He’s a captain the Navy.

A physician specializing in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

He’s a father of five.

He believes his Senator – Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) – is a decent enough guy.

And perhaps one of the best in the U.S. Senate.

They probably agree on a lot of issues.

But Freilich has decided to put his career on hold.

And challenge Leahy in the Democratic primary in 2010.

Why?

Because Leahy and the Democratic Party have accepted the status quo.

And are settling for incremental changes.

When what we need are fundamental changes.

Meet Dr. Daniel Freilich.

He’s also a supporter of single payer national health insurance.

“Single payer is the right thing to do morally and economically,” Freilich told Single Payer Action last week.

“It’s right morally because it covers all Americans. And it’s right economically because it saves $300 billion to $400 billion a year.”

“You can’t have a democracy and a cohesiveness when you have a lot of haves and a lot of have nots and you when have lost the middle class,” Freilich said.

“We need fair play for average Americans.”

Instead of doing what is morally and economically right, the Democratic leadership is engaged in political expedience.

That’s why he’s challenging Leahy.

“He’s not taking a leadership role,” Freilich said. “He’s willing to accept incremental compromises. I’m no longer willing to accept them.”