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The Sarah Palin Factor Draws Demo Blood - Seatle Weekly

By Rick Anderson
Mon., Jun. 21 2010 @ 9:48AM
In this brave new cyberworld, failed candidate and gubernatorial quitter Sarah Palin believes she has the power to tweet and Facebook fellow conserves into office. They seem to believe she does, too. Spokane Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers was buoyed when FB'd by the Alaskan political dropout, as was Eastern Washington farmer Clint Didier in his senate race against Dino Rossi. Now Snohomish dairyman John Koster thinks he has a winning chance against incumbent Rep. Rick Larsen in the 2nd District because the woman Vanity Fair magazine calls "the human repository of America's most cherished wrong ideas," is in his camp.

The fleeting Twitter mention of his opponent was enough for Larsen to immediately fire off a bring-on-Sarah-Palin press release:

In order to help her national ambitions, Palin has asked her most radical supporters to "target" Democrats across America. She even uses crosshairs in her literature, upping the rhetoric and literally taking aim.

"She can target me and put Northwest Washington in her crosshairs, but it won't stop me from fighting for what I believe is right," Larsen said.

He would've been better off sticking to issues or at least stopping there. But Larsen added that the endorsement would mean Koster was "opening his campaign war chest to a potential landslide of out-of-state contributions." That left him wide open for Koster's return fire:

Larsen did not mention that 65% of his campaign war chest ($736,671 as of March 31) has come from political action committees (including $1000 from BP), nearly all of whom list addresses from out of state. In comparison, Koster raised $168,717 (as of March 31) with 97% coming from individual donors from Washington State.

"It appears to me that Rick Larsen is suffering from a case of Washington D.C. beltway hypocrisy and arrogance," said Larry Stickney, Koster's campaign manager.

Larsen's stumble ended up giving more credibility to Palin's endorsement than warranted. It also feeds what Clint Didier said about his Palindorsement: "People want someone to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and take on Washington, D.C. - a citizen statesman, not a polished politician - just like Sarah and the grassroots are doing."

What does this say about politics and Democrats when they're losing ground to someone who yesterday tweeted: "Gulf disaster needs divine intervention as man's efforts have been futile." God bless us all.

Koster Posts Another Strong Fundraising Report

Arlington, WA (July 13, 2010) -- Challenger congressional candidate John Koster (WA-2) will file his FEC 2nd Quarter fundraising report with $211,168.44 cash on hand, a strong financial position for a challenger congressional candidate.  The Koster campaign raised $210,118.26 during the 2nd quarter.

John Koster commented, "We set a goal for our campaign of having $200,000 in the bank by June 30th, and I am thrilled that we accomplished our goal.  I am also humbled by the outpouring of support we are getting from people all over the district.  It is clear to me that voters have had enough of the destructive policies of Rick Larsen and Nancy Pelosi."

The Koster campaign has showed that it is clearly fueled by the grassroots.  The Koster campaign has now had 2,930 total contributions.  The average contribution to the campaign is $129.38 and nearly 96% of the total contributions have come from the state of Washington.

Koster continued, "In this election, voters will have a clear choice.  Do they want to elect a fiscally responsible public servant like myself, or a politician who has raised 65% of his campaign war chest from out-of-state special interest groups?   With the number of contributions we have had and our internal polls showing us moving into the lead, I am excited about the campaign ahead."

Koster concluded, "We are preparing ourselves for the mudslinging that will surely come from Rick Larsen.  I am confident, though, because this race is not about me.  This election is about beating back the destructive policies that have led to double-digit unemployment and a $13 trillion national debt that will strap future generations.  This campaign is a grassroots movement to get back on a road to fiscal responsibility and job creation and people are stepping up to the plate all over the district to help this effort."

Farm Bureau PAC endorses John Koster

Tillman DairyArlington, WA - July 7, 2010 - Republican candidate John Koster announced today an endorsement from the Washington Farm Bureau PAC. The Washington Farm Bureau is a non-partisan, grassroots advocacy organization representing the social and economic interests of farmers and ranchers at both the local and national levels. The Farm Bureau PAC bases its endorsements on candidates' support and understanding of important issues affecting the agricultural community.

Following the endorsement, Koster issued the following statement:

"I'm pleased to have the support of the Washington Farm Bureau PAC as we work together to put Washington families and farmers back to work. It's time to put an end to the destructive anti-jobs policies that are being forced through Congress and onto the backs of working Americans. There are brighter days ahead, but first we must get the federal government out of the way of economic recovery. As long as Congress continues to spend freely and tax American families, business owners, and farmers past their breaking point, we will continue to struggle through difficult times like we're seeing now. I understand this, the Farm Bureau PAC understands this, and the people of Northwest Washington understand this. This endorsement is proof that my campaign is addressing the issues that matter most to our district and I look forward to restoring our common principles that Congress has long forgotten."

Stop Larsen's Propaganda Machine

I've got some great news for you. Our internal polling this past week shows that we can win the race for U.S. Congress - and that we will win... if my campaign team has the funds to combat my opponent Rick Larsen's anticipated attack ads and propaganda machine.

John Koster

John Koster

 

As you may know, Larsen has raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars from over 300 special interest Political Action Committees from around the country. This comes as no surprise as the beltway lobbyists and PACs always run to their favorite pork barrel providers.

 

Sadly, the trough Rick Larsen's insatiable liberal friends feast on is filled with your hard earned tax dollars!

 

We live in the most dangerous time for the American Republic since World War II. As you know, our federal government has fallen into the hands of an ultra left-wing President and Congress that are taking us into uncharted economic waters with their incomprehensible spending and unconscionable deficits. 

 

Isn't it high time we put a stop to the disastrous policies of Rick Larsen, Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi?

 

June 30th marks the end of the 2nd quarter. In just one month the primary ballots will be in the mail for the August 17 primary election.  Time is moving by very quickly. 

 

Can I count on you to give to my campaign today or before midnight next Wednesday (June 30)? If we can raise $25,000 online dollars we will meet or exceed our goal. No gift is too small and $20 - $50 donations are the backbone of this campaign.

 

With sincere thanks and appreciation,

 

John Koster, Candidate for U.S. Congress

Washington's 2nd Congressional District

Larsen's Anti-Palin Rant an Amazing Display of Hypocrisy

Arlington, WA - June, 16, 2010 - In an amazing display of hypocrisy and hyperbole, Rick Larsen's anti-Sarah Palin rant in a press release on Tuesday may have provided voters with a preview of how the 5 term incumbent intends to conduct his campaign against John Koster for Washington's 2nd Congressional district.

Larsen referred to Palin's supporters as "radicals" targeting Democrats across the country, and criticized Koster for "opening his campaign war chest to a potential landslide of out-of-state contributions that will fund his campaign to eliminate the help seniors are getting to pay for prescription drugs, privatize Social Security, and protect the lax regulations that led to the BP oil spill."

 

Larsen did not mention that 65% of his campaign war chest ($736,671 as of March 31) has come from political action committees (including $1000 from BP), nearly all of whom list addresses from out of state.  In comparison, Koster raised $168,717 (as of March 31) with 97% coming from individual donors from Washington State.

Read more...

I will go to Washington D.C. and stand firm

I write to you today because our nation is moving in the wrong direction. As you know, the current Congress is out of touch with the American people. What is missing in Washington D.C. today are Congressional leaders that truly represent the will and values of the American people.

As you may have heard over the weekend, Sarah Palin gave me her official endorsement, and wrote that she is proud to endorse me because I'm a "pro-family, pro-business, rock-solid commonsense conservative!"

I am humbled and appreciative of Sarah's endorsement. Like Sarah, I love this great nation and will not sit on the sidelines and watch as the "progressives" destroy the economy of this country.

Congressional representatives in America exist to protect our liberty, defend our borders, and pass laws that promote a healthy free-market based economy so families and businesses can grow and thrive. This concept has been lost with the current Congress and Administration.

Read more...

Sarah Palin endorses "rock solid" John Koster for U.S. Congress

Vancouver, WA, June 12, 2010 - Today, John Koster announced his endorsement from former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin

 

The Palin endorsement, released on Facebook and Twitter and read to delegates at the Republican Party's State Convention in Vancouver on Saturday afternoon, drew a big ovation from the enthusiastic crowd. Palin wrote that she is "Proud to endorse John Koster" and described John as a "pro-family, pro-business, rock-solid commonsense conservative!"

 

Like Governor Palin, John Koster believes that America's best days are ahead of us; and that the United States, founded on conservative principles, must confront the challenges of the 21st century with integrity, innovation, and determination.

 

John's love of family and America prompted him to run for Congress. Like Palin, John is concerned that the American Dream he has experienced, will not be available to future generations.

 

"Just as Governor Palin has done in Alaska, I will go to Washington, DC and stand firm against wasteful spending, higher taxes, and the special interest groups that are destroying our economy and our children's futures."

 

Koster, a third generation Dairyman from Snohomish County, grew up with humble, yet proud roots.  John's parents were guided in life by faith in God, love of country, and love of family.  "They were hard-working and most importantly - they had integrity," said Koster.

 

As a businessman and public servant, John Koster has the right experience to represent the 2nd Congressional District Congress.  He was a three term State Representative in Olympia, where he earned a reputation as a defender of family values and a fiscal hawk.  As a Snohomish County Councilman, Koster has not only been a leader on the county-level, he has been chosen by his peers to serve on the board of directors of the National and State Associations of Counties.

Read more...

Despite False Spike, Larsen's Jobs Record Still Fails Washington Families

Washington- June 4, 2010 - A temporary boost in government hiring has padded jobs numbers for the month of May, but the 9.7 percent unemployment rate belies just how badly Rick Larsen's anti-jobs spending agenda has failed Washington families. The spike in jobs is simply a reflection of over 410,000 new census workers being added to the government’s payrolls at the taxpayers’ expense. Rick Larsen and his friends in Washington are sure to tout the short-term boost in unemployment as an economic success, but Washington families know better. While Democrats have been wasting taxpayer money and growing the size of government with spending sprees, bailouts, and government takeovers, Americans have yet to see the signs of real economic recovery. With the economy limping along, Washington families still want to know: Can Larsen and his fellow Washington Democrats provide economic growth rather than temporary government jobs?

 

“Most of the jobs expected to have been generated in May were for census workers hired on a temporary basis by the federal government. … By contrast, hiring by private employers — the backbone of the economy — may have slowed down a bit in May.” (Jeannine Aversa, “Jobs data likely to show burst of temporary hiring,” Associated Press, 6/02/2010)

Read more...

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Campaign Contacts

King County Headquarters
611 Market Street, Suite 9
Kirkland, WA 98033
Phone: 206-849-1096
Click here for Email & Map

Snohomish County Headquarters
122 128th St SE, Suite B
Everett, WA 98209
*Lower level of Shawn O’Donnell’s Restaurant
Phone: 425-332-2240
Click here for Email & Map