So a few days ago Dick Cheney came to Washington State to campaign for state candidates. The next day,
Dave Reichert, the incumbant first term Congressman in the 8th announced his re-election. And he made a lame joke about how Cheney wasn't popular. "[Cheney] offered to campaign for my opponent!" Well his opponent decided that was so funny, that she wrote
Dick Cheney a letter taking him up on that. On the flip:
Dear Mr. Vice President:
During your recent trip to Washington State to support White House endorsed candidates, you were quoted by both Seattle newspapers as telling 8th District Representative Dave Reichert that you would "campaign for your opponent if it'll help."
As Reichert's Democratic opponent, I would like to take you up on your kind and thoughtful offer and I cordially invite you to come and spend a day campaigning with me in the 8th District. The district reaches from Microsoft's Redmond Campus to Mount Rainier National Park and offers a microcosm of America. Here are some of the events I would like to plan for your visit to the 8th.
Let's start at Mount Rainier where we can take in the beautiful and precious parklands and forests. Here you may be able to see clearly why our district so opposed the Republican plan -- supported by Mr. Reichert -- to make it easier for developers and private interests such as mining companies to take over and ruin these treasured public lands.
Moving north from Mount Rainier, I would like to have you meet with some of our brave Iraq veterans and their families to learn first hand of the inadequate body and vehicle armor your Administration provided them. Also, I am sure National Guard families and veterans will want to ask you why your Administration and Mr. Reichert opposed giving them the same health benefits as the regular military along whose side they have fought.
In Kent, we could meet with some workers who have had their jobs exported oversees and you can explain why the Bush tax policy gives tax breaks to American companies who out source American jobs. They'd like to know why their own tax dollars are being used to help them become unemployed.
Then, perhaps, we could visit a senior center and you could try to explain to our elderly why your prescription drug benefit -- supported by Mr. Reichert -- is creating such confusion and chaos.
Finally, we could stop at Bellevue Community College where I could easily assemble a group of students who can not understand why the Bush Administration and Mr. Reichert would propose and support making it harder for student to get college loans.
It will be a full day, but it will be a rewarding and interesting one. Again, I greatly appreciate your offer and look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Darcy Burner
Candidate for Congress