Letter from PDA Executive Director: Cegelis Rally March 4 - Help Support!

Christine Cegelis

February 24, 2006--Dear Friend,

The Illinois primary is just 21 days away. With your continued support we can elect Christine Cegelis — the kind of candidate PDA was created to support — to Congress from the state's Sixth District. While we have already accomplished a great deal in support of Cegelis' campaign, much work remains, and the stakes are high. The Democratic leadership has brought in their own candidate — an Iraq war veteran who has never lived in the district and still isn't calling for an exit strategy.

You know the story by now. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL 5th) recruited a candidate to oppose Cegelis for the Democratic nomination. To block Cegelis, he organized the "inside the beltway" party bosses to draft Tammy Duckworth, who lost both her legs in Iraq. While her sacrifice and service are commendable, Duckworth has no political experience and has never lived in the district. Despite her tragedy, Duckworth's most notable comment on the war is that there is good and bad in everything. She is running, not against the war, but as a symbol of patriotism.

In contrast, Christine Cegelis is a courageous, eloquent champion against the war and occupation. The single mother of two blends progressive ideals with pragmatic wisdom. She showed courage and capability in 2004 when she challenged 16-term right winger Rep. Henry Hyde and the Republican machine – and nearly won a stunning upset. She's the best prepared, and most qualified. Please contribute now so PDA can continue this work.

The Party bosses fear another independent progressive in Congress. Cegelis is anti-war, pro-choice, pro-renewable energy and opposes NAFTA-like trade deals. She supports a definite timetable for the quick and safe withdrawal of troops. Representative Emanuel prefers candidates who are centrist and pro-business, and they want their recruits to be veterans who are moderate on the war.

Following the endorsement from PDA's local chapter, Cegelis received a warm, enthusiastic endorsement from Progressive Democrats of America last month. We've been working day and night since. Illinois PDA activists are pounding the pavement and PDA members from across the country have contributed generously. Our own Deputy Director Kevin Spidel took a leave of absence to serve as her campaign manager. Since PDA endorsed both Democracy for America (DFA) and the the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents more than 700,000 members have joined us in stepping up for Christine Cegelis.

Cegelis has a realistic chance to add another Progressive Democratic seat to our Congress. The most helpful thing we can do right now is get out to the district and give Cegelis some street heat to propel her to victory in the March primary.

I hope you will join me during the weekend of March 3. PDA supporters are urged to come out to Chicago to help Christine Cegelis, not only because she is an outstanding candidate, but also to show the Beltway Democrats that their effort to block progressives within the party won't be tolerated.

This is probably the most important political commitment you can make in the current election cycle. PDA activists from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin will be coming out to Chicago to send a loud and clear message that the progressive movement is alive and growing.

We will meet at 10 a.m. at the Machinist Local Lodge, 1487 50 W. Oakton St. in the city of Des Plaines for a GET OUT THE VOTE RALLY (GOTV) Will you join us? If you can make it, please reply to this email and we will find you housing with a PDA supporter.

It's our party! Support the candidate that represents your views! If you can't make it to our PDA GOTV Rally, please make an online contribution now so we can continue this important work https://www.pdamerica.org/donate.php. PDA does not receive PAC or corporation donations. We survive on the small contributions of grassroots progressive democrats!

Hope to see you in Chicago!

In solidarity,

Tim Carpenter
Executive Director
Progressive Democrats of America

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Letter from PDA Executive Director: Cegelis Rally March 4 - Help Support!