The Democratic nominee for President could be determined in the next few days. I strongly support @PeteButtigieg. He’s Democrats’ best bet to defeat Trump and end the toxicity of the Trump era. If you back Pete, too, please donate to his campaign today: p4a.us/s-donate. It’s now or never.
Here’s the Trump Administration’s proposed federal budget for 2021, as analyzed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. In summary: major cuts to health, education, environmental, housing, and energy programs, including many that are of vital importance to residents of New Rochelle like the Community Development Block Grant, in order to pay for the President’s ridiculous border wall and for increases in defense.
It’s like some sort of cruel academic exercise: figure out the right priorities for America and then see if you can write a budget that accomplishes exactly the opposite.
President Trump’s hostility to democratic norms, morally bankrupt character, and infantile social media tantrums get most of the attention, but it’s worth remembering at all times that his actual policies are awful and destructive, too.
If you agree with me that a budget like this would be catastrophic for our country, then let’s do everything possible to ensure that the next federal budget is shaped by a different President.
Please take a few moments to read Pete Buttigieg’s interview with the New York Times editorial board, because it is a great illustration of why I am so proud to support Pete for President. There are very few public officials, even at the highest levels, capable of discussing issues with anything close to Pete’s fluidity, depth, and thoughtfulness, evident across the full spectrum of topics, from highly-specific policy matters to broad questions of philosophy. (And all this shines through despite the Times’ weird fixation on McKinsey.) Pete Buttigieg will be an uplifting, transformative President and is exactly the right antidote for the toxicity of the Trump years.
Can you do me a favor? Would you please sign my petition to become a delegate to this year’s Democratic National Convention? I’m on a slate of eight delegates, who are pledged to Pete Buttigieg, and we need to collect at least 500 signatures from our area this month in order to qualify for the ballot. (A little more on that below.) If you are willing to sign, please meet me this weekend at either of these times and locations:
Saturday, January 11th from 2:00pm to 3:00pm at the Starbucks near Iona (726 North Avenue)
Sunday, January 12th from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Starbucks in Wykagyl (1278 North Avenue)
As another option, you can drop by Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway) any time, where our same petition will be available.
In order to be eligible to sign, you must (a) live in the 16th Congressional District of New York, meaning that Eliot Engel is your Congressman, and (b) be registered to vote as a Democrat.
Signing the petition does not obligate you to vote for Pete Buttigieg or for anyone else. It simply allows delegates like myself to qualify for the ballot, so that the democratic primary process can occur. The New York primary will take place on April 28th — that’s when you have to choose a candidate.
Although our local delegate slate covers the whole Congressional District, I am proud to say that New Rochelle is very well-represented. In addition to myself, the delegate slate includes New Rochelle residents Fabiola Brito-Briseno, Sharad Khemani, and Gwen Clayton (the co-owner of Alvin & Friends.) The slate also includes Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who represents half of New Rochelle, and Michael Clain, the former Mayor of Pelham.
I’ve never before tried to collect signatures on a petition this way, so it’s a bit of an experiment, and I am counting on my friends to show up! If you have a couple of minutes this weekend, I would really be grateful to see you. Coffee’s on me.
Thank you!
City, County, and NRPD officials at today’s announcement
This afternoon, I joined regional and local colleagues to announce a partnership that embeds County mental health professionals with New Rochelle Police officers to address the difficult challenge of homelessness. Through this collaboration, City and County officials are better able to connect vulnerable individuals to support services in an effective, humane fashion — helping more people to overcome obstacles and enjoy stable, rewarding lives, even as we make New Rochelle as a whole more vibrant, attractive, and equitable. This press release has more information.
I am very proud to back Pete Buttigieg for President. If you share my enthusiasm for Pete, then please consider applying to be a Buttigieg delegate at next year’s Democratic National Convention. It’s a rare and exciting opportunity to participate directly in the nomination of our next President. Just fill out this form.
The Buttigieg campaign is also seeking volunteers to help collect signatures to put Pete on the New York ballot. The primary is in April, but signature collection begins later this month. If you are able to help out, there’s more information here.
I’ll be posting more about the Presidential race in the weeks ahead, as the New York primary gets closer.