>From: email address redacted
>Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 12:02:42 -0400
>
>
>Hi. I wanted to let you know about the search for new candidates for the
>DailyKos, etc... Netroots Page. Here's a link to the story:
>http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/5/7/185636/6139
>
>If you think Phyllis, or other candidates you support, could benefit from
>the exposure, its a great way spread the word. Of course, you all know, I
>would like you all to post support for Phyllis at a minimum.
>
>This is what I posted just now if you care to see. Otherwise, be well.
>
>Thanks,
>Jennifer
>
>Phyllis is a terrific candidate running against a very weak on substance
>opponent.
>1. Her opponent, Gus Bilirakis, is a weak opponent. He has only two things
>going for him: His daddy is the retiring incumbent and his daddy is on
>the commerce committee and has raised a lot of money for his son. The GOP
>is acting like this seat is a birthright and can be handed to Gus. A lot
>of people in FL-09 are none too happy about that.
>
>2. Phyllis is a solid and well liked democrat with a significant
>background of performance. For example, She has the support of a fair
>number of Prominent republicans. Phyllis served as the first Executive
>Director of Florida's welfare-to-work agency (WAGES) under Governors
>Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush. Under her leadership, the welfare caseload
>decreased by over 80 percent, saving the state $500 million in welfare
>payments. This $1.2 billion program was recognized nationally for its
>effectiveness and received numerous commendations from the Federal
>welfare-to-work program. Additionally, FL-09 is a mature district in
>which 31 percent of likely voters are seniors and 58 percent are older
>than 50. A tireless fighter for Florida's seniors, Busansky has a
>powerful message to deliver. As Director of Aging Services for
>Hillsborough County, she spearheaded the effort to make sure seniors can
>live independently and not be forced into nursing homes. Moreover, her
>commitment to protect Social Security and make sure seniors get the
>benefits they spent a lifetime working for will serve her well here.
>
>3. She's got support. The DCCC has chosen her for the Red-to-Blue program
>and is supporting her. They think she can win with the right money.
>Congressional Quarterly just upgraded the race. She's moving the dial.
>
>4. The pollsters (i.e. the people) she can win: Here is an excerpt of
>their findings: "Florida's 9th Congressional district is in play for a
>candidate with the record of Phyllis Busansky. If she raises the resources
>to communicate her story and message, she has an opportunity to win this
>race.... Busansky is able to run evenly with Bilirakis because she has a
>record and message that fit the district extremely well....Busansky's
>strong accomplishments, which taken as a whole, produce a candidate who
>can connect with voters in this district and give Democrats a real
>opportunity to pick up a Republican seat. Busansky will need the
>resources to compete with a well-funded Gus Bilirakis, but her record puts
>her in a position to win." Also, Betty Castor only lost by a point or two
>in FL-09, so, in the words of Larry Sabato in the SPTimes: "this district
>[FL-09] is not overwhelmingly Republican."
>
>5. She is the poster girl for the partisan litmus test! There isn't a
>single thing on the list that she doesn't do, stand for and exemplify!
>
>6. Being chosen for the the Netroots Candidate Page is just what she needs
>to jumpstart her netroots campaign. The truth is that Phyllis is a bit
>blog shy. I'm working with her to do a live blog post and a blog call but
>she's simply not too comfortable with the medium. Not yet. She needs to
>be and she will be because she's got a terrific message and her netroots
>campaign will be impactful and meaningful. She could really stand to
>benefit from your endorsement.
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