This is what we think of when many of us think of Louisiana:
This is the result of generations of corrupt, incompetent, hypocritical politicians who routinely sell out their constituents for the benefit of their corporate benefactors.
This is the result of voters worrying more about gay marriage and abortion than the integrity of surrounding levees and the efficiency of their government officials.
And this is why the 50 State Strategy is so important. It is why we need to support progressive candidates who will fight for us. It's why We Need Reed!
For those of you have not had the pleasure, let me introduce you to Gilda:
Many of you already know of Gilda and her accomplishments:
* After surviving polio, Gilda's parents were told she wouldn't walk. They were wrong.
* While raising 7 children, two of whom are adopted special needs children (Gilda swears she can't remember which ones those are), Gilda earned her PhD.
* She's now a college professor at the University of New Orleans who was recently voted into the Top 25 of national college professors on the internet's largest
online collegiate rating site.
And many of you know why she is running for Congress:
* After her
experiences dealing with the aftermath of Katrina and seeing the
incompetence of those who were supposed to be in charge of preventing that very same disaster that has left so many of her family, friends and neighbors with nothing, Gilda is running to bring competence, accountability, responsibility and integrity to Louisiana's First Congressional District.
But as all of us know, no one can win a Congressional seat on their own. And with the lack of support from the DNC, DLC, DCCC, Emily's List, etc, Gilda has been running without the support of anyone but her district, Louisiana bloggers and the DailyKos.
Gilda Needs Our Help
With a special election coming up on May 3rd, Gilda is up against the very worst kind of Republican- the one who is going to keep is in Iraq, vote against universal healthcare, vote for more tax cuts for the wealthy, side with his Big Business benefactors in every issues.
But Gilda's opponent Steve Scalise isn't just the antithesis to our ideals, he stands for everything that John Edwards stands against. And that is why I am calling for John and Elizabeth to endorse Gilda and support her campaign and am asking Kossacks to sign a petition and send the message to the Edwardses that Louisianans need their help.
An Edwards endorsement will provide Gilda with the publicity that she needs to combat her opponent's PAC-funded war chest. An Edwards endorsement will bring in new supporters for GOTV efforts. And an Edwards endorsement will send a message that Gilda's campaign is "worth" the financial support that will help her get her message out to the voters who are fed up with the incompetence, hypocrisy and corruption they've had with their Republican officials.
So help me get the message to John and Elizabeth Edwards, We Need Reed! Please take a second to sign this petition asking for John and Elizabeth's support. And please visit Gilda's ActBlue page. Together, we can turn Louisiana Blue and keep this from happening again:
And look for llbear's diary at 10:00 EST, 7:00 PST for an update on the Kossack effort to enlist John and Elizabeth Edwards in the fight to bring progressive ideals to Louisiana!