Hoekstra uses failed terrorist attack to raise campaign funds

Even while declaring "partisan rancor" has no place in national security, Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) can't seem to keep himself from it.

And while he's at it, he may just generate a few dollars for his gubernatorial campaign.

"We don't have much time, so I will get right to the point," a Dec. 28 fundraising letter from Hoekstra's office begins.

(He does not explain why there is not much time, but the implication would seem to be that it's because Democrats are making "frightening" decisions about national security, as the congressman later claimed.)

Hoekstra's letter tore into Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano for claiming "the system worked" in the aftermath of the failed Christmas day attack on a Northwest Airlines flight into Detroit.

"They just don't get it," he protested. "The system didn't 'work' here. Far from it! It is insulting that The Obama administration would make such a claim, but then again, these are the same weak-kneed liberals who have recently tried to bring Guantanamo Bay terrorists right here to Michigan!"

Napolitano actually said "the system worked" after the attack was thwarted. She said the process of preventing the attempted bombing was a failure.

Additionally, the "weak-kneed liberals" Hoekstra references are actually in the process of purchasing a state-run prison in Thompson, Illinois to house prisoners currently held in Guantanamo Bay.

"For almost a decade I have been a leader on National Security and at the forefront of the war on terror," his letter continues. "I understand the real and continuing threat radical jihadists pose to our great state of Michigan and our great Nation.

"I have pledged that I will do 'everything possible' to prevent these terrorists from coming to Michigan.

"But I need your help.

"If you agree that we need a Governor who will stand up the Obama/Pelosi efforts to weaken our security please make a most generous contribution of $25, $50, $100 or even $250 to my campaign."

Paragraphs later he claims: "There should be no partisan rancor when it comes to keeping our citizens safe."

Yet, almost immediately after the failed attack, Hoekstra was in American media attacking President Obama for supposedly being weak on national security issues.

"The Obama administration came in and said, 'We're not going to use the word terrorism anymore' ... trying to, you know, I think, downplay the threat from terrorism," he said.

However, President Obama used the word "terrorism" twice in his speech at West Point, during which he announced a significant recommitment to the nine-year-old Afghan occupation.

Hoeskstra also told Fox News that he believes it is "fair" to blame the Obama administration for the foiled attack, but did not explain how exactly the president could have been responsible for the man's actions.

"Unfortunately, as the Democrat party drifts further and further to the left, their leaders are making decisions that should frighten us all," Hoekstra's letter continued.

In spite of the claim that Democrats are moving "further to the left," many progressives are increasingly frustrated with the administration for moving further to the right, favoring bipartisanship over campaign pledges. His announcement of a large troop surge in Afghanistan was especially bitter for many on the left and the president was doggedly criticized by liberal publications because of it.

"[While] the Obama/Pelosi agenda may be popular in the mainstream media, we should not be governed by the editorial pages of the New York Times," Hoekstra insists, before once again beseeching his constituents to "stand up for America, and stand up for Michigan" by donating to his campaign.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, suspected of attempting to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas day, has been charged with terrorism and is currently imprisoned in Michigan, where his crime was committed.

Richard Reid, the so-called "shoe bomber" who failed to blow up an airplane in 2002, was treated similarly by the Bush administration.

The full text of Hoekstra's fundraising letter follows.

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Dear Friend:

We don't have much time, so I will get right to the point.

In the midst of enjoying Christmas with my family, we were quickly reminded that there is still a war against the American way of life; on Christmas morning, it came right here to Detroit.

We know the story. A cowardly terrorist was allowed to board a flight bound for our state, and armed with explosives, attempted to murder countless passengers and potential victims on the ground.

Unnamed heroes aboard the plane likely averted disaster.

Shockingly, yesterday morning, Barack Obama's Homeland Security Secretary went on TV and said "the system worked"!

They just don't get it. The system didn't "work" here. Far from it! It is insulting that The Obama administration would make such a claim, but then again, these are the same weak-kneed liberals who have recently tried to bring Guantanamo Bay terrorists right here to Michigan!

My promise to you, as your governor, my first duty and most solemn responsibility is to keep Michigan safe!

For almost a decade I have been a leader on National Security and at the forefront of the war on terror. I understand the real and continuing threat radical jihadists pose to our great state of Michigan and our great Nation.

I have pledged that I will do "everything possible" to prevent these terrorists from coming to Michigan.

But I need your help.

If you agree that we need a Governor who will stand up the Obama/Pelosi efforts to weaken our security please make a most generous contribution of $25, $50, $100 or even $250 to my campaign.

When I first ran for Congress after 15 years in the private sector, I believed that while we may have serious policy differences with those on the left, protecting America was neither a Democrat nor Republican issue.

In fact, in the days following September 11, 2001, I spent hours in meetings with my Democrat colleagues, making sure that we were doing everything we could to prevent another terrorist attack.

There should be no partisan rancor when it comes to keeping our citizens safe.

Unfortunately, as the Democrat party drifts further and further to the left, their leaders are making decisions that should frighten us all.

Since President Obama took office, he and his left-wing cronies have taken steps to undermine the work of our brave men and women who work tirelessly to keep us safe.

First came his brazen and naive pledge to close Guantanamo Bay without any idea where to put the Jihadists who will never stop trying to do us harm.

Next, his Justice Department announced plans to reinvestigate intelligence officers involved in interrogating known terrorists in a program that undoubtedly saved American lives. According to seven former CIA directors, this investigation will have a "devastating impact on CIA morale, America's counter terrorism efforts and our foreign intelligence partnerships."

As if this wasn't enough, now comes word that they are prosecuting Navy SEALs on the word of wanted terrorist and his lawyer; while at the same time the President is sending Gitmo prisoners home to Yemen. I can only imagine what will happen when they link up with their fellow Al Qaida jihadists to make more plans to attack our great country.

Not on my watch!

Barack Obama's policies may impress the "Blame America First" crowd at home and his thousands of fans overseas, but they sure don't do anything to protect our families in Michigan or the rest of America.

And while the Obama/Pelosi agenda may be popular in the mainstream media, we should not be governed by the editorial pages of the New York Times.

I will be a governor who fights, every day, to keep Michigan safe.

Won't you join me?

As you know, I have spoken out as loudly as I can against the dangerous policies of the Obama administration.

And while we face many challenges here in Michigan, I know that as Governor, my most solemn obligation will be to work every day to make sure that Michigan families are safe. And I will stop at nothing to make sure that I fulfill this obligation, no matter what the administration in Washington tries to do.

Together, let's stand up for America, and stand up for Michigan. Please, help me fight by making a most generous contribution of $25, $50, $100 or even $250, so that we can fight together to protect our families, our state, and our freedom!

Yours Truly,

Pete Hoekstra

P.S. I am running for Governor to bring conservative leadership to Lansing. I will fight every day to lower taxes, create jobs and stand up for our shared values. Please make a secure, online donation to my campaign of $25, $50, $100 or even $250. Thank you.