This is the home stretch. Help a rising progressive leader win.

The Illinois primary is March 21st. Progressive Democrats of America activists and other progressives from across the USA are contributing time and money generously. We have a clear choice: support a progressive leader or watch an inexperienced candidate run in a district she doesn't know, risking a loss in November that would hand the Delay crowd another seat in Congress.

PDA's Chapter in Illinois' 6th District endorsed Cegelis, and PDA enthusiastically endorsed her as a key nation-wide candidate last month. A PDA endorsement entails much more than a listing on a website. PDA Political Director Kevin Spidel took a leave of absence to manage the campaign. PDA has been working tirelessly to make Cegelis a winner on primary day and then on Election Day. The stakes are high! This is probably the most important political commitment you can make in the current election cycle.

Christine Cegelis is a courageous, eloquent champion against the War and Occupation. She blends progressive ideals with pragmatic wisdom into leadership her district needs in the House. Christine's vision and moral strength would help the entire country. She showed courage and capability challenging 16-term right winger Henry Hyde and the Republican machine - and nearly won a stunning upset. She's the best prepared, and most qualified. She should be the consensus choice for the nomination.

The Meddling Machine Gets it Wrong - Again

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) recruited a "ringer" - a raw recruit from outside the district - to vie for the nomination: Tammy Duckworth. Ms. Duckworth has never been involved in political activity, and her candidacy one note is based on her service in the Army Reserves. She lost her legs in Iraq, and is running as a symbol of patriotism. We respect her struggle to cope with her tragic injuries, but as a candidate Ms. Duckworth delivers a mixed message. Despite her personal tragedy, she will not speak out against the war! She echoes Bush's views. Most Americans want to end illegal, immoral war and occupation. We don't need a symbol in the House. We need strong leadership to end the war and occupation.

Cindy Sheehan wrote: "I am beginning to wonder what it is that such 'Democrats' like Rahm Emanuel (Illinois), Chuck Schumer (NY), and Nancy Pelosi (CA) are protecting in Iraq. What is it that they have at stake in keeping the occupation of Iraq going? Their constituents in every case are solidly anti-war and anti-Bush. They all come from the bluest of states and/or districts. Yet faced with the chance to defend and promote anti-war candidates who agree with the majority of Americans that it's time to get out of Iraq this year, they go into overdrive to try to destroy their candidacies."

Take the case of Christine Cegelis in Illinois' 6th District. Cegelis opposed the war before it started. She supports single-payer health care and a strong transition to renewable energy. She's pro-choice, and anti-CAFTA. And she has a strong grass-roots following in her district. In short, Christine Cegelis is exactly the kind of candidate that the Democratic Party needs. Read Cindy's complete article: www.pdamerica.org/articles/campaigns/cegelis-sheehan.php.

Together we'll help Christine Cegelis win a seat in Congress.

Party bosses oppose Cegelis, either because they think a vet is more likely to win, they don't want an independent progressive new member of Congress, or both. It's very unlikely Duckworth would win in November. Christine Cegelis is a proven vote-getter who knows her district. Her clear positions against the war, for a women's right to reproductive freedom, against bad trade deals and for renewable energy match her district well. And she - unlike her rivals - supports a definite timetable for quick, safe withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. Cegelis is Progressive Democrat we can trust and must support.

Bring the street heat to the 6th District. Send some cash to Christine to counter the "heavy hitters" and the meddling machine supporting her opponents. Show the "play it safe, second place" Democrats they can't ignore you. Send a message loud and clear: The progressive movement is alive and growing. And winning. Help Cegelis win the primary and defeat Tom Delay's staffer.