I cried. These are the people who make it worth while.

Sometimes while campaigning you hit low points. I'd say yesterday evening qualifies. In an odd twist of fate, I have held four gatherings where the weather was so bad that attendance was in the double digits. One example is prior to my campaign announcement, we put on a support of a Latino event meet and greet where it had rained so heavily streets had flooded and the media had suggested people stay in doors. We had 125 people confirmed and fewer than 20 attended. The day of my US Senate candidacy announcement there were high winds warnings and (you guessed it), people were told to stay inside. We had 300+ people confirmed to attend and 40 - 50 adults showed by my count.

Last evening with the small snow storm, by far, takes the prize. We had 150 RSVPs for a small meet & greet fundraiser and had actually followed up at noon with those committing to attend because of the weather. Between announcements, fund raising expenses, rental and food, we ended up spending $500 per person. Even less experienced people than I can tell you this was a bust - a BIG one. A grassroots campaign can't afford these. The hardest part is the reneged commitments of financial support just to simply break even. This could have been funds used for additional Be Patriotic Impeach Bush billboards on I-95...

I'm not making excuses for Matt Brown's campaign finance woes, but I can tell you that there is a small group of base supporters who believe in you and would do most anything to help a campaign. They're often doing most of the heavy lifting financially and by their investment of their personal time. It is very, very difficult to go forward without these folks.

It is at our low points you find out who is using you as a meal ticket and who believes in you. Ingrid, Brian and Bill are examples of individuals with faith. Ingrid is easiest to explain. She has been contacted by much better funded state and federal campaigns than mine because of her outreach in poorer and minority communities. She just believes in me.

Brian reminds me of myself in my early twenties. A returned to college, struggling student who is strong in his desire and actions to see a better place for the disadvantaged and often more change than cash in his pocket. He has plastered some of my materials all over college campuses even when we never asked. He wrote out a check for $225 that I know he can't afford. I'm going to return it to him today because it's the right thing to do. Bill is an attorney and a veteran living in Rhode Island. I've never met him in person, but he often sends me words of encouragement and $20.06. I needed his kind email after last night where he shared he has committed to find 12 people like himself to support our campaign. It is his plan that he and they would contribute $20.06 each month until the primary.

I cried. These are the people who make it worth while. They're the ones I am doing this for and I don't intend on letting them down.

Carl
Sheeler for US Senate
www.carlsheeler.com
592 Hopkins Hill Road
West Greenwich, RI 02817
carl@carlsheeler.com

Thank you for sharing this.Your future constituents will be lucky to have such a giving person.Keep the faith,America Needs you.

Is that you and your art work. I am impressed.

I enjoyed your story. And how nice of your campaign to offer food to the people who stayed in because of bad weather. :)

I'm calling a meeting with you and the weather gods.

This post was really touching and I'm glad you have some good support.

Though am sorry for the extraneous expenses.

In your struggle I'm reminded of Abe Lincoln who thought himself a total political loser for quite at long time. Perhaps his words will help.

Will contact next week.

Hang in there.

best

I remember in 2004, every time John Kerry or John Edwards were scheduled to visit Florida, we had a hurricane moving through. I was called several times to drive John Edwards, but the appearance was canceled at the last minute.

Keep your chin up. It will get better. And the people who stick with you right now, during the worst of times, will be there with you forever.

Good Luck.

Thanks for your kind sentiments

I'd like to send you some money.. What is the easiest way to send it?

Financial support ot crying towels may be sent by snail mail to:

Friends of Sheeler
Sheeler for US Senate
592 Hopkins Hill Road
West Greenwich, RI 02817

or by visiting our website at www.carlsheeler.com for on line

or http://www.actblue.com/directory/federal/senate#9167

have people like you who will stand up for the truth and what's right. It's getting to the point ( I don't think it's always been quite this bad) that a lot of politicians are turning out to be really horrible horrible people I LOVE your billboard and I hope you can put up more. I will send you some money too! THANK YOU-THANK YOU-THANK YOU

who trust your sense of values and caring. It's an honor. Thanks for your help.

Carl

It took me a while until I found it.

However...
I DID finally find it!O8)

You sound like a person who truly cares about others. If only we here in Oklahoma could be so fortunate at the state level. I'll be watching your rise and will remember i thought you were a fine gentleman way back when, now. As long as you remember to remember that the only person you must be honest with is yourself, the rest will be a given. I believe you are on the cutting edge of the new Politician, a person who puts the country first, the people in charge to lead not to be led. Good luck, even though my gut feeling is you really won't need it. Americans are hungry for honest Politicians, the kind that makes us feel like we could, would and want to rub elbows with, if you will. We have a few politicians here in northeast OK at the county level who are on that cutting edge also, so i'm able to witness this trend in its earliest stages. Bless you and Bless your constituents.

I believe what is happening today at the national level is going to be used as the model of why we have to start doing thing a little differently.

:loveya:

We have to put up money for candidates like you Carl if we want to take back the party. I suggest you contact some PAC's like http://www.21stcenturydems.org and find out if you can get financial support for your campaign.

MORE HERE -

Are you a 21st Century Democrat?

21st Century Democrats reaches out to candidates at critical stages of their campaigns and gets involved to help Democrats win tough races. We are looking for candidates who share our values and who are dedicated to serious grassroots outreach. We endorse candidates at every level of government, from city council to federal office. If you are a candidate, or know of someone who is running, we can help!

Our endorsement program in 2005 will be altered while we reevaluate our mission and programmatic goals. We will still endorse progressive candidates and support them by providing technical support, raising a candidates profile, recruiting volunteers, and potentially sending GOTV support in the final stages of the campaign.


Receive our Endorsement

Candidates interested in receiving support from 21st Century Democrats should complete the appropriate candidate questionnaire and send it to:

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2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20009

Call us at 202-626-5620 if you have any questions.

Questionnaires are located HERE at the bottom of the page.

Best wishes in your desire to serve the people of RI.

Carl-I'm not in your state-but give 'em hell.know that most of the 20.06 donations you get will be from your friends here.

P.S....he also has the above as a Billboard !!!Awesome!

the website above at www.carlsheeler.com

If I need a body guard, I'm giving you a call.

I know what you mean about those low points, Carl. It was rainy, and we were in a well-heeled neighborhood where people were basically slamming their doors in our faces. We were about to pack it in when we came to one house .... where an enormous guy came lumbering out and said, "I've voted for the * party all my life, but this time I'm voting for you because ..." -- and he proceeded to tell us how he'd met her rival in a convenience store a few weeks ago, and the politician had been buying a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue ... which out of fear or prudishness, he HID from the other patrons. The voter finished, "And if he'd be sneaky about that, what is he REALLY being furtive about?"

The candidate and I thanked him politely, gave him a pamphlet, and went around the corner -- where we nearly collapsed with laughter.

That was 2 elections ago, and she still mentions that story in some of her stump speeches! Sometimes, it's those little moments.

The (Canadian) party I work for almost always loses, but I'll never forget the strength, humour, compassion, and grace that I've seen from the candidates I've helped.

Thank you for being out there, and giving people a voice. I know that it can get awfully discouraging at times, and being runner-up is often disregarded -- even though a "loyal opposition" is the thing that distinguishes a democracy from other forms of government.

In our 2001 provincial election, our party was reduced to 2 out of 79 seats. It was pretty hard to be an effective opposition for 4 years, when we actually lost official party status, and had to "pass the hat" among our members in order to pay for basic caucus research. Last year, we came roaring back and won 33 seats. People across the country were astounded and said that they'd never seen such a political comeback.

Even so, we've never formed a federal government, or even been the official opposition, which makes us "losers" in many people's eyes. However, for a party which has never "won" anything more than 3 dozen federal seats, we seem to have gotten our way quite a bit of the time (usually because the other parties copy us) -- Medicare, multiculturalism, allowing US war resisters to stay, etc. -- but I bite my tongue when taunted by people from other parties, since I know that they would be even nastier to us if they felt really threatened!

:patriot:

n/t

-Laelth

Anyone who would return a campaign contribution to a young man because he knows he can't afford, is the kind of man we need in our government and the kind of man who gets my support. I just sent you my promised donation. You will win, Carl. I know you will. The people are ready for someone like you.

do extraordinary things.

:kick:

your link on another site I go to and wonder if I can post the picture of the billboard there. We need permission to post pictures on the site ~ that's why I'm asking.

Soon, it will be Spring and I think you will be able to depend on more and more people at your events ~ I'm sure these early stages are difficult, but I can envision, a few months from now, not being able to get near you should any of us manage to get to RI just to support your campaign.

I think it's so wonderful to have TWO senate candidates in ONE thread!! Both DUers!! This is so exciting ~ :-)

Thanks to both of you, for what you are doing. We need you badly ~

Another :kick: for a great and historic thread!

You have my permission to post away there Catrina Kick

good luck!

US. Life's too short to make those distinctions!!!!

I'm talking you up daily!
Stay focused

Here's funny-sort-of story that might make you smile. A friend and I were driving back to North Carolina down from a trip to Boston in 1995 on Interstate 95. Right before going over the Massachusetts line, I feel asleep for about 10 minutes, I guessed. When I woke up, I asked my friend if we were in Rhode Island. He said, "We're in Connecticut." I fell asleep for a few minutes and missed the whole state. To this day, I have been to Rhode Island, but have never seen it!

Just the fact that you're doing something, however frustrating it may feel, could play out in ways down the road that you can't imagine right now.

Keep planting the seeds and working the field. One day a harvest will come.

Be Patriotic Impeach Bush

ON the Bourne Rotary Mar 19th from 12noon until 4p?

Cape Codders for Peace and Justice will be there-
AND
Peter White who is running as an I for Delahunts seat!

Also after that, if the Boston DUers have their meetup
Sunday night, I'm headed there- They would LOVE to meet you
and you could do some networking! Mini-fundraiser?