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November 30, 2005

Governor Dean on Tonight Show...Tonight!

On NBC across the country after your local evening news. Use this as an open thread.

Dean Op-Ed on Democratic Values

Governor Dean:

2005 has been a good year for Democrats. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has trained and hired local organizers on the ground in 49 states. These organizers are critical to our victories in 2006 and beyond.

We’ve shattered the 2001 post-presidential-year fundraising record, despite not being able to collect soft money. Through our grassroots Democracy Bonds program, we’ve doubled the number of monthly givers to the DNC.

Our leaders in the House and Senate stuck together on issues such as fiscal responsibility and Social Security, and they continue to pressure the administration for the truth about manipulating prewar intelligence, sending a strong message that Democrats will fight for what is right.

And for the first time in recent memory, the DNC, the Democratic House and Senate leadership and Democratic mayors and governors are sitting at the same table to create policies and strategies for restoring honest government and fiscal responsibility to America.

The early results in California, Virginia and New Jersey are good. Local races in St. Louis, Parkersburg and Minnesota, where we picked up seats that had been Republican for up to 58 years, are even better.

This is a solid beginning, but there is more we must do. Cutting the fundraising advantage the other party enjoys from 3-1 to 2-1 is good but not good enough. Sticking together on the budget and supporting Rep. John Murtha’s (D-Pa.) great courage are good starts, but we need to continue to work together on judicial nominations, environmental legislation, trade and jobs to send effectively the message that we are again ready to lead the American people with purpose and in a fundamentally new direction.

In 2006, Democrats will take back the House and the Senate. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have done an excellent job recruiting strong candidates, and we are already investing in the local infrastructure to ensure they win. But the key to winning is running a national campaign based on our different vision and the themes that Democrats around the country have put forward.

Americans of all political persuasions are tired of and worried about the culture of corruption that Republicans have brought to Washington and to so many statehouses around America. We will offer real ethics reform and election reform so that the Government Accountability Office can report in three years that we can have confidence in our voting machines.

We will offer a program for American jobs that stay in America and for energy independence that will create jobs and wean us off of foreign oil.

The only president to balance a budget in the past 37 years was a Democrat. We will do that again.

We will offer a real tax-reform program that helps the middle class pay for it by eliminating the shocking waste and giveaways the Republican Congress and president have added to the budget and subtracted from revenues in the past five years.

We will join the 36 other countries that manage to include all their citizens in their health-insurance systems while simultaneously balancing their budgets.

We will provide a strong public education system by avoiding bureaucratic federal mandates and taxpayer-funded puff pieces. We will rely on local control while requiring real standards that work nationally.

We will offer Americans real security. We all agree that 2006 must be a transition year in Iraq. While we may have different ideas about tactics and timing, it’s clear we must change course. The vision of strategic redeployment set forward by Brian Katulis and former Reagan Defense Department official Lawrence Korb offers a likely roadmap to success that we can coalesce around.

We will offer the American people a government that is honest in preparing for any deployment of American troops and honor their sacrifice when they come home.

Most important, we will talk about Democratic values, which are America’s values.

The vast majority of Americans believe it is immoral to lets kids go hungry. We agree. The other party cuts school lunches (they just can’t seem to leave that one alone.)

Americans believe it is immoral that not everyone has some kind of health insurance. We agree.

The vast majority of Americans believe that government overreaching into personal and family decisions is wrong. We agree.

Americans believe that it is immoral to leave huge debts to our children and grandchildren. We agree.

Americans believe that using issues to divide us as a country to win elections is bad for America. We will restore America’s sense of community.

Together, America can do better. And in 2006, the Democrats will lead America to do just that.

A Public Relations Strategy for Victory

The Washington Post:

When President Bush confidently predicts victory in Iraq and admits no mistakes, admirers see steely resolve and critics see exasperating stubbornness. But the president's full-speed-ahead message articulated in this week's prime-time address also reflects a purposeful strategy based on extensive study of public opinion about how to maintain support for a costly and problem-plagued military mission.

The White House recently brought onto its staff one of the nation's top academic experts on public opinion during wartime, whose studies are now helping Bush craft his message two years into a war with no easy end in sight. Behind the president's speech is a conviction among White House officials that the battle for public opinion on Iraq hinges on their success in convincing Americans that, whatever their views of going to war in the first place, the conflict there must and can be won.

What's telling is that article was written back in June of 2005. It's also no surprise that the title of the document released this morning is called, "National Strategy for Victory in Iraq Report." Unfortunately, a nicely photoshopped front-page graphic and snappy formatting don't change the reality on-the-ground in Iraq. Regardless of the not-so-new information one thing is clear: nothing has changed--both the president's "plan" and the PR strategy remain the same: Stay the Course.

Put This Billboard in Schmidt's Backyard

Governor Dean sent this message to Democrats across the country this morning.

Since Tom wrote to you yesterday, thousands of people have stepped up to challenge Republican leaders in their own backyard when they attack our veterans.

I saw the video of Republican Jean Schmidt calling decorated combat veteran and Democratic Congressman Jack Murtha a coward. I couldn't believe what I heard.

Immediately after her attack, you can hear something else on that tape. That is the House Democrats shouting her down and calling her to account for the attack. They ultimately forced her to retract her words.

We're following your suggestion to put billboards up in the hometown of any Republican leader trying to distract from their failed leadership by attacking a veteran's service.

The first target is Jean Schmidt -- and there are less the 24 hours left to make a contribution to put a billboard up right outside her district office in Portsmouth, Ohio. Will you contribute to kick start this effort?

http://www.democrats.org/billboard

Jean Schmidt is only the latest Republican leader to cross this line of civility and respect for our veterans -- it's time to say enough is enough.

Republican leaders use these tactics to distract people from the simple fact that they have lost credibility on national security and foreign policy.

They abandoned the hunt for Osama bin Laden. They manipulated intelligence to sell the war in Iraq, and failed to plan adequately for the war before it started. They destroyed the moral authority America built up over five decades of Democratic and Republican presidents, and they alienated the universal support for our cause after September 11th.

Americans deserve to hear an exit strategy in Iraq and a plan to restore our moral leadership in the world. And questioning the patriotism of those who demand these things is absolutely out of bounds.

Thank you for standing up.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

The Billboard

FL-Sen: Nelson Leads Katherine Harris Big

Katherine Harris.

The Republican Party might be stepping up their search for another candidate, her fundraising numbers remain poor, and staffers are breaking out from the campaign like rats fleeing the sinking ship, but the everyday GOP voter insists on running her against Senator Bill Nelson.

Strategic Vision (R). 1200 Registered Voters. November 25-28, 2005. MoE +/- 3%

If the election for the Republican nomination for United States Senator in 2006 were held today, whom would you support? (Republicans only)

Katherine Harris: 48%
Toni Jennings: 13%
Mark Foley: 11%
Allan Bense: 6%
Ginny Brown-Waite: 5%
Dave Weldon: 4%
Daniel Webster: 1%
Undecided: 12%

How does Nelson stack up head-to-head? Pretty well.

Bill Nelson: 48%
Katherine Harris: 32%
Undecided: 20%

Bill Nelson: 47%
Toni Jennings: 39%
Undecided: 14%

Bill Nelson: 47%
Mark Foley: 40%
Undecided: 13%

Bill Nelson: 47%
Allan Bense: 37%
Undecided: 16%

Nelson is hovering right around the magical 50% mark, and remains very popular among Floridians familiar with his work on behalf of families in the Sunshine State. His favorable ratings outweigh his unfavorables by almost a 3 to 1 margin: 40% to 15% with 45% undecided. At the same time, President Bush is viewed favorably by only 37% of residents, while 54% disapprove of the job he has done.

Wednesday Morning Open Thread

What's on your mind?

November 29, 2005

Tuesday Night Open Thread

Get ready for tomorrow, it's going to be an exciting day. First, we'll unveil the billboard you are placing in Jean Schmidt's backyard, right outside her district headquarters in Portsmouth, Ohio. Second, I wanted to take some time to talk with frequent visitors to the blog about really creating a community on this site that centers around information, outlets for meaningful participation, and giving YOU the tools to help personally take a role in facilitating our growth.

Also, make sure to read the Chris Bowers post I bumped up right below this one about the ease and importance of running for local offices. I'll be in the comments for much of the night, so feel free to drop me any feedback/questions you have.

You Have To Run For Office

But voting only gets you a D- grade. We have to run for office, work on campaigns and spread the word. We do have the power! -- Governor Howard Dean

It doesn't matter what the seat is: school board, state committee, or in the case of activist/blogger Chris Bowers, Committeeperson in Philadelphia, Ward 27, Division 23. As he explains it over at MyDD, it wasn't very difficult either:

I have to say, that even though I live in a ward that votes roughly 90% Democratic, it did not take much for me to become a committeeperson. Currently, of the 46 potential committeeperson slots in Ward 27, 26 are vacant. I first attended award meeting in October, only two weeks before the November elections. Because of the lack of manpower, I was able to start working right away. I canvassed my neighborhood before the election, which was fabulous because I was able to knock on every door within a two-block radius of my house. This allowed me to meet a lot of people in my neighborhood and become more familiar with the place I have lived for over six years now. Also, on Election Day I handed out Democratic literature outside of my polling place. I had been offered an opportunity to be a poll watcher, but I preferred the opportunity to be a partisan, even if it meant standing outside in the cold. I am sure that my choice to be a partisan activist rather than a non-partisan judge will come as a surprise to no one on MyDD.

That was really all there was to it. Even in one of the most Democratic areas of the country, the party still faces a severe shortage of active members and volunteers. As Howard Dean has often said, politics are determined by those who show up. I showed up. That was really all it took. In May, I have a feeling that Carol and I will be unopposed when we stand in the primary election

But that is only where the beauty of this tale begins. Knowning Chris personally, I can gaurantee this is a man who will take the job of organizing his community very seriously. Filling these local seats will undoubtedly increase turnout on election day, and have a positive impact on participation even before the first ballot is cast.

If we are to win at all levels in 2006, 2008, and beyond, these are the types of seats that we have to make sure are filled not just in Philadelphia, but all across the country. And as those numbers increase, it is a sure thing that % of the vote for Democrats in those areas will rise accordingly. As Governor Dean has said before:

Because soon or later, all Americans are going to learn what you've already learned; that the biggest lie told by people like me to people like you at election time is that, "If you vote for me, I'm going to solve all your problems." The truth is, the power to change this country is in your hands, not mine.

Congratulations to Chris Bowers, who took the power into his own hands. Will you do the same?

Gubernatorial Polling #'s

Survey USA just released its latest fifty state tracking poll, this time it rates the approval of governors across the country. The list below only includes Republican incumbents seeking re-election in 2006:

Survey USA. 600 Adults in Each State. 11/11/05 to 11/13/05. MoE Varies By State.

Alaska - Frank Murkowski
Approve: 26%
Disapprove: 68%

California - Arnold Schwarzenegger
Approve: 35%
Disapprove: 63%

Texas - Rick Perry
Approve: 47%
Disapprove: 47%

Maryland - Robert Erlich
Approve: 48%
Disapprove: 46%

Alabama - Bob Riley
Approve: 50%
Disapprove: 45%

Minnesota - Tim Palwenty
Approve: 50%
Disapprove: 45%

South Carolina - Mark Sanford
Approve: 51%
Disapprove: 42%

Georgia - Sonny Perdue
Approve: 55%
Disapprove: 40%

Rhode Island - Don Carcieri
Approve: 57%
Disapprove: 38%

Hawaii - Linda Lingle
Approve: 59%
Disapprove: 32%

Nebraska - Dave Heinman
Approve: 59%
Disapprove: 30%

Vermont - Jim Douglas
Approve: 65%
Disapprove: 27%

South Dakota - Mike Rounds
Approve: 73%
Disapprove: 21%

Connecticut - Jodi Rell
Approve: 77%
Disapprove: 18%

Hold Jean Schmidt Accountable

Ten days ago Governor Dean asked Democrats to stand up for decorated combat veteran and Democratic Congressman Jack Murtha, who was under attack for speaking up about Iraq. More than 115,000 of you sent Murtha notes of encouragement, letting him know you would not be silent as Republicans try to score political points by attacking veterans.

In your letters, many of you singled out freshman Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, who had the audacity to call Jack Murtha a coward on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. (That's the same Jack Murtha who served 37 years in the Marine Corps, who received the Bronze Star, two purple hearts, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.)

You asked what you could do to turn the heat up on Jean Schmidt and show Republicans that questioning the service of our veterans isn't fair game. One great idea that many of you suggested was placing billboards in their home districts. So, at your suggestion, here's the proposal.

From this day forward, the Democratic Party will commit to putting up a "Shame on You" billboard in the home district of any Republican who attacks a veteran's service in order to score political points.

The first billboard will go up near Jean Schmidt's district office in Portsmouth, Ohio. The message: "Shame on You, Jean Schmidt: Stop Attacking Veterans. Keep Your Eye on the Ball -- We Need a Real Plan for Iraq".

If you contribute now the billboard can be up next week. Your donation right now will take the fight right into Schmidt's backyard -- and the backyard of any Republican who values political posture over a veteran's service:

http://www.democrats.org/billboard

We have seen this pattern from Republican leaders before. Every time a veteran -- Democrat or Republican -- challenges their authority, people who never served in combat (George Bush, Dick Cheney, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and the rest) feel that they have the right to attack the courage and patriotism of those who have.

It happened to Vietnam veterans John McCain, Max Cleland, and John Kerry, and now to a man who served in Korea and Vietnam, Jack Murtha. We cannot let this continue -- we need to send a strong message that this kind of attack will not be tolerated.

Even after being forced to retract her words on the House floor, Jean Schmidt wouldn't back down or admit that attacking veterans' service is out of bounds. Last week, appearing on a local radio show in Southern Ohio, Schmidt said the biggest lesson she had learned from the incident was: "Not to wear the red dress."

Obviously these billboards need to get up as soon as possible. In order to get them up before the holidays, we need to place the order by 7 AM Thursday. A $50 contribution right now will send a very powerful message to Jean Schmidt -- and make other Republican leaders think twice before attacking the courage of those who challenge them:

http://www.democrats.org/billboard

The time has come to stop this kind of dirty political smearing once and for all. America's veterans deserve better treatment, and the American people deserve a more honest debate about our national security.

You can make it happen.

Thank you,

Tom McMahon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

Mr. Popularity

"I'm not aware of anyone who's ever sunk lower." -- Pollster John Zogby

When the ballots were cast on November 8, 2005 in Ohio, collective sighs of relief let go from a certain rare coin dealer and embattled governor echoed throughout the state. While the four "reform amendments" went down, one initiative survived, Governor Bob Taft's Third Frontier passed in a relative squeaker. But if anyone thought those results were a positive referendum on the status quo in Columbus, Ohio -- think again. The Toledo Blade reports:

Gov. Bob Taft's approval ratings have hit single digits (6.5%). But Ohio Republicans shouldn't hit the panic button, a new statewide poll suggests.

A Zogby International online survey, conducted a week after the Nov. 8 election and released yesterday, shows just 6.5 percent of Ohio voters view the embattled GOP governor very or somewhat favorably. Barely 3 percent rate his job performance as "good" or "excellent."

"I'm not aware of anyone who's ever sunk lower," pollster John Zogby said.

Sixty-one percent of respondents said Mr. Taft should have resigned after pleading guilty in August to misdemeanor ethics charges for failing to report dozens of gifts and golf outings to state officials.

First of all, take the results with a grain of salt, as Zogby's Internet polling methodology is far from universally accepted. That said, there is still a lot of work and party-building to be done over the next year. As Democrats, we cannot simply rest on the fact that Ohio has literally been the "poster state" for the culture of corruption, led by the "poster boy" in a national bribery probe and a Republican governor recently convicted of four criminal misdemeanors. And that's to say nothing about Tom Noe. Pay-to-play isn't just a buzzword in Ohio; it's a way of life for local Republicans.

In these troubled times, there is a tremendous opportunity for Democrats in Ohio to continue the necessary statewide organizing process in earnest. Just last week, Democratic Party Chairman Denny White stepped aside, and the race is on to find his replacement. The candidates attracting most of the mainstream media and grassroots buzz right now are Ohio State House Minority Leader Chris Redfern, Montgomery County Democratic Party Chairman Dennis Lieberman, and Athens County Democratic Party Chair Susan Gwinn.

On primary night in Ohio this May, Democrats have the opportunity to elect committee members in their localities throughout the state -- 66 of them to be exact. These individuals are given votes in the process of selecting the next Ohio Democratic Party chair. This is the perfect time for the Ohio grassroots to get organized. The bylaws can be found here.

Let's Make a Deal

From Roll Call:

In pleading guilty to conspiring to bribe a public official, scandal-plagued lobbyist Michael Scanlon revealed Republican Representative Bob Ney’s “price tag” for supporting his clients. Roll Call today reported that, according to the plea agreement, Ney—referred to as “Representative #1”—agreed “to place a statement drafted by Scanlon in the Congressional Record” in return for $14,000 in campaign contributions from Scanlon and his associates.

It's time for Representative #1 to follow the lead of "Duke" Cunningham and come clean about his role in the Republican culture of corruption. Seriously. Enough is enough.

Tuesday Morning Open Thread

It's going to be an exciting day, start it right here.

November 28, 2005

Monday Night Open Thread

Today's developments were merely a single scene of a feature length film playing in Republican controlled congressional districts across the country. The movie poster foreshadows a much more drawn out plot.

CA-50: What Happens Next?

When Representative Chris Cox (Rep. CA-48) accepted a post as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman, the California Constitution manadated Governor Schwarzenegger, within 14 days, set a date for a special election to determine Cox's replacement in CA-48. On December 6th, residents of the district will head to the polls, again, to choose between five candidates that survived a brutal 17 person primary a month and a half ago. The remaining candidates represent the highest vote-getter from each of the parties represented in the primary. In this case:

Steve Young (Democrat)
John Campbell (Republican)
Jim Gilchrist (American Independent)
Bea Tiritilli (Green Party)
Bruce Cohen (Libertarian Party)

These candidates advanced, only because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote. Had Campbell, who received the highest percentage on primary-night (46%) crossed the threshold, he would have been sworn in as the next U.S. Representative in California's Forty-Eighth District.

Now that Congressman Randall "Duke" Cunningham has officially resigned, the same process will repeat itself in the CA-50...but with a twist. DavidNYC at Swing State Project has the details:

The governor must issue a "proclamation" within 14 days of today. That's Monday, Dec. 12th.

• Then, the governor must set a date that is from 112 to 119 days after the proclamation. So the potential range is anywhere from 112 to 133 days from now - in other words, March 20th to April 10th.

• Ah! But there's a wrinkle! The final bolded bit of the statute says that the governor can consolidate a special election with a regular election if it could take place within 180 days of a statewide election. Guess what? There's a statewide primary election on June 6th.

• So if Schwarzenegger waits 10 or more days to issue the proclamation, then things fall into that 180-day window. Which means that the special election would be combined with the primary on 6/6/06. Whoa - that's a hell of a day, huh?

Basically, the special election can happen any day between March 20, 2006 and April 10, 2006. Or, Governor Schwarzenegger can choose to fold the election in with the statewide primary on June 6, 2006. Chris Bowers has the demographic breakdown of the district. As it stands right now, there are nine potential Republican candidates for the seat, and one Democrat, Francine Busby.

CA-50: "A Crime Against the United States"

So says Republican Congressman Randall "Duke" Cunningham's plea agreement (.pdf):

[The] defendeant and his coconspirators conspired and agreed that the defendant would directely and indirectly corruptly demand, seek, receive, and accept items of value from his Coconspirators, in return for being influenced in the performance of his official acts, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 201(b)(2)(A) [...]

Defendant demanded, sought, and received at least $2.4 million in illicit payments and benefits from his Coconspirators in various forms, including cash, checks, meals, travel, lodging, furnishings, antiques, rugs, yacht club fees, boat repairs and improvements, moving expenses, cars, and boats...

Defendant used his public office and took other official action to pressure and influence the United States Department of Defense peronnel to award and execute government contracts in a manner that would benefit Coconspirator No. 1 and Coconspirator No. 2. which the defendant did, in part, because of his receipt of the above-described payments and benefits, and not because using Coconspirators Nos. 1 and 2 was in the best interest of the country.

Let's not forget that these were defense contracts at a time of war. Until his resignation this afternoon, Congressman Cunningham served on the Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee.

"Equal Justice Under the Law"

WTOP News:

A large chunk of marble has fallen from the facade of the Supreme Court building. Eyewitnesses on the scene say no one was injured when the large piece fell onto the steps where tourists normally enter the Supreme Court.

The large piece of marble fell from the building's facade above the words, "Equal Justice Under Law," just before 10 a.m.

Washington Post:

One of the mysteries still hanging in the confirmation battle over Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. is his view of a landmark case that established the legal principle of one man, one vote. The answer varies depending on when you ask -- not to mention whom you ask.

In 1985, when Alito was applying for a political appointment in the Reagan administration, he wrote that he disagreed with decisions by the Warren Court in the 1960s involving "reapportionment." Those rulings required electoral districts to have equal populations and helped ensure greater representation of urban minorities.

Whose Plan?

The Associated Press (Link):

The White House for the first time has claimed possession of an Iraq withdrawal plan, arguing that a troop pullout blueprint unveiled this past week by a Democratic senator was "remarkably similar" to its own.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (Link):

First, 2006 should be a significant year of transition to full Iraqi sovereignty, with Iraqis taking more and more responsibility for their own security. It’s time to take the training wheels off the Iraqi government. Iraqis must begin to run their own country. In 2006, the US and our allies must do everything we can to make that possible.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan:

There is a strong consensus building in Washington in favor of President Bush's strategy for victory in Iraq. As the Iraqi security forces gain strength and experience, we can lessen our troop presence in the country without losing our capability to effectively defeat the terrorists. Today, Sen. Biden described a plan remarkably similar to the Administration's plan to fight and win the war on terror.

Republican Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee John Warner (Link):

The plan stops short of a competing Democratic proposal that moves toward establishing dates for a phased withdrawal of troops from Iraq. But it is built upon the Democratic approach and makes it clear that senators of both parties are increasingly eager for Iraqis to take control of their country in coming months and open the door to removing American troops. [...]

Mr. Warner said he decided to take the Democratic proposal and edit it to his satisfaction in an effort to find common ground between the parties on the issue.

Monday Morning Open Thread

I am thankful to be back at it after the long holiday weekend. How about you?

November 24, 2005

Thanksgiving Open Thread

For your Thanksgiving evening...

November 23, 2005

A 50 State & 435 Congressional District Strategy

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee unveiled a new webpage that allows you to check out where Democrats hold seats in the U.S. House and where we have challengers. In the races where Democrats have a candidate, a hyperlink connects you to some opposition research type information about the Republican incumbent. Terrific resource -- bookmark it.

The DCCC site comes on the heels of a brand new grassroots initiative, districtblogs.com. In the August Special Election in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District, the OH-2 Blog was an invaluable resource that helped to nationalize the race, influence local mainstream media coverage, and attract volunteers from inside the district. Districtblogs.com hopes to serve as a central hub for information, organization, and aggregator for what will eventually be a local blog in each and every one of the 435 Congressional Districts.

NE-Sen: They Really Like Him

Good news for Senator Ben Nelson from today's Rasmussen Reports:

Rasmussen Reports. 500 Likely Voters. November 16, 2005.

Ben Nelson (D): 52%
Pete Ricketts (R): 29%
Other: 5%

Ben Nelson (D): 57%
David Kramer (R): 25%
Other: 5%

Kramer is the former chair of the Nebraska Republican Party and Ricketts former CEO of Ameritrade. This race is one Republicans certainly had high hopes for, and unfortunately for them, another race Elizabeth Dole has failed to recruit a viable candidate for. Apparently no one wants to run against Nelson--and for good reason. The poll also shows Nelson with a 70% favorable rating to 22% unfavorable--staggering numbers for a Democrat in Nebraska.

Probably no coincidence, these numbers coincide with a rebirth of the Nebraska Democratic Party. The state party has taken the national 50 State Strategy to the next level and implemented their own 93 County Strategy, made available online.

Jean Schmidt Just Doesn't Get It

After four days of national media attention, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt made her rounds yesterday with the Southwest Ohio press. On a radio talk show with local host Bill Cunningham, Schmidt was asked what lessons she has learned from this whole fiasco. She said, "a lot," and when pressed for one or two specifics, Schmidt chose the most important lesson of all to her:

"Not to wear the red dress."

More Schmidt:

We cannot afford to pull out now and risk the terrorists taking over that country. They take over the oil fields. They turn that into a dirty bomb, and they turn it right back at us.

It's a quote that immediately reminded me of a debate I attended during the special election between Jean Schmidt and Paul Hackett just four months ago:

We need to keep our eye on the ball, because if we don't keep our eye on the ball, that ball will come back and attack us (video link)

And more...

I disagree with Congressman Murtha’s statement -- I strongly oppose withdrawing the troops immediately.

Of course, we all know that wasn't Congressman Murtha's position, but Schmidt is in total spin mode. It's no wonder local Republicans are calling her an "embarassment to the district."

(Here's the audio link to the interview)

The New Map

Making its rounds online today -- from Survey USA data.

Wednesday Morning Open Thread

Have at it.

November 22, 2005

Tuesday Night Open Thread

Jump on in.

"Record Off Year Fundraising"

The Hotline Blog has the numbers, and concludes "The DNC is enjoying record off year fundraising." Democrats have been able to close the fundraising gap because of a focus on the grassroots. It's not an increase in raw number of fundraising appeals driving the record-setting year, it's the marked increase of opportunities for meaningful participation within the grassroots and a demonstrated commitment to growing the party in each and every of the 50 United States.

A huge part of the recent fundraising success comes from the Democracy Bonds program. Over 25,000 Democrats helped to place organizers on the ground of all fifty states because of their promise to make a recurring monthly small dollar contribution to the DNC. Chris Bowers at MyDD explains why this kind of fundraising by the national party is so important:

Is it any wonder why Democrats are doing so well among Independents these days? You have one party, Republicans, trying to suck up as much as possible to the rich, to large corporations, and to lobbyists. You have another party, Democrats, trying instead to appeal to small donors and build a nationwide grassroots movement independent of powerful, wealthy interests. You tell me who is going to appeal more to people who feel shut out of the system. You tell me which is a better way for American politics to operate. Democrats should broadcast these developments as far and as wide as they can.

What about the bond owners themselves?

I didn't think I could afford to buy a democracy bond...until I looked at my three year old daughter. What kind of opportunities will she have under these greedy and immoral republican idiots? I believe in Howard Dean, and I've been a proud bondholder for two months now.

Tell your friends about Democracy Bonds.

Don't Let Bush Pardon This Turkey

You know the drill -- every Thanksgiving the president pardons a turkey. But this year George Bush may try to use the holiday season to slip in another pardon -- of his friend and former senior aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, who was indicted for perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements.

Conservatives around Washington are buzzing with rumors that George Bush will regain control of his lame-duck presidency by ending the investigation into manipulated intelligence on Iraq and the subsequent cover-up with a pardon for anyone involved.

Despite pressure from Democratic lawmakers, Bush refuses to pledge that he will not pardon Libby or anyone else implicated in this breach of national security. A pardon for anyone on this deadly serious matter would be yet more evidence that Republican leaders value political party over country.

It's up to you to show that the American people are watching -- don't let George Bush pardon this turkey over the Thanksgiving holiday:

www.democrats.org/nopardon

From the cover-up of manipulated intelligence on Iraq to Tom DeLay(?-xism:')s money-for-influence machine to Bill Frist(?-xism:')s questionable stock deals, this administration and Republicans in Congress have always considered themselves above the law.

Forward this message to your friends and family -- the more people who sign the No Pardons petition, the more the White House will know that Americans are watching.

If we can make a strong showing before holiday weekend, George Bush will have to think twice before pardoning this turkey. Add your name now:

www.democrats.org/nopardon

On behalf of Governor Dean and everyone else here at the DNC, let me wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your holiday -- but don't forget to spread the word that we need to keep an eye on this lame duck.

Thank you,

Tom McMahon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

He Said She Said

More fallout from Congresswoman Jean Schmidt's remarks on the floor of the House Friday night:

A few minutes ago I received a call from Colonel Danny Bubp, Ohio Representative from the 88th district in the House of Representatives. He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do.

Only problem, Bubp now says that he never mentioned Murtha on the infamous phone call:

Danny Bubp, a freshman state representative who is a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, told The Enquirer that he never mentioned Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., by name when talking with Schmidt, and he would never call a fellow Marine a coward.

"The unfortunate thing about all of that is that her choice of words on the floor of the House - I don't know, she's a freshman, she had one minute.

While some shameless Republicans, notably the Executive Director of the Hamilton County Republican Party (Cincinnati area) support Congresswoman Schmidt's remarks, others have not been so charitable:

Chris Finney, a Cincinnati lawyer who led an anti-tax group in opposing Schmidt during her recent special election, said the politics of negativity and name-calling should be a thing of the past.

"People want someone who can get things done," Finney said. "She's an embarrassment to this district."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is already setting its sights on candidate recruitment in the district made famous by Paul Hackett earlier this year. One thing is certain however, Democrats will have to wait and see if there is even opportunity to take a whack at Jean Schmidt in 2006. Republicans began organizing for an opportunity to take her out in a 2006 primary even before the first ballot was cast in August's Special Election--this episode is just more icing for their cake.

MI-Gov & MI-Sen: Granholm/Stabenow Lead All Challengers

Strategic Vision (R) just releaed a poll this morning showing incumbent Democrats Governor Jennifer Granholm and Senator Debbie Stabenow with huge leads over all Republican challengers. It is important to note, however, that the survey was conducted before yesterday's news of massive layoffs at General Motors.

Strategic Vision. 1200 Registered Voters in Michigan. 11/18-20/2005/ MoE +/- 3%

MI-Gov
Jennifer Granholm (D): 44%
Dick DeVos (R): 33%
Undecided: 23%

MI-Sen
Debbie Stabenow (D): 45%
Mark Bouchard (R): 31%
Undecided:24%

Debbie Stabenow (D): 48%
Keith Butler (R): 29%
Undecided: 29%

Debbie Stabenow (D): 48%
Jerry Zandstra (R): 23%
Undecided: 29%

Tuesday Morning Open Thread

I heard that visitors to the blog loved their open threads. Are we providing enough of them -- Yea or Ney?

November 21, 2005

Monday Night Open Thread

What are you reading this evening? My preference? "Scanlon Pleads Guilty, Cooperates in Abramoff Probe" at Bloomberg.com.

Michael Scanlon, a former associate of lobbyist Jack Abramoff, pleaded guilty to conspiring to corrupt public officials and defraud clients, clearing the way for his cooperation in an investigation of his one-time partner.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle today accepted a plea agreement proposed by the Justice Department and Scanlon, which may help prosecutors widen the probe to include lawmakers.

Have a great night.

Republican Members of Congress Write Letters Too...

Unfortunately, these aren't as inspiring as the ones over 100,000 Americans wrote over the weekend to Congressman Jack Murtha. These letters are in support of a different Jack ... Jack Abramoff.

Almost three dozen members of Congress, including leaders from both parties, pressed the government to reject an Indian casino in Louisiana while they collected large donations from rival tribes and their lobbyist, Jack Abramoff.

Many intervened with letters to Interior Secretary Gale Norton within days of receiving money from tribes represented by Abramoff or using the lobbyist's restaurant for fund-raising, an Associated Press review of campaign records, IRS records, and congressional correspondence has found.

Legislators said that their intervention had nothing to do with Abramoff, and that the timing of donations was a coincidence. They said they had written letters because they opposed the expansion of tribal gaming -- even though they continued to accept donations from tribes that run casinos.

Read some of the letters yourself:

Letter signed by Speaker Hastert, Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Majority Whip Roy Blunt and Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (.pdf link)

Letter signed by Republican Senator Trent Lott (.pdf link)

Letter signed by Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter and a number of other congressional Republicans (.pdf link)

The bare facts:

Speaker Dennis Hastert received $118,500 from Abramoff, his lobbying partners, and tribal clients between 2001 and 2004, including $21,500 during the period in which the letter was sent. [AP 11/17/05]

Current House Majority Leader Roy Blunt received $41,000, and intervened three times on behalf of Abramoff clients. He also used Abramoff’s restaurant for a fundraiser or other event. [AP, 11/17/05]

Senator Trent Lott the former Senate GOP leader received $147,000 from Abramoff, his lobbying partners, and tribal clients between 2001 and 2004, including $65,000 during the period in which the letter was sent. [AP, 11/17/05]

How inspiring.

'Mmmm Bubp'

By now, most everyone has either read the transcript or seen the video of Congresswoman Jean Schmidt calling Congressman John Murtha's courage into question through a surrogate -- Colonel Danny Bubp.

However, this isn't the first time Schmidt has used surrogates and long-time Republican activists to impugn the service of a United States Marine. In August's special election in Ohio, Schmidt supporter and Navy veteran Eric Minamyer set off a firestorm with the following remarks on his website:

I understand that Hackett did not participate in combat at all. It is still dangerous over there as I can personally attest. Let's just not act as though we led marines in combat if we did not, okay. My questions about exactly what he did are still unanswered by the way.

During the campaign, candidate Jean Schmidt cited Minamyer as a source of advice on Iraq in her campaign. In 2005, he ran in the Republican primary during the special election. According to his campaign website, he served he was Congressional Aide to Republican Chuck Whalen, Jr. of Dayton, Ohio and currently serves as a Republican Ward Chair.

He also doubled as online attack dog of Paul Hackett -- showing up on dozens of political blogs calling Hackett's service into question.

Why bring up old memories? Because using Republican activists who are also veterans to question the service, courage and patriotism of political opponents is quickly becoming a major part of Schmidt's -- and the Republican Party's -- bag of tricks.

Now enter Colonel Danny Bubp -- here's Schmidt's statement from the floor on Friday:

A few minutes ago I received a call from Colonel Danny Bubp, Ohio Representative from the 88th district in the House of Representatives. He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course," Schmidt declared from her lectern. "He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do."

But who is Danny Bubp?

March 1999 marked the beginning of a brilliant career. It was then that Bubp became pro-bono legal counsel for Adams County for the Ten Commandments, an ad-hoc Ohio group formed to keep 10 Commandments monuments displayed in local public schools after the ACLU filed a lawsuit demanding their removal. Bubp was assisted by a Who's Who of Christian right leaders, including James Dobson, Don Wildmon, Judge Roy Moore and Jay Sekulow. The campaign was organized primarily by Rev. Rob Schenck, a former leader of the militant anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, who was once detained for threating Bill Clinton's afterlife at the National Cathedral. [...]

During the campaign, Bubp still found time to help his friend, Schmidt, who was struggling to counter the momentum of her Democratic challenger, Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett. At a Schmidt rally falsely billed as an event to honor war veterans, Bubp appeared in full Marine battle dress uniform to attack Hackett for criticizing his "Commander in Chief."

I was down in OH-02 for the final weeks of the special election. Candidate Schmidt paraded around the district with buttons and flags, using the families of servicemen and -women as political props in an attempt to slow down Paul Hackett, who was building momeuntum after serving his country proudly in Fallujah.

Schmidt's attacks on the integrity of one Marine after another for political gain is a pattern that raises serious questions about the priorities and values of Republican leaders.

Whether the target has been John McCain or John Kerry, smearing veterans is one of the most disgusting pages from the playbook of the extremist fringe of the Republican Party. These shameless operatives and their desperate bosses value their political position over the service of our veterans.

The question must be asked: when will moderate Republicans repudiate this disgraceful tactic?

Over 100,000 Letters for a Hero

Over 102,000 Americans have responded so far to Governor Dean's call for letters in support of Congressman John Murtha. Each and every piece will be hand-delivered to the congressman -- here is a small sample from the notes submitted this weekend:

Anant in Alexandria, Virginia:

Thank you very much, sir, for your previous and continued service to our country. It took great courage for you to speak your mind about the mismanagement of our foreign policy. It is ridiculous for anybody to call you, of all people, a coward... even if they disagree with you. Our troops disserve to know that their lives will not be risked unnecessarily, by people who have no idea what real courage is like. Please do not stop fighting for the fair treatment of American soldiers.

Arnold from Pernyn, California

Thank you for your service to our country and for your courage to stand up to the White House and say what needs to be said. We must change course and adopt a workable solution to the War in Iraq. What we're doing isn't working. I believe that we must not "cut and run" but we've got to have a plan for success and for leaving Iraq as soon as possible so that the Iraqi people can begin to heal and hopefully live with more peace and hope for their future. And our troops must come home soon. Too many people on both sides have died and suffered. Thanks again.

D'Arla from De Leon, Texas

I just wanted you to know that I appreciate so much your willingness to vice you opinion on Iraq. Not surprisingly, the Bush administration is pulling out all the stops to battle any opinion that differs from theirs. The words spoken by Rep. Jean Schmidt during the debate should be an embarrassment to her and the entire Republican party. They were horribly offensive and uncalled for. I'm so proud of you for daring to speak the truth in a time when people are smeared for speaking truth.

Margaret from Garrison, New York

Thank you for speaking out as your conscience required - Your position deserves respect and not the contempt shown by the current Administration.

JoEllen from Dade County, Florida

My father is a WW2 veteran, both husbands were Vietnam vets. Whereas I have no personal experience with combat, I did witness the aftershocks of service related traumas. I am proud that someone who knows what he is saying has stood up to bullying GOP attacks. Go for it, Comgressman!

Scott from Chicago, Illinois

First of all, thank you for your service to our Country so many years ago. I wanted to also thank you for speaking up on a subject that has long been swept under the rug. I am concerned with the "we're right, they're wrong" mentality that so often becomes part of the discussion regarding Iraq. It's a tough topic to discuss with no easy answers and everyone (politicians, service men and women, the public) should feel comfortable in asking questions without the fear of being labeled "un-patriotic" or "un-American". Thank you for standing by your beliefs and continuing your discussion of what can be done to resolve this difficult situation.

Mary from Jefferson City, Missouri

As an Army veteran and the mother of an active-duty sailor currently deployed in the Persian Gulf, I say God bless you and thank you for speaking the truth.

Andrew from Portland, Oregon

Thank you, Congressman Murtha, for giving credible voice to my concerns and those of millions of other Americans. I hope you find the strength within to withstand the un-American attacks this administration will unleash upon you. Our thoughts are with you as we stand in support of your comments and your right to make them.

More letters throughout the day and week.

Your Organizers Speak

Last week, organizers from Utah, New Hampshire, Indiana, and Alaska participated in their introductory training sessions for the DNC. These are the teams you have put on the ground in 38 of 50 states thus far. One organizer, Jonathan from Alaska, took the opportunity to write a bit about his short time with the DNC to share with visitors of the blog. Two more documented their experiences as the week wrapped up -- here they are.

Patrick from New Hampshire:

My name is Patrick Foster and I am the new DNC field organizer for the state of New Hampshire. The third floor of the DNC headquarters is a buzz with activity as I take a short break from my organizing training to write this note. The opportunity to visit and train at the nerve center of our party has been great. I have only been on the ground in New Hampshire for a week but I am very excited by the amount of excitement and dedication shown by the local activists.

After being in the center of the storm the last two years working in New Hampshire and Ohio for Kerry and on Paul Hackett’s special election in OH-02 I am encouraged that the amount of enthusiasm shown by activists during those efforts is not only still present but increases with each misstep by the Bush administration as well as state and local elected Republicans. The DNC has made a great decision in putting organizers on the ground earlier than ever to channel and direct this enthusiasm, and I am thankful to be a part of that in New Hampshire.

Shaunica from Indiana:

Hi everyone, my name is Shaunica Pridgen and I’m here in Washington, DC on the third and final day of my DNC field organizer training. Being still relatively new to politics and having spent most of my life in Indiana, the novelty of walking past the Capitol building each morning hasn’t worn off. I’ve been really excited about the 50 state strategy since hearing about it during Governor Dean’s campaign for DNC chair and I’m really proud to be serving my home district, Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District.

Born and raised in Columbus, I had the leadership of great Democrats such as Lee Hamilton instilling common-sense36 Democratic values and ideas in me from an early age. I didn’t really get involved in politics until I was in college, watching Democratic ideals of community and cooperation being edged by politics of divisiveness and dishonesty. With my home state consistently being called for the Republicans shortly after the polls closed, I began to understand that the presidential race is only part of the picture.

The goal of the 50-state strategy, the idea of building the Democratic Party in every state from the ground up and breaking the goal of Democratic victories down into manageable units that even a political novice can understand was so appealing to me that I’ve been chomping at the bit to do what I can to help elect Democrats at all levels. I’ve had a great time here in DC making new friends and meeting like-minded people, but I’m eager to help the other Democrats in my home district realize the potential of our message and our mission and do what we can to ensure more Democratic victories from 2006 on.

Thanks to millions of Democrats across the country, we have the tools to fight and win elections in all 50 states, each and every county within them, from the top of the ticket, to the bottom, and all manner of races inbetween.

Monday Morning Open Thread

Happy Monday -- the start of a short week. What's happening in the news locally for you? For Ohioans, two interesting new websites popped up recently; one for Ohio State Senate Democrats and another for Ohio House Dems as well. Enjoy!

November 18, 2005

Shame on Them: Americans in Our Own Voices

In the last 90 minutes, over 7,000 Americans have sent letters of encouragement to Congressman John Murtha as he is being attacked by the right-wing smear machine.

Here are a few of the notes sent so far:

Cat in Massachusetts: "Thank you for standing up to the Republican extremists. Don't let them get you down. You have done the right thing questioning their priorities."

Jack in Minnesota: "Thank you for putting your country and its citizens ahead of politics!"

Michael in Texas: "Stand your ground, Marine."

Annemarie in Ohio: "Thank you for speaking the truth on Iraq to those with the power to end the carnage there. I hate to think of so many Americans who have lost their lives or come back greviously wounded from a conflict in which there is neither a plan nor a rationale. Thank you for honoring their service."

JoAnne in South Carolina: "Thank you, Congressman Murtha, for standing up and telling it how it is. I have so much respect and admiration for you! And I will not sit by while you are attacked!"

Barbara in Oregon: "Have courage, Congressman Murtha. This is a tough time in our country, a time when men and women of honor must step forward. I thank you for doing so. Many blessings."

Ethan in Pennsylvania: "Thank you for speaking what you believe and not backing down in the face of shameless attacks. Your honest opinions mean everything to the American people."

Joseph in Virginia: "Your country was proud of you before, but it's damn proud of you now. You wouldn't back down to the Viet Cong, so don't back down to bullies. Stay strong!"

Daniel in New York: "Thank you for your ongoing heroics on behalf of your country. Men such as yourself make me proud to be a Democrat, an American, and part of the health care staff at a VA Hospital. Don't let our men and women down now: Keep Fighting, Representative Murtha."

Ed in Colorado: "From one vet to another, good job."

What's your message to the latest veteran to be attacked by the Republican smear machine? Send it now: www.democrats.org/shameonthem

Start the Weekend Open Thread

Many in the comments were curious about Jean Schmidt's recent remarks on the floor of the House -- The Stakeholder provides the transcript (watch the video):

The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentlelady from Ohio is recognized for one minute.

Ms. Schmidt: Yesterday I stood at Arlington National Cemetery attending the funeral of a young marine in my district. He believed in what we were doing is the right thing and had the courage to lay his life on the line to do it. A few minutes ago I received a call from Colonel Danny Bop, Ohio Representative from the 88th district in the House of Representatives. He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do. Danny and the rest of America and the world want the assurance from this body – that we will see this through.

The Speaker Pro Tempore: The house will be in order. The house will be in order. The house will be in order. The house will be in order. The house will be in order. The gentlelady will suspend. And the clerk will report her words. All members will suspend. The gentleman from Arkansas has demanded that the gentlelady's words be taken down. The clerk will report the gentlelady's words.

The Speaker Pro Tempore: The house will be in order. Members pleas take seats. The gentlelady from Ohio.

Ms. Schmidt: Mr. Speaker, my remarks were not directed at any member of the House and I did not intend to suggest that they applied to any member. Most especially the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania. I therefore ask for unanimous consent that my words be withdrawn.

The Speaker Pro Tempore: Without objection. The gentlelady's words will be withdrawn.

Write a letter to Congressman Murtha, and have a terrific weekend.

Governor Dean: 'Shame on Them'

Governor Howard Dean sent a note to Democrats across the country on the swift-boat style attacks against Congressman John Murtha. You can write a letter to Congressman Murtha, encouraging him to stand strong and thanking him for his courage. The letters will be personally delivered by Governor Dean.

ACTION: Write a Letter to Congressman Murtha

Dear Friend,

I want to tell you about John Murtha. He's a Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania. He's also a combat veteran and retired Marine Corps colonel.

Murtha spent 37 years in Marine Corps, earned the Bronze Star, two purple hearts, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. And for the last thirty years he's been one of the most respected voices in Congress on military issues -- universally respected by Democrats, Republicans and military brass alike.

Until now.

Republicans have disgraced themselves by viciously attacking John Murtha with such disrespect that not only veterans, but every decent American should be angry.

What did Murtha, a decorated combat veteran, do to draw fire from a White House led by a president and vice president who evaded service in Vietnam? He questioned their management of the war in Iraq. Here's part of what he had to say:

"The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. The American public is way ahead of us. The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq, but it is time for a change in direction. Our military is suffering. The future of our country is at risk. We cannot continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action is not in the best interests of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region. ...

"For two and a half years, I have been concerned about the U.S. policy and the plan in Iraq. I have addressed my concerns with the Administration and the Pentagon and have spoken out in public about my concerns. The main reason for going to war has been discredited. ...

"I have been visiting our wounded troops at Bethesda and Walter Reed hospitals almost every week since the beginning of the War. And what demoralizes them is going to war with not enough troops and equipment to make the transition to peace; the devastation caused by IEDs; being deployed to Iraq when their homes have been ravaged by hurricanes; being on their second or third deployment and leaving their families behind without a network of support.

Shameless Republicans immediately went on the attack. Dick Cheney, who has said that he had "other priorities" and collected 5 deferments while people like Murtha served in Vietnam, called Murtha's comments "irresponsible" and regretted that "the president and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory, or their backbone." The White House spokesman, who has also never worn the uniform, pronounced himself "baffled" that Murtha, who volunteered for two wars, wanted to "surrender to the terrorists". A Republican Congressman said Murtha and others "basically are giving aid and comfort to the enemy".

Shame on them. Every one of us -- right now -- needs to let Jack Murtha know that we respect his service, respect his leadership, and respect his right to speak the truth. This man has spent his life serving us. The very least each one of us can do is let him know that no matter what dishonorable smear campaign Republicans wage we will be there with him.

Send Congressman Murtha a note telling him that you will not be silent while he is attacked:

http://www.democrats.org/shameonthem

I will deliver your message to him personally, along with my own thanks for his service to our country and his continuing courage in the face of threats.

Lies and manipulation characterized the Republican case for war, and lies and manipulation have been the primary weapon against anyone who questions their failed leadership.

First it was Senator Max Cleland, who left limbs in Vietnam, being savagely attacked in 2002. Then John Kerry, who received three purple hearts, being smeared in 2004. The history of this war has shown that Republicans value political posturing more than the service of America's veterans.

Republicans don't want a serious debate about Iraq because they know the American people are simply not with them. They cannot respond to the substance of Murtha's criticism -- or any criticism -- because they are wrong.

Jack Murtha is already fighting back. When told of Cheney's comments he reminded people where Cheney was while he was in Vietnam: "I like guys who got five deferments and have never been there and send people to war, and then don't like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done."

But Jack can't beat this back alone. Show him that Americans know that Republicans should be ashamed of themselves:

http://www.democrats.org/shameonthem

Enough is enough -- we cannot allow another veteran to be smeared by George Bush's cronies.

Thank you for taking a stand.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

Watching C-SPAN: Congressman Murtha Debate

I just wanted to point everyone to the debate on the "Murtha resolution" going on currently in the House of Representatives. It's getting quite contentious, as Republican Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (OH-02) basically just called Congressman Murtha, a decorated Vietnam veteran and former Marine Corps drill instructor, a coward. Congresswoman Schmidt is no stanger to such attacks on the men and women in uniform, as people around her campaign consistently participated in "swift-boat" style attacks against Iraq veteran Paul Hackett in the special election earlier this year. Check out CSPAN for the debate now (watch on the web).

Monday Morning Radio

FYI...If you're up and listening to the radio on Monday morning, head to Morning Sedition on Air America. Their guest: Governor Howard Dean.

Your Democracy Bonds at Work

Since their inception, over 25,000 individuals have invested in the future of the Democratic Party through the Democracy Bonds program. Your monthly recurring small dollar contributions have allowed the Democratic National Committee to place organizers on-the-ground in 38 of the 50 United States.

For the past few days, those organizers from Utah, Alaska, Indiana, and New Hampshire have been in the building participating in their introductory training sessions. The sessions include information on everything from organizing techniques to incorporating a strategy for Internet-based communication in their daily activities. For me personally, it was the first of these sessions I was able to sit in on since arriving at the DNC. To see the looks of enthusiasm and optimism on the faces of the organizers was inspiring. Inspiring because these are the people, with YOUR help, that are going to help win races, at all levels on the ballot, in places Democrats have not competed in a long time. Even as the Internet portion of the presentation began near the end of the day, they were asking tons of questions about blogs, email, and websites – after a full day - they were still completely engaged.

One of the organizers, Jonathan, documented his experience as part of the team on our website:

Hello from Alaska! My name is Jonathan Teeters and I am working with the Alaska Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee to give Alaskans back their voices! For years, Alaska has been a tough place to be a Democrat. This tide is beginning to turn though, as evidenced by our outstanding success just a few nights ago.

November 15th was a big night for all of us in Alaska as we took part in the National Organizing Kickoff Parties that took place all over the country. Alaskans all across the state came together as Democrats, hosting nearly 20 parties, to resoundingly state that we are tired of politics as usual.

Here’s one of the photos from a tremendous event that took place in Alaska on the evening of the National Organizing Kick-Off.

Talking Points Are Not a Strategy in Iraq

(UPDATE: Tim -- You can watch the video of Congressman Murtha's speech here.)

"Stay the course" is not a plan, it's a slogan.

And in the absence of any plan to secure Iraq other than "stay the course," it shouldn't surprise anyone to see the public and Members of Congress begin to question that course. Pennsylvania Democrat John Murtha was the latest to do so yesterday:

"Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency," Rep. John Murtha said Thursday. "They are united against U.S. forces and we have become a catalyst for violence. The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. [...]

"Our military has accomplished its mission and done its duty," Murtha told reporters at news conference with a half-dozen American flags arrayed behind him.

"It's time to bring them home," he said.

The best the Republican Party could do in response was to march out the tired, old talking points:

"The eve of an historic democratic election in Iraq is not the time to surrender to the terrorists," McClellan said. "After seeing [Congressman Murtha’s] statement, we remain baffled -- nowhere does he explain how retreating from Iraq makes America safer."

Only problem is, Congressman Murtha's profile doesn't at all fit the template for Republican smear campaigns against critics. Murtha is a retired Marine Corps Colonel with 37 years of service. He received the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, and perhaps most impressively, was a Marine Corps Drill Instructor in Paris Island, South Carolina.

Unfortunately, "support the troops" has become just a slogan and a smokescreen for a corrupt, incompetent Republican administration -- a phrase used and abused to cover up the manipulated intelligence, poor planning and botched management by political leaders who never served in combat.

Max Cleland, Paul Hackett, and John Kerry are all distinguished veterans who were tossed into the slime machine, and Congressman Murtha was not spared yesterday.

This is the state of the Republican plan for Iraq: a P.R. campaign to smear a hero, decorated veteran, and previous ally of the administration at the start of the war effort as wanting to "surrender to the terrorists." These pathetic attacks show that the Republican Party apparently believes that Americans can't tell the difference between substance and smear -- or even between right and wrong. This dirty game comes from the same handbook that attempts to equate job loss with gay marriage. It's the Alamo for the politically defeated, the final refuge for the intellectually and ethically bankrupt.

There is no escaping the fact that on Iraq, the Democratic Party has the only serious plan -- while the Republicans have only a plan to cover up their failures and evade responsibility. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has outlined, in detail, his vision for a way forward on Iraq. The Republican response, as Republican Senator John Warner put it, was to "take the Democratic proposal and edit it".

Enough is enough -- it's time to seriously address a way forward on Iraq. And like on balancing the budget and restoring ethics in goverment, Democrats are ready to lead. Desperate Republicans can expect electoral serious consequences from the vast majority of Americans who are disgusted by these tactics and simply don't buy "stay the course" as a viable strategy.

Friday Morning Open Thread

Final day of the regular work week. What's on your mind this morning? What are some of the important issues in your local communities?

November 17, 2005

Governor Dean's Conference Call

We put the audio from Tuesday night's calls online. You can get the audio here, and we have photos and other updates about the National Organizing Kickoff here.

Happy Birthday Governor Dean!

Today is Governor Howard Dean's 57th birthday! Many of us were inspired to participate in the political process (either for the first time, or again) by Howard Dean, and today would be the perfect opportunity to either detail your small-d democratic re-birth, or just send him your birthday wishes.

If you're thinking of a gift, it's safe bet that the chairman would be delighted if a number of people (say, fifty-seven?) invested in the future of our party by joining the Democracy Bonds community for the first time today.

We'll make sure he gets the messages and the Democracy Bonds results throughout the day, hopefully before blowing out a mountain of candles later this evening.

www.democrats.org/deanbirthday

(Photo Credit: Plutonium Page)

Lawn Chair Rendezvous

Of the one thousand plus national organizing events held on November 15th, perhaps none was more inspirational than the one hosted by Alan and Deborah Langhoff on Canal Street... in New Orleans. Because all of the furniture was lost to Hurricane Katrina, attendees used lawn chairs for seating as a generator provided power for event. But it wasn’t the lights hanging from wooden beams that illuminated the room that shined brightest that night -- it was the awe-inspiring commitment of that group to democracy and Democratic principles that left a lasting impression on everyone at DNC Headquarters as we became aware of the "Lawn Chair Rendezvous" over the course of the day. After we heard her story, we asked her to introduce Governor Dean on the 7:30 call. He was so moved by their commitment that he couldn’t help but share their story with participants on the final conference call of the evening, and hasn’t stopped talking about it since.

One attendee from California, who just happened to be in Louisiana that evening on his way to Pensacola, was at the event and wrote the following on his blog.

The Democratic Party is holding national neighborhood house parties on November 15. I'm flying into New Orleans that day so I checked to see if there were any house parties happening in the city. I was pleasantly surprised to see one being hosted on Canal Street. It's BYOL, Bring Your Own Lawnchair, because they don't have any furniture left. I'm signed up to go and will take some pictures and update this blog afterwards.

And update Thom did:

It's overwhelming listening to people's stories. An outsider cannot fully comprehend what is happening here. It's not just losing your family, your friends, your home, your possessions, your job. It's losing an entire way of life. Losing the place where your grandparents, your parents, you, and your children grew up. I think many feel that they haven't just lost their houses, but that they are losing their home town. Concern about the levees was strong at the DNC New Orleans Lawn Chair Rendezvous (because all their furniture was lost to Katrina). Democrats from around the country can help by contacting your legislators and urging them to fully fund safe levees.

This story is so unique that as we continue to get first-person accounts and photos from the event, you will be able to find them on our blog. And Thom is correct, an outsider cannot comprehend what is happening in New Orleans; losing an entire way of life. What we can do, however, is our best to approach the level of commitment displayed by the attendees of the “Lawn Chair Rendezvous” on November 15th. Many of us do our best to organize and participate in the dirty work of democracy; from now on, whenever we grow tired or frustrated, hopefully we can think of Canal Street and walk that one extra block, write that one more letter, or make those last 10 phone calls on the list.

Here are some more pictures from the event that evening:

Thursday Morning Open Thread

Let's play a game. Find a Democratic response in this New York Times article about Vice President Cheney's speech yesterday. Otherwise, what are some of the important issues/events in your local communities today?

November 16, 2005

NOK in Virginia

Jerome Wiley Segovia, who was gracious enough to blog from the DNC's Hispanic Summit a while back, sent in this account of one of his organizing events in Virginia last night...

The Fairfax County/Falls Church DNC Kickoff event was a great success. Because we were all involved in the Tim Kaine for Governor campaign here in Virginia, most of us were not focusing on planning for this event. At the last minute, we decided that it was a fairly simple undertaking, and that if we were able to get ten or fifteen folks out, it would be a good event. We only had about 48 hours to plan the event, but the online DNC tools helped.

First, we got a commitment for 160 empanadas, which probably drew some people in. Then, we were able to get some of the folks we e-mailed to forward the invitation to large local e-mail lists, and get the word out. We had 52 people sign up overnight. Puente Latino, a Latino organizing consulting firm, sent word to statewide Latino Democrats urging them to make the event. By the time the live conference call with Governor Dean started, event attendance reached 100.

Germán Gómez, senior partner with Puente Latino, emceed the event, and introduced Andrew Hurst, who is a candidate for the VA-11 Congressional seat. Hurst delivered a genuine and inspired speech that I would title "Why are you here?" asking each of those present to stop and think about why they were present at the event. He related a story about a moment when he first asked himself "why am I running for Congress?" and how it gave him the clarity of thought that guides him today on the campaign trail.

The other exciting aspect of the evening was that many, many county and statewide Latino activists and leaders were present. As Virginia moves forward within Governor Dean's 50-state strategy, one way we will gain 10 new Democrats in each precinct, one way we will win back th e necessary 30 seats in the House, will be by identifying and training leaders within the Latino community, and the most effective way to bring that about is by enlisting the help of leaders within that very community.

Jerome Wiley Segovia
reporting from DNC Kickoff Event - VA 11

False Alarm

Fred Baldasaro, Governor Dean's trip director, sent me an email this evening with a funny-because-it-didn't-happen-to-me anecdote...

What's worse than five hours of sleep? Four hours of sleep. Somebody pulled the fire alarm and the hotel that the Gov and I were staying in last night. Both of us were so tired we don't recall when exactly it went off but is was sometime between 12:30am and 2am.

Fred also sent in this picture of the Governor on last night's conference call for the National Organizing Kickoff (the 7:30 call).

Firsthand Kick-Off Accounts

(This is a piece I originally posted in a Daily Kos diary earlier today)

When Howard Dean became Chairman of the DNC, he came with the promise of empowering Democrats at the local level in all fifty states to win elections from the top of the ticket, to the bottom, and all manner of races in between.  The change in culture has been an enormous undertaking and is already beginning to bear fruit.  

The most exciting part of the DNC's new 50 state strategy is the foundation is built by grassroots participation and investment.  Over the past several months Democrats have invested in the party by purchasing Democracy Bonds; these bonds have allowed for the hiring of three local organizers in 38 individual states across the country so far.  Last night Democrats invested in their time and effort as over 1000 individuals in all fifty states (and 20 countries abroad) held "organizational kick-off events" in their own homes and local establishments.

The night was exciting from start to finish.  Here's the play-by-play.

At around 5 PM, less than two hours before the first event, we started to get reports from local event hosts about their preparation and excitement.  Here are a few snipits from a larger entry over at Kickin' Ass.

Sue from Lubbock, Texas
I've had some experience with conference call house parties; they are a lot of fun and great for organizing. That's why I jumped at the chance to host a meeting tonight where we roll out the 50 State Strategy. This is a great program, a great event and I am very excited to participate. We've needed something like this for so long here in West Texas where we are overlooked and isolated. Everybody who lives in a conservative town like Lubbock can probably understand what that feels like. We never see a presidential political ad on TV, our primary comes late, etc. Connections, that's what we need -- have a party with a conference call--what a brilliant way to be connected, to be a part of the Party.

Sue checked back in later that evening with this report after the conclusion of her event:

Update from Lubbock TX: we expected 15 but we had a total of 34 people! I'm very encouraged about the strength of the Democratic Party in this conservative stronghold. We have a great candidate for congress Dist. 19, Robert Ricketts. The conference call with Gov. Dean was inspiring to the nth degree. Shelley, thank you for the encouragement. You know what we are up against here. Tell your parents they are not alone. Onward.

And that was just one of one thousand plus stories from yesterday evening.  In New Orleans a number of Democrats, just allowed back into their homes, held an organizing event on lawnchairs, under lights powered by generators.  Over the course of the evening, Governor Dean held several conference calls with attendees to discuss the organizing strategy, and took questions from a number of event hosts across the country.

Here are some of the pictures:

Millburn, New Jersey

Seattle, Washington

New London, New Hampshire

And some text submissions:

Mel from Texas
It was a great morale boost to have the conference call.  My group want to start meeting each month.  I hope that the DNC will have more calls in the future that we can be a part of... Thank you for providing the opportunity for this event.  We left energized and ready to fight the good fight to win back our state and country one precinct at a time.

Carole in South Carolina
Thank you for all your work putting this together.  We had a great time and appreciated Gov. Dean's message of hope and vision.  We (the East Cooper Democrats) have stayed active after the presidential election using the time to define our values and activities needed to carry them out (see attached), build the grassroots (we are using the DFA training provided at the SC state convention - Tom Hughes and his group have been very helpful) and create a valid database of democrats in our area (tough as voters don't registar a party affiliation in SC.)

I hope you will be doing more of these.  We will be supporting your efforts.

From the blog Politics & Suasage
First, I attended a party in downtown Jax, at the Fuel Coffee House in Five Points. For those who have not been to this place, it's actually quite an interesting setup, with comfy couches in the front and a stage/cafe setting in the back. Very unique.

There were about 30 people there, and the meeting was led by Jacksonville-area attorney Clyde Collins. He spoke very succinctly about the importance of grassroots efforts in 2006. Obviously, this was a point near and dear to my heart. As well, he helped to inform people about what they could do to help the Florida Democratic Party, as well as the Clay and Duval Democrats. [...]

It was a great drive home. I felt uplifted by the fact that, even in one of the more conservative areas of Florida, there are people who are ready to take up the mantle of progress and help make our country a better place to live.

Stories like these continue to come in from across the country.  At Burlington College in Vermont, the event got so large (400+ sign-ups) that the school couldn't find an event to hold such a large crowd.  The DNC is now working with the local host to re-schedule the festivities.

This was the first evening of its kind in a new Democratic National Committee.  Not only is there a keen recognition that the party must fight in every state, in every county, and in every precinct, but that elections are not three and four month campaigns only.  Last night was the first night in preparation for a national tidal wave of reform in 2006.

Open Thread: Flashback Edition

From the Washington Business Forward, a 2002 piece entitled, "A K Street User's Guide."

And executives should be prepared to interview several firms to gauge who will best represent the company and its needs to federal lawmakers. "The lobbyist must have integrity, because you don't want him doing something illegal or immoral on your behalf," says Jack Abramoff, senior director of government affairs for the law and lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig.

Chat away.

Senator Ted Stevens' Bad Day

Some of you might remember the hysterics of Republican Senator Ted Stevens in the United States Senate when an amendment proposed by Senator Tom Coburn threatened to divert funding for the "Bridge to Nowhere" towards the reconstruction of a bridge devastated by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.

In a clash of generations and political philosophy, 37-year Senate veteran Ted Stevens of Alaska told a freshman colleague that he would resign and "be taken out of here on a stretcher" if the Senate killed funding for two Alaskan bridges. [...]

"I don't kid people," he said. If the Senate decides ... to take money from our state, I will resign from this body."

The Fairbanks News Miner reports today:

Sen. Ted Stevens says earmarks for controversial bridges near Anchorage and Ketchikan will be removed from federal law under a proposal agreed to by members of a House-Senate team negotiating a transportation spending bill.

The "Bridge to Nowhere" was simply too resonant an illustration that you cannot trust the Republicans with your money. Unfortunately, lest anyone believe fiscal sanity has prevailed under the current one-party rule, the money will simply get redirected to other pork-projects in Alaska.

But that was just the beginning of a recent Stevens meltdown coming back to haunt him today. One week ago, top oil executives were called in to testify before the U.S. Senate about the recent spike in oil prices at a time of record profits for the industry.

CEOs from the nation's biggest oil companies sparred with lawmakers Wednesday at a Senate hearing into this year's jump in oil prices and record industry profits. The contentious hearing came as consumers face a jump of 50 percent or more in home heating bills this winter and gasoline prices have surged 20 percent this year. At the same time, oil company profits have soared. [...]

Even before the remarks got started, Democrats and Republicans debated whether the executives should have to swear to tell the truth before the panel.

Alaska Republican [Ted] Stevens, head of the Senate Commerce Committee, rejected calls by some Democrats to have the executives sworn in, saying the law already required them to tell the truth.

And today, the Washington Post shows us why the argument over swearing in was so important:

A White House document shows that executives from big oil companies met with Vice President Cheney's energy task force in 2001 -- something long suspected by environmentalists but denied as recently as last week by industry officials testifying before Congress.

The document, obtained this week by The Washington Post, shows that officials from Exxon Mobil Corp., Conoco (before its merger with Phillips), Shell Oil Co. and BP America Inc. met in the White House complex with the Cheney aides who were developing a national energy policy, parts of which became law and parts of which are still being debated.

In a joint hearing last week of the Senate Energy and Commerce committees, the chief executives of Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips said their firms did not participate in the 2001 task force.

Because of Stevens' refusal to swear in the executives, perjury charges are not persuable.

Wednesday Morning Open Thread

We're working on putting together a nice little compilation of photos and reports from last nights National Organizing Kick-Off. You might remember Sue from Lubbock, Texas reporting in shortly before her event was to begin:

My guests are coming over in two hours. I have the all the host materials downloaded. I've been to Kinkos to copy a handout of the power point presentation. I've got the name tags ready to go and a sign up sheet. I also have voter registration materials for people who need to register. I have five Democracy Bond packets printed out and ready. I have my computer set up to enter volunteer information online. A friend is bringing over a laptop and projector for the power point presentation. I expect to have 15 people, maybe more.

It was great to see her in the comments afterward giving an update on how successful her event was. Even better was the sense of inspiration in her words -- something certainly duplicated at event after event throughout all fifty states, sixty college campuses, and twenty countries abroad yesterday evening:

[W]e expected 15 but we had a total of 34 people! I'm very encouraged about the strength of the Democratic Party in this conservative stronghold... The conference call with Gov. Dean was inspiring to the nth degree.

Use this as an open thread.

Big Mo'

A slew of Rasmussen polls have been released over the past several days, giving Democrats across the country reason to believe we will indeed do better in 2006. In Pennsylvania, Governor Ed Rendell has increased his lead over potential Republican rivals Lynn Swann and Bill Scranton. In head to head matchups:

Rasmussen. 500 Likely Voters. 11/07/2005. MoE +/- 4.5%

Rendell (D): 50%
Swann (R): 36%
Undecided: 4%

Rendell (D): 47%
Scranton (R): 39%
Undecided: 3%

In the last survey conducted by Rasmussen, Governor Rendell led Swann by a mere six points, and Scranton by four. When you couple these results with the recent survey conducted, also by Rasmussen, between Bob Casey Jr. and Rick Santorum for U.S. Senate, there is not only a tremendous opportunity for Democrats to sweep in November of 2006, but for the strength at the top of the ticket to filter through and help carry down ballot races as well. With a number of interesting congressional races and Pennsylvania voters displeased about the Republican dominated state legislature’s attempt to reward themselves with a pay raise, the Keystone state appears ripe for relief from Republican rule.

Big Mo’ In MO As Well

Last time Rasmussen checked in, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Claire McCaskill and Republican incumbent Jim Talent were all knotted up at 45 percent. Encouragingly, it’s Independent voters registering their displeasure with a national Republican culture of corruption since the last report. This time, McCaskill leads Talent by a 2% spread, within the margin of error, but McCaskill has opened up a seven percent lead among “unaffiliated” voters.

Rasumussen. 500 Likely Voters. 11/09/2005. MoE +/- 4.5%

Claire McCaskill (D): 47%
Jim Talent (R): 45%
Other: 2%
Not Sure: 6%

Cantwell In A Rout

After a razor thin victory in Washington’s 2004 gubernatorial race, all eyes faced towards the Pacific Northwest for what certainly could have been one of the most competitive races of the 2006 election cycle. But with Republican challengers opting out one after the other under the weight of an increasingly unappealing Republican agenda, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell has opened up a HUGE lead over Republican Mike McGavick.

Rasmussen. 500 Likely Voters. 11/10/2005. MoE +/- 4.5%

Maria Cantwell (D): 52%
Mike McGavick (R): 37%
Other: 3%
Not Sure: 8%

And these three states are really just a small sample of an increasing tidal wave of support for Democratic candidates across the country. Polls in Ohio show a tremendous opportunity to reclaim both the U.S. Senate and the state’s top executive office, especially in light of corrupt and ineffective Republican rule. In California, the “one term-inator” suffered an overwhelming rebuke at the hands of voters when his ballot initiatives went down in flames – one right after the other. Californians are completely fed up with the man who has turned his home into the Pepsi Co. Governor’s Mansion after being elected into office on the pledge of fighting the special interests.

And the beat goes on. But these races at the top of the ticket are only some of the most high-profile of the contests in 2006. That’s why the 1000+ organizational meetings held across the country yesterday evening are so important. While we will all certainly do the dirty work of democracy (knocking on doors, making the phone calls, writing the letters, calling radio shows) to elect U.S. Senate candidates and other Democratic statewide candidates, the bonds built last night will form the local foundations to elect State Representatives, County Commissioners, School Board Members, and countless other campaigns at all levels of the ballot.

November 15, 2005

Organizing Open Thread

Well, the National Organizing Kickoff went beyond what any of us had imagined it would. We've started getting some early photos and stories in from across the country, and the call with Tom McMahon and the two calls with Governor Dean were fantastic. We've seen your issue discussion notes and your volunteer forms start coming in as well.

We'll have a much more robust round-up tomorrow, but if you just came from a party or your guests just left, share your stories in the thread or email them to nov15@dnc.org.

Tonight's the Night

Tonight, over 1000 Americans made the decision to invest the time necessary in beginning the process of creating a local infrastructure on-the-ground in each and every one of the fifty United States. By all accounts, the 50 State Strategy National Organizing Kick-Off is already a tremendous success. As we get closer to the hour in which Democrats across the country will gather in each other’s homes and local establishments, here are a few stories from some of the local event organizers:

Monica in Rochester, New York

Our Rochester meeting will welcome about 15 people. Some of them will be the activists left standing, so to speak, from hard-fought campaigns this fall. DFA-Rochester's leader, Tom Janowski, a campaign manager and member of his local Democratic committee, is my co-host and our digital photographer. County Leg candidate Ted Nixon, a member of his local Democratic committee and a brave man who teaches French to eighth graders every day, will be supplying the speaker phone. ( Mine died during a critical test.) Tonight we are also going to meet some new folks, Democrats from around the county who saw the meeting on the website and are driving some distance to hear Governor Dean. It's my pleasure to host; the request came over Governor Dean's signature, and that was all the push I needed.

In the most recent election, our success varied by towns, but county-wide, we fought them to a draw. The names switched, but the number of Democratic and Republican seats in our leg did not change. This is a matter of grave concern locally. We have strong feelings that we must organize at the grassroots level even more efficiently and effectively, and we need to raise our money there, also. The program outlined in the PowerPoint presentation, which we will be presenting low-tech on cards, is an excellent overview of what it will take. We have good, strong ties with our local and county Democratic committees, and we can make them even stronger. Can't wait until 7:30!

Feeling that in fact we do have the power,
Monica Gilligan, Secretary, Brighton Democratic Committee

Sue in Lubbock, Texas

I've had some experience with conference call house parties; they are a lot of fun and great for organizing. That's why I jumped at the chance to host a meeting tonight where we roll out the 50 State Strategy. This is a great program, a great event and I am very excited to participate. We've needed something like this for so long here in West Texas where we are overlooked and isolated. Everybody who lives in a conservative town like Lubbock can probably understand what that feels like. We never see a presidential political ad on TV, our primary comes late, etc. Connections, that's what we need -- have a party with a conference call--what a brilliant way to be connected, to be a part of the Party.

Because I want to support the DNC and Governor Dean in every way I can, I bought a Democracy Bond. We all need to do everything we can to help the Democratic Party succeed. I'm going to be selling those bonds! My guests are coming over in two hours. I have the all the host materials downloaded. I've been to Kinkos to copy a handout of the power point presentation. I've got the name tags ready to go and a sign up sheet. I also have voter registration materials for people who need to register. I have five Democracy Bond packets printed out and ready. I have my computer set up to enter volunteer information online. A friend is bringing over a laptop and projector for the power point presentation. I expect to have 15 people, maybe more. I'll report back later with a picture.

Susan in Monmouth County, New Jersey

Here in coastal Monmouth County New Jersey we are licking our wounds and we are celebrating. We are certainly celebrating Jon Corzine's tremendous victory! That is the best news we have here! (And personally we are very invested since my daughter, my two friends and I were in just about every photograph used in the campaign literature and our picture is the first one you see when you click on www.corzineconnection.com right now!)

However, we are very upset about our losses. In spite of arrests of many Republicans, we were unable to win the county freeholder(county commissioner in the rest of the country) or the state assembly or our local town. We had wonderful candidates and all of them were close races. We know that in a large part, the bias of our local newspapers against Democrats had a lot to do with the losses. But, we have to be able to get our Democratic message out in spite of the newspaper coverage. It seems to me that if we did a better job of getting our message out, we would win!

I think that Gov. Dean is way ahead of the curve with the Democracy Bonds! The Republicans are controlled by and the spokesmen for big corporations because that's where their money comes from. It's wonderful to think that the Democrats are controlled by people like all of us--p eople who are working hard and trying to pay their taxes and raise their families. I bought a Democracy Bond quite a while ago--and am going to buy another. We--the everyday Democrats--need to be the "special interests" of the party.

Maybe it sounds corny, but another reason we are excited about hosting a kick off session is that we love to meet new friends and "put the party back in the Democrats!" Imagine my surprise when I checked my email a few minutes ago and eight people I don't know are coming to my house tonight! I guess I had better get busy and make some cookies! Susan Folta, Ocean Grove, NJ

Patrice in Camas, Washington

My partner and I decided that we want to make an investment in democracy, an investment in the Democratic Party and an investment with our friends in grassroots movements in Clark County. For this reason, we signed up to host a DNC organizing party toinight. We're excited about the powerpoint presentation, which we shared last night at the Clark County Democrats meeting. It describes power coming from the grassroots -- and I think that's right. We're looking forward to hearing from Howard Dean tonight and we're looking forward to more information coming directly from the DNC.

A few months after the election la st year, Howard Dean came to speak in Clark County. He told us that we needed to donate to political causes because otherwise the money only comes from large corporations. My partner and I have taken his advice to heart. We have a Democratic VISA card that pays 1% to the DNC, we've signed up for Democracy bonds which will charge a specific amount each month, and we are both involved in the local Clark County Democratic party and in various progressive causes in the local area. We work on local campaigns as much as we can and contribute what we can.

Our participation and donations have already paid off locally. We had a lot of progressive victories in our recent election in Clark County and in Washington state. We elected a wonderful Democratic County commissioner, Steve Stuart in a hard-fought race. We voted to stand behind the gas tax passed by our state legislature last year to pay for infrastructure improvements all over the state. We voted against letting insurance providers write our laws abou t malpractice. In the primary we supported the local public transportation. The only sad point locally was losing the Ft. Vancouver library bond, which has to have a super-majority, by 59.4% when we needed 60%.

The most wonderful thing about being involved in local politics is the friends that we have made. Before we were politically active, we thought partisan politics would be "political" in the bad sense of the word. Instead we have found wonderful people to work with -- wonderful people who are also trying to make a positive difference to America. I feel more connected to my community now than I have ever felt before.

I'm looking forward to tonight, to seeing friends and fellow volunteers and to meeting new people who want to do something for democracy. I appreciate the DNC making this possible.

The Party of Ideas

Some, like Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, lead:

First, 2006 should be a significant year of transition to full Iraqi sovereignty, with Iraqis taking more and more responsibility for their own security. It’s time to take the training wheels off the Iraqi government. Iraqis must begin to run their own country. In 2006, the US and our allies must do everything we can to make that possible.

Second, the Administration must advise the Iraqi people that U.S. military forces will not stay indefinitely in Iraq, and that it is their responsibility to achieve the broad-based and sustainable political environment essential for defeating the insurgency.

Third, the President needs to submit – on a quarterly basis – a plan for success to Congress and the American people. This plan must specify the challenges and progress being made in Iraq, timetables for achieving our goals and estimated dates for redeployment from Iraq as these goals are met.

And others, follow:

The proposal on the Iraq war, from Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, and Senator John W. Warner, Republican of Virginia, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, would require the administration to provide extensive new quarterly reports to Congress on subjects like progress in bringing in other countries to help stabilize Iraq. The other appeals related to Iraq are nonbinding and express the position of the Senate.

The plan stops short of a competing Democratic proposal that moves toward establishing dates for a phased withdrawal of troops from Iraq. But it is built upon the Democratic approach and makes it clear that senators of both parties are increasingly eager for Iraqis to take control of their country in coming months and open the door to removing American troops. [...]

Mr. Warner said he decided to take the Democratic proposal and edit it to his satisfaction in an effort to find common ground between the parties on the issue.

Over 25,000 Americans have sent letters to Senator Harry Reid thanking him for his leadership on Iraq. You can add yours by clicking here.

Tuesday Morning Open Thread

Happy Anniversary. One week ago tonight, the Democratic Party pulled off a number of victories in high profile statewide races, and even more local campaigns throughout the nation. Aside from tonight's organizational kick-off events (find one close to you here), what's going on in your local communities that everyone should know about?

November 14, 2005

1,000 Organizing Events and Counting

Tomorrow night - in all fifty states (and in 20 other countries) - Democrats will come together and begin the work that's needed to win in 2006 and 2008. In the past, these initial meetings happened just months before Election Day, and the bonds formed and the lessons learned disappeared just hours after the votes were counted. Starting tomorrow, all of that will change.

If you want to host an event, you still can. There's no reason why you can't invite your friends and neighbors over - even if it is the day before.

If you want to go to an event, there are over 1000 nationwide, so finding one shouldn't be a problem. Click here to search in your area.

If you're already hosting, you can get all the materials you need right here. We'll send you the conference call information later tonight.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at nov15@dnc.org. After your meeting, send us your photos and stories and we'll share them with others who are deeply invested in laying the groundwork for the coming elections.

Chairman Dean Speaks For Me

Some highlights from DNC Chairman Howard Dean's appearance on Meet the Press yesterday morning:

The Democratic Agenda:

"We have an alternative agenda. We've made it very clear. We want a strong national security based on telling the truth to our people at home, our soldiers and our allies. We want jobs in America that will stay in America. And we believe that renewable energy is one of the areas where we can do that. We want a health care system that covers everybody, just like 36 other countries in the world. We want a strong public education system. And most of all, we want honesty back in government. I think that's a pretty good agenda. ...The Republicans want to cut $14 billion out of higher education. We're going to do better than that. And together, America can do better than that."

Democratic Values:

"We all should speak about our values. I think one of the mistakes we've made is to not understand that most Americans believe that moral values include making sure that kids don't go to bed hungry at night. The Republicans are cutting the school lunch program. We want to make sure that everybody in America has health insurance. That is a moral value. The Republicans are kicking people off their health care. We ought to talk about our values. ...I'm a Democrat because of my moral values. I believe that we can't leave anybody behind. We are the party of America's values."

Telling the Truth to the American People:

"I think the Democrats always have to stand up and tell the truth. And that's what we're doing. The truth is that the president misled America when he sent us to war. They did, he even didn't tell the truth in the speech he gave. First of all, I think there were a lot of veterans that were kind of upset that the president chose their day to make a partisan speech. Secondly, the president didn't even tell the truth in his speech. He said the Senate has the same intelligence that everybody else did. That was not true..."

Brad Blog has the video from the interview.

Ohio's 88 County Strategy

While most of the nation paid attention to the four reform amendments in Ohio, local Democrats in the Buckeye State were campaigning for, and winning, seats at all levels of the ballot. The Ohio Democratic Party provides this round-up:

* In Logan County, every Democrat on the ballot appears to have won with one race close enough that there will be a recount.

*In Fayette County, Democrats picked up five trustee positions.

*In Darke County, Democrat Julie Monin was elected Judge.

*In Etna Township in Licking County Democrats picked up a hotly contested trusteeship.

*In Richland County, Democrats won the Municipal Clerk of Courts office.

*In Marietta, Democrats picked up a Municipal Judgeship.

*In Salem, Republican Mayor Larry DeJane proclaimed “They cleaned house” in the Salem News as Democrats won all local Council races over incumbent Republicans.

*Marion City Council picked up one seat to increase their council majority.

*In Lancaster, a city George Bush won with 58% of the 2004 vote, Democrats took control of City Council for the first time since the early 1970s.

*In Newark, Democrats picked up two council seats in an area Bush carried by 56% in 2004.

*In Springfield, Democrats picked up two of three City Commission seats.

*In Franklin County, Lori Tyack, a Democrat, is the new Municipal Clerk of Courts for the first time in history.

*In Franklin County, Andrea Peeples won a Municipal Judgeship.

There are "red counties," "blue counties," and "purple counties" all included in that list. As the effects of the fifty state strategy begin to take shape nationwide, places like Ohio are using resources provided to implement 88 county strategies, and already achieving success.

Plenty of Ships Left to Sink in 2006

It's the president's fault. So said New Jersey Republican candidate for Governor, Doug Forrester, in a candid interview with reporters yesterday:

It's all George W. Bush's fault.

Doug Forrester, in his first postelection interview, laid the blame for his loss in the governor's race last week directly at the feet of President Bush. He said the public's growing disaffection with Bush, especially after Hurricane Katrina, made it impossible for his campaign to overcome the built-in advantage Democrats have in a blue state like New Jersey.

The anchor was too heavy for Forrester, and as a result his campaign sunk beneath the weight of failed policies, honesty issues, and ethical concerns at the national level.

Arizona Republicans are cautious as well; with two marquee statwide races for Governor and U.S. Senate coming up in 2006, Republican Congressman J.D. Hayworth (AZ-5) made it quite clear to a national radio audience last week that the president should keep his distance.

IMUS: Would you just answer my question, would you like [President Bush] to come to Arizona and cut campaign commercials and run them on those TV stations everywhere?

REP. HAYWORTH: In a word, no. At this time.

In a number, 36:

President George W. Bush is sinking deeper and deeper into political trouble, according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll. Only 36 percent of Americans approve of the job he is doing as president, and an astounding 68 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction of the country—the highest in Bush's presidency.

But that's not the worst of it for the 43rd president of the United States, a leader who rode comfortably to reelection just a year ago. Half of all Americans now believe he’s not "honest and ethical."

And it wasn't a fifty-fifty split either. Only 42% believe President Bush is honest and ethical -- and that is the best news to come out of the survey for him. The rest of the details, including public opinion about the Vice President, Iraq, and Valerie Plame can be found here.

Open Thread

For the day...

November 13, 2005

Open Thread

New blogger starting tomorrow - Tim Tagaris of Swing State Project and Grow Ohio fame.

For the night...

November 12, 2005

Organizing Alaska

We're at 946 Organizing Kickoff Meetings nationwide on Tuesday November 15th. And when we say "nationwide" we mean it -- here's an email we just got from Tommy, a host of of a meeting in his community:

Got everything. Thanks for all your hard work. We're ready to go. Now realize, we live up in the mountains at 3000 ft., 114 miles NE of Anchorage, our community is called Glacier View/Sheep Mountain, we're in a VERY red state, so we are few, but we are very, very fed up, we've had enough ...

You can find a meeting near you now, or host your own.

November 11, 2005

Open Thread

Happy Veterans' Day...

November 10, 2005

Over 860 Organizing Kickoff Meetings

We're all still here tonight putting together hosting materials and making sure everything is in order for the 866 national Organizing Kickoff Meetings next Tuesday.

Our designer Jess is making everything look good, superstar and Anti-Avian Agitator Josh is making sure everything works properly, and I'm writing to you. Even the big boss Tom McMahon is still here working the phones about these events.

The folks in the Political Department have been on the phone all day with state parties working to integrate their plans into the agenda and documents, the Communications team has been working to help local media find events to cover, and the Finance Department helped put together the Democracy Bonds Community Building Kit.

But most importantly Democrats across the country are preparing to spend a night next making a commitment to building a permanent, sustained Democratic Party. America needs a party beholden only to the people -- one that will end the Republican culture of corruption and cronyism, and begin work solving real problems.

In the last 10 minutes another three events were created -- we're up to 869.

I can't tell you how inspiring it is to see so many Democrats so ready to lead.

If you haven't RSVPed for an event in your community, find one now. And it's never too late to take the lead and host your own Organizing Kickoff Event.

UPDATE: It's an hour later, getting ready to take off for the night, and the number of organizing meetings is up to 874 ....

Santorum to Bush: 'It's Not Me, It's You'

In the wake of this week's elections, where a last-minute appearance by George Bush in Virginia helped propel Democrat Tim Kaine from a comfortable victory margin to an overwhelming victory margin, Republicans around the country are desperately trying to detach themselves from their radioactively unpopular president.

Case in point: yesterday, in a moment of honesty , Arizona Rep. J.D. Hayworth told Imus that he wouldn’t want George Bush to cut a commercial for him:

IMUS: Would you just answer my question, would you like [President Bush] to come to Arizona and cut campaign commercials and run them on those TV stations everywhere?

REP. HAYWORTH: In a word, no. At this time.

And it's not the moderate wing of the Republican Party that's avoiding Bush -- soon to be ex-Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania is ducking George Bush, too. According to the Times Leader:

President Bush will appear at a Veterans Day event in Pennsylvania on Friday with the state's moderate Republican senior senator and a Democratic congressman but without the state's conservative junior senator, who is fighting a tough bid for re-election.

When you are 18 points down in your reelection bid, you probably don't want the George Bush albatross around your neck.

But don’t take our word for it. Listen to what the Executive Director of the Republican Main Street Partnership had to say:

"If the election was tomorrow, I don't think it would help to have the president go into Pennsylvania."

Gov. Dean meets with Reverend Luis Cortes

I just got out of a great meeting with Chairman Dean and Reverend Luis Cortes. Rev. Cortes is President and CEO of Esperanza USA, which translates into 'Hope USA'. The meeting took place at the Democratic National Committee headquarters to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern. Esperanza USA is the largest Hispanic faith-based community development corporation in the country. Beginning in Philadelphia with programs targeted to address the many unmet needs in Philadelphia's Hispanic community, the Reverend Luis Cortes has become a leader in building Hispanic owned institutions nationwide.

The Reverend Luis Cortes recently served as Vice Chair of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board of Pittsburgh. Governor Rendell has nominated the reverend to the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority. Philadelphia Mayor John Street named Reverend Luis Cortes to the City's Workforce Investment Board. He is also the founder and Executive Director of the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and is also one of the founders of United Bank, the first African-American owned commercial bank in Pennsylvania.

Today, with a national network of 10,000 Hispanic faith and community based agencies; Esperanza USA is one of the leading voices for Hispanics in America. Rev. Cortes, whose ministry envisions an America built on compassion, justice and service exemplifies the core values and beliefs of the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party shares the same vision and as Tuesday's elections reflect, when Democrats show how together we can do better, they win. "Today, we had a frank discussion about some of the challenges we face as a party and a nation, and how we might do a more effective job of bridging some of the differences that seem to divide us."

South Dakota...in Southeast DC

Governor Dean dropped by the South Dakota State Party fundraiser at the American Legion Hall on D Street last night to show his support for the work the party is doing back home.

Senator Tim Johnson, Rep. Stephanie Herseth and the estimable George McGovern were all in attendance. DNC Vice Chairs Susie Turnball and Rep. Mike Honda came by as well.

Sounds like the state party is on the right track. Thanks in part to funding from the DNC's 50-state strategy plan, State Chair Judy Duhamel told me that she recently hired two communciations professionals and a field organizer to prepare for '06 and '08.

Governor Dean with State Chair Judy Duhamel

Governor Dean and Sen. McGovern with other guests

Republicans Send Us a Lame Duck

We were paid a visit by some poor Republican interns this morning who came bearing a gift: a giant turkey holding a sign. We think the goal of their stunt was to get a photo of said turkey in Roll Call, a newspaper here on Capitol Hill, but after being properly labeled, we're pretty sure they didn't get what they wanted:

Word of caution to Republicans: don't come over to Democratic Headquarters in a bird suit unless you're willing to talk turkey about the least popular lame duck president in American history.

Drilling in ANWR Cut from Budget Bill; Seals, Polar Bears Rejoice

Fingers crossed that it doesn't get stuck back in during the Conference Committee...

House Republican leaders late Wednesday abandoned an attempt to push through a hotly contested plan to open an Alaskan wildlife refuge to oil drilling, fearing it would jeopardize approval of a budget bill expected to come up for a vote on Thursday.

They also dropped from the budget document plans to allow states to authorize oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts - regions currently under a drilling moratorium.

GOP leaders acted after a rough day on Capitol Hill for the oil industry - as CEOs of the nation's largest oil companies testified at a Senate hearing on oil industry profits, soaring energy prices, and ways to protect consumers from price-gouging and unaffordable transporation and heating oil costs.

The House move to give up for now on the Alaska energy exploration proposal is a setback for those who have tried for years to open a coastal strip of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR, to oil development, and a victory for environmentalists including the Natural Resource Defense Council, which has lobbied hard against the drilling and argues that improving fuel efficiency in cars and trucks would do far more to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Open Thread

For the day...

November 9, 2005

What 2005 Means

Tuesday was a very great day for America and a great day for Democrats. Tim Kaine's win in Virginia and Jon Corzine's in New Jersey show that if you have good candidates and a strong agenda -- and are willing to ask for the vote in Republican-leaning areas, not just Democratic areas -- you can win.

Here is the good news, and there is a lot of it. Voters rejected Republican dirty-tricks politics. They rejected the Republican culture of corruption and incompetence (a real factor in Virginia). And in California they rejected the Bush-like politics of the soon to be one-Term-inator Governor Schwarzenegger by defeating all four of his initiatives.

Great Democratic mayors were elected across the country. Even some of our candidates who did not win provided some good news. I would argue that Leslie Byrne, who ran as a true progressive for Lt. Governor of Virginia and lost by just over two points, provided a huge boost to progressive politics in a state that four years ago was much more conservative than it is today.

There was some bad news. Our candidate for Mayor of San Diego, Donna Frye, lost after being denied a victory earlier in the year by a judge who threw out some absentee ballots. That will be San Diego's loss; they have already suffered much under Republican corruption.

Now, we get to celebrate for one day. But only one -- because we have a long way to go. We have to do this three times in a row -- every year through 2008 -- in order to restore honesty and competence to our government.

Next year's Congressional elections will set the stage. It's pretty straightforward. If we win the House or the Senate -- or even better, both -- in 2006, we will set the stage for a Democratic win in 2008. We will be able to stop the march of the far right, and we will again have the capacity to investigate the corruption and dishonesty which pervades this administration.

So fasten your seat belts, dig into your wallets (sign up for a Democracy Bond now at Democrats.org) and pick the candidates who you want to volunteer for now. We passed the quarter mile mark in the lead last night. Now we have to keep it up.

My deepest thanks to all of you who got involved in races yesterday whether your candidate won or lost. What will help us win in the long run are persistence, hard work, a strong agenda, and standing up for our convictions. Thank you, Howard Dean

November 8, 2005

Victory Open Thread

Congratulations to Tim Kaine and Jon Corzine, our newest Democratic Governors. Gov. Dean's here in the office tonight, as is most of the staff, and we're all pretty elated. It's a great, great time to be a Democrat...

An update from New Jersey

We just got an update from Matt Stoller of the Corzine campaign in New Jersey...

Mood internally is good. There's predictably low turnout all across the state, lower in Republican precincts. We should see a spike between 5-7pm, GOP is spinning like crazy saying they are going to get the 'returning commuter vote'. I'm told that it is just spin. We'll see.

There's a dogfight of a race in Edison for Mayor - Democrat Jun Choi is running against Independent Fusion ticket and former Democratic candidate Bill Stevens, who has cut a deal with Republicans. I'm watching this one.

White House Spokesman Squirms on Torture

Here's a transcript of CNN's report on the tough questions White House spokesman Scott McClellan refused to answer at today's briefing:

SUZANNE MALVEAUX: The president yesterday made it very clear the United States does not support torture. However, as we know, Senator John McCain, in the Republican-led congress, has put out this amendment basically saying that torture is not allowed, neither is inhumane treatment of detainees approving this 90-9. Vice president Dick Cheney led the effort in trying to get an exemption for the CIA for that particular amendment to try to get as much flexibility and allow the president more authority in dealing with the most dangerous detainees. Of course, many people looking at that say there seems to be a conflict -- which one is it? We do not support torture or an exemption for the CIA that comes through this amendment condoning torture? That's the issue at the heart of this press conference. Here's how Scott McClellan responded.

MCCLELLAN: The president's made it very clear that are we do not torture.

APRIL RYAN: What's the vice president doing?

MCCLELLAN: I just told you. If you Im not trying -- you're going to mischaracterize what this is about. It's put in the statement of administration policy -- April, look, you can keep showboating for the camera, but we made clear what our views are. Go ahead, bill. Well, you are. Let's be honest about it.

RYAN: I'm being honest. I want an honest answer.

MCCLELLAN: You got in the statement of administration policy.

RYAN: That is not --

MCCLELLAN: You got it in the statement of administration policy. There are already laws on books that cover these issues. Yes. That's what it is. Go look on our website. I'll be glad to provide it to you and i just told what you it is. Are you not listening? I just told you what it is. I think you need to calm down a little bit, and let me respond. Go ahead?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX: I know the correspondent personally. Very capable, very even-handed correspondent.

What you're looking at is simply a piece of what happened in that briefing. A lot of reporters essentially asking Scott very pointedly here to answer that question, essentially to explain why is it that the vice president has been fighting for this exemption for the CIA? One thing Scott did mention in the briefing and I want to go to that, that he mentioned the statement of administration policy. At least on the OMB website, two places can you see the policy he mentioned. Read it briefly. If legislation is presented that would predict the presence of authority, protect Americans effectively from terrorist attack and bring terrorists to justice the president's senior advisers would recommend that he veto the bill. Trying to find out what is the thinking of the administration behind the vice president's move. I talked to many people, and essentially, they explain it this way. They believe that if you give the enemy too much information, if the fear of the unknown when it comes to confess of detainees is taken away, that makes it less effective. That interrogation process. They say that as long as they believe they're following international norms, that if you give that kind of information, that it is unnecessary, and at certain times counterproductive. Betty?

ANCHOR: A serious topic and obviously frustration felt there. Suzanne Malveaux, thank you.

When will this adminstration come clean?

Election Day Fact

Tim Kaine has been endorsed by 60 Virginia newspapers. Here is the list: (hat tip to Tim Kaine's official blog)

Alexandria Gazette Packet
Alexandria Metro Herald
Alexandria Times
Annandale Times
Arlington Connection
Bristol Herald-Courier
Bluefield Telegraph
Burke Connection

Keep reading "Election Day Fact"

Open Thread

It's Election Day...

November 7, 2005

Need voting info in New Jersey or Virginia?

You can find information on New Jersey here, and information on Virginia here.

Now, REMEMBER TO VOTE!

Kilgore Fined!

Virginia Republicans, recently busted for such classy tactics as phonetapping, are up to the same old dirty tricks.

According to the Richmond Times Dispatch:

"In Richmond, meanwhile, the state Board of Elections fined Kilgore's campaign $100 this morning for distributing a deceptive flier that violated the state's "Stand By Your Ad" law.

"It also forwarded to the Richmond commonwealth's attorney's office a complaint that the flier appeared to represent a willful violation of the law, which could subject the Kilgore campaign to a $2,500 fine.

"Jean R. Jensen, secretary of the elections board, issued a statement blasting Republican officials for using the board for political gain."

You can smell the desperation.

Open Thread

For the day...

November 4, 2005

Republican Congressman Bob Ney Subpoenaed In Abramoff Corruption Probe

Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio's 18th Congressional District has been subpoenaed for his involvment with lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio has been subpoenaed to provide documents and testimony related to the government’s investigation of indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

...

Ney took an Abramoff-sponsored golf trip to Scotland in 2002. Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigators, meanwhile, found an e-mail from Abramoff claiming Ney had promised to help a Texas Indian tribe reopen a closed casino and subsequent e-mails directing the tribe to pay Ney $32,000.

In 2000, Ney entered comments in the Congressional Record criticizing the owner of some casino boats Abramoff wanted to purchase. In all three cases, Ney said, Abramoff had misled him.

As always, more on the Republican Culture of Corruption here...

Lamer Duck

The least popular second-term president in modern history gets even less popular:

Opinion of George W. Bush
Favorable 33%
Unfavorable 51%

Bush Job Performance
Approve 35%
Disapprove 57%

And what about the Vice President whose Chief of Staff was indicted a week ago today?

Dick Cheney
Favorable 19%
Unfavorable 44%

The results of a presidency in the ditch are already apparent -- the president can't seem to make a schedule happen, much less make an agenda happen.

Open Thread

For the day...

November 3, 2005

Volunteer in Virginia or New Jersey

Looking to volunteer in Virginia or New Jersey? The Democratic Governors Association is collecting names of volunteers and sending them to campaign offices where they're needed. If you can make it out for the final weekend before Election Day, fill out the short DGA form and a campaign staffer will get back to you shortly.

For New Jersey: http://www.democraticgovernors.org/newjersey

For Virginia: http://www.democraticgovernors.org/virginia

Open Thread

For the night...

Abramoff Emails Show Greed, Corruption

There's plenty of pervasive corruption in Republican Washington as it is, but today's LA Times article on Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff - and the emails that have been released during the course of the investigation into his practices - shed light on just how bad it is.

The Abramoff investigation is one of several ethical headaches confronting the GOP that Democrats have charged add up to a culture of corruption in official Washington — most recently the indictment of Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, in connection with the probe of the leak of a covert CIA officer's identity.

But Republican lawmakers have been watching the Abramoff scandal unfold in the media and before the Indian Affairs Committee with particular dread, because the lobbyist had extensive connections with party officials and because his relentless pursuit of profit — documented in a string of e-mails between Abramoff and his onetime partner, Michael Scanlon, that the committee has released — casts an unflattering light on the role of lobbyists.

Relentless pursuit of profit? You could say that. In the emails back-and-forth between Abramoff and Scanlon, you can see just how relentless they were...

From Scanlon to Abramoff:

Coushatta is an absolute cake walk. Your cut on the project as proposed is at least 800k. The next wire we get from choctaw you have another 350
- which should be in this week, then if they send the final payment which should come around october 1- your cut will be 400. Totals still ou there for you are 800-
coushataa
350- choctaw 2
400- choctaw 3
Total 1.5 mil on top of the 660. For a total of 2.1. Not bad :) :)!

Abramoff replies:

How can I say this strongly enough: YOU IZ DA MAN

Scanlon replies:

Ill take the man title for now- but not tomorrow, you return to being the man at midnight!
Let's grow that 2.1 to 5!!! We need the true give me five!

Abramoff's simple response:

Amen!!

The Chairman of the Coushatta tribe has said, pretty accurately, "They hit the jackpot with us..."

A Justice Department joint task force is carrying out a wide-ranging criminal investigation into Abramoff's dealings with the tribes. That investigation is expected to continue for months.

Wednesday's hearing focused on Abramoff's dealings with the Coushatta tribe, which paid Abramoff and Scanlon about $36 million between 2001 and 2004 to defeat efforts by rival tribes to open casinos.

Tribal representatives testified that the Abramoff scandal had damaged the tribe, leading to an upheaval in its leadership and a sense of victimization in its dealings with Washington.

"They hit the jackpot with us: a Native American tribe with a fairly new casino in the midst of a political transition and naive to the underworld of governmental affairs," said Coushatta Chairman David Sickey.

To extract millions from the tribe, Sickey said, Abramoff and Scanlon "exaggerated political threats and they exaggerated economic threats. Then they exaggerated their ability to deal with these exaggerated threats."

Of course, this whole mess is wrapped up with a golf trip to Scotland, loaning skybox seats at a concert, a meeting with Interior Secretary Gale Norton, both Rep. Bob Ney and Tom DeLay entering favorable statements into the Congressional Record, and much more.

November 2, 2005

Open Thread

For the night...

McCain: Too Much A Creature Of Capitol Hill To Investigate?

The Guys over at The Senate Majority Project have a great post on the Texas Senator John Cornyn's connection to the Abramoff scandal.

Maybe it's time for McCain to put his money where his mouth is, and stop ignoring the mounting evidence against his colleagues, John Cornyn and Conrad Burns. Maybe McCain is too beltway to ask the tough questions.

November 1, 2005

'We're Ready to Lead'

Governor Dean sent the following letter to Democrats across the country about the bold move by Senator Harry Reid on the Senate floor today:

Dear Fellow Democrat,
Late this afternoon my friend Senator Harry Reid forced the Senate into an extraordinary closed session to discuss the manipulation of intelligence on Iraq and subsequent cover-up that led to the indictments last week.

It was the first indictment of a sitting White House official in well over a hundred years. Why? It's not because other administrations haven't gotten into trouble -- they have. The difference is that most administrations have a Congress willing to live up to its Constitutional responsibility. But this Republican-led Congress has blocked an investigation for over a year.

Today Harry Reid said that enough is enough -- and from here on Democrats should use every tool at our disposal to demand answers and accountability.

Do you agree? If you do, you can send a message that you're with Harry Reid and the rest of the Democrats who are tired of business as usual. Make a special donation and send a note of thanks to Harry Reid asking him to keep up the fight:

www.democrats.org/fightback

It's important that Democratic lawmakers know where you stand, but they can't do the job on their own.

Harry Reid is ready to lead a Senate that will hold this administration accountable for its corruption, incompetence and ideology-driven agenda. And on a Tuesday twelve months from now America can elect a new Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate that will investigate the White House cover-up.

But are you ready to lead? If we're really going to build the Democratic Party in every state, every county, and every precinct, it's up to you to take responsibility for getting you and your neighbors organized.

On November 15th, Democrats across the country will gather for national Organizing Kickoff meetings. If you agree to host one in your neighborhood, you'll be able to download all the materials you need to run a successful meeting to jump start Democratic organizing in your community. I'll also be joining all of the meetings -- over 400 have been scheduled so far -- for a nationwide conference call.

For the next twelve months Harry Reid will be taking the lead on the Senate floor -- and for the next twelve months you need to take the lead in your community. Sign up to host a meeting on November 15th that will kick off twelve months of unprecedented, intense organizing in all 50 states:

www.democrats.org/events/create

Whether it's the string of arrests and indictments of corrupt Republican leaders or their pandering to extremist ideologues, America cannot afford to be in this situation. We need fundamental change in Washington to hold this administration accountable and begin doing the work to solve real problems.

It's our responsibility to create that change by electing Democrats.

If we're going to do that, we can't afford to wait around until a few months before the election. We have spent the last several months investing staff, dollars and volunteer hours in an effort to build a permanent party infrastructure in all 50-states -- but starting on November 15th it will be up to you to plug in and get organized.

Enough is enough and we're ready to lead.

Thank you.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

The Maine Event

What does Howard Dean and Jimi Hendrix have in common? They have both headlined at the Lewiston Armory. The Gov and I were in Maine last Saturday for the state party's annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner and over 500 people braved the cold and rain to attend the event.

The highlight of the evening was the auction of an autographed poster signed by Maine's Governor, John Baldacci, both Congressmen, the state party chair and Governor Dean. Bidding started at $200 and finally sold for $1,000. I tried to get our press guy, Damien, to place a bet on the kayak that was also auctioned off, but he was concerned that it might not fit in the overhead bin on the flight home.

A special thanks to Speaker Pat Colwell, Maggie Allen, Rich Pelletier, Ramona du Houx and the rest of the staff and volunteers for working their butts off and for helping us get to the airport on time. The only disappointment? I didn't get any lobster. Oh well, next time.

Governor Baldacci, Gov Dean and Speaker Pat Colwell (Thanks to Ramona du Houx for the photo.)

Open Thread

For the afternoon...

Senator Reid Forces Senate Meeting on Iraq

From the Associated Press...

Democrats forced the Republican-controlled Senate into an unusual closed session Tuesday, questioning intelligence that President Bush used in the run-up to the war in Iraq and accusing Republicans of ignoring the issue.

"They have repeatedly chosen to protect the Republican administration rather than get to the bottom of what happened and why," Democratic leader Harry Reid said.

Playing Politics With Our Security

Yesterday, Bloomberg News points out another instance of the Republican Party’s culture of corruption threatening our nation's security. Apparently, shortly after September 11th two Justice Department officials in the Marianas Islands wrote a 34 page memo that highlighted the possible security issues with the Marianas' lax immigration standards that the DOJ never acted on.

The U.S. Justice Department never acted on a post-Sept. 11 proposal, contested by lobbyist Jack Abramoff, calling for increased federal control over immigration to the Mariana Islands…House members of both parties who oversee the Homeland Security and Justice departments said they were never told about it. The 2002 report, a copy of which was obtained by Bloomberg News, warns that continued local control over the Marianas' borders will "seriously jeopardize the national security" of the U.S. … The report, dated May 6, 2002, was prepared by Robert Meissner, then a regional security specialist for the Justice Department, at the request of Frederick Black, who at the time was the acting United States attorney for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Meissner had jurisdiction over security issues for the commonwealth.

At the time the Marianas had a booming textile industry, since they were not required to adhere to US. labor and immigration standards -- while still being allowed to place the made in America label on the garments. At the same time, they paid Washington mega-lobbyist and Bush Pioneer Jack Abramoff millions to lobby for them. What was Abramoff's reaction to the news of the memo? Call the authors "bad guys" and get them reassigned.

Both men were subsequently transferred to lesser positions. Black is now an assistant U.S. attorney in the Marianas, and Meissner was reassigned from his job reviewing security for the commonwealth and 10 other U.S. attorney's offices and now works in the U.S. attorney's office in northern Virginia. Black and Meissner declined to comment.

How did Abramoff get access to the contents of a memo that even Members of Congress were prevented from seeing? He wined and dinned the Justice Department’s Chief of Staff, of course.

In an Oct, 1, 2001, e-mail to the Marianas government, Abramoff said he was alerted to the pending immigration report by the Justice Department chief of staff, whom he hosted in his luxury box at a Washington Redskins football game. He said he would pass on to the government any information he received from the official. At the time, David Ayres was chief of staff.

In the e-mail, Abramoff warned that some "bad guys" in Justice had been saying the commonwealth "if not taken over, will be a major entry point for terrorists. This, of course, is patently ridiculous and we have been working to counter this."

Abramoff said he would meet with then-Attorney General John Ashcroft. One of Abramoff's associates was Kevin Ring, who joined the firm after serving as counsel to a Judiciary subcommittee that Ashcroft chaired when he served in the U.S. Senate.

"We'll hope the higher ups will take some time to squash this on their own," Abramoff wrote.

Corruption in the name of making money or attempting to influence elections seems to have already become common place for the Republican Party. Now we have learned that the Administration is willing to endanger our security in order to repay one of their political allies.