April 26, 2006

From Last Call: Brown Drops From RI SEN

RI Sec/State Matt Brown (D) dropped out of the SEN race, "citing money problems" (AP).

The Hotline's Last Call!

Brown:

Today, I am ending my own campaign for United States Senate -- but the goal remains the same. These days, it takes an enormous amount of money to run a Senate campaign, and I simply will not have the resources in the final stretch to run successfully.

Full letter to supporters after the jump.

ar Supporter,

When I began this campaign, it was with the goal of sending another Democrat from Rhode Island to serve in Washington. Today, I am ending my own campaign for United States Senate - but the goal remains the same. These days, it takes an enormous amount of money to run a Senate campaign, and I simply will not have the resources in the final stretch to run successfully.

I want to thank my extraordinary staff and all the people who have supported my campaign which began just over a year ago with about 50 friends and family in our living room. You have worked so hard and been so committed to this campaign and I will never forget it.

I first ran for office four years ago because, based on my experience in community service, I believed that working in government was a good way to make a difference in our communities and our country. I still believe that.

In my final year as Rhode Island's Secretary of State, I will continue to work to increase civic participation, improve our elections, help people start new businesses and make government more open and accountable.

I also believe there other ways to make a difference beyond government service - and I look forward to finding a way to do my part to serve. Like many people, when I look at the challenges before us, I am worried about what the future holds for my child and for all our children.

I will continue to work for the things I talked about in this campaign.
First and foremost, we must bring our troops home from Iraq. Because setting a timetable to withdraw our troops is the best chance we have of compelling the Iraqi leaders to stabilize the dangerous situation there. Because we need to restore our military strength which has been depleted by this operation in Iraq, so that we are equipped to deal with real threats to our security. Because the billions of dollars we're spending in Iraq would be better spent ensuring that Americans can get good affordable health care and education so that they can move up and make a good life for themselves and their families. And because it would begin to restore our moral authority in the world so we can lead the charge to tackle the serious global challenges facing us in this century - including nuclear proliferation, global warming and disease pandemic. I called for the troops to come home last August for all of these reasons. It is even more evident today that this is what we need to do and I will continue to work to make it happen.

One way we can all work to ensure a better future for our children is to elect more Democrats to the Senate. The core principal of the Democratic Party is the basic principal of this country - that everyone, whatever their background, should get a chance to make a good life and give their children a good future. To live up to this principal and make our country what we want it to be, we need more Democrats in Washington, Democrats like Jack Reed. Jack Reed cares deeply about the people of this state, understands what they're up against and works tirelessly to give them a better chance at a good life.

I am pleased today to announce my full support for our Democratic candidate for Senate - Sheldon Whitehouse. Sheldon and I were friends and colleagues for 10 years, going back to our work together at City Year - we've been on opposite sides of a political campaign for just a year. I never lost my longstanding respect for his character or ability. Sheldon is a good man, who loves his family and his state, is deeply committed to public service and will do the right thing for Rhode Islanders. I will do everything I can to help elect him and I know that Sheldon Whitehouse will be a great Senator for Rhode Island.

Matt
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Posted at 04:21 PM

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