OPINION: A Letter in Support of Bruce Shuttleworth
By: STEVEN VALLEY
June 10th, 2012
I’ve know Bruce for over 12 years now. I was on his team at Microstrategy. Even during difficult times, he was a motivating and incredibly professional boss. I enjoyed seeking his advice on any number of issues. In every one of my interactions with Bruce I was able to see the leader, the friend, and the compassionate person he is. Party politics aside, our district needs a new voice and Bruce is that voice.
I was forwarded the note below, written by someone in our district and it covers all of the points perfectly and really represents the guy I know would be a perfect catalyst for change:
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Dear Friends,
We have an opportunity this Tuesday, June 12 to return honor and integrity to Virginia’s 8th Congressional District seat by voting for Bruce Shuttleworth in the Democratic primary. Bruce has courageously entered the race to challenge entrenched Congressman Jim Moran, who has made headlines for years with charges of corruption and ethical impropriety. If you believe, as I do, that we deserve more honorable representation in Congress, please join me in voting for Bruce on Tuesday.
I have had the opportunity to get to know Bruce over the past few weeks and I cannot think of a better person to represent our district at time when Congress is controlled by special interests and divisive dialog. A humble and thoughtful leader, Bruce is not a stereotypical candidate. Some of his accomplishments:
- Led his class at the Naval Academy
- Finished first in flight school
- Flew over Bosnia and Mogadishu
- Earned an MBA from Harvard Business School
- Helped companies as a strategy management consultant at BCG
- Director at MicroStrategy and Blackboard
- Coached his Twin’s sports teams
- Managed both of his Parent’s healthcare as they battled cancer
He is principled in character, and willing to fight for what he believes in, which passionately includes all Democratic social values . He is also passionate about creating a more just, peaceful and sustainable America. He listens intently and respects the value of others experiences in a way that I have rarely seen in politics.
Sadly, both of Bruce’s parents died of lung cancer, both non-smokers. I am certain that he intends to reduce America’s deadly addiction to carbon-based fuels.
You can learn more about Bruce on his website at http://www.shuttleworthforcongress.org/ or you can reach out to me for more details.
I believe that in one of the best educated districts in the country we can do better. We can have representation that is by the people, for the people. Please take 10 minutes to vote for Bruce on Tuesday. The polls are open 6 am to 7 pm. With 65% undecided and low turnout predicted, your vote could be the difference.
Finally, please join me in supporting Bruce by spreading the word about his candidacy. Please forward this with your thoughts on Facebook, LinkedIn and your email networks.
If we want a different result, we will need different Congressmen.
______________________________________
As the author of the note states, 65% of the voters in our district are undecided, the vote is Tuesday next week, low turnout is expected because it’s mid year. We in Falls Church are very much used to these “out of cycle” votes so lets turn out in huge numbers and show Washington what we think about the same old same old congress.
The views expressed above represent those of the author alone. The Falls Church Times makes no political endorsements.
By Steven Valley
June 10, 2012
Falls Church in the News
This letter supporting Shuttleworth is simply bizarre. USNA releases do not substantiate the overblown claims made in the text. Shuttleworth was originally sponsored by a Texas Republican PAC, which subsequently dropped him. A USNA-grad Navy pilot has up to a fourteen-year service obligation (this is actually explicit in statutes and Navy regulations), but Shuttleworth was released after the “basic 8.” Shuttleworth has literally no local political, policy or government record at all, and hasn’t even been actively employed for much of his post-Navy civilian life. He has not articulated a single credible policy position – on anything. His campaign now is being funded by his wife’s law firm colleagues; she represents the fast-food industry in litigation. Shuttleworth has no visibile means of his own support. Shuttleworth has farudulently claimed an affiliation with Democratic Congressional leader Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, whose campaign has completely disavowed Shuttleworth and called Shuttleworth’s actions “inappropriate.” Shuttleworth is peculiar, apparently unemployable, and has been taking liberties with the truth in his campaign.
As a conservative, I gave a lot of thought to voting for Mr. Shuttleworth in the upcoming primary (since George Allen has a lock on the Republican nomination for US Senate). While I disagree with Mr. Shuttleworth on almost every issue, I know that a Democrat is all but guaranteed to win VA-8, and I’d love to see Mr. Moran knocked out of the race (because of his anti-Semitic and pro-socialism remarks in the past).
Unfortunately, a recent press release by Shuttleworth claimed that the Democrat Party is the only party that cares about women. I know quite a few Republican women (including my wife) who find these sorts of comments to be repulsive (and without any factual basis, of course).
Mr. Shuttleworth sought the votes of Republicans and independents in his primary challenge against Rep. Moran. Making disingenuous, partisan comments like this are no way to win an election.
Shuttleworth and Moran are cut from the same cloth. I’ll stick to voting for one of the decent folks seeking the Republican nomination for Senate.
When one of our most outspoken local tea party supporters has a sign for this “progressive warrior” in his front yard, it gives me pause. Is he seeking their support to beat Moran in the primary and hoping that Democrats will vote for him in November? Just a thought.
He can’t be any worse than the incumbent, and since the 8th District is already in the bottom of the ditch, the only way to go is up.
Readers are encouraged to remember the FCT Comment Policy, which calls for all comments to be civil. Our Comment Policy is available under our “About” section.
Thank you.
Stan Fendley
Dear Stan,
Terribly grateful for pulling my post — I’m not sure what came over me after reading some of your commentors. I will endeavor to be civil. Let’s try this again:
Mark — you have suggested several things which are patently false. I don’t know if your loose grasp on the truth is a result of ignorance or given you clearly are working for Moran — only someone so employed would be so incredibly rude towards Bruce Shuttleworth. It seems your post has not risen to the “uncivil” level as did my slightly energetic response. I guess you can fabricate the truth about someone on this post and that is entirely civil. Indeed.
For the record, you know far less about military obligations than you imply. Bruce served honorably and was discharged from service in very good standing. Implications or suggestions to the contrary are, well, uncivil.
For the record, literally thousands of local citizens have commented on how much they approve of Bruce’s positions. If perhaps you have not had the opportunity to review them: http://www.progressivewarrior.com
You’ll note that Bruce does not advocate sticking it to the 99%- so he does not support the Bankruptcy Act. As you’ve mentioned credibility in policy, I’ll only point out the fact that Moran led on this legislation. Try explaining that away. You can’t.
I tire of the rest … too inane to even address. If you knew Bruce, you wouldn’t be so rude. Hope they are paying you well.
How is that Stan? Civil enough for you?
As for his visible means of support — curious comment. You do realize he is a management consultant and has a Harvard MBA? That isn’t uncivil, more bizarre.
Svengali – “1. a common noun referring to a person who, with evil intent, controls another person by persuasion or deceit. 2.A person who exercises a controlling or mesmeric influence on another, esp. for a sinister purpose.
Very interesting surname, indeed.
Mark, you seem to be populating the blog with distorted information…across the media outlets. I guess you are an Academy grad because of your recitation of fact. But since you likely are not (obviously), and are not aware of the context of Shuttleworths service or that West Point grads were offered outs at 2-3 years, you open yourself up to being either a hack or worse. I like Svengali’s approach and remaining civil. Is the internet your way of getting back at all of the guys that took your lunch money, were star performers in high school and actually got dates? Sorry for the genetic short comings…makes you angry, I know…go ask momma for some milk and cookies.