Understanding the challenges before us is crucial to finding bold and effective solutions, and I have worked hard to propose new ideas that will truly address our greatest challenges : job creation, providing universal health care and bringing down costs, creating quality public schools, controlling nuclear proliferation and ending the wars, and the need to revolutionize our energy sector and confront global warming.
But no proposal, no matter how promising and well-reasoned, will fully succeed unless citizens are inspired to unite against the gridlock of special interest money and extreme partisanship in Washington. Instead of buying into a system which continually fails to produce real solutions that put the common interest above special interests, anyone who aspires to the privilege and honor of public office must do everything possible to make that office work for the people whose votes open the door: first, by simply saying “No” to the lobbying and PAC money that undermines and distorts our public policy process, and second, by embracing and welcoming the idea that there is no more powerful engine for progress and change than citizens united in common cause to build a better future for their families and communities.
I’m running for Senate to help restore America as an Opportunity Society and to represent Massachusetts citizens who are too often ignored or marginalized by politics as usual-people who have lost their jobs, their health care coverage, their homes, their life savings, and their children’s dreams of a college education. And I have no doubt that if the citizens of our Commonwealth take up the cause with me, we can succeed. That means, with just days to the election, I need your help spreading my message of Big Citizenship, reform, and real solutions to voters across our state — through phone calls, canvassing door-to-door, and inspiring friends and family to get out and vote this Tuesday, Dec. 8. So please go to my website www.alanforsenate.com and sign up to help!
We can never replace Senator Kennedy. But we can honor him, and his great service to our country and Commonwealth, by doing what citizens of Massachusetts have always done: committing ourselves, in our lives and in our work, to the ideals of equality, justice and opportunity. That is what I have tried to do throughout my life, and what I pledge to do as Senator.
With deep gratitude,
Alan Khazei
Your campaign and candidacy are refreshing! Watching your rise to prominence in the political fray by bringing new ideas and energy to the oft times fossilized campaigns of establishment favorites has been fun.
<
p>Best wishes tomorrow, we suspect that you have only just begun to lead.
Great campaign and a breath of fresh air.
<
p>You brought some much needed perspective and ideas to the campaign trail and built a campaign staff and truly devoted volunteer group to support you and your ideas. I, for one, believe that you have surprised a bunch of people and political pundits that frankly did not give you much of a chance. You have showed them what a strong message surrounded by team, people and vision can do.
<
p>Please do not let this be the last we hear of you from an elective office perspective if things do not work out tomorrow. I would like to see you consider a run for governor as your approach and ideas would be helpful in moving the Commonwealth forward (oh yeah, Deval deserves a strong challenger from within the party too).
I look forward to your continued involvement in the world of elected office for years to come.
Although I am supporting Capuano, I want to thank you for running a spirited and open campaign. You certainly broadened the dialogue and I look forward to your active involvement in MA and national politics in the future.
<
p>I notice that you live literally blocks away from the 8th Congressional district boundaries. Maybe if Capuano wins the Senate seat, you could move down the road and run for that seat. You’d have my vote.
Mr. Khazei,
<
p>While I viewed this special election from the start eager for a non-politician outsider candidate, you won my vote by your progressive stance on issues and the excellence & integrity with which you conducted your campaign.
<
p>While other candidates embarrassed themselves trying to appear clever about Stupak-Pitts, you remained consistent; when some resorted to dispatching video-cams and debate insults, you took the high road; where others first sought PAC money and special interest backing, you launched a citizen-led campaign that welcomed everyone.
<
p>I think you’ve impressed and surprised a lot of people –even supporters of the other candidates– and challenged them to think outside-the-box about what to expect from our elected leaders.
<
p>Here’s hoping that tomorrow is a great day for the Khazei campaign, and that future progressive candidates emulate your citizen-centered approach!
Over the weekend I received seven calls from the SEIU on behalf of Coakley. I finally got annoyed and asked where they were calling from—New York— and they were being paid to call. I advised the nice woman that if Coakley wants to run in Mass. she should generate calls from Mass. All politics is local.
<
p>Pags left me two messages today, along with a slew last week.
<
p>Jack E- also left me two messages. Must be a cheap list as I am “D”.
<
p>Mike C campaign called several times last week and only once today.
<
p>Good Luck Alan- you earned my vote.
<
p>Finally, make Obama state the clear mission in Afghanistan but don’t hold back the $$$. I have a son that may be going and do not want us to fight the war on the cheap if we have troops in country.
Thank you for your courageous stand against the war in Afghanistan. Thank you for the energy and enthusiasm you have brought to this campaign. Thank you for kindling a like response in so many people I know and respect.
<
p>And, thank you for coming to Lenox today to share your vision. You won over some new supporters and energized those of us who were already with you. We will do all we can tomorrow to turn out voters for you.
<
p>You will make a great Senator!