I’ve visited all 99 counties in Iowa, and I’ve done more events than any other presidential candidate.

When I speak with folks across the country, it continues to remind me: our extraordinary nation remains one of unlimited potential.

And I believe that our unique ideas on healthcare, innovation, infrastructure, trade, climate, and national service are needed to help realize that potential.'

(Via e.mail.)

His name was Pete McCloskey. He was a republican congressman from what is now the Silicon Valley area, and he was my congressman. He ran against Nixon for the republican nomination in 1972.

I met him a decade later at a Chamber of Commerce event he was speaking at. He said in his heart he knew he didn't have a chance to win. But he said it became addictive and he derived satisfaction in getting his message out to the people. He said it was absolutely thrilling to do this, and he felt it was an important if losing cause. He said eventually his wife had to talk him into walking away from it.

https://www.gocomics.com/doonesbury/1972/08/25

Don Quixote and Moby Dick.

I don't think any of them will drop out after Iowa.

After New Hampshire I expect half of them to drop out. So we will be down to 6 heading into Nevada, South Carolina and Super Tuesday.

As for John Delaney, I think he is determined to follow through with the presidential candidate experience. He wants to take it through the NH primary, and once he has done that he will move on with his life.

Seems like a more notable building.

He's independently wealthy and he can afford to go all the way to the convention. It's pure privilege and self-entitlement that he feels that because he's rich and successful, that he knows better than all of the people who just don't care about his message, or his platform. I read an article a while back where he said as soon as most of the others drop out, he's going to shine, and he has the money to get to that point.

This line from the article really summed it up for me:

If this is how he feels, he should be spending his money directly to assist people. Help build community centres. Help build shelters. Help build homes for those who struggle. Instead of pouring millions of dollars into a giant pit of a presidential bid, maybe actually do some good.

I mean, his staffers even urged him to drop out back in August:
https://www.axios.com/john-delaney-2020-presidential-campaign-drop-out-44634be2-0973-403b-aca0-55278a9c37da.html

His powerful message of unity and peace still provides this nation with a critical roadmap towards achieving a more perfect union.

And every year, it’s incumbent upon each and every American to ask ourselves how we can live up to his ideals of justice, equity, and inclusion.

Ellen, addressing the systemic racism in our country will not be simple. But we must start leveling the playing field for marginalized communities to ensure that all of our kids -- regardless of the color of their skin -- are given the same opportunities to succeed.

Because as of 2017, the median income of black households was nearly $28,000 lower than the median income for white households, and black Americans lived in poverty at more than double the rate of white Americans. The lack of upward economic mobility persists as a major issue for black families.

To address this, we must fight for universal health coverage. We must fight for solutions to climate change and protect vulnerable brown and black communities. And we must take a serious look at the root causes of gun violence that disproportionately impact communities of color.

And we can’t stop there.

In order to address the economic impact of racial injustice, we should create more nonprofit banks to increase access to banking services in distressed communities. We need to ensure minority entrepreneurs have access to capital, and restore CFPB’s focus on anti-discrimination regulations in financial services to ensure people aren’t discriminated against.

And we must overhaul our corrupt criminal justice system that continues to demonstrate a clear bias against people of color.

These are just a few examples of how we should -- and must -- start creating an America that works for all of us.

Right now, our nation is at a crossroads. Our president seems determined to sow as much division and hatred as possible, and hyperpartisan rhetoric seems to overwhelm our political conversation.

The best way for us to honor the extraordinary life and singular contributions of Dr. King is to model ourselves on the values he embraced -- namely, nonviolence, service, compassion, and courage.

In this climate, we must heed the words of Dr. King, and recommit our efforts to bridge the divide, work towards ending poverty and racism, and live a life in service to others.

To read my commitment to Black America, please visit my website here.

In solidarity,
John'

Via e.mail

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