Tammy Baldwin: Why I'm Backing Barack

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

For years, Democrats have shared a laugh over Will Rogers’ quip, "I belong to no organized party…I’m a Democrat." But this year’s election is no laughing matter. The Bush/Cheney regime – the most destructive, debilitating, and demoralizing in memory – perhaps even in history – is almost over and this election affords us the chance to write a new chapter in American history…or not. Should we vote for change or accept the status quo? The question could not be more clear. The correct answer could not be more obvious.

The long primary season gave us the opportunity to hear from the candidates and voice our support for one or the other. In that primary season, I endorsed the candidacy of Senator Hillary Clinton and I supported her throughout her historic and well-fought campaign. Senator Clinton and I share an unshakeable commitment to health care for all in this country.

But the primary season is now over and, like Hillary and millions of other Democrats, Independents, and many Republicans, I am proud to support the candidacy of Barack Obama for President. Endorsing Barack was not a difficult decision and it is not based on party affiliation alone. Rather, it is based on my concept of what the promise of America means and on the stark differences between the two candidates.

For me, the promise of America is a commitment to our collective well-being, rather than each struggling to get his or her own. The promise of America is embracing our democracy and protecting it and working to make it operate even better on behalf of the people. The promise of America is in pushing, prodding, and testing our democracy to make it flourish, not chipping away at its very foundation in pursuit of a political agenda or personal gain.

If elected President, Barack Obama will move us forward charting a new, hopeful, progressive course, while John McCain would keep us mired in the failed policies and divisive politics of the status quo.

Barack Obama will get our troops out of Iraq.

John McCain is willing to leave them there indefinitely.

Barack Obama will work to ensure health care for all Americans.

John McCain is willing to leave people behind while enriching insurance companies.

Barack Obama will make it a priority to protect and safeguard Roe v. Wade.

John McCain has pledged to fill Supreme Court vacancies with justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade.

Barack Obama wants to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

John McCain believes the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been ‘very effective’ and wants to leave it in place.

Barack Obama will support legislation expanding federal employment non-discrimination laws and federal hate crime laws to assure the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.

John McCain will not.

I am working to elect Barack Obama President, not because I'm toeing a party line, but because we share a commitment to equality for all Americans. We share core values – a commitment to the common good and an aversion to power being granted through friendship and favors. And we share a belief in the power of the individual to create change and the knowledge that in a democracy, "We, the People" decide what is possible.

I am working to elect Barack Obama President because he dares to believe in and work for "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Senator Obama Responds to 40% Reported Increase in Domestic HIV/AIDS Cases

Chicago, IL -- Senator Obama released the following statement on the Center for Disease Control's report about new cases of HIV/AIDS in the United States.

"We have now learned that 56,300 new HIV infections occurred in the United States in 2006, not 40,000 that had been previously cited. These new figures should bring new focus to our efforts to address AIDS and HIV here at home.

"As president, I am committed to developing a National AIDS Strategy to decrease new HIV infections and improve health outcomes for Americans living with HIV/AIDS. Across the nation, we also need to prevent the spread of HIV and get people into treatment by expanding access to testing and comprehensive education programs. This report also demonstrates the need for more timely data about HIV transmission so that we can effectively evaluate prevention efforts.

"Combating HIV/AIDS also demands closing the gaps in opportunity that exist in our society so that we can strengthen our public health. We must also overcome the stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS – a stigma that is too often tied to homophobia. We need to encourage folks to get tested and accelerate HIV/AIDS research toward an effective cure because we have a moral obligation to join together to meet this
challenge, and to do so with the urgency this epidemic demands."

To read the Obama plan to fight HIV/AIDS, click here.