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Please do not wait until I "declare" for office to help out, or to encourage others to help. If too many people take that position of wait and see, I won't get to declare at all. Here's why:

Like you, I've taken a clear-eyed look at what is necessary to run a serious campaign for Congress. Mine is a low-cost District (only one city, only two TV stations, etc.). So I reach the same conclusion that about $600,000 is necessary. But unless I have a good start on that when it is time to declare (February 27th at the latest), I should not declare at all.

It takes people as well as money to run a competent campaign. I'm working hard now to assemble a good start toward the 2,000+ in-District volunteers that I need.

So, please do what you can NOW, since without that from a fair number of people, there cannot be a THEN. Fair enough?

John / Billybob

John, keep us posted on your progress. Your website has some 'problems' with mozilla, not sure why. In IE it 'works' okay.

Is your main competition in a primary or general election?
Who's the incumbent? Charles Taylor? Is he running again? If he is, why are you better? If not, who's in 'the field'? (ie Charles Taylor got "Americans for Tax Reform's Friend of the Taxpayer Award" so unless he's retiring, it's a mistake.)

What is the "ORVS" (republican voting strength)? What's your top 3 issues?

Dont be intimidated by the money factor at all. I say this while also acknowledging it was a factor for me, but it was tied in with other obvious problems - although an activist, I wasnt a recognized figure in the district who could point to experience wrt particular issues; I'd be running against 9 others, some better known, several whose ideological differences and positioning would be similar. In such a race, it's a race on experience, endorsements and 'who you know' multiplied by 25,000 primary voters. Some rich businessmen who dont measure up on that have tried to "buy" recent congressional races, and spent over $1 million in races pursuing 25,000 votes - and losing. In the 31st CD, one Peter Wareing spent $1million+ and lost to John Carter who spent only $280,000, in the primary - end result

If you really are the best candidate and have enough local support and can communicate your concise message effectively, you've got the important elements nailed down. You'll never have enough money. You need about 5-7 communications to each voter to get to them. Precinct walking with folks who *live in the neighborhood* selling your candidacy beats any media message. If your message is the right one, great. (Another piece of advice: Advice like mine is free and worth what you pay for it. :-) )

You need to be calling every single county, local officeholder and precinct chair you can and getting their endorsements. If you do get those endorsements, put it on your website and I'll send you some money for support. (I'd rather not send money unless you have credible grassroots support lined up; imho, that comes first).