By Kim Smith
In today's political climate, having outstanding GOP candidates for office is of critical importance if we are to reverse the climate that seeks to destroy our country, our freedoms, and our way of life.
We were "introduced" to Dan Gade when a surrogate asked if he could represent him at our Republican Committee meeting. To our surprise, we knew him, liked him and had met him in a number of other venues – and he piqued our interest about Dr. Gade in a major way.
What do you think about when you're considering supporting a candidate? My criteria, for instance, includes integrity, intelligence, and honor, to which I add knowledge of the political process, leadership, conservative, well-articulated values, and rock solid belief in the oath of office. Then I add responsiveness and good communication skills. Being greedy, I also add courage and inner-strength and have a great respect for those who have served in the US military.
Daniel Gade appears to be the real deal, the complete package.
On his website (www.gadeforvirginia.com), there was a lot of really good information. A graduate of West Point, he served in Korea and a number of places in the United States. While company commander in Ramadi, Iraq, (Operation Iraqi Freedom), a roadside bomb resulted in his right leg being amputated, his third injury (Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, Bronze Star).
This was obviously life changing but didn't change his resolve. After recovering from his 40 surgeries (not retiring from the Army until 2017), he went on to earn a Master of Public Administration and then a PhD in Public Administration and Policy. Other than raising his three children with his wife of 20 years, Wendy, he also has served in the Bush Administration on veteran and medical issues and has served on the National Council on Disability and the VA Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation. He declined President Trump's nomination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in order to run for office. (He was National Field Director for President Trump in 2016.)
He's also an educator – having taught at West Point (political science, economics and leadership) and now is a professor at American University in Washington, D.C.
For fun, he mountain and road bikes, competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships (2010 - won the paratriathlon category – world champion), and in Ironman Arizona – 112 miles.
Dan's goals, according to his brochure, are preserving the 2nd amendment, defending life, improving our economy, for our veterans, and securing our border. That was great, but I wanted more information, so I e-mailed his campaign a few more questions. To my surprise, I heard from the candidate himself (see section on responsiveness!). His answers, quoted totally from his response, should tell you what type of person Dan Gade really is.
On my question on abortion/right to life: I am 100% pro-life, and even spoke at the Virginia portion of the March for Life this last Friday. We can get you the video if you e-mail david@gadeforvirginia.com. I can happily defend the pro-life position. I believe in a personhood amendment to the Constitution, and in ending Federal funding for abortion providers domestically and overseas.
On the 2nd amendment, where I mentioned the high level of interest: They should be fired up! This movement is about the role of government in our lives, not about guns themselves. Every person has an inherent right to self-defense, and the 2nd Amendment protects that. Mark Warner is an ally of the gun-grabbers, and would certainly vote for the so-called "Assault weapons ban".
On religious freedom: Religious freedom should be absolute. That means not just freedom of WORSHIP, but freedom to practice your religion for 168 hours a week. You should be free to associate or not associate with people based on your religion if you so choose. I support the RFRA, and oppose health care mandates that force people to violate their conscience.
On the Constitution: The Constitution is the most beautiful work of the hand of man. I am a huge fan of the 10th Amendment, and believe that MANY functions of the government should be pushed to "states or to the people". The Federal Government is too big and overreaching, and needs a serious trimming. For instance, I support elimination of the Department of Education- education is a state, local, and family responsibility.
The Electoral College protects small states from the tyranny of large states. The so-called National Popular Vote compact puts Virginia at the mercy of California and New York, and is a disaster for our state and way of life. Anyone who believes that it's a good idea has clearly not read the Federalist papers.
On border security and immigration reform: I am for border security- a country without a secure border is a LOCATION not a NATION. Every other immigration solution depends on that precondition.
1) Secure the border.
2) Decide how much low-skill immigration we need to supply industries with low skill labor (US has around 6 million unfilled jobs)
3) Decide how much high-skill immigration we need to fuel high-skill industries.
4) Automatic citizenship for an honorable term of enlistment in the US military.
5)
On Right-to-Work laws: I am for national right to work. Mandatory Union Membership is a violation of freedom of association and freedom of speech.
On tax reform: Flatter taxes are better; it will be a process to get there.
On the consequences of socialism: Disaster. Every place socialism is tried, it leads to shortages and eventually to communism (which, in turn, leads to piles of burning bodies in the streets).
Therein ended my questions. The most important to me went unasked because it's the theme of his campaign: SAME OATH, NEW MISSION.
The current incumbent is the odds-on favorite to win because of name recognition and the advantage of incumbency. However, you've all heard the story of David and Goliath. This seat is winnable if we all help. Go to his website, and if you like him as much as I, donate to show breadth and depth of support. Gade for Virginia, 7330 Staples Mill Road, #100, Richmond, VA 23228.
Senior campaign advisor (Trump 2016), Stuart Jolly: "The voters in Virginia want and deserve a principled leader to be their next U.S. Senator… He is a faithful warrior who served and sacrificed for our country for over 20 years, and voters will be able to trust him when they send him to the Senate."
And his parents must have known what kind of man he'd grow to be. They gave him the middle name "MacArthur".
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