Democrats have failed over the past 14 years here for two primary reasons: 1) no support from the nationals, the DCCC nor DNC, nor the dysfunctional state Dem party and 2) Dem campaigns have failed to understand and appreciate the thoroughly diverse nature of this district and its voters. The former is a familiar problem to many of us, given the clueless nature of the Beltway Establishment Dems, and the latter is a familiar problem to any non-Beltway political professional who has watched, in horror, as Beltway consultants run campaigns like they're an assembly line in a plant producing little Vote For Me widgets. Just ask Bill Hillsman about this, for example.

This time Simon's campaign is different. And the most recent polling numbers bear that out. Thus, the key for Simon to win is this:

Who, for chrissakes, will stand up WITH her? Who will Stand?

It's that unbelievably simple in AZ-01. Really.

That's because Simon herself understands how diverse this district is and also because Renzi is a crook. She knows the district is an amalgam of varied groups who see things in different terms, and language, from each other: the ranchers throughout the district, the crystal ball gazers in Sedona, the farmers in Pinal county, the Navajo, the White Mountain Apache, the Mormons in the eastern part of the district, the working class heroes doing construction and trades jobs. AZ-01 is literally a bunch of varied groups each with its slightly different view of the world, requiring nuance, subtlety and some kick-ass targeting to be effective. Simon gets that. I can see it in her direct mail that I and others have gotten in this campaign year.

And Renzi himself is an ethical basket case. He's done shady deals to finance his past campaigns, help his dad with defense contracts and is a tool of corporations and right wingers. That's not representative of this district.

So AZ-01 has a Dem candidate that understands the district. She faces a Rep candidate that's facing serious ethics and corruption issues. She leads the race in the most recent poll.

Folks, Ellen Simon is in the Red Zone driving for the game-winning TD. At this point, all she needs is support. The support embodied in Governor Dean's 50-State Strategy. Support from the DCCC, major donors, us, the netroots.

If you can, please donate to Ellen Simon for Congress. It's that famous `second effort' that scores the game-winning TD.

Update: Renzi may be indicted after the election. See this link.

Cross-posted at DailyKos.com.

Disclosure: I am not affiliated in any way with Ellen Simon's campaign.