What a Difference a Year Makes

11/07/2007

Dear Friends,

What a difference a year can make! Looking back, it is clear your hard work made a significant difference in how Washington works and what it accomplishes. Looking ahead, we know that one year from now, on November 4, 2008, our hard work is going to bring progressive leadership to the White House. With a new Democratic President who will work with an expanded Democratic majority in Congress to bring about lasting change for the American people. You demanded effective leadership one year ago and we all will demand it one year from now.

Consider, for a moment, the changes our hard work brought about in Washington. In the first 10 months of this year, the new Democratic majority in Congress has:

· Required President Bush to report to Congress on the progress (or lack thereof) in Iraq

· Forced more than a dozen votes on whether to enforce strict benchmarks for withdrawal in Iraq

· Passed sweeping ethics reform, including a ban on all meals, gifts and travel paid for by lobbyists

· Raised the minimum wage for the first time in over a decade

· Fought to provide every child in America with health insurance (This fight continues!)

· Implemented strict “Pay as you Go” budgeting rules, restoring fiscal discipline to Congress

· Passed H.R. 1, a bill implementing the 9-11 Commission recommendations, which will make America safer in a sound, sensible manner

· Worked to lower prescription drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices

· Expanded college opportunity by cutting student interest rates in half and increasing Pell Grants, as part of the largest investment in higher education since the GI Bill.

· Refocused U.S. energy policy by taking away multi-billion dollar subsidies for big oil and investing in renewable energy research

· Provided the funding and support our veterans deserve by providing the largest funding increase for the Veterans’ Administration in its 77-year history

· Worked to secure for returning Minnesota National Guard troops the educational benefits they deserve

This is only a short list of the many achievements you should be proud of. However, it has become clear that the rubber-stamp Republicans in Congress - in both the U.S. House and Senate- will continue to stand with President Bush and obstruct the change we demanded one year ago.

With just one year before the next election, I have four opponents telling voters in the First Congressional District that the accomplishments above do not represent Southern Minnesota. Our campaign is ready to fight back and I need your support to ensure we have the resources to do so. Please consider a donation of $50, $100 or more to ensure I can remain in Congress to serve as an effective leader on issues that matter to the people of Southern Minnesota.

Now, for a moment, consider the work we need to complete to ensure we continue to change our country and send effective leaders to Washington:

· Elect a Democratic President

· Elect a Democratic U.S. Senator from Minnesota

· Increase our majority in the U.S. House by gaining three Minnesota Congressional Seats

· Hold the seats we already have – like Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District!

Put simply, accomplishing all of the above will not be easy. We fought hard one year ago and won. The job, however, is not done. We need to focus on gaining more seats in 2008 to continue the change that has already begun.

My campaign is in full swing and needs your help.

· Contribute $25, $50, $100 or more online

· Sign-up with our Letters to the Editor group

· Host a House Party so I can meet your neighbors

· Volunteer in our campaign offices

· Sign up for Walz Corps - a unique internship experience

· Forward this email to a friend

With just one year before the next election, we are building another strong team that will send me back to Congress in 2008. Please consider lending a hand and a dollar to this effort today. Your contribution of $25, $50, $100 or more will ensure we have the resources to defend ourselves from the Republican attacks sure to come and promote a positive, upbeat message about how we can continue to change our country together!

We are only a year away from the next Election and the race for the First Congressional District is going to be exciting! Thank you in advance for your continued support!

Sincerely,
Congressman Tim Walz

P.S. I need your help today to ensure we remain in a strong position to win one year from now. Please visit my website at http://www.timwalz.org to volunteer or contribute today.