Letter to Terry McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe
Democratic National Committee Chairman
430 S.Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
February 5, 2004

Dear Chairman McAuliffe,

In recent days I have heard you give interviews in which you called into question President George Bushs service in the National Guard. In my view you are prematurely defining issues for the general election that clearly promote John Kerrys candidacy for the Democratic nomination. I am very disappointed that you have chosen this particular time to speak out but nevertheless, if you are going to be evenhanded, you should also point out that George Bush has not delivered on healthcare, an issue that Governor Dean has a record of delivering to residents of Vermont as well as issues that are central to the platform of each of the remaining candidates. Furthermore, I am disturbed that you have asked candidates that have not won a primary to consider the viability of their candidacy. This is an insult to thousands of Democrats who have not yet had their opportunity to vote in their states primary.


I am a committed supporter of Governor Howard Deans candidacy for President of the United States. In my view he is not only the best Democratic candidate but the most electable . As Democrats we should be united in our determination to defeat George Bush and eventually pull together to support the eventual nominee of our party. If you continue to make statements that I believe are an effort to sway undecided voters to vote for John Kerry, I will find it difficult, if not impossible, to support him if he is in fact the nominee. I am respectfully asking you to return to being silent and neutral and to allow the primary process to select our nominee. This process has barely begun and it is a disservice to voters and our great country for a person in your position to influence the outcome in any way.