Worth Fighting For

Massachusetts Republican Jim Ogonowski deserved better. He worked hard - like a farmer and with dedication - like an Air Force pilot. His family was cheerful and supportive at every turn with cousins, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters and his sterling wife, Kathy, boring down on the phones to the last minute. They worked to the last dog died Tuesday night in Chelmsford and throughout the 29-town Fifth Congressional District

Democrat liberal Niki Tsongas, widow of Paul Tsongas, spent $2.2 million, including $1.1 million in television, much of it scene during Red Sox telecasts plus other in-kind funding from Emily's List, union money and muscle and personal visits by Bill Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She managed to win by 51-45 percent with several fringe candidates picking up the rest. Paul Tsongas served in that House seat before moving to the U.S. Senate and the Tsongas name is as brand as Dodd in Connecticut.

The total was Tsongas, 54,363 to Ogonowski, 47,770.

Ogonowski only air cover was $25,000 for radio. He beat Tsongas on the ground with a solid Republican message of lower taxes, securing the borders and working toward energy independence. Ogonowski also had a personal connection to the war on terror. His brother was the pilot of American Airliens Flght 11 on that fateful day in 2001.

Her message was the same left wing dribble that Hillary Clinton thinks she can win on nationally - cut and run in Iraq, raise taxes to pay for more federal programs and allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses.

Many Connecticut volunteers came north to help Ogonowski and they were solid in their professionalism and hard work. They knocked on doors and made phone calls until 7:45 p.m. They showed that we are all in this fight together and that we should never turn our backs on any opportunity. These campaigns also provided Connecticut people with some valuable insights into turning out the vote, living off the land and hanging in there when the pressure of an Election Day beckons.

For those who questioned why some went to help another Republican across our borders during a municipal cycle, the answer is simple - they asked for help because a seat in Congress was at stake. We in Connecticut would ask the same if one of our seats become available and needed the soldiers to win for the common good.

The Ogonowski family wasn't bitter and they blamed no one or had any regrets. We hope Jim Ogonowski comes back and runs again. He has a lot to offer his state and his nation and we are all lucky to have known him for a little while. Jim Ogonowski proved there are things worth fighting for.