Dear Fellow Democrat:

Another primary election is in the books.  The signs are being taken down.  The TV ads are back on the shelf.  The telephone will be relatively silent without the robo calls.  It is all over, and it is now time to store our emotions as well.

Whether you were for Senator Specter or Congressman Sestak, whether you were a Dan Onorato backer or a supporter of Joe Hoeffel, Jack Wagner or Anthony Williams, now is the time to take a step back and understand that we are all Democrats and it is time for us to come together to support the candidates we have chosen.

In a year where the political winds seem to be unpredictable, we must all come together pulling the oars in the same direction and to the same beat.  A failure to do so could result in our electing officials who believe in a government very different than the government we believe in.

I salute all the Democratic candidates who ran in the primary - win or lose.  The strength of our party flows from those who take the mantle of candidacy and with their hard work, dedication, talent, experience and knowledge make our party the party of ideas and vision.  Competition is good and that competition will make our general election candidates that much stronger this fall. Now that the primary is over, they deserve our support, regardless of who we supported individually in the primary. We must realize that our political adversaries are Republican candidates, not other Democrats.

On behalf of myself and our entire Committee, we look forward to working together to insure a successful general election campaign in November.

Sincerely yours,

Marcel Groen
Chairman
Montgomery County Democratic Committee

It was a great time. Thanks to all who came out and the fantastic organizing committee including our own Judy Novey and Marilyn Scannell.

Photos courtesy of Jenny French - Thanks!

Join us for dinner at the Flourtown Country Club to honor Springfield's own Maryellen Alviti as our Area 9 Democrat of the Year. MCDC's Area 9 consists of Springfield, Jenkintown and Cheltenham.

From The Charter & The Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, as amended by the Democratic National Committee, February 3, 2007:

Section 17. Democratic Party Credo.

We Democrats are the oldest political party in America and the youngest in spirit. We will remain so, because we enjoy the challenge of government.

Time and again, for almost two centuries, the Democratic Party has made government work -- to build and defend a nation, to encourage commerce, to educate our children, to promote equal opportunity, to advance science and industry, to support the arts and humanities, to restore the land, to develop and conserve our human and natural resources, to preserve and enhance our built environment, to relieve poverty, to explore space. We have reached difficult and vital goals.

We recognize that the capacity of government is limited but we regard democratic government as a force for good and a source of hope.

At the heart of our party lies a fundamental conviction, that Americans must not only be free, but they must live in a fair society.

We believe it is the responsibility of government to help us achieve this fair society.

• A society where the elderly and the disabled can lead lives of dignity and where Social Security remains an unshakable commitment;
• A society where all people can find jobs in a growing full-employment economy;
• A society where all workers are guaranteed without question the legal right to join unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively for decent wages and conditions of employment;
• A society where taxes are clearly based on ability to pay;
• A society where the equal rights of women are guaranteed in the Constitution;
• A society where the civil rights of minorities are fully secured and where no one is denied the opportunity for a better life;
• A society where both public and private discrimination based upon race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status, philosophical persuasion or physical disability are condemned and where our government moves aggressively to end such discrimination through lawful means;
• A society where we recognize that the strengthening of the family and the protection of children are essential to the health of the nation;
• A society where a sound education, proper nutrition, quality medical care, affordable housing, safe streets and a healthy environment are possible for every citizen;
• A society where the livelihoods of our family farmers are as stable as the values they instill in the American character;
• A society where a strong national defense is a common effort, where promoting human rights is a basic value of our foreign policy, and where we ensure that future by ending the nuclear arms race.

This is our purpose and our promise.