Kickstarter

2010. South Florida. First term Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson is up for re-election and he is up against the entire machine of the Republican Party.

Why? Why is this freshman Congressman considered one of the most dangerous Democrats in America? Why do Republicans consider this unassuming father of five to be the biggest threat to their party? Why is it so important for Republicans to return this district back to Republican hands?

Alan Grayson and the 8th District represent a fight that is happening all over America. Democrats have control of the White House and both the US House and Senate. Republicans want it all back. And movements like The Tea Party and politicians like Michelle Bachmann are leading the charge; behind them are millions of Americans who think the country is going the way of the Communists.

Alan Grayson thinks they are all a bit nuts. And he is not afraid to say so. He launched into the national spotlight by characterizing the Republican healthcare plan as “Don’t get sick, and if you do… die quickly”. He called Dick Cheney a “blood sucking vampire.” He asked Sarah Palin to debate him and calls her supporters a “robot army.” Now the GOP is mobilizing its fundraising organizations to make Grayson target number #1 for defeat in November, all while facing tough odds to be the first Democrat to ever win re-election in the 8th District of Florida.

Street Fighting Man: The Political Mind of Alan Grayson shows a microcosm of the political discourse in America. And through following Alan Grayson on the campaign trail and telling his own personal story of why and how he got involved in politics, we will document one of the more interesting American political figures in decades. Win or lose, Alan Grayson has made his mark. And he’s not going to lose without a fight.

The filmmakers have exclusive access to the Congressman’s campaign, but they also have access to the other side. A quick snapshot of a few of them: Florida Tea Party Candidate Peg Dunmire, a retired school teacher who is as nice as your grandmother – if your grandmother hates immigrants and wants everyone to be able to carry a gun; Republican Ross Bieling whose campaign slogan is “God Bless Glenn Beck” (seriously); and the “polished ones”: Republican Todd Long and Daniel Webster – the former is a lawyer by trade who wrote The Conservative Comeback and regularly includes Ronald Reagan as a Founding Father, while the latter is a lifetime state politician who was unwittingly dragged into the campaign.

The filmmakers have all ready spent some $10,000 of their own money and shot some 50 hours of footage. They want to raise another $15,000, so they can go back to Orlando in early September to film through the election on November 2, 2010.

Here’s What Your Money Will Be Used For: 
- A second camera, tripod, sound kit, and mobile lighting kit to achieve our artistic vision 
-A local crew consisting of cinematographer and two production assistants. 
- Lodging for the director and producer 
- Food, gas and incidental expenses for production crew