Strong Leadership from Garcia

The 25th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Mike Garcia, continues to see his strong leadership and military savvy in the House of the U.S. Congress. In striking contrast to the inarticulate and embarrassing March visits to Poland by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Rep. Garcia joined a bipartisan delegation (eight Republicans and two Democrats) in a visit last week to the same war-impacted area.

During a return interview, Mike emphasized the need for Ukrainians to win this war of savage criminal brutality by the “thug Putin.” During his visits with Ukrainian officials, Poland’s prime minister, and Poland’s defense minister, Mike could bring his military savvy during discussions (over 30 combat missions in Iraq as an F-18 Navy fighter pilot). Most career politicians cannot bring this combat perspective to critical conversations. Mike was most impressed with Poland’s commitment to help Ukrainians win and ”they will win,” he said. Mike also indicated, sadly, that the U.S. and its allies needed to act seven to eight weeks ago with more support.

It is no surprise, then, that Congressman Garcia chose ”fighter pilot” as his campaign logo. A job description for a pilot’s mental skills and traits (adapted from #PILOTESSENTIALS © 2021 FlyGA) includes the ability to:

• Use clear communication.

• Show situation awareness.

• Interact as a team player.

• Exhibit decisiveness and quick thinking.

• Remain calm under fire.

• Manifest intellectual confidence and self-discipline.

• Demonstrate strong leadership.

Item 7, strong leadership, is woven into each of the other above attributes. Congressman Garcia continues to manifest these qualities in Congress and, now, on the world stage.

However, the Biden Administration’s weak leadership negatively impacts each of the other six necessary mental skills and traits. Recent polls show the vast majority of Americans see this weakness; but even more important, as Mike urges, our enemies see it as well, which has resulted in a lack of respect and shameful ridicule of American leadership. Domestically, as Mike has voiced, the disaster in America’s security at our southern border is the direct result of such leadership weakness.

A vote for Congressman Mike Garcia in the June 7 primary will help keep America safe and first on the world stage with his strong leadership in Congress. Larry Bustetter

Valencia