La clase media necesita a Joe Garcia en el Congreso

November 22nd, 2007

En este dia de encuentro con familias y amigos, en donde agradecemos por todo lo que recibimos durante el año, es el dia perfecto para entender porque queremos que Joe Garcia se presente como candidato al Congreso. No se trata de odios, ni de rencillas, ni de tratar de dividir. Se trata solamente de que todos los que vivimos en el distrito 25 podamos aspirar a una vida mejor, que nuestros hijos tengan acceso a un seguro medico gratuito, que los juguetes no intoxiquen a los mas pequeños, que los trillones de dolares que se han mal gastado en Irak se inviertan en educacion para tener una generacion mas preparada y competitiva, que el miedo al terror no nos quite lo mas precioso que nos dio este pais: la libertad y el que todos seamos iguales ante la ley, que las “valores familiares” sean para todos: que nada nos prohiba visitar a nuestros parientes enfermos vivan donde vivan.

Por todo esto y mas queremos que Joe Garcia nos represente. Lo necesitamos, para mirar al futuro con mas optimismo y esperanza.

Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias.

Draft Joe Garcia on Florida Progressive Radio

November 21st, 2007

Florida Progressive Radio, with Kenneth and Alison, focused their show today on the Draft Joe Garcia movement. Joe Garcia joined in on the show, as well as Michael Calderin, candidate for the 119th district Florida House seat.

You can listen to the show here.

In the radio show Joe talks about the new grassroots movement taking place in America. Here’s some of what he said to say, with a bit of paraphrasing:

“Democrats talk in a much more horizontal matter….we’re talking about an open format, where the debate amongst us is going to get us to a better place.

….

The impact that it has is fabulous. A lot of Hispanics read this kind of thing…the effect this is having is phenomenal. It’s also having an impact in Washington in the supposed geniuses in Washington who for ten years have tried taking back Washington.

The very fact that people are expressing their will is impacting politics….the Republicans are talk-down with no bubble effect [from the bottom-up]…Republicans are always going to have more money, but they’re not able to control the medium.

Part of what has to happen, the netroots has to be play a bigger role so the Democrats find their courage again. We’ve lost courage in the biggest issues of the day. We tend to be scared off by Iraq, rather than truely supporting our troops by bringing them home. We talk about campaign finance reform and are scared about the costs, rather than fixing the political system that is paid for by special interests, fixed for special intersts and run by special interests.

I want to thank everyone for doing this, what you’re doing is important…Thank you very much.”

I think Joe Garcia is going to be one of those “More and better Democrats” that we like to talk about getting elected. He understands the netroots movement and isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said. Take for example, his support for publicly financed elections. Joe understands we need to take the money out of politics, so special interests in Washington no longer have the power in our political system, but rather that we have the power.

News of Draft Garcia Movement Spreads to El Nuevo Herald and the Daily Kos

November 21st, 2007

News of the draft movement has spread to two very diverse publications today.

First up was the El Nuevo Herald.

Era sólo un rumor días atrás. No era oficial ayer, pero sí más tangible: el partido demócrata reveló que ”grupos de ciudadanos” han abierto dos páginas en internet para promover las candidaturas al Congreso federal de dos miembros de la política local: el ex alcalde de Hialeah Raúl Martínez y el ex director ejecutivo de la Fundación Nacional Cubano Americana Joe García.

”Me parece que todo esto que está pasando es extraordinario. Por un tiempo hemos sido testigos de un rumor que ahora está tomando forma. Estamos recibiendo centenares de llamadas de gente pidiendo cómo contactar las candidaturas, y eso que todavía no existen. Y ahora surgieron esas dos páginas”, dijo John Hornbuckle, director ejecutivo del Partido Demócrata en Miami-Dade.

García, por su parte, dijo también que aún no ha tomado una decisión, en parte porque está sopesando pedidos de ”muchas” personas, pero también necesita el consejo de su esposa e hija, quienes “todavía no me han dado su apoyo”.

”Sé que el pueblo quiere cambios y uno de los escaños más débiles del sur de la Florida es el de Mario Díaz-Balart. Pero es prematuro tomar una decisión”, añadió.

To give a brief translation of some of that, Raul Martinez and Joe Garcia both appreciate the efforts of this movement and are considering the races. Joe, for his part, is discussing the possibility of running with his family. The Miami-Dade Democratic Party DEC, meanwhile, has been receiving many phone calls with excitement for the potential candidacies of Raul and Joe.

Oh yeah and the Diaz-Balarts: No comment

Meanwhile, in another land on the other side of the internets, Markos Moulitsas, from the dailykos posts on the potential 25th district race:

It’s hard to underestimate just how much discontent the travel restrictions have generated within the Cuban American community. For example, my father-in-law, restricted from visiting his Cuban family regularly, has become a surprisingly reliable Democratic vote. For a people who place family above all else, being told they can’t visit them is a gross insult, and all for an embargo widely seen (outside of hardline circles) as an abject failure.

It is the ultimate “family values” issue, and Garcia is dead on regarding the issue’s salience and its potential to dramatically reshape the southern Florida political landscape. Republicans, as usual, are letting their ideology once again lead them outside the mainstream.

As for Garcia himself, his candidacy is getting people excited and talking (here, here, and here, among others), and I suspect he’ll be in before long.

Think about this: It has only been one week since we launched this movement and we’ve already built this much excitement. It’s amazing what a little effort can do to build real grassroots excitement. I bet the Republicans are wishing they had something like this.

The Politics of Diaz-Balart

November 20th, 2007

Mario Diaz Balart has put our country on the wrong path. As just the latest example, Mario voted against health care coverage for millions of children, but at the same time voted for billions of dollars for more war in Iraq.

This is the politics of Diaz-Balart. This is the politics of doing whatever George Bush wants.

Voted Against expanding SCHIP (Chilren’s health care coverage)

Voted Against allowing negotiations with Prescription Drug Companies on lowering the prices of prescription drugs.

Voted Against a bi-partisan bill funding potentially life-saving embryonic stem cell research.

Has continuously voted to fund the Iraq war, but has opposed time at home for soldiers.

Supported changes that Bush asked for in the FISA law that will allow more eavesdropping on American phone calls.

Time and time again even on bi-partisan issues like children’s health care coverage, Mario Diaz-Balart has stood with the right-wing in the Republican Party. He’s put party politics before us. He has stood with large pharmaceutical companies against health care reform. He has voted for more war at a huge cost to taxpayers and passed it on to future generations who will be forced to pay for it.

It’s time for a change in representation in the 25th district. It’s time for new fresh ideas, so future generations will have opportunity again.  Ask Joe to get in.

Message From Joe Garcia

November 20th, 2007

Dear Friends:

I just wanted to take a moment to say Thank You and to also make something clear…

First, Thanks to all of you that have called and emailed me with support in response to the Daily Kos story (here is link if you missed it). While I am still far from making a decision, I do want to say that your kindness and support is very humbling and much appreciated! In fact, I discussed it on Nicole Sandler’s show on WINZ 940AM this morning (you can hear that segment, here).

Now, I also want to mention that in the Kos story there was reference to the “GRANMA” newspaper of Cuba. Let me be clear that this paper is the communist propaganda paper and makes assertions about the community and Congesspeople that are slanderous. And, although I may completely disagree with the Republican Congressional delegation, these assertions by GRANMA are patently false.

Finally, I want to let everyone know that our last DEC Meeting in 2007 will be December 10th at the American Legion off Biscayne Blvd at 64th Street and it will be a short meeting with some Holiday Celebrating, so please come by!

Again, thanks so much for your kind words and support. If you are interested, I understand there is a new site up called “draftgarcia.com” .

If we don’t speak before then, please have a happy Thanksgiving!

Take care my friends,

-Joe

Joe Garcia, Chairman