Congressman Jim Moran
311 North Washington Street
Suite 200 L
Alexandria, VA 20314
Dear Congressman Moran:
As you are probably aware, I will be your primary opponent in the June 10, 2008 Democratic Primary. The people of Virginia's 8th Congressional District have a fundamental right to have an open and frank debate about issues facing the district and the country.
You have consistently voted for Free Trade Agreements which are not in the best interest of our nation or district. These agreements drive manufacturing jobs out of this country. They raise our trade deficit. They also lack protections for workers rights and tough environmental standards around the world. In 2005 you voted for the Bankruptcy Reform Act, which has contributed to the number of foreclosures we are seeing today.
You state that you are strongly opposed to the Iraqi War, but you have not pursued all available avenues for ending this war. You promised to co-sponsor an impeachment resolution against Vice President Cheney and/or President Bush. The impeachment of Bush and Cheney would have brought this war to a speedier end. You had the opportunity to vote for the impeachment and removal of Cheney when Congressman Kucinich brought to the floor an impeachment resolution. However, you, along with some of your colleagues, decided to send the resolution back to the Judiciary Committee instead of having a straight up vote on the resolution. Your decision to recommit this resolution to the Judiciary Committee where it will never see the light of day was tantamount to continuing the Iraqi War, which is costing us $5 million a second.
These are some of the many issues which are being hotly debated among the people of the 8th Congressional District. Before deciding who to vote for, they want to hear us discuss these issues. Free debate is the lifeblood of democracy. The people of Virginia's 8th CD deserve an open and frank debate about the issues they confront every day. Therefore, I challenge you to meet me in a series of debates to discuss the direction that our district and our country should be taking.
I know that you are very busy. I will do my best to adjust my schedule to accommodate your schedule demands. I am sure that there are many organizations that would be willing to provide the venue and coordinate the details for these debates. I am asking you to commit to participating in a series of public debates to be held at a mutually agreeable time and place prior to the primary.
I look forward to having a frank and open discussion on the issues with you before the public.
Sincerely yours,
Matthew T. Famiglietti
Democrat for Congress, 8th Congressional District