Hoekstra Fundraises Off Detroit Terror Incident

By Reid Wilson

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), the top GOPer on the House Intelligence Committee, is using the Christmas Day terror attack on a Detroit-bound airliner to raise money for his MI GOV race.

In a letter to potential donors, Hoekstra uses the incident -- in which a Nigerian man tried to light explosives concealed in his pants in order to bring down the plane -- to bash "weak-kneed liberals" he says threaten national security.

"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," Hoekstra writes.

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

"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."

Hoekstra faces a competitive GOP primary against AG Mike Cox (R), Oakland Co. Sheriff Mike Bouchard (R) and several other candidates. The winner will be favored over the eventual Dem nominee, and Hoekstra seeks to score points with the GOP base by bashing the rival party.

"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," Hoekstra writes. "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."

Hoekstra has raised his profile following the Dec. 25 incident, appearing repeatedly on national news channels to blast the Obama admin. for their weak response. On Tuesday, he appeared on CBS's "The Early Show" and said terrorism prevention systems failed at 3 specific points, including at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, where the suspect's father warned officials his son had become radicalized.

Updated: The WH is pushing back on Hoekstra's fundraiser, through the DNC. Spokesman Hari Sevugan called Hoekstra's letter "beyond the pale."

"Republicans are playing politics with issues of national security and terrorism, and that they would use this incident as an opportunity to fan partisan flames and raise money for political campaigns tells you all you need to know about how far the Republican party has fallen and how out of step with the American people they have become," Sevugan said. "The American people simply will not tolerate the likes of Mr. Hoekstra and the Republican Party playing politics with the serious issues of national security and terrorism - especially after the mess they left this country in both domestically and on national security after eight years of failed leadership."

Full text of the fundraising letter after the jump.

Full text of Hoekstra's fundraising letter, as first reported by The Grand Rapids Press:

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.