrywelsh.org
http://www.candidatesforcolbert.com