Mike Waltner Introduction

 

Hi Everyone - thanks for taking the time to join our chat.  Here is an introduction, feel free to ask any and all questions - Mike. 

I believe that to lead is to serve. By this I mean that service in Congress should be rooted in service to ordinary people. This is an idea that has been forgotten in national politics as well as right here in Northwest PA under Phil English’s inept leadership. 

Right now our government serves the people at the front of the line, those with the most money, power, and clout. It is not representing the rest of us. I’m running to represent the people who feel they haven’t had a voice in our government.  

Like many families in Northwest Pennsylvania, my family’s experience has been one of struggle. My grandfather, a steel worker, was killed building the same hospital, St. Vincents, where my daughter was recently born. My Grandmother, a single mother before the term was invented, put her neck on the line, and lost her job because she organized a local hospitality workers union. To this day, my mother works the graveyard shift at a gas station because she can’t afford to retire. Things were difficult, I learned that I had to work hard in order to succeed and get what I want. Right now I don’t have healthcare, like more than 40,000 people in this district.

This experience is far too common in this region. We can’t accept it anymore, and this is at the heart of why I want to be your representative in Congress.

This is why I have given my life to service, because I understand the needs people face everyday, and I know how we can work together to solve them. I’ve spent my entire career on the frontlines of the most pressing social issues that face us everyday. After attending Penn State I worked here at Sara Reed Children’s Center helping children with mental disabilities. 

I was attending Union Theological Center in New York when the 9/11 attacks happened, and I went the next day to pray with the victims. Seeing this first hand, smelling it, seeing families searching desperately for their loved ones, changed my life. At the same time, mired in this tragedy, the essence of the American spirit shone through.  

I have never witnessed anything as powerful as the unity displayed on September 12th. Regrettably, what we failed to do as a country was to move forward with a new politics rooted in the spirit of September 12th, where in the midst of tragedy we came together ready to overcome any obstacle, to meet any challenge. I have seen the passion that all of us have to make our country better. 

This experience prompted me to delay my plans to enter the ordained ministry and to become a public servant. Accordingly, I decided to pursue service opportunities as Director of Operations at the Interfaith Center, working to solve problems such as poverty, health care access, and domestic violence. Here, I pioneered innovative programs to tackle the issues that people face. 

This position required me to navigate very complex situations, working with people of all faith beliefs, from all parts of the world. The basic function of this job was bringing people together while respecting their differences, and the integrity of their beliefs – but at the same time working together towards common goals. If you think bringing together feuding politicians is hard, try, as I have, bringing together religious and community leaders with deep historical divides and strong personal grievances. 

I think I can safely say that I am the only candidate in this race with direct experience working with all segments of society: individuals, politicians, religious leaders, business leaders, and community activists, to create proactive solutions based on our common interests. 

This seat requires someone who shares the values and concerns of the residents of this region, and at the same time has the ability to comprehend the complexity of an increasingly globalized world. I understand the challenges of the 21^st Century and I know how we can work together in Northwest Pennsylvania to meet them.

 

­IRAQ

The war in Iraq is a disastrous blunder, and a failed policy by the Bush administration. Voters in the 2006 election sent a clear message to Congress that they wanted an end to the war. 

I will fight to bring our troops home in no longer than 12 months. I will use the power of the purse, voting only for funding that is tied to a concrete timetable. This is not a retreat, it is a strategic redeployment. 

We need to begin an aggressive diplomatic push, including all regional powers, and bring in an international peacekeeping force in to help our transition. We must rest the troops who have served multiple tours, and strengthen our presence in Afghanistan, particularly on the border with Pakistan. 

We have spent nearly half a trillion dollars on this war, and if we keep going we could spend a trillion. A recent report showed that we spend $12 billion per month on this war, think about what we could do with that money back here at home.

 

 

Local Jobs

Things have not been good here for some time now. In the last year Pennsylvania has lost more than 12,000 manufacturing jobs. In this region, we have lost more than half of our manufacturing jobs in the past 30 years. Luckily, there is something we can do about this. We stand at the cusp of the next great transition in the American economy, in which green development will play a leading role. We need to transition and upgrade our manufacturing capacities to meet the needs of this 21^st Century economy. 

Northwest Pennsylvania is uniquely suited to take advantage of this, with our long history of ingenuity, manufacturing prowess, and hard work. With the right leadership, we can make this region a national and international center for green jobs. To do this we need to support heightened incentives for all companies, especially small businesses that invest in and energy efficient products, and help with worker training. 

Right here, GE makes the best, cleanest locomotives in the world. There is already a tremendous amount of interest abroad in their Evolution series locomotives. We took a step in the right direction recently, as the EPA established new heightened emissions regulations – this will greatly benefit GE Transportation and will spawn innovation. We need to take further steps to ensure that GE and other local companies become leading international and national manufacturers. 

 

We can also work with our already vibrant building industry to make the transition to sustainable building. We should offer incentives and help our companies gain green building certification from the National Association of Home Builders. 

We still have time to be at the front of this market – and our companies can export their services and consult across the country. Another thing we can do is make Lake Erie a center for wind energy, which will benefit the environment and the local economy, as we have companies here that produce wind turbines. 

 

Health Care

I believe that health care is a human right and America needs action now to help solve our national health care crisis. It is a moral imperative and an economic necessity that we move in the direction of true universal health coverage. I am the only candidate who supports the implementation of a single-payer universal health care system, which would correct this crisis and reduce the burdens of high health care premiums on small businesses throughout the nation. I support the implementation of HR 676, which already has nearly 90 supporters in the House of Representatives, and will have considerably more support after the upcoming elections. This is not socialized medicine, it is civilized medicine. 

 

As I mentioned earlier, I am a firm believer that “To lead is to serve.” This is why I have been focusing all of my campaign’s considerable resources to building the largest grassroots operation in this race. This way I can gain direct access to the voters of this district, so I can hear your voice and share with you my vision for positive change in this country and this district.

Every Saturday we have nearly 20 volunteers and interns hit the streets going door-to-door. To date we have already knocked on over 7,000 doors, making direct contact with over 13,000 individual voters.  Our operation is constantly growing as we convey our message. We will hit at least 25,000 doors by April 22^nd. I am the only candidate doing this, and the only candidate who can do this.  

I am also the only candidate in this race with a national fundraising base. In fact, the success of our grassroots campaign is bringing in new donors every day. I’ve just launched the “Change You Bank On” fundraising campaign, which allows more people to get involved by making small contributions.

We are doing this to ensure that Phil English is no longer our Congressman on January 1^st, 2009. None of us can do this alone, but we can do it together. There is too much at stake for all of us. This election will determine how many of us remain uninsured. . .how many soldiers will die or be maimed fighting overseas. . . how many of us will face pressure to leave our home for lack of employment. The way for us to affect real change in this region is to send a new type of leader to Washington. 

It is simply too risky to settle for another lawyer, or another politician.  If we fail to nominate a new type of candidate we run a serious risk of facing nearly two decades of Phil English’s non-responsive leadership in Congress. I am in this race because we can’t face this prospect. 

 

Now is the time to act. Now is the time to redefine what it means to serve and to lead in this country. Have no doubt about it, we can do this and we will do this. Some of you may be surprised to learn that this district has 10,000 more Democratic voters than Republican. There is absolutely no reason that Phil English should be able to continue clinching to what he considers an entrenched seat, a job for life. This is not the Supreme Court. This is the US Congress, the body constructed to represent our interests. Please join me and together we can take our future in our hands and demand the dawn of a new day for the people of Northwest Pennsylvania. A day in which I, as your Congressman, will fight for your interests, and fight to serve you. 

 

Comments

[John Morgan]

Welcome Mike!

[John Morgan]

Tell us some about the 3rd District, which counties comprise the area, the types of towns and communities there.

[Mike Waltner]

Hello John, Great to be with you.

[John Morgan]

How long has Phil English been in this seat and how will you beat him?

[Mike Waltner]

The 3rd District is found in 7 counties in Northwest Pa.
Erie, Warren, Crawford, Mercer, Butler Venango, and Armstrong

It is comprised of midsize to small industrial cities like Erie, Sharon, Butler, Meadville, and Greenville. It also includes rural areas and a number of small towns. We have an advantage of 10,000 registered democratic voters in the district over republican and we are working to make sure that Phil English will no longer be our rep in jan, 2009

[John Morgan]

What, in your opinion, are some of English's more odious votes in Congress?

[Mike Waltner]

English has held the seat for the past 14 years. This after promising not to serve for more than 6 terms, (12 years).

It is clear that he looks at this as a life-time seat. It is imperative that we put a new representative, someone who will represent and fight for the interests of our region. The past 14 years have not been good for our region or or our country and we desperately need a new voice in washington to turn things around.

[John Morgan]

What do you think uniquely separates you from the other Democrats to represent this District? Do you think you are better positioned to beat English in the fall?

[Mike Waltner]

His votes on trade have been hurtful to our region. He also continually votes against labor. Such as his no vote on the Employee Free Choice Act.

He voted for the Bush Tax, to subsidize big oil with 87 Billion Dollars, when they were making record profits.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspects of his record though are the way he uses votes to disguise an ideological right wing voting record.

For instance, English has sought to distance himself from his initial support of the Iraq war, by voting against the surge. Now it seems he is again calling for the status quo. He constantly flip-flops positions citing nuance as the reason. But it is clear that he is voting based upon his own political self preservation. He is constantly "testing the winds" and switching positions. He is indecisive, lacks courage, and is overly calculating.

Overall English represents what is wrong with washington. 70% of his contributions come from PACs and Special Interests he represents them not us.

[John Morgan]

What specific PAC's is he indebted to? I remember he voted against SCHIP, for example. Has he taken inusrance and pharma money?

He also voted for the Military Commissions Act which authorized torture.

[Will]

Mr. Waltner,

What separates you from your opponents in the primary?

Thanks.

[Mike Waltner]

What I think seperates is my is my personal and professional background.

I don't believe that I am entitled to this seat because of my last name or because I shoot pool with and slap the backs to local leaders. We have had enough of that type of politics in this region. I have never had anything handed to me in my life I have had to pioneer my own way and have had success in engaging issues we all care about. Health Care access, Poverty, Domestic Violence, the Environment and more. I have worked with leaders at all levels of society from grass-roots to the highest.

I am the only one who has done such work and who has made his own way. This gives me an idependance and work ethic that my opponents just plainly don't have.

You can see it in the type of organization I have built. My opponents have several adavantages but I have out hustled and out manuvered them at every point along this road. We have set the tone in this campaign.

To the point were my opposition is copying our talking points and trying to catch up.

We are the only campaign that can beat English. We already have a nation wides fundraising base and have cultivated connections in recent months that will take us to Victory come November. We have the largest Grass roots operation and the most comprehensive vision and agenda for this region.

In addition, I can draw the attention of the National Democratic Party, Netroots, and more to this race. This is a national election, not a city or county council race x's 3. We are running a campaign with the infrustructure, staff, and network to beat English.

[Mike Waltner]

Pharma, and the Health care insurance and device industry are primary investors in English who work make sure he continues to sit on his hands while 47 million Americans go without Healthcare and millions more remain under- insured or worry that they will lose insurance.

[John Morgan]

You've actively cultivated the netroots and they've allowed you to outraise your opponents. You've come from relative obscurity to take the lead in this primary. How do you think you were able to outfox such entrenched local leaders to take this race?

[Mike Waltner]

I think it speaks to my ability to see trends on the horizon and to execute a strategy. My leadership abilities.

I fully understand and respect the role the internent is playing in changing the way politics is conducted in this country. We also attended Yearly Kos and spoke to bloggers and worked with people that are trying to change politics. The fact is the intnernet is brining democracy back to our politics by making information, access quick and convenient. It also enables candidates to draw support in small amounts from larger numbers of people.

This is the reason we have been successful and why we have changed the way politics is done in Northwest, PA!

[Shirley]

Hello Mike:

I am impressed with your truly progressive values and would like to know which of our Democratic presidential candidates you support as the one nearest these values.

Thank you and good luck.
Shirley

[Mike Waltner]

By the way kudos to John and the work you have been doing in NW Pennsylvania developing the infrastructure to get the word out on what is going on Politics in NWPA. You have set the bar very high.

I know for a fact that you have the respect of folks throughout the country for work here.

[John Morgan]

Thanks Mike, we try.

[Bill Douglas]

Have you received any endorsements of note?

[mike waltner]

I was an Edwards supporter early on. Now I am trying to focus on representing this district, so I am publically staying out of it. I do have a personal preference, but I keep that to myself.

I have supporters from both Clinton and Obama camps, even on my own staff. I will support fully whoever gets the nomination, but I am not trying to coat-tail my bid for congress to the pres candidates.

[John Morgan]

You mean aside from mine???? LOL

[John Morgan]

What is your plan for providing constituent services in this District? This is always a critical part of any elected official's efforts and this is a far flung District.

[Mike Waltner]

I have received some endorsements and expect some more to fall our way.

I have received the endorsement of the Butler local UAW 3303 as well as the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals a state wide union of more than 5,000 members.

I have also received some endorsements from key elected officals throughout the district. Keep on the look out for more information as it is released.

I am thankful for the support that we are receiving from these individuals and groups.

[John Morgan]

The presidential campaign has, so far, ignored NW Pennsylvania and Erie. Are you endeavoring to get both of them there soon?

[mike waltner]

I think it is important to make sure that we have open and accesible offices throughout the district. I plan on having an office in hermitage which I know is important to those folks because they had an office closed out there.

Access is very important to me. I will always work to make sure that my presence if felt in the district and that my constituents know that their representative is connected to them.