Mike's First Ad - can you pronounce his name? . . . . . . Mike Montagano's 2nd Ad - Who he really is
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July 1 - Once again, friends and supporters, you have responded to our call for action. One week ago we set out with the goal to raise $50,000 by the end of June. I am truly proud to say that we met and exceeded our goal by thousands! This would not have been possible without the tireless effort of our staff and your generosity.
More than 650 contributors now stand with me as I seek to bring honor and a new generation of leadership to Northeast Indiana. With only months remaining, my challenge is to reach as many voters with my message as possible. The resources we have raised are vital for this, but so is your ongoing support.
In one very important way, you can help us without spending any resources. I urge you to spread the word (by clicking on "Spread the Word" below) and pass along our message: that I will be a new voice in Washington. We have seen what hundreds can do on this campaign, we need our message to reach thousands of your friends, family members and colleagues.
Thank you again. I look forward to working with you as we continue on to victory in November.
Sincerely,
Mike Montagano
PO BOX 615 Goshen, IN • www.montaganoforcongress.com • 574.971.8708
CONTRIBUTE TODAY TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD
Michael Montagano For Congress Opens New Fort Wayne Office 122 W. Wayne Street
If you do not know Mike, he is the one with the red tie. Mike surrounds himself with good people, Wayne township Trustee, Rick Stevenson,
City Council member, Karen Goldner, City Clerk, Sandy Kennedy, himself and Bethany and Mayor Tom Henry.
We were there too.
On Tuesday, July 22, in the space that once held the offices of former congresswoman, Jill Long, Mike Montagano has opened an office to help facilitate his campaign to become our next Third District Congressman. The office is at 122 W. Wayne Street, (right next to the Macedonian Tribune). Mike Montagano celebrates and is thankful for the tremendous financial and volunteer support from Fort Wayne and Allen County as he opens the office that will serve as his Allen County Headquarters.
As always, Mike is supported by his large and close family, something Mark Souder has taken for granted, and so many of our neighbors who want the kind of change Mike can bring to represent us in Washington D.C. Our own personal goals must be to help our friends and associates come to understand the great potential of having Mike - the guy with the different last name - represent us. His name may be different, but his values are the same and his family is like our own. This is the guy to bring our interests to Washington D.C.
Download and listen to his talk at the opening of his Fort Wayne office. Download to play .....................Please let ourdems@yahoo.com know if this download works for you.
Rep. Souder Sides With Big Oil Against Working Families Struggling With Gas Prices
Votes Show Souder Out of Touch With Needs of Hoosiers as he sides with big oil AGAIN
(Washington, DC June 27) - As gas prices soar and families struggle to make ends meet, Rep. Souder (R-IN) last night voted against legislation to lower gas prices and end profiteering by Big Oil barons and energy speculators.
“It’s almost unfathomable that at a time when his constituents are having to choose between putting gas in their cars or food on their tables that Rep. Souder would block common-sense legislation that would provide tangible relief and lead the way to a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Caren Benjamin, deputy executive director of Americans United for Change, the progressive issue-advocacy group behind this summer’s Bush Legacy Tour www.bushlegacytour.com.
“This is just another – particularly egregious – example of how some members of Congress are putting loyalty to their corporate sponsors and to President Bush’s conservative corporate-driven agenda above the needs of the people they were elected to represent,” Benjamin added.
In lock-step with President Bush and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Rep. Souder voted against the “Use It or Lose It” bill, which would compel the oil industry to start drilling on the 68 million acres which they are currently warehousing or be barred from obtaining any more federal drilling leases until they demonstrate that they are diligently developing those lands.
Unbelievably, Rep. Souder also refused to support legislation to curb oil speculation and keep wheelers and dealers from getting rich off the backs of ordinary working people.
“Clearly, Rep. Souder is out of touch with the needs of the people of Indiana,” Benjamin said. “He must be held accountable.” Posted by John Good at 6/27/2008 05:11:00 PM
Michael Montagano Tries to Help Make a Difference in The Third District
a clear choice for a new voice
Fort Wayne, IN – June 12, Michael Montagano stopped by the Shell gas station at Fairfield and Paulding Road to hand out packages of $1.13 to customers as they lined up to get $4 a gallon gas. When Mark Souder first took office in 1995, the average price for gas was $1.13 a gallon. Now the price is through the roof and Montagano says this has to stop. It is a most important issue on the minds of voters as they worry that we have no long term or short term solutions to the problem of high gas prices or energy because of failed policies and ineffective leadership and stagnation. Why has the price of gas gone up 350% under Souder's watch? We have a congressman who's campaign is funded by oil lobbies He has given big subsidies to big oil companies and he has voted against green power jobs
We now have the opportunity to vote for someone who will stand up for hard working Hoosiers rather than big oil. Souder continues to fund his campaign from big oil and this must stop. Montagano pledged to never take money from big oil companies or federal oil lobbyists, Montagano has solutions on how to lower gas prices and stop our dependence on foreign oil. We must cut subsidies and hand outs to big oil and reinvest these subsidies in alternative energy and bring good green collar jobs to our area where we can be in the lead in ending our dependence on foreign oil. We can build wind, solar and bio diesel alternatives that are the Hoosier solutions to end our dependence on foreign oil.
Congressman Mark Souder is irate, saying in a statement released to Indiana’s news center, that...”Giving cash to influence votes is illegal, and we will ask the U.S. Attorney to investigate his conduct."
According to the Allen County Election Board, money can only be given out in certain circumstances. Even though it was a little over a dollar, officials at the Election Board told Indiana’s NewsCenter it's sending "up red flags”. Campaign funds, it appears cannot go directly from the candidate to potential voters.
Come on folks, it was just a PR stunt to promote the fact that Souder voted against the energy bill this week and when he took office gas was $1.19 per gallon. Souder is trying to take the heat off of himself. No one who was there was trying to buy any votes - just prove the point that Mark Souder has let us down and we have been irate at Congressman Souder year after year after year. Something has to change and Mike Montagano is just the man to bring change in our representation. Mike is a fair and honest person and it was certainly not his intent or that of any of those helping to "bribe" voters. Besides, he checked out the legality before he did it. Let us get on with serious issues and get some positive change in Washington D.C. Give us a break ! !
Michael Montagano Responds to Souder in a Press Release on June 13, 2008
Michael Montagano - Running for U.S. Representative - District 3
Goshen, IN – May 7, 2008, Yesterday’s election results look like those of a general election with more Indiana voters heading to the polls than ever before in a primary, strongly indicating that they are looking for change. Amidst the field of candidates, Mike Montagano stands as the democratic nominee for U.S. Congress in Indiana's 3rd District and will face the republican nominee in November.
On May 6, Montagano received approximately 76,000 votes in the democratic primary:
- Montagano’s primary vote total eclipses the general election results of several prior challengers and is nearly the number of votes received by Tom Hayhurst in the 2006 general election when he came within only 8% of unseating the incumbent
- District-wide, Montagano received over 30% more votes than both republican primary candidates combined – and received more votes in Allen County than the republican nominee by a margin of nearly 3 to 1
“Yesterday, we saw Indiana get out and vote,” said Montagano. “Many Northeast Hoosiers chose to make their voice heard, indicating their dissatisfaction with the direction of our country and our state. This year, voters see a clear need for new direction and a new generation of leadership.”
“If we have any hope to see relief in gas prices or solutions that allow Hoosier families to keep our homes and our jobs, then we need to change who we send to Washington to represent Northeast Indiana.” Montagano continued. "We cannot change the culture in Washington without changing who we send there."
Montagano and his wife Bethany live in Bristol, Indiana. Says Montagano, “I see potential in our region, and in our ability to give our children a great place to grow up and live. As yesterday indicates, it is apparent to Northeast Hoosiers that those in Washington are not acting on our priorities. In November, I will be a clear choice for a new voice and that we can change this region for the better.”
Go to the Mike Montagano For Congress web site
Date: Fri, April 25, 2008 15:23:42 -0400
Montagano Breaks Into Spring with Strong Financial Support
Goshen, IN – Mike Montagano emerges from Indiana’s pre-primary reporting period with one of the strongest fundraising efforts in district history. Montagano reports more than $320,000 raised in the 2008 cycle so far, with $120,000 raised since January 1, 2008, and has $267,771.08 cash on hand as of April 16, 2008.
Fiscal Discipline
“I am very pleased with our ability to raise these needed resources with minimal expense,” Montagano stated. “We’ve run a lean shop and while many campaigns have spent 50 cents or more to raise a dollar – we’re spending less than half of that. So many have given generously, and it is important that we spend it wisely.”
Montagano added, “It means working hard, working smart, and applying the same fiscal discipline that I plan to bring to Washington DC.”
Snapshot of Support
· More than 450 individuals have contributed to Montagano so far
· 15 organizations representing thousands of Hoosier jobs have endorsed Montagano
· The democratic party has unified around Montagano as the official nominee for the General Election in November
“There are a lot of eyes on Indiana voters right now,” Montagano said, regarding the unprecedented primary activity around the state. “Here in Northeast Indiana, I am truly encouraged to see so many fellow Hoosiers seek to have their voice heard.”
“Come November, we have a clear choice for U.S. Representative in our district and I am confident that with so many supporting me, I can bring about new leadership.”
The Allen County Democratic Lunch Meeting Was THE Place To Be
At the Wednesday, April 23rd noon meeting, former Allen County Democratic Chairman, Kevin Knuth announced that he will be a candidate for Allen County Council At-Large. Jim Schellinger, running against Jill Long Thompson to be the Democratic candidate for Indiana governor was the main speaker. Then Michael Montagano who is running for congress in the Third District. Mike, as always was up beat and awesome in his ideas of positive direction for the United States and how Indiana can benefit from progressive policies in Washington D.C.
Michael Montagano took part in Dyngus Day
Michael Montagano took part in Dyngus Day (a.k.a. Easter Monday) in northern Indiana and received some news coverage on the South Bend media market. Click on this link to see the video that was seen by voters in Elkhart, Kosciusko and Lagrange Counties.
Traditionally Dyngus Day celebrates Polish heritage and politics, locals have always gathered to hear their leaders (and leaders-to-be) speak and cheer them on. Mike spoke in front of hundreds and got one of the biggest laughs of the day when he said that although he was not Polish himself, his best decision was to marriy into a great Polish family. Bethany took the opportunity to raise her hands with pride and the crowd cheered.
Mike said "I feel like this is a unique opportunity for a new generation of leadership—a choice between the past and future, and this is our time. It's unacceptable to wait ten twenty or thirty more years to solve the problems that have the potential to crush our nation.”
Montagano is an attorney with some experience in government. He worked for former Congressman Tim Roemer and former Lt. Governor Joe Kernan and will run against Republican incumbent Mark Souder in Indiana’s third Congressional district. - - Go to the Mike Montagano For Congress web site
FIVE YEARS IN IRAQ: WE NEED A NEW DIRECTION Michael Montagano
Goshen, IN – Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the American invasion of Iraq. In the full five years since then, our country and our district have seen hard losses that contradict any belief that this would be a short and easy war.
“For far too long, our representation in Washington has decided on its own what is best for our district, continuing to vote for this invasion in Iraq and refusing to consider a new direction,” stated U.S. Congressional candidate Mike Montagano. “The war has already cost the taxpayers of Indiana’s Third District alone an estimated $925 million that could have been spent on real priorities at home. How can that amount of money be justified when Washington claims we cannot afford $2.1 million a year to keep the Fort Wayne VA hospital’s in-patient services running?”
Montagano continued, “Meanwhile, we face an economic crisis that threatens the way of life of many Hoosier families. We need leaders who will invest in our priorities at home and take responsibility for their decisions. I will do what our current representation refuses to do and support a responsible redeployment of our troops that focuses on the real threats abroad and rebuilds our military. I will be an effective fighter for our district’s priorities.”
Since the start of the war in Iraq, 3,979 brave men and women in uniform have been killed. (Department of Defense, 3/18/2008)
The deployment [to Iraq] of 3,400 of the combat team members [the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team] is the largest deployment of Indiana National Guard soldiers since World War II, state officials have said. (The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 3/19/2008)
In late December 2002, the White House OMB estimated that the cost of the war would be in the “range of $50 billion to $60 billion,” saying that earlier estimates of $100 billion to $200 billion were too high. (New York Times, 12/31/2002)
Now the total cost of the war is estimated to top $3 trillion dollars. (Washington Post, 3/9/2008)
Admiral William Fallon (USN), Commander, U.S. Central Command stated:
“…I will certainly tell you that I think that our troops are in need of a change in the deployment cycle. We've had too many, from my experience, of several of our key segments of the troop population -- senior NCOs, mid to junior officers -- on multiple rotations. I look at my commanders, and some of them have logged more months in Iraq in the last decade than they have at home by a significant amount.” [Testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, 3/5/08]
Mike Montagano at the Allen County Democrat Luncheon Club
On Wednesday, January 23 Mike Montagano shared his vision for the Third Congressional District of Indiana. For Hoosiers in north eastern Indiana, Mike offers understandable and positive ideas for changing the direction our country has been heading. As a conservative leaning listener, he believes we can unite on common thoughts and should not be divided by our differences and fears.
It would seem to be beneficial to have someone in congress who wants out of the "Borrow and Spend" philosophy that Republican leadership has used to smother the future financial resources of Americans. By using wise economic strategy, avoiding foolish government programs and without raising taxes, Mike believes we can use the money we have to truly make life better for everyone.
As a public service - Montagano is pronounced phonetically: Mon-tag-a-no. All short “A’s”, nothing fancy, just like it reads.
Michael Montagano Declares His Candidacy for U.S. Congress in Indiana’s 3rd District
Monday, January 28. . Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry introduced Michael Montagano to declare his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in the third district. A large crowd was at the historic Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, Monday morning calling for new leadership, a united district, and representation that will listen to the concerns of northeast Hoosiers.
Montagano stressed he is an opportunity to unite us rather than divide us. It is time to put differences aside and take action together to make a positive difference. As someone whose family has lived in this area for four generations, working in railroading, farming, restaurants and education, this young lawyer wants to pull it all together and make work for positive change. He feels we have become paralyze by not working together. There are no such things as Republican problems or Democrat problems, just Hoosier problems. With that in mind, government can do what needs to be done to make things better for everyone.
Mike has been to every county, every city and many towns in the Third District listening to voters. I have seen him at five events in Allen County in the past months and know he does get around and he does listen. This was the second time I have heard him formally speak and he said all the right things to let you know that the direction he is heading is positive, caring and his goals can be accomplished for the good of all.
Click Here to learn more about Mike - click below and hear his declaration of candidacy.
Fort Wayne, IN – June 12, Michael Montagano stopped by the Shell gas station at Fairfield and Paulding Road to hand out packages of $1.13 to customers as they lined up to get $4 a gallon gas. When Mark Souder first took office in 1995, the average price for gas was $1.13 a gallon. Now the price is through the roof and Montagano says this has to stop. It is a most important issue on the minds of voters as they worry that we have no long term or short term solutions to the problem of high gas prices or energy because of failed policies and ineffective leadership and stagnation. Why has the price of gas gone up 350% under Souder's watch? We have a congressman who's campaign is funded by oil lobbies He has given big subsidies to big oil companies and he has voted against green power jobs
Congressman Mark Souder is irate, saying in a statement released to Indiana’s news center, that...”Giving cash to influence votes is illegal, and we will ask the U.S. Attorney to investigate his conduct." 
Goshen, IN – Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the American invasion of Iraq. In the full five years since then, our country and our district have seen hard losses that contradict any belief that this would be a short and easy war.
On Wednesday, January 23 Mike Montagano shared his vision for the Third Congressional District of Indiana. For Hoosiers in north eastern Indiana, Mike offers understandable and positive ideas for changing the direction our country has been heading. As a conservative leaning listener, he believes we can unite on common thoughts and should not be divided by our differences and fears. 