Posted on my website, my withdrawal letter:

[Whitacre D_WI]

Every campaign comes to an end. For successful campaigns, it is the victory party. For most campaigns, it is simply the end.

Friends, as of today, my campaign has reached its end.

I still believe I would be an outstanding Congressman -- if I didn't believe this, I never would have run. However, before we even get to that point, we need a great candidate -- which is something I haven't yet been able to get ahold of.

We have a great candidate in Bryan Kennedy. That's why, this evening at the Milwaukee County Democratic Party meeting, I will publicly offer Bryan my endorsement.

Bryan has demonstrated that he has the ability to raise both money and public awareness, two things my campaign lacks; and he has also demonstrated his commitment to the working families of Wisconsin and the United States. I also believe that he will be an excellent Representative, and I urge you to support his candidacy with the same dedication you have shown mine.

There are far too many people I have to thank for their support; I can't list you all individually. But I want to express to each and every one of you my deepest gratitude and affection. With people like you, there's hope for our country and our world yet.

God bless America, and God bless you all.
Vince

[Bunny]

1. Very classy, very gracious.

I'm sorry it didn't work this time. Maybe try again?

[Whitacre D_WI]

Muchas gracias.

I'm all flat-footed and out of shape, and whatnot. So public service is the way for me to serve my country.

There will be another time -- maybe not the same office, but there WILL be another time.

[dolo amber]

2. Nooooooo!!!!!!!

:cry:

Well, at least you had the guts to do it in the first place, and the sense to know when to bow out gracefully. I have no doubt someday you WILL be a great Congressman. :)

:toast: to you and the Candidate's Wife.

[Whitacre D_WI]

3. Back atcha!

:toast:

Eh, hell -- it'll give me more time for the rock and/or roll.

[eyesroll]

7. Thanks, amber (or is it dolo?)

My blog will have the info soon. And a new temporary name.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

4. Classy exit, my friend.

You're obvioulsly not a Repuke :-)

[Whitacre D_WI]

6. That's gotta be the nicest thing...

...anybody's ever said to me!

:yourock:

[ewagner]

5. So sorry it didn't work Vince

I do hope that you'll find a home (in public office) for your aspirations and commitment to making America better.

Very magnanimous of you. We're all proud of you!

[Rainbowreflect]

8. You are a class act.

We need more like you running & more important serving.

[WilliamPitt]

9. Pure class

Thank you so much for making the effort. Your endorsement will carry weight, and be a help. You, personally, are not done yet. Thank you. You are what makes America great, and what makes this American proud.

[HFishbine]

10. Great Class

You're probably not ready to think about this yet, but stick it in the back of your mind. Good people can make a difference at all levels of government. Maybe city council or county commissioner will hold some promise for you. Good luck and thanks for caring.

[mdmc]

11. Well done

peace and low stress!

[Whitacre D_WI]

12. Thank you all for your words of support.

I'm kinda happy/sad right now. It's sad to see it end, but at the same time, it's a relief.

Damn lot of work running for office is.

[sweetheart]

13. Very modern day lincoln

You have won in the dignity of your concession.

It is a great day for you, and you should celebrate a new chapter tonight. Yours is not that burden of office, but another challenge, and god knows, we need you.

It is humbling to have a person with the real balls to run for election writing on this site thanking "us", as certainly i am just a writer nobody comparatively.

It is my honour in truth, to thank you. Thank you... really.

If you're emotionally upset with it all, remember that we love you.

You are my hero.

Best regards to you and your loved ones,

-sweetheart

[eyesroll]

14. You all are making me cry!

:cry:
(And I'm at work!)

Thanks, everyone, for your help and support during these last few months.I was a relative newbie (well, longtime lurker) when Vince decided to run, and you all were so supportive even then. We couldn't have gotten this far without all of you.
:loveya:

[nostamj]

15. political logo, slightly used, for sale........ ;-)

just kidding...

sorry it didn't work out, but bravo for a gracious exit and best to whatever come next for you and the candidate's wife.

[Whitacre D_WI]

17. YES! Everybody, work with Nostamj!

He does great work, and he works WITH you and what you want.

Ain't nothin' better!

[nostamj]

19. you're very generous!

and I may have to quote you on the website... thanks Vince.

and again, best wishes on whatever is next.

[MaineDem]

16. Nicely done

Although I'm sorry to see the campaign end. I was looking forward to having a DUer in COngress. :)

Thank you for making the effort. I understand the happy/sad bit. I had a very short-lived political campaign. I felt the same things when it ended - glad I didn't have to go through with it but sad that I wasn't going to go through with it.

You're definitely an asset to Wisconsin and your district! Thank you.

[VelmaD]

18. All I can do is reiterate...

what others have said. You are the epitome of class and you are NOT done yet. :-) You make us all proud, not just to be fellow DUers but to be fellow citizens.

[Whitacre D_WI]

20. Again, thanks everybody.

Your words of encouragement will not be forgotten. DU rocks!

:yourock:

[UrbScotty]

21. Too bad. Very classy, though.

Good luck in the future.

[SeanOhio]

22. Godo Luck

Good luck, Vince. Your hard work is evident in your prose.

I read an article about you in the Springfield News-Sun a few weeks ago. Hopefully you can come back to Springfield and clean it up!

[GreenPartyVoter]

23. Very classy, Vince

I hope when we get some decent election reform in this country your next campaign goes all the way. :^)

~Jen

[Kat45]

24. That is a very nice letter.

I'm sorry the campaign didn't work out...this time. If you decide to give it another shot, for this or another office, you'll at least have some experience, name-recognition, more contacts, etc. because of this run. Props to you for having the guts to run. (I always think about doing so, but never do.)

Go home, relax, and spend some quality time with Stacy and Olive. And give Olive some extra scritches for me. :-)

[goobergunch]

25. It's a pity that the campaign didn't work out

However, it's a very classy letter and your actions are laudable.

:yourock:

I'm no good at posting concession-related things....

[Bushfire]

26. This flew under my low level radar until today

I will point my friends in the 5th district to Bryan Kennedy's campaign. Best of luck in your future endeavors.