August 11, 2008 06:51 PM UTC

Why vote for Steve Ward for Congress?

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• by: DavidThi808

Note: Steve emailed me his post and asked me to post for him.

27-year veteran and Colonel of Marines, defending America’s security in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Pentagon and elsewhere around the globe.  Easily the most substantive experience in national security and defense of any candidate in this race.  Strong legislative record in the Senate – passing (not just ‘carrying’) a cut in the business personal property tax this year.   Add in the Gambling Intercept act last year, along with other substantive legislation.  I get things done, instead of just saying ‘No.”  In county and city government, I built roads, bridges and highways. Even an expanded jail.  All while actually lowering taxes every year.  None of the others come close to these kind of results in government.

Don’t buy the line about the business man in the race.  I have spent more time in the private sector than the public.  Former VP of Fiance for a major Colorado construction company.  Special Counsel in the Business Law section of one of Colorado’s largest firms.

Our message offering real solutions for energy security, economic security and national security resonates with voters.  People understand how America’s dependence on foreign oil, coupled with the lack of a national energy policy with its corresponding trade imbalance, and out-of-control spending by the Congress  leads to the devaluation of the U.S. dollar and resulting hidden inflation at home.  Regarding Iraq, they see the risk of endless wars abroad.  We have offered realistic solutions to the challenges to America’s future.  

Check out our web site at www.stevewardforcongress.com

For the record, since March we have knocked on over 15,000 doors.  Some twice.  Since early June, we have walked in one to three shifts per day, with two to eleven walkers per shift.  From Simla in southeast Elbert County to Evergreen in the northwest part of the district, and from Roxborough to Aurora.  

We peaked last week at between 700-1,000 houses per day.  That’s per day!

Then there is the direct mail.  Thousands of hand addressed letters with first class stamps.  They cost more, but get opened and read.

15,000 “is a small percentage of an entire congressional district,” but it is a huge part of the Republicans who vote in the 6th CD primaries, and that is who we have targeted.  Our targeting has been far more careful than any of Harvey, Coffman or Armstrong.  We break primary voters down into one of six priorities.  My opponents have been calling two of those six groups.  Harvey has walked to a similarly reduced list and only in a handful of precincts.

On the ground side, Armstrong has only walked for show.  Coffman very little.  Harvey a bit more, though only in the evening and with a smaller group than we usually field.  Sunday, for example, I was out with nine people in three cars.  We covered one precinct in Highlands Ranch and another in Castle Rock.  This while another group was also walking another Castle Rock precinct, and individuals were walking their neighborhoods in various parts of the district.  In total, we probably reached 500 doors Sunday.  Remember, most of the homes we target are “dual R” – two Republican primary voters in each home.  15,000 homes; thousands of pieces of very direct mail, calls that are personal, not robotic.

Voter turn-out looks to be unusually low.  My sense is that 18,000 votes wins it.  From what all my team members are hearing at various doors, we are definitely in the hunt.  I see Harvey possibly beating Armstrong.  The latter has very little juice on the ground.  

Then there are the yard signs.  Mine are in yards.  More of mine in yards than all the others combined.  Theirs are mostly in public rights-of-way or private property without permission.  If the TV ads and yard signs in public rights-of-way were working for Coffman and Armstrong, then turn-out should have been much higher from mail ballots and early voting.  Instead, early voting results were simply anemic.  Low turn-out favors success in the ground game.

Add it all up.  The only poll that matters is taken on Tuesday.

Some feedback found in E-mails from voters:  

“Steve, no one but you is talking about the economy and gas prices and Iraq with your common sense.”  

“Steve, my son in the Marines is going to Afghanistan.  If his commanding officer has your kind of leadership, I’ll feel he’s in good hands.”  

“I want to trust my congressman as someone who genuinely wants to serve me, not his own political ambitions. Steve, you have my vote.”  

“Steve, anyone who works as hard as you do deserves my vote.”  

“Steve, we met a few months ago at my front door.  I read through what you left me.  1) Thank you for your service.  You are a brave and honorable American and I owe my freedoms to people like you.  2) You got my vote.”

“Your character is what really got my attention.  Honest, truthful and a man of your word.”

“Since everyone seems to promise me essentially the same thing, I’ve decided to go with CHARACTER and perceived leadership.  That’s why, for the first time ever, I’m decorating my yard with a sign for Steve Ward for Congress.

“I was most impressed with your details on your website and debate performances.  I recognize your unique blend of legislative, executive, military and business experience in addition your personality.  Thank you for giving us voters a worthy choice.”

“Steve, your understanding of the economic issues and the inflation of the dollar through the government’s and Federal Reserve’s printing of worthless paper money alone is worth of my support.”

“I appreciate that you asked me what I care about.  You seem to actually like the voters and respect them. I have the feeling being in Congress would be a privilege for you, not an entitlement.”