Text and photos from Kim Haswell, a delegate from AD-04, and one cool person.
Charlie’s Challenge for Veterans
The airports in Congressional District 4 are feeling a “barnstorm” today as Democrat Charlie Brown toured CD 4 to make official his long anticipated run for Congress in November 2008. I attended the Auburn Airport stop, which was the 2nd stop in a tour that brought the campaign to Cameron Park, and airports in Auburn, Grass Valley and Quincy.
The event drew about 140 people and started with the eager supporters waiting for Charlie as he and his wife, Jan, were escorted in a twin-engine aircraft to the chanting, high-energy crowd.
The event brought together the grassroots activists,democratic leaders, concerned citizens and Veterans of Placer County. All have stood staunchly behind Charlie since his narrow 3% (9,000 vote) loss to troubled Congressman John Doolittle in 2006. All have encouraged him to keep going and offered endless amounts of time, support, energy, and much needed financing. But, today, Charlie gave it back to us. And he gave it back to the veterans.
Throughout his 2006 campaign, Charlie has talked about how important it is to fund Veterans support programs. Today Charlie put his money where his mouth is and vowed to give 5% of his campaign funds to charities that serve “Veterans and families in need – here in the 4th District, and across the country.” In an even bolder move, Charlie challenged other candidates, regardless of party affiliation to do the same.
I spoke to one man afterward, a member of Veterans for Peace, who told me that he’d been planning to ask Charlie about addressing Veteran’s benefits, but that “what Charlie said today was more than I’d even hoped for.”
In a passionate speech, Charlie touched on the issues that are most critical to him and to all of us who support him. He talked about the need for National Security. To Charlie, National Security means fighting the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11, securing our borders, balancing budgets,ending corrupt military spending, providing quality veterans health care, energy independence and demanding action on global warming. Supporters were giddy with excitement hearing Charlie’s message, which so many are in agreement on.
The program was kicked off with introductions by California Democratic Party Region 1 Director, Rob Haswell. Rob introduced Jan Brown, the embodiment of a supportive and valuable campaign spouse. Jan then introduced her son, Jeff, and daughter, Stacey. The lucky group assembled in Auburn had the opportunity to hear from Charlie’s son, Jeff, in his first-ever campaign speech. Jeff is home visiting from his active duty in Germany. He has completed four tours in Iraq.
After his speech and a brief press gaggle, Charlie and company were whisked off to their third of four barnstorm stops today, in Nevada County. The tour was slated to finish in Plumas County.
This was a fine day in Auburn and a fine day for the citizens of Placer County, CD 4 and the country. We look forward to November 2008 when we have elected Charlie Brown to the United States Congress.