For over ten months, more and more people joined in the most phenomenal campaign in Idaho history. We had the audacity to believe that if our elections are to symbolize the heart of our democracy, they should be conducted in a way that reflects our values. Cynics scoffed but we were not deterred.
We planted the seeds of our belief in nearly 100 communities in Idaho. They were nurtured by hope - even in the parched environment of big money and strident, divisive, media-drivien politics on the national level. They were watered by a deep yearning of ordinary people who want our elections to live up to the ideals our country's founders and our own parents bestowed on us.
While we dared to believe that our harvest in this first year would be huge, we knew deep down that this truly is the work of many years, many more hands, many more hearts who refuse to give in to despair. The struggles of earlier generations to expand the full meaning of democracy also took many years.
I am incredibly proud of the courageous steps so many people took out of the well-trod path of cynicism and onto the path of sincere participation. We did everything we could with the resources we had and we did it by never swerving from that path of integrity.
While today we sit in quiet contemplation around family and friends, shed tears of exhaustion but not of regret, and squeeze the hands of our new friends in the struggle for authentic democracy, we know deep inside we will never give up.
We have stepped away from the tempting path of cynicsm and have vowed never to return to it again. There is too much at stake. There are too many people counting on us.
Thank you for being doers and not hearers only. Thank you for believing!
Jim
"I have known Jim Hansen his whole life. He is a true conservationist and public servant and I am proud to support him for Congress." --
"Jim Hansen is a man of honest convictions. He will be a strong and effective voice for the Magic Valley and all Idahoans in Congress.” --
“The No Child Left Behind Act has gone beyond its stated purpose and has removed decision-making from local school boards. The law must have a new look, not just a minor tweaking, if our schools are to get back to offering a full curriculum. In addition to basic skills our youngsters need a rich curriculum: one that enables them to think and to apply learning in ways other than on federally required tests. Jim Hansen is a proven advocate for schools, an independent thinker, and the right choice for Congress in the Second Congressional District.” -- "Jim Hansen will be a welcome relief from this corrupt and scandal ridden Congress of which Mike Simpson has been a willing part. Simpson has voted for raising his own salary while working just a few days each week. The people of Idaho deserve better." --
"Jim Hansen is a man of integrity. We need him to fight the corruption that has grown in Congress. He has my support!" --
"I think Jim Hansen is an honorable man. He will work hard to earn your trust and bring honor back to Congress." --
"Jim Hansen cares about Idaho. He cares about the little guy. And he will do a great job as Idaho's Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District." -- "I really support Jim Hansen. I admire him for limiting campaign contributions. It shows he's a man who will stand up against powerful special interests and put Idaho first." --
"The idea of a person going to Washington unfettered by obligations to big contributors is appealing on its own. But if all candidates had the courage to do this, consider how the millions upon millions being spent on elections might be better spent. We can hope Jim has started a revolution." --
Jim and I have knocked on a lot of doors, have had two joint house parties, and share a commitment to listen to, and to understand the needs and desires of the middle class and working families in our districts. Jim's popular, grassroots campaign sharply contrasts with his opponent's high-speed drive-bys and PAC-funded advertising. --
"It's refreshing to have a candidate that supports people at the local level. Jim Hansen deserves your vote." --
“Jim Hansen is dedicated to the success of Idaho and each of its citizens. He has my vote in November." --
“Jim Hansen has not been bought and paid for by special interest groups. He will listen to Bear Lakers and be a strong voice for Idaho in Congress.” --
"Jim Hansen isn't taking PAC or corporate money, and accepts no more than $100 from individual citizens. His opponent is getting most of his funding from corporations, PACs and out-of-state interests. Which candidate do YOU think will put Idaho's working families first? Jim Hansen brings networks of people together to get things done. He's a man of his word and an experienced legislator whose campaign will be a national model for campaign finance reform if we¹re smart enough to elect him." --
"Jim Hansen is committed to getting special interest money out of politics. This separates him from the vast majority of today’s politicians. He has refused to accept PAC contributions—or contributions from anyone for more than $100. Nobody can “buy” this candidate! Jim cares passionately about better health care, properly funding education and public funding for elections. Join me in helping elect Jim Hanson our 2nd District Congressman." --
"If you would like to see our tired soldiers come home from that futile mess in Iraq, move to eliminate terrorism on a united international front, have had enough of out-of-sight health care costs and insurance, wish that college would again be affordable to our kids, affordable prescriptions for our seniors, be assured Social Security will still be there when you retire and have had enough talk without action in Washington, vote for Jim Hansen. A vote for Jim could put an end to the debacle in Washington with it's rubber stamp Congress that has sunk our nation to the moral low ground, lost us friends around the globe and made our nation Nation public enemy No. 1 in the world." --
"Jim Hansen has worked tirelessly and selflessly for the good of Idaho and its people for many years. We don’t know anyone we would rather have as our congressman." --
"Jim Hansen is a man of integrity. He understands that the root of all evil in Washington D.C. is unbridled campaign contributions. It is only by limiting the influence of this money that real change can take place in our nation's capitol. Jim Hansen is the man to deliver that message. A vote for Jim is a vote to change the status quo." --
"Jim Hansen has a dream to put government back where it belongs—in the hands of voters. He has visited our community (Rexburg) several times during his campaign, and I have talked to friends who have seen him in other small communities in Idaho. He spent a few hours in my home with my family and friends. He answered questions without hesitation, with honesty, and without slinging mud at the competition or the opposing party. He believes in grassroots government. We need a better balance in Idaho, and especially in eastern Idaho. We need people like Jim Hansen in Idaho government. Vote for the right person—Jim Hansen." --
"Jim's career in community and public service shows his dedication to our state and nation. His refusal to engage in a special interest finance and negative campaign is proof that Jim will be a representative in Washington we can all be proud of. We heartily endorse our next Congressman, Jim Hansen." --
"Jim Hansen is a decent hard-working gentleman. He understands what the job entails; he will answer to Idaho citizens and not be beholden to lobbyists and special interest groups. He is the kind of person I'd like to have as my neighbor, my friend, my Congressman." --
"Jim Hansen is the future of clean campaigns and politics with integrity. We can start that future right here, right now, by sending him to Congress November 7th." --
"I support Jim Hansen. He is an honest man who will work hard. I hope he wins!" -
“Jim Hansen only takes contributions from individuals, limits them to $100, and will ably represent the interests of all of the people of the Second Congressional District. Unfortunately, his opponent caught Potomac Fever, takes large amounts of money from the special interests and only represents them. The choice is clear. Jim Hansen is on our side, his opponent is not.” --
"The 1st time I met Jim Hansen was when my father was in the hospital recovering from heart by-pass surgery. Upon meeting Jim I could clearly see that he is an intelligent, down to earth, compassionate individual. Since then he has shown that he is a man of integrity, who is in great
demand, yet always accessible to those in need." --
"We need a change. Jim Hansen will make an honest and refreshing difference when he's elected." --
"I can't help but be painfully aware that President Bush has no intention of ending the war in Iraq during his Presidency. He has also proven that he has no qualms in changing and interpreting the law to meet his "goals." As the mother of a fifteen-year-old son, I have to wonder if America will consider re-enacting the draft in the next few years. My trust level for the current Congress has completely deteriorated as they have proven that they cannot be counted on to provide any oversight of the executive branch and have more loyalty toward the Republican party and the President than the citizens who voted them into office.
When I add those fears and concerns to my disgust about the national debt, the health care crisis, the unfunded mandates for our schools, and the greed and unethical behavior of our current politicians in DC, I am thrilled that we have a candidate like Jim Hansen who has shown through his actions that he can be counted on to keep his word and stay connected to his constituents. His motives for running for office as how our founding fathers visualized them to be: "To serve the people" -- unlike many of those currently in office who seem to only believe in serving the party and their own pocketbooks.
We desperately need Jim Hansen in Congress. Our country -- and my son -- may not survive any other way." --
"Jim Hansen has a proven track record,of integrity, knowledge and ability both in the arena of politics, and by his personal life choices. Please join me in supporting a candidate who has demonstrated his regard and respect and concern for the people of Idaho." --
"Jim Hansen is the best choice for families voting for the futures of their children. His integrity and dedication are unsurpassed." --
"I am voting for Jim because by limiting campaign contributions to $100, I know he will put the interests of regular Idahoans ahead of the special interests. He has run a first class campaign and has earned our vote." --
"Michael Simpson has spent his time in Congress rubber stamping virtually everything the Bush Administration has proposed. Simpson has also voted for legislation that promotes the interests of the PACS who fund his campaigns. Idahoans need someone who will represent them, not the PACs and the Bush Administration. Jim Hansen has demonstrated his independence by refusing donations from PACs. If elected, he will do what is best for the country. We're going to vote for Jim Hansen on Nov. 7th, because he offers the best hope for Idaho and the nation." --
“Jim Hansen is a family man who cares about Idaho. He represents our values and deserves your vote." --
“It is great to hear from a candidate like Jim Hansen who is willing to listen our concerns and is unwilling to take large contributions from organizations who buy political favors. Jim is a sincere man who wants to put integrity back into politics.” --
"Jim cares about people; the incumbent mostly cares about staying in power. What a message it will send to the rest of the United States if Jim Hansen is successful in his campaign to return power to the people, where it belongs! I would be very proud to call Jim Hansen our Congressman. Please join me in voting for Jim Hansen on November 7." --
"Idaho needs Jim Hansen now. Jim is progressive and proactive in his thoughts for Idaho." --
"I'm voting for for Jim Hansen because he is a smart, honest and down-to-earth statesman!" --
"I have known Jim Hansen for more than 20 years. I've always been impressed by his integrity, his values and his firm belief that he can help the people of Idaho better their own lives." --
"Jim Hansen will be a strong voice for folks in Camas County. We're telling people to vote for Jim because he is standing up for his beliefs and not taking special interest money. He'll do a great job!" --
"I support Jim because he is intelligent, caring and principled. He's also a "fixer" and with all that's broken in Congress, Idaho needs to send one of those." --
"Jim Hansen is what politics ought to be. In an era when "politics" has become a dirty word, Jim Hansen is leading by example with his old-fashioned, hard work, hand-shaking, and dinnertable conversation approach. Bravo, Jim. With more candidates and elected officials like you, we might turn this thing around after all and find ourselves with the kind of representation we can all be proud of!" --
"Big Business will not like it when Jim Hansen is elected. He is brilliant and on target in his observations of how Republican congressional and administrative policy and corporate business interests have worked against the welfare of the citizens and the environment." --
"As a member of the Sunrise Rotary of Boise, where Jim is past president, I have known him for 3 years. I traveled with Jim and his daughter, Samantha, to Ecuador, on a service trip last year. Jim is erudite and very personable. Jim is a great communicator and leader. I look forward to being represented in Washington, D.C. by Jim." --
"Jim Hansen embodies the true Idaho spirit. Independent, open to ideas, and willing to work with all Idahoans to get things accomplished in Washington. We need a voice for all Idaho citizens in Congress, not just the well-connected." --