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Democratic Victory in 2011
F. Patrick O’Keeffe
Recently
we celebrated the beginning of the holiday season with Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because I have always felt that I
have so much for which to be grateful. For example, I am grateful
that 2011 is going to be a year of great Democratic victory. You can
make it happen.
Surprised? Yes, I realize that I was one of the group of Democrats
who were on the receiving end of one of the biggest defeats in
history. Still, I am extremely grateful for the all of the friends I
made and the support I received in the past two elections. I strongly
believe in America and democracy and there is no democracy without
choice. We brought choice to elections that seldom had any.
Still, I
have to admit that I am frustrated in the recent turn our country
seems to be taking post-election. Today I read that the Republicans
were going to appoint someone to chair an energy committee who does
not believe in global warming. Why? Because he says that global
warming is inconsistent with the Bible. Republicans seem to be
consistent in their course of opposing religious extremism abroad, but
embracing it at home.
What
motivated me to action was my anger about the Republicans opposing the
latest Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with the Russians. The treaty
was signed in April, has not yet been passed by the Senate, and now
probably will not be. Forget that failure to pass the treaty will
make our nation significantly less safe in areas far beyond nuclear
weapons. If the President is for it, the Republicans are against
it. It doesn’t matter what it is. Can we afford to allow this
game-playing to continue unchallenged?
So that
brings me to our great Democratic victory in 2011 and your part in
it. It’s really pretty simple. The Republicans expect us to curl
into a ball and go sit quietly in the corner. After all, they
defeated us, right? We are not defeated, we just lost one
election. All we need to do to claim victory is to exceed their
expectations, to not sit quietly in the corner. I want to do this in
a big way.
What I
propose is that we run a full slate of candidates on the ballot in
2011. It would be unprecedented. It would be historic. It will
build our party. It will strengthen our efforts to re-elect our
President in 2012. It will also let Republicans know that we are not
giving up, and that we realize that we will win, if we stay in the
race. We will win because we are right and we won’t quit.
To leave a
blank ballot is to hand the Republicans an easy victory, and my
conscience will not let me do that. Join me on the ballot, and on the
day after the primary, months before the election, we can proudly
proclaim victory. We will exceed expectations. We will not just sit
quietly by.
So, join
me. Run for office. I am a veteran candidate of two campaigns. I am
happy to help. I am a wealth of information, and if I cannot answer
your questions, I know who can. We have races on the ballot
throughout the county. You might even win. Win or lose, I can tell
you from personal experience that you will have a good time, make some
good friends, and make your community a better place.
I know
that some folks cannot run. I do not begrudge anyone who volunteers
even if their time and ability to volunteer is limited due to other
concerns. I am grateful for everyone’s efforts. Still, you probably
know people that might run, neighbors, or coworkers. Put me in touch
with them, and I can help them get on the ballot.
I look
forward to hearing from you!
Pat
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