I'm the only Senate candidate in the country who has a national-security background. I've been teaching national-security studies off and on for the last 17 years. I have a Ph.D. in diplomatic history. And I have a very good understanding of what it's going to take to restore American respect among the other 192 countries in the world. Again, so long as senators are afraid of the next election cycle, afraid to stand up strong for American security, we are going to be ceding this territory to the Republicans as the vast majority of Democrats have done. We're not going to provide security to the United States and they're not going to win their elections or change the control of the House, the Senate, the presidency and the courts. It's just not gonna happen.
You know, I really see myself on a mission. I want to take this message to the US Senate and then start knocking some sense into my colleagues and to work with likeminded progressives in the Senate, plus the 82 in the House.
ND: I know what you're talking about. The fear among lawmakers is so obvious and so pervasive, covering so many areas, from marriage equality to reproductive choice - as we can see from what's going on in South Dakota. Basic American values of equality and liberty are in real danger, especially now that we have Roberts and Alito on the Supreme Court. You're setting up a monumental task for yourself.
CP: Yeah, but I see that it's going to take nothing less than that to get our democracy back. We have to take on a monumental task. And frankly, Thomas Jefferson said it before I did: Thomas Jefferson was the one who said that each generation of Americans has to fight to reclaim their constitutional rights. We have become a society that is far too complacent about fundamental freedoms that we take for granted. Because we've not been standing up for those principles or activiely pushing out to expand rights. We're left on the defensive because Republicans are seeking to write discrimination into the Constitution and now we're in a defensive posture because Democrats are out of power, but more to the point, the Democrats who are in power don't know how to regain power or to fight for the core principles and values that we believe in.
ND: And as such, they fall into appeasement, bending over and acceding to the will of the majority, even though they know in their deepest, darkest hearts that what they're doing - and not doing - is a betrayal of what they're supposed to be doing.
Article comments
1 - Dave De Vetter
I truly believe that Chuck Pennacchio is our only hope of beating Santorum in November. He will actually represent the people's interests instead of giving in to the corporations and righ-wing religious extremists. I hope everyone who reads this visits his site and contributes to his campaign or signs up to volunteer (even if you don't live in PA, there's much you can do). We're an all volunteer campaign fighting for the future of democracy.
2 - Austin
that site is www.chuck2006.com
3 - Natalie Davis
Chuck's name in the essay, as does the Pennacchio button graphic, links to the campaign Web site.
4 - Brenna Lorenz
If you have a chance to hear Chuck speak, absolutely do go. He will have you jumping out of your seat ready to do battle. You can't imagine how wonderful it is to hear a candidate talk sense!
When people ask him tough questions, he doesn't hedge, waffle, change the subject, flinch or dodge. He answers head-on, decisively. He's going to make mincemeat of Santorum.
This man is a true leader.
5 - Natalie Davis
Yes, Chuck is a principled, empowering presence. And a straight shooter. But the fact remains that the Democratic powers that be, including a lot of the major Democratic blogs (Kos, MyDD, etc.) are pushing the centrist-conservative Casey. That makes it crucial for progressives to spread the word far and wide throughout Pennsylvania: Casey is nothing more than a pale image of Santorum. He does not support the basic issues so crucial for Pennsylvania and that represent core Democratic values. I understand that people are used to caving in to the right wing; they're accustomed to bending over for the conservatives and losing for their self-degradation. But come on - a progressive can win and god knows, a change is needed YESTERDAY. It's time for a real progressive, a real people's candidate. If Santorum is destined to win (and I maintain that he is NOT), isn't it better to lose standing tall rather than on one's knees? Casey is the candidate for the acquiescent, the cowardly, the weak. Pennacchio is the candidate for the courageous, for those who want power to rest in the hands of the PEOPLE rather than the fatcat, money-motivated pols. Spread the word.