Senate President Beth Edmonds to Chair Brennan for Congress Campaign

Earlier today I joined Michael Brennan at the Portland Public Library to announce that I’m chairing his campaign for the US Congress. This is a vital election for our country and for our party – and there is no one I would rather have as my Congressman than Michael Brennan.

The problems facing this country are great, and these times demand elected leaders who have a record of achievement, who are sincere in their beliefs and who we can trust to make decisions on our behalf.

Our Democratic Party is also facing many challenges and we need leaders who can turn progressive principles into policies that solve problems, and who we can trust to stay true to our beliefs.

I’m confident that all of the Democrats in this race will “vote the right way” on most of the issues that Democrats care about. I’m sure, too, that all of the candidates in this race will say all the right things on the campaign trail over the next year.

But I’m endorsing and supporting Michael Brennan because that’s not enough — and from talking with people in my district and around Maine, I think, deep down, the people of Maine believe that too.

This election is about wanting more and demanding more. It’s about the day after election day, and all those other days when true problems are confronted. It’s about putting our ideas into practice and fixing problems in this country and around the world.

Too often we get caught up in strategic voting and campaign tactics – and we forget what is most important: that we are best served by people who are honest and decent – and who are qualified to discuss and advance the issues that are important to each of us.

For too long, we haven’t demanded the best of our party. We’ve played it safe by simply opposing the Republican agenda, rather than taking risks and proposing big ideas of our own. If we win again in 2008, we need to show real leadership, and with Michael in Congress, I know we will.

Let me be clear about this: we can’t make this country right until Democrats stand up to the challenge. And that means electing people like Michael Brennan, whose motivations are right for the job, whose qualifications are right for the job and whose principles are right for the job.

We need the best Congressman to represent Maine, and I hope everyone who is looking for progressive leadership in this election will join me in saying Michael Brennan is that person.

Please take some of your valuable time to review Michael’s prior accomplishments and his vision for our future at www.BrennanForCongress.org – and if you agree that we can make a difference for the future of Maine and the nation, I hope you’ll join the campaign.