Retired Lt. Colonel Charlie Brown is running for the open seat in CA-4 district. It was left vacant by Republican John Doolittle and has quickly become one the most contested races in the House. Republicans Tom McClintock and Doug Ose are battling it out to see who will be facing Charlie Brown in the general election. EENR is proud to announce that Charlie Brown will be liveblogging with us at 5pm pacific time! I hope you'll join us and take the opportunity to ask Charlie any questions you have about the race.
Who is Charlie Brown? Follow me below the fold to find out more about the Democratic challenger of CA-4th district.
Sarahlane and the whole EENR team invites you join us directly at EENRblog for a conversation with Charlie Brown NOW.
Get to Know Charlie Brown
Retired Lt. Colonel Brown has served in every war from Vietnam to the first Iraq War. He graduated from the Air Force Academy and served America honorably for 26 years. Here's a snippet from his website:
As a rescue helicopter pilot based in Thailand at the end of the Vietnam War, Charlie participated in the evacuations of Saigon, Phnom Penh, and the infamous Mayaguez Incident-for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In Vietnam, he saw the human cost of faulty equipment and bad intelligence up close. It's a lesson he's never forgotten.
After the war, Charlie transitioned to fixed wing aircraft and working with intelligence collection assets. He piloted reconnaissance missions in support of combat operations in Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, and Libya, and flew Cold War related missions around the world. After the first Gulf War, Charlie served two rotations in Saudi Arabia, where he coordinated surveillance flights over Iraq's "No Fly Zones."
He's served as a flight instructor, flight examiner, budget officer, safety officer, military magistrate, and been responsible for presentations to ambassadors, members of Congress, and foreign officials during his distinguished military career.
In 1996, Charlie was elected Chair of the Supervisory Committee of a $5 million local Credit Union. Responsible for fiscal oversight of an institution rife with waste and abuse, Charlie didn't turn a blind eye.
He's earned his California Teaching credential, spent the past 8 years on the Professional Staff of the Roseville Police Department, was elected to two terms as Vice President of the Roseville Police Association, and has been a tireless advocate for veterans rights, seniors, middle class families, and the environment.
If you'd like to read more about Charlie Brown's biography go here. Where does Charlie Brown stand? Here's a short breakdown of where he stands on some of the biggest issues our country is facing.
Charlie Brown on the issues
From his website:
On Building a Strong Economy.....
Charlie believes America can create & keep good jobs by investing in education, technology, an updated infrastructure, energy independence, and fair trade. He opposes the outsourcing of American prosperity promoted by NAFTA and CAFTA, and supports an increase in the minimum wage.
He supports tax incentives for small business innovators, and understands that the best way to keep the American economy strong and prosperous is by investing in a 21st century workforce and new energy technologies.
It's encouraging that so many Democratic candidates for Congress are pushing a new energy economy. I truly believe that the way our country will recover financially is when we invest in a new energy economy here at home. Hiring Americans to fill the newly created green collar jobs will stimulate the economy and stabilize it in the long term.
On Iraq....
Charlie believes accountability is the key to getting our troops home quickly and responsibly---tying future U.S. aid to the achievement of key political benchmarks by Iraq's elected leaders. Together with limited counterterrorism operations, training of Iraqi Security forces and accelerated reconstruction efforts, only real results from Iraq's politicians can expedite the process of political reconciliation Iraq needs to create a permanent stable government that can sustain itself and defend its own borders.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Charlie Brown opposed the Iraq War from the beginning. His own experience coordinating surveillance flights over Iraq led him to believe there were no WMD in Iraq. Charlie was right. I really wish we had his voice in the House instead of Doolittle's back before the invasion.
If you'd like to read more about where Charlie stands on the issues, go here.
Charlie Brown's chances....
California's fourth district may have been a Republican stronghold for many years, but things may be changing. Back in 2006, Charlie Brown came within 9,000 votes of beating Republican incumbent John Doolittle. This year, Brown has higher name id and will be even more competitive when it comes to fundraising. Not to mention the political climate today does not favor Republicans.
Join Us NOW for a Live Blog with Charlie Brown - 8-10pm EDT or 5-7 PDT!
Get your questions ready for Charlie Brown and come on by and chat with the next Congressman from CA-4 congressional district! He is ready and available to answer your questions.
EENRblog with Charlie Brown