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First of all, a giant THANK YOU to all who contributed to CSP Week on Blue Hampshire. (You too, Paul!) Even though I did not time it intentionally with Rep. Shea-Porter's CODEL trip to Afghanistan, or her terrific fundraising numbers, I think it was a success for a number of reasons, and I look forward to doing another one or two further into the fall when more folks are online and engaged with the election, for both Carol and others.
I wanted to relay a more personal revelation I had as a result of this project that I think will be a useful guide for the future. It's so basic, and something I've seen (and lamented) played out on a bigger national stage with political strategy, yet I didn't notice it in my own little micro-corner of The Internets until this week.
Basically: over time I have found myself increasingly in the habit of chasing down and responding to every false hit job that the right tries to put onto our Carol. Don't get me wrong: I think it is still essential to respond immediately and forcefully to the bogus attacks on her.
What I lost sight of is that only doing that puts the right wing wurlitzer, and the state media organ that enables it, in the driver's seat, free to spend time coming up with the next bit of nonsense.
By instead spending a week on Carol Shea-Porter's many accomplishments over her short time in congress, I rediscovered how proud I am that she represents us. I marvelled how in a sausage making machine of over 400 disparate interests, she has time and again led on issues and put her stamp onto critically important legislation - no easy feat! And finally, I felt more strongly than ever how important it is to do what we can to keep someone working for "the rest of us" in that seat for as long as she wants it.
There's another reason besides personal fulfillment that made CSP Week a success, however. It drove the other side nuts. Instead of stirring the pot on the latest non-scandal or planning a new one, they were hyperventilating on this little project. I managed to get insulted on just about every major NH right-wing blog that's out there, for simply pointing out some of Carol Shea-Porter's many accomplishments. That, dear readers, is a true sign of the success of this thing.
So I encourage all of you to make every week CSP Week. If you hear about something Carol voted on in the House to make our lives better, write it up to your local paper. Blog about it. Facebook status it. Tweet it. After all, Carol Shea-Porter is working for you and you have every right to make that work known to the majority of Granite Staters who twice voted for her.
This is not going to be an easy November. Some people who have done everything right still stand to lose their jobs thanks to a few Ben Nelsons and Joe Liebermans in the Senate, along with a wall of nonsensical obstruction from the GOP and their political shop, i.e., FAUX News and hate radio. Let's do what we can to ensure that Carol is rewarded for her public service with the chance to do even more for the rest of us.
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