Dear Senator Boxer:
Hi, it's me, Marcy Winograd, President of Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles and former Congressional candidate running to unseat Rep. Jane Harman.
Thank you for voting against the most recent 66-billion dollar Iraq supplemental. I know it's not easy to cast a dissenting vote and that it takes great courage to speak the truth when all around you friends and foes are wrapping themselves in the flag and pledging allegiance to war profiteers.
[please follow me below the jump]
It is because you are courageous that I expect you to respect the people's right to choose in a primary. And when there is great controversy surrounding an incumbent, I would hope you would think long and hard before rallying behind that incumbent.
I was disappointed when you campaigned for Rep. Harman, sending emails to grassroots delegates who have known me a long time. I say great disappointment because I have always held you in the highest esteem. As former manager of a 2004 Democratic Club headquarters, as President of Progressive Democrats of America's LA Chapter, and as a committee officer with the CDP Progressive Caucus, I have publicly expressed my appreciation for your service numerous times and sent flowers following your brilliant testimony challenging Condoleeza Rice's confirmation. Never did I expect you to lobby vigorously against me, a peace candidate running in a solidly Democratic district against an incumbent who championed the war on Iraq on the floor of Congress.
Please note that my primary challenge to Harman caused her to rethink her support for Bush's Iraq policy, calling for redeployment within three to six months. In addition, she has shared with me her newly-formulated condemnation of the Guantanamo detention centers and her emphatic denunciation of a pre-emptive strike on Iran.
Although I was disappointed in your willingness to lobby against a grassroots peace activist, I shelved my feelings and thought it best to channel my energy elsewhere -- until I read, again with amazement that, according to the Associated Press, you will hit the road campaigning for hawkish Democrat Joe Lieberman. Perhaps it's not a stretch to assume that some of your PAC (to which I have donated) will be sent to further his campaign also.
Why?
To whom do we owe our greatest loyalty? To those who so readily, so enthusiastically legitimize Bush's bomb-first-ask-questions-later policy?
Please rethink your decision to campaign for Lieberman -- as we, the grassroots, are watching this very closely and shaking our heads, wondering why people who seem to be of principle would so easily campaign against those also of principle -- that principle being peace.
Ned Lamont is a fine man, someone you will enjoy working with in the Senate. He, like you, wants to bring our troops home and redirect the war billions into health care, job training, and environmental protection.
As they say, it's never too late to change your mind.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Marcy Winograd