Hello everyone my name is Michael Carroll and I am Pete Gutzmer's campaign manager. I would like to welcome you to our virtual campaign office opening.
We are opening our virtual campaign office on Daily Kos tonight because Daily Kos is the most powerful, open, and progressive forum on the internet and we want to be a part of it. We want to give you the opportunity to meet Pete, to meet me, and most importantly to become part of this campaign and the historic changes that are happening in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Pete is at a fundraiser tonight with Senator Durbin and has asked me to introduce us to all of you.
It is also my goal to bring everyone on the inside, and let you share in what it's like to be a campaign manager in one the most highly contested races in Illinois.
For more than a generation this has been a republican stronghold. It was the home of republicans like Peter Fitzgerald and Donald Rumsfield. But times have changed and the district is crying out for Democratic representation.
How do we know this? For starter's, Congresswoman Mellissa Bean's (IL-8) '04 victory over Phil Crane was just the beginning. The Daily Herald, a local paper, used to be a bastion for conservative ideals. It is now espousing the positives of stem cell research and listing local Democratic meetups in their Neighbor section. 5 years ago a Democrat marching in the 4th of July parades was more than likely to be chastised, if not dowsed with eggs and other nonsense. But this year we were met with cheers and signs decreeing we "Bring the Troops Home Now", it was truly an amazing thing to be a part of!
There is much more to be told about the district, but we have plenty of time to talk about that...
Now let me take a moment to introduce you to Pete. Pete is a firefighter/paramedic in Elk Grove, Illinois, and has been for the past 15 years. He is a real live American hero, and there is no other way to say it. Not only has he fought fires and saved lives, he has fought for the lives and wellbeing of his fellow firemen as a representative of the fraternal order in Springfield. Pete has pushed through legislation that leveled the promotion playing field and ensured the firefighter's families are properly taken care of when they give their lives for their community. It is a real pleasure to work for an honest man, who wouldn't even lie if I wanted him to (making my job difficult at times ;) ) But in all honest is it rare to meet such a man in general, let alone in the political realm.
Pete has taken on this challenge to bring the firefighter's code to the floor of the Illinois Senate. As many of you know, Illinois is no stranger to corruption and graft. Pete stands by three things and three things alone. Duty. Honor. Integrity. What do we mean by this... Duty: Personal responsability. Honor: Serving the community. Integrity: To mean and do what you say at all times.
I thought you should all know a little bit about me and where I come from. I am currently a graduate student at Columbia College in Chicago, studying journalism. 1 year ago I was a mere observer of politics, but the '04 presidential debacle sent me sprawling into politics with only one goal in mind... To do whatever it takes to bring the Democratic party back into power. I was most recently Deputy Press Secretary for Forrest Claypool's campaign for Cook County Board President. I am passionate and driven progressive and will never hesitate to go for any Republican jugular.
And why do you care...?
1. We are the 50 state strategy. You may being saying to yourself that Illinois is blue state, but you may remember that our current Governor and Democratic legislature fought for that past 20 years to sieze control of the state. Illinois could turn from blue to red if we don't fight to keep things they way they are.
By building local capacity and capability, not only to do we ensure the continued progressive govvernance in Illinois, but we also help protect a women's right to choose, our most precious individual freedoms, the separation of church and state, the hope of a living wage, education standards based on facts, a free market that works for everyone, and truly equal and equitable representation.
2. We have the opportunity to soldify a democratic presence in what used to be a republican stronghold.
3. Once we solidfy our presence in the district we will have the opportunity to give air cover to a number of a Rockefeller Republicans who have been disenfranchised by their radical right wing and further consolidate a progressive environment.
What do we hope to get from all of this...?
We need your help. We need your insight, your support, your time (for those of you who are close), and for those who are able, money. In any event please take a look at our website www.votegutzmer.org and thanks again!
-Mike