Send a Message on Iraq

11/06/2006

Dear Editor,

Voters go to the polls tomorrow, but the one thing on every American’s mind is the war in Iraq.

The Bush White House has decided to stick to its position regardless of what the generals on the ground or experts at home say. The leadership of Donald Rumsfeld has been a failure and the rosy scenarios of President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Rumsfeld himself have misled Americans about the war in Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Republican Congress has sat idly by, rubberstamping every war measure and not doing their duty of oversight and accountability when it came to war planning or sending the troops the equipment they need. American troops and American families deserve better than this leadership and with the election just one day away, it’s time for a change.

The choice that voters face tomorrow is clear, if you want a new direction both at home and in Iraq, vote Democratic.

Tomorrow’s election will be our last chance for change in Iraq. The future of our country depends on whether Democrats get out in the field to make sure voters get to the polls and that their votes are counted. There are literally dozens of House races where the Democrat is leading or tied in the polls—we need to make certain we win these seats to win a Democratic majority and bring the change America so desperately needs. You still have time to make a difference and be a part of this historic election.

Volunteer for a Democratic Majority and New Direction in Iraq.

A dozen generals, the editors of the major military newspapers and even the neo-conservatives who plotted the war have now all called for Donald Rumsfeld to go. Instead of listening to the generals, the intelligence experts or the military, the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld plan is simply “full speed ahead” in the same failed direction. It’s time for new leadership on Iraq.

Tomorrow when voters go to the polls, casting a vote for Democrats is a vote for accountability, change in leadership and a new direction in Iraq and at home.

If you are dedicated to changing course, this election is your chance.

I want to personally urge you to get out to vote, and to contact all of your friends and family around the country to vote. Help by taking a few hours off from work to drive people to the polls, or volunteer to watch the polls to ensure that everyone’s vote is being counted.

We already have thousands of volunteers on the ground, but there is strength in numbers and we need all the muscle we can get. Sign up below and we will immediately get your information to the campaign in your area that needs your help the most.

Volunteer for a Democratic Majority and New Direction in Iraq.

With Iraq on the brink, there could not be more at stake, and Democrats recognize that our nation is in desperate need of serious leadership. That is why we at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) produced an extremely rare nationally televised ad to close out this election, which you may already have seen on CNN or elsewhere. If you have not, I urge you to watch it, it captures powerfully what is at stake and why voting Democratic is so important:

Watch the DCCC’s ‘Iraq’ Ad

I know I am not telling you very much that you do not already know. I know that for many of you, your outrage and disgust about the war in Iraq and the decisions at home have driven you to be more involved in these midterm elections than perhaps any other in your lifetime.

It’s because of all of you that we have this chance to win and take America in a new direction. That can only happen if we vote for a Democratic majority tomorrow. Please make sure that you and everybody you know votes—and votes for change.

Sincerely,

Rahm Emanuel
Chairman, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

P.S.—This Election will be America’s last chance to stand up to this Administration. Vice President Cheney was recently asked about public disapproval of their handling of the war, and answered bluntly: “It may not be popular with the public—it doesn’t matter in the sense that we have to continue the mission and do what we think is right. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re not running for office. We’re doing what we think is right.”

It is true, the Bush administration is not running for office, but their rubber stamps are. The Bush administration may feel that public outrage “doesn’t matter,” but I assure you they will have no choice but to listen to a Democratic majority that speaks for the public.

Volunteer for a Democratic Majority and New Direction in Iraq.