a heartfelt letter - TO THE PEOPLE OF IOWA

kad7777

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Tue Oct-23-07 12:10 PM
Original message

a heartfelt letter - TO THE PEOPLE OF IOWA

The following is a letter I composed and sent to nine major papers in Iowa. Below my letter is a response from another supporter. I wanted to share it with all of you.

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To the people of Iowa,

I’m sitting in my small studio apartment in Manhattan. It’s 3:00 AM. Though quiet, I can hear the sounds of the city around me. I sit with my computer, continually visiting political websites. Trying to do as much as humanly possible to help my candidate. I don’t have much money, yet I’ve given his campaign as much as I could.

What else can I do?

I’ve made my own t-shirt to show support for him, and wear it as much as possible. I see people walking toward me on the streets of Manhattan, sometimes noticing my candidates name written across my chest. I peer through my sunglasses to see if they notice or not. Do they have a reaction? Do they smile or smirk? Do they know who he is? Sometimes people stop me and ask about him. Humbly, I answer as knowledgeably as I can.

What else can I do?

I’ve gathered friends and family email addresses, and email them with links to any important video taped speeches given by my candidate. I’ll email them with important “news story” links of his accomplishments.

What else can I do?

I’ve attended a couple of public speeches and talked with other supporters. What does that do? Not much really, but it’s nice to meet other people with a common bond. I’ve thought of going to Iowa to campaign on foot for him, but it’s just impossible to commit the time and money to do so.

What else can I do?

I’ve produced a short video to show support for my candidate. I think it helped some. If I have opened someone’s eyes regarding my candidate, if I have helped people look his way, I’ve helped, I guess.

What else can I do?

Well, as I looked at the polls today, and watched all the news channels with their coverage of the “money front runners”, I got up, turned off the TV and left my apartment. I walked to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. As I sat in this magnificent house of worship, I began to think of the state of the world. I’ve had these thoughts hundreds of times before, yet for some reason; I needed a little more solace. As I sat with my thoughts, I kept going over the Armageddon in the Middle East, the strife of the poor and the middle class in America, and people around the world, gas prices, our country’s security, health care, education, religion, human rights...it went on and on...until I started to weep...I haven’t wept for my country, for our people, since 9/11...then…I prayed.

After about an hour, it was time to go. Before I stood up, I asked my God to help Senator Biden. "Please...let the people of America see how much we need him...please God...open their eyes”, I said.

I’m almost 50 years of age, and I have never felt so strongly for a candidate in my lifetime. When I see all that is wrong with our country...with the world...it is so clear to me who should be leading the people of our nation. Senator Biden’s experience, knowledge and diplomacy stand head and shoulders above any candidate.

So, Mr. & Mrs. Iowa, I know you have the vision…the foresight…and the understanding of what’s at stake with your upcoming Presidential primary. Literally, the next President we elect will be because of who Iowans see as leader of the free world. Please make America proud.

Sincerely,
James DiSalvatore
NY, NY

If you haven’t seen the video I produced, go to the link below. If you support Senator Biden, please send the link below to family and friends, and ask them to do the same.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

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James,

I too am from the Big Apple, Harlem to be precise. I have been a huge admirer of Senator Biden for years, and believe as all of the previous posters, that Joe Biden is without question the most qualified candidate in this race. To be quite honest it isn’t even close. I made the difficult decision in July to throw caution to the wind and come out to Iowa and volunteer for Senator Biden. Leaving my 2 almost 3 year-old son has been the hardest thing in the world, but I must say that, next to being a father, coming to Iowa and working for Joe Biden has been the most remarkable experience of my life. I was fortunate in that I was able to afford to come out here through the Caucus, whenever it may be. In the three months I have spent here my admiration for Senator Biden has grown by leaps and bounds (and it was pretty boundless to begin with). As good as he is on TV, and on the Senate floor, he is even better up close. I have never seen anyone turn voters the way that he does. It’s not just his knowledge, which in itself is dizzying, but it’s his passion. It seeps from him, and people see it. They feel it. I can’t tell you how many people have come to my events who have come in leaning Obama, Clinton, Edwards and Richardson and have come out as loyal Biden supporters. Yes, he IS that good. This past Thursday, we had an event in a town of no more than 200 people. More than 30 showed up on a dark and rainy night (this constitutes roughly 20 percent of those who caucused in that County in 2004), and of them at least 20 have already committed to caucus for JRB. “Let’s put wisdom back in the White House,” a youthful 77 year-old woman told me as she grabbed 2 yard signs. I asked her “Are you convinced yet?” “Oh yeah” was her response, “He’s my man!” Incidents like this are becoming more and more numerous. Yes, we are under funded and under-covered (and could always use more bodies on the ground), but there is a strong undercurrent of support here that the mainstream media doesn’t know about. So, for the time being, we’ll continue to operate under the radar. To all my fellow Biden-supporters who don’t have the opportunity to be on the ground here in Iowa, don’t lose faith. We are without question making moves, and folks are taking notice. I don’t have to tell you where this race was this time 4 years ago. As our momentum builds so does my confidence. Keep telling your family and friends, co-workers, classmates, and everybody else you can about Joe Biden. This country, this world deserves a great American president. We, in fact owe it to ourselves, but we’re going to have to work for it. We have about 11 weeks left before the caucus. Let’s do everything we can to make history.

-Jon