Martin Dudziak is running for Congress as a Democrat from the 7th District, now represented by Tom DeLay's buddy Eric Cantor (R). Martin kindly agreed to an interview with Raising Kaine, answering 10 questions posed by our intrepid bloggers/citizen activists/quasi-journalists. Ha. Anyway, here are the first three - including some extremely blunt criticisms of both Eric Cantor and also Dudziak's Demoratic opponent, Brad Blanton - as part of our "Three for Thursday" series. The remaining Q's and A's will follow tomorrow. Thanks, Martin.
1) Why, in your own words, have you decided to run for political office, and specifically for the US House of Representatives this year?
I have seen continuing and deeping damage and danger to our country on many important and interrelated fronts - to list the important ones (not a few!): weaking of basic human rights and freedoms, especially privacy, energy, environmental stability, public health, domestic security against both natural and terrorist events, balance of trade, job security, education, and trust in the governmental process.
In all of these areas - but principally energy, "homeland security" and public health - I have been very active professionally for years, even decades. Many people encouraged me to do something about it politically, to get on the inside. Many said that I have the knowledge, connections, plans, familiarity with what works and what doesn't work, and the communication skills to make a difference. Coupled with the gross abuses and failures of Mr. Cantor over 5+ years, and the general trend from the Executive Office down, I decided that now was the time when dramatic action was required and that to not make an effort to "stem the tide" would be against my own principles.
(questions #2 and #3 after the jump)
2) What are your main criticisms of incumbent Rep. Eric Cantor (R), and why should 7th district voters replace him with you? Along these lines, can you elaborate on your statement that Cantor is so pro-Israel that "we must ask: is he a member of the Knesset or the U. S. Congress?"
a. His record, particularly on health care, defense, public health, domestic security, women's rights, environment, energy.
b. His deep connections with special interest groups, lobbyists, and not only the Abramoff-DeLay circle for financial reasons especially.
c. His involvement with the Administration in planning a disinformation campaign to mislead Americans about terrorism and Iraq.
d. His clear focus on using his Congressional seat and special interest alliances to advance his personal political aspirations and not spend the time and energy for the local needs of the 7th District, Virginia and the Nation.
e. Regarding Israel, I actually believe that Mr. Cantor's voting record and support of the Iraq War and the Bush Plan has created more problems and dangers for Israel, Israeli residents, and Jewish interests (security, safety, anti-Semitism) worldwide, than the policy I and many other Americans have advocated. Had we not pursued the course followed in this decade thus far and supported 100% by Eric Cantor, not only America but Israel would be better off.
I can elaborate. On all these points I have said more in some of the position papers on the website.
Read my "Reflection for our time" piece (on the website) about the reasons for independence and revolution in the Declaration and Constitution. I believe that Eric Cantor has taken on an attitude to America not dissimilar to that of George III in the 1770's.
3) Before you get to Eric Cantor, why should Democrats select you over your primary opponent, Brad Blanton?
Mr. Blanton advocates many radical liberal and ultra-progressive opinions and standpoints, which will not bring in the unity needed within the Democratic Party as well as the support - not merely the votes, but the actual support - of many Republicans and Independents.
Furthermore, Mr. Blanton has many abstract ideas, but lacks the specific concrete plans and solutions. We need practical changes and I have very practical steps and plans for all of the critical issues. Moreover, my plans are integrated and support one another.
Also, I have the experience of having worked for many years in the biomedical, defense and intelligence fields, focusing in great part upon CBRN technology, problems, and solutions. I know firsthand about working in many levels of the corporate and governmental sectors and can be effective in working, even as a junior Congressman, with well-established Republicans and Democrats alike.
In brief, Mr. Blanton cannot get elected, he cannot unify Democrats, much less also Republicans. He will dilute and waste our energies. I can do what we need, if elected, and I believe enough voters will see it that way by November.
Give him a chance :)