AJC article 13

My name is Doug Heckman, and I am asking for your vote.

Last week I wrote to you about why you should “fire” Congressman John Linder. I made the case that Linder has been an ineffective Representative: his track record includes passing only 2 sponsored bills out of 193 he introduced in his 16 years in Congress. Additionally, he voted against many bills– like the recent GI Bill– which passed thanks to strong bipartisan majorities and will help our returning veterans.

John Linder’s record shows that he truly works for the Political Action Committees from whom he has accepted $3 million over his career. He rarely takes time to communicate with you, and when he does communicate, he often shows outright disrespect for dissenting opinions; for example, at a town hall meeting one year ago, he told one woman he didn’t “care to reflect her views or anyone else’s views,” only his own. This is fundamentally wrong. We must do better.

I am asking that you “hire” me by electing me your representative on November 4th. Last year I came back from Iraq motivated to continue serving the American people. I was and am disgusted by the job performances of most of our elected officials in Washington– both Democrats and Republicans. A vote for your current Representative, John Linder, is a vote for the same partisan extremism that has brought Washington grinding to a halt in recent years. A vote for me is a vote to replace Linder’s staunch partisanship with my common-sense politics.

Of course, you have every right to ask: “How do we know that Doug Heckman will be an effective leader in Congress?” My answer is that you should look at my track record of leadership successes.

Leadership in Congress should be about bringing people together, standing up for what is right, and getting things done. John Linder’s inability to advance legislation shows that his self-declared disinterest in your views also extends to the views of his colleagues in Congress. How can such a staunch partisan ever expect to bring people together? How can he ever expect to get things done? How can he ever expect to be an effective leader?

My bipartisan approach has already earned me the support of some like-minded Republicans who have formed an independent website, www.RepublicansForDougHeckman.com. I don’t think you’ll see a website like Democrats for John Linder. That fact reflects a major difference between our two leadership styles. Like –minded Democrats like Senator Sam Nunn are supporting our campaign, too.

When a congressman is ineffective, we must collectively hold him accountable– we must fire him from his taxpayer-funded job in Washington. In December 1992, soon after his first election, John Linder told USA Today: “I’ve pledged to come home after 12 years.” It’s been 16 years and we should help him honor his pledge.

After 9/11 I volunteered to go to Afghanistan. In 2006 I volunteered to serve you in Iraq. I am now asking you to stand with me as I run for Congress. My friends, now is the time to act. Vote against John Linder and vote for Doug Heckman on November 4.

I hope you will visit my website www.DougHeckman.com