Ray Metcalfe's Speech To The Democratic 2008 Convention

The prepared text of Ray Metcalfe's Speech to the Democratic Party's 2008 convention.

Alaska's public purse today is bulging at the seams because a few legislators were prepared to jump on the opportunities made possible by the exposure of the bribery that had, for twenty five years, enabled ARCO, BP, Exxon, and Conoco-Phillips to harvest Alaska's oil for a fraction of its real value. The benefits of ending the culture of corruption that has gripped this state for so many years are boundless, and the job is far from over.

Before going to national issues, I would like to shed a little light on local issues that will have a dramatic impact on the ability to secure a Democratic majority in both Houses of Alaska's Legislature.

Several people have come by my table asking about the recent decision from Alaska's Superior Court overturning the $5,000 fine I persuaded Alaska's Public Office Commission to assess against Ben Stevens.

As most of you know, those fines resulted from a series of complaints I brought in 2005 and 2006, alleging kickbacks, bribery, and money laundering.

Let me assure every one in this room, this decision from Alaska's courts hasn't gotten Ben Stevens, or his father, off the Federal Hook.

I'm expecting to see Ben Stevens spend at least a decade behind bars and dozens of indictments and plea bargains to trickle in over the next several years.

It would not surprise me if you see over 50 people go to jail before it is over.

For anyone considering a run against:

1.  Mike Chenault,
2.  Ralph Samuels,
3.  Mike Hawker,
4.  Con Bunde,
5.  John Coghill Jr,
6.  Richard Foster,
7.  Fred Dyson,
8.  Gary Stevens,
9.  Lyda Green, or
10.  Kevin Meyer,

Stop by my table at the back of the room. I have some information you will find useful.

For those who want to know more about the investigations, you can find details on my website.

If you're interested in an in-depth background, or an estimation of what may be in store for Ted, I'll spend a couple hours speaking and answering questions beginning 30 minutes after tomorrow's adjournment, at the Moosehead Saloon in Palmer.

Taco’s will be free beer will not. Stop by my campaign table if you need directions.

And now on to my comments as to why I believe it is so important to always - always, stand on the principled side of every issue.

But George Bush threw it all in the toilet with tax cuts for his rich friends and a misguided war that's draining our treasury and exhausting our military. - And I was astonished at the number of democrats who voted for both.

No sooner than the dust had settled from our fallen trade towers George Bush went about the business of persuading a majority of trusting Americans hungry for revenge that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was responsible for the destruction of America's trade towers.

When George Bush then sought permission to send our troops to Iraq, 1 Republican, 1 independent and 21 Democrats, had the necessary commitment to principle to say "no". They did so while Republicans who knew better painted them as unpatriotic liberals and cowards.

I don't believe it possible to be a member of the US Senate without knowing enough about Middle East politics to know Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden were mortal enemies. - Either one of them would have killed the other on sight.

The prospect of them conspiring together to attack America was zero.

Had the remaining 29 Democrats had the kind of devotion to principle necessary to defy a popular president that I believe they knew was lying to the American people, we would not be in Iraq today.

Though not yet a US Senator, Barack Obama clearly stood on principle and demonstrated his opposition to sending out troops to Iraq. At the time he did so, it was not a popular position to take.

For that reason he, has my unwavering support.

When Lisa Murkowski ran for office in 2004, the State Legislature and the governing bodies of several communities across Alaska had voted to urge repeal of the Patriot Act.

Lisa Murkowski had promised to honor their wishes.

She has since compromised her principles in favor of pressures from her party leaders, and voted to sustain the Patriot Act on three occasions.

If you have been watching the news lately, you may have noticed that our newly elected Democratic Senate, - the Senate we elected to end the war, - just knuckled under, and voted 70 to 26 to fund the war for the balance of Bush's Presidency.

If you truly want change you will have to support candidates with a demonstrated track record of standing on principle even when the whole world seems to be against them.

If you elect me, I guarantee you that the only appropriations I will approve for Bush's war will be the appropriation to bring our troops home.

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