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Yesterday, canvassing for Lamont, I bumped into a social worker who was considering voting Green. I had a bit of credibility with her because for the municipal elections, where it isn't winner take all, I campaigned for the Greens.
I often follow up my canvassing with personal letters to people I'm not sure I've persuaded. Here is my letter to her:
Dear XXXX:
I’m the woman who chatted your ear off about politics Saturday afternoon. It was a pleasure to talk with someone who in so many ways shares my concerns about where our country is heading.
I agree that the Democratic party has not always demonstrated the strength and integrity it should have. And in general, I respect the Greens for their commitment to peace and economic justice.
And yet, until we have instant run-off voting, I think our best bet for real change is to reform the Democratic Party from within. And I think a Lamont victory would help do that. It would tell the party that we’re not willing to be Republican Lite, and we don’t need to be Republican Lite in order to win elections.
Oh—regarding your concerns about Lamont’s wealth. Of course he’ll never know first-hand what it’s like to be afraid of losing his home, or to be unable to afford medical care. But I do think it was wonderful of him to volunteer in the Bridgeport school, well before he decided to run for office. It says a lot about his concern for people who are less fortunate than he is—and it must have put a human face on poverty for him.
And regarding your difficulty in trusting any major party politicians: it was politicians like Lieberman who made you cynical. It would be a shame if that cynicism kept you from voting for Lamont, who is spending millions of his own money and turning his life upside down because he wants change as badly as you do.
Thanks again for your generosity with your time, and for the day-to-day work you do helping people who are falling between the cracks.
Sincerely,
XXXX
P.S. One of the Green party candidates I campaigned for said to me last week that he was voting Green for governor but voting Democratic for senator. “I couldn’t live with myself if I voted for Ferrucci, and Lieberman won by one vote,” he said.
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