This is Why Primaries Matter

Written by: Levana L on Jun 9, 2010 12:56 PM EDT

Ok, so we didn't get the result we wanted. Let there be no mistake -- we were in the race to win last night. However, are there any reasons to hold our heads high today? Yes. Without a doubt:

1. Bill Halter and his supporters ran a great race and came within striking distance of beating the corporate funded establishment. Two months ago no one in Washington thought we had a chance. Yet we forced this to a run-off and, in the end, the only way they could win was to bring in the biggest possible gun they had: one of the most popular politicians in Arkansas, former President and 6 term AR governor, Bill Clinton.
   
   
2. More Democrats participated in the vote yesterday than anyone expected. Getting progressive Democrats in Arkansas engaged and out to vote -- helping to give them a stronger voice at the polls -- is always a good thing.
   
   
3. Sen. Lincoln was forced to make the Financial Reform bill better -- and no one believes she would have even thought about that without this Primary challenge.

The purpose of Primaries is to have a public debate and let the voters decide the direction for the future. That's democracy with a small "d." We are proud to make these contests real and we are especially proud of the work that our members do to talk to voters about why these races are so important. Thank you for your work. And as usual . . .

This is not over. There's another run-off on June 22nd in NC with Elaine Marshall. We are in that one to win it too. You can chip in $5 for Elaine here today.

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Location: Burlington, VT 05403