<!-- type = text -->

Dear Friend,

Help me fight back against McPherson's big-money, right-wing special interests.

First, the good news: Our own internal campaign polling confirms what the recent LA Times poll showed -- I'm up by 5%, according to Goodwin Simon Research.
 
This race is still too close to call, but the demographics of those who are still undecided favor my campaign.
 
Now, the bad news: Republican anti-choice leaders, Big Tobacco, Big Oil, the insurance lobby, and dozens of developers know I'm in the lead, and now they're scrambling to stop me by investing Big Money in McPherson's campaign. Thanks in large part to these recent large contributions, they've given him a nearly $700,000 cash advantage.

Help us turn around the only bad news that still stands in our way. Make a contribution to our campaign today!
 
But getting major donations from these typical big-money, right-wing special interests isn't the only source of Secretary of State McPherson's cash flow.
 
The car dealer lobby -- which fought hard to try to defeat legislation on identify theft protection and credit freezes that I authored and pushed through the Legislature -- is now targeting me for defeat by underwriting McPherson's campaign. It seems that they're looking for some payback, while trying to send a message to my fellow legislators to discourage them from considering new consumer protection laws.
 
Serious questions are being raised about several of my opponent's other contributors as well. This week, Hewlett Packard -- a corporation that was just indicted by the State Attorney General -- contributed thousands more to McPherson. And don't forget that McPherson already grudgingly sent back thousands of dollars in contributions from Jack Abramoff's lobbying firm.

McPherson may have captured the special interests, but I have you on my side. Please help me fight back by contributing today!

Ultimately, we shouldn't be surprised that a long line of special interests are rushing to inject cash into my opponent's campaign. But we need to remember why they are doing this:

They're afraid of leaders who refuse their marching orders; they're afraid of any measure that would dilute their control over Sacramento; and, most of all, they're afraid of a Secretary of State who will work to make sure that all eligible voters can participate in the electoral process.

Come November 7th, let's show them that this fear is well-founded. Contribute today, and let's fight back against McPherson's special interests!

Secretary of State McPherson's cash advantage may seem like bad news -- but with your help we'll make sure that the news on November 7th is good and sends a message to the special interests that they can't control the outcome of an election.

Sincerely,

Debra Bowen
California State Senator

P.S.  With only 25 more days until Election Day -- and with millions of absentee ballots being distributed this week -- now is the time to stand up and be counted.  Please give us the resources we need to fight back today and every day through November 7th!