My First Journal: Notes from a Presidential Candidate

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I want to thank the folks at Digital Journal for the opportunity to share my personal thoughts with such a vibrant online community.

With Independence Day only a few days behind us, I'd like to offer a tribute to America's men and women in uniform who serve our nation with bravery, vigilance, courage and professionalism, both overseas and here at home. Their contributions are vital to a free and flourishing democracy that allows our citizens to participate in the political process.

Through efforts like Digital Journal, it's my hope that we will be able to improve our national dialogue on issues affecting our country's future. As we face threats, foreign and domestic, to our democracy, it's important that we find common ground on issues that unite us, instead of divide us.

Government must also do a better job of creating and living up to the public trust. I look forward to participating in this forum, and invite you to do the same, too.

It's important that candidates running for President listen to the voters. I spent the last few days in Iowa campaigning in Des Moines , Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Davenport , Indianola, and DeWitt. Iowa ’s place in national politics is, and should remain, central to the political process. The August 11 Ames Straw Poll will be a big test for me, and I encourage readers who may be from Iowa to e-mail my campaign staff at iowa@explorehuckabee.com if they can attend, or help us with, the straw poll.

Yesterday I spoke to the National Education Association in Philadelphia where I shared my ideas on how to improve education so American students will be able to compete on the world stage. Today I am in New Hampshire, where I'll meet up with the other members of Capitol Offense, a band in which I play bass guitar. On Saturday, we'll be participating in a patriotic tribute to our troops.

Throughout our tour in New Hampshire we will be using e-applications such as Blog Talk Radio, Twitter, and Flickr to showcase our events.

I look forward to writing more on Digital Journal, and encourage comments to this post, and the many more to come. Thanks for your time and interest.

Sincerely,

Mike Huckabee