Author Ayelet Waldman

Progressive activist and renowned Berkeley author Ayelet Waldman is calling 10th Congressional District Democratic candidate Anthony Woods the equivalent of the “It’s Like I Died and Went to Congressional Candidate Heaven.”

Too bad for Woods that Waldman doesn’t live in the 10th District and can’t vote for him.

But Waldman is hosting a fundraiser for him on July 11 and that’s good news for any candidate, particularly one entering a congressional race with little cash or name identification.

Waldman’s enthusiastic prose is also another indication that the vocal left wing of the Democratic Party is favoring Woods over the other Democrats in the field including Lt. Governor John Garamendi, state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan and Dublin investigator Adriel Hampton.

Woods has gotten considerable positive press on liberal political web sites such as Calitics and TheDailyBeast.com, which wrote that Woods has the “best political resume ever.”

Whether or not such endorsements will carry weight at the polls in the 10th District, a historically moderate area with a high number of independent and swing voters, remains an open question. (The election date has not yet been set. The incumbent, Rep. Ellen Tauscher, is expected to win confirmation to a State Department post and will resign as soon as that happens, which will trigger an election.)

But here’s what the always eloquent Waldman wrote in her email invitation to the Woods’ fundraiser:

It’s Like I Died and Went to Congressional Candidate Heaven

In the throes of election fervor last year, I was having a conversation with someone about Prop 8, Congressional races, etc., and I said that what was really missing in the progressive political community was a brilliant, intellectual, gay candidate with a highly decorated military history. And if he was African American, then that would really rock my world. Ha ha ha, right? Fantasy. Pipe dream. Silliness.

Except guess what?

Meet Anthony Woods.

Here’s his official bio, liberally annotated by me.

A U.S. Army veteran, Woods earned the Bronze Star in Iraq. (Two tours, people.)

Anthony was raised by a single mother who worked long hours as a housekeeper (If I wrote that detail in a novel Michael would delete it with a snide, “over the top.”) Overcoming numerous obstacles, such as a lack of health insurance for most of his life (seriously), Woods earned a Congressional Appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated on the Dean’s List. (No less!)

Upon his return from Iraq, Woods earned a Master’s Degree from the Kennedy School of Government. He was a co-recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Public Service Award and organized missions to help rebuild hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. (I know! It’s completely crazy. It’s like a movie of the week. But he’s A REAL PERSON!!!).

While on leave from the Army, Captain Woods spent a summer bicycling across the country to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. (I swear you’re not being punked.)

During his second year at the Kennedy School, he reached the conclusion that he could no longer serve in silence under the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, and was honorably discharged for standing up for equality within our military. (Because it’s important to get rid of brilliant military leaders with unparalleled potential. That’s the way to win the war on terrorism! Join them in their own biases!)

Woods went on to work as an economic policy advisor (yeah, he knows about the economy, too) – where he’s helped craft solutions to keep Americans at work and attract new high-wage industries.

Now, Anthony Woods is back home and a candidate for Congress in the 10th Congressional District, where a special election to replace outgoing Representative Ellen Tauscher has attracted a virtual swarm of Sacramento politicians looking for their next job. (Basically every termed-out politician is scrambling for employment.)

I want you to meet this guy. I’m hosting a little meet and greet for him on July 11 at 3 PM at my house. No pressure, no hard sell (ok, maybe a little hard sell). Just meet him and decide whether he really is our fantasy politician come to life. If you don’t live in the Bay Area and can’t stop by my house, kick the guy a few bucks. Seriously, he’s up against the (Lt. Gov. John) Garamendi machine, among others, and he needs the cash.

Yours,

Ayelet Waldman