An open letter to Larry Kissell

Below is an excerpt from a letter written by James Protzman — someone who had no small part in Kissell’s successful election bid. I don’t want to steal the entire letter, so you should go to BlueNC for the complete version.

Dear Larry.

I remember our first conversation like it was yesterday. You called me to ask for advice about your campaign, and also to ask for money. I gave you both. I told you to dump the ridiculous orange t-shirt you were wearing and put on a tie. I asked you to always tell the truth.

My wife and I maxed out in contributions to your campaign. I opened my house to you for a major fundraiser. I got one of my best friends to do the same. My friends and I collectively raised tens of thousands of dollars, all based what you told us.

You stood on the back deck at my house when you promised to be a thoughtful representative in Congress. You promised you would put the people of North Carolina first in everything you did. You told me you would fight for what is right and fair for regular people, people who weren’t getting a fair shake, people who were suffering because of the aftershocks of years of government by special interests.

You called me three times to thank me for my help. You said you couldn’t have done it without me. You told me I could count on you to keep your word.

Kissell has discovered that it’s tough to do the right thing during election season. But it looks like his friends aren’t going to fight for him if he isn’t willing to fight for them.