Friends,
I'm Doug Denneny, a decorated Iraq War combat veteran running for U.S. Congress in Virginia's 11th Congressional District in Northern Virginia. Doug's Picture My website is Dougforcongress.com and I'll be live blogging tonight (Sunday 3/2/2008) at 8:00 pm e.s.t. I'll be ready to answer your questions. I've been endorsed by Congressman Patrick Murphy and Congressman Joe Sestak, as well as VETPAC.
And tonight, I am officially endorsing Senator Barack Obama for the Presidency of the United States.
I believe in political courage over expediency and I believe in being clear on where I stand. Others, who choose the path of cautious calculation and being a politician first, shy away from making primary endorsements. I have never been that kind of person and I never intend to be, and I am the only candidate in my race that has made this tough choice. I believe that voters need to know where you stand, and that by not making a decision, you show that you are not a leader, you are a calculating follower.
When I decided to run for Congress, I was motivated by this country's urgent need for change. When I looked at the newspapers and saw a declining economy, worsening conditions in Afghanistan, and a refusal to face facts and begin a smart, phased withdrawal from Iraq, it became clear to me that we needed to change the course our nation was heading.
Senator Clinton is an exceptional Senator and candidate. If she is victorious in the upcoming primaries and wins the nomination, I will be honored to serve with her. I will be honored to support her and her agenda to improve the lives of all Americans. As Democrats and as a nation, we are incredibly fortunate to have her in this race.
Elections however are about choices, and I have decided that between the two, Senator Obama will be a better President. He has inspired people from all walks of life across the nation. He has fueled record turnout in states that thought their primaries would never really count. I truly believe, that he is going to be the Democratic nominee and I believe that he has what it takes to win in November.
I believe that, in making real progress, the old ways simply will not do. I believe that we need to move beyond the old battles that have plagued Washington for too long. Leadership is not using the issues that divide people as a means to your own end, but instead focusing on what we can accomplish together to make our nation stronger.
Barack Obama has moved us away from those old arguments and will help usher in an era of progress. In Congress, I to will usher in an era of progress. I am eager to work with his administration, and to roll up my sleeves and get something done. The possibilities are endless. From making health care more affordable to strengthening our military to caring for our veterans, my agenda is one of change and so is Senator Obama's.
While Virginia's presidential primary has passed, the nomination contest continues. I urge you to get involved as much as you can in that race and also to turn your attention to our congressional primary on June 10. With your support both Barack Obama and myself bring about change you can believe in.
Please visit my website at dougforcongress.com and consider volunteering and contributing to our campaign. Together, we will bring change to our nation.
I look forward to answering your questions live tonight at 8 pm e.s.t.
Please recommend this Diary and spread the word.
All my best,
Doug Denneny
Democratic Candidate
U.S. House of Representatives
Virginia's 11th CD
www.dougforcongress.com