email campaign

["bill london" <bill_london@hotmail.com>]

I was hesitant to forward this to the V2020 list, since it involves a 
partisan political race.
However, since it also involves issues of campaign spending as well as a 
striking new method of email-based campaigning, I thought it might have 
interest for some....
This is from the candidate for the Southern Idaho Congressional race.
BL
-------

I am
> >your Democratic Candidate for US Congress in Idaho's 2nd District. What's
> >the big difference in my campaign? Just this -- DON'T send me any money
> >(yes, you read that correctly). Here's why.
> >
> >Most congressional candidates today will have to raise between five 
>hundred
> >thousand to a million dollars to run their campaign, nearly all of it 
>from
> >out-of-state special interest groups. Most of the cash will go for
> >expensive and negative television ads. That's how politicians get 
>elected.
> >But the important fact is that when bills come up on the floor of 
>Congress
> >your vote doesn't count; only the big money counts. That's not democratic
> >representation.
> >
> >But now, because of the Internet we can bypass the middlemen. I don't 
>need
> >to buy media because I can communicate with you directly via email. And
> >that means I don't owe my allegiance to special interests; it means you 
>own
> >my vote and only you.
> >
> >However, for this new style of Democracy to work I do need one thing from
> >you. I need email addresses.  I need to communicate with as many voters 
>as
> >possible.  This particular email only goes out to people who have been
> >referred to me. It's the only way we can spread our message without
> >spamming. To win the election we need direct email contact with one 
>hundred
> >thousand voters.  What's revolutionary about my campaign is that it won't
> >cost anyone a dime.  I'm not even sending out fundraising letters. But 
>you
> >have to help.
> >
> >What I'm asking you for rather than money, is to please send me your 
>lists
> >of Idaho email addresses, both Democrats and Republicans, young and old,
> >co-workers and neighbors. With your donated email addresses we can run a
> >positive campaign that's based on issues, a new style of politics that's
> >free of special interest money.
> >
> >I realize I'm asking a very personal favor.  So in return for those email
> >addresses I make two promises.
> >1)   I promise to treat your email addresses with absolute confidence. 
>You
> >can read my privacy policy on my web site.
> >        <http://www.craigwilliams2000.com/craig2000/home.nsf/Privacy>
> >Additionally, anyone can automatically "opt out" from future mailings 
>with
> >a simple click.
> >
> >2)   I promise to run a positive campaign; concentrating on helping Idaho
> >achieve a prosperous and happy future completely free of special interest
> >money.
> >
> >So, now to business.  Why am I running and what do I hope to accomplish?
> >Click to my web site and find out at:
> ><http://www.craigwilliams2000.com>
> >
> >In each newsletter I'll email you more information with links to details
> >about specific issues and solutions for Idaho.
> >
> >--MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS MESSAGE--
> >But first please join with me and donate those email addresses. Simply
> >reply to this email and paste in a list of email addresses of people that
> >live in Idaho. They can be work or home, friends or family, young or old.
> >Let's build a political system that is REALLY free of special interest
> >money.
> >
> >Thanks for joining the Democratic Internet Revolution.
> >
> >     =Craig=
> >
> >PS. Another easy way to send email addresses is to forward this message 
>to
> >one of your email groups and add me to the cc field. Do it now to return
> >Idaho politics to a truly representative government.
> >
> >*************************
> >
> >To read more about my Internet Strategy link to:
> ><http://www.craigwilliams2000.com/craig2000/home.nsf/campaign/1?opendocument>
> >
> >
> >I update my web site with new information regularly. Whenever you have a
> >question about this congressional race check there first.
> >
> >*************************
> >
> >If you live in Idaho's First District you can still contribute and
> >subscribe to my list but remember to vote for Linda Pall for Congress.
> >She's the great Democratic Candidate for the First District.
> >
> >*************************
> >
> >To permanently remove your name from my mailing list just send an email 
>to
> >remove@craigwilliams2000.com with the word REMOVE in the subject.
> >
> >
>

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