John Russell Congress District 5, Fl., Tampa Tribune Editorial Board Interview Video Link Updated at 4:50 PM
www.johnrussellforcongress.com Contribute or Volunteer to help John unseat Right wing incumbent Bush "go along" Ginny Brown-Waite
Video of Tampa Tribune Editorial Board Interview Link Below...
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2008/aug/20/john-russell-us-h... /
Hernando Today Endorsement (below)
Endorsed By Hernando Today
August 23, 2008
The Tampa Tribune
Published: August 23, 2008
http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2008/aug/23/ha-ou... /
U.S. Congress, 5th District
As much as his opponents are nice people genuinely concerned about the future of our country, John Russell is the only legitimate Democratic candidate vying for the Fifth District U.S. Congressional seat against "Grandma" Carol Castagnero and perennial candidate H. David "The Pole Sitter" Werder.
It is the recommendation of Hernando Today's editorial board that voters cast their ballots in the Tuesday, Aug. 26, primary for Russell.
Russell, who garnered 100,000 votes in the 2006 general election against incumbent U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, is back to try to finish what he started.
He's been called combative, abrasive and mean-spirited on some campaign trails in the past. Now, Russell admits that he needs to smile more and speak in a more congenial tone, which, so far, he's successfully accomplished during the primary election cycle.
"I have to be softer, smile more," Russell told Hernando Today's editorial board.
That remains to be seen if he wins the primary to go up against Brown-Waite, of whom he expresses a genuine dislike and distrust.
Russell, 52, a resident of Dade City since 1995, is a nationally certified acute care nurse practitioner with a master's degree in nursing from the University of South Florida. He also holds an MBA in health systems management from Niagara University and the State University of New York at Buffalo.
He sees himself as an expert on health care and carries the credentials to boast of such.
Russell's major issues include:
•Advocating for mandatory funding for the Veterans Administration and ensuring that veterans are promptly and effectively cared for without undue cost, hassle or delay.
•Ensuring all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care through the enactment of a national single-payer health care plan.
•Enact a national catastrophic insurance plan.
•Advocate for a prompt, safe and effective withdrawal of American forces form Iraq, turning over security to the Iraqi government.
•Advocate for a comprehensive national energy policy targeted at rapid commercialization of current alternative energy and fuel/energy saving technologies.
•Restore fiscal responsibility of the federal government.
•Restore and protect the integrity of the U.S. Constitution.
•Strongly advocate for federal election reform.
•Protect our borders as well as American jobs through a comprehensive national immigration policy.
•Social Security reform.
A strong critic of the incumbent, Russell says Brown-Waite has a "go along to get along attitude" and that voters should ask themselves a few simple questions before entering the voting booth in November: "If we stay on the same path ... where will gas prices be a year from now? How much higher will my homeowners insurance be? Will I have health care coverage? Will I have a job?"
Russell also criticizes Brown-Waite for what he contends is her lack of authoring any important piece of legislation that has improved the lives of average citizens.
"As a career politician, Ginny hands out token commemorative medals with her name on them to individual veterans, while ignoring the very real needs of many thousands of veterans who would benefit from mandatory funding of the Veterans Administration, which she has voted against, and I support," Russell says.
Russell also criticizes Brown-Waite's extensive use of the franking privilege, sending out meaningless fluff to taxpayers at their expense.
"She was No. 1 in Florida," Russell says of the money Brown-Waite spent sending out mailings to constituents - nearly $173,000 last year. :puke:
:woohoo: We have to agree. Brown-Waite has wasted a tremendous amount of tax dollars during her tenure in Congress on her so-called communications with constituents.
Russell also says most Americans believe the country is much worse off than it was two years ago when he first ran against Brown-Waite and that voters want a change. He says he is that change.
"Worst-case scenario, throw me out in two years," Russell says.
Hernando Today recommends voters cast their ballots for Russell in the Tuesday, Aug. 26, primary. :)
Brown-Waite, 64, would have had primary opposition but her challenger, Jim King, of Land O' Lakes, withdrew after a published report raised questions about his background. His name will still be on the ballot, however, because his decision came after the cutoff date for finalizing the primary ballot. Residents should be careful not to waste their votes.
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