Letters

In March, my good friend, George Lynch, wrote to The Southampton Press expressing his, and the Southampton Town Democratic Committee’s, support for congressional candidate John Avlon [“Blown Away,” Letters, March 7]. George aptly described our Democratic Committee as “not an easy crowd,” and that “unanimity is foreign to us.”

Upholding that tradition, I was open-minded but skeptical about John Avlon and approached the meeting with the idea that this former CNN senior political analyst, and co-founder of “No Labels,” would need an impressive showing to get my support.

It just took that one meeting to win me over, and shortly thereafter I sent a contribution to his campaign.

I liked a couple of things about Mr. Avlon. His ability to speak logically, cogently and with conviction across a range of issues was most impressive and should serve him well in Congress, and with his 1st Congressional District constituents. I don’t expect to be in his corner on every issue, but I would feel confident that John gave his all — intellectually and politically — to arrive at the right decision.

Secondly, as George mentioned, Mr. Avlon wrote a book about George Washington (“Washington’s Farewell: The Founding Father’s Warning to Future Generations”). Mostly remembered for Washington’s warning about “foreign entanglements,” his post-presidency message contained more sage advice.

Washington advised his generation and posterity to take heed of the importance of national unity and “effective government.” As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Washington experienced firsthand the impact that an ineffective government can have on public pursuits — in his case, winning a war of independence. The inadequate Continental Congress, and poorly designed Articles of Confederation, made it difficult to forge consensus on important national issues. Thus, Washington became a key supporter of a new Constitution that counted on “We the People” to knit together a true United States.

It is my hope and belief that John Avlon, possessing a keen mind and steeped in the history and principles of our founding, will become an exemplary leader. I’ll vote for John Avlon on June 25 in the Democratic primary.

Mike Anthony

Westhampton

Anthony is the former chair of the Southampton Democratic Committee — Ed.