PARDON ME, DO YOU SPEAK LIBERAL?

Bellingham, Wash.

Congratulations to Eric Alterman for "Corrupt, Incompetent & Off Center" ["The Liberal Media," Nov. 7]. Pulling the facts together like this is a service to the progressive community, as it helps re-instill hope that change is not only possible but on its way. I wonder, though, if we really need a new language for liberals or just a way to get the word out. I recently ran for County Council here in Whatcom County on a progressive "relocalization" platform and was surprised at the support I got from self-described conservative Republicans. They were as thrilled as anyone to hear someone actually talk about the issues. Of course, I didn't make it through the primary. My $800 campaign was little match for the $17,000 spent by the incumbent. But it did start a conversation that had been missing, and many people thanked me for it. Columns like Alterman's gave me the background information for these conversations.

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