Dear Friends,

Today, I want to make you aware of a leader and good friend of mine who is looking to change this country for the better. His name is Bill Foster, and he’s running for Congress in an open seat currently held by former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Before last November’s historic elections, the House of Representatives under former Speaker Hastert was nothing more than a rubber stamp for every policy that George Bush wanted. That meant we got into Iraq without any hard questions or proper planning. That meant pork barrel budgets that ballooned the national debt and tax breaks for big oil instead of middle class families.

Now, by helping to elect Bill Foster, we can send a powerful message to America that we reject the failed politics of Bush and Hastert.

I consider Bill a close friend. You see, last fall, in the heat of OUR campaign for Congress, Bill joined our campaign as a volunteer. He lived in the Ramada Inn across the street, and we quickly learned that Bill was no ordinary volunteer. You see, Bill is a businessman and a scientist, who spent the last 20 years working on some of science’s toughest challenges. He believed we needed a change so much so that he came here and helped us devise a turnout program that allowed us to knock on 240,000 doors. In an election that was won by 1,500 votes you can imagine how vital his contribution was to our victory.

Now Bill is running for Congress at his home in Illinois’s 14th district. Even the ultra-conservative Washington Times said, “Bill Foster, the likely Democratic nominee, has an impressive background as a businessman and a scientist that has resonated with voters in recent surveys.” But he needs our help.

Please give to this agent of change today.

The two most likely Republican nominees, millionaire Jim Oberweis and State Senator Chris Lauzen, are right-wing Republicans who will vote lock step with the Bush Administration and not do anything to change the disastrous policies of Bush and Hastert in Iraq, or here at home.

Nothing would send a stronger message to George Bush and all Republicans who are following his misguided Iraq policy than turning Dennis Hastert’s district blue. Hastert was personally responsible for pushing through every one of George Bush’s policies in the House of Representatives. Now he’s trying to push through his hand-picked successor to maintain the status quo.

Bill Foster is looking to change that. But he can’t do it without our help.

If Bill is elected, he can help lend his voice to myself and others who have called for an end to the war in Iraq. He can help reign in pork barrel spending and extend health care insurance to all. To learn more about Bill’s bid for Congress, you can visit his website at www.foster08.com.

Please help my good friend Bill Foster today.

Thank you for your ongoing support and faith in me. I hope to continue making you proud!

Congressman Patrick Murphy