“ With upwards of 40% of black males in the City of Detroit currently functionally illiterate and nearly as many facing incarceration at some point in their lives, our community faces an urgent crisis we have for too long ignored. I am fighting not only to improve economic opportunities in our region but to change the culture that breeds poverty and hopelessness. As a proven bipartisan leader who personally overcame the challenges of an inner-city upbringing, I have what it takes to achieve this task. I've been successful not only in bringing real resources to Metro Detroit—including millions in workforce training funds—but also in motivating people to take responsibility over their own lives and their own community. ”

“ This defining issue is Washington’s mandate to ignore the First Amendment and interfere with the American right of free exercise of religion. The federal government’s order to have Catholic schools, colleges, hospitals, social service agencies, homeless shelters and all other charitable enterprises provide for birth control, sterilization, and some abortion-inducing drugs to their employees or pay huge fines violates long standing Catholic teachings. The Catholic Church is forced to violate its own teachings and Catholic employers are forced to violate their consciences or pay huge fines. It makes not difference why the federal government is doing this. The only important point is that it is restricting our 1st Amendment religious freedom. This is not just a Catholic matter. All people of religious belief should be worried. If Washington targets Catholics – 59 million people – what will the government do to other religious groups? If Washington restricts religious freedom, it opens the door to restrictions on our other 1st Amendment rights such as freedom of the press and freedom of speech. ”

“ What separates me from my opponents in this race is my unique ability and my proven track record of effectively representing a wide diversity of interests, very similar to that found in the newly-redrawn 14th Congressional District. As Mayor of Southfield, I have demonstrated my ability to reach out to a wide range of constituents and bring their interests and concerns to the table. I am the candidate in this race that knows how to bridge the gaps and get results. ”

“ I have demonstrated that I am a leader on national and regional issues, and shown that I can build the coalitions necessary to advance legislation through Congress even during these highly partisan times. I authored the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which has created more than 3,300 jobs in Michigan. I authored and passed through the House the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, which brought together a coalition of support that included industry groups, foreign and domestic automakers, environmental groups, and labor unions. I have partnered with a Republican colleague on legislation that would reduce foreclosure rates and reduce principal on underwater mortgages, and that would reform the housing finance system, tackling a politically polarizing issue in a bipartisan manner by bringing banks, the real estate industry, and consumer groups together to find common ground. There are far too few Members of Congress focused on practical problem solving, and far too many who spend their time making empty promises. I am the best qualified candidate for Michigan’s 14th District because I know how to get things done. ”

“ There are no comprehensive programs that enable Single Mothers to provide for their families. As a state representative, I learned that the buzz phrase "we need jobs meant nothing without job creating action. When I am congresswoman I will work for Single Mothers to receive federal job training, education and transit subsidies. I will also fight for funding for child daycare, healthcare and, real educational pre-school for the working poor that are trying their best to make ends meet for their families. You can't raise a family on Happy Meal Pay. To succeed, Single Moms must have safe neighborhoods anchored by federally funded schools that work. Washington must meet that challenge with dollars to rebuild sections of Detroit and Pontiac with single family homes that are not stigmatized as "projects". We must move from funding war to a federal stimulus for those we cannot allow to fail. We did it for GM & Wall Street. We can do it for real people. ”