A Call to Action

Democracy for Westchester stands with DFA members everywhere in working for change by supporting candidates who stand for social progress and fiscal responsibility and a commitment to truth in politics and in government.

Election season is upon us. DFW is blessed with three elections, presenting at least four opportunities for us to make a real difference to our community, our state and our country.

1. Connecticut Primary, U.S. Senate. Ned Lamont.

On August 8, Connecticut Democrats choose a candidate in for the United States Senate. The weekend before, DFW members have a chance to help DFA members in Connecticut who support Ned Lamont for United States Senate, for his opposition to Bush’s war, and his support of public education. Ned Lamont represents the best values and highest traditions of the Democratic Party.

Progress must look forward; a history of having been in the right place at the right time four decades ago should not entitle Joe Lieberman to a free pass now for being too often on the wrong side of too many issues in his most recent term, not least of all his unquestioning and continued support of Bush's folly, the war in Iraq.

On August 5 and 6, we will join with DFA members in Connecticut to walk the neighborhoods, leaflet and work the phones to get out the vote for Lamont. Go to DFA-link (www.dfalink.com), join, watch for further details so you can join us in this event for one day or both.

2. New York Primary, Congress.

On September 12, New York holds its primaries, including Congressional races.
This may be a major step to changing control of Congress. Nationally, a change of as few as fifteen seats from Republican to Democrat would change control of the House of Representatives. The respected and non-partisan Cook Political Report currently lists a staggering 54 currently Republican seats as competitive or potentially competitive, including five races in New York.
The 19th Congressional District stretches from Northern Westchester through Putnam to Southern Dutchess County and across the Hudson to portions of Orange and Rockland County. Even though the Democrats have not yet chosen their candidate, Cook already rates this one as potentially competitive. The incumbent Sue Kelly is a conservative Bush-supporter who masquerades as a moderate at election time, and has overstayed her own self-imposed term limits promise. DFW intends to help Democrats choose the strongest candidate to defeat Kelly, and the best candidate to serve with distinction as the new Representative for this District.

3. New York General Election, 19th Congressional District and 35th and 41st State Senate Districts.

On November 7, 2006, the country will elect a new Congress and New York will elect a new legislature. In the 19th Congressional District, we intend to retire Sue Kelly, and help restore responsibility to Washington.

We can also help cure the dysfunctionality of Albany by wresting control of the State Senate away from the do-nothing obstructionist Republicans. Statewide, all it will take is ousting just four Republicans.

In the 35th Senate District, which encompasses Yonkers and Greenburgh, we will help Andrea Stewart-Cousins finish what she started two years ago, to retire incumbent Nick Spano.

And we will support our friends and fellow DFA-ers in the 41st Senate District (Dutchess and Columbia Counties) who are helping Brian Keeler take another crucial seat from incumbent Steve "No-Stand" Saland, who has been fooling his constituents for far too long.

If you haven’t already, please join DFA-link at www.dfalink.com, and get on our list by navigating to Democracy for Westchester. Then sign up, get involved, and become part of the solution. It’s time to DO something for a change.

Alan Goldston, Chair
July 25, 2006