Tim Tagaris is on the ground in Louisiana with the Karen Carter campaign, and over at MyDD, he lays out exactly why this race matters:
For starters, there's the corruption. If we are ever going to convince the American people we truly want to "drain the swamp" and clean out the House, we need to prove we are willing to clean out our own house first. As the Blue Majority fundraising page notes, "send a message that the Democratic Party doesn't tolerate corruption on either side of the aisle." Coming out of the Republican culture of corruption, it's time to take away the primary GOP talking point on the issue of ethics reform.
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There's Katrina -- the storm and the flood. Unfortunately, one of the problems up on the Hill is "Katrina fatigue." Having been down here for a few days now, I can assure you the people of the 2nd Congressional District do not share a similar affliction. They need help, and Congressman Jefferson is really in no place to deliver it. He was stripped of his committee assignments by the Democratic Caucus, and continues to place his quest to retain personal political power above the needs of his constituents.
And this isn't just an anti-Jefferson movement:
Karen Carter has also taken some courageous stances on "social issues." She is pro-gay marriage, choice and stem-cell research. These are not easy positions to take in the deep South. Indeed, her opponents (primary, run-off, and future) are hammering her, primarily through a network of churches, for those positions. In the face of that pounding, she refuses to run from her convictions.
"I believe in treating people as I would like to be treated."
If only a few more politicians felt this way. At least, though, we can make sure Carter joins the 110th Congress. I know everyone is strapped from the campaign season, but if you have any spare coin, please toss some Karen's way over at Blue Majority.
