A lot of horses, a lot of bull

"... it is increasingly clear that the future of the GOP rests in the hands of the Republican governors."

How governors could guide a Grand New Party
by Dan Balz, Washington Post, 12.13.09

Dear Fellow Democrats,

While all eyes are on President Obama and congressional Democrats as we head into 2010 and the critical midterm elections, the Republican Party is trying to pull a fast one on us and slip a Trojan horse right on through the gate.

The gates of the governors' mansions, that is.

With 37 governorships up for grabs next year -- that's a lot of horses and a lot of bull!

If Democrats aren't careful, we're going to need a mighty big shovel to clean up this mess.

The GOP and the Republican Governors Association have made it their mission to do whatever it takes to win as many of these gubernatorial races as possible -- because that's how they can push "reset" before the 2012 elections.

In 2011, every single state will redraw congressional lines to theoretically make our government more representative. But we all know what happens when a Republican sits in the statehouse -- those lines are anything but fair and representative. More like a snake in a shoebox.

Back in 2003, Tom DeLay and his good buddy Gov. Rick Perry successfully led an unprecedented Bush-era effort to cook up six GOP-friendly congressional districts, which set the stage for a Republican takeover of Texas.

Same bull, different year!

Republican governors ... plus manipulated districts ... equals 25 to 30 more congressional seats in GOP hands in 2012! It's no secret either -- they've been running all across the country, saying this is their goal!

I don't know about you, but I'm not about to sit by and let them run roughshod over all our hard-earned progress.

That's why I'm supporting the one organization that can stop the RGA's scheming and scamming, distractions and distortions -- and I hope you will too. The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) has set an immediate December 31 fundraising goal of $22,865 in time for their annual reporting deadline -- but the clock is ticking!

Your gift will make a huge difference in the DGA's ability to run effective advertising, conduct extensive opposition research, and direct critical funds to tight races. And if you give by midnight tonight, it'll be matched by a leading DGA supporter -- doubling the impact of your support.

Republicans are hell-bent on taking back Democratic statehouses in 2010. In fact, Newt Gingrich's buddy, Gov. Haley Barbour -- who happens to be the chair of the RGA -- recently bragged that "next year's going to be a good year for Republican governors."

There's no time to waste -- the DGA must reach their goal to stop the Republicans in their tracks. We do NOT want to enter 2010 playing catch-up.

So please make a donation today to join the DGA and ensure that your support is doubled. Their end-of-year deadline ends at midnight tonight, and time is running out.

If the GOP gains control of the redistricting process and cheats Americans out of fair representation in Congress -- we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Here's to 2010 ... and to shutting down that right-wing Trojan horse for good.

Happy New Year,

James Carville