Coody for Congress

Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody and his wife, Deborah, have been actively involved in the civic life of Northwest Arkansas for more than 20 years. His political experience includes serving on the Fayetteville Board of Directors from 1991 to 1992 and as Mayor since his election in 2000, when he defeated an entrenched incumbent. He knows the needs of our area, he is well connected, and he has advocated our interests in Washington and throughout the nation.

Dan Coody is a seasoned campaigner with significant political experience, high name recognition, the ability to raise the necessary campaign funds, a vast network of contacts in every city and county in Northwest Arkansas, an understanding of the issues, and a refreshing vision for the future of our country. He has not been satisfied with the status quo but looks for fresh approaches to old problems. Coody's commitment to sustainability in both the public and private sector, to developing a technology-based facet of our economy to encourage new jobs and good wages, and to instituting a model for environmental and business interests working together for common goals are what our country needs in the Twenty-first Century.

Personable and well spoken, Coody would be a strong advocate for our region, our values, and our future. Compare that with the ineffective incumbent Congressman who wallows in an institution with an 11% approval rating, blindly follows a dysfunctional George Bush with public approval ratings right down there in the 20s with Richard Nixon, unquestioningly supports a disastrous foreign policy and failed war in Iraq, says raising the minimum wage is bad for big business, ignores our fundamental constitutional rights, opposes every sensible environmental bill, and steadfastly votes against health care for millions of low income and disabled children.

Dan Coody has done much to make Fayetteville a better community than it was when he took office, but his enlightened vision would be even more important and he would be more effective in the national legislative arena than in the details of executive management at the city level. The Democratic Party of Arkansas would be fortunate to have him carry the party's banner into the 2008 election for Congress from the Third District. It will be a good year for Democrats at the national level, and Coody's candidacy would make it an even better one for Arkansas.