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Cynthia McKinney Announces Bid For Reelection to Congressional Seat

Cynthia McKinney Announced her bid to retake the 4th Congressional District seat now held by Denise Majette and released the following statement.
"Four years ago, candidate Bush made promises to the American people that he has failed to keep. This jobs Presidency has lost jobs at a record pace; the Leave-No-Child Behind Presidency has failed to put our children first; and this fiscal conservative has presided over record national debt.

"This week, in explosive but sad testimony, the world watched as this country's top counterterrorism advisor Richard Clarke, in public and under oath, apologized to the American people for having failed them on September 11th. Richard Clarke said, 'Your government failed you. Those entrusted with protecting you failed you. And I failed you.' I would like to commend Richard Clarke for speaking truth to power. But sadly, Mr. Clarke will now see how virulent the Republican smear machine can be. I know. It was unleashed on me.

"Two years ago I asked, 'What did the Bush Administration know, and when did it know it, about the events of September 11th?' Today, the Bush Administration continues its refusal to tell the American people how it was that all fail safe mechanisms and standard operating procedures failed to operate for the four separate hijackings that took place on that single day. Furthermore, the American people only have assurances from the Bush Administration that the measures put in place since September 11th will actually protect us from another such tragedy.

"But now, we are painfully aware that we cannot trust the assurances coming from the Bush Administration.

"Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, appearing before the 9-11 Commission, in trying to explain how September 11th happened stated, 'I just don't think we had the imagination required to consider a tragedy of this magnitude.'

"If we accept this as an official explanation from the Bush Administration on how September 11th happened, then it is painfully clear that it is time for the George W. Bush presidency to end.

"Instead, the Bush-Cheney campaign has already begun its reelection efforts using images of the September 11th tragedy. New York City's firemen have complained; the families of the victims have complained. And incredibly, the American people will have to endure the spectacle of the Republican Party Convention being held in New York City, just minutes from the Sacred Ground of Ground Zero.

"It is clear that the Bush Administration would rather posture publicly on friendly media than face the American people in public and under oath at the Commission.

"Furthermore, our children are fighting and dying in Iraq on George Bush's worthless assurances; it's time to bring them home now.

"Two years ago Republican Party votes attempted to silence the voice of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District. They may have changed the face, but they didn't change the fact that the Democrats of the 4th Congressional District will not allow Republicans to select their representatives.

"While in Congress, I authored legislation to deny a tax break to companies who move their plants overseas. I voted to support the Clinton budget surpluses. And I tried to stop the pernicious effects of globalization on America's working families.

"I continued to point out that America must speed up equal access to the American dream and that waiting 1,664 years (according to the State of the Dream Report, 2004 produced by United For A Fair Economy) to close the home ownership gap between America's black and white families is too long for America to wait. And, I never stopped speaking out on human rights issues at home and abroad.

"I will resume the fight for economic development in the Fourth District, focusing on technical assistance so our businesses can grow and succeed.

"I will continue to tackle the problems of foreclosures and landfills.

"I will work to reignite debate on the issue of comprehensive medical insurance coverage for all.

"I will resume work on transportation alternatives that will unclog our streets and decrease pollution in the air that we breathe.

"I will work with the District's school systems to help them acquire the best teachers possible so that we never leave any children behind in education.

"And I will resume work to celebrate the rich diversity of the 4th Congressional District and to protect the right of all Americans to live rich and full lives, free from discrimination.

"And finally, I will continue to be a voice for justice and peace at home and abroad. Since I have been out of office, I have seen more than what was done to me; I have seen what was done to the people. George Bush has given us answers that don't answer, explanations that don't explain, and conclusions that don't conclude.

I am pleased to launch this bid to invigorate the public debate and help get more power to the people.
 
 

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