Guest Commentary: Please Caucus for Rick Santorum
January 2, 2012 Leave a comment
Dear Caucus Friends,
It seems arrogant to think a letter I write will carry any weight to win your vote on caucus day for Rick Santorum, but maybe it will. Here’s why I am supporting Rick Santorum for President:
1. He’s worked for it. The Iowa Caucus is a big deal. It’s our responsibility to run the candidates through the wringer, ask the tough questions and get them ready to be President. If there are big money candidates who fly in, have a press conference so we know they were here, ignore the events we sponsor and fly out, why should we give them our support? Santorum not only respected the caucus process, he’s visited all 99 counties several times and was the first to do it. Folks, that’s recognizing the importance of rural Iowa. And whether it is a crowd of 1 or 100, his answers are thoughtful, respectful and truthful, not just saying what you want to hear. We need a President who will tell us what we need to hear, so we can work to fix it. Not one who is in campaign mode 24/7!
2. Rick Santorum’s character. Rick doesn’t just spout theory; he has worked for what he believes in and won. He is consistent, conservative, intelligent and articulate. He has had life events that tested his character and he made the right decisions for him and his family. He has had events in Congress that tested his character and he persevered, many times winning the day in a bipartisan way. Winning without compromising his principles, personally or of the office he held. And a quality we see very little of, he’s humble and self-evaluating. He admits when he could have done better, like in his 2006 election loss. He learned from it and became a better person.
3. His ideas to bring America back to strength. Plans for a domestic energy policy that will bring jobs and independence. Plans for a sound fiscal policy that bring manufacturing back to the U.S., increasing jobs and middle class wealth. He has an understanding of and has initiated foreign policy like none of the other candidates, knows our role in the world and the danger of us letting the balance tip to the people who would do us harm.
4. He’s experienced and more interested in solutions, than a gotcha poke in the eye. If you really want to solve problems, you don’t poke the other side in the eye. We’ve had that for the last four years, complete disenfranchisement. He knows how to work with all parties to achieve a solution, without them losing face. Now, that is a leader. This is not to say he doesn’t have courage to call people out if he needs to, he does, but it isn’t sport to him.
There are more reasons, but really, I just like him. He’s likeable and that means he is electable. Sincere, genuine, strong, intelligent, honorable, kind and a ‘he gets us and loves us’ guy. He is the antithesis of Obama and can debate like nobody’s business. You KNOW he has your back.
Rick needs us to blast him out of with a strong finish and has humbly asked and worked for our support. Let’s give it to him! Please join me and vote SANTORUM in the Iowa Caucuses.
Sincerely yours in service,
Dawn Pettengill
State Representative, Iowa House
Until We Meet Again Rich
January 20, 2012 by Al Bregar 3 Comments
In the short time that I had to get to know Richard I found him to be one of the most intellectually honest political activists I have ever known. His constructive criticism has guided many other activists to be more honest about the issues. His quiet confidence also had a way of instilling those around him with more confidence as well. And when it came to the principles that founded our nation, Rich was unwavering.
I also found Richard to be one of those rare individuals with which it was virtually impossible to not like. And when he was your friend he stood by your side through thick and thin. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
My relationship with Rich began initially on Facebook. Though we come from distinctly backgrounds we both shared a passion for Iowa politics. This passion helped grow our relationship and quickly we began trying to find ways to unite Iowa conservatives in an effort to put forth a united front for the advancement of the principles of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. As our relationship grew I came to view Rich as more of a brother than a simple acquaintance. As our mutual friend Caree Severson so fondly states, he was truly a brother from another mother.
And so tomorrow we will gather in Huxley, IA to celebrate the richness that his life brought to all of us. We will gather to share the stories that characterized our relationships with Rich. We will lean on each other for emotional support as we mourn the possibilities that might have been. And we will look forward to the day that we are reunited in the Kingdom of Heaven. And so tomorrow we will say farewell to our friend and our brother Richard Auwerda, rest in peace at the side of the Lord until we meet again.
Filed under Commentary, Uncategorized Tagged with In Memorium, Richard Auwerda