Politicians say one thing, then do another.  In fact, most of them will say whatever it takes to get elected.  They'll tell you that they will represent your interests in Washington, while at the same time accepting money from special interests who control them like puppets.  They all say they want "change" but when they show up for work, it's business as usual.  Sound familiar?

Okay, so what makes me any different than all the others you have voted for in the past, only to watch them being swallowed up by the political "system" once they assumed office?

Fair question, and I will do my best to answer it:

• Currently, I am not soliciting contributions from anyone and I am not spending any of my own money on this campaign.  If I am elected, lobbyists and special interests that call my office will be put on hold while I talk to people like you.  If these interests don't like the background music, they can hang up.

• I don't have a political bone in my body.  Some would say that this fact alone makes it impossible for me to get elected to any office.  If this is true, that's a real shame.  I guess I need to learn how to evade questions, flip-flop my positions, and simultaneously talk out of three sides of my mouth.  If that's what it takes to get elected, I'm not interested.

• There are no professional "handlers" crafting my message and positions on the issues.  I am not taking polls to determine which way the political winds are blowing in order to figure out what I should say next in order to get elected.  There is no spin machine in the background formulating responses to questions, and you will never hear me say what I think you want to hear based on the latest polling data.  I will answer questions directly, to the point, and on my own.

• Whether you agree with me on the Key Issues or not, I hope you will respect the fact that I have taken clear positions and provided the rationale behind them.  In fact, I would be shocked if anyone agreed with everything I wrote on this website.  General George S. Patton once said:  "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."  I want you to know that your positions on the issues will receive my full attention and consideration.  In office, I will not surround myself with "yes-men" who agree with everything I have to say.  I like diversity of opinion and strong debate on all the issues.  My staff will consist of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike.

• I will not blindly follow the Republican party line, platform, or agenda.  Blind allegiance by too many in the party is what got us into the quagmire in Iraq.  Too many of them supported the amnesty bill for illegal aliens (yes, they are illegal aliens, not undocumented workers).  The party will not control my vote on anything.

• I am focused on earning your votes, one at a time.  While winning the election also requires the defeat of my opponents, I will attempt to do so by persuading you that I am on the right side of the major issues of our time.  For those of you who normally vote a straight Democratic ticket, all I can ask is that you give me your serious consideration.  One of my favorite presidents was Harry Truman, who while a Democrat, always acted first and foremost as an American.  When it comes to the future of our country, I believe that we should all try to emulate his example.

• If I am elected, I will run for reelection but will not spend one minute of your time campaigning for reelection.  I pledge to give the citizens of New Hampshire my full two years of effort on their behalf, without the distractions of campaign appearances and fundraising events.  Any campaigning will be done strictly on my time, when Congress is not in session.  My primary focus will always be on doing the right thing for our country.

• I want to shake things up, stir the pot, and make the career bureaucrats nervous when I arrive at the Capitol.  I assure you, it will not be business as usual when I'm around.

• The citizens of New Hampshire are not just constituents, they will be my customers.  Customer service will be my number one priority.

• This is not a career move for me.  That's behind me.  What's in front of me is the daunting task of helping to right this ship of state which is way off course.

 "I never trust people's assertions, I always judge of them by their actions."

--Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho