Here I go to keep earning the reputation as Leonard Boswell’s biggest cheerleader on the blogosphere. Maybe that’s the case, but someone has to do it. We need more Democratic self-identification and Leonard Boswell is a proud Democrat. You may not like his message, but at least he’ll vote for someone other than a Republican for Speaker of the House.
Today, Ed Fallon sent an email out that talked about all the negative advertising going on, particularly on the Republican side of the aisle. But he made sure to make time to criticize Leonard Boswell as well. You can read Fallon’s full letter here at Common Iowan. Coincidently, Kyle posted today explaining how Boswell lost his vote (but Lamberti didn’t gain it) because of Boswell’s attack ad against Lamberti.
John Deeth’s got his thoughts on the issue here and I think he hits on the biggest point: Fallon’s gearing up for a challenge to Boswell in 2008 and he’s setting himself apart; he just happens to be doing it before Boswell’s even been re-elected. Now I’m sure Fallon and others will deny this, but this is the positioning I see and I know others do as well. The biggest problems I have are these two: 1) Fallon doesn’t need to set himself apart from Boswell, the differences are and will become quite clear; and 2) Fallon’s attacking Boswell before the primary season for 2008 even begins. So much for trying to be a team player.
Now maybe I’m being a bit harsh on Fallon. But there’s an expectation in a tough race like this that some of the torch-bearers in your party (and whether people believe it or not, Fallon carries weight with progressive Democrats and those who are unaffiliated) should do what he can to enhance your teammate, in this case Boswell, in a way that affirms the importance of his campaign and calls out the other parties for so virulently attacking Boswell.
Boswell is getting bombed at least three to one everyday by a combined attack from the EFF, the NRCC, and Lamberti. The NRCC and EFF had to change their ads for originally being misleading but Lamberti’s been able to keep his misleading one up (you can find the full release about the NRCC’s required changes below the fold). Boswell’s also getting hit from misleading and smear mailers from the EFF, of which a second one arrived to folks in the district today. And, as Kyle well knows, the EFF is behind the push-polling in the area against Boswell. It’s all in an effort to take this seat for Republicans, which we can’t allow. Kyle says things may not get worse with Lamberti as a representative but he’s dead wrong. Lamberti will stick with the Republican status quo and screw Iowans and Americans over just like they’ve been doing for so many years now.
Look, I don’t want this to be an attack on Ed Fallon or on Kyle. They’re both good people and have added a lot to the Democratic Party in this district and this state. And I think Fallon could do a lot to help in this race as well. He doesn’t like negative ads? Ok, go to the Boswell people and let them know that. Talk with them. Culver has sat down and listened to you, why wouldn’t you expect Boswell’s people to do the same? Fallon could set up an event touting a progressive agenda with Boswell and talk about how Boswell’s re-election will help in the effort to make Nancy Pelosi the highest ranking woman ever in American politics and will make her in charge of the Democratic and progressive mission in the House. Fallon could talk about the importance of taking back the House to bring health care for everyone in America, to protect our environment from deadly polluters, and how taking back the Congress could bring about meaningful discussion on campaign finance reform and voter-owned elections.
Instead, those on his email list get a critical comment about negative advertising when he needs Democratic support the most. Do you know what is worse than negative ads? Losing elections. We can’t let Boswell lose.
