I got a fundraising e-mail yesterday from Tom Harkin’s campaign manager, Jeff Link. He is trying to convince me that the third Republican to start campaigning against Harkin, former State Representative George Eichhorn, is a real threat to the four-term incumbent because he “released a list of 33 prominent Republicans” who have endorsed him.

For more information on Eichhorn, check out his campaign website or click here for more about his official announcement this week.

With all due respect to Eichhorn, I can’t see how he could possibly build up enough name recognition and support in the next six months to defeat Harkin in what is likely to be a banner year for Democrats in the Congressional races.

I understand that raising money is part of a campaign manager’s job, but let’s face some facts. Harkin’s campaign started the year with more than $3 million cash on hand. His approval/disapproval rating in April 2008 was 55/38 according to Survey USA, prompting the “Senate Guru” (who runs a great blog) to declare Harkin “as safe as they come.”

Other analyses declaring Harkin’s seat safe include about.com’s US politics rankings and CQ Politics.

So don’t take this the wrong way, Senator Harkin, but the $35 I spent on my steak fry ticket last September was the last money you’ll see from me for a long while.

As I’ve said, I am directing my campaign contributions to races where it might make a difference.

The full text of the e-mail from Jeff Link is after the jump.

Dear :

Tom Harkin launched his re-election campaign in March to serve Iowa as our United States Senator and continue the fight for progressive change for our state and our country.

The Harkin campaign is busy preparing for November, building the organization, raising the funds, and working hard every day to make sure Tom can continue to fight for us in the Senate.

Click here to help our campaign by making a donation today.

So far this year two Republicans are actively campaigning to challenge Tom in November, Steve Rathje and Chistopher Reed.

Earlier this week a third Republican announced his candidacy for the Senate.  George Eichhorn appears to have the institutional Republican support that could make him competitive in the June 3 Republican primary and beyond.

Show your support for Tom Harkin by clicking here to make a donation of $25, $50, or $100 today.

According to the Associated Press, “Eichhorn released a list of 33 prominent Republicans who are endorsing his effort. Supporters include state Senate Minority Leader Ron Wieck and former Senate President Jeff Lamberti.”

We have long known that the Republicans are not going to go out without a fight.  In all of Tom’s previous elections, well-funded conservatives have waged hard and dirty campaigns, laden with distortions of Tom’s tremendous record of accomplishment.  We expect this campaign to be no different.

Tom is unafraid of Republican attacks and has repeatedly stood up for us by taking on the Bush Administration.  In fact, last year Tom was literally the strongest congressional critic of the Bush status quo, as he won the distinction of being “the most vetoed Senator” by the Administration.

Iowans want positive change, and that’s why Tom is taking nothing for granted and is hard at work to build a blue Iowa in 2008.

Please show your support for real change in Washington by clicking here to make a donation to our campaign today.

Thank you for your support.

Jeff Link

Campaign Manager

Citizens for Harkin