The following letter was sent by Rep. John Shadegg (R.-Ariz.) to his House Republican colleagues announcing his run for minority whip.
November 8, 2006
Dear Republican Colleague,
The American people sent us an important message yesterday. They told us that we need to recommit ourselves to our core principles as Republicans, the principles of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan. We are the party of limited government, individual responsibility, and national security. They did not repudiate our principles, but they have rejected some of our recent practices.
The historic Contract with America made this pledge:
"We propose not just to change the [House of Representatives] policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives."
We must rededicate ourselves to that task. We also said we would end:
"government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public money," and begin "a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American Family."
We were right then and we are right now.
We may be fewer in number, but we can be more united and therefore, more effective in the next two years as we lay the foundation for the re-ascension of the Republican Party in the House. We must all work together to rebuild the trust America placed in our party in 1994 through 2004.
The vicious onslaught of attacks against us, individually and collectively, showed us that our opponents will stop at nothing to gain power. We will not stoop to their level, but we must prepare for 2008. We must craft an agenda for the next Congress that emphasizes those things we all agree on - our core principles - and we must build a record of Democrats support for extreme positions out of touch with America.
We have just gone through a grueling campaign season, but we must take the lessons we learned and convert them into an action plan for the next two years.
If you allow me to serve you as Minority Whip, I will work tirelessly, shoulder to shoulder with our other Conference leaders, to unite us all around an agenda based on our shared principles.
Sincerely,
John Shadegg
