FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 17, 2008CONTACT:Alicia Preston646-645-9373

BOB CLEGG CALLS ON HODES TO “RESPECT THE SANCTITY OF THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE”

Concord, NH- 2nd District Congressman Paul Hodes has announced a new “initiative” this week. Is it an initiative to help lower fuel costs? No. An initiative to aid those trapped in the mortgage crisis? No. Is it something that will help improve health care delivery to our
nation’s veterans or secure our borders? No. Paul Hodes’ “initiative” is send him a letter and if he selects it, he’ll read it on the floor of the House of Representatives so it can be on TV.

“We’ve seen over the past year and a half that Hodes and his colleagues in Washington spend a lot of time legislating by headline and news-clip and sound bite. To now ask the people to join him and to use the House floor as a campaign commercial is disrespectful to the sanctity of the People’s House,” said Bob Clegg, 2nd District Congressional Candidate.

“People should be able to voice their issues and concerns and cares to our lawmakers- that is the intent of our government structure. But to advertise that if you write him and he likes what you have to say he’ll put your name on TV, cheapens the process. And what if he doesn’t like what you say? You don’t get to be read into history and put on TV? You’re opinion is not worthy of public notice unless you agree?” continued Clegg. “This makes a mockery of our system. Our lawmakers are there to listen to the words of the people and act upon them in that chamber in order to better our lives, not to provide a new means of campaigning at taxpayer expense-- nor should the opinions be limited to those Hodes thinks worthy. We have seen how worthy he feels the opinions of our most respected Generals are.”

Senator Clegg urges citizens of New Hampshire to indeed write Paul Hodes and ask him to respect the sanctity of the House of Representatives, instead of using it as part of a publicity stunt.