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1/ I want to tell you a quick story of my first substantive conversation with Doug Jones.
And how no other Senator has done more to show me what the Senate COULD be.
If you read it to the end, I know you’ll make a contribution to his campaign tonight.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/doug-jones-csm?
And how no other Senator has done more to show me what the Senate COULD be.
If you read it to the end, I know you’ll make a contribution to his campaign tonight.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/doug-jones-csm?
2/ I hadn’t spent a ton of time w Doug during his first 2 months in the Senate. He seemed thoughtful and earnest, and my assumption was that he’d avoid anything controversial. That’s what any political consultant would have told him to do.
3/ On March 20, 2018, he flagged me down - the first time he had sought me out that year.
He said “Chris, I’d like you to be on the floor for my maiden speech tomorrow. It’s going to be on a topic you care about - gun violence”.
He said “Chris, I’d like you to be on the floor for my maiden speech tomorrow. It’s going to be on a topic you care about - gun violence”.
4/ I panicked. I went back to my office and told my staff that Doug Jones was giving his first speech on guns.
I assumed that he was going to draw a line in the sand and position himself as the immovable right flank of the debate in the Democratic caucus.
I assumed that he was going to draw a line in the sand and position himself as the immovable right flank of the debate in the Democratic caucus.
5/ I nervously took my seat the next day for his speech.
What followed was one of the most miraculous speeches I have ever heard in person.
Doug Jones, Senator from Alabama, speaking truth about guns in America.
What followed was one of the most miraculous speeches I have ever heard in person.
Doug Jones, Senator from Alabama, speaking truth about guns in America.
6/ Doug is to the right of me on guns. He doesn’t support all the things I support. But he also can’t fathom doing nothing. And the gun owners he hunts with agree.
For 20 amazing minutes, he made the case that the issue of guns can actually UNITE Americans.
For 20 amazing minutes, he made the case that the issue of guns can actually UNITE Americans.
7/ He wanted me at that speech, but he also wanted the Senators who stubbornly oppose changing any gun laws to be there.
He wanted each side to hear the case for what the Senate COULD be - a place where common ground is found, not just a place where battle lines are hardened.
He wanted each side to hear the case for what the Senate COULD be - a place where common ground is found, not just a place where battle lines are hardened.
8/ Here is Doug Jones’ maiden speech in full. It’s worth your time. And after you watch it, I know you will decide that his reelection (he’s going to be in a dogfight this fall) is worth a donation.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?442912-4/senator-doug-jones-maiden-speech
https://www.c-span.org/video/?442912-4/senator-doug-jones-maiden-speech
