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Heading Into Debate, Hero On The Hudson, “Sully” Sullenberger, Takes On Trump In New TV Ad

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Sully: “Eleven years ago, I was called to my moment. Now, we are all called to THIS moment…. All we have to do is vote him out.”

WASHINGTON, DC — In a new national television ad, today, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger tells Americans that we are in control of our own destiny and government, and can return it to a state of unity and responsibility, by voting out Donald Trump. In a stinging indictment of Trump’s failures, Sully adds that Americans must vote on behalf of the quarter million who will have died of COVID-19 by Election Day.

The ad, which is co-sponsored by VoteVets and the Lincoln Project, will be running throughout the day on national cable, leading into tonight’s debate, at a cost of $200,000.

 

 

In the ad, Sully says, “Leadership is not just about sitting in a pilot’s seat. It’s about knowing what you’re doing, and taking responsibility for it. Being prepared, ready and able to handle anything that might come your way. I’ve been flying over this country for fifty-three years. Fifty-three years of flights you’ve never heard about, and one that you’ve heard everything about.”

News footage from his emergency landing on the Hudson plays, and he continues, “My whole life prepared me for that moment. From my father, a Naval officer in World War II, I learned the awesome responsibility of command. From my service as an Air Force officer and a fighter pilot, I knew that serving a cause greater than one’s self is the highest calling. And its in that highest calling of leadership that Donald Trump has failed us so miserably. Now, it’s up to us to overcome his attacks on our very democracy. Knowing nearly a quarter-million Americans won’t have a voice – casualties of his lethal lies and incompetence. Eleven years ago, I was called to my moment. Now, we are all called to this moment. When you look down at our beautiful, boundless country, you don’t see political divisions. It reminds us of who we are and what we can be. That we are in control of this nation’s destiny. All we have to do is: Vote. Him. Out.”

“Captain Sullenberger is the living embodiment of American leadership, courage and cool under pressure,” said Fred Wellman, Senior Advisor for Veterans Affairs with The Lincoln Project. “His lifetime of service that culminated in the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ where he saved 155 lives through his skill and competence represents everything Donald Trump is not. Until recently, Sully has never taken a political position before but this moment called for him to step forward and urge his fellow Americans to step forward and not give Trump four more years to wreak havoc on our country and the world.”

“People all know Sully the airline pilot,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War veteran and Chairman of VoteVets. “Not many know Sully the veteran, and son of a veteran, who loves this country deeply. It’s important that Americans know that great patriots and heroes, like Sully Sullenberger, see Donald Trump as a threat to our country. It’s important that they hear someone who’s saved lives speak to how many lives Donald Trump has cost – and will continue to cost – America.”