I just got an email from General Wes Clark's PAC, WESPAC (SecuringAmerica) asking for us to help him again elect more Fighting Dems to Congress in 2008.
In 2006, for the first time in history we had more military veterans running for Congress than ever before. Many of them failed in their bids to continue to serve our country, but all of them even those few who succeeded ran incredible campaigns as they faced incredible odds.
But that's what Veterans do, they fight.
I don't think all members of Congress and our government must have military service to do their job. However, I think we ought to have more of those who have served in Washington.
Help elect more Jim Webb's, Pat Murphy's, and Joe Sestak's.
Dear David,
Help Charlie, John and Jon get their campaigns to a strong start!
Last November, you and hundreds of thousands of people in the WesPAC community changed the direction of our country ? electing the first Democratic Congress in a dozen years. You helped put an end to the rubberstamp Congress, providing the critical check and balance to George W. Bush's radical agenda.
What I'm most proud of was adding the veterans to the House and Senate. The voices of Chris Carney, Phil Hare, Patrick Murphy, Joe Sestak, Tim Walz, and Jim Webb have changed the debate. Of course, they have help lead the debate on Iraq and other national security issues, but they have also lent their unique perspectives on critical issues like the minimum wage, health care, and ethics reform.
I have one question for you: Can you do it again?
Today, I'm asking you to help provide the critical early funds to the campaigns of three great veterans: Charlie Brown, John Boccieri, and Jon Powers.
Help launch Charlie, John, and Jon's campaigns. Contribute to their campaigns today!
You may already know Charlie Brown, a 26-year military veteran who served from Vietnam to the Gulf War. Charlie is once again challenging GOP incumbent John Doolittle, who just can't seem to stay away from ethics scandals. Doolittle's connections to Jack Abramoff and the influence-peddling scandal are bad enough, but just recently, Doolittle was one of only 10 House members to vote against legislation providing for House ethics probes of indicted lawmakers.
In 2006, the WesPAC community's support carried Charlie to within 3 points of Doolittle.
It's time to put Charlie over the top in 2008. Contribute to his campaign today!
John Boccieri is in his first term as a member of the Ohio Senate for District 33, and he's ready to help Democrats win one of our prime takeover targets for the House: Ohio's 16 Congressional district.
John is currently a member of the Air Force Reserves, and he has been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq several times in recent years. While there, he has witnessed up close the impacts of our country's involvement in these two critical regions.
John is well positioned for victory in 2008, as he has already won four elections in different parts of the 16th Congressional district.
Help John bring new leadership to Ohio's 16th Congressional District. Contribute to his campaign today!
Jonathan Powers is a decorated Iraq War veteran, schoolteacher and non-profit leader. Jon leads by example, and he's ready to take his agenda to Washington, DC, representing New York's 26th Congressional district.
Whether directing men and women in combat or shaping young minds, Jon continues to be a leader who puts competence and problem-solving above anything else. Unfortunately, Jon's opponent, Congressman Tom Reynolds, too often places loyalty ? to his political party and the preservation of his own career ? ahead of competence and accountability.
Jon has personally witnessed the situation on the ground in Iraq. He knows we need to change the course in Iraq, and he knows he can do this by representing his district and the American people in the House of Representatives.
Help bring competence and accountability to Congress. Contribute to Jon Powers' campaign today!
The power of thousands of people joining together for a common cause has been one of the most important results of the development of the internet. I know first-hand the effect of your support ? how it propels you and motivates you as a candidate. I need you to do the same for Charlie, John, and Jon.
The June 30th fundraising deadline will be critical to their campaigns. Help them make a statement by giving to their campaign today.
Thank you for all you do for our country.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
One aspect of looking to elect more leaders with a military background is very much overlooked. Sure, we need people who know what its like to commit our men and women to war, and what its like to have the necessary equipment and the training. But the larger picture is that leaders who come out of the military are best suited to keep us out of war. They learn far more than just "how to fight". They learn leadership skills, critical thinking, how to execute a plan in the most effective and efficient manner, how to motivate, and how to evaluate their actions when its all said and done. They are also very much in the mode of Duty, Honor, Country and not so much about greed and corruption and winning just to hold the office. These skills apply to a broad aspect of life, not just fighting wars. We would do well to recognize these candidates and potential elected officials for the value they can bring our country. It is very distressing to hear comments from certain segments of our party who automatically assume they are all about war-mongering and hankering for a fight. That couldn't be further from the truth.