An Open Letter to John Kerry

Dear Senator Kerry:

Last week, I received your letter requesting donations to support the campaigns of Ned Lamont, Bob Menendez, and Dan Akaka. I am gratified to note that you are taking a stand in support of Lamont, and I think that supporting Menendez is also a good idea. I do, however, have a question for you regarding your decision to raise funds for Senator Akaka: have you lost what little remained of your mind?

Although it is true that Senator Akaka currently faces a strong challenger, it is a primary challenge, not a general election challenge. He is, despite having about six times as much cash, running neck and neck with Representative Case for the nomination. Senator Akaka has, as you pointed out, taken a principled stand against the war in Iraq, while Case has consistently voted against troop pull-outs. Rep. Case's positions are more moderate than I'd like, but he is still quite recognizable as a Democrat.

The Republican frontrunner at the moment is recovering from heart surgery, and polls no higher than 30% against either Case or Akaka. Put simply, barring a felony conviction, this seat will be won by the Democrat in November. The most accurate description of a Republican candidate for this seat includes the phrase, "sacrificial lamb." This is the race you are requesting donations for.

Putting time and effort into fundraising for this race is quite simply stupid. It is insane. It is inane. This November should be about taking back congress. It should be about working hard to get more Democrats elected to the Senate, and it should be about trying to unseat Republicans. Yet you, for reasons passing understanding, want us to donate funds to a primary campaign in a state where the Republican candidate is having difficulty coming up with three votes out of ten.

With keen political strategists like yourself at the helm, I think it is increasingly becoming clear that we don't need the Republican party around if we want to keep losing. We're doing just fine all by ourselves.