Dear Friends and Fellow Democrats,

I need your help to beat a Republican in a race even more important than a political campaign.

I'm in training to run the Boston Marathon on April 16th, 2001.
Why, Paul, you may be asking, would you do a damn fool thing like that?

Because I am running to help raise money for MDA -- the Muscular DystrophyAssociation.
So I'm asking for you to please help out. The race is 26.2 miles, so if youcould sponsor me
for as much per mile as you can - or sponsor me for one flat rate I would be greatly appreciative.
You can email your pledgesdirectly to this address Bet_on_Begala@hotmail.com.
Make sure to include your name, address, phone number and amount of your pledge.

And to add a little partisan edge to this race, I'm challenging former McCain campaign manager
and GOP bigshot Rick Davis to a little contest to see who can run the fastest and raise the most.
The whole enterprise willbe worth it just to see a McCainiac participate in a money-chase.

Another reason to run is the fact that I am nearing 40 so I figured I am due a midlife crisis.
My hairline, once voted "Most Likely to Recede", is retreating faster than the Soviet Army
heading for Stalingrad. And this is cheaper than a convertible.

My longest training run so far was 20 miles, and let me tell you, it hurts. But what keeps me going
is the knowledge that the pain in my muscles istemporary -- in a day or two I'll be walking fine.
But the kids with MD cannot now know the simple joy that my boys feel every day
-- to run into the wind with their arms spread out and call, "Look, Daddy, I'm flying!"

Raising money is hard and what's worse is that Davis, being a Republican, knows more big-money
people than I do. But I don't need big money to beatthe GOP -- just lots of small donors. A pledge of
ust $1 per mile -- whichwould be a contribution to MDA of $26.20 -- can make all the difference,
both in the lives of some sick children, and in humiliating the Republicans once more.

Again, you can email your pledges to Bet_on_Begala@hotmail.com.
Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and amount of your pledge.

And this time, we won't let "Thief Justice Rehnquist" steal our victory from us.
Please pledge generously and feel free to forward this e-mail to your friends.

Onward to victory!

Paul Begala