Last nite the 3rd Distric Democrats held their annual dinner. Over 300 good Dems were in attendance. Michael Montagano our candidate for Congress simply wowed the crowd. Michael is our kind of Democrat. Michael is supported by ACTBLUE and has raised over $15K on the site, overall Micheal has raised in excess of $325K. I will attempt to summarize his speech and stand on the issues beneath the fold.
Essentially Michael said any person who is willing to work deserves a good paying job here in America; anybody that is willing to save deserves a decent home that he or she can live in without the fear of losing it; as long as we have children they deserve the best education in this world; and if people are sick they deserve the right to be able to see a doctor and receive the medical treatment they need covered by universal health insurance. On Iraq he was very clear. The war needs to end now, we need to bring our troops home and provide them this time with the health care they need and not just pay lip service to this concept as in the past.
Michael Montagano is every thing Mark Souder is not. Souder authored the legislation that stopped college students from getting student loans because of a minor drug conviction. Souder is for our industrial complex but not for our soldiers. Souder is for welfare for Corporate America but against helping our citizens in need. Souder only believes our government should be concerned with defense spending. He is a buddy of Mike Pence and Jeff Flake and cut from the same cloth. Need I say more?
Tom Hayhurst, the Democratic candidate in 2006 came out of nowhere and took 46% of the vote. Hayhurst now advises Montagano, who has a jump start on his 2008 race. Another supporter of Montagano, our new Democratic Fort Wayne mayor as of 2007, won with 60% + of the vote (Fort Wayne comprises approximately half the congressional district).
IN-3 is heavily Republican but even Republicans privately concede that Souder, who came to Congress in the Republican wave of 1994, had too close of a call last year. Many Republicans openly show disrespect for Souder and consider him a kook. Michael Montagano can win this seat.
Montagano has locked down key support from the DCCC early. "DCCC Chairman Van Hollen believes this seat could be a potential sleeper race in 2008" (Roll Call, August 2007). Montagano recently received the endorsement of the United Auto Workers. Previously, Montagano has also received support from the Laborers, Painters, Plumbers, Air Traffic Controllers, and Electrical Workers. Not to mention the support of every relevant state and local elected and appointed democrat.
Last nite at the dinner we raised, led by yours truly, by passing the hat another $3100+ for Michael. This is the grass roots candidate that can and will win IN-03 in 2008.
Check out his website at: Montagano for Congress and you can view his official announcement at: Official announcement