Shenna Bellows Tells Supporters "Vote Your Hopes for a Better Future" at Oct. 30 Portland Rally With President Obama, Rep. Michaud
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Shenna Bellows delivered a powerful speech last night at the Portland Expo rally with President Barack Obama and Rep. Mike Michaud in which she laid out the stakes for Senate control in this year's election, urged Mainers to support Rep. Michaud for governor and told the three-thousand-strong crowd, "This election is about unity. It's about voting our hopes for a better future."
Ultimately, she said, "If each one of you and everyone in this state who voted for President Obama last time around turns out and votes for Mike and votes for me, then Mike will be your next governor and I will be your next United States senator. You have the power to restore America's promise of freedom and security and opportunity for all. Don't let fear win this time."
She pointed out that President Obama improved the economy, passed the Affordable Care Act, advanced civil rights and proposed strong new carbon emission standards in the face of Republican obstruction. "It wasn't easy, because Washington Republicans have blocked him at every turn," Bellows said. "And we cannot afford a Republican majority in the United States Senate. We cannot afford to elect Republican Susan Collins and risk control this year."
Bellows strongly urged Mainers to support Rep. Michaud for governor, saying, "I know he will be a strong advocate for women and for workers. That he will stand up for everyone. I know because he listens and he pays attention and he's honest and he does the right thing even when no one is watching."
The audience broke in for applause fourteen times over the course of the seven-minute speech. You can watch her full remarks at http://bit.ly/107JQsy.
Full Text of Shenna's Speech
There is so much power in this room -- the power of the grassroots. And it is wonderful to be back in Portland to welcome President Obama here tonight. My name is Shenna Bellows and I am running for United States Senate. Working people deserve a voice in Washington. And since I launched my campaign more than a year ago I've traveled across the state. I've walked across the state over 350 miles from Houlton to Kittery. And I talked with voters about the change we need in Augusta and Washington.
You see, I grew up in Hancock. I'm the daughter of a carpenter and a home health care nurse. And we struggled when I was a kid. I grew up without electricity or running water until I was in the fifth grade. But I worked hard in my entire career, from the Peace Corps to the Americorps to the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. My work has been about making the world a better place, and that's why I'm running for United States Senate.
This election is about two different visions for the future. It's a contrast of hope and fear. President Obama won on a platform of hope -- a hope for civil rights for all people. For universal health care. For a clean and healthy environment and economic opportunity for all Americans. And with the help of Senate Democrats, he's been able to do so much. He brought us back from the brink of economic disaster with the stimulus package. He passed the Affordable Care Act and expanded health care to millions of Americans. He advanced civil rights and bold new carbon emissions rules.
But it wasn't easy, because Washington Republicans have blocked him at every turn. Washington Republicans -- including my opponent, Republican Susan Collins -- have blocked progress on the minimum wage, on equal pay for equal work, on veterans' benefits, and on campaign finance reform. We've seen here in Maine how much damage Republicans can do when they are in control. We've seen it in the House of Representatives, where Washington Republicans forced a government shutdown last year. And we cannot afford a Republican majority in the United States Senate. We cannot afford to elect Republican Susan Collins and risk control this year.
You see, America at its core is a promise. It's a promise that a single mom's son can grow up to be president. It's a promise that a mill worker can be governor. You see, I know Mike Michaud. I've worked with him closely. I know he will be a strong advocate for women and for workers. That he will stand up for everyone. I know because he listens and he pays attention and he's honest and he does the right thing even when no one is watching.
This election is about unity. It's about voting our hopes for a better future. And it's up to you. If each one of you and everyone in this state who voted for President Obama last time around turns out and votes for Mike and votes for me, then Mike will be your next governor and I will be your next United States senator.
You have the power to restore America's promise of freedom and security and opportunity for all. Don't let fear win this time. Commit tonight to phone bank and canvass. Go to Facebook and tell your friends that you've signed up and they should too. Talk to every single one of your friends and family members. Let them know about same-day voter registration -- something Paul LePage tried to end and we brought back.
We can restore freedom and fairness for all through unity and through action. I ask for your vote -- for me, for Mike, for Chellie or Emily -- not just for us, but for the next generation. This is for a better future for our state and our entire nation. Thank you so very much.
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