The Press and Mayor Pete have been pushing back on the Republicans for calling out Vice-President candidate Tim Walz’s military service. He’s mostly been criticized for allegedly retiring instead deploying with his compadres to Iraq. Many of his former military cohorts believe this is true and there seems to be a paper trail.

Well, this predates all of the clamor. Below is the actual Press Release that was on TimWalz.org and has since been deleted. This is the announcement of his candidacy – his first election in 2006 where it states he is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. Right there in black and white. No hearsay. No he said, she said. No taken out of context. If Tim Walz didn’t write this Press Release, he certainly had editorial privileges and proof-read the document.

Here is the TimWalz.org archived page in its entirety. Zero edits.

Tim Walz: Guilty of lying.

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WALZ OUTPACES GUTKNECHT BY $22,000

Strong first quarter filing number catapults Walz into the ranks of most competitive challengers in the nation.

MANKATO, Minn — DFL congressional candidate Tim Walz filed first quarter fundraising numbers with the Federal Election Commission over the weekend.  Walz, who has been campaigning since the beginning of 2005, raised more money during the first quarter of 2006 than his opponent, six-term incumbent Gil Gutknecht.  Walz raised $127,024 between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2006.  Total receipts to date for the campaign are $245,260 for the 2006 election cycle.

Approximately 80 percent of the money raised during the first quarter came from individual donors; more than two-thirds of those were from contributions under $25.00.  Walz is also gaining strong support among labor unions, with endorsements and contributions from unions, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), AFSCME and the Laborer’s Union.

“The momentum I feel every day on the campaign trail is incredible, but I am still surprised at how well that momentum coincides with this quarter’s fundraising totals,” commented Walz.  “People are frustrated in general with the Administration, the rubberstamp Congress and in particular with my opponent.  Minnesotans hear me talk about the issues that are on their minds – Iraq, the economy and healthcare and they know I’m not afraid to tackle the tough issues.   Even though they haven’t seen an increase in real wages in years, people are donating what they can because they believe that together we can bring about change.”

“Tim Walz’s fundraising numbers are strong evidence that he is not just a well-qualified candidate and a good fit for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, they prove that he has strong grassroots support from Minnesota families who are ready for change” commented Democratic Congressional Campaign communications director Bill Burton.  “Tim’s fundraising success tells us that Minnesotans are tired of rubberstamp representation and eager to send an independent, man of the people like Tim Walz to Washington.”

The Walz campaign ended the quarter with $124,452 cash on hand. 

Press Releases

REMINDER: Walz Announces Candidacy Sunday/Monday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2006
Contact: Meredith Salsbery, 507-351-7730
www.timwalz.org/media

WALZ ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR US CONGRESS

Democrat Tim Walz has been exploring a run against Rep. Gil Gutknecht (MN-1) since January, 2005. Announcement tour makes stops across district.

(MANKATO) – Democrat Tim Walz will spend Sunday, Feb. 19th and Monday, Feb. 20th traveling across Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District as he formally announces his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives. Walz, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and longtime Mankato educator is unopposed for the DFL endorsement and is slated to challenge Rep. Gil Gutknecht in November of 2006.

In his announcement speech Walz states, “The election of 2006 is about making a choice for our common, interwoven future, for the future of southern Minnesota, and for the future of our country. I am making a personal commitment to make our country better just as I have by the choices I have made throughout my life. By announcing my candidacy for Congress, I am telling you that I am ready to make that personal commitment and today I am asking for you to join me in that commitment.”

Walz will take issue with the failure of Rep. Gutknecht to fulfill three tenets of the “Contract with America.” Pointing to the contract Walz says, “He [Rep Gutknecht] told us he would clean up corruption, he told us he would balance the budget, and he told us that in order to maximize his effectiveness he would limit himself and his colleagues to 12 years in office. These promises are broken promises.”

Specifically addressing the soaring federal debt and his opponent’s record of voting for tax cuts while cutting vital social programs Walz states, “Our budget needs to be balanced, but it needs to be balanced in a morally responsible way – balance that works for small business as well as small children. It is time for change.”

When asked why he is running, Walz notes, “I am seeking to serve my country in the United States Congress today not because I have prepared my life around running for elected office, but because my life has prepared me.I am running for Congress because we can, we will, we must, together, commit to find serious solutions to real problems for people in our communities, district, and country.”

Complete text of Walz’s remarks will be available upon delivery.

ANNOUNCEMENT SCHEDULE

All events are open to the public and members of the press.

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Prepared and paid for by Tim Walz for U.S. Congress, Malinda VanDuser, Treasurer
www.timwalz.org

Press Releases

Walz Announces for Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2006
Contact: Meredith Salsbery, 507-351-7730

Tim Walz will officially announce his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives on Sunday, February 19th and Monday, February 20th.  He will kick off his campaign with a tour of southern Minnesota, starting in Worthington on Sunday and ending in Albert Lea on Monday.

All events are open to the public and members of the press.

Press packets and text of the speech will be available at each event.  Tim Walz will also be available for questions after delivering his speech at each stop.

If you cannot attend an announcement event but would like to interview Tim, please contact Meredith Salsbery at 507-351-7730.

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Meredith
Salsbery
Communications Director
Tim Walz for U.S. Congress
507-351-7730
http://www.timwalz.org/