DUers: I need your help to launch my Senate campaign!

[srpantalonas]

At the end of this week we are buying the bus that will take us across Pennsylvania in our grass roots campaign to beat Arlen Specter. It's a mere $12,500 for a 1978 Airstream (yes, they made some pretty cool busses!) that was converted into a mobile office. It's sitting in LA and will get here soon if we can finish the purchase.



We're working hard during the campaign to help people <i>now</i>, so having a mobile office really helps the cause--much more than the typical living room on wheels. Our new full-time blogger will be driving it across the country to get it here--we really do "get" it!

Please give something-- $20, $50, $100--anything you can. With enough DUers, we can put this fight for economic and social justice on the road!

I'm deeply grateful for your support.

Charlie Crystle

for more pics and contributions:
http://www.CrystleForSenate.com/bus

[sistersofmercy]

1. Great Ride!

I wrote your website down.

[Vis Numar]

2. kick!

Go Charlie!!

[onebigbadwulf]

3. Put...

"Honk if you hate bush" right on the back.

[srpantalonas]

4. Honk if you Hate Bush

That's very funny...if we hit the goal, we're going to have to do SOMETHING like that!

[Nobody]

5. May your bus become as famous as another campaign bus

You're following in a grand tradition, taking your campaign to the streets in a bus. I'm from MN and Paul Wellstone's green bus was well known to all.

May you ride your bus all the way to Washington DC!

[srpantalonas]

10. Wellstone Bus...

The bus--it definitley stems from Wellstone's campaign style; our grass roots campaigning is an expression of my belief in participatory democracy and the power of people when we step beyond the norm--organize, deliberate, and create a unified, strong voice for justice.

I've been a progressive all my adult life. I identify with Wellstone's (and Kuc) politics more than anyone's--certainly not DLC'ers, Clinton, etc. I read Wellstone's Conscience of a Liberal over the summer (reading "...Rural Poor" now) and was inspired: "This time, vote for what you believe in." In the introduction he talks about running strictly on what he believed in--something I am doing, to the horror of the political ops on the campaign. The country needs principles-based leadership, I believe the core principles should be economic justice, social justice, and equality of opportunity for all. Apply them evenly across all issues--foreign policy, trade, social services, gay rights, farming, environment, etc.-- and you have a much more equitable country.

This country would be such a better place ot live in if we embraced the principles of economic justice and social justice. I'd like to see the Democratic Party embrace them, and stop talking about moving to the Center, or "the Third Way", both of which have led to millions of lost jobs, increased economic pressure and stress on families and family authority, and a severe widening of the gap between the rich and poor. Trade is fine, but only if informed by more than the principle of chasing the cheapest price, and not at the expense of our communities.

Anyway, I'm no Wellstone, but I'm trying as hard as I can in my own way.

[patdem]

6. Can I do a blog...and run for anyting...and ask for money for any reason?

gee that looks like a wonderful vacation trailor...I would not give you one dollar for the purchase of a travel trailor for you.

How vulnerable do you think Democrats are???

[srpantalonas]

8. Mobile Office, Not a Travel Trailer

Look at the pictures (click on the link)--it's not a travel trailer, it's a mobile office. This is going to go a long way toward organizing people in my state around economic and social justice, and DUers are quite smart enough to know the difference between largesse and utility.

[patdem]

9. A few chairs on wheels and a lap top on a stove top...is not exactly

proof of a office vs a personal travel trailer...I have seen office trailers and they have not even a look of a travel trailor...

NO..your pictures do not an office make (from a travel trailor)...sorry!!!

[srpantalonas]

12. Well, then--you're invited to come on board and see for yourself!

Contact us directly and we'll arrange to have you spend some time on the campaign trail with us. We can talk about it in the tiny conference room in the back of the bus!

[Julien Sorel]

15. IIrc, Crystle is a self-made millionaire

who is pumping his own money into his campaign. I don't think he would bother to lie to buy a $12,000 motor home.

[srpantalonas]

16. and going to 0 if that's what it takes...

When Jim Hightower spoke the other day in Pittsburgh at the Just Harvest annual dinner, he said something like "what could be a better use of your energy, time, and money than to fight the bastards in Washington that have done this to our country."

Nothing at all. I'll do what I have to to win this, and win it without corporate money.

[BikeDeck]

23. I know nothing

about Charlie, but a millionaire begging for funds to buy a $12,000 bus seems a little outrageous if you ask me.

[JasonBerry]

25. It's about a sense of ownership

and involvement in taking our country back.

[MisterP]

7. greetings, Mr. Crystle, and welcome to DU!

I'll visit and likely donate.

[ShaneGR]

11. Hoeffel

Will beat Arlon (I am a spectre of my former self).

[Vis Numar]

13. Hopefully, he wont get the chance

to prove you wrong.

[srpantalonas]

14. thanks

[jbm]

17. Good Luck Mr Crystle! eom

:hi:

[srpantalonas]

18. thanks!

[frank frankly]

19. working on the $$$

in the meantime, a kick

:kick:

[joanski01]

20. I will visit your

website. In the meantime, this needs another kick. Please, let's out Specter in 2004 and then Santorum.

[srpantalonas]

21. thanks!

[BikeDeck]

22. Is such a vehicle legal

Is such a vehicle legal for campaign purposes under Scottish law?

[frank frankly]

24. PA kick

:kick:

[joanski01]

26. Charlie

Why aren't the people of DU rallying around you?

[srpantalonas]

27. Not entirely sure...

I'm unknown, for one. Maybe we haven't clearly articulated my progressive beliefs well enough (social and economic justice, equality of opportunity for all). And maybe people think I'm massively wealthy and don't need help--neither is true. We need both the money and the help--campaigns are very costly even for a grass roots candidate like me. I have a comfortable life--I was rich for about a half a second but got hit like everyone else(someone look up SUNW from 2000 to now)--and I'm happily risking it to win a seat at the table from corporate control of America for the people, for whom it was originally intended. I envision an America where doing business is an earned and revokable privilege, and people have more say and access than corporations in defining the policies and direction of the country.

I don't expect people to automatically support me--it takes some work on my part--and while I've been a member since May or so I haven't posted a lot because of the campaign. I think it would be great to put another committed progressive liberal/human rights activist/advocate on the Senate floor, and maybe people don't see me in that light yet. One way or the other we're going to make it work, but right now our best support is coming from 1)the unemployed (no money to support us) 2)seniors on a fixed income(not much money to support) and 3)the poor (no money to support). DLC democrats, party democrats, etc, of course, don't like that I'm running. My opponent has the benefit of the insider game, where money flows like...well, let's just say it flows for the insider who plays the game, not for the outsider who points out that the game is rigged. So it comes down to small donations from lots of people who want to change their country. It's much more democratic anyway--the way it should be.

We'll get the bus--people will come through.

[sistersofmercy]

28. Psssst

Do a thread explaining your positions in some keys issue and/or introduce yourself. How long have you been coming to DU etc. I wish well and I will donate.

[srpantalonas]

41. done

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=581729

[sistersofmercy]

43. Yes...

I saw and responded. Do more threads put yourself out there, don't be shy. Good Luck.:kick:

[pruner]

29. bad news Charlie – it looks like the Dean campaign bought this bus

Dean For America Calls the Grassroots To Action with a 1978 Airstream

BURLINGTON--Dean for America today announced that it was launching a six-week nationwide call to action. Blogger Zephyr Teachout will take to the roads, traveling in a restored 27-foot, 1978 Airstream bus--organizing, flyering and hearing the incredible stories of Dean supporters across the country.

http://blogforamerica.com/ (it's a little bit down on the page… same pic as you posted)

[srpantalonas]

32. Yes, that's still our bus. But we still need to raise the funds for it.

[pruner]

36. very cool charlie

sorry about any confusion my post(s) may have caused.

[Hippo_Tron]

45. Ask Dean for an endorsement...

You guys apparently have the same tastes in transportation.

[Vis Numar]

34. Good news

Charlie has already bought the bus with a downpayment, but the Dean campaign is using it for six weeks to drive across the country, bringing it to Philly (according to the campaigns emails), and this link:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=579889#580078

[Loyal]

30. Charlie,

if you really believe in the middle and lower classes, and stopping corporate greed, then maybe you should stop asking them for money. You are a self-made millionaire, correct? So why don't you use only your own money, unless you would like to stop bashing other "corporate" Democrats like Clinton and other DLCers.

[srpantalonas]

31. I'm not John Corzine; campaigns are very very expensive.

I have in fact been using my own money, and I'm loaning my house. Moreover, it's likely I'll go broke making this happen.

And I'm not sure what you consider bashing (you seem to be bashing me), but just look at the results of DLC trade policies. The formation of a closed-door trade body that makes decisions for the few at the expense of the many, affecting billions of people--mostly negatively. What else...the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs and the rise of the Wal-Mart replacement job, and of course the wonderful "bridge to the 21st century", which leads nowhere for most people.

[Loyal]

47. This is ridiculous, Charlie.

You are going to go broke running a Senate campaign? Hoeffel is a fine liberal Democrat. Why challenge him? You will negate the jump that we will gain from Specter having to fight off Toomey, by challenging Hoeffel yourself. :shrug:

[srpantalonas]

48. It's a commitment, and we are substantially different

You sound like you know the mechanics of politics--this isn't about the chess game the insiders play. It's about the kind of country we want to live in. Fair question--thanks for your thoughts.

Joe voted for the Patriot Act; I find it offensive and never would have voted for it and will be in DC tomorrow demonstrating if my plane gets in on time (I'm at a conference for progressives). He voted for the policy of preemptive military intervention--I demonstrated against it. Supports continuation of NAFTA and WTO--I demonstrated in Seattle; I believe in bilateral fair trade agreements and dismantling the grossly unfair WTO. He has taken pharma money--I'm taking no corporate money in any form--back door or PAC. From his press release declaring his candidacy, he believes "that the power of Washington can bring positive things to the people of Pennsylvania." I believe in people, and that people have the power, and that the power in Washington comes largely from large corporate interests and is not representative of the people. He's a self-described "Free Trader". I'm a fair trader and have seen the vast destruction in PA "Free Trade" has caused.

I have nothing against Joe personally. But he is not a progressive. I am, and I think Pennsylvania and the country needs more commitment to economic and social justice. And he's an insider, and I'm so tired of insiders. We need someone who is truly committed to priniples-based leadership and won't trade votes. And I'm a natural leader--I see a problem and I try to do something about it. In the context of the campaign, we're helping people start businesses, expand businesses, improve their non-profits, and fight the power through petitions. If I thought Joe could beat Specter and carry some issues with any force, I would have backed him because no, I don't really want to go to zero. But my country is under attack, and I can sit back and watch anymore and will do what I can to change things. And I could use your help.

Finally, you like mechanics, so here's something for you. In June, a reporter asked Joe about his intention to run against Specter, and the reporter asked something like "Aren't you pretty much similar to Specter?" And Joe responded "Yeah, pretty much." Both of us would be better than Arlen, but when it comes down to a choice between an incumbent moderate Republican lawyer and a hopeful DLC moderate Democrat lawyer who is "pretty much" similar, people will stick with the incumbent.

I can beat Specter. PA will vote for change, not more of the same. Sadly, the change can only come with money behind it.

[Loyal]

52. Ok,

can I see a link where Hoeffel said that?

[salin]

49. ya... forget this is a democracy where any citizen who

wants to has the right to run for office... sit down - and shut up - let the prechosen one run. :eyes:

[Isome]

33. You'll get no bashing from this direction!

... just best wishes and a word out to my relatives in the state to check you out.

[NewJerseyDem]

35. Here's my problem

I'm reluctant to support someone for senate that doesn't have past political experience. I generally prefer someone that has been in congress, been governor, state legislator, attorney general or something or even a mayor. I just feel that senate is a high enough job that experience is important. I would generally prefer if you at least ran for legislature or congress before you ran for senate.

I also really don't like when candidates use their own money. I understand that sometimes it is the only way to fund a campaign but I find it to be wrong. I find in concerning that we may be entering a time when only rich people who can self fund their campaigns can get elected to the senate.

You may be a little to liberal for me on some issues. For instance, I'm one of those free trade democrats and I dislike all those anti-DLC democrats who have forgotten about Bill Clinton. Even though, I am have become increasingly bothered by the vicious tactics of the DLC and their willingness to blast fellow democrats, it isn't like I don't see it among liberals like yourself, Howard Dean, and DUers in general. If you dislike the DLC so much I would question how well you could get along with those DLC moderates that are part of the Democratic caucus in the senate.

It is a good idea for you to start a thread where you just state your views on all the major issues from social issues like abortion and gay rights to economic issues like trade and taxes to foreign issues like Iraq and Israel. That may be a good way to let DUers know you and where you stand and it might help you get support here.

[srpantalonas]

39. Very fair--thank you

I can't do anything about your concern about experience. I will address the DLC issue.

First: I funded the strartup of my campaign and that's it. The rest needs to be funded by people--I take no corporate money/corporate PAC money. My wealth has been vastly over-estimated by others as well, and I'll make a statement about that sometime in the near future.

I like a lot about the DLC platform, but I have a major problem with the incredibly high amount of corporate influence in Washington on both sides of the aisle and feel the DLC is part of it. Also, DLC Democrats talk about training as the solution for job loss, but training on what, and for what? They also talk about job creation as though it just happens in a vaccum. It's a lot more complex than that, and the international trade issue has a huge effect on what's possible within our borders. Currently, we're witnessing the free flow of jobs--both blue collar and white collar jobs--out of the country. The results are terrible for many communities I visit. I believe the failed implementation of free trade has a direct relationship to the breakdown of families in middle America (that's a longer topic; going into it soon on the site).

My problem with trade is that Free Trade is not free in a lot of ways. There is a balance in there somewhere, but it isn't there in the current implementation of Free Trade. The current implementation benefits the few at the expense of the many--multi-nationals benefit while small businesses and regular people don't have a seat at the table. But we can find some balance in there. Trade is a good thing, but it must be informed by more than the capitalist principle of chasing the cheapest price. We are a country, not a business, and sometimes have different goals than businesses--like the well-being of people.

I will in fact post something shortly with my positions--it's a valid concern though many of them are posted at CrystleForSenate.com

[Hippo_Tron]

44. I don't understand this previous experience thing

What does being a state attorney general have to do with being a US Senator? What does being a US Senator have to do with being President? All that previous experience really does is give you a record and name recognition, and gives you experience in campaigning.

[NewJerseyDem]

53. A record is important

I don't really like supporting someone without a record. For all I know that person could just be making up their positions to win the election. Even though a person could have done that in the past in their previous elected positions, it is much harder than someone who doesn't have a record. For instance, I have some problem with Wesley Clark because I don't really trust that he entirely believes what he is saying. However, I largely know how Kerry, Edwards and the other members of congress feel because they have voted on the different issues.

Being a senator does help being president because you are dealing with the same issues and senators will clearly know a lot about those issues. Being attorney general doesn't necessarily have much to do with being a senator but it does at least show whether or not that person is competent enough to hold that important job.

[Jonte_1979]

37. I wish you the best of luck!

:toast:

[goobergunch]

38. I'd donate if I could

but there's that pesky "no minor donations in federal elections" thing....

Anyway, here's hoping you're my next Senator! :bounce:

[frank frankly]

40. kick for PA

:kick:

[Hippo_Tron]

42. Have you held political office before?

It's my dream to start grassroots US Senate campaign with no prior political experience.

[srpantalonas]

46. no prior experience.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

50. Just read your issues at your site.

UHC or more access to healthcare? From what you state it sounds like you are for UHC.

I would have to hear you speak publicly and get your stances on other issue. But from what I have seen so far you would get my vote. :)

Good to see a good progressive candidate running in PA, almost all of my Dad's side of the family lives in PA or was born there.

Good luck to you sir!

TWL

[srpantalonas]

51. Universal Health Care

Single-payer, funded by a tax on payroll. All Americans covered, legal immigrants. Not sure how to deal with illegal immigrants yet--it's a very complex issue. I have a lot of details about the actual plan but I'd like to wait to release them with the full plan.

[Cheswick2.0]

54. hi, fellow PAer here

I wrote to the other guy running and offered to work on his campaign. I got no reply at all. Now that I see where you stand on UHC etc... and I see we have another more liberal choice for senate I am interested in helping you if you are interested in getting some help. I will work for whoever gets the dem nomination in the long run. But I would prefer to have a liberal/progressive candidate.

I have no money whatsoever at this time. I am student teaching (in my 40s) and not working for most of this year. However I ran an office for Rendell in Luzerne county (even thought he is more centrist than I) because I wanted a democrat in office. As you know, his victory was one of the few bright spots for democrats in 2002.

If you are interested in a campaign worker who will want to take on additional responisibility if you get the nomination, PM me.

PS... I am near scranton

[srpantalonas]

56. Thanks--support and help appreciated!

I look forward to talking with you about it...

[Armstead]

55. Good luck

Saw your website and it looks like you have a lot of really good positions. And I admire your willingness to put yourself up for this.

I'm sure as time goes on as you become more known on DU you can pick up a lot of help and support here.

[frank frankly]

57. kick

:kick:

[Capn Sunshine]

58. That's Zephyr's Bus!

She will be driving it cross country ; are you buying it when the campaign is done with it? I think we may keep her on the road for a looooooooooooooong time dude.

Or did we just buy it out from under you?



http://www.gendeanblog.com/archives/000243.php

[srpantalonas]

59. My campaign bought it and rented it to Dean--now we're broke!

So please pitch in!

http://www.crystleforsenate.com/bus