Hoekstra Raising Money Off Detroit Terrorist Plot

Via Hotline OnCall's Reid Wilson, Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) is using the Detroit terrorism incident to  raise money for his run at the governor's mansion in Michigan. Hoekstra, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, was quick to criticize the Obama administration after the incident; he appeared on CBS's "The Early Show" Tuesday morning and said the U.S. "need[s] to be on offense" in dealing with terrorist threats.

In a quite lengthy fundraising message to supporters, Hoekstra blasted Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's initial response ("the system worked") and had some choice words about for President Obama's security policies.


"Barack Obama's policies may impress the 'Blame America First' crowd at home and his thousands of fans overseas, but they sure don't do anything to protect our families in Michigan or the rest of America," Hoekstra wrote.

Here's the full text of the letter:

Dear Friend:

We don't have much time, so I will get right to the point.

In the midst of enjoying Christmas with my family, we were quickly reminded that there is still a war against the American way of life; on Christmas morning, it came right here to Detroit.

We know the story. A cowardly terrorist was allowed to board a flight bound for our state, and armed with explosives, attempted to murder countless passengers and potential victims on the ground.

Unnamed heroes aboard the plane likely averted disaster.

Shockingly, yesterday morning, Barack Obama's Homeland Security Secretary went on TV and said "the system worked"!

They just don't get it. The system didn't "work" here. Far from it! It is insulting that The Obama administration would make such a claim, but then again, these are the same weak-kneed liberals who have recently tried to bring Guantanamo Bay terrorists right here to Michigan!

My promise to you, as your governor, my first duty and most solemn responsibility is to keep Michigan safe!

For almost a decade I have been a leader on National Security and at the forefront of the war on terror. I understand the real and continuing threat radical jihadists pose to our great state of Michigan and our great Nation.

I have pledged that I will do "everything possible" to prevent these terrorists from coming to Michigan.

But I need your help.

If you agree that we need a Governor who will stand up the Obama/Pelosi efforts to weaken our security please make a most generous contribution of $25, $50, $100 or even $250 to my campaign.

When I first ran for Congress after 15 years in the private sector, I believed that while we may have serious policy differences with those on the left, protecting America was neither a Democrat nor Republican issue.

In fact, in the days following September 11, 2001, I spent hours in meetings with my Democrat colleagues, making sure that we were doing everything we could to prevent another terrorist attack.

There should be no partisan rancor when it comes to keeping our citizens safe.

Unfortunately, as the Democrat party drifts further and further to the left, their leaders are making decisions that should frighten us all.

Since President Obama took office, he and his left-wing cronies have taken steps to undermine the work of our brave men and women who work tirelessly to keep us safe.

First came his brazen and naive pledge to close Guantanamo Bay without any idea where to put the Jihadists who will never stop trying to do us harm.

Next, his Justice Department announced plans to reinvestigate intelligence officers involved in interrogating known terrorists in a program that undoubtedly saved American lives. According to seven former CIA directors, this investigation will have a "devastating impact on CIA morale, America's counter terrorism efforts and our foreign intelligence partnerships."

As if this wasn't enough, now comes word that they are prosecuting Navy SEALs on the word of wanted terrorist and his lawyer; while at the same time the President is sending Gitmo prisoners home to Yemen. I can only imagine what will happen when they link up with their fellow Al Qaida jihadists to make more plans to attack our great country.

Not on my watch!

Barack Obama's policies may impress the "Blame America First" crowd at home and his thousands of fans overseas, but they sure don't do anything to protect our families in Michigan or the rest of America.

And while the Obama/Pelosi agenda may be popular in the mainstream media, we should not be governed by the editorial pages of the New York Times.

I will be a governor who fights, every day, to keep Michigan safe.

Won't you join me?

As you know, I have spoken out as loudly as I can against the dangerous policies of the Obama administration.

And while we face many challenges here in Michigan, I know that as Governor, my most solemn obligation will be to work every day to make sure that Michigan families are safe. And I will stop at nothing to make sure that I fulfill this obligation, no matter what the administration in Washington tries to do.

Together, let's stand up for America, and stand up for Michigan. Please, help me fight by making a most generous contribution of $25, $50, $100 or even $250, so that we can fight together to protect our families, our state, and our freedom!

Yours Truly,

Pete Hoekstra

P.S. I am running for Governor to bring conservative leadership to Lansing. I will fight every day to lower taxes, create jobs and stand up for our shared values. Please make a secure, online donation to my campaign of $25, $50, $100 or even $250. Thank you.