Bothwell, a Roosevelt Democrat

In the President’s State of the Union speech, he masterfully called America to rally to the vision of inclusiveness and fairness he has sought to implement through his presidency. Despite shrill Republican propaganda to the contrary, Obama has accomplished saving the country from complete financial meltdown, even over the unbridled and, at times, irrational opposition of the Republican Party, which continues to cling to the same policies that led to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and to social policies that debase all democratic ideals.

Unfortunately, this Republican opposition that blocked Obama’s ability to do even more was compounded by the “Blue Dog,” chamber-of-commerce Democrats of the president’s own party who all too frequently voted with the Republicans. One of those “Blue Dog Democrats” was the 11th District Rep. Heath Shuler, who has now announced that he will not run for re-election.

This is a great opportunity. Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell, a true Roosevelt Democrat, a brilliant, honest and dedicated advocate of working people and of progressive values has thrown his hat into the ring to replace Shuler, and I believe he has a good chance of winning. This election is about the economy, fairness and inclusiveness, and the Republicans have nothing to offer other than the policies that brought about out troubles. The working people of Western North Carolina need Cecil Bothwell, a working-person’s Democrat, to strengthen President Obama’s hand in rebuilding the America that was lost to Republican deregulation and trickle-down economic nonsense.

I encourage those who want to restore economic fairness to this country and see our district represented by someone who will dependably work with the president while soldiering for true working people’s progressive values in Washington to work energetically for Cecil Bothwell’s election and the re-election of Barack Obama.

— Bill Walz
Asheville