I wanted to post this yesterday, but catching up with obligations did not allow me to finish writing.
I returned back to Indiana Wednesday night and this was started yesterday. BW
For those that do not know, I am Barry Welsh and I am the Democratic Congressional Candidate in Indiana’s 6th District and a longtime member of the Netroots.
Last night I had a unique opportunity. I sat at a table with five patriots.
I listened as they talked on their individual expertise with passion. I could not help but think back over the history of this nation, and how many times conversations like the one I was listening to became a spur to progress. From the revolution that brought the birth of this nation, to the industrial revolution, to the technological revolution, all were fueled by the passion of progressive visionaries.
The topics of conversation and the seeds for the individual passions were education, energy. Exposing corruption, and due diligence.
If we had practiced due diligence during the Nixon Administration and removed everyone involved instead of forgetting about it after the President resignation, we would not be in Iraq, as many of the same people are responsible for both, one of the patriots wisely reminded me as we talked of a possible impeachment of this administration.
Another patriot talked about how moving away from oil is no longer a pipe dream, but is an actual possibility and a reality that will break in the near future. The greening of schools lead to education, and as I sat and listened, and learned, I also realized what a rare pleasure to have all of these people at this same place in time.
The Patriots I speak of, are the Honorable Congressman Brad Miller of North Carolina, and the man that continues to unravel the Abramoff web, Dengre, Howard Park, Energize America 2020 leader Adam Siegel, and our host Teacher Ken, who’s aid on this trip was invaluable. (The envelopes are being printed today and will be sent out next week!) It was time very well spent and anyone who heard the conversations would have to agree.
I want to give a huge public thank you to them and also to all of the other people that took time to meet with us and offer their assistance. In chronological order of meeting, thank you to:
DCCC Midwest Regional Director Jennifer Pihlaja, President and Director of The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars former Congressman Lee Hamilton and Nora from his staff, Senator Evan Bayh and his staff, Congressman Raul Grijalva, Congressman Alcee Hastings, Congressman James Clyburn, Congressman William Lacy Clay, Congressman Barney Frank, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarty, Congressman Joe Donnelly, Janice Oliver from the Teamsters, Don Dunlevy from The United Transportation Union, Don Kolbe from the Iron Workers, Catlin O’Neill from the Speakers Office, Congressman Zack Space, Dean Aguillen, Congressman Brad Ellsworth and his staff, Congressman Baron Hill and his staff, Congressman Andre Carson and his staff, and the staff of Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
The campaign will be returning to DC in late July and will make at least one more visit after National Convention.
Thank you again to everybody, and especially Teacher Ken, for making this visit so successful, and I look forward to seeing everyone we missed, on the upcoming visit.
Those that don’t think we can beat Mike Pence, I got three words for ya, YES. WE. CAN!