Jake Metcalfe for Congress 2008
Jul. 29th, 2007 08:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
theatokosFriends, it is with much excitement that I announce some big news. Moira Smith, also known on this here blog as the Future Governor of Alaska, is one of my best friends in all the world and she has been involved in politics for as long as I've known her (going on 18 years or so). It was no surprise, then, that she married Jake, the Democratic Party Chair for the State of Alaska, this past June; it was just about the perfect fit (not to mention he is kind, thoughtful, interesting and loves Moira like crazy). It also came as no surprise when he decided to run for Congress.
Alaska's one Representative, Don Young, and one of our two Senators, Ted Stevens, have held their seats since before I was born - more than 30 years. All are Republicans and all are implicated in scandal; all need to go.
Jake is running to replace Don Young and I think he has an excellent chance of winning. The man is knowledgeable and passionate about Alaska and the issues it faces, he is a good listener and is willing to engage with those who don't agree exactly as he does. I have tested him on all of these, especially the last one as I'm sort of more a free agent than a party Democrat; in fact I'm not even a registered Dem, just for full disclosure.
So why is this so important, especially to people living outside of Alaska? Well, Don Young and Ted Stevens have significant seniority, they also are masters of Pork and are party Republicans and all that implies. While the pork has done some good things for Alaska, it has made the state dependent upon such handouts. Alaska's vast natural resources will undoubtedly come back to the forefront of national discussion. Is opening ANWR the worst thing in the world? No, it isn't, but it would be under the current Republican leadership at both the state and national levels. It really is time for a change. One more positive, smart, honest and passionate person in national government is one more step in the right direction!
At some point down the road (I'm thinking March-ish), I plan to throw a Bay Area Democrats and "Ex-pat" Alaskans for Jake party, both as an informational session and to raise support and funds to help Jake win. I'll let you know when that happens.
For now, here is the Anchorage news press release (argh, that Ethan Berkowitz and his snarky comment) and here is Jake's website.
Alaska's one Representative, Don Young, and one of our two Senators, Ted Stevens, have held their seats since before I was born - more than 30 years. All are Republicans and all are implicated in scandal; all need to go.
Jake is running to replace Don Young and I think he has an excellent chance of winning. The man is knowledgeable and passionate about Alaska and the issues it faces, he is a good listener and is willing to engage with those who don't agree exactly as he does. I have tested him on all of these, especially the last one as I'm sort of more a free agent than a party Democrat; in fact I'm not even a registered Dem, just for full disclosure.
So why is this so important, especially to people living outside of Alaska? Well, Don Young and Ted Stevens have significant seniority, they also are masters of Pork and are party Republicans and all that implies. While the pork has done some good things for Alaska, it has made the state dependent upon such handouts. Alaska's vast natural resources will undoubtedly come back to the forefront of national discussion. Is opening ANWR the worst thing in the world? No, it isn't, but it would be under the current Republican leadership at both the state and national levels. It really is time for a change. One more positive, smart, honest and passionate person in national government is one more step in the right direction!
At some point down the road (I'm thinking March-ish), I plan to throw a Bay Area Democrats and "Ex-pat" Alaskans for Jake party, both as an informational session and to raise support and funds to help Jake win. I'll let you know when that happens.
For now, here is the Anchorage news press release (argh, that Ethan Berkowitz and his snarky comment) and here is Jake's website.