Lawless Welcomes Langevin to Race with Question

posted by Campaign on 6/26/2006

"Why have you sided with Republicans and against Rhode Island families on so many issues?"

On June 19th, Jen's primary opponent, James Langevin, announced his re-election campaign by implying that Jen was running a single-issue race. In response, Jen said:

From the soaring gas prices and the cost of health care to the war in Iraq, it is clear that our elected officials are not doing their job on behalf of working people. Unfortunately, that includes James Langevin. I agree wholeheartedly with [him] that this campaign should not be waged on one issue. While his efforts to take away women and families' ability to make their own private, personal medical decisions is appalling, it's also disappointing that he's not fighting harder on so many issues important to Rhode Island families.

This is a campaign to let Rhode Islanders know that we can and will do better with new leadership!

Rhode Island needs and deserves strong, progressive leadership and an advocate on the issues that matter most!

Many Issues

Posted by bpackman on 7/9/2006

Craig, thank you for your comment. As far as health care is concerned, Jen believes that health care is a basic human right. She believes that all Rhode Islanders are entitled to high-quality, affordable health care. In Congress, she will fight as hard as she can to improve the status quo on this and many other issues.

And there are many issues on which Jen differs from her opponent. For example, Jen believes that the Patriot Act is an infringement on our civil liberties and that we can protect our nation’s security without such infringement. Langevin, on the other hand, joined with the House Republicans in support of the Patriot Act (this year, it was re-authorized by just two votes). Another difference is that Jen supports an independent judiciary and does not believe that the federal government should meddle in private family affairs, such as the Terri Schiavo case. Langevin, on the other hand, aligned himself with President Bush, Tom DeLay, and the radical right-wing to vote against separation of powers and an independent judiciary. Additionally, Jen strongly believes FEMA should be an independent agency, and Langevin originally voted to stifle a Democratic amendment to restore FEMA oversight, advocating for an independent FEMA only after Jen called on him to do so.

There are also a variety of issues on which Jen and her opponent have relatively similar stances. On these issues, Jennifer Lawless will be a much stronger leader and a progressive advocate on behalf of Rhode Island's 2nd District.

Please keep in touch over the next two months!

What other issues?

Posted by Craig on 7/8/2006

While you claim this is about other issues than choice, I haven't really seen where else you diverge in a significant way from Rep. Langevin. For example, health care. This inlcudes my browsing your website. You don't seem to have any concrete example of how you'd be better than him. Please illustrate your ideas on health care, the environment, foreign policy etc., and the difference between you and your opponent, then perhaps I'll believe your claim, and you may win my vote. P.S. Being pro-choice is almost enough to make me choose you over him. It really upsets me that RI has an anti-choice Representative in DC.

Thanks Jennifer

Posted by Barbara R on 6/27/2006

Good Luck Jennifer, you have proven to be the voice we all aspire to become. We thank you for standing up for the rights of all women and all working class individuals.

Langevin supporter no more

Posted by Joe in Providence on 6/27/2006

I'm ashamed to say that I supported James Langevin in the last three election cycles. I had no idea what he was doing in Washington all this time! I am disgusted, appalled, and am now proud to call myself a Lawless supporter. Langevin has got to go!!!!

Pro-Woman, Pro-Family, Pro-Choice

Posted by ilikemyrights on 6/27/2006

I'm not surprised to see that Langevin has voted so many times against a woman's right to choose. He has failed Rhode Island's women and families on more than one occasion. It’s time we elect a representative who will stand up for our rights, not strip us of them; and I’m confident that Jen is our woman. You go girl!

fantastic

Posted by MichaelG on 6/26/2006

I am so glad Rhode Islanders finally have a choice in this election cycle! My wife and I think it's absolutely about time someone challenged Langevin.

Inattentive media

Posted by Sara on 6/26/2006

It's been so disappointing to see how the RI media has failed to pick up on any issue except for choice. The media should stop pegging this as a one-issue campaign and start actually listening to what Jen's saying! What can I do to help?

Replies to this comment

RE: Inattentive media (Posted by Campaign at 6/26/2006)

we need a leader!

Posted by truedem on 6/26/2006

This race is about leadership, and I am so glad to see that the campaign is asserting the importance of that issue. Langevin definitely has not been the leader we need on the Iraq War. Keep up the good work, Jen!