The liberal active group, MoveOn, let us know that respected bipartisan-yet-liberal-stalwart Senator Russ Feingold is losing in the polls to “a tea party Republican who actually thinks climate change is caused by sunspots.”

Feingold is as solid a senator as we have. He was the only senator to vote no on the Patriot Act (video below)—and he reaches across so-called party lines when America’s future is at stake.

Five bucks is the difference between brewing our own coffee or tea today rather than going out for it— or riding our bike to work rather than filling the tank.

Dear MoveOn member,

Red alert: The latest polls show that Senator Russ Feingold could lose in November. They all have him down by at least 6 points against a tea party Republican who actually thinks climate change is caused by sunspots.1

There’s no better, more principled Democrat in Washington than Sen. Feingold: The only senator to vote against the Patriot Act. A steadfast opponent of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And a passionate crusader against corporate influence in politics.
But since those very corporate interests have already spent $650,000 trying to defeat him, he’s now facing the fight of his political life.2 Because keeping Sen. Feingold’s voice in the Senate is so important, this race has become our top national priority.

Sen. Feingold’s campaign is up against a critical fundraising deadline that expires today. Right now he urgently needs the resources to expand his grassroots campaign, reach out to more voters and get his message out in Wisconsin. We’re aiming to raise $300,000 for Sen. Feingold’s campaign before the deadline. Can you chip in $5?

Today’s critical fundaising deadline will send a message to the pundits and election watchers. If progressive champs like Sen. Feingold show a surge of grassroots support, it will signal that progressives who stand up against corporate lobbyists and right-wing extremism can win big this year.

And Sen. Feingold isn’t the only progressive hero who is facing a tough battle right now.

Rep. Alan Grayson is in a really close race against right-wing Republican Dan Webster. Grayson has been an outspoken and bold advocate on issue after issue—from reining in Wall Street to health care reform—and he is running a tight race against an anti-choice Republican who even thinks divorce should be illegal in some cases.3

And polls are just as tight for progressive hero Tom Perriello. Rep. Perriello’s opponent is campaigning to repeal health care reform and make the Bush tax cuts for the rich permanent.4

If these champs can get enough resources by the deadline, they can get their message on the air, recruit more volunteers, reach out to more voters, and go into the final stretch of this election with a strong hand.

Can you chip in $5 to support Sen. Feingold and other key progressive heroes in tight races before the deadline?

Thanks for all you do.

–Michael, Joan, Anna, Jeff, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “2010 Wisconsin Senate General Election: Ron Johnson (R) vs Sen. Russ Feingold (D),” Pollster.com, accessed September 23, 2010

“Sunspots are behind climate change, Johnson says,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 16, 2010

2. “Campaign Cash: Who’s spending where in 2010, Wisconsin Senate race,” The Washington Post, accessed September 23, 2010

3. Daniel Webster for Congress, “Issues”

“Grayson TV ad compares Webster to Taliban,” Orlando Sentinel, September 26, 2010

4.”Va. 5th district congressional GOP candidate Robert Hurt stumps in 6th district,” Washington Examiner, September 22, 2010

Feingold Takes On Patriot Act