The Battle for America 2010: Winning Over Eccentrics One at a Time in TX 25
People outside of my congressional district always ask me what it’s like to be running as a conservative in such a heavily blue district. The reality is District 25 isn’t as blue as people think. In fact, it encompasses a large swath of rural and suburban voters, stretching over parts of eight Texas counties. Sure, the heart of the district is the southern half of Austin, and it’s true that Austin hasn’t voted for a Republican in a presidential election since, well … I’m not sure it’s happened in my lifetime.
But even in Austin, I have a secret weapon. It’s a nine word sentence that sends shivers down the spines of independent voters and even some Democrats, contorting their face as if they just jumped into the frigid 67 degree water of our beloved Barton Springs. Those nine words are: Nancy Pelosi is third in line for the presidency.
A vote for any Democrat in U.S. Congress is a vote to keep Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House. This is the same Nancy Pelosi who said we have to pass bills before we can know what’s in them. This is the same Nancy Pelosi who said extending unemployment benefits creates jobs. And yes, this is the same Nancy Pelosi who just last week called for investigating Americans who are opposed to building the mosque at Ground Zero.
That’s not the exactly the strong defense of civil rights most Austinites expect from their elected leaders, Democrat or Republican. Should I stop to talk to one of these freedom-loving citizens, this might be a good time to remind them that our current representative, Lloyd Doggett, has voted with Speaker Pelosi 98% of the time. During his sixteen years in Washington, the national debt has increased by nearly nine trillion dollars. That makes your household’s share of money owed around $46,000. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Doggett would like to know if you prefer your tax hikes to start this year or the next.
I might also point out that a large portion of Lloyd Doggett’s three million dollar war chest was raised by entrenched special interests inside the beltway, while most of my contributions have come from individuals living in and around Austin. In essence, the race in District 25 is a choice between a working mom and a career politician. I’m a hands-on doctor and he’s a millionaire trial lawyer. Whom do you trust to make the best decisions for you, your family, and your family’s health care? Whom do you trust to restore power to the people?
Like you, I have struggled through this recession while Mr. Doggett lives a life of luxury inside the ruling class bubble. He got a pay raise while the rest of us have been tightening our belts to make ends meet. I’ve pounded the pavement looking to get the best daycare for my four-year-old daughter, I’ve shopped for bargains in the grocery aisle so I can meet the family budget, and I’ve fought bureaucratic red tape to keep a business growing. Nancy Pelosi and Lloyd Doggett are far too removed from our ordinary world to understand the frustration we feel every day as a result of their economic policies.
Austin may be liberal, but there’s a rugged and eccentric individualism that keeps folks open-minded. Sometimes too open-minded, as you’ll get when certain celebrity actors decide to play their bongo drums naked. But nonetheless, these hippies, yuppies, cowboys, techies, bohemians, entrepreneurs, artists, college students, and famous cyclists are not conformists. I think too highly of the residents of our Live Music Capital of the World to expect them to keep electing the same out-of-touch career politician over and over and over again.
And while I may not be able to win every heart in this melting pot of eccentricity, if I can keep it close in Travis County and win the rest of District 25, I’ll get the opportunity to represent these one-on-a-kind citizens, and to stick it to the political class enriching themselves on the backs of the taxpayer. If electing a doctor, mom, and ordinary citizen running for her first political office isn’t keeping Austin weird, I guess I don’t know what is.
Exactly.
We need more folks like you. If we keep electing lawyers-turned-politicians, the same kind of people, we will continue to get the same result. We need folks from different backgrounds to bring fresh, honest perspective to our federal government. With very few exceptions, all the incumbents have to go.
One last thing: There are about a dozen doctors in Congress. Only one is a Democrat. I thought Pubs were supposed to be the unsophisticated, uneducated rubes.
Being highly educated and also being is not synonymous. We do not learn the trade of the flim-flam artist.
Sorry, left out a word.
Being highly educated and also being wise is not synonymous. We do not learn the trade of the flim-flam artist.
I just made my contribution to Dr. Donna’s campaign after reading this article. Took about one minute. I am in Ohio but if these current Congress criminals, like Lloyd Doggett, are going to steal my kids inheritance (and mine) then I will use every dime I can to help people like this excellent candidate who are willing to stand up and fight. I encourage every other reader to do so. We must open up our wallets, and our own lives, to help in every way we can. Reading and venting are fine, but not in any way substitutes for investing in those who are in the fight now to save our country. Thanks Donna for what you are doing! I pray that you are successful,
I suggest that lawyers, by the very nature of their position, should be banned from the legislative bodies in any capacity whatsoever. The idea of Separation of Powers has me saying this. Having members of the judiciary writing legislation is like having the fox guarding the henhouse. Lawyers are, after all, officers of the court, thus members of the judiciary.
Constitutional amendment, anyone?
Not a bad thought but that is why we vote. A patch on a patch does not work well. We have our Constitution and it is our responsibility to keep it and that means it is our responsibility to select good candidates. It is not that there is a dearth of good candidates but only a dearth of good hearing. We have not been listening to what our candidates say and put our own thoughts in their mouth when those thoughts should be reproved.
You have my support!
Good luck, Donna!
I live in Moscow on the Colorado and, unlike most people, I was born here. Can’t say much about our “train to nowhere” or our crummy bus system, or the goofy toll roads, but I still like living here. I hope you will defeat Mr. Doggett. He needs to find a new job and, as a trial lawyer, I am sure he can. Remember in November!
You go, girl! I live in Crook County, IL, and I feel your frustration. I will be donating to your campaign.
The real question is what have Muslims done to Americans to make Americans angry with Muslims? Trying to shove their superstitions down our throats might be 1.
Let’s see…….how about starting with 9/11, then add on the USS Cole, two embassies in Africa, the Marine Barracks in Beirut, cutting off a man’s head and filming it just because he was a Jew, throw in cutting off a young woman’s ears and nose because she ran away from an abusive husband, vidoe taping murders of men, women and children in a soccer stadium in Afghanistan because they broke religious laws, stoning a woman to death because she exposed her arm in public by signalling for a left turn, multiple demonstrations across the world by tens of thousands of muslims telling us they are going to rule the world and that our armegeddon is coming at their hands, running terrorist training camps in our country (35 at last count)……is that enough or do you need more. Islam is NOT peaceful and tolerant, it is an abomination on the world and is full of very sick individuals.
icetrout you have a good question and I do have an opinion. Democrats are in control of our government and I do not agree with their agenda but I do not hate them as people. Neither do I hate Muslims or thieves but I don’t want a thief taking my property and if he will not listen to reason then we are relegated to sign language. In the case of the Democrat it is to vote more heavily for his replacement and for the thief we can put him in jail. As for the Muslim we should not support what he supports and we don’t but none of this requires that I get angry or offended. Rational thinking does not require emotion but is seldom completely free of emotion. That is why we have law. Law is not invoked out of anger.
You have a great attitude Donna. If you like people, they like you. Good luck and God bless.
I live east of Austin, not in your district, but you will have my support. I hope that Austin doesn’t want to stay “weird” at the expense of our freedom and our children’s futures. Weird can mean “interesting”, but doesn’t have to mean “stupid”.
Well said Denise!!
We need to stick it too them even in there “safe” districts. Running against Pelosi is a great way to run your campaign. I live in the bay area and it is rare for someone on the right to even try.
gl
Could Austin be joining the state of Texas? Could happen.
Lloyd Doggett is the incumbent. He has historically voted his party line. Politicians who vote the party line without considering the issues, without reading the legislation, or in ignorance of the Constitution, MUST be swept from office.
I think you can hold him accountable. Our current rep, Doggett, just attached an ammendment to a bill (fondly called The Doggett Ammendment). This political posturing will cost our Austin school district to lose out on over $2.4 million in funding. This estimate was determined by the Texas Education Agency. I’m not at all a fan of playing politics with the future of our children. He is no longer providing leadership to our area. Dr Donna, you can fill this void.
Love it! I recently moved to Austin, but have never really been into politics. You make me want to vote – and DONATE to help your cause! You’ve got my vote (and my DONATION). Thanks for running!
thank you, thank you, thank you Dr. Donna! My thoughts exactly! We’re rootin for ya!
This is exactly the kind of no nonsense, common sense talk that we need from our elected officials. I am with you Dr. Donna, and when you are elected, I am looking for you to get rid of these failed policies recently passed by this insane legislature!
The Pelosi one liner is scarey. Here is another that you might try: “What is the opposite of a fiscal conservative?”
Austin to go Red? No way, Jose.
Doggett knows what Obama knows: that 51% of voters can force the other 49%
to pay for their stuff. It’s that simple
Will Rogers was right about getting Paul’s support when you rob Peter.
I do not agree on this though is is often quoted. “It’s that simple
Will Rogers was right about getting Paul’s support when you rob Peter.”
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Paul did not support any type of stealing and he did make it a point to earn his own way rather than depending of the church to support him. Check it out because there is a lot said on this.
That is one of our current problems that we believe it is legal for the government to steal from others for we don’t realize we are the others.
@picnic skunk
You say “Austin to go Red? No way, Jose.
Doggett knows what Obama knows: that 51% of voters can force the other 49%
to pay for their stuff. It’s that simple.”
I don’t like to call names, but you sound more like a yellow bellied sap sucker than a picnic skunk. Do you intend to let the 51% steal your stuff, or do you think you could muster some gonads and put up a fight? Get out your credit card and help Dr. Donna, who has more cajones than the skunk, or the sap sucker. Quit your whining and start fighting.
Although the goal of unseating Lloyd Doggett is no easy task, there are a significant number of independents in the district, so given the recent trendss across much of the country, it IS possible for Dr. Donna Campbell to win. I am volunteering my time and money to assist with her campaign…if you believe in her cause, don’t throw in the towel! She needs your help:-)
EVERYONE SITS AROUND AND BITCHES ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT, BUT DO NOT TRY AND GET INVOLVED, YOU WANT REAL CHANGE….GET UP OFF OF YOUR BUTTS AND VOTE FOR IT…ASK PEOPLE IF THEY ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE..JAR LOOSE WITH SOME COINS TO SUPPORT THE PERSON YOU ARE VOTING FOR…VOTE ALL INCUMBENTS OUT OF OFFICE…LETS START OVER, WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE….
Way to go Donna!! I could not agree more. Remember “enough is enough”. Nancy from Columbus, Texas
History and the Evolution of Conservatives and Liberals
(Received as an email and slightly modified)
For those that don’t know anything about history, the following is a condensed version: Humans originally existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in the winter.
The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundations of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups, liberals and conservatives. Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet so while early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That’s how villages were formed.
Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to BBQ at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative Movement.
Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly BBQ’s and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal Movement.
Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. They became known as girlie-men. Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs, and the concept of democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided.
Over the years . . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=1865)
Doggett lost any last ounce of respect (from me) the day he told his constituents he didn’t care how they wanted him to vote (on Obamacare). In my mind, that is as low as it gets – his constituents vote him into office so he can be our voice and our vote, only to turn around and say he can’t be our voice or our vote because …. I’m not sure what his reasons were – the concensus on Capitol Hill seems to be that we (the American people) aren’t smart enough to know what we want. Shame on you Lloyd Doggett!
The Doctor has my vote (and this is the one time I’m glad they didn’t try to redistrict Doggett out of my neighborhood (again) – because I’m finally excited about having someone to vote FOR in a midterm).
Having someone to vote for is a real blessing, so much better than having just someone to vote against with no one to really vote for. Good decision
This district contains a large number of fiscally conservative voters and voters who would not dare vote for a cap and trade corruptocrat (if they understood what cap and trade was). I also believe that this group of Texans, however, does not much abide politics thus the secret is giving them a reason to go out to the polls so their vote overwhelms the voters who vote their race, their culture, hope and change, or the revolution. There are also a lot of old Jim Hightower type populists who would never vote anything but Democrat unless of course they understood that a vote for Democrat is a vote for the Marxist Professional Left.
This is my district and She has my vote. If I were fully employed she’d get some of my money as well. I’ve got a lot of faith in the remainder of TX-25 and am still hacked that when I moved to my ome Lamar Smith was my rep and now I get Doofus…
Thanks, pajama media, for posting this article and giving the great doctor some national exposure. This is the exact kind of leadership we need. I voted for Doggett several times (honestly there was no one decent running against him during the 90s). However, when I saw the Democrat Party come to power and ignore the will of the people, often moving too quickly to pass legislation they hadn’t even read, governing irresponsibly and spending taxpayer money like drunken sailors, I stopped voting for millionaire politicians like Lloyd Doggett. I speak as an Austin musician and “eccentric” if you will, and Donna Campbell has my support and dare I say, a chance to win. We’re sick of Doggett. I’m gonna find me a bumper sticker, put it on my pick-up truck, and drive down to the Contintental Club, park out front where everyone can see who I support. Let’s get behind this great woman who seems to truly love people and Central Texas. I may not agree with all her positions, but I think she’d make a great rep!
ONE OTHER THING: It doesn’t say in her article, but I wonder if Dr. Campbell supports term limits? I hope so. Nine terms for Mr. Doggett is certainly pushing it. I say no more than 12 years in Washington. Go serve and then go home!!!
Johnny, there was no law when George Washington stepped down after two terms and that precedent held till FDR. But he was so important that we did not replace him. When the public disregards good judgment the law does not replace that judgment. Term limits should not be needed for if we were following the principles the law represents we would put people in office that followed the principles, thus keeping the law. When we need the law to enforce the principles there is always a way to get around that law. When we, as voters, disregard the principles we begin to support the personalities and that is where the trouble starts. Lets support our principles. The come before the law that they generate.
Loyd Doggett voted against Texas and only Texas when he put in an amendment to control how Texas spends its allocation of funds from Washington. Yet when a democrat governor from Michigan did just this he was silent and nowhere to be found. It is just too glaring to let it slide. He is a
lock step yes man flunky for the democratic party in Washington. He does
not care for the people who voted for him. He did it at the for the benefit
and advantage to punish Texas for his democrat party. Its time to get some
one who will take care of its constiuents. THAT IS WHAT I SEE IN DONNA CAMPBELL. THAT IS WHO NEEDS TO REPLACE THAT DEMOCRATIC HAND PICKED YES MAN.
when you vote them all out don’t be surprised when the next bunch is worse.
Love to take the chance.
Why would Dr. Campbell be worse? I’m certainly not behind all her positions (which you can read on her website), but can anything be worse than Pelosi and a millionaire Texas rep. that votes with her 98% of the time?
Dr. Donna:
We’re right here alongside you in this fight to unseat Doggett. I’m going to your website right now to see where we can get all the promo material to get the word out. This lifetime socialist Doggett has GOT to be defeated this year. We simply can no longer afford the arrogant disregard of his constituency. Go DONNA CAMPBELL !
Great writing Dr. Donna! I know we’re going to do it this year and put Doggett in the unemployment line this coming January. I think you stated your argument for the Austinite perfectly and will gain some of the perpetually weird. Maybe our bongo playing friend will step up for Dr. Donna, eh?
In reply to the question as to whether Dr. Donna supports term limits, i heard out of her own mouth at Mr. Taco’s in Gonzales in early 2010, during the primary campaign, that she supports term limits and in fact only wants to serve several terms and then return home to her family and responsibilities. Talk about a Citizen Representative. We have been for Dr. Donna since she first started thinking about running at the Washington Birthday Dinner in February of 2009 in Gonzales when she asked for our support. She is truly a breath of fresh air in a stagnant political scene.
I whole heartedly support Dr. Donna Campbell. I initially became interested in her campaign because I was interested in replacing Mr. Doggett. After meeting Dr. Donna, I can say , without reservation, that she can be supported for what she is, not just a negative vote against Mr. Doggett. She is personable, an enthusiastic listener, and espouses freedom, fiscal conservatism, and constitutionally limited small government. Please support Dr. Campbell with your vote, work, and donations. She can beat Mr. Doggett in November
7870for Campbell
Go get ‘em,Dr. Donna……I’ve been selling you and your ideas to my colleagues in the rural areas. The fact is, Doggett is a blight on our beloved State of Texas. I remember the town halls he held over ObummerCare. The overwhleming number of constituents present were very vocal and adamant in their opposition. He calmly, and arrogantly, told them he didn’t care what they thought, he was going to vote for it anyway. He does not represent Texas and it is quite obvious that the current leadership of the Democrat Party, lead by our Imam in Washington, don’t care what “We, the people” think. It’s all about “Me, the President” and his anti-America, pro-muslim, socialist agenda. “DARE to say No to Doggett”!!!!!
Earlier today, I sent the following message and link over to the Campbell campaign. If this doesn’t persuade the voters in C.D. 25 to vote for Dr. Donna and to sign up and support her effort to retire Obama’s “lapDoggett,” nothing will.
Check out this link to an article that describes the monetary commitments being made by labor union PACs to leftist Democrats like Lloyd Doggett. I know that it makes it very hard to compete with fundraising when they’ve got so many deep pocket “sugar daddies;” however, maybe Dr. Donna can use this to her advantage (i.e., that these out-of-state unions are trying to buy an election in Texas). And, I doubt that the relatively small numbers of local rank and file union members actually realize how much (of THEIR dues) is being sent to these candidates when their families are suffering financially as a result of Obama’s fiscal policies…policies based on real “voodoo economics.” If there’s ever a debate with Lloyd, maybe she could speak directly to those union members, most of whom are in Travis County, and point out that although their leadership has the funds to help them out financially during this economic recession, they would rather send it off to essentially line the pockets of some candidates who should justifiably lose their re-election based on their votes for Obama’s budget-busting, deficit-expanding, and job-killing agenda being crammed down our throats by the Democrat majority.
http://cfif.org/v/index.php/commentary/53-employment-and-labor/725-while-members-suffer-unions-waste-millions-on-political-campaigns
Radman Just lightly scanned your link and my question is concerns the amount of Liberty these union members enjoy. Just what happens if they become a bit independent and do not follow union dictates? The members are brainwashed so they believe they and the union want the same thing but will it wash? I don’t think so. A monopoly must have absolute power and the union is a labor monopoly. Therefore the rank and file cannot be independent but must toe the union demand.
Love you Donna. This is a fantastic editorial. I live in your district and already volunteer for your campaign… let’s make this happen! Nice to see your words touch so many from other parts of the country. I promise you folks, she is the real deal, a true citizen wanting to work for us and stand up against tyranny and for EVERYONE’s freedoms…smart as a whip and feisty. We must eliminate Doggett in November.
We are behind Dr Donna 110%. Though retired and on fixed income, we feel this race is so important as to make a monthly contribution. Like Rhymey & muddyduck, we were at the TownHall on ObamaCare where lap-Doggett said he didn’t care what those he represented thought of O’BummerScare. He is arrogant and a blight on the Constitution. Go Dr. Donna, we are behind you all the way. God Speed to the Finish Line.
Dr.Donna Campbell, your diagnosis is accurate. No amount of kicking up the dust by a lot of whiny democrats will change the facts.
Fact # 1. We need to return to our Constitution or we will fall apart as a nation.
Fact # 2. Mr. Doggett needs to find a job where he will not interfere with our American Government.
Fact # 3. Austin needs to rejoin the GREAT STATE OF TEXAS!
fACT #4. We need to be proactive in supporting Dr. Campbell in her election campaign…Drag 10 people to the pole with you that would not have voted otherwise. YEEHAAAA!
As a physician in south Austin it’s refreshing to have a great choice over the incumbent Doggett.When he left his town hall meeting on Obamacare early,saying that the will vote the way He chooses and when he votes with Pelosi 98 percent of the time
I realized South Austin and my patients deserve better.
Enrolling 30 million people into a system such as Medicaid while stealing benefits from our seniors is no plan and it’s totally understandable why you won’t hear many incumbents bragging about there yes vote !
Donna, you have my support!
I have called Lloyd D. office multiple times this year to express my preference to vote against Health C. Reform. And called his office for other reasons of opposition to Pelosi’s/Obama’s agenda. I ended up on his email list, and it landed a Lloyd D. sign in my yard this week. An email his campaign sent me educated to the fact that Donna C. is his opposition. Thank you for this info. Lloyd. Now, I will be donating $25 to Donna’s campaign and will be voting against Doggett with my vote for her.
Yes we can!
The Texas Medical Association held a town hall meeting tonight. The question and answer segment reveled that the TMA wants to work with the Obama administration and doesn’t back attempts to repeal the law. The state of Texas has filed a law suit to overturn Obama Care, but “organized Medicine” is not going to back the state law suit. Like the AMA the TMA has become more interested in taking care of the TMA than taking care of Patients and physicians.
See you in Austin Saturday! You better be there!