NOT FEELING IT
                        [By CATHY MOORE] 

Junkie:  If you are a Democrat, your email box is full of pleas from leading Democrats to leave the primary battle behind and unify behind Sen. Obama to defeat McCain in November.  The email missive below is from Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid and is typical of the “message.”  It is followed by Ms. Moore’s response which encapsulates the reservations of many Democrats.

_______                       

Dear Friend,

The Democratic Party is the party of progress, of inclusion, and of an ever-widening circle of opportunity. Over the last 5 months and 54 primaries and caucuses, we've seen this first-hand.

I join all of the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus in congratulating Barack Obama - our friend, our colleague, and our party's nominee for President.

And what a debt of gratitude we owe to Hillary Clinton. Her campaign inspired millions. She reminded us that too many Americans have been left behind - rendered invisible - by the failures of George W. Bush, John McCain and their Republican allies.

As you may know, I was a boxer. And I've seen many fights go the distance.  But never have I seen one where everyone came out stronger - until now.  Because of the unprecedented number of new voters and the tremendous amount of enthusiastic supporters all the Democrats brought to the primary process, we stand ready to win the White House in 2008. And we stand to make historic gains in both the House and the Senate.

For many months, we knew we'd have a history-making nominee.  We knew we'd have millions of Democrats across the country fired up and ready to take on John McCain. Now, let's make sure Senator Obama has a historic level of support from a unified party shouting: "Yes, we can!"

Click here to join me in telling Barack Obama that we're all united behind him, and to share with him the issues that are important to you in this campaign.  

Because of the excitement inspired by our impressive field of Democrats, we will go into the Democratic Convention and on to the general election with unprecedented strength. 

In the last several months, we have seen millions of Americans stand up and declare themselves Democrats. We've reversed registration advantages that Republicans have held for years. In Nevada, for example, Democrats outnumber Republicans for the first time in a generation. These new Democrats are old and young, rich and poor, urban and rural, male and female. At the end of the day, no matter who we supported in the primaries, we are all Democrats. 

And if we stand together as Democrats this fall, we will stand together on January 20th, 2009 as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. We will stand up to Republicans with our expanded Senate majority. And we will usher in a new era of change for this country.

Join me in making this happen.

_____ 

Ms. Moore’s response: 

   I am a Hillary supporter and I will vote for you in November, as you are my Party's candidate.  However, you have not won me over.  I have read "Dreams from my Father" and am trying to get through "The Audacity of Hope".  But I just don't get you, and the excitement you supposedly generate.   

   I was a Midwest Academy trained community organizer, so I think I know where you are coming from.  If you are who you say you are and can reach out to people, I will be interested to see how you can reach out to people like me, who just aren't feeling it yet.  Good luck.  I certainly don't want the Republicans to win again. 

   I want: 

Universal health care coverage with good mental health options for people; 

The War in Iraq to be over with ongoing comprehensive assistance to veterans, refugees, and our Iraqi supporters;

Affordable college tuition for my son;

A job for him when he's finished with college (and during the summers);

To know that Social Security and my investments will be there for me when I want to retire or have to retire;

The dollar to be strong against the Euro so that I can afford to go visit my daughter who lives in Holland;

Those who have been disadvantaged to have the same opportunities my family has had;

Disaffected youth to have real choices for acceptance and community that do not include gangs, self-mutilation and violence towards each other or the greater community; and

There to be sufficient end of life care facilities for our aging population especially with secure facilities and supportive services for the increasing population with dementia.   

I don't want hope.  I want sound policies and action.

                        THANK YOU
                        [BY KEN LEACH] 

Thank you for the work you do publishing the Political Junkie. I use much of your information in my campaign.

______

Ken Leach is a Democratic candidate for Congress in the Texas 26^th Congressional District.  Visit his website here:  Ken Leach For Congress.  Leach is waging the fight in the “red” Districts and making the 50 State Strategy a reality.  We are  honored that TPJ plays a role in winning back America.

_____________________________________________