The Sauerberg Campaign announced a new web site today: MoveOnDickDurbin.org. I like Sauerberg. I do. But this web site kind of drives me nuts. Not because I don’t agree with the arguments presented, or because the site isn’t well done. But the whole approach I think is problematic

Sauerberg is right to go after Durbin. He has to go after Durbin. Durbin is the incumbent, an incumbent in a leadership position at that, and has a monstrous money advantage. But if you go after the guy you have to do it in a way that will motivate people. It is one thing to convince people Durbin is a dope and a hypocrite and a liberal. It is another thing to convince people he is a problem that requires a solution, i.e. a replacement.

Sauerberg’s new web site doesn’t do this at all. Instead, it levels a series of charges, no single one strong enough to do the job. On the front page alone we have seven reasons not to vote for Durbin:

  1. He changed his position on Abortion
  2. He is a millionaire
  3. He received money from Rezko
  4. He won’t do anything about gas prices
  5. He won’t turn against Blagojevich
  6. He won’t support “counting” millitary ballots
  7. He’s friends with Michael Pfleger

Not only do some of these reasons wreak of desperation (particularly No. 7) none of them really speak to regular people. Who didn’t get money from Rezko in Illinois? Who can fault the guy for being a millionaire? So he’s partisan, what else is new?  It can go on and on.

Now, I don’t want to be one of those guys who criticizes but doesn’t offer alternatives. So here’s my advice: pick the most compelling argument against Durbin and forget all the others. It’s better to have one GOOD reason, then 100 so-so reasons.

My suggestion: Dick Durbin is responsible for our energy crisis. He has opposed all efforts to find new sources of oil at home, including ANWAR. When drivers needed a break he tried to disguise a tax increase on oil companies as a “gas tax holiday.” His answer to the energy crisis is to tell people to “conserve.” But Durbin’s beltway mentality doesn’t understand that to normal people conservation means NOT driving the kids to soccer practice and NOT taking that second job that you need in order to pay for your family health coverage.

Take it with a grain of salt