( – promoted by odum)

I’ve just received word that Former Army Spc. 4 Thomas James, who served 16 months of combat in Iraq (including several months after his supposed return date thanks to the back-door draft known as “stop loss”) is “seriously considering” a run for the U.S. House and his supporters are now actively seeking signatures to place himself on the ballot as a Progressive Party candidate for Vermont’s lone Congressional seat, which is now held by Dem Peter Welch.

The email I just got explains that James is a resident of Barre, currently working at a local organic farm, and is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.  He is running largely on a platform which demands an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops and civilians contractors from Iraq, and that the troops be taken good care of upon their return.  He is also demanding the the Executive Branch be held accountable for its Constitutional violations.

The email I received on his behalf says James charges that Rep Welch be held accountable for his failure to act on election-time promises to do everything in his power to end the war in Iraq, with the email I received noting that Welch voted twice to continue funding the war before a high-profile public campaign forced him to vote “no”.

Unseating an incumbent has proven nearly impossible in Vermont, but it would seem that James’ entry into the House race could make for some really interesting campaigning.