As a longtime resident of Central Florida, it's been my distinct displeasure to experience the depths of Republican loyalism and partisan ridicule of viewpoints that aren't "Guns, Guts and God".
Nothing characterizes the distilled intolerance and willful ignorance that are hallmarks of this area's more conservative denizens like the "representation" of Adam Putnam here in Florida's 12th Congressional District. Letters to Putnam that aren't supportive of his party's priorities get a dismissive form letter in response. Phone calls to Putnam opposing his party's priorities are dropped into the black hole BY DIRECTION, as I've learned from someone who knows firsthand how things are run in Putnam's DC office and in Bartow.
However, I'm happy to report that a fresh, electable alternative is running to provide REAL representation, not the rubber-stamping of Bu$h's wishes and GOP partisanship that actually fill Adam Putnam's suit.
Doug Tudor.
Retired Navy Master Chief Doug Tudor is a study in achievement and a student himself of government and history. Doug holds a BS in government and an Executive J.D.
He's a Navy Search and Rescue swimmer, was there for excavation of the Marine Barracks in Beirut in 1983, has met Hamid Karzai and has been to Iraq and Afghanistan literally DOZENS of times. Not on political "dog and pony show" junkets, mind you, but working in support of CENTCOM commanders-in-chief Franks, Abizaid and Fallon.
This is a man who quotes Clausewitz and Kennedy, scripture and Sun Tzu; a man who supports progressive philosophies wholeheartedly, and whose refrigerator bears a ROBERTSON '88 - Let's Pray He Loses bumper sticker.
Doug Tudor is not a Democrat of convenience in this time of unhappiness with the GOP. Doug Tudor is not a DINO. He bleeds Navy - and Dem - blue.
Doug's wife is an Air Force Master Sergeant - and deployable at any time. They know the life of a military family and what it means to be on the sharp end of the spear under George W. Bu$h.
And Doug is a helluva guy.
I have sat in his kitchen and listened... and he, as importantly, has listened to me, and to everyone I've seen approach him, even those who oppose his candidacy.
I have seen him speak many times and even had the honor of speaking on Doug's behalf before a group of committed Democrats. I hope to do so again, if Doug asks.
This Marine Corps veteran and dedicated progressive is proud to call Doug Tudor a friend and a brother American.
I will be prouder still to call him Congressman.
Help us fight the good fight:
http://www.teamtudor.org
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