Dear Americans Abroad,

As our campaign to register as many overseas voters as we can comes to an end, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I can do from now until election day. And one common theme keeps coming back to mind; a theme that we’ve drilled into each and every American we’ve found living abroad - that every single vote counts and how important it is to stay involved in what’s happening back home. However, being abroad, we tend to concentrate entirely on the Presidential race and forget that there are also 35 Senate seats and 435 Congressional districts being contested.

Not only, but for the first time many of these seats are being contested by women. Being that only 17% of Congress is made up of women, I think it’s a good time we try to not only increase the Democratic majority, but also bring that percentage closer to the reality of the population it represents. 2008 is an exciting time for women in politics and we abroad can keep that momentum going.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has compiled a list of “Red to Blue” candidates (http://www.actblue.com/page/re...). This is a list of Democratic candidates with the best chance of beating a Republican, who stand for change and who will represent new priorities if elected to Congress. Many on this list are women.

So, I have decided to not sit around and wait for November’s results and get involved with one of these candidates and I urge you to do the same. After reading the profiles of the candidates on this list, I have decided to get behind and “adopt” Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania’s 3rd district. She is running against a seven-term Republican incumbent and career politician Congressman Phil English who’s campaign money is heavily funded by big oil and lobbyists and who’s voting record has been almost 90% in tune with President Bush. Kathy is running on honest issues alone and for the first time in 14 years, is posing a serious threat to Congressman English. Dahlkemper is being outspent nearly 8 to 1 by the incumbent, yet she remains tied in polls. Every dollar will help in this tight race. I have set-up an Americans Abroad support page through ActBlue http://www.actblue.com/entity/... where we can all donate to her campaign and help yet another Democrat send a Republican packing. You too can show support by donating to this campaign (or to any other campaign on the “Red to Blue” list.) http://www.actblue.com/entity/...

Just like every vote, every dollar counts as well. Send a message by supporting a Congressional race. They are the ones voting on the issues dear to us abroad as well and keeping the checks and balances system working. Remember, we are directly paying for America’s tarnished image abroad and we need to insure that our voice is heard at every level. I’ve decided to “adopt” Kathy Dahlkemper. A small gesture and a small donation in this exciting 2008 year for women. I invite you to do the same. http://www.actblue.com/entity/...

Sincerely,
Nina Peci,
Florence, Italy