What I said to America on the radio this morning

Hi everyone -

This morning, I had the distinct privilege and honor of delivering the weekly Saturday morning Democratic Radio Address to the nation following President Bush's radio address.

The address aired across the country on all the major radio networks, including ABC, NPR, CBS Radio, CNN Radio, C-SPAN, the Armed Forces Radio Network, and the Voice of America Radio Network.

To listen to my address to the nation, please click here. You can also read a transcript of my remarks below and let me know what you think by posting a comment.

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DEMOCRATIC RADIO ADDRESS
December 30, 2006

Good morning and Happy New Year. This is Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney of Pleasanton, California, a new Member in the 110th Congress.

As we move into the New Year and the new Congress, I am excited about what we can achieve for the American people. In this election, the American people clearly called for change: change in the way we do business in Washington, change in the way that we shape our energy policy, and most importantly, a change of direction in Iraq.

As our first responsibility in fulfilling the mandate of this critical election, House Democrats will restore integrity and civility in Washington in order to earn the public trust.

We will ban gifts from lobbyists and lobbyist-funded travel, prohibit the use of corporate jets, and shut down the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street Lobbyists. We will restore the House tradition of allowing a reasonable 15-minute voting period to prevent extended votes, and we will require that Congress put away the credit card and operate under pay-as-you-go common sense budget rules. We will hold Members of Congress accountable to the people who voted them into office, not lobbyists and special interests.

Our heavy dependence on foreign oil is putting our economy, our climate, and our national security at great risk. We are actually funding the very terrorists around the world who are trying to harm us. It's our patriotic duty as citizens of this great nation to end our dependence on imported oil. Democrats will quickly and significantly reduce our consumption of foreign oil while creating jobs, prosperity, and a healthy environment with a new energy technology, including renewable energy and bio-fuels.

Most of the technologies needed to reshape our energy future are already at hand; what has been lacking is the political will to develop and expand their use. Democrats have a vision of creating a new energy economy using good old-fashioned American ingenuity to achieve energy independence. New American jobs and a bright future will be the dividend.

Democrats will also lead the way for a new direction in Iraq. My son was in the military when he convinced me to run for office, and we continue to keep our soldiers and their families in our prayers. But our troops need more than our well-wishes, and our veterans need more than lip service; we need a change in policy, as confirmed by the Iraq Study Group report released earlier this month.

I share the concern of my Democratic colleagues that President Bush may use his same failed logic to increase our troop strength in Iraq by up to 30,000 soldiers. The incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, has said that an increase in troops at best won't change a thing, and at worst could exacerbate the situation even further in Iraq.

The Iraqis need to understand that the responsibility for the future of that country is theirs. Beginning the redeployment of American forces would send that message. We must also improve the training of Iraq security forces by ensuring that Iraqi units are not infiltrated by either militia members or insurgents. The consequences of not doing so are unacceptable. In my district there is a Gold Star mom whose son was killed in Iraq by the very Iraqis he was training. He and his mom are always in my thoughts. We simply can not ask our young men and women to train Iraqis without doing everything possible to make certain that the people they are training are not attacking our troops.

Our troops have done everything asked of them in Iraq with great courage. Particularly at this time of the year, when families gather to celebrate the holiday season, we need to remember the huge sacrifices being made by the brave men and women in our military, and give thanks for their service.

Thank you for listening. I wish everyone the very best 2007 and pray that God blesses you and your families for this holiday season. This is Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney.

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What are your thoughts?

As you know, I like to read your comments and feedback, so let me know what you think by posting a comment below. I will try to post a reply as soon as possible!

Meanwhile, in five short days, I will be sworn into office as your representative in California's 11th Congressional District. Always remember that without you, none of this would be possible. As I take the oath of office, please know that you will be there with me in spirit and in our shared commitment to bring real change to Washington.

I am looking forward to serving you in Congress.

Happy New Year to you, your friends and your family.

Comments

[Woody]

Great speech Jerry. Glad to have you back there - speaking for us!
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[Jason]

Great speech, right to the point! I sincerely hope you can manage to keep such a clearminded approach once you're "inside the Beltway." Don't forget that we elected you because of your straightforwardness and sincerity--keep doing it, we voters have your back!

[David Parsons]

Dear Jerry,

I completely agree with your message presented in the weekly radio address. However, I would like to have seen a strong commentment to the protection and conservation of Nature. The environmental and conservation community backed your campaign in a very big way--me included.

David Parsons
The Rewilding Institute
Albuquerque, NM

[Norm Hansen]

Dear Jerry,
I was happy to have volunteered for you in 2004 and 2006, grateful that you chose to take on Pombo both times, and proud of you and your family when you won. I know you'll do a great job!!
A few days after the election, I asked a Republican friend of mine what you'd have to do to earn his vote in 2010, and his answer surprised me. He said that what would most impress him would be for you to remember those people who live in the more Republican areas east of Altamont, and suggested occasional town hall meetings as a way to show this. I know as a representative you'll be very busy so I don't know how feasible this is, but I thought I'd pass it along.
Best of luck!
Norm Hansen

[Sheldon Greene]

Jerry: That was a fine speech and I'm really impressed that the leadership gave you the chance to increase your visibility. Having helped you two years ago and again this year I'm really pleased to see you in office and happy to have made a small contribution to making that happen. Getting rid of Pombo could be one of the most significant results of this election. Good luck. Sheldon Greene

[David Guggenhime]

Thanks Jerry for your thoughtful comments. I only hope once Congress is back in session that all the good talk does not disappear behind "political reality". The American public needs to do a better job of holding all their elected officials accountable.

Happy New Year,
David

[Kent]

Good speech! I realize, it was the Democratic Party you were addressing. However, I have a suggestion: allow your Republican colleagues the possibility to join you and your new Democratic colleagues, in implementing some of these good conservation ideas. Here is a statistic I read this morning: 65% of California republican voters surveyed said they favored the proposal by Gov. Schwarzenegger and other legislators to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Yet only one of the Republicans in the Assembly, and none in the Senate, voted for that proposal, the Global Warming Solutions Act, AB 32. There is clearly a disconnect between what Republican voters want, and what Republican lawmakers are doing, both at a State and Federal level. Congressman, I hope you can help the Republican legislators get on the same wavelength, by reaching out to them and sponsoring bi-partisan legislation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Thank you for your consideration. And good luck! I am really, really happy you are now in Washington, and not that other guy whose name I won't mention :-)

[Susan Moreno]

Great speech Jerry. Your fellow Pleasantonians are so proud of you!

[TY HINES]

Dear Congressman-elect McNerney,
Thank you for your response, your comments were great, they ring loud with the truth and they mirror the hearts of the American people. I want to thank you for the type of campaign you ran; it was certainly one of the best run campaigns in this country.
I certainly hope we can model your campaign for many of our candidates in the next election. Thank you for all your hard work and great vision for without them we would not be celebrating such a wonderful victory!
God bless you and yours abundantly and may you all have a very happy and prosperous New Year!

Ty

[Dorothy Blaustein]

Fine talk. About Iraq Survey Group's recommendations, before determining their efficacy, consult people like Dennis Ross. I saw Ross on C-SPAN and he was critical of some of ISG's ideas. I was disappointed that Nancy Pelosi named Reyes to be chairman of Intelligence Committee. I would have preferred Rush Holt. You and the other Democrats have to bold, thoughtful, and wise these next two years so that a Democrat will have a good chance of becoming president. We must have a Democratic president elected in 2008.

[Will Jacobs]

Great speech, Jerry. But please never forget that it's just not Americans who are dying in Iraq, but the people of Iraq as well. Please help launch an in-depth investigation into the origins of this war. We must unearth the truth behind our preemptive invasion and subsequent occupation. Thanks!

[Eric]

I voted for you, as the best way to get Pombo out and to CHANGE the direction of the country. No more IRAQ, a war that is religous, and has been going on for hundreds of years, can not be won and costing way too much in terms of young lives, and money.

There is an $8.5 TRILLION national debt, from which the boomers wants to draw on the Social Security Trust Fund. How much can the US owe without compromising our future?

We need NUCLEAR POWER! There is no other alterative. If we had not oil, there would be no threat at all from the middle east.

[Gene Metz]

Congressman McNerney,

I have read and appreciate your speech.

Keep up the good work.

Gene

[Martin Cheek]

Hi Jerry:

An excellent and inspiring speech this morning. Your words give this nation a clear vision for setting America in the right direction. The people of this nation have had enough of President Bush's inflexible "stay the course" amble in the wrong direction.

My wish for the Democratic and the Republican parties in the new year is that they can both set aside all animosity and work together to get the United States off its oil addiction. Our leaders also must get us out of Iraq as quickly as possible. I know you'll work on achieving that goal.

Marty Cheek in Morgan Hill, Calif.

[Bill Ruggles]

Dear Congressman McNerny,

I appreciated the chance to hear your comments. Thank you for taking the effort to communicate with all of us.

I want to echo David Parsings comments. I hope you will maintain a strong position with regards to conservation of our natural heritage, and the environment. I too am one of those who supported you against Pombo, who was widely regarded as the most anti-environmental politician in office.

I would add that you also consider taking up the issue of elections in the United States. It is unacceptable to me that there is not a requirement for a paper trail in our national elections. I also am concerned that States' can allow their officials who run the voting process to be campaign managers for national offices. That is simply too great a conflict of interest too be allowed.

I wish you the best success going forward!

[harry osell]

in listening to ur comments as well as others during ur campaign i am hopeful that as in england and sweden new forms of providing alternative energy in all fields also provide new jobs ...here

[Van]

Congrats Jerry,

On your first national speech and
thank You for speaking clearly about the Irag involvement and the necessity to remove our troops from this unacceptable war of choice, the sooner the better for everyone.

My hopes are with you to help enact the changes that are mandatory to stop Bush's manifest destiny, before the country divides and dissolves into the choas that Bush's Adminstration has created.

The future belongs to the children, and what will we leave behind for them? It's what we must do for them, alas the road were on is heading the wrong direction, and it's high time for a change.

Best wishes for the New Year to You and Family!

Thank You for standing up, and beginning the fight to restore America.

[Mal Domser]

I am glad you themed the Iraq situation. I have a son there for his second tour even though he has been injured he is still there. This is a sectarian war and we do not belong in the middle of it, let’s be the perimeter guards and work with a reunification of the country by negotiation, not our military presence. Please be our activist leader for the ending of the Iraq violence and restore some credibility in this volatile region.

[Neahle Madden]

A good beginning. I am happy you ask for feedback, and appreciate your wish to still listen to us, now that you have been elected! Seriously, though, I hope you extend concern for getting troops out of Iraq to not deploying them to a new front, i.e. a war with Iran, Syria or other mid-east nation.

[Kari Olsen]

I'm delighted Jerry will be part of the new congress and hopeful he will help it start to work for the good of the country. I also think the current administration is a clear and present danger to all of us and impeachment is urgently needed. I am deeply disappointed with the position of democratic leadership to turn away from impeachment.

[Anita Fieldman]

Please remember to call the potential surge in troops for Iraq what it is - - an escalation of the war. With all of the non-violent conflict resolution experts available and ready to help, we can come up with an acceptable way to Bring Our Troops Home now.

Please beware of faulty intelligence and rhetoric when it comes to Iran. Insist on facts and proof and diplomacy. (Iran's president does not hold all that much power.)

Also please avail yourself of the expertise of the Apollo Alliance - - millions of new jobs and clean energy.

I'm so thankful that you won! We can turn this country around!

[Su Buchignani]

This is Congressman McNerney's clear and honesty directness that renews my hope in success of our nation. Problems facing us were stated without exaggeration or drama. The goals presented are realistic can be achieved with conviction and determination to break the stasis that has fallen upon our country. We showed that determination in the last election but this should be just the beginning. It is our responsibility as citizens.

[John Thompson]

Jerry,
We are very happy that we now have someone in a position to speak out about our concerns.We are in complete agreement with your comments concerning the situation in Iraq.
Best wishes...

John and Sandra Thompson

[Bill Evans]

Dear Jerry,
Well stated. Your clear perception of the Iraq war and the Bush administrations call to escalate the number of troops needs to be heard by all Americans. I'm proud to have voted for you.
Keep up the good work!
Bill Evans

[Dave Gerard]

Dear Jerry,

This was a fantastic and bold national address and I think your tone and delivery made the words even more forceful. My two sons and I just heard it on C-SPAN a few minutes ago. What we picked up were two main themes: clean government and out of Iraq. Your strong denunciation of the Bush "Surge" Plan was well-stated and well-framed.

I disagree with those who wanted additional themes in this short five-minute address. We can only tackle one or two issues at a time and the two you chose set the foundation for everything else. Without clean government, there is no trust between the people and Washington; with continued involvement in Iraq there are no funds for environmental protection, health care and education.

So far, so good, Jerry! Enjoy your first day of Congress this week and strive to keep us together behind your leadership!

Dave, Pierre and Justin Gerard, Morgan Hill