Reply #65: LTTE from Cegelis: I welcome Tammy Duckworth to the race

[Douglas Carpenter]

http://www.cegelisforcongress.com/contribute

Welcoming a Newcomer to the Race

I welcome Tammy Duckworth to the race.

link:

http://www.cegelisforcongress.com/blog

What a week this has been! First of all, I need to welcome to the Democratic primary Major Ladda “Tammy” Duckworth, who is set to announce her candidacy for the 6th Congressional District of Illinois race this weekend. She joins Lindy Scott and me in the primary race for the open seat in IL-06.
Tammy Duckworth is an Iraq war veteran and my thanks and admiration go out to her for the great sacrifice she has made for our country. It is because of the service and sacrifice of the men and women serving in our armed forces that we all can live in a country with such a proud tradition of freedom and democracy.
My supporters have been very active online this week and I’m truly grateful for their expressions of support. It is heartening to see the passion and support of people who continue to work hard on my behalf. Thank you to everyone who has posted on the blogs and who has emailed the ‘powers that be’ on my behalf. I think I have the blogging community to thank for my scheduled comments this Sunday on “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos.
It is crucial that this race stay positive. This will be a tough battle, and though it can be difficult to stay on the high road, I think it’s important that we not get sidetracked. We will win this race on our own merits. Focus on the issues and the candidates and not the behind the scenes players.
This race and our party are only strengthened by the exchange of opinions that occurs in a competitive primary. Maj. Duckworth and I will have the opportunity at many area forums to talk about the important issues in my district. I’m looking forward to finding out her views on the critical issues.
The voters in IL-06 need to know Maj. Duckworth’s positions on job creation, education, and a woman’s right to choose. How would she vote on CAFTA and free trade? Where does she stand on the O’Hare expansion? Does she support the Patriot Act and its accompanying infringements on our civil liberties? I assume Maj. Duckworth and I agree that cutting veterans’ benefits is no way to reward the men and women who are sacrificing for our country, and I look forward to a public discussion on how to provide those benefits to veterans in District 6. My hope is that the public discussions we have on the issues will be healthy and constructive, giving the voters the information they need to choose the candidate that best represents their views.
I’m disappointed that the DCCC chose to get involved in a primary, to support a candidate to run against me. But here’s the positive outlook: the DCCC involvement demonstrates that this is a winnable and viable seat. They know that the 44% I earned in 2004 was an indicator of the change that has occurred in my district. Everyone understands that the Republican candidate is someone who would not be the agent of change that is sorely needed for this country. Most of the country now believes we are going in the wrong direction. It is going to take common sense leadership to start to move us on a different path.
I am thankful each day that I live in a country that gives us all the freedom of choice. I chose to enter this race to win the chance to serve my country in the U.S. Congress. I’m sure that Tammy Duckworth strives



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