September 1, 2010

Dear Friends:

I released the following statement today and wanted to share it with you as well.

Last night President Obama declared the end of actual combat in Iraq and called upon all Americans to “turn the page” on this chapter in our history.

 

Before we do turn that page though, let us all salute the valor of all those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Coming from a military family, living so close to Ft. Campbell and having had so many of our young people in my classes at Austin Peay State University who were deployed, it is with pride and admiration that I salute their sacrifices. Second, I offer a very special salute to all those who served and their families who live in the 7^th district as they shouldered their share of our nation’s military burden during this war. Finally, we pay homage to all those who lost their life during their service to our country. Let us never allow their sacrifice to be in vain.  

 

As Congressman of the 7th District, I will make sure that we keep our promise to the men and women who serve our country, just as they have kept their promise to us.  I pledge to do everything I can as a Member of Congress to ensure our military, military families and veterans are provided with the support they need and so richly deserve.”

Sincerely,

Greg Rabidoux

Democratic Nominee US Congress

7th District

(On July 21, I released my “Ten Calls to Action to Improve the Health, Security and Safety of U.S. Veterans”. You can view the calls to action at: http://blog.rabidoux4congress.com/?p=251)

(In August, I received the endorsement of Veterans and Military Families for Progress along with the endorsements of local veterans and military family advocates.)

Dear Friends:

I wanted to share this big endorsement with you. Please see the text from the recent press release below:

The Veterans and Military Families for Progress (www.vmfp.org) have endorsed Democratic Party Nominee for U.S. Congress Greg Rabidoux in recognition of his support of veteran, active duty, guard, reserve and military families’ issues.

Founded in 2005, VMFP is dedicated to ensuring that the rights and needs of veterans, active-duty service members (including national guard and reservists), and their families are understood by the American public, endorsed by our elected officials, and protected by legislation, regulation, and public policy initiatives.

“Greg Rabidoux is a strong supporter of our nation’s armed forces,” said President of VMFP Thomas Howe. “Son and nephew of U.S. Air Force veterans and grand-nephew of a highly-decorated Korean war fighter pilot, Rabidoux has an excellent understanding of national defense requirements. Rabidoux’s strong commitment to the issues that are critical to veterans, those serving now, and their families is unsurpassed. His public support for priority funding of the Veterans Administration and his declared determination to provide for the establishment of a national veterans and military family policy give veterans and their families hope that at long last a Congressman will vote in such a way as to keep faith with those who have served and sacrificed.” Howe also stated, “Additionally, Rabidoux’s decision to support legislation for improving the treatment of veterans with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD, and his deep understanding of the need for providing and guaranteeing full health coverage for National Guard and Reserve personnel, demonstrate that he is a candidate who has the character and courage to do what is right for those in service to our country. We feel that veterans, active duty, military families, and in fact, all people of Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District will be well-served with Greg Rabidoux as their representative by ensuring that America remains strong in national defense and in fighting terrorism.”

Rabidoux said he is truly honored and humbled by this endorsement. “Our veterans kept their promise to all of us. We must now do a better job of keeping our promise to each and every one of our brave veterans,” said Rabidoux. “Living and working so close to the legendary 101st Airborne Division and having the honor of teaching many of our military students I also know the sacrifices and struggles they and their families endure. I pledge to do everything I can as a Member of Congress to ensure our military families are provided with the support they need and so richly deserve. I greatly appreciate The Veterans and Military Families for Progress tireless dedication, thank them for their endorsement and I salute our veterans and military families everywhere for their support and selfless sacrifice for our state and nation.”

Maura Satchell, Southern Regional Coordinator for the DNC Veteran and Military Families is very pleased with the endorsement of Rabidoux. “Painfully aware of the negative voting record of Congressman Blackburn when it comes to veteran and military family issues, I am excited b the VMFP endorsement for Greg,” said Satchell. “First, as a military family member himself, Greg knows what it is like to have a loved one “transition back” to civilian life after serving. The sacrifice of serving one’s country does not end when the Uniform is retired, and is not limited to the service member him or herself, as Greg well knows. Moreover, as a teacher of college students who have deigned to put themselves in harm’s way, Greg recognizes the cost of fighting wars includes not only the expense of going to war, but supporting those veterans once they’ve come home. Marsha Blackburn has never gotten that concept and while her votes have enriched defense contractors and military weapons manufacturers through no-bid contracts and blank checks, her thriftiness when it comes to supporting those who’ve worn the uniform is shameful. It is time Tennessee’s 7th District, that includes the legendary 101st Airborne, have a representative that understands all the costs of war and is willing to back up those who’ve served and their families with tangible votes of support, rather than just photo ops and talking points. It is time for Dr. Greg Rabidoux.”

Jim Jones is a Vietnam Veteran in Williamson County. “Greg has convinced me on the several occasions I have had to visit with him that he would represent veterans, military and military family rights,” said Jones. “Our current representative, Marsha Blackburn, recently voted against the GI Bill that would have greatly helped current military and veterans. We need someone who will truly represent our district…we need Greg Rabidoux.”

Rabidoux has received the endorsement of numerous Veterans throughout the district including Bob Tuke, Jim Jones, Jesse Lee and Robert Lewis.

On July 21, Rabidoux released his “Ten Calls to Action to Improve the Health, Security and Safety of U.S. Veterans. You can view the calls to action at: http://blog.rabidoux4congress.com/?p=251

Veterans and Military Families for Progress is a 501(c)(4) non-partisan, not-for-profit veterans organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a 21st Century organization made up of members located throughout the country, and from across the breadth of rank and military services, who served, are serving, or are family members of those who have heeded the call to serve their country in the U.S. military.

August 27, 2010

Dear Friends:

I wanted to share these endorsements with you. Here is the excerpt from our recent press release.

American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2400 and United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1529 have endorsed Democratic Nominee, Greg Rabidoux for US Congress in the 7th District.

AFGE ENDORSEMENT

Ron Hardison, President of Local 2400, said AFGE is pleased to endorse Dr. Greg Rabidoux for US Congress, District 7, Tennessee. “He will bring a reasoned, informed and unifying voice to Washington DC that we so desperately need now in these difficult times. Greg understands that governmental employees are your brother, your sister, your neighbor, Americans who do their job to the best of their ability and take pride in serving their nation, said Hardison. “We all will be best served by having Greg bring his impressive background and his expertise about government and how best to make it work for America to the US Congress.”

 

Rabidoux is proud of this important endorsement. “I appreciate the hard work and pride that the 600,000 workers of the AFGE produce and show everyday on the job,” said Rabidoux. “Their work is truly as diverse as is our nation.They protect our country, care for our veterans, build our infrastructure and perform countless tasks that keep our country moving forward. Thanks to all they do for us.”

 

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union representing 600,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Government employees inspect the food we eat and the places we work, they protect citizens from the illicit flow of drugs, maintain the safety of our nation’s borders, care for our nation’s veterans, serve as a vital link to Social Security recipients, maintain the District of Columbia’s infrastructure, keep the national defense systems prepared for any danger and more. The workers are police officers, mechanics, lawyers, correctional officers, environmentalists, nurses, mine inspectors and more. AFGE helps make America work.

 

===============

 

UFCW ENDORSEMENT

Teri Craven, Local 1529 Political Director (Cordova, TN) and President, Lonnie Sheppard are excited to endorse Dr. Greg Rabidoux for US Congress, District 7 of Tennessee. “Greg is a champion of the American and Tennessean worker. He understands that when you do right by our workers we all thrive, said Craven. “We need Greg in Washington DC to help give a voice to so many of us who are without a voice in the current incumbent Marsha Blackburn. He understands the issues and has a plan to help renew and rebuild our district now and to the future.”

 

Rabidoux is honored by this endorsement. “The UFCW is a tireless and important voice and advocate for the working men and women across our nation and right here in the 7th district of Tennessee,” said Rabidoux. “Ensuring that workers have necessary healthcare coverage is only one of many worthy goals the UFCW pursues on behalf of its members. I am proud to call the American and Tennessee worker my friend and to add my voice to the UFCW in standing up for the working families all across our state and nation.”

 

 UFCW’s 1.3 million members work in a range of industries, with the majority working in retail food, meatpacking and poultry, food processing and manufacturing, and retail stores. UFCW is the largest union of young workers with 40 percent of UFCW members under the age of 30. A key area of concern for the UFCW right now is in supporting workers of WalMart as they seek access to affordable and full healthcare coverage.

August 27, 2010

Dear Friends,

Rep. Marsha Blackburn’s recent release of an economic “plan” on Fox News is another example of why Blackburn should agree to debate me in a public forum.
 
Rep. Blackburn needs to be responsive to the people of the 7th District by participating in a public debate where questions can be asked about her voting record and her so-called economic ‘plan.’ It is interesting that at a taping of “Inside Politics” last Friday, I announced my SMART Plan which details my plan for job creation, partnering schools and technology with businesses and for budget/ deficit cuts I would suggest be made. At the taping I asked if Rep. Blackburn even had a plan. Now days before that taping airs, it seems Blackburn’s handlers told her she’d better start talking about an economic plan.
 
Rep. Blackburn told Fox News Wednesday that her economic plan consists of firing President Obama’s economic team, keeping 100% of the Bush Tax cuts for the wealthy, repealing healthcare and enacting a 5% across the board budget cut.
 
This is not an economic plan. This is the incumbent Marsha Blackburn choosing a few a la carte items from a menu of bad choices. Here is the statement I released about Blackburn’s “plan.”

• The incumbent’s “plan” reflects what we in the 7th district already know all too well about her. Blackburn sacrifices the good of the many over the narrow interests of the few and doesn’t appear to have even a basic understanding of or appreciation for sound economic policy.
• It is reasonable to ask if Congressman Blackburn would be so quick to repeal the entire healthcare reform act if she wasn’t already completely covered by her own taxpayer paid for governmental healthcare plan.
• Second, by wanting to keep 100% of the Bush Tax cuts that disproportionately favor the 2% of our nation’s “super-wealthy” she is saying NO to $830 billion we could be using to create jobs and ease the burden off of our middle class and lower income Americans and Tennesseans who are bearing the brunt of these tough economic times.”
• Third, her economic “plan” doesn’t focus on jobs and innovation as my SMART Plan does, it simply yearns for a return to the wild, deficit spending and simultaneous tax-cutting days when she couldn’t say YES fast enough to ballooning our deficit and our long-term debt.”
• Fourth, we need to be sure we don’t throw out a lot of good with possible bad with any “automatic,” across-the-board 5% cuts. Does Blackburn want 5% cuts to our military defense spending at such dangerous times?

The only one that needs to get fired for the good of the many is Marsha Blackburn.
 
In an interview with Inside Politics’ Pat Nolan, I announced my plan for the 7th District, my SMART Plan. SMART stands for Strategic Management of Accessible Resources and Technologies. The plan aims to make the 7th District a highly connected, integrated powerhouse. It includes a focus on the 3E’s: Economy, Education and Environment. The SMART Plan also includes my suggestions for key cuts that I would fight for and ways I would reduce our deficit and debt.
 
My  SMART Plan will be available online at www.rabidoux4congress and by email request to stacynunnally@gmail.com.

Be sure an catch me on “Inside Politics” this weekend on Channel 5+. The air times for Inside Politics will be Friday, August 27th at 7pm, Saturday August 28th at 5am and 5:30pm, and Sunday August 29th at 5am and 12:30pm. NewsChannel 5+ airs on Comcast Channel 250 and Charter channel 150.

Please take a moment to add your voice to the call for debate by going to our website at ww.rabidoux4congress and sign the petition demanding Marsha Blackburn debate me in a public forum.

And be sure to make a contribution to the campaign at www.rabidoux4congress.com/contribute . Your contribution of any amount helps us continue this grassroots campaign to bring the power back to the people of the 7th District.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Greg Rabidoux 

Democratic Nominee for US Congress, District 7

I am releasing my SMART Plan this week. SMART stands for Strategic Management of Accessible Resources and Technologies. The plan aims to make the 7th District a highly connected, integrated powerhouse. It includes a focus on the 3E’s: Economy, Education and Environment. The SMART Plan also includes my suggestions for key cuts that I would fight for and ways I would reduce our deficit and debt.

Look for the SMART Plan coming out this week on line and at events near you.

“First, I appreciate the concern that incumbent Marsha Blackburn has regarding who I will or will not vote for as Speaker of the House when I am elected to Congress. The short answer is I will cast my vote for whomever I felt would help me to do the best job for the people of the 7^th district in the great state of Tennessee.

Second, it appears clear from her comments that she and I agree that after the votes are counted on November 2^ndmy party and not Marsha Blackburn’s will retain a majority of seats and consequently, the speakership. If not, why even be concerned about who I may vote for as Speaker?

Third, while Marsha Blackburn is now claiming to know what all Tennesseans want or don’t want, there are a whole lot of Tennesseans tonight asking a simple but profound question, “What is Marsha Blackburn so afraid of?”

I fully agree with George Washington who believed an enlightened and informed citizenry is necessary for our democracy to flourish. What better way to enlighten and inform voters than in an unscripted, open and public debate? Or maybe Marsha Blackburn now believes she knows better than even George Washington?”

Dear Friends,

I began the call for a public debate with opponent, Marsha Blackburn the day after the primary made me the official Democratic Nominee. As of August 16th, there has been no response from Blackburn or her office. And the people of the 7th district want to know why.
 
As you will recall, on August 6th, a group of supporters and I went to Blackburn’s office in Franklin, TN. The staff at the Franklin office refused the letter. So we traveled to Blackburn’s campaign office in Brentwood only to find the office locked and lights off at 1 p.m. on a Friday. I then sent the letter certified mail with a signature receipt. After the United States Post Office found the campaign office closed on delivery attempts, the letter was successfully delivered on August 13th. The letter asked that Blackburn respond by August 16th.

The Tennessean covered my “call for debate letter” delivery, kicking off the press coverage of the “debate watch.” And the voters of the 7th District have been responding to the article, engaging in Facebook dialog, sending Blackburn emails/ messages and signing the petition calling for a public debate between the two candidates.
 
It is August 17th, and the Rabidoux campaign has not received a response from Blackburn or her office.
 
I think the people of the 7th district deserve a public forum with their candidates, and I will continue to be responsive to the people by remaining open to a debate with Blackburn. In the meantime, I know that our volunteers, supporters and citizens who believe in an open process, will move forward in demanding a response from Blackburn.
 
A concerned citizen posted on Blackburn’s facebook page, “Our elected officials are responsible to the people who elected them. A debate is their chance to tell us what they have done for us, and we can decide if we want more of the same.”
 
The Rabidoux campaign released a short video capturing the efforts thus far to call for a debate. You can view that video at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeCaWDO6TY8

To make a contribution to the campaign or to find out more information go to our website at http://www.rabidoux4congress.com/contribute

For more information about how to help with this call for debates, contact: Stacy Nunnally, stacynunnally@gmail.com, 615.364.7665

Please take a moment to sign the petition and find out more about this call for debate. By engaging in a public debate, the ultimate winners will be the voters of the 7th District.

Sincerely,

Dr. Greg Rabidoux
U.S. Congressional Candidate 7th District

August 5, 2010

Dear Friends,

It’s official! And I am proud and honored to be the official Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress in Tennessee’s 7th district.
 
Thank you for all of your hard work and support. I appreciate all you have done and am asking you to continue with us as we enter the general election.

Team Rabidoux and I are gearing up for the general. We are rolling up our sleeves and ready to continue to work hard. We have all had enough of typical inside-the-beltway, DC politics and politicians like Marsha Blackburn. It is time to put main street before wall street, and that time is now! I want to be the next U.S. Congressman for Tennessee’s 7th District so we can bring the power back to the working people of our district.
 
Are you with me? Here are some ways you can help:

• Contribute to the campaign. You contributions help us get our message out and engage people to vote.
• Host a house party or ‘meet and greet.’ Gather your family, friends and colleagues and host an event for Rabidoux for Congress.
• Write letters to the editor, blog, and email your friends to tell them about me and our campaign.
• Endorse me. You can go to our website and officially endorse me.
• Tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter to join the Rabidoux4Congress Facebook page or follow me on twitter. You can also re-tweet (or re-post) from my pages to help get the message out.
• Volunteer to canvass and phone bank.
• Get your friends and family to sign up on our website to receive updates and alerts.
• Put a Rabidoux lawn sign in your yard (and other places of visibility). Put a Rabidoux bumper sticker on your car. And wear a Rabidoux t-shirt out to the grocery store, to run errands, to your children’s school, etc.
   

I am proud of our grassroots campaign, and I will need your time, help and support to get elected. I am excited to be the official Democratic nominee. And I know together we will bring the power back to the working people of the 7th District! 

Sincerely,

Dear Friends,

The primary is today!

Even though, I am not opposed in the Democratic primary, it is still very important to cast your vote to show the strength of our grassroots campaign. So please get out and vote on today and spread the word about Rabidoux for Congress!

I will be out near the polls in Clarksville with members of Team Rabidoux holding signs and meeting people. Other members of Team Rabidoux will be scattered across the district doing the same.

This evening, we will be gathering at my house in Clarksville to watch the returns. Please join us if you can. Email kelsy@rabidoux4congress if you plan to attend.

I am proud of our grassroots campaign and am excited about becoming the official Democratic nominee. Together we will bring the power back to the working people of the 7th District! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Greg Rabidoux
U.S. Congressional Candidate 7th District