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Its Official – Jim Marcinkowski Filed Unopposed!

By Larry Johnson on May 17, 2006 at 2:19 AM in Current Affairs

by
Robert "Taters" Murray

Jim Marcinkowski, retired CIA officer, county prosecutor, FBI
agent, dad and Navy veteran filed unopposed as a Democrat to run
against Republican incumbent Rogers, Eighth Congessional District (
Brighton ) Michigan. Rogers has been on the receiving end of Tom
DeLay’s largesse, through ARMPAC. ( Americans For A Republican Majority
) Rogers voted with DeLay over 90% of the time and voted for the DeLay
rule before he voted against it.

Jim is a great guy – ask Larry
Johnson or Joe Wilson! Anybody who knows him will tell you – Jim’s got
what it takes, he’s certainly more than qualified. He’s got the smarts,
the heart and the willingness to fight for what we value so dearly.
This is a commitment from an American who truly loves his country. No
one has defended the outing of his former colleague Valerie Plame more
vigorously or eloquently than Mr. Marcinkowski.

"I’m proud to be the uncontested nominee from the Democratic Party
seeking to defeat Mike Rogers this November. Please pass this email
along to all of your friends to let them know that the Democratic Party
is united behind our campaign to take down Mike Rogers and his rubber
stamp approval of George Bush’s agenda. They can sign up for my mailing
list here!

We’ve got the momentum. We are THE threat to the Republican majority
in Michigan. According to one of the best political anlaysts in the
nation:

The only Michigan Republican House member who could face a serious
challenge from the Democrats this year is Mike Rogers, said Nathan
Gonzales, political editor of the Washington-based Rothenberg Political
Report, a nonpartisan political newsletter.

Although Rogers’ challenger, Jim Marcinkowski, has raised only
$145,674 to Rogers’ $709,108, he raised more money than Rogers did in
the first three months of the year. [Lansing State Journal, 5/14/2006]

If you were waiting until after the Primary to contribute, please
give all you can now by clicking here. We only need 15 seats to take
the House of Representatives back from the Republicans. Only 15 seats!

That battle starts here and now. We need a new Majority to change
the White House’s unfair energy policies that give billions in
subsidies to oil companies while we get robbed at the pump. We need a
new Majority to change the White House’s diasterous foreign policies
that makes us less safe and secure. We need a new Majority to change
the White House’s trade policies that send our jobs and businesses to
Communist China.

We know what we get if we re-elect Mike Rogers: More of the Same!
Please, spread the word by forwarding this to your friends, and please,
contribute to our cause.

Together, we can do better.  We must do better."

Sincerely,
Jim Marcinkowski

http://www.marcinkowskiforcongress.com/

For Jim’s take on the outing of Valerie Plame.

http://www.marcinkowskiforcongress.com/jim2005.pdf

  • http://spaces.msn.com/mpumpky/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c02_owner=1 PrchrLady

    Taters—

    Yes, I am very excited. A few months ago, I decided to get off my butt (thanks Larry, for the encouragement)and quit complaining, and DO something. I started working on Jim’s campaign. He will not be my rep (unfortunately), but he is a very good man, and I believe will work very hard to try to straighten out the mess we have in Washington. I hope everyone here will consider giving a small donation to the cause, or even better, find someone close to home that you can help change the direction of this country. Best to ALL

  • taters

    Well put. Good for you Prchr Lady, and as a consequence – good for all of us!

  • mainsailset

    What a terrific asset he will be not just for his constituents but for the whole country! I’m going to be getting bumper stickers printed shortly to say: “America Needs You, Vote Democrat”. Will send one to campaign.

  • taters

    Cool mainsailset! BTW – what a great handle.
    Also here’s a live link to Jim’s site.
    http://www.marcinkowskiforcongress.com/index.asp

  • Retired

    (snip)No one has defended the outing of his former colleague Valerie Plame more vigorously or eloquently than Mr. Marcinkowski.(unsnip) Really? And here I thought that he believed Valerie’s outing for political purposes was a betrayal of the public trust. (Smile)

  • http://spaces.msn.com/mpumpky/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c02_owner=1 PrchrLady

    Retired… I am not sure what you meant when you said: ‘Really? And here I thought that he believed Valerie’s outing for political purposes was a betrayal of the public trust. (Smile)’
    Please explain, and remember that once its printed, it can never be taken back. Thanks, M

  • taters

    Retired – OOH! You got me – I worded it poorly. BTW – With a handle like Taters, shouldn’t one get a little slack when it comes to grammar? Just kiddin’. I should have said no one has addressed the issue of Ms. Plame’s outing and the subsequent damage done to our country more eloquently and powerfully than Jim Marcinkowski. Thanks for goin’ easy on me. Is this the same Retired that had a link to his blog over at Sic Semper? If so, could you please post it again? :-)

    Prchr Lady – Thanks for the vote of coincidence…uh I mean confidence. (smile)

  • Retired

    PrchrLady,

    taters got it–it was a joke. Jim never “defended” Valerie’s outing. In fact, as a retired Agency type myself, I found the item on Jim’s website as to why the compromise of Valerie’s cover was so serious, both morally as well as operationally, to be the best explanation to the American people that I have seen as to the way espionage really works. If this is any indication of the type of honesty that his constituents are going to get from Congressman Marchinkowsky, then they will be lucky citizens, indeed.

  • http://spaces.msn.com/mpumpky/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c02_owner=1 PrchrLady

    Thanks retired, and taters too. Yes, I agree, they will be lucky citizens. I got it too (allbeit slow…) just didn’t want something to be misunderstood, and thought it was better for clarification…you both have sent Jim some green support too, haven’t you??? I know all of us would be most thankful.

  • Thinker

    Every additional bit of reason that creeps into Congress will do the US a power of good. Upon success, I pray Jim fulfils his promise.

  • zennurse

    firedoglake is down for a server change but I will put this great news in comments as soon as I can, if Larry hasn’t already. Jim is clearly a great choice and I look forward to raising some FDL power for him.

  • zennurse

    To follow up, I put this up on FDL and another commenter from Mich 08 mentions that Jim M. had previously been a Repub., and wonders why this is not addressed on his site, and why he has jumped parties. I am unable to access contact info there (link goes to “Issues” section), but would like to know more about this. My theory is that he has “seen the light” in terms of the GOP’s poor performance and their willingness to play politics rather than respect the constitution, but it would really be a good idea for his perspective to be posted on the site. I’ll check back there, hopefully the link info will be corrected and I can write them about it, but until them, I’d appreciate your input. He truly seems like a gift to the Dems in this environment, but I’d like to reassure one of his constituents who would like to see Rogers go.

    Thanks in advance, and for all you guys share. This is an always illuminating read.

  • http://spaces.msn.com/mpumpky/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c02_owner=1 PrchrLady

    I will ask him that question on the interview I hope to do with Jim in the near future. I think it is an excellent question, and welcome everyones suggestions on other questions that you think Jim should address when we do the interview.. M

  • taters

    Prchr Lady – In answer to your question, yes, I gave my initial offering – and I will definitely revisit to add to that. I really commend you.
    zennurse – I was part of the early Draft Clark movement – he was an independent at the time and had voted for Republicans in the past. I’m a certainly a Dem but my belief in Wes as a candidate trumped my politics, and in the end, Wes declared himself a Democrat. I didn’t think General Clark was going to accept us drafting him – he apparently did some serious soul searching, so after a while I ended up going with Dean and then Wes declared so I came back. Jim was a Republican – he’s my favorite kind of Republican – a FORMER one who is now a Dem. lol – I never had a problem with Main Street Republicans – although they are a very rare commodity these days. I remember Goldwater called Ike a dimestore FDR. The current crop of the GOP would call him worse and still do. Heck, our buddy here Larry is or was a registered Republican. I’d go to hell and back for him. I’ve got friends here in MI that can verify Jim is good to the “little folks” too. Even as an attorney for the City of Royal Oak. I believe we are fortunate to have him. Did you read Jim’s take on the outing of Valerie Plame? I also agree with Retired’s assessment. Thanx for the mention of Jim @FDL – and thank God for FDL!! Where is our wonderful SusanUnPC??? It is kinda fun when Mom & Dad are away but I’m missin’ ‘em now… PS – PrchrLady, please keep us posted! You know, Jim’s Naval service qualifies him as a Fighting Dem – and we need to get him up over at Wes Clark’s. Is Jim up at Act Blue? I’m out of town this weekend – got a gig in CA with my one of my bosses, Etta James (the other being my wife) but I’ll look into it, I’d like to see him here, too…

    http://securingamerica.com/taxonomy/term/61?from=10
    Congratulations to Patrick Murphy!

    http://www.murphy06.com/

  • taters

    zennurse – Of course I can’t pretend to speak for Jim – but I had a thought or two to share with you.
    Do you recall at the 2000 GOP convention when Colin Powell spoke? He stated that he believed in a woman’s right to choose, affirmative action, I don’t recall how further he got than that – anyway he was soundly booed and I recall saying to myself man, this guy just
    doesn’t get it, does he?
    Or to paraphrase Clark – I found myself thinking I could be with people I share core values with or be the loneliest damn Republican in the room. I agree with you, Mich 08 and Prchr Lady – its a valid question and I would like to hear Jim address it, too. Betcha we’ll get a great answer.

  • zennurse

    Thanks, taters and all. I am greatly reassured and my FDL buddy is checking further by contacting the campaign. She’s kind of a powerhouse and they would be lucky to have her working on his efforts.

    Most kind, thanks again.

  • Leslie

    This is unrelated to your Marcinkowski post, but wanted to bring this to your attention anyway if you haven’t already seen it.

    Yesterday the NY Post ran this headline: “Fourth Reich: Iran Law Labels Jews.”

    Too bad the NY Post doesn’t hire fact checkers. Because according to Juan Cole, Informed Comment, Iran has no law requiring religious minorities to wear badges or otherwise publicly identify themselves. This is part of a black psy-ops operation to demonize Iran and raise support for war.

    Millions of people read the NY Post and other papers and websites, such as Drudge, that also picked up this story. The Bush administration has already lied us into one unnecessary war at great cost in lives and treasure. It’s one thing to wage a justified war, and another to be lied into it. I hope this story will be widely debunked and that you and Pat Lang will help debunk it. Juan Cole tries to follow the story to its origins. Perhaps you may know more?

    Links: NY Post link [subscription required, but you can see part of the story]: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/68837.htm Juan Cole: http://www.juancole.com/2006/05/another-fraud-on-iran-no-legislation.html

  • taters

    Prchr Lady – Jim is up at Fighting Dems…

    http://www.fighting-dems.com/

  • Mr.Murder

    Voted my primary today, hate closed primaries when you’re an independent. They only issue one of two ballots(screens as it were).

  • http://spaces.msn.com/mpumpky/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c02_owner=1 PrchrLady

    Taters, ZenNurse, and all. I know there are many here that support Jim and his efforts to bring some sanity back into our Government. I want to share with everyone Jim’s Memorial Day Message. I believe it is very powerful, and should be plastered everywhere on the Net.

    I’m working on getting some volunteers to get together one or two afternoons/evenings at the campaign office in Brighton. I know some of you are close, and maybe want to help. Please email me, and I will give you a call… I haven’t worked on a campaign for over 30 years, and believe it or not, I’m really enjoying it. Would love to have some folks who support Jim along for the ride…

    Here’s Jim’s message, as it came in email today, and I can’t link:

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jim Marcinkowski 248/505-4104
    info@marcinkowskiForCongress.com

    Memorial Day Op-Ed Piece
    By Jim Marcinkowski

    Memorial Day is a time of reflection and recognition. It is a chance for a country to come together in remembrance of those lost, and a celebration of the lives of those who will forever benefit from the sacrifice of a stranger. It’s a time to put our differences aside, and recognize the values that encompass each of us…freedom, justice, and equality.

    Generations of Americans have given their lives to defend not the words, but the legacy they provide. As we come together this weekend to remember the past, we are called upon to look to the future.

    What defines the nobility of a country? If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that character, like freedom, justice and equality, is not just an adjective, but a way of life. This country was built on the character of a people with vision and desire, and the forward thinking required to put each into action. It was built on the tolerance of differing views and the ability to compromise for the good of the nation. But, it was also built on the resistance to take the easy route and the courage to raise questions even when it was considered dangerous and unpopular to do so.

    This country must be more than just a compilation of the people who represent it at any given time. It is a philosophy in action, a search for the guiding principles that determine the harmony of our mutual existence. We consistently struggle with the contradictions of our inherent values and the reality of the world in which we live. But ultimately, our values must prevail, and with it, our place in history. Our government, political and community leaders must be willing to defend not only the nation, but the ideas that comprise this nation. To do any less, would be contradictory to those very values that they profess to protect.

    This Memorial Day, I challenge you to seriously question how history will look back on this day. One hundred Memorial Days from now, how will we be judged by our children’s children? If the answer is anything less than admirable, then take this opportunity to raise the questions that will redefine a generation.

    ###

    Jim Marcinkowski is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. A former CIA operative and U.S. Navy Veteran, Marcinkowski is currently the Deputy City Attorney for the City of Royal Oak.

  • OSCM(Ret) Kenneth Ray Coody

    I was stationed with Jim on our first ship the USS Rathburne (FF 1057). It does not surprise me to find him running for congress. He was a man of integrity in the 70′s and I for one believe we need some good men in Congress. Go Jim and thanks for teaching me to Polka.