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Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC Endorses TUDOR!

Doug in Uniform
Washington, D.C. – August 23, 2010 – Doug Tudor has won the endorsement of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC for his election to Congress as Representative of Florida’s 12th Congressional District.

“I am extremely honored to accept the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC’s endorsement and support,” said Tudor. “The Congressional Progressive Caucus has been at the forefront of the fight to ensure that the United States Congress represents all of the people of our country, building a more just and humane society. I will work hard in Congress to promote economic justice for all Americans, protect the Constitutional rights of all, promote peace and security, and ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a world as beautiful as the one we now share.”

“The Congressional Progressive Caucus will be proud to have you as a member,” said Congressman Raul Grijalva, AZ, Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-chair.

For more information on the Congressional Progressive Caucus, please visit their website.

Contact:
Rosalind Moffett
(813) 385-8605
www.teamtudor.org
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Ignorance Doesn’t Matter?

In response to this editorial recommendation, http://www.newschief.com/article/20100820/NEWS/8205021/1011, I submitted the following rebuttal letter.

I commend The News Chief for its honesty in its recent Democratic primary recommendation.  Basically, the headline could have read, “She’s Ignorant, But She’s Our Ignorant.”

When speaking of me, the recommendation stated: “He also is confident, forceful, opinionated and knowledgeable about the key issues of the day.”

When speaking of my opponent, the article stated:  “She wasn’t as well prepared as Tutor (sic) or particularly up to date on several of the issues, particularly immigration and national security.”

All in all, the article concludes the voters should cast their ballot on a candidate’s residency in Polk County, even though the district itself covers 2,000 square miles and parts of three counties.

I will keep this residency recommendation in mind as I attend Saturday’s services for District 12 resident, PFC Paul Cuzzupe, who was killed in action in Afghanistan.  While my opponent may be ignorant on national security, and while the News Chief may feel that only Polk County matters, I beg to differ.  PFC Cuzzupe was from Seffner in Hillsborough County which is about 16 miles west of County Line Road.  He died some 7,000 miles away from Polk County.

The citizens of this district need a representative who is “confident, forceful, opinionated and knowledgeable about the key issues of the day.”  In the News Chief’s own words, I am that candidate.

Very respectfully,

Doug Tudor

Democratic Candidate, FL-12

Progressive Democrats of America Support Doug Tudor!

August 5, 2010

Friends,

Last Thursday night, Progressive Democrats of America held their Inside the Party Conference Call.  I am excited to tell you that Progressive Democrats from across the country unanimously endorsed my campaign for congress!

In 2008, I received their national endorsement as well.  When I learned I had again been selected, I offered this:

“I am humbled and honored to once again be endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of America.  PDA’s national endorsement means Team Tudor can add over 70,000 activists to the hundreds of grassroots supporters already on the ground in Central Florida.  It is a clear marker for every primary voter in FL-12 that I am representing the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.”

Founded in 2004, Progressive Democrats of America has sought to build a party and government that is controlled by citizens, not corporate elites.  By working within and outside the Democratic party for peace and justice, PDA helped to bring about stunning victories in 2006 and 2008.  By electing Progressive Democrats and working with the Congressional Progressive  Caucus already in Washington, PDA has already made worked on major issues such as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, voter rights, accountability and economic and environmental justice.  Visit pdamerica.org to learn more and become involved in your local chapter.

Our campaign is working on the ground every day to bring our winning message to voters.  Please pledge today – right now – to contribute to our campaign with your time, talent, and treasure.  We need each of the three “T’s.”  Please go to www.teamtudor.org to pledge your support and to let us know how you can help.

Your brother, Doug

Florida Prospers Supports Doug Tudor for Congress!

Doug Tudor for Congress is proud to have the endorsement of Florida Prospers.  Please read the email they sent out to their members, below:

“Doug Tudor is a retired Navy Master Chief and a successful businessman.  In the Navy, Doug achieved the highest enlisted rank and served us overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Now Floridians can help him serve us here at home.

Doug is pragmatic. When we spoke about the election he commented, “I realize not everyone is in a position, personally or financially, to run for Congress.  I’m no millionaire but I’m blessed and I have the opportunity to run again and I’d be remiss if I did not act when America has so many problems and is paralyzed by partisan politics.”  In 2008, he ran for U.S. Congress in Florida’s District 12 against one of the most partisan politicians in Florida, Congressman Adam Putnam.  Despite campaigning against an incumbent with 18 times more money, Doug received a stunning 42.5% of the vote. Doug Tudor’s performance seems to have caused Congressman Putnam to re-evaluate his re-election; Putnam chose not run again for Congress.

This year, Doug Tudor is running for an open Congressional seat, one he nearly won two years ago. Unfortunately, partisan politics is stronger than ever. The Florida Democratic Party has chosen favoritism over leadership and has advanced a primary challenger against Doug.  FloridaProspers and Doug Tudor are here to stand against party favoritism and promote sound leadership for our state.

Seizing the open seat opportunity that Doug created, career politician Lori Edwards jumped in the race to challenge Doug in the Democratic primary.  It is important to note, Doug received more votes in his first campaign than Lori has received cumulatively in 7 election cycles over almost 20 years as a politician.  That is an impressive statistic!

In the November election the winner will need fewer votes than Doug earned in the District in 2008.  This is one of the many and practical reasons FloridaProspers supports Doug Tudor for Congress in Florida’s District 12.

If you live in District 12, then you are fortunate to have an excellent candidate and Floridians need you to vote for Doug. If you live outside of Polk, Hillsborough, and Osceola counties and do not have a contested race for Congress in your area, then we ask you to help Doug win his primary on August 24th with a contribution. http://www.teamtudor.org

FloridaProspers when we chose the best representatives for our state. Together we can replace the influence of partisanship and special interests by contributing $10, $25 or $50 a month from now until November so that all of Florida can celebrate victory on Nov. 2nd. Join our cause and we won’t stop until FloridaProspers. Thank you, The Board”

Coalition of Doug Tudor, RFK Jr., Gulf Coast groups, and 60,000 Americans Asks President Obama to Stop bp From Blocking Clean-Up Workers From Wearing Respirators Around Toxic Fumes

“BP Makes Me Sick Coalition” is covered by New York Times,
Washington Post, MSNBC, Louisiana media, and others

Riverview, Florida – July 12, 2010 – Since last Thursday, 60,000 Americans have joined Doug Tudor, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Gulf Coast groups, and others on a new coalition asking President Obama to stop bp from blocking clean-up workers from wearing respirators around toxic fumes.

MaryLee Orr, executive director of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, says clean-up workers are being “fired for using safety equipment. bp is afraid they will admit some sort of liability, that there’s a problem in the air, if they allow workers to use the respirators.”

The coalition was organized by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and also includes 10 members of Congress, 4 Senate candidates, 27 House candidates, and groups like the United Commercial Fisherman and Louisiana Shrimpers Association.  MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann described it on his show Friday: “A new coalition of environmental and fishing groups has launched a site called BPMakesMeSick.com, petitioning President Obama to make bp give the workers respirators.”

Thousands of Americans will call the White House this week, asking for President Obama’s intervention.

Doug Tudor, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Florida’s 12th Congressional District, was among the first partners to join this coalition, which is gaining momentum by the day.

“Florida’s residents are sick of this catastrophe of greed.  The workers trying to clean up the mess shouldn’t be sickened also,” said Doug Tudor.

The full coalition statement says, “We cannot let the denial of protective gear that hurt so many 9/11 clean-up workers happen again with the Gulf clean-up workers.  President Obama and the federal government must demand that BP allow every clean-up worker who wants to wear respiratory protective equipment to do so — and ensure that workers get the equipment and training they need to do their jobs safely.”

Media reports below.


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Media Reports

Round TUIT

Friends,

Today is the last day of the financial reporting period for the second quarter of 2010.  As you are actively involved in politics and political campaigns, you will receive dozens of emails today from candidates requesting money.  Each of these campaigns will ask for your support in a dramatic tone, as if their fundraising bottom line is the bottom line for their campaign.

You and I know that fundraising is only one indicator of a campaign’s support.  A more reliable indicator to me is how many people are supporting a campaign.  In other words, I would prefer to receive $20.00 from 120 people, than to receive $2,400.00 from 1 person.  The total is the same, but the breadth of support is dramatically different.  From day one our campaign has relied on you, not the big money interest.  I have run to be Your Choice, Not Washington’s.

Fifty-Four is the Magic Number


As of this writing, we are 54 contributions away from having 500 contributions this quarter.  Paradoxically, there are 54 days remaining until our primary against a Conservative Blue Dog.

I would be honored to report that we received over 500 contributions this quarter.  Please consider contributing before midnight tonight.  If you have already contributed this quarter, thank you.  Please consider helping us again.  If you have not contributed this quarter, because you have been waiting to get around to it – here is your “Round TUIT.”

Round TUIT

I appreciate all you have done for our grassroots campaign.  Let’s keep pressing the fight and together we will win this election and continue to move our country forward.

Your Brother,

Doug Tudor
www.teamtudor.org
To contribute via ActBlue – CLICK HERE

Hands Across the Sands

Friends,

On Saturday, TeamTudor had a great activist day.  Throughout the past two-and-a-half years of our campaign to bring true representation to Florida’s 12th Congressional District, we have always known it is the grassroots supporters and activists, not the big money interests, which eventually bring about the change our nation needs.  Saturday was no exception; indeed, it was a shining example.

I was extremely proud on Saturday to stand on St Pete Beach with hundreds of Tampa Bay residents to highlight “Hands Across The Sand.”  During our time on the beach to make this symbolic stand, one thing was very evident; the enthusiasm of activism was matched only by the outrage against the destruction of our beaches by corporate profiteers.  I have no doubt; our vision of an oil-free future will prevail.  It won’t happen tomorrow, but we will prevail.

HAS


As so many of you know, I made a career in the military.  Accordingly, I view most issues through a lens of national security.  Today I have included a Letter-to-the-Editor penned and shared with me by Colonel Dan Nolan, U.S. Army (Retired).  In 2002, Colonel Noland and I served together on the personal staff of General Tommy Franks; Commander, U.S. Central Command.

After you read this note, please consider contributing to our grassroots campaign to bring “Proven, Principled Leadership” to Washington.

Here’s the Colonel’s LTE:

Can We Break Free of Oil’s Grip?

Shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, pundits and political leaders raised the alarm that dependence on oil had brought this tragedy to our shores. The editorials and speeches against foreign oil filled every newsstand and podium. Despite all the heat, no light was shed on breaking that dependence.
The fact is, even if we Americans had the discipline and willingness to make the sacrifices required to break ourselves of our billion-dollar-a-day habit, other nations would quickly fill the gap and money would continue to flow to countries and regimes that did not have a great deal of love for America.
This debate is not about foreign oil; it is about all oil. For transportation, we have no option but oil. We have talked about it for decades, but invested little in it. We do provide about $35 billion annually to oil companies in the form of subsidies and tax breaks. Oil remains the only strategic commodity for which we will fight wars. Having spent 26 years in uniform with the attendant education and experience, I feel qualified to speak to the national security implications of our energy insecurity.
Today, almost a decade after the horrendous events of that Tuesday morning, another tragedy is coming to our shores. The disaster brought about by our unquenchable thirst and BP’s ineptness are bringing waves of oil to our shores. The impact of the heartbreaking sight of sea life and beautiful beaches being destroyed should spur in all of us desire to change. In military parlance, the purpose of tactics is to make the other guy run out of options first. We are the other guy and we have run out of options.
If we are serious about reducing our national security risk and the loss of the lives of our sons and daughters, we must be willing to sacrifice. If we want to keep at home the billion dollars a day we send overseas for oil we must pay the price for alternatives. If we want to prevent the next Deepwater Horizon we must eliminate the unquenchable thirst that forces us to suck our SUV life blood out of an ocean floor a mile down. We must hold our political leadership and ourselves accountable. We all know the litany of what must be done. The question is, do Americans still have what it takes to win this Gulf War?
Dan Nolan, Valrico

Today’s firing of General Stanley McChrystal was bittersweet for me.

Today’s firing of General Stanley McChrystal was bittersweet for me. I was proud to see President Obama assert a basic tenet of our republic – civilian control of the military. I was saddened to see him recommit our country to the same failed strategy of counter-insurgency in Afghanistan. In the President’s words, “This is a change in personnel, but it is not a change in policy.”

As most of you know, I am a retired Navy Master Chief. In the final six years of my career I served on the personal staff of three Commanders, U.S. Central Command – General Tommy Franks, USA; General John Abizaid, USA; and Admiral William Fallon, USN. With these four-star officers, I deployed to Afghanistan 33 times.

Though I have travelled throughout the world, Afghanistan is without a doubt the most desolate, undeveloped country I have ever seen. As a member of our travelling team used to say as we flew from Islamabad, Pakistan to Bagram, Afghanistan, “This is the only time you can fly for two hours and go back nine centuries.”

The policy President Obama affirmed today is called counter-insurgency. Counter-insurgency is a very complicated strategy where we try to win “hearts and minds” via military action and overall nation-building. In other words, if we kill bad guys and build roads, the overall population will decide to support us.

Counter-insurgency won’t work in Afghanistan. Anyone who believes it will does not understand the lives, time, and money that must be committed. I also contend supporters of counter-insurgency do not actually support the vast investment America must make. Counter-insurgency will cost America trillions of dollars, thousands of lives, and an untold amount of international goodwill.

When elected to Congress, I will vote against any and all funding that continues the war in Afghanistan. Plain, simple, and period!

If you agree with me, please consider contributing to our grassroots campaign at “Your Choice, Not Washington’s.” Your Choice, Not Washington’s.

Your Brother, Doug

Your Choice, Not Washington’s!

Today I received a mass email from Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz asking me to support my Blue Dog Conservative primary opponent. Clearly, my Blue Dog Conservative primary opponent is Washington’s choice, but she shouldn’t be yours!

You have often heard me describe our campaign for the U.S. House, as a “People-Powered” one. Today, I want to give you an actual feel for that term. During our 2010 campaign, we have received 1,170 individual contributions. Our average contribution has been around $30.00.

That’s a People-Powered Campaign!

Over the past three weekends, our volunteers have given their time to brave the Florida heat to knock on over 3,000 doors.

That’s a People-Powered Campaign!

While phone-banking, those 3,000 doors have been followed by over 500 calls.

That’s a People-Powered Campaign!

In her email, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz asked the recipients to give $72, $144, or $216. I don’t know why she chose those numbers. In the past you have received requests from me to give $12 (for Florida’s 12th District), $20.10 (for the election year), and $47 (my age).

Today, I am asking you to contribute $20.00, as FL-20 is Wasserman-Schultz’ district. If everyone receiving this request contributes $20.00, we will raise over $22,000.00 in one day.

That’s a People-Powered Campaign!

This will be the clearest way for us to make it known that the voters of Florida’s 12th District will pick our representative, not Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and other Washington insiders.

Over the next several days, I am going to send you a few more notes outlining why Debbie, who is in a safe D+13 district, is supporting a Conservative. Trust me, it is not her first time she has backed candidates that are opposed to the hope and change for which we worked so hard in 2008. With your $20.00 contribution, we can send a clear message that it should be her last.

Please contribute $20.00 today at “Your Choice, Not Washington’s!”

I appreciate all you have done, are doing, and will do.

Your Brother, Doug

Hurricane Season Begins

Friends,

I am sure you are aware, but I want to emphasize the 2010 Hurricane Season begins today and lasts until November 30.  The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts this year’s season will be “active to extremely active.”  For the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, NOAA projects a 70 percent probability of 14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher).  These storms could include 8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which 3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph).

For those of us who resided in Central Florida during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, we know there is only one thing better than luck and it is preparation.  Please take a few minutes in the next few days to get you and your family organized for this season.  As you know, if you wait until a storm is upon us, you will invariably not be able to get the items and make the preparations you need.

Below are a few links, which will help you prepare for any storm as well as keeping you informed about approaching weather systems.

Lastly, as you prepare your own family, please consider those in our community who may need special assistance – the elderly, the poor, and the disabled.  Publix and other retail outlets have programs allowing you to contribute to the greater community as you buy your personal supplies.

Be prepared, be aware, and be ready.  As the military taught me time and again, “Hope is not a course of action.”

Your Brother, Doug

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Doug Tudor is a retired Navy Master Chief. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.

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