Press Release
Released: May 2, 2008Republican Shocked to Learn that Individuals Care About Their Community
BURLINGTON -- DemocracyForAmerica.com, our nations largest progressive political action organization, endorsed Joe Garcia for the U.S. House because, unlike his opponent, he knows its the job of a Congressman to represent his constituents and not just high-dollar donors, lobbyists, and corporate PACs. Rep. Diaz-Balart, being unfamiliar with the idea of small-dollar donations from individuals concerned about their neighborhoods and country, tried to make a controversy out of Joe Garcias robust fundraising.
In yesterdays Miami Herald, Lesley Clark reported that U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart is accusing Joe Garcia of 'hiding' the source of campaign contributions. As the article makes clear, campaign finance regulations do not require disclosure of donors' identities for contributions under $200.
Joe Garcia is supported by real men and women who give $5, $10, or $20 contributions. This manufactured attack shows how little respect Mario Diaz-Balart has for small-dollar donors, said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America.
Mario Diaz-Balart is, once again, showing how out-of-touch and unfit he is to serve in the United State House of Representatives, said Wendy Sejour, resident of Floridas 25th Congressional District.
Democracy for America has helped Joe Garcia raise over $30,000 from over 1000 donors for an average contribution of $28. These small-dollar donations have made his campaign a true threat and that is why Rep. Diaz-Balart is now blindly lashing out and making ridiculous, false accusations.
Mario Diaz-Balart has been living in his ivory tower for too long, said Daniel I. Medress, Communications Director of Democracy for America. Rep. Diaz-Balart is frighteningly misinformed about how campaigns work and this is further proof that his days of misrepresenting South Florida are numbered.
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