Loebsack considers congressional run
From: David Loebsack

This seems like the appropriate time to begin to go at least semi-public with my "exploration" of a run against Leach in '06. Many of you know me as a professor
of political science at Cornell College and a long-time Democratic Party activist in Linn (and Johnson) county and the second district.

Having helped on numerous campaigns in the past, I think I am aware of the tremendous challenge this would present. Jim Leach is a good man who has voted with us on some issues. Indeed, I have had him in class at Cornell! And he will never lack for funds for his re-election campaign.

However, he remains a Republican who, as Julie Thomas put it in 2002, at a minimum serves as an enabler for the right-wing leadership in the House. And, most recently, he voted for the House version of Bush budget that would significantly scale back if not completely gut many of the programs that are the only sources of support for the poor and disadvantaged.

In November of last year, shortly after his re-election, Leach voted to increase the country's debt ceiling by nearly 800 billion dollars, thus imposing a further birth tax on future generations of Americans.

It should be noted that in both cases, 10 or so Republicans in the House had the courage to vote no, but not Jim Leach.

Of course, I could go on and on but at this point, I invite you to be in touch with me if you have questions about what I stand for, who I am, etc. Also, I am open to all advice and support. If you think this is a crazy idea, please let me know. If you think you would support me as a volunteer or financially, please let me know. If you think there are others who are more qualified than I and who deserve our unified support, please let me know. I do not plan to do this if I don't believe the necessary support (perhaps most critically the necessary financial support) will be forthcoming.

In the meantime, my contact information is below.

Thanks to everyone and take care.

David Loebsack
Mt. Vernon

Home e-mail: dloebsackATmchsi.com
Home phone: (319) 895-8418
Office phone: (319) 895-4300
Cell phone: (319) 721-5324
- posted by John @ 7:18 PM