DFA Endorses Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch

Today, Democracy for America endorsed two Vermont candidates for federal office: US Congressman Bernie Sanders, who is running for US Senate, and Vermont Senator Peter Welch, who is running for US House. Peter Welch's endorsement came after a new experiment in the endorsement process: an Instant Runoff Vote among Vermont members of DFA.

Here are some excerpts of what Jim Dean, Chairman of Democracy for America had to say on today's endorsements:

On Bernie Sanders:
When my brother was Governor, he and Bernie didn't always agree. But they always fought for Vermont. From health care to family farms, to education and the environment, Bernie and Howard worked to make Vermont a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Bernie's opponent is trying to distance himself from Bush but the truth is that he supports the Bush warrantless spying program, tax cuts for the wealthy and outsourcing jobs while he opposes prescription drug re-importation from Canada and raising the minimum wage.

We can't risk another lock-step Republican in Washington.

On Peter Welch:
The Republicans relied on secret meetings to recruit the current Adjutant General of Vermont's National Guard as their foot soldier in this race. Their candidate has refused to give a position on the Iraq war, torture and choice while amassing a war chest from supporters. Even Roy Blunt, of the DeLay-Blunt corruption machine, has sent her money.

The choice in Vermont's congressional race is simple: Send another foot soldier that will solidify the Republican grip on power or send a message that change is on the way.

And thankfully, change and integrity is what State Senator Peter Welch will bring to Washington.

Peter Welch isn't a newcomer to the fight for Vermont's working families. He's been serving Vermont with an unwavering ethical compass for decades. He has led the fight for better health care, renewable energy, and fiscal responsibility. He's passionate about exposing the President's misguided policies. And we can count on Peter to follow in Bernie's footsteps as a champion for working Americans on Capitol Hill.

Both candidates had a few minutes at the microphone. Peter led off with some strong statements about the wrong direction this administration and their Republican cohort in Congress is taking our country in, and the need to stop the Bush train in it's tracks (which I kept translating as needing to stop the Bush train-wreck, but I digress...).

Bernie made it abundantly clear that what passes for politics in Washington today is not politics as usual, but the excessiveness of an extreme right-wing cabal looking out for the interests of billionaires at the expense of the middle class and the rest of hard-working Americans.

On the Press

After the speeches, there was a brief Q&A for the press, in which reporters attempted to make an issue of Martha Rainville's "coincidental" announcement of her candidacy this AM. Peter did an excellent job of not taking the bait, and left it to the voters to think about whether her highly unusual choice to run for office while on active duty is appropriate.

Clearly, the press is paying special attention to the Welch race, so today is the time to write those letters to the editor. If you really want to make a difference take this small step today. The more the merrier, and the sooner the better. If you write now, while the focus is on the race, there's a better chance that your letter will be published. Let's make sure our neighbors will be aware of what adding another lock-step Republican to the Congress will mean to Vermonters and the nation. Make them aware that a continued backward march - away from our Constitutional rights - can only lead to losing the race for the future. The only way to bring honesty, independence, and integrity back to Washington is to elect honest, honorable, and independent candidates - Peter Welch and Bernie Sanders.

For more information, or to volunteer or donate:

Welch for Congress: http://www.WelchForCongress.com

and

Bernie Sanders for Senate: http://www.Bernie.org