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Changing the World Is Tough!
I want to congratulate President-Elect Barack Obama, Vice President-Elect Joe Biden, and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett on their victories on Tuesday. Now, all Americans and all Marylanders should pull together and work on the issues important to all of us. There is a short period of time in politics – the honeymoon – where officials try to act as one. Let’s hope they are able to address our priorities.
We know the economy needs our immediate attention and we want our elected officials to do the right thing, not the expedient thing. We know our troops are counting on an honest assessment of their deployments and we are all hoping for true energy reform. We can do it, let’s do it now!
Many families will watch our leaders to see if it is possible to deliver health for all Americans and tax cuts for the middle class. But, they will watch to see if the ways of Washington are really starting to change – reaching across the political aisle and collaborating on solutions that help most of us.
I look forward to our elected officials restoring our faith in our government and telling us the truth. That is, after all, the one thing we can all agree on – we want the truth. Whether good or bad, we want to know what problems we face and how we will solve them.
I wish Obama, Biden, and Bartlett well in serving our interests.
I also want to congratulate and thank my supporters and volunteers for all of their time, effort and votes. We knew this was a tough district and had hoped for a better outcome, but our all-volunteer army was envied in other parts of our state. I am very proud of the race we ran and I am proud of you.
Standing with you during this election gave me energy, ideas and enthusiasm. While I do not know what tomorrow will bring, I hope we stand together in our effort to change the world.
Thanks to You!
I want to thank every person who gave of himself or herself during the course of this campaign. Since last November, thousands of wonderful people have given time, ideas, energy, and money to this campaign – a campaign to Change Congress!
Your ideas are in my platform. Your energy gives me energy. Even your criticisms help improve my preparation and readiness to serve our district.
When I spoke with our former Congresswoman Beverly Byron about running, she said that this was the right time. I had experience in business and government. I had learned valuable lessons in both places. Her mentoring has been invaluable. She said focus on the issues and you will win!
Our fundraising goals remained focused on our district. You and I know that money can control politics, but over 90% of our campaign contributions come from our district! Thank you for that support!
You realize that this election can change the way our district is seen in Washington. We will be heard and respected because the families and businesses that live and work here have fought to take control of things in Washington. We want jobs and economic security health care and secure retirements, great schools and great educators!
Thank you for all you have done to make this campaign a success. I appreciate everything you have done! On Tuesday, you will change our district!
Thank you for all you are doing to restore our strength and belief in each other. On Tuesday, you will change our world!
Now, there is just one more thing – bring a friend to the polls and get them to help change the world! Get out there and VOTE!
One More Day, I Know You Are Ready to Change Congress!
A crew of about 40 volunteers spent their weekend with me covering the 6th Congressional District in a Road Rally. We went to 18 different cities and towns in 8 counties working to remind people that we believe in this district and our commitment to it. We went through every county talking about our shared priorities and the need to take back our Congress.
We had a couple of retirees who worried about their retirement security and the cost of living. We had members of the “sandwich generation” worried about their economic futures – their jobs, the cost of health care, the challenges of aging parents and the cost of educating their children. A big group of young people who know that this election will make or break their futures energized us when those hills seemed very steep.
Voters have a clear choice in the Presidential election, but the differences in our district are just as clear. Washington is run by career politicians and political staffers. They work to protect their turf, not fix things. They work to support special interests through awarding no-bid contracts and tax breaks. As a small business owner, I often wondered who was looking out for my employees and me?
My opponent has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from outside our district, but the only ads he runs talk about all of his awards – including the one that he named for himself!
But, this election is not about how many plaques or certificates are on your walls, this election is about how you have served the district. How many jobs have been created, or lost. How many people are able to get to work on mass transit or less congested highways. Or, how many of us think this economy is working for us.
When you go to the polls on Tuesday, we need to know who is in this for “us” and not for protecting the same old ways of doing business in Washington. We need a Member of Congress who can deliver on our priorities, rather than be a blind party vote as our current member has been – 91% with the Bush Administration.
I have committed to working with local governments and businesses to expand and grow business in our district. I know we can invest in a Get Off the Grid program and a bio-fuel refinery to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. I will remember that there are EIGHT counties in our district and listen to the priorities in every one!
You have a chance to change this district for the better on Tuesday. I will work hard for you and I won’t let you down!
Debate Watch
You may still be undecided and wondering, "Where can I find out more information about the candidates running for Congress this year?" Normally, you might have been able to attend one or more candidates debates in your county, but for months, 8-term incumbent Roscoe Bartlett refused to attend forums where he would be required to answer voters' questions. Finally, he relented and agreed to attend debates in only three counties: Frederick, Washington and Harford. We have posted those debates on YouTube, and broken them up, question by question. After you select a debate, you can either watch the entire debate, or simply click on the questions that are important to you.
If you have the time, curl up in a comfortable chair and watch the debates below, in their entirety. If a question seems unimportant to you, simply click on the arrow to the right of the screen to skip to the next question.
Frederick
Hagerstown
Bel Air
Five Days, Change or What?
The word for this election is “change”. When you go to the polls every few years, you make a choice about whether things are “going along okay” or “not so much”. If things are “good”, you generally vote to keep the folks in office, or you choose to “Dump the Incumbents” (just like the book of the same title).
A few years ago, I lost an election. I thought about the issues that brought about my loss and worked to improve my ability to serve. We are all on a constant mission to learn and improve. By no means perfect, I know we all have to keep learning and improving.
In this election, I am building on what I learned in City Hall – promoting a strong economic development plan, practical solutions for renewable energy supplies, and changing the way Congress does business. I am committed to discussing my plans and my opponent’s votes and political philosophy and not his personality.
When you go to the polls in 5 days, ask if you are better off than you were 4 years ago or even 2 years ago? I need you to take your future in your own hands and make YOUR interests the issue at the ballot box. It’s time to change our Member of Congress.
Still Undecided? This Should Help.
Polling suggests that one out of six voters in this Congressional election are still undecided as to which candidate will get their vote. It helps to watch the candidates debate each other, but Roscoe Bartlett only agreed to appear at forums held in Harford, Frederick and Washington counties, leaving voters in the five other counties in the dark. The largest such forum was held in Frederick, where candidates were required to answer 12 questions on a broad range of issues. You can now watch the entire debate, including the opening and closing statements, on a YouTube playlist by clicking here. We hope this experience helps you make your decision in this important election.
Update: We've now added the Harford County debate as another YouTube playlist. As with the Frederick debate, you can watch the entire debate, or just skip to the questions that matter most to you. Because Harford County includes parts of three Congressional districts, there was time for only four questions.
Election Up for Grabs
Poll Shows Dougherty Within 6 Points
Undecided Voters Will Make the Difference
Bartlett's "Depression" Comments Receive Bad Reception
Jennifer Dougherty is pushing through all 8 counties in the 6th District at least 2 more times before the November 4th election believing she is within "striking distance" of the long-term incumbent. A poll taken on Oct. 6th shows the 6th District race within 6 percentage points with 16% undecided. The poll was taken before the stock market plunged below 9,000 points for the first time in five years, failed to include voters under 24 years of age, and did not include new registrations in the last two months. This race is up for grabs.
"People have lost confidence in Congress and in my opponent's ability to fix what is broken. They have had enough. I am thrilled with our prospects, running a grassroots campaign that is equal parts energy, enthusiasm, free cell phone minutes and worn out sneakers! My commitment remains to the residents of the District, not any special interests."
The financial rescue package will pump $250 billion to ease the credit crisis, but the entire plan remains a mystery to most voters and the incumbant. "We need more information and a more involved Representative." Jennifer Dougherty, Democratic candidate for Congress challenges her opponent's willingness to address the root causes of the economic crisis and look out for 6th District residents.
"The nation's economic crisis is the most important issue facing Americans when they go to the polls in three weeks, I will fight to protect the workers and businesses in our District. My opponent does not understand the crisis and is unwilling to stand up for us," said Dougherty. Just two weeks ago, Bartlett said to an audience at Buckingham's Choice in Frederick County, that he "lived through the Depression ... and it wasn't that bad." Dougherty was shocked by the comments, "He has resigned himself to the worst-case economic scenario, he has thrown up his hands and said 'let it be'. I won't give up on anything!"
Debates Loom Large
As financial markets continue to plummet, even after the federal bailout, voters are asking if we should hold Roscoe Bartlett accountable for his role in deregulating those same markets during his 16 years in Congress. Two debates will take place on Wednesday, October 8th, where voters can seek answers. The first of these is the Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum on Wednesday morning. Jennifer and Roscoe will square off again at the Frederick Community College Candidates Debate later that evening. Try to attend these important debates in person, but if you can't get there, watch the FCC debate on Frederick's cable channel 23 which will televise the forum each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8:00 leading up to the election.
Bartlett's "Senior Moment"
From a Letter to the Editor in The Frederick News Post:
"Later in the meeting he engaged in a discussion with Ryan and had a "senior moment" with a memory lapse. Bartlett: "I forgot what I was going to say" and Ryan bailed Bartlett out of the embarrassing situation. Bartlett's 82 years are showing. This isn't to ridicule the man, I am 73 years old. We old white men need to get out of the way so our young people can carve out their future in the 21st century."
Registration Deadline Approaching
The Great Frederick Fair was a wonderful week of seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The Democratic tent across from the Grandstand entrance and Dairy Bar was buzzing with activity most of the week and I want to thank the Central Committee and all of the volunteers for doing a great job.
Everyone knows that we could not keep Obama supplies in the tent and our campaign delivered about twice as many signs, stickers and materials as the last election. The voter registration table was busy every night with new voters. People are taking charge of their future and they have decided they will not leave it up to chance or long-serving Congressmen and Senators to bring about the progress we need.
If you want to register, and you will be at least 18 by the November 4th election, please make sure you stop by your local Democratic headquarters in each county or go to the Board of Elections in your County Office Building. The registration deadline is October 14, 2008. DON’T MISS THIS IMPORTANT ELECTION!
