Horne Makes It Official: Mitch Is Done

This morning, Andrew Horne, Lt. Col. USMC Ret., announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Mitch McConnell (Scumbag-KY.)

As Page One Kentucky said:

It’s official, ladies and gentleman. Mitch McConnell’s worst nightmare has become a reality. And we’re the first to bring the news to you. Andrew Horne is announcing his candidacy for the United States Senate. The months-long and successful draft movement is over. The Democratic Party’s consensus candidate is here.

This is a first for Kentucky and a signal that the blogosphere is increasingly relevant. Welcome to campaign 2008.

Media Czech at BlueGrassRoots has by far the most comprehensive coverage, including a recent interview with Horne.

And Jon Soltz, chair of VoteVets.org, gives his full-throated support to Horne and predicts Mitch's demise.

The Louisville Courier-Journal gave Horne's announcement decent coverage, and the Lexington Herald-Leader noted:

Horne made his announcement early this morning with a video message first shown by the Democratic blogs, Page One and Bluegrassroots. Horne also started a campaign Web site, www.andrewHorne.org.

Pat Crowley of the Cincinnati Inquirer had little comment, but reproduced Horne's announcement in full.

Lt. Colonel Andrew Horne (Ret.) launched his campaign today to take back the U. S. Senate seat for the people of Kentucky, now held by Mitch McConnell.

Horne, while a Marine and Reservist, served tours of duty in Desert Storm and recently in Iraq. Horne outlined his decision to run and what he plans to focus on as Senator in a video released on the internet this morning. You can watch the video here.. The full text of it is available on the site, as well.

“I’m running for U.S. Senate because it's time for a change and because Senator Mitch McConnell is more than part of the problem. He is THE problem. It is time for Kentuckians to take our government and country back. We should not be told to take a backseat to the wealthy and powerful. It's time to tackle the challenges facing our country instead of passing them off to our kids. It's time for leaders who'll take the right stand,” Horne says in the video.

“Mitch McConnell, the Republican Leader, symbolizes everything wrong with Washington. He bows to big business, practices the worst kind of politics, and doesn’t take a stand when faced with tough issues. Simply put: Mitch McConnell carries George Bush’s water on Iraq; I carried a rifle in Iraq” he added. Horne noted that under the Bush-McConnell regime, Washington politicians have:

Failed to fix our health care crisis; sent our jobs to China and Mexico; failed to lead on immigration reform; ran up a nine trillion dollar debt for our children, and led our country into an ill-conceived and mismanaged war in Iraq.

Horne also noted yesterday that the Bush-McConnell obstructionism has continued to hinder progress, pointing to the latest example, the President’s veto of S-Chip fully supported by McConnell.

In the coming weeks and months, Horne will lay out his proposals to benefit the people of the commonwealth.

ABOUT ANDREW HORNE

Andrew Horne was born to working, middle-class parents, who for 30 years owned and operated a series of small businesses in Louisville, including Horne Cleaners and Clubfit International, a golf equipment and supply store. Just before graduating from Pleasure Ridge Park High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and, soon after commencement, headed to Parris Island, S.C. for boot camp. Horne worked his way through the University of Louisville, and in 1983 became the first in his family to graduate from college. He later earned a degree from University of Louisville's Brandeis School of Law, after fulfilling his six year active duty contract with the Marines.

After tours overseas in both operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, Horne retired this year from the Marines as a lieutenant colonel. Horne, his wife Stephanie, and their two children are members of Louisville’s Christ Church United Methodist, where he’s taught Sunday School. Horne serves as the spokesperson for the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky, leading the Wounded Warriors program which provides resources and relief to those suffering from this “signature” wound of the Iraq war. He also has been active with the Toys for Tots campaigns, the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky, Boy Scouts of America, Junior Achievement and Boys’ State of Kentucky. He is a member of the Louisville Bar and American Bar associations. He previously served as a Senior Advisor to VoteVets.org, a pro-military group that supports Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans running for office.

"I'm in. Today, I announced my candidacy to beat Mitch McConnell, and take back our government as your Democratic Senator from Kentucky."

And in his announcement to supporters, Horne said:

We all worked hard and with passion in 2006 to change the face of Congress and to start bringing accountability back to Washington. BUT OUR JOB IS NOT DONE!

I decided to run for United States Senate because it is time for a change and because Senator Mitch McConnell is more than part of the problem. He is the problem.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE HORNE FOR SENATE TEAM

Here’s what it’s going to take for us to win:

First, it’s going to take foot soldiers. I’m asking everyone who gets this email to pass it on to five friends, and make sure they sign up to join the campaign, at AndrewHorne.org.

Second, it’s going to take money. Mitch McConnell might have the special interests who can cut the big checks, but if America bands together and all make a small donation, we cannot be stopped.

Third, everyday, it’s going to take you reminding people what is at stake, and urging them to join this movement.

You know it, and I know it: Washington is terribly broken, with skewed priorities, and Mitch McConnell has gone Washington. In the past few years, the Bush/McConnell regime has failed to fix our health care crisis, advocated trade policies that send our jobs to China and Mexico, failed to lead on immigration reform, given our children a nine trillion dollar debt, shredded our Constitution, and led our country into an ill-conceived and mismanaged war in Iraq that robs us of our resources and our loved ones' lives.

This is not what you asked for from your government. The problem is that Mitch McConnell and his Washington pals don’t listen to you. We're a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. I've never forgotten that, and it's a principle I've put my life on the line to defend. As your senator, the one thing you’ll always be able to count on is that I will never forget who I represent -- and who I work for.

That’s why today, I’m getting in this fight. I humbly ask that you join too. Together, we cannot be stopped.

Semper Fi,

Andrew Horne

Cross-posted at Watching Those We Chose.