I'm incredibly proud of our campaign. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE PAT RYAN.

David -- We're still catching our breath after last night, but I wanted to send a quick note to say THANK YOU!

 

After the polls closed, as we waited for results to come in, I had a moment to step back and reflect on what we've accomplished over the last year. And I'm incredibly proud. 

 

Although we didn't win last night, we delivered a very strong performance in one of the most hotly contested primaries in the country. We tackled tough issues head-on -- from preventing gun violence, to fixing our healthcare system, to combating the opioid crisis. And we were pivotal in driving a massive increase in Democratic turnout across the district (81% higher than last cycle!), setting the foundation for us to win in November.

 

I'm also incredibly grateful. We couldn't have accomplished all of this without your generous support. It's been humbling to have thousands of people selflessly give their time, energy, advice, and hard-earned dollars to power our campaign. I truly can't thank you enough.

 

Driving home last night at 3AM after an emotional watch party with our team, I thought about the oath I took fourteen years ago when I graduated from West Point -- to support and defend our Constitution.

 

I understood then what we all know today -- that this country we love only persists because in times of peril, ordinary Americans stand up to protect it.

 

And that's exactly what all of us have done through this campaign. It's been an honor and privilege to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with each of you doing the difficult, and critically important, work of protecting our democracy.

 

It's clear we still have much more work to do. I look forward to working and fighting alongside you as we take back our country.

 

Best, Pat

 

 

P.S. Over the next few days, Rebecca and I are going to take a much-needed break. I look forward to catching up with each of you directly in the coming weeks by phone and/or email. As always, please reach out anytime to me at 845-481-0833.

Courage and Integrity. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE KEN HARBAUGH.

Ken Harbaugh has fought for this country, David.

As a Navy pilot, he flew missions off the coast of North Korea. As the President of a disaster relief organization, he helped retrain military Veterans to deploy in emergency response teams throughout America and around the world.

That’s why I am proud to endorse Ken Harbaugh in his race to represent Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.

Ken has dedicated his life to serving others. And he will fight for our shared Midwestern values: an economy that champions working families, health care that we can all afford, and communities that support our Veterans here at home.

Help send this candidate of courage and integrity to Washington. Please support Ken Harbaugh...

 Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth

THE HORRIFIC IMPLICATIONS OF REFUSING TO MEET AND EVALUATE THE PRESIDENTS NOMINEE FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. PART 4 of 4.

(THIS IS PART 4 IN A SERIES OF ARTICLES I WROTE CONCERNING

THE CONTROVERSY CREATED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTIES 

TREATMENT OF MERRICK GARLAND, BARACK OBAMAS CHOICE 

TO FILL THE VACANCY ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.)

WHAT DID WE END UP WITH? 

THE DEMOCRATS GIVING UP WITHOUT A FIGHT, AND DONALD TRUMP FILLING 2 SEATS 

ON THE SUPREME COURT.

REMEMBER THAT...

n the End, the IMPLICATIONS OF NOT ALLOWING A SENATE HEARING FOR A PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE GOES EVEN DEEPER THAN MANY THINK, BUT I BELIEVE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS AWARE OF THIS, AND IS WILLING TO ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES. 

-  THE SEPARATION OF POWERS, (EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL), HAS BEEN USURPED BY THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH IN THIS CASE. HOWEVER, IN THE FUTURE IT MAY BE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH REFUSING TO NOMINATE ANYONE AT ALL, UNLESS CERTAIN CONCESSIONS ARE MET.

-  GIVEN THE COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, YOU ARE LEFT WITH A SYSTEM THAT ENCOURAGES THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO BEHAVE IN THE SAME MANNER, IF THE POSITIONS ARE REVERSED. DO YOU REALLY EXPECT ONE PARTY TO BE FAIR AND OPEN IN THE SELECTION PROCESS, IF THE OTHER IS JUST GOING TO DISCARD IT ANYWAY?  

-  IN ANY CASE, THE FUTURE OF OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL BE PUSHED TOWARDS TOTAL CHAOS, WITH RANSOMING THE LEGAL SYSTEM A GIFT LEFT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. NO LONGER WILL THERE BE A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, WITH NEITHER THE WHITE HOUSE OR THE SENATE CONTROLLING THE FATE OF OUR SYSTEMS OF LAW.

-  EVEN IF THE REFUSAL TO HOLD A HEARING IS SOMEHOW ALLOWED TO STAND, BUT A DEMOCRAT WINS THE PRESIDENCY, WE COULD STILL BE LEFT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.  THEY WILL HAVE DONE IT ONCE, WITHOUT SANCTION, WHAT IS TO STOP THE REPUBLICANS FROM DOING IT AGAIN?

AND AGAIN...AND AGAIN...AND AGAIN.

SO THE BIG QUESTION IS: WHY?

THE HORRIFIC IMPLICATIONS OF REFUSING TO MEET AND EVALUATE THE PRESIDENTS NOMINEE FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. PART 3 of 4.

(THIS IS PART 3 IN A SERIES OF ARTICLES I WROTE CONCERNING

THE CONTROVERSY CREATED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTIES 

TREATMENT OF MERRICK GARLAND, BARACK OBAMAS CHOICE 

TO FILL THE VACANCY ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.)

WHAT DID WE END UP WITH? 

THE DEMOCRATS GIVING UP WITHOUT A FIGHT, AND DONALD TRUMP FILLING 2 SEATS 

ON THE SUPREME COURT.

REMEMBER THAT...

What is Even More Frightening Than a Few MEGALOMANIACS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY REFUSING TO UPHOLD THEIR LEGALLY SWORN OATH TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, IS THAT IF IT IS ALLOWED TO STAND WITHOUT A LEGAL CHALLENGE, WE MAY END GOING FROM AN "OLIGARCHY", WITH POLITICAL POWER RESTING IN THE HANDS OF A FEW, TO A "DICTATORSHIP", WITH POWER RESTING IN THE HANDS OF ONE.

Remember, the Nomination of a CANDIDATE FOR A SEAT ON THE SUPREME COURT, AND FOR NUMEROUS OTHER POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT, RESTS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN, IN PRACTICAL TERMS?

"...and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for..."

Do you see it?  If Refusing to Act on a DUTY THAT IS PART OF THE OATH OF OFFICE ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION, IS ALLOWED TO STAND WITHOUT SANCTION OR PENALTY, A PRECEDENT IS SET THAT CANNOT COMPEL ANYONE TO BE LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO ACT IN A SIMILAR MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE DOCUMENT.

THE PRESIDENT ALONE NOMINATES CANDIDATES, NO ONE ELSE.

What is to Stop a U.S. PRESIDENT FROM DELAYING, OR REFUSING TO NOMINATE, CANDIDATES FOR POSTS THAT ARE VACANT, IF THE SENATE DOES NOT CONTAIN A BODY OF MEMBERS THAT ARE SYMPATHETIC TO APPROVING THOSE NOMINEES THE PRESIDENT FEELS ARE THE "RIGHT CHOICES?"