After the events of this past few days, I have decided that I'm going to volunteer to help Raul Labrador in his run for US Congress - even if it's only in these last 30 days till the election. The momentum is shifting.
Here's why:
I was once a voice for sorta-angry evangelicals in Idaho. "As mad as hell and not going to take it anymore", seemed to be my motto...a motto that lasted over a decade.
After an exhausting run at that, I realized that there was more to life than passion-fueled politics.
There was life - and life abundantly.
It took the death of my oldest son and my earlier absence - for years - from politics to help me speak in a whisper and be heard clearer than I ever had been in the past.
It took me till I realized that gentle, persuasive kindness was the truest way to be. It was real. It was honest statesmanship.
As my blog became a staple in many of your daily readings, some of you noticed that the "old Dennis Mansfield" was absent. Working with drug addicts and folks down-and-out can do that to a person. It changed me. It rearranged my DNA.
During these last several days, though, I noticed that I was AGAIN becoming "As mad as hell". The question remained though: "Was I going to take it anymore?"
I began to feel like this again:
Mad as hell? The answer is "no"... I will not let myself go there. I simply see that the momentum is changing...both in terms of anger politics and in terms of people choosing to support Raul Labrador for the GOP Nomination. He is a man of grace and dignity.
As a long-term member of the GOP, I have been active in many races; seeing good candidates come and go. Some were elected, some not.
This election cycle, though, I was going to be neutral: not endorse one man over the other.
The last few days, however, have caused me to revisit that decision. It appears that one candidate stands head and shoulders over the other. Raul Labrador deserves our support and our vote.
I have decided to stop carping about the self-destructive campaign behavior of the former front runner and put my time in a positive direction behind the former underdog.
I have decided to endorse Raul Labrador and help him in his race for the GOP Primary Nomination for the 1st District in Idaho.
It won't be a popular decision with some folks, but I think that I've earned the right to be heard...especially when I'm not shouting anymore. Or blogging in CAPS! ha!
I choose to see the best and praise it.
Raul, I'm letting you know that I'm going to vote for you in the GOP Primary and help you this month as you need me.
Give me a call.
Dennis
Okay, here's the deal. Minnick is a vote for Pelosi. I met him last week, and it's a no go. Ward Vaughn lives in Virginia (so did I) and the wife works for Fannie Mae. Raul, while having an unfortunate first name (I moved to Idaho from Arizona, after one too many Mexican/Atzlan marches down Central Avenue in Phoenix, swinging the Mexican flag) So...Who is Raul? An immigration attorney, trying to do what? I'm looking for a representative and need to know who Raul is. I comment on a lot of blogs. We're looking for a Rep (not a Savior). Who is he? Btw, IMAO.COM lives in Idaho looking too (in case you didn't know)
Posted by: Jim Oz | April 30, 2010 at 10:19 PM