When the Des Moines Register headlined its endorsement of Ed Fallon “Unleash Fallon’s Energy in Congress,” it reminded me that I have not yet transcribed the Fallon campaign’s main piece of literature.
Chase Martyn suggested today that Fallon’s campaign has “spent more on printing its glossy, full-color brochures than it probably should have, considering it has not yet sent out districtwide direct mail.” That may be true, but Fallon volunteers and staffers have been handing out this 11 by 16-inch tri-fold while canvassing or tabling at public events for months. Thousands of Democrats in the district would have received it by now.
After the jump I’ve transcribed the brochure that lays out the central arguments of the Fallon campaign.
The front of the brochure has a green background fading into white. In large print it says
ED FALLON
FOR CONGRESS
NEW ENERGY FOR IOWA“As your congressman, I will help lead the charge on global warming, unversal health care, campaign finance reform, poverty and fiscal responsibility. I will provide an energetic style of constituent service. Every Iowan who contacts my office – not just those with deep pockets – will be taken seriously and treated with respect.”
Ed Fallon – Democrat for Congress
If you open one flap of the tri-fold, you see this text on the left panel, in black print over a light green background:
Why I’m Running
In the 2006 election, Americans said we were tired of the Bush Administration’s policies. We wanted a new direction, so we elected a Democfratic House and Senate. Yet on most of the key issues, this new majority has let America down. Simply stated, too many Congressional Democrats vote too often with President Bush and against the priorities of the American people.
That’s why I’m running for Congress. Our country needs and wants change. I’m ready to take on the corporate interests who have corrupted our federal government. I’m ready to give working families and the poor a voice in national politics. I’m ready to do what I can to see that environmental issues are taken seriously inside the beltway. I’m ready to apply what I’ve learned during 23 years of public service in Iowa and be a part of the solution in Washington.
America needs a more progressive U.S. Congress, one that is less focused on the demands of corporate lobbyists and more interested in the needs of average Americans. I am confident that Iowans in this district are eager for new, energetic leadership that will bring enthusiasm and a progressive vision to Washington, D.C.
ED FALLON FOR CONGRESS
There’s a small photo of Fallon addressing a rally for Darfur on the left panel as well.
The right panel has a bright green background, with this text in white:
Why Now
I am running against Congressman Leonard Boswell because I feel his positions on key issues are wrong. He has a weak record of commitment to key Democratic priorities and has voted too often with George Bush and against the priorities of the American people.
Civil Liberties: Boswell supported the Patriot Act, and in August 2007, voted for a bill to increase warrantless surveillance on Americans. Iowa’s other Democratic Congressmen, Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack, voted against it.
Energy: In 2005, Boswell voted to provide $14 billion in tax breaks and incentives for oil and gas companies. He also supports greater use of coal.
Environment: In 2001, Boswell voted against House Democrats in an effort to raise CAFE standards to 27.5 mpg by 2007. Instead, he joined Bush Republicans to defeat the proposal. In 2007, it took Boswell nine months to decide to support the Safe Climate Act, and only after he learned I was challenging him.
Fair Trade: In November 2007, Boswell joined Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham – both Republicans – to vote for a NAFTA-like trade agreement with Peru that does not protect American jobs, our environmenta and workers’ safety.
Iraq: In 2003, Boswell voted for the Iraq War and has continued to support additional funding with no timetable to bring the troops home.
Clean Elections: Boswell accepts donations from PACs and lobbyists. Of the $700,000 he raised in 2007, 75 percent came from PACs.
In 2012, Iowa will lose one of its five congressional districts. Parts of this district, including Des Moines, will probably be thrown in with Steve King’s or Tom Latham’s districts. If Democrats are to win, we need a new Congressman now who can build a base for a tough fight in 2012.
If you lift the “Why Now” flap so that the brochure is fully open, the “Why I’m Running” panel is still on the left. In the center panel, there’s a small photo of Fallon talking to a voter, along with this text in black over a light green background:
Who is Ed Fallon
I am a committed public servant who served for fourteen years in the Iowa House of Representatives. I also ran for governor in 2006, received 26 percent of the vote and won in the Third Congressional District.
I’ve run each of my elections without money from PACs, paid lobbyists or big donors. I continue to work for a Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) law, and I helped create a new organization called I’M for Iowa, which is committed to reforms and helping progressive Democratic candidates.
As a state lawmaker I learned to work with members of both parties and led the charge on many important initiatives. My focus as a lawmaker was to champion the needs of people treated unfairly by government or neglected by the majority of policy-makers. I also became a leader on land-use, the environment, and opposing corporate welfare.
I have a long history of working hard for Democrats. In 2006, after losing the Democratic primary for Governor, I actively supported former opponent Chet Culver. In 2004, I worked on several legislative races. In 2007, I helped Democratic city council candidates around the state and worked with John Edwards.
www.fallonforcongress.com
The right panel has a small photo of Fallon giving a talk near the bottom of the page. The rest of the page has this text in black over a light green background:
Change in Congress – New Energy for Iowa
– We need change in our economy. I am a vocal opponent of NAFTA and other so-called “free” trade agreements. I believe in fair trade that protects American jobs, our environment and workers’ safety.
– We need change in our energy policy to move from oil dependence to renewable fuels and clean energy technology. I’ve been a leader in the fight against government handouts to big business. I support a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants and have helped lead efforts at the state level to fight global warming.
– We need change in the Middle East. I opposed Bush’s war even before it began and believe we need a more diplomatic foreign policy, not just in Iraq but throughout the Middle East.
– We need change to protect our civil liberties. I have a long track record of working to expand, rather than constrict, civil rights and personal liberties.
– We need change in how elections are financed. As a candidate for state representative and governor, I refused donations from PACs and lobbyists. When politicians no longer feel compelled to pander to wealthy donors, public interest will again assume center stage.
If you fold the brochure, the back panel is mostly a solid green background with contact information for the Fallon campaign near the bottom.