To a Friend

Dear Friend,

WE RECOGNIZE that within the next month, you will choose leaders to guide America though one of the most telling periods in its history.
This matters deeply to many of us. You will find many passionate opinions. Part of the reason lies in the dramatic differences between our vision, and the one that drives our opponents.
And yet we ask you to step back from the rush of events. Ignore the hoopla, the daily poll numbers, and the sound bites. Remember why your opinion matters so much.
It matters because we will build a safer world and a more hopeful America. We are a nation at war—a global war on terror against an enemy unlike any we have ever known. Terrorists do not just target our lives—they target our way of life. We believe in an America that is safe and free, and will protect our personal liberties as well as our personal security. 
It matters because a healthy society is one that grows. We face myriad challenges with the economy. We will overcome these obstacles because the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in America.
Make no mistake—our opponents’ plan for our economy is the most radical and dangerous agenda to hit our shores since socialism a century ago. Like socialism, it corrupts the very nature of our democracy and our free enterprise tradition. It is not a plan to grow the American economy. It is a plan to corrupt it.
A strong society includes a growing middle class, where every American has a chance to work and an opportunity to succeed. Our plan is for the Americans who have shared their dreams with us every moment of this journey. Theirs are the concerns we share. Your agenda is our agenda. The true strength of this country is the hearts and souls of our citizens. The strength of America is found in people like you.
We choose hope over despair; possibilities over problems, optimism over cynicism. We choose to be optimistic because this is America, where everything is possible.
We’re also here to ask for your help. We’d like you to remind your friends and neighbors about the upcoming decision. We’d like you to remind people in your community that we have a responsibility in a free society to participate, and make a difference. Help them, point them in the right direction. And tell them, if they want a safer America, a stronger America, a better America, to choose us.
We’re really looking forward to this campaign. We’re looking forward to getting out and talking about what we believe, where we stand, and where we want to lead this nation. We’re looking forward to challenging the soft bigotry of low expectation.
We’re giving it everything we’ve got to win, because the values and ideals we care about are on the line. Our task is not to win tomorrow’s headlines, but rather to win the chances to write the next great chapter of American history.
In a world of change, some things do not change—the values we try to live by: courage and compassion, reverence and integrity. In times of change, we must support the institutions that give our lives direction and purpose—our families, our schools, our religious congregations. We stand for a culture of life in which every person counts and every being matters.
Our values are not just words. They’re what we live by. They’re about the causes we believe in and the people we fight for.
On one issue after another in this election, there is a powerful contrast between the direction our opponents have for this country, and the more positive direction we will lead America.
	No matter how many twists and turns take place in the weeks ahead, no matter whether we gain ground or lose it, we—all of us—will never relent.
	We know what we’re working for. We know what we believe in. And we know how to win.
	Take a moment right now to rush a generous donation to our headquarters. It’s the most critical step you can take to help us, and those of other strong colleagues within our party.

P.S. As you decide on the size of your donation, remember this: we are within weeks of the most important decision of our lifetime. It’s time to pull out all the stops. It’s time to drive home to victory. We’re counting on you.
				
           The Editors [ with thanks to John & George ]