Message from Jane

Politics has been my passion since I attended the 1960 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles as a public high school kid. John Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt, both of whom I met there, remain personal heroes. When I ran for Congress in 1992, my first and only elected office, no one believed I could win what was thought to be a safe Republican seat. But with the help of grassroots Democrats... pro-choice groups... organized labor... teachers... progressive activists... I did!

This year, the most important thing Democrats can do is to take back the House and Senate so we can reverse the cynical Republican agenda and restore oversight. That's why I'm helping 33 Democratic challengers around the country who can beat Republicans. Our message is that Democrats will make us more secure, while preserving our privacy and civil liberties. The Republicans and George Bush have botched the job, and I've used my seniority in Congress to fight back:

• George Bush's "stay the course" policy in Iraq is wrong. We need an exit strategy and a clear indication that we will not maintain permanent military bases.
• George Bush's NSA program is illegal, and I'm prepared to litigate it all the way to the Supreme Court. Learning the plans and intentions of al Qaeda is right, but eavesdropping on Americans without a court order violates the Constitution.
• Civil liberties are also about protecting our bedrooms, schools and workplaces. I'm proud of my 100 percent voting record on choice, and of being one of only 67 votes against the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act."
• Bush's misguided tax cuts were reckless and wrong. I opposed them at the time, and think they should be repealed.
• Privatizing Social Security is wrong and so was the phony Medicare Drug bill, which put the interests of drug companies ahead of the interests of seniors. I opposed both.
• I earned a 100 percent environmental voting record in the 108th Congress. Drilling offshore or in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge are not solutions to our energy woes. Clean energy and conservation are.

I'm proud to be supported by leading progressives like Barbara Boxer, Barbara Lee, Antonio Villaraigosa, Debra Bowen, Sheila Kuehl, Janice Hahn and Bill Rosendahl.

I would be equally proud to have your support when you vote in the primary election on June 6th and beyond as we take back Congress.

Thank You,

Jane Harman