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My name is Doug Denneny and I'm a Democratic candidate for Virginia's 11th Congressional District. I'm an Iraq War Veteran that wants to immediately begin a phased withdrawal from Iraq.
Thanks for your time and interest in my first Daily Kos live blog that will begin today from 2:30-3:30 pm e.s.t.
My Daily Kos Diary from yesterday advertising this event can be found at
http://www.dailykos.com/...
And my most recent live blog was on Raising Kaine last Sunday and can be found at http://www.raisingkaine.com/...
Throughout this campaign I will be very candid with you, as I believe in straight talk, transparency, and in working hard together to get Democrats elected locally in 2007 and nationally in 2008.
I am accepting contributions on my webpage at http://www.dougforcongress.org/ and I will be very appreciative of your donation to our campaign.
The seat I am running for in 2008 is currently held by Tom Davis; a vulnerable incumbent in a district trending blue, who has strongly hinted that he will seek the seat being vacated by Sen. John Warner.
I'm in this race to win and I am the most qualified and capable candidate in this race. My campaign will be about change and improving the future of the citizens of the 11th District and all Americans. As an Iraq War veteran, Naval officer and former staffer at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, I have a strong passion for public service that has instilled in me the necessary work ethic to win this seat and begin to work to get our country back on track.
I have a strong balance of Capitol Hill experience, community involvement, and a history of success and accomplishment in leadership positions both inside and outside of the military.
I served over 22 years as a Naval Flight Officer, flying in the backseat of Navy fighter jets. I commanded a Navy Fighter Squadron, and served as an instructor at TOPGUN, the Navy Fighter Weapons School. I currently sell aircraft for Boeing.
Most recently, I served in the Pentagon as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's legislative liaison to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Before that, I was a Special Assistant to the Chairman, the nation's most senior military officer. In other words, from 2004-2006, I had a front row seat to what was going wrong in Iraq, the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, and vowed to do what it takes to help fix those institutions and help end our involvement in the civil war in Iraq.
I traveled back to Iraq twice and to Afghanistan once, and my combined experiences on the Hill and in the Pentagon cemented my opinion that the best way I could help our nation fix its myriad problems was to turn down my selection to Captain in the U.S. Navy and go to Capitol Hill.
I fought in the Iraq War and was one of a select few U.S. Naval aviators/flight officers who were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" for valor in combat. As a flyer that deployed from 1986-2003 on aircraft carriers, I've been personally involved in just about every U.S. conflict in the last twenty years.
I spent a productive and educational tour on Capitol Hill office in 1999-2000 as a non-partisan Navy legislative fellow. I was very active in getting several initiatives into law, including "TRICARE for Life" a landmark retiree health care benefit that has improved the lives of countless military retirees. I also helped guide a pay raise for mid-career enlisted service members from concept to law, putting a well-deserved pay raise in the pockets of the folks that arguably work the hardest in the military. I was recognized by military organizations for my work on these and other successes.
I learned how the Hill works, proved that I can work well with others on both sides of the aisle, and succeed in that environment. I will be comfortable in returning to Capitol Hill to improve the lives of all Americans on a variety of pressing issues.
The issues that our nation faces today are not just international, but are right here at home. As your representative in Congress it will be just as important to fight for these local issues.
I first moved to the 11th District in Fairfax County in 1997, and I've seen a lot of change over the years. My time as vice president and now president of my very large local neighborhood citizens' association has given me insight to the local problems we face everyday.
I've also served on three Fairfax County Boards, one dealing with the environment, one with the future of Tysons Corner, and one that raises bonds to fund hospitals.
My experiences living in the 11th District, and representing real people with real problems has fully prepared me to represent them at the Congressional level.
Here is a very brief snapshot of where I stand on a few issues:
-- We need to immediately begin a smart, phased withdrawal of our forces out of Iraq
-- We need to ensure all Americans have access to health care
-- We need to fix our broken immigration policy
-- Our district has enormous transportation challenges that will need to be solved, and we need to send the Metro through Tysons Corner underground
-- No Child Left Behind is in need of reform
-- And we need a return to fiscal responsibility in the U.S. Government
I have a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and have an M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown's School of Foreign Service, where I studied for a term at Oxford University. I have a certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown, and have attended other educational programs and fellowships sponsored by MIT, the Naval War College and UVA.
I've been married to a wonderful woman for the past 17 years. She has been a fantastic supporter of my dreams; I couldn't have achieved any of this without her hard work and support. We are also the proud parents of a wonderful daughter and son who attend public schools in Fairfax County.
In summary, elections are about the future and they are about change. If you are disappointed with the direction our country and Congressional District are heading, if you're ready for change, and if you're looking for a leader who is running for all of the right reasons, then please support me and my candidacy.
I am accepting contributions on my webpage at http://www.dougforcongress.org/ and I will be very appreciative of your donation to our campaign.
I will be working hard to earn your support. Thank you.
Doug
Doug Denneny
Democratic Candidate
U.S House of Representatives (VA-11th)
www.dougforcongress.org