Dear 5849376, The National Rifle Association has mounted an outrageous campaign to torpedo President Obama's nomination of an outstanding young doctor, Dr. Vivek Murthy, to be the next surgeon general of the United States because he has acknowledged in the past that gun violence is a public health problem. The sad part is, the NRA's campaign is causing some nervous Democrats whose votes may be needed for Senate confirmation to consider breaking with the president to bolster their own chances for re-election in states where the gun lobby is powerful. That's why I started my own campaign on CREDOMobilize.com, which allows activists to start their own petitions. My petition, which is to President Obama and Senate Democrats, says the following: You must stand together and fight the misguided attempt by the gun lobby to prevent the nominee for surgeon general from confirmation. Tell Senate Democrats: Don't back down to the NRA. Confirm Dr. Murthy as surgeon general. Dr. Vivek Murthy is an internist who has impeccable credentials for the job of surgeon general. He currently works at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, an outstanding teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School, where he also teaches. He started a technology company to improve the efficiency of clinical trials around the world and currently is president of Doctors for America. According to the New York Times, Senate Democratic aides with knowledge of the situation have said that if a vote on Dr. Murthy's confirmation were held right now, he would likely fail to be confirmed. We can't allow the extremist National Rifle Association to dictate President Obama's appointments. President Obama has the constitutional right to name his executive team. There is nothing in Dr. Murthy's background to suggest he would violate his pledge not to use the office to advocate for gun control. Instead of backing down to the gun lobby's unfair attacks against Dr. Murthy, President Obama should defend him vigorously and Senate Democrats should vote unanimously to confirm him. Will you join me and add your name to my petition urging President Obama and Senate Democrats to stand up to the NRA and fight to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy as our next surgeon general? Thank you for your support. Robert Blanchard | 
