Senator Leahy sent me a request today. It was a form letter asking for my support on an issue that is important to him: campaign contributions for Elizabeth Warren.

I was a bit surprised to see this request. After all, just yesterday I had sent him a request asking for his support on an issue that was important to me: stopping PIPA and SOPA and anything resembling them.

His request was carefully crafted by paid professionals for maximum response. I decided to reiterate my request using the same style and wording of his request to me in the hope that it, too, would be more effective.

First, his email to me:

"Dear Christopher,

Two years ago, a Tea Party backed candidate took the seat in the United State Senate held by my dear friend Ted Kennedy. Today, you can do something to put Massachusetts' seat back in the hands of a true progressive: Elizabeth Warren.

I’d be honored to welcome Elizabeth Warren to the U.S. Senate. She’d be a tenacious fighter for the middle class and a strong voice for the progressive values we share.

But she’s got a really tough race in Massachusetts, and she needs our help to close in on her opponent’s cash advantage today. So please take a moment to read her important message below, or just go right ahead and:

Contribute to Elizabeth Warren's one-day “money bomb” right now -- and help her make a huge splash today in the race for Massachusetts’ U.S. Senate seat.

Thanks for offering her whatever support you can today.

Sincerely,

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator"


......

My response:

"Dear Patrick,

This year, a motion picture industry-backed Vermont Senator supported a dangerous bill that threatened the open and free internet. Today, you can do something to stop him: Change your mind.

I'd be honored to welcome a fighter for defending the Internet and a strong voice for due process.

But, it's been really tough to get the attention of the Senator from Vermont, and we need help making him see the errors of his ways today. So, please take a moment to reconsider your support of PIPA, or just go right ahead and:

Make a statement withdrawing support for PIPA and help Vermont make a huge splash in the effort to keep the Internet useful.

Thanks for offering whatever support you can today.

Sincerely,

Christopher Grotke
U.S. Citizen"

....

I figure we can come to some sort of agreement. We obviously each need each other. Perhaps I can help Mr. Leahy. Perhaps he can help me.

(Note: His email to me had the subject "FW: Elizabeth Warren money bomb today". I was going to change "Elizabeth Warren money" to "PIPA" but stopped myself lest it be misread as a threat...)