The Burton Blog

Election Night Victory Party

Our Election Night Victory Party

Come celebrate with us on Election Night at 7PM!

We'll be getting together at the VFW Post in Lawrence.  The address is 6325 Lee Road.  Look for the big airplane and tank in the front lawn.

Weekend campaign highlights

TBB joined the Congressman for a weekend of campaigning.

We started the morning by visiting the Carmel Lions Club at 7AM.  BTW, TBB actually got up about 4:30AM to drive up to Lawrence to meet other staff and then pick up the Congressman.  Remind us again why we do this?  The Lions Club has an annual pancake breakfast that raises thousands of dollars for Lions Club charities.  Dan campaigned- TBB feasted.

Interesting story- we ran into a naturalized citizen who said that he was required to name his US Congressman in order to pass his citizenship exam.  He said that he named Dan Burton and has always wanted to meet him.  Mission accomplished.

After that, we headed down to the IUPUI campus in order to participate in the Race for the Cure.  The race helps raise money for cancer research.  Over 43,000 people participated in the race on Saturday and raised over $2.5 million!!  Dan helped start the mile long family walk with a great speech.

Once Dan walked with individuals as part of the race, we headed to Noblesville for lunch at Eddie's Cafe.  Eddie spent a lot of time reminiscing with Dan and showing off photos all over the walls there.  TBB was most impressed with the photo signed by every member of the "Rat Pack."

After a great lunch, we left to head over to the Third Phase Christian Center.  They were dedicating a new facility to house their food pantry.  Third Phase is a great organization that helps care for a lot of poor families.  They also provide temporary housing for women in trouble.

Finally, Dan attended the Tipton County Lincoln Day Dinner in Tipton.  TBB wasn't able to attend, but we were told that it was a great event and that Tim Berry gave a great speech.

Dan Burton and the College Republicans

TBB had the chance to spend some time on the campaign trail with Congressman Burton last week.  On Thursday evening, he visited with the IUPUI, Butler, and Marian College Republicans on IUPUI's campus.  It was a great event with about 50 students.

The Congressman spoke for a few minutes about national politics, focusing on the Presidential race and his time working with John McCain.  Then he took questions on a variety of issues from Elliott Spitzer to the War in Iraq.

But TBB's favorite part of the event is always the same.  It's when Dan gives his "Don't Quit" speech.  Dan relates a bit of his very personal story of his hard experiences growing up.  He then tells about a conversation with a stranger that helped change his life.  He always ends with his favorite poem (we've quoted it here too many times).

But most important of all, we walked away with a very large list of CR volunteers to help pad our phone banking efforts. 

Bulldog Dan Burton helps free innocent man from jail

TBB spied this great article in Reader's Digest about Joseph Salvati (pictured on the left).   If you've followed the story at all, one of Dan's final acts as Chairman of the House Government Reform committee was to help Salvati.  Like some sort of sick Law and Order episode, the US Government allowed Salvati to be falsely imprisoned, with their full knowledge of his innocence.

But along with others, Congressman Dan Burton fought to clear his name.

Readers Digest covers Congressman Burton's lengthy battle with the Department of Justice over documents that would have helped Salvati get out of jail.

Burton, an Indiana Republican, was so outraged by the government's conduct that he battled the Bush Administration over Department of Justice documents, which White House lawyers initially tried to keep from Congress on claims of executive privilege. And Rep. Bill Delahunt, a Massachusetts Democrat, has introduced a bill imposing criminal sanctions on federal authorities who hide evidence the way they did in the Deegan case.

TBB notes one thing interesting about this from a recent event.  When he was asked by a CR recently what he was most proud of in his years in Congress, he when straight to the Salvati case.  He said that being a Congressman is not just about writing new legislation or killing bad laws.  For him, it's also about the responsibility to fight injustice when you see it.  "I have a moral obligation to use the influence of my position to set things right for people who I see are mistreated."

Join Dan tonight at Meet the Candidates Event

Join Congressman Burton, Senator Bev Gard, and Steve Dillinger tonight in Geist for a meet the candidates event.

Representative Dan Burton will be joining Senator Bev Gard and Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger Friday night at the Indianapolis Yacht Club from 7:00-10:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet local elected officials, register to vote, and watch college basketball in the Yacht Club’s bar with neighbors and friends. The public is welcome!

The Noblesvill Daily Times also ran an announcement about the event.

Howard County Republicans throw big Burton event

Check out the posts on Weird Pros and Hoosier Access about Chairman Dunn's endorsement.  The Chairman also posted some great comments on Hoosier Access as well.

Howard County Republicans wildly received Dan Burton at a noon reception today in Kokomo. Nearly 200 Republicans turned out at Republican Headquarters to meet Dan Burton and express their support for his re-election candidacy. Dan Burton received the endorsement of the Howard County Republican Party at the event.

TBB was sad not to be able to attend personally.  It was a great event, I hear, and lots of thanks are due to Chairman Dunn.   In addition, if you get a chance to view the latest Howard County Republican newsletter there is a great front page article from Chairman Dunn about why he's endorsing Dan Burton.

Dan Burton to speak at Fishers Chamber luncheon

The Fishers Star ran a blurb today about Dan's Wednesday speech to the Fishers Chamber.

Congressman Dan Burton, whose District 5 includes Fishers, will be the guest speaker at the Fishers Chamber of Commerce lunch Wednesday.

Burton is expected to touch on the following topics:
What's new in Washington.
Transportation.
Immigration.
Presidential primary.
Small business interests.
Indiana property tax.

The Chamber luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the FORUM Conference Center, 11313 USA Parkway. The cost is $18 in advance or $25 at the door for members, and $25 for nonmembers. Register online at www.FishersChamber.com

Dan Burton in your neighborhood

Watch for local news coverage this week as TBB spends some time in the district with Congressman Burton.  Dan will be meeting with constituents in Marion, Gas City, Fishers, Shelbyville, Greenfield, Indianapolis and Tipton. 

We'll be doing our best to post from the road whenever we get a good wi-fi connection.  Check back this week to see if we managed to get a few minutes to tell you about our activities.

Dan Burton addresses the Howard County GOP

TBB had the privilege of attending the Howard County Republicans' Century Club Breakfast on Saturday. Congressman Burton was the speaker. The room was packed with 150 loyal Republicans. His speech about the reasons he's chosen to run for re-election in 2008 was well-received. He was interrupted by applause multiple times. We'll be posting audio clips from the event soon.

This was yet another successful event along the campaign trail. Everywhere Dan goes, he receives words of encouragement and support. In fact, we picked up three more audio statements of support from the GOP County Chairman, Craig Dunn, Vice Chairman Virginia Marner, and Treasuer Ron Gilman.

The Burton Brigade continues to be on the move.

Press Conference today honoring Dan

Clarian Health recently sent this press release regarding Dan's assistance in securing $2 million for the Riley Hospital for Children.

Congressman Burton has secured an additional $2 million in federal funds to enhance clinical care and research for autism at the Riley Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic. The Congressman will receive recognition from hospital officials during a press conference hosted at Riley on Wednesday, January 9th at 1:30 pm. A tour of the Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center will immediately follow the press conference.

The Congressman will be joined by speakers (1) Ora Pescovitz. M.D.- President and CEO of Riley Hospital for Children, (2) Daniel F. Evans, Jr.- President and CEO of Clarian Health, and (3) Chris McDougle, M.D.- Medical Director and lead researcher for the Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center at Riley Hospital for Children.

Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center
Riley Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic
702 Barnhill Drive, Suite 4300
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Please contact Gene Ford, the Senior Public Relations Specialist with Clarian for details (317) 962-4576.

This is just another example of Dan working tirelessly on behalf of his constituents, specifically those families affected by Autism. He deserves the praise that will be sent his way today.