For Immediate Release

Fifty-two congressional candidates and 18 activist organizations are opposing any more funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and inviting more candidates, incumbents, and organizations to join them.  The 52 candidates, from 21 different states, include 19 Democrats, 16 Libertarians, 15 Greens, 2 Independents, and 0 Republicans (and more may be added to the website by the time you read this).  Forty-six are candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, and six for the Senate.

They do not all agree with each other on many topics, including their reasons for opposing war spending.  But they all back this short statement:

“The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost Americans over $1 trillion in direct costs, and over $3 trillion altogether.  At a time when our national debt exceeds $13 trillion, we can no longer afford these wars.  It’s time for Congress to reject any funding except to bring all our troops safely home.”

The Coalition Against War Spending ( http://warisacrime.org/caws ) has posted online a variety of divergent statements — in text and video — from signers elaborating on their reasons for opposing war spending.  A wide ideological spectrum finds consensus around opposing more spending to continue or escalate the current wars.  The coalition is inviting any congressional candidate, incumbent or challenger, and any national organization to join.

This announcement comes just as Congress is set to vote on whether to spend another $33.5 billion in an off-the-books “emergency” supplemental spending bill to escalate a war in Afghanistan that polls show a majority of Americans opposes.

Initial members of the Coalition Against War Spending (being added to at http://warisacrime.org/caws ) are:

Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives:
Nick Coons, AZ-05, Tempe/Scottsdale, Libertarian
Rebecca Schneider, AZ-06, Phoenix, Democrat
Carol Wolman, CA-01, northwest corner, Green
Clint Curtis, CA-04, northeast corner, Democrat
Ben Emery, CA-04, Nevada City, Green
Mark Williams, CA-12, San Carlos, Libertarian
Mary V. Larkin, CA-17, Monterey, Libertarian
Les Marsden, CA-19, Yosemite/Mariposa, Democrat
Randall Weissbuch, CA-26, Arcadia, Libertarian
Marcy Winograd, CA-36, Los Angeles, Democrat
William Hedrick, CA-44, Riverside/San Clemente, Democrat
Ken Arnold, CA-46, Orange and L.A., Democrat
Mike Paster, CA-49, Fallbrook, Libertarian
Tracy Emblem, CA-50, San Diego, Democrat
Michael Benoit, CA-52, San Diego, Libertarian
Gary Swing, CO-01, Denver, Green
G. Scott Deshefy, CT-02, New London, Green
Doug Tudor, FL-12, Riverview et al, Democrat
Marleine Bastien, FL-17, North Miami, Democrat
Regina Thomas, GA-12, Savannah, Democrat
Matt Reichel, IL-05, Chicago, Green
Bill Scheurer, IL-08, Lindenhurst, Green / Independent
Rodger Jennings, IL-12, Alton, Green
Doug Marks, IL-14, Carpentersville, Libertarian
Sheldon Schafer, IL-18, Peoria, Green
John Wayne Cunningham, IN-08, Terre Haute, Libertarian
James E. “Jim” Holbert, KY-05, London, Democrat
Peter White, MA-10, Cape Cod, Independent
Michael Cavlan, MN-05, Minneapolis, Independent Progressive
Kevin Craig, MO-07, Springfield, Libertarian
Thomas Hill, NC-08, Fayetteville, Libertarian
Lon Cecil, NC-12, High Point, Libertarian
Jonathan Tasini, NY-15, New York City, Democrat
Emin Eddie Egriu, NY-28, Buffalo, Democrat
Ebert G. Beeman, PA-03, Lake Erie, Libertarian
Vernon Etzel, PA-05, Oil City, Libertarian
Ed Bortz, PA-14, Pittsburgh, Green
David Segal, RI-01, Democrat
Eric Schechter, TN-05, Nashville, Democrat
Martin Nitschke, TX-23, El Paso to San Antonio, Libertarian
John Jay Myers, TX-32, Dallas, Libertarian
Claudia Wright, UT-02, Salt Lake City, Democrat
Ron Fisher, VA-08, Arlington, Independent Green/Progressive
Larry Kalb, WA-02, northwest corner, Democrat
Diana McGinness, WA-02, Bellingham, Democrat
Roy Olson, WA-09, Olympia, Green

Candidates for U.S. Senate:
Duane Roberts, CA, Green
John Finger, CO, Libertarian
Bob Kinsey, CO, Green
Cecile Lawrence, NY, Green
Mel Packer, PA, Green
Ben Masel, WI, Democrat (2012)

Organizations:
Backbone Campaign
CODE PINK: Women for Peace
Consumers for Peace
The Democratic Activist
Democrats.com
Global Exchange
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
Jobs for Afghans
Justice Through Music
Liberty Tree
Peace Majority Report
Progressive Democrats of America
Progressive Push
Velvet Revolution
Veterans For Peace
Voters For Peace
War Criminals Watch
WarIsACrime.org

For more information about Doug Tudor, Democrat, for Florida’s 12th District, contact Chief of Staff, Rosalind Moffett, (813) 385-8605 or visit www.teamtudor.org.

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Doug Tudor retired from the Navy in the spring of 2008 and successfully grew his name recognition to garner 42% of the vote in November, 2008, against the third-ranking Republican in the House.  Grassroots support continues to build momentum for Mr. Tudor’s 2010 bid for District 12’s open seat.

Operation Free is an organization of military veterans who bring their unique perspective to the discussion surrounding national security and energy policy.  Their mission is clear, “Secure America with Clean Energy.”  Operation Free works to underscore the connection between our dependence on carbon-based fuels and terrorists’ funding, as well as the ways in which we can move towards producing clean energy as a country.

Doug is proud to be a State Leader for Operation Free in Florida.  In discussing their mission, Doug said, “The American people have to understand that dependence on fossil fuels puts out servicemen and women in harm’s way on a daily basis.  We have to use innovation, combining the talents of the public and private sectors, to move our country forward with clean energy.”

For additional information on Operation Free’s stop in Tampa, contact Eric Erens, eric@credomobile.blackberry.com.  For addition information on Operation Free, contact James Whitaker (202) 216-9723 or on the web at www.operationfree.net.

Contact:

Rosalind Moffett, Chief of Staff
Doug Tudor, Democrat, for Congress Campaign
813-385-8605
http://www.teamtudor.org

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The momentum of our campaign is growing exponentially.  We are proud to unveil our new, improved, and winning website.  Please give us your feedback.

Our new website will allow us to take our campaign to return representative democracy to Florida’s 12th District to a new level.  As you look around the site, I think you will be impressed by the many contact tools and networking opportunities.

As our campaign has continued to grow, we knew that our website also needed to grow.  We were very lucky to join forces with ServeBlue.  ServeBlue is a campaign branding and marketing company that integrates social networking technology into political campaigns for progressive candidates.  Their team of designers, writers, bloggers, and social networking specialists become internet canvassers by utilizing onsite and third party social media to raise awareness, increase contributions, and promote issues consistent with our campaign’s message.  That is how ServeBlue is Powering Progressive Campaigns, and we are very proud to partner with them. In plain English, ServeBlue knows how to help winning campaigns win campaigns.

Our campaign is growing on a daily basis, and we invite you to join us. As I have said at every stop for over two years, we need your time, talent, and treasure.  Please join us tonight: whether you are contributing time, talent, or treasure – Please Contribute “Liberally.”

If you have never contributed to our campaign, please do so now.

If you are a committed supporter, I am asking you to once again contribute. Every contribution — $5.00, $25.00, or $100.00 – will allow us to spread our progressive message throughout this 2,000 square-mile district.  We need your help, and I know I can count on you. Please Contribute Now!

In less than nine months, voters in our district will choose a new Representative.  This is our best chance in 10 years to send a working man to the people’s house.  Please do not let this chance pass us by.  Please Contribute Now!

I am proud to be your candidate; I will be proud to be your nominee once again; and I will make you proud as your Representative.

Thank you for all you have done, are doing, and will do.

Your brother, Doug

Tonight, we Democrats lost the U.S. Senate seat that had been held for nearly five decades by America’s Senator, Ted Kennedy, and his brother, John F. Kennedy, before him. Shame on us.

Shame on us for not more actively highlighting the many areas where we Democrats help America’s working families. We are the party that wants to reform healthcare. We are the party that wants to provide quality education to all children. We are the party that respects the rights of all Americans — women, GLBT, and minorities. We are the party that demands the rule of law, even in the face of horrendous enemies.

We are the majority party, no matter what any single election might show. We need to exercise our majority power so that the Americans who benefit by our policies will fully understand which party is consistently waging the fight on their behalf. We need to ensure all Americans understand there is only one party, the Democrats, who are on their side.

The election of Scott Brown as the junior senator from Massachusetts will result in many Democratic philosophical quandaries. We should never, though, come to the conclusion that Progressive politics suffered a defeat. As our friend, Alan Grayson, has declared “If the only choice the people have, is between a Republican and a make-believe Republican, the voters will always pick the real deal.” We have to continue to press our Progressive agenda, as it is the only way America will move forward to truly fulfill America’s mandate as the “glimmering city on the hill.”

Thank you for all you have done and will do to make our great nation “A More Perfect Union.”

While the vast majority of us will never have to experience the extreme conditions and hardships being faced by the Haitian people, I would like to remind you to also consider the impact the earthquake is having on your coworkers and neighbors.

People all over the 12th District are heavily involved in the relief efforts. Some of our neighbors are working overtime for not-for-profits like the American Red Cross. Others are using their personal wealth and vast connections to arrange transportation for doctors and medical supplies to Haiti. Still others are using their knowledge and training to spread the word about the various means of assistance available for those wanting to help.

Due to my career in the Navy, I know for certain that the men and women of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and the 6th Medical Group – all stationed at MacDill Air Force Base – are working around the clock to aid in the recovery and relief efforts. Just today, the 6th Medical Group deployed personnel to Haiti to perform medical, logistical, and administrative functions.

These are our neighbors and they need our support. Please take a minute to speak with your neighbor to see what assistance they might need, to see if their family members are doing alright, and to see if there is a way that you might lessen the stress and strain they might be experiencing.

Every day of my life, I am proud to be an American. Today, I am especially proud to see Dr. King’s legacy of service being displayed by Americans, Floridians, and our neighbors.

Please continue to do everything in your power to assist in this ongoing effort.

Upon learning of this major endorsement, Tudor stated “I am proud to stand with the Teamsters as we work together to improve the quality of life, pension protections, and workplace safety standards for all workers. The Teamsters have played an important role in building our nation, and they will continue to be a major social, economic, and political force well into the future.”

Doug is a retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, which is the senior enlisted rank of E9. He retired on February 29, 2008, and he was the Democratic nominee for the same seat in 2008. He ran against third-ranking Republican Adam Putnam and garnered over 137,000 votes. His effort was the second best in the state for any challenger that didn’t take the seat, and his race had the best dollar-to-vote ratio in the state.

During his Navy career, Doug served in a variety of assignments afloat and ashore, in and out of the United States. His final tour of duty was at Headquarters, U.S. Central Command on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. During eight years at Central Command, Doug served as the Flag Writer, or Senior Administrative Assistant, for three Commanders – General Tommy Franks, USA; General John Abizaid, USA; and Admiral William Fallon, USN. He is a veteran of the combat zones of Afghanistan, Iraq, eastern Africa, and the Levant.

Florida’s 12th Congressional District encompasses east Hillsborough County, most of Polk County, and west Osceola County. The District has a Democratic-majority registration and is considered a key race in the 2010 cycle.

The Teamsters have a 106-year history of organizing and educating workers so they will attain a higher standard of living. Internationally, they have over 1.4 million members.

Democratic U.S. House candidate Doug Tudor today publically called on fellow candidate Randy Edwards to withdraw from the race for the open seat in Florida’s 12th Congressional District.

Tudor claimed, “By actively campaigning, speaking to groups, and requesting monetary contributions to his campaign, Major Edwards is in clear violation of Department of Defense Directives regarding political activities by members of the Armed Forces,”

Over the course of the past week, Edwards addressed various gatherings of Democrats. He did so at the Florida Democratic Party’s annual conference in Orlando this past weekend, as well as speaking to the Polk County Democratic Executive Committee in Bartow on Monday night and the East Hillsborough Democratic Club in Brandon on Tuesday night. At each event, Edwards declared that he is still on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, and he solicited monetary contributions to his campaign.

“Anyone with even the slightest knowledge of military regulations knows that having a strict ban on military members injecting themselves into partisan politics is vital to the sanctity of America’s civilian-led military,” said Tudor. He continued, “As a retired Navy Master Chief, it disturbed me to see an active-duty Marine officer trying to gain such an important office, who either didn’t know any better or deliberately violated the regulations.”

Edwards was granted a waiver signed by the Secretary of the Navy, which clearly stated that while he could file for candidacy, he was restricted from “open and active campaigning and all behind-the-scenes activities.”

Though Edwards’ infractions are punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 92, “Failure to Obey Order or Regulation,” Tudor stated, “I don’t want to see this junior officer punished. I just want to ensure that the political autonomy of our nation’s great military isn’t called into question, whether by intent or by ignorance.”

The regulation governing “Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces” is Department of Defense Directive Number 1344.10 dated February 19, 2008. It is available on the web.

As we prepare to enter the dog days of August, TeamTudor is also making many preparations to return representative democracy to Florida’s 12th Congressional District.

Doug Tudor for Congress 2010 has completed its campaign plan. We have completed the design of our new campaign materials. We have scheduled our initial house parties, and we are making fundraising calls.

In other words, our grassroots campaign is moving quickly. These are exciting times.

I am asking you to show your support early by signing up for email updates, by making suggestions as we move forward, and by making a contribution to the campaign.

Please Contribute Now!.

As we have already seen from the other candidates in this race, there is quite a bit of special interest and lobbying money flowing into their coffers. I much prefer my contributions to come from you — the voters.

Please Contribute Now!.

No amount is too small, and, if at all possible, please consider making your $10, $20, or $35 contribution a recurring one. This will allow you to show your monthly support of our progressive campaign.

Nothing scares career politicians more than a determined and committed electorate demanding change.

Nothing scares conservative, status quo politicians more than an active, grassroots movement demanding change.

Nothing scares the political establishment more than a campaign that is willing to speak truth to power.

We did great things together in 2008, and now is the time to seal the deal by preparing for our victory in 2010. We can take back our government, and we can take it back together.

Please Contribute Now!.

You will be hearing more from me in the coming weeks and months, and you will see a new design for our website. I look forward to working with you again, and I absolutely, positively know we can succeed together.

You should be very proud of what you accomplished during the 2008 election season. Your hard work, your dedication, and your perseverance are a credit to your patriotism and your belief in the electoral process.

I thank you. I am proud of you. I stand in awe of you. Thank you for all you did for our last campaign, for all that you will do for this campaign, and for all that you will continue to do for our great country.

Your brother, Doug