Join Jill Long Thompson in Portage, Indiana on Sunday 11/2/08

Are you ready for change? With only 4 days until Election Day, we're so close to turning the page on the failed policies of George W. Bush and Mitch Daniels.

As we reach for the finish line, I'm joining other Democratic candidates to do a "Road to Change Tour", making nearly 60 stops in communities big and small to spread our message, energize the base and get out the vote. On Sunday, the tour stops in Portage. Can you join us?

Road to Change Tour

Sunday, November 2
12:30 pm

USW 6787 Union Hall
1100 North Max Mochal Highway
Portage, Indiana

I hope you can join me as I continue my final push to bring change to Indiana.


Thanks,
Jill

P.S. Can you volunteer to turn out voters on or before Election Day? Click here to volunteer.


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Better schools for a better economy for Indiana

Indiana's students have unlimited potential, but Mitch Daniels hasn't done enough to allow them to fulfill their promise.

High school dropout rates are too high, literacy rates are too low, and Indiana ranks near the bottom of the 50 states in adults with college degrees. Not only is this hurting our students' chance for a better future, it's hurting our economy.

The path to economic opportunity and prosperity begins with a quality education for all Hoosiers, and today I want to tell you exactly how Dennie Oxley and I will accomplish this.

Read our education proposal -- and let us know what you think about the plan:

http://www.hoosiersforjill.com/educationplan

I'm a former college professor, and my running mate, Dennie Oxley, was a high school math teacher. We've been in the classroom, worked with students, and know the steps we must take to turn our state's education system around.

With the state of our economy today, we can no longer settle for incremental changes. We must transform our education system to provide lifelong opportunities for all Hoosiers, from early childhood through high school through adulthood.

Our plan to modernize education in Indiana has three main components:

Teaching every child to read. Reading is the fundamental key to education. We are proposing a statewide effort to provide every single child with a free book every month from the day they are born until they turn five years old.

Keep our students in school. To reduce our high school dropout rate, we propose a redesign of the high school years to accomodate students with different needs. Under our plan, students can speed up their education and move on to college in less than four years, or take their time and spend an extra fifth year to earn their diploma. Students would also be given the opportunity during their junior and senior years to earn college credits or learn a special trade.

Improve access to higher education.

By strengthening the link from high school to college, we can provide more Hoosiers with the opportunity to pursue higher education. We also propose supplementing federal grants and loans with an expansion of the 21st Century Scholars Program to embrace a greater number of low and middle-income families. The funding would come from a newly created Higher Education Fund, which would raise private dollars to invest in our students' futures.

For a full explanation of our education plan -- and the chance to give us important feedback -- click here now:

http://www.hoosiersforjill.com/educationplan

For the sake of our economy and our future, we must improve our education system so that all Hoosiers can realize their full potential.

I thank you for joining Dennie and me in this vital effort, and look forward to hearing your thoughts about our plan.

Sincerely,

Jill Long Thompson


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Jill Long Thompson in Merrillville 9/16/2008 7pm

Tickets are now available for the first gubernatorial debate - free of charge!

Indiana Debate Commission 2008 Gubernatorial Debate
Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, IN
Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 7:00 PM

Click here to order your free debate tickets.

There is limited seating and tickets are going fast - order yours today!

Sincerely,

Travis Lowe
Campaign Manager
Hoosiers for Jill


Paid for and authorized by Hoosiers for Jill Long Thompson. Gary Calhoun, Treasurer.


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Jill's campaign to restore Indiana's promise

Are you as inspired as I am by last night's speech?

Our party's message of change is touching voters all across America, including right here in Indiana. Every day, in every corner of Indiana, more Hoosiers - both Democrats and Republicans - are joining in our campaign to restore Indiana's promise.

However, in order to spread that message of change for our state, and fight back against our opponents' well-funded machine, I need your help.

Please make a contribution of $20, $50, $100 - or whatever you can afford - today:

https://donate.hoosiersforjill.com/page/contribute

Just last week, hundreds of volunteers phoned over 100,000 Hoosiers from one of our campaign offices and from their homes to spread our message of change. The response was overwhelming.

Thousands of Hoosiers we talked to share a desire for new leadership in our state - leadership that will re-start our economy, create good paying jobs, make healthcare more affordable and accessible, and work to reverse our rising high school drop-out rates. With your help, we can bring that leadership to Indiana.

Please make a contribution of $20, $50, $100 - or whatever you can afford - to help bring our message of change to the kitchen tables and living rooms of Indiana families:

https://donate.hoosiersforjill.com/page/contribute

As our campaign moves forward over the next 67 days, Dennie Oxley and I will be getting our message out to Indiana voters in every way possible: knocking on doors, making phone calls, and airing TV ads.

We need your help to be a part of this effort - and making a contribution is one important way you can get started.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Jill Long Thompson

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We're getting the message out about Jill's campaign

This past weekend, our campaign set a goal: to make 50,000 phone calls in two days to Indiana voters.

Well, we didn't reach that goal - we smashed it.

Using cell phones at home and office lines at our campaign's regional offices, volunteers around the state called over 100,000 Hoosiers about Jill's plan to change Indiana.

We're getting the message out about Jill's campaign, but we need your help to keep the phone calls and TV ads going from now through November. Keep this momentum going by making a donation of $20, $50--or whatever you can afford--today.

https://donate.hoosiersforjill.com/page/contribute

Ali, our Regional Field Director in Fort Wayne, describes the weekend:


"We had a great time. Our call room was full of people eager to get Jill elected. We got some pretty powerful responses from Hoosiers on the other end of the line that have been suffering under the Bush/Daniels administrations. One of out volunteers spoke to man, a former Marine, who had stage three cancer and is receiving little to no help from the current administration. He said we need to ditch Mitch and get Jill into office!"


With every phone call we make and every TV ad we air, we're connecting with Hoosiers like the ones Ali described - people who are fed up with the status quo of our current administration and ready for change.

Help Jill to keep conntecting with Indiana coters by making a donation of $20, $50--or whatever you can afford--today.

https://donate.hoosiersforjill.com/page/contribute

Thank you for helping Jill Long Thompson and Dennie Oxley take back Indiana.


Sincerely,

Travis Lowe
Hoosiers for Jill

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Paid for and authorized by Hoosiers for Jill Long Thompson. Gary Calhoun, Treasurer.

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New Jobs in Indiana with Clean Energy... Jill Long Thompson

Last month, Indiana lost 17,900 jobs. Our unemployment rate jumped more than any other state in the country.

Those are daunting statistics -- but while our current leadership might accept them, we don't have to.

Yesterday, Dennie Oxley and I announced our new Green Jobs Initiative. Our plan centers on using the skills Hoosiers already have and creating 30,000 new, good paying green jobs across the state.

Visit my website to learn more about the plan -- and to provide your own feedback:

http://www.hoosiersforjill.com/greenjobs

We can make clean technology options a priority in Indiana.

Research shows in our manufacturing sector alone, Indiana has the potential to create as many as 25,180 new jobs from wind turbine manufacturing. We can also create an additional 7,485 new jobs in solar component manufacturing, with even more jobs to be created in geothermal and biomass manufacturing fields.

These jobs use skills many Hoosiers already have. They run the gamut from electricians to welders, carpenters to engineers, mechanics, equipment operators, roofers, iron and steel workers, millwrights and truckers.

Combined with tax rebates for eligible companies that create green jobs, and a clean energy fund to invest in this emerging industry, we can achieve our energy, environmental and economic goals.

Click here to learn more -- and to tell us what you think:

http://www.hoosiersforjill.com/greenjobs

Indiana has the potential to be a national leader in clean energy and simultaneously build its economy. Dennie and I plan to work hard everyday to make this a reality for all Hoosiers.

Sincerely,
Jill Long Thompson

PS. You can read the comprehensive Green Jobs Initiative here:

http://www.hoosiersforjill.com/greenjobs


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Guess what? Tomorrow is Jill's birthday!

Guess what? Tomorrow is Jill's birthday!

Here at the campaign office, we want to give her a birthday she'll never forget. So rather than just passing around a card for people to sign here at work, we'd like you to sign our card to Jill too.

Click here to wish Jill a happy birthday:



http://www.hoosiersforjill.com/birthday

Jill is busy on the campaign trail this week, kicking off the second week of the Hoosier Hometown Tour. There's no place Jill would rather spend her birthday than on the road, meeting with Hoosiers about how to move our state in a new direction.

You can be a part of Jill's special day too - sign our birthday card to jill:

http://www.hoosiersforjill.com/birthday

Thanks,

Travis Lowe
Campaign Manager
Hoosiers for Jill


PS: The best birthday gift you could possibly give Jill this year is a contribution to her campaign. Help Jill spend her next birthday in the Indiana Governor's Mansion by making a donation now:

Click here to make a special birthday contribution to Jill's campaign.



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Jill Long Thompson ...The Hoosier Hometown Tour

Jill Long Thompson and Dennie Oxley are hitting the road. This morning, our campaign kicked off the "Hoosier Hometown Tour," visiting the small communities across Indiana that shaped Jill and Dennie's lives and made them who they are today. But you don't have to make it to a campaign stop to learn more about Jill. This video, which made its debut at the Democratic state convention recently, shows why Hoosiers like Birch Bayh, Evan Bayh and Judy O'Bannon are supporting her campaign. Take a look at "Jill Long Thompson: Daughter of Indiana":

While the video features some of Indiana's most popular and distinguished leaders, Jill and Dennie know that it's going to take the support of regular folks across the state to win this election. That's the purpose of the Hoosier Hometown Tour - and that's why we want to hear from you. Why are you supporting Jill for Governor? Take a look at the video and let us know:

The Video

Click here to submit your comments.

As I travel across the state with Jill, the one concern we hear about most is the struggling economy. Hoosiers are scared that they're going to lose their jobs, their farms, their homes, and their peace of mind.

Jill grew up in the small communities hardest hit by today's problems. She learned the value of hard work and unrelenting optimism from the people who today are fighting to succeed. With the tremendous experience Indiana has given her -- as a professor, a member of Congress, the Under Secretary for Rural Development at the Department of Agriculture and a farm owner herself -- I know Jill is the right person to put the Indiana economy back on the right track.

The more people meet Jill and Dennie during the Hoosier Hometown Tour, the more they'll realize why they are the right team to make Indiana great again.

Even if you can't make it to one of this week's tour events, we want to know why you are supporting Jill in this election. Is it her strong record in rural development? Her commitment to reinvesting in the people of Indiana? Her dedication to cleaning up Governor Mitch Daniels' mess in Indianapolis?

Your comments may be used in future campaign emails, videos, or speeches - so please take a minute to make your opinions known.

Click here to tell us why you're supporting Jill.

Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Travis LoweCampaign ManagerHoosiers for Jill Long Thompson

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What a speech... "We must never confuse action with progress.".... Jill Long Thompson

What a speech.

Yesterday, in front of over two thousand delegates at the State Democratic Convention, Jill delivered a moving speech that outlined her vision for the future of Indiana and excited Hoosier Democrats.

The Louisville Courier-Journal wrote, "Waving signs and chanting, Democrats rallied around their nominee for governor yesterday, calling Jill Long Thompson the answer to the personal bankruptcies, home foreclosures and job losses they say are plaguing Indiana."

And from today's Times of Northwest Indiana: "Long Thompson drew rousing cheers when she delivered the day's keynote speech, during which she talked about the need to improve the economy and education and make health insurance less costly and available to more people."


Here is an excerpt of Jill's speech. You can read the entire text by clicking here.

"We must never confuse action with progress.

"And we must always remember that real progress creates something good for generations to come.

"As Governor, I will measure progress by the opportunities and well being of all Hoosier families.

"To every Hoosier worker who hasn't seen a real wage increase in a long time, I want you to know that you matter.

"To every Hoosier homeowner who is struggling to pay the mortgage, you matter.

"To every child sitting in a crowded classroom lacking resources, you matter.

"To those communities facing a new start because of natural and economic devastation, you matter.

"To all the communities left behind by the current Administration, you matter.

"We can fix all of the challenges we face in our state. But, we can fix them only when we recognize that every community and every family matters."

This is a crucial election - not just for our Party but for the future of the Hoosier State. By spreading the word about Jill and her vision, you can start Indiana down a new path of prosperity and restore Indiana's promise. Click here to spread the word to your friends and family.

Your support is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Travis Lowe, Campaign Manager

P.S. Your contribution of $100, $75, $50 or $35 by June 30th will help bring much needed change to Indiana.



Paid for by Hoosiers for Jill Long Thompson. Gary Calhoun, Treasurer.


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Change Indiana Needs... from Jill Long Thompson

Our campaign is really taking off! Earlier this week, I announced that Representative Dennie Oxley will be my running mate and your next Lt. Governor. I am so excited to have Dennie on our team. Dennie Oxley is an outstanding public servant. His experience in the state legislature, in the classroom and in the business world will be put to good use as we work together to rebuild our economy and restore Indiana's promise.

We are committed to working together to create the change that Indiana needs. Changes like:

-Refocusing our education system to give students incentives and emphasize vocational training in high schools so our students have marketable skills with which they can earn a living early in life.

-Working to make broadband technology available to all of our rural communities.

-Creating tax incentives for businesses that provide health care, acquire new technology and improve productivity.

-Providing tax deductions for individuals to help offset their share of health care and continuing education costs.

In order to make the kind of change Indiana needs, we need your help now. There is an important campaign financial filing deadline on June 30.

We need to show the strength of this team by showing the magnitude of our support. Please contribute $100, $75, $50 or $35 now by clicking here.

Thank you again for your generous support of my campaign. Together, we make an unstoppable team! And, thank you for joining with me to welcome our newest team member, Representative Dennie Oxley.

Please consider contributing now by clicking here. Together this team can create winning change for our great state.

Sincerely,



Jill Long Thompson

Your contribution of $100, $75, $50 or $35 by June 30th will help bring much needed change to Indiana.



Paid for by Hoosiers for Jill Long Thompson. Gary Calhoun, Treasurer.


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Who is Jill Long Thompson... (D) candidate for Governor in Indiana

During her many years in public life, Jill Long Thompson has built an impressive record as a fighter for working families and as an advocate for responsive, responsible government. Inspired to politics as a youth, Long Thompson served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 4th Congressional District from 1989 to 1995. Long Thompson spent more than five years as U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 to 2001.

In Congress, Long Thompson compiled a pragmatic voting record by opposing all new tax increases while protecting investments in education, Medicare, and Social Security. Long Thompson also served as Vice Chair of the Democratic Leadership Council, a Democratic policy organization.

Long Thompson's first election to Congress in 1989 made national headlines because Indiana's 4th Congressional District was considered a "safe" Republican seat once held by then Vice President Dan Quayle. Long Thompson, then known as Jill Long, easily won re-election in 1990 and 1992 despite being a top Republican target for defeat.

As Under Secretary of Agriculture for rural development, Long Thompson managed 7,000 employees and a $10 billion budget, which funded rural housing, cooperative, water/waste, and business programs. Among her accomplishments as Under Secretary were reforming the single-family loan program, helping create thousands of jobs in economically challenged communities, and improving the efficiency of the Department.

Jill Long Thompson, 54, grew up on the family farm outside of Larwill in Whitley County. She lives with her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, in Marshall County on a farm near Argos. Most recently, Long Thompson served as CEO and Senior Fellow at the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy.

Jill Long Thompson was the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned an M.B.A. (1978) and Ph.D (1984) in Business from Indiana University, and a B.S. in Business from Valparaiso University (1974).

After leaving Congress in early 1995 and before becoming Under Secretary of Agriculture, Long Thompson served as a Fellow at the Institute of Politics in the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Prior to her election to Congress, Long Thompson was an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Valparaiso University, an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University/Purdue University-Fort Wayne, and a lecturer at Indiana University in Bloomington.

She also served as the Mark E. Johnston Chair of Entrepreneurship at Manchester College and as Adjunct Professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University South Bend.


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