Since the 2006 Congressional election, Iowans in the 2nd District of Iowa have been lacking a true leader to advocate for our cause in the US Congress.  It is time that we elect somebody who can stand up for our needs, and who can begin to help heal the deep wounds of partisanship throughout Iowa and the United States; that person is Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

An ophthalmologist, and nurse by trade, Dr. Miller-Meeks is extremely knowledgeable on the problems that effect Americans today and she actually has a realistic plan to fix them.  She is alone among the candidates for Congress in the 2nd District who understand the root causes of our current economic problems and how to best fix them.

As a doctor, Miller-Meeks also understands the complex mess that is our health-care system. She knows how a ‘Single-Payer’, government run system would destroy the quality of medical care in the United States.  As your congressional representative, Mariannette would work to make health care more affordable and more portable.

Most importantly, Dr. Miller-Meeks would help put Iowans first in the rebuilding effort from the devastating June flooding which is something that her chief opponent, current 2nd District US Congressman Dave Loebsack, has failed to do.

Whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent, I strongly urge Iowans to vote for Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Find out more at Miller-Meeks for Congress Website.

I endorsed Rudy Giuliani a last year and became part of his campaign as a Co-Chair in Linn county but I’ve never taken the time explain the reason behind my choice in Rudy (See below for explanation). I’ve met Rudy twice I believe and each time I was faced with a man who unlike other presidential candidates I’ve met, seemed totally confident and ready to lead (isn’t that Hillary’s newest campaign slogan?). But even before I met Rudy in person I knew that he had the qualifications that I was looking for in a president.

First and foremost, the most obvious reason why I decided to support Rudy was his leadership and experience from September 11th, 2001. Some are critical of Giuliani for using this as a reason why he is viable as president but I think that with the threat of radical Islamic terrorism looming over us, it isn’t a matter if another attack will be attempted but when and where. A president who has experience with crisis management (on this case on the defense before, during and after a terrorist attack) is invaluable in my opinion and Rudy certainly has that. Of course 9/11 wasn’t handled perfectly, but now Rudy has the experience to perform even better in the future, if his country calls on him.

Another thing that set Rudy aside, for me, in the early days was his more liberal social side. He’s no bleeding heart but the man isn’t the “Social Conservative” type that has dominated the party for the last eight years, if not more. Rudy hasn’t ever made it a point to be overly loud about his personal religious beliefs, like some of the other candidates. Some people have expressed concern about Rudy’s personal life but I have never been bothered by this because as Rudy himself so wisely said “[I'm] not running as the perfect candidate, I’m running as a human being.” Sure he’s made mistakes within his own personal life but his personal life is just that his personal life. Within his public life, he has been an extremely successful leader and a force for change (the word of the 2008 election).

Even Democrats have to acknowledge that the turn around in New York City during Mayor Giuliani’s time was amazing. 23 tax cuts, $2.3 billion deficit into a $2.9 billion surplus, murders and other crimes down, unemployment down, 640,00 people off the welfare rolls, improved education, and decrease in abortions and increase in adoptions. That is a pretty impressive track record but some still doubt how that success in New York would work in Washington DC. Even I wondered how a former Mayor could stand up against men (and women to) who have had their hands in federal and state governments. But when you consider the numbers things begin to change. Only 11 states have bigger populations (New York City has a large population Romney’s Massachusetts, Huckabee’s Arkansas and Richardson’s New Mexico). Only 5 states have larger budgets and amazingly only 16 countries have larger economies. So clearly running New York City is not like running a regular city and Rudy’s successful tenure as Mayor proves that he has what it takes to be a great president.

Rudy’s vast level of experience and track record of change (there’s the c-word again) are the reason why Rudy is my choice for 2008. After not fairing very well in the Iowa caucus (to which he unfortunately didn’t put very much effort into in favor of larger states) and setting up to be the 4th or 5th candidate tomorrow in New Hampshire; Rudy’s campaign is far from over. Visit http://www.joinrudy2008.com for more information.

*Edit (1/11/08)*

Funnily enough, I actually didn’t realize that I had previously written something on Rudy. I wrote this piece on January 7th, and I wrote the other on July 7 (2007 of course). Anyway, this one is much better I think.

I’m going to strike the line that says I’ve never fully taken the time to explain why I support Rudy.