Today's scheduled Blue America guest, Jerry Meek, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, has been sick as a dog all week and I let him off the hook. We'll have him on in a few weeks. So instead of Jerry's eloquence and brilliance — and plans to retire Elizabeth Dole and Robin Hayes — I want to give away some money. And I want you to help me.
Over the last few months I periodically get ominous letters from the FEC. I interpret them as indications that Jacquie, Jane, John and I may soon be hauled off the election-fraud-and-tampering prison. There's sure plenty of empty cells and lots of room. But the Blue America PAC attorney, who we hired to help stop the flow of these threatening letters, assures me that they are all easy to deal with — which he has done, mostly by apologizing and promising we'll never do "it" (whichever particular obscure rule was inadvertently broken [always by me]) again. And we won't. (CHS says: Thank goodness for lawyers.)
But one of the letters requires more than an "I'm sorry."
To keep our status as a multicandidate Federal PAC we need to make five contributions of $200 each. I want to do that today. And I want to get a sense of the community about which incumbents we want to give a great big Blue America thanks to, at this point. If you have a suggestion, I want to hear it — but with a reason that goes beyond that the intended recipient just happens to represent you. I'd like a reason you think he or she is worthy.
I asked a couple of people yesterday and I immediately got back a resounding roar for Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH), hard-working president of the freshman class. 618 of us donated $5,830.00 to his campaign last year though Blue America and he was a big winner against pathetic rubber stamp waste-of-a-seat Charlie Bass. Pach and Marcy spent some with Paul yesterday at the Waxman hearings and they are both raving about him. A friend of mine who works for the House Democratic leadership described him as "hauling ass."
Carol Shea Porter is also from New Hampshire and she'll be on with us here soon. Pach also got to spend some time with her yesterday and he recommends we consider her as well.
"She's been fighting to make the supplemental work with a hard date in it, and has been using her background as a social worker and facilitator to bring others in the Dem caucus (cough, Blue Dogs, cough) along too. Not sure if I can say that in public, but she's acting like a real force, even as a freshman. She's been getting nasty calls from constituents confused by a MoveOn email asking them to press her to hold the administration accountable, but there's really been no more consistent and principled advocate for accountability and for ending the war than she is, really. She's been misunderstood by peace activists and she deserves support and recognition. She's a fighter."
She also asked the DCCC to stay out of her race for re-election. She's pure grassroots. She won without Emanuel last time and she wants to win next year because she's done a good job representing her constituents. Hilda Solis (D-CA) was raving about her to Jane and I last weekend and Hilda knows the difference between a fighting progressive and a foot-dragging reactionary. In fact, Hilda wouldn't be such a terrible choice either. We want to empower Democrats like her within the leadership. Moving the Hilda Solis' up is the only way we'll ever not wind up with rotten and corrupt leaders like Hoyer and Emanuel.
Other suggestions I got yesterday ranged from Elijah Cummings (D-MD) who impressed Marcy for the way he took on that Toejam nutcase and made the hearings more "like theater or an exciting rock concert" than a musty old… hearing, to Blue Dog Ben Chandler (D-KY) who has gone up against other Blue Dogs to support Pelosi and Murtha on Iraq. Oh, and another Kentucky vote came in from Cliff Schecter who nominates John Yarmouth for the incredible work he's done on the whole Walter Reed scandal. Cliff wrote me that Yarmouth is "unapologetically for universal healthcare and pulling out of Iraq ASAP."
Some of the other suggestions were Tom Allen (D-ME), Keith Ellison (D-MN), John Hall (D-NY), Dave Loebsack and Bruce Braley (both progressive freshmen from Iowa), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Steve Cohen (D-TN), who we met here at a Blue America session a few weeks ago.
Now it's your turn. Talk to me — and not just from this list. I'm going to write 5 checks when we're done here today. I'm not even asking you for any dollars — although, of course, they're always welcome – just for your two cents.
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Thanks so much for this post, Howie. So many people to consider for this — am going to have to think abotu the ones I want to nominate. Hodes was quite the pit bull during the Waxman hearing, though — well prepared and willing to step up and ask good questions. Was great to see, I have to say.
JANE!
HOWIE!
BLUE AMERICA!
fitz?
Everyone has been clamoring about Hodes. I think we need to get him on FDL for a chat some time.
BIG HANK Waxman
looseheadprop @ 5
For the sake of argument, let me address Waxman. He voted– repeatedly– for the war and occupation. And he has no opposition in his district and all the money he needs. Do you really want to give him our money? That’s a serious question I hope we can talk about today, not just in regard to Waxman but in a general way as well.
Howie
We definately need Hodes in for chat. He fired off those questions during the hearing on Friday like he was cross axaming in a criminal trial.
He deserves more of our attention
I agree. All that spoke at the hearing yesterday. They really asked the hard questions.
My congressperson is surely the worst of the worst. But he’s Christian in TN where thats all that counts…sorry for the sarcasm
I am the new EPU King ! Bow before me !
howieklein @ 5
ACtually, you are right. But Waxman is stepping up to the plate in a way that really matters and we have to a)encourage him, and B) have his back.
As for the $200, the money doesn’t matter, but the immeditate inclusion in our fave 5 might matter.
We need to get the leadership to engage with us. We don’t hesitate to smack them around when we don’t like they are doing.
When they come through for us, we have to make it worth their while.
Maybe not the 200 ucks, but we need to do something to recognize the leadership when they are on the right path (and I know, Iknow we should be able to EXPECT them to do the right thing without the carrot and the stick, but this is real life)
Tim Walz – he greets constituents at grocery stores on Saturday mornings, knowing that not everybody can hire a DeeCee lobbyist or even attend a weeknight Town Hall Meeting.
When is the last time an incumbent Congressperson hung around the Stop-n-Shop other than the last weekend in October in election years?
No pay pal on Blue America?
Blue America ain’t about doing your job — it has specific meaning, and Waxman doesn’t qualify. imho.
Please, please keep us out of prison by voting.
Who will feed the poodles?
Another Kentucky vote for my brand new Congressman John Yarmouth. When we get a viable candidate that can “ditch Mitch”, he or she will be right up there as well.
Each of the NH folks would be a great choice. Shea-Porter could be teaching others a thing or two, winning on half a shoestring because she’s been getting out there and doing the work.
Jim Webb comes to mind as well. Though maybe you think 6 yrs will be plenty of time for him to solidify his grasp…
Wish I could just call up the likes of Waxman, Conyers, and Frank and say, who’s been bold in a smart way? Who’s been getting out there?
And yes a vote for Steve Cohen (D-TN)! Anyone who went on Colbert ;-)
Heeeey… why am *I* first on the list to be hauled to election-fraud-and-tampering prison?
I didn’t do anything!
Jane Hamsher @ 14
I’ll feed the poodles. Oh, I’ll be in jail too. Um… Christy?
Jerry McNerney — he’s the non-local candidate I’m happiest to have contributed to, and he’s doing just as well as I’d hoped. He’s on the new global warming committee, he also goes out in public and talks with his constituents.
Jacqrat @ 18
That’s what they’re charging us with– not doing all those things in the 5 pounds of ruke books they sent.
De-lurking here…
I can vouch for Yarmouth. I’m located just across the bridge from Louisville in Southern IN, am originally from Louisville, and worked with John at LEO (Louisville Eccentric Observer, the weekly he founded). He’s an unapologetic progressive and has been for years and years.
Colbert appearances should be a reward criteria, especially if, as KO reported yesterday, Rahm is telling the freshmen not to appear. Yarmuth’s kittens-in-the-woodchipper-debate moment was priceless!
I’m not from NH, but Hodes swung a big stick yesterday.
BTW, is Charlie Brown gonna go after Doolittle again? I’m up for that.
Dunno how people would see Nadler’s recent moves (not that he’s in trouble in his district), where was it that I read that he was the most willing to negotiate with Pelosi among the group who are most ahead of the curve wanting us out of Iraq.
I call rooming with Scooter!
Redshift @ 20
Redshift, I was crazy about McNerney during the primary, during the election and I think he’s been doing a great job since then. He’s blazing a bold path and showing freshmen Democrats in red districts that there is a way to do this– the right way– that is different from the Inside-the-Beltway Rahm Emanuel way.
Jacqrat @ 18
Oh, admit it. You want minorities and poor people to vote — that’s the definition of election fraud to a Republican administration.
Howie
Sometime, and sometime soon, maybe we could have a group discussion about how to convice the leadership to engage with us. Right now, too many of them still think we are dirty hippies. They sense that we are or will be an important and powerful force for the foreseeable future, but they don’t know how to interact with us.
I think Barbara Boxer’s experience at Yearly Kos may not have been the best foot for all parties to start out on.
I think it might be worth while to figure out how to make interacting with the blogs a happy experience for them, so they will come to look at us a resource for them
i have said before that the collecion of brains, education and talent here makes us a natural counterweight for the right wing think tanks.
If the folks on the Hill stopped seeing us as dirty hippies and began seeing us as their virtual think tanks–what and impact we could have!
newtonusr @ 24
We had Charlie on a few weeks ago and he is going after Doolittle again. We’re collecting donations for him by the way.
Jane Hamsher @
14
Or the KITTIES?
TeddySanFran @ 22
Agree with that.
Redshift @ 28
Hey Redshift! I have a question for you – can you contact me at “my fdl handle” AT mindspring DAAAHT com?
looseheadprop @ 29
You think they will engage with us? Teddy sent me an article this morning that had me shaking with rage. Read this and tell me if you think the Democratic leadership cares about what we care about. We need to empower a new generation of leaders who are honest, visionary and progressive– like Hilda Solis, who Jane and I met with last weekend.
Jacqrat @ 33
The message is in the mail. *g*
Three thoughts:
1.) This may sound really dumb, but how about some $ for Kirsten Gillibrand? Yeah, yeah, I know. But a.) one may have to demonstrate loyalty to people who seem not to understand the word, and b.) when I get bad service I tip moderately, just so they understand I know how. Bad service next time, no tip. Then we have a line of communication ;).
May not be right time/place for this, though.
2.) Also, I was *hugely* impressed by Diane Watson, I felt like I was watching Barbara Jordan. BTW, her wikipedia page looks like it was written by Freepers.
3.) Here in MI-10, how about Rob Denison. I don’t even know if he plans on running again. His website was up a few weeks back but seems to be down now. He seems pretty progressive and we could sure use Candice Miller outta here.
What happened with Barbara at Yearly?
My poodle, Emma, tells me I must vote in this to save her friends. And you guys too.
I’m from Waxman’s District and I agree with Looseheadprop that we must give him a big thumbs up in some way. Money is a nice gesture but 200 bucks would be a small donation for him and there are other ways to make our pleasure known. Perhaps something symbolic that would send a message to the Hill that we appreciate their hard work. A year ago a group asked for a 5 bucks to send one rose to Barbara Boxer. Thousands sent in 5 bucks and they flooded her office with red roses. Now sending Henry flowers may not work, but the idea of a simple gesture is a good one.
I definitly vote for Hodes, he did a great job yesterday.
Were there other Freshman on the committee other then Hodes? Add them to the list.
And I like the idea of supporting the lady you mentioned who refuses help from Rahm the inforcer. Anyone who fights the old DCCC blue dogs gets a vote from me.
Other then that I can’t offer any help. Perhaps we should look at those freshman that are vocal against the war.
HotFlash @ 36
My congresswoman. I’m so proud of her. But Republicans don’t run in this district. And Watson doesn’t have ambitions towards joining the leadership. I’m not opposed at all though
howieklein @ 34
Howie, the two are not incompatable.
While you are remaking the fabric of the Congress important work must be done in the meantime. Further, hearts and minds can be won over (or at least expediance used to convicne them to do the right thing)
I have always been goal oriented. I don’t care who gets the credit (hey, I use a screen name), Ijust want to achieve the results I’m chasing.
Right now, the result I am chasing is accountabiltiy and a return for repsect for the rule of law.
Howie, I love what you are doing, but life has to go on until you achieve your goal which is longer term.
And yes, I do believe that if we handle it right and are determined, they will engage with us. I don’t mean to suggeest it will be easy, but I am fairly confident it can indeed be done.
howieklein @ 34
I think there are some who are lost causes, and some we can work with. We do need to grow our own generation of leaders, but in the meantime it’s counterproductive not to try to engage until we replace all the current leadership just because some of them are rotten. (That said, one of the the tests for those we do want to engage with is acceptance that we will not lay off primary-ing “leaders” who are bad for the cause.)
In any case, I think an essential component of engaging has to be meeting in person. The “Crashing the Gate” delivery got a very positive response, for example.
Redshift @
20
And Paul Hodes, too.
Is there a candidate yet in the CA-41? Anyone running against Jerry Lewis (R-Heyyy, Layyydy!!) needs some startup money.
Redshift @ 41
Exactly
Redshift @ 41
I Agree too.
Oh, how about Dennis Kucinich? and then maybe
Bernie Sanders? I didn’t see anything in the story which indicated that candidates for the House of Representatives were the only ones elligible.
Finally, if there’s anyone who’s announced that he/she will run against Rahm Emanuel in the next Illinois Primary, pop a few bucks his/her direction.
Hey Topanga-lib, I’m waivin’ at ya from the Post Office Tract !
Sorry I can’t continue with this. Got to run. To much to do and not enought time to chat.
I know you will make the right decision.
Richard Morrison, he who would fight DeLay, back in the day, is trying to get Rick Noriega to run against John Cornyn for Senate next go around. If a donation to a draft X campaign would work, that seems like a good direction to throw $200.
Also, without any specific details about “what have you done for us lately,” I’ve always been a fan of the man, Luis Gutierrez, in Chicago. If anyone could speak more precisely on his behalf, I’d be glad to hear of it. He’s someone I’d love to see have a higher profile in the party, based on some evidence (from long ago) that he was a very good public official.
I’ll second the support for Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN).
Al Frankin has put his senatorial campaign out there for 2008 (D-MN) against
the schmuckColeman. Coleman is, for lack of a profession, a career politician of the smarmy variety. I’ve seen him in suits that looked straight from The Godfather movie. His responses to my letters has been lock-step to Bush- except for the few weeks up to the November elections, when he actually expressed some change in attitude. But now they’re back to Bushspeak.Al, on the other hand, is genuine and really wants to make a difference.
In MN we had PaulWellstone for our senator. The plane crash investigation was ‘inconclusive’ which- according to the FAA- defaults to pilot error. The news played down the importantce of the word ‘inconclusive’. Wellstone was uniquely talented and I think Al, who knew him, will do his best to soundly work for us.
It won’t be easy to beat Coleman. Coleman gave the impression that he was a VP hopeful for a while. Lots of Repug money. Lots of smear ads.
Thanks to you all.
Who could imagine it would be so hard to wrestle so few?
Terry Olson @ 37
Here, take the FDL Wayback Machine to last June.
Tim @ 46
HI!!! I’m waving back from up on Medley!!!
That’s an idea!
Are you working off such a tight time frame that you must give it to someone who already has their comittee account set up?
Or do you have the time to use the $ to encourge a new challenger to register that committee, set up that account and get crackin’ on the next cycle?
You could be the “first” donation to 5 new Blue America candidates.
In which case, maybe the question should be, who do we want to unseat and is their a likely candidate in that district who could use $200 worth of encouragement?
TJ @ 42
Yes… kind of. I’ve spent some time on the phone talking with Tim Prince after I did a story about him at Down With Tyranny last week. He’s on the board of Planned Parenthood and he’s good on our issues in general. I also hear there are others considering the run. Still checking him out. The DCCC seems to like him.
Hodes blew me away. Had no prior experience of him. Not my rep. Doesn’t matter. He’s got my top vote today. But I love Tim Walz (MN CD2), who is so highly regarded here that there’s buzz about trying to persuade him to run for Senate against Norm “The Chameleon’s Chameleon” Coleman. Ack, ack, ack. Walz is a grounded, grassroots guy. And he’s nice to boot. Oh. Did I mention honest and sincere?
Amike @ 45
LOL! If anyone mounts a serious primary campaign against Emanuel, they’ll get loads of donations. So far, though, there’s no one. When there is someone, count on him or her being on FDL for a chat.
howieklein @ 55
Thank you Howie! Going after DINOS like Rahm are whyI love what you are doing
Also, if blogger meetings are arranged on Capitol Hill, people are welcome to stay with us to save hotel expenses. We can sleep 4-5 guests comfortably.
John Hall ,freshman congressman who was just named to the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and Maurice Hinchey for his leadership in the Out of Iraq Caucus and in The Future of American Media Caucus, opposing media ownership consolidation and calling for the restoration of the Fairness Doctrine.
John Hall (D-NY) for ignoring Rahm and going on Colbert’s Better Know a District (Challenger) segment and appearing as a guest on his show: John and Stephen sang the national anthem together after the November Democratic victory.
:-)
McEnerney, Hodes, Charlie Brown, Yarmuth(sp?) suit me just fine. Patrick Murphy is currently on Blue America and that works for me, too.
Is there anyone in Florida? . . . *chirp*. . . *chirp*. . .
I thought not.
Hypatia
I vote for McNerney. He got that disgraceful Pombo out of Congress, but I won’t be surprised if Pombo didn’t get the message and then tries to run again in ‘08. McNerney will still need all the support he can get in the next election.
A month ago I would have said Joe Sestak, I am in his district, but I am so disappointed in his opposition last week. He did eventually vote with Pelosi, but I am nervous that he is the democrat on Meet the press this week.
we also could use a candidate to run against Idiot Gary Miller in CA-42.
he is surely King of the Weenies.
The Reps will be gunning for Senator Russ Feingold (WI), who did not win by a large margin last time out.
They also mount a stiff campaign against Tammy Baldwin (WI – 2) every two years. She really gets their collective goats!
Two hard working progressives from my former state.
O’OldCoastie @ 63
The DCCC is all over this one. He is one of their top targets right now, although that could dissipate unless a good challenger comes forward. They’re looking for someone though.
Howie, re the article that got your blood boiling – I always step back and count to ten when I see Alexander Cockburn’s name attached. He isn’t always wrong, but IMHO his bias is always hard at work. The story itself is *all* speculation based *only* on the author’s (not Cockburn’s) opinion of the people who attended. That’s risky. Tudor Jones has donated goodly sums to Audubon. I don’t know any inside story on Schumer, so maybe I’m being an apologist, but it seems to me if we see bad guys *everywhere*, what’s the point of living?
Anyhoo, Waxman is my rep and I agree that thanks but no money is the best way to go. I cast my vote for McNerney, a good guy in a knife-edge district.
I’m tremendously impressed with Keith Ellison, but he comes from a safe district and seems to have hit the ground running when he reached DC. You should have him on your good list, but his is the kind of district that should be sending help out rather than receiving it (and I’m sure it is).
If he has a primary challenger, though, then you should go to bat for him.
I want to put in a vote for Steve Cohen of Memphis: the only real progressive from Tennessee. We need to support smart decent Southerners.
As to Steve Cohen, please note that I put my own money where my mouth is when he was on a couple of weeks ago.
howieklein @
19
I’ll feed em, I been in the joint.
I have been faxing a bouquet of roses to Congresscritters when they do good things. It sends a nice message, and it keeps my (scarce) $ for the prople who need it more. One bunch of fax roses to Reps Waxman, Watson, Hodes, etc. who did good in the hearings yesterday. I send roses by Appwiz from flickr. Nice bunch.
Howie, as per usual, thanks for all your work. Until we get publicly funded national elections (and I know that isn’t easy or simple), I think we’re at a big disadvantage. My guess is that a lot of the lobbyists who fund Lieberman and Tauscher are just reaching out to the new Democrats. I think it might help if we could try to identify maybe the top five national sources (that fund Lieberman and Tauscher) and try to bring some sunlight to them and their agendas. My guess is a lot of it is Pentagon contractors and their basically illegal 501c(3)’s that serve as fronts. I freely admit, I could be totally off base here. It may not be practical given how soon the next election cycle gears up, but since you were kind enough to ask for opinions, I thought I’d throw in this.
masaccio @ 67
I want to point out that we’ve only added three candidates to Blue America so far this year: Charlie Brown, Patrick Murphy and Steve Cohen. We’re collecting contributions for each of them– as well as for the Blue America PAC (from which I’ll be writing the five $200 checks today).
I’m a newbie to your discussion — but I’d like to tell you that John Hall is worthy of support. We ousted a 12-year incumbent when we elected him with an incredible grassroots campaign. He is now, as we expected, proving to be an exceptionally good Congressman — just named to the committee on Global Warming and Alternative Energy; chair of a sub-committee on Veterans disability issues; taking a forceful stand to end the war while working for a bill that will pass. And keeping the sense of humor that allowed him to succeed on Colbert and the other night on Jay Leno. We will face a tough challenge from republicans next round (if they can muster anything!) and need all the funds in hand we can muster.
McNerny, Shea-Porter, and Larry Kissell if he gives it another try.
Agree re Steve Cohen. Anyone ignoring Rahm is good.
Charlie Brown for sure, if that meets the rules.
Jon Tester of Montana; that man will never be corruptible, and won’t play the Inside the Beltway game.
Argument for Tim Waltz was good, also.
Paul Hodes AND Henry Waxman for THIS!
Thanks, Howie!
nance shatzkin @ 73
Nance, Hall is a big favorite around here and 735 of us donated over $12,000 to his campaign last year. He’s been doing a good job and we’ll be there for John this year again. I know the Repugs are gunning for him.
Inventor @ 74
Kissell is definitely running again
John Hall is doing some good work already, I’d like to see him get a ‘good on you’ donation. If we were to look ahead to ‘08, I’d like to see Larry Kissell get some help.
Will think upon this some more, but it’s time to go try Christy’s soda bread recipe. Will return to the epu’ed thread later to read and ponder.
I second Nancy Shatzkin in post 74.
John Hall’s district is approximately 50 / 50 Dem vs. Repub. It’s an expensive NYC area media market
There could be some well financed challengers waiting in the wings.
My votes are for Jerry McNerney, Tester, John Hall, Pat Murphy, and Charlie Brown (if they meet the criteria).
Hey, Happy Saint Pat’s to all Firepups!
Will read the entire thread in a minute, but wanted to jump in here and remind Howie (and all blue patriots) that Darcy Burner has filed with the FEC that she is running again for Washington State’s eighth district against Right-tard Reichert….you remember him? The one who naively follows marching orders and has admitted it.
She is definitely one to support. I did, and do again. The eighth is my next door neighbor up here in the corner of the country, and it would be great to see Reichert out of here.
I live in Keith Ellison’s district (MN-05) and voted for him. He just got elected in the bluest district in Minnesota, and unless he really f*cks up in the next two years or the Repugs go after him for being Muslim, his seat is safe. I think you know what I’m saying. (The bruhaha over his using the Koran for his private swearing the oath of office evaporated fast.)
looseheadprop @
7
Seconded.
jcricket @ 82
We need to invite Darcy on for a full-fledged Blue America FDL session. I reached out this morning.
I just dropped a benjamin in Blue America ’08’s jar. I don’t have any suggestions today, but I’d like some help in getting my current congressman replaced by a progressive.
My congressman is Steny Hoyer.
Can you folks help me out? Finding a challenger for the primary is gonna be tough.
John Casper @ 84
thirded
Not that he needs it, except maybe as a thank you, but Adam Schiff gave away a lot of his money last year to progressive candidates in tight races. He’s a stalwart.
I think I just moved into Hilda Solis’ district, although I’m not sure. I’ll have to call her office to find out.
howieklein @ 88
fourthed?
OK, I’m gonna chase down Denison in MI-10, I will get back to you on him. He told me he talked with Howard D and got nada — but maybe he thought was too big a reach. So many districts, so little $. And Miller is *huge* in Michigan.
Meanwile, is Christine Cegelis running for anything? I know she’d have to move (slightly) to be in IL-05. I’d *so* love to see that.
Second Susinmpls’s suggestion, a small donation to Al Franken’s campaign — which is up and running with website with interesting flikkers slide shows from Al’s first tour of the state since the announcement, meeting with rooms full of people, many with bits and pieces of old Wellstonian memoribilia. Remember, Franken is not running in a primary — it is a caucus convention system, thus very limited need for advertising money but lots of need for volunteers who can organize for caucus. Assuming he gets the endorsement, then he will need lots of money for a 6 month race against Coleman. So send him a little now, and tell him Blue America might help more later. But please look at his slide-shows. It is an astounding turn out a year before caucus.
I believe you can donate left-over campaign funds to non-profits in addition to candidates, so I’d suggest a small donation to Wellstone Action. This is the group that does the “Camp Wellstone” program all around the country, training candidates and campaign staff. Molly Ivins was on the board, so maybe make it a memorial donation in her name.
howieklein @ 65
I’m thinking he may go to jail soon – a possibility we should be prepared for… how about Steve Young moves into the district?
poopyman @ 86
Thanks for sending the Benjamin! I wish someone would step forward and challenge Hoyer but I don’t see it happening. He’s entrenched and powerful and loaded and most people would see it as futile. I sent him a little bouquet after his golfing-with-K-Street trip came to light. I think his staff reads our blogs because when I asked if he would come on FDL for a chat with the community, one asked me if people would call him a “shill” and a “hack.” I assured them that Jane would hire extra site monitors but they never took me up on the invitation.
Mommybrain @ 88
Schiff’s a big Blue Dog, a huge war supporter and a Rahm Emanuel puppet. Other than that…
Hilda on the other hand– they don’t come much better than her.
jcricket @ 83
Bingo. Darcy. And if Diane Benson will be running upcoming, super.
OK, for freshmen. Has anybody said Jim Webb? He’s impressed a lot of people (I’d like a little more progressive, but hey, he is a recovering Republican).
jcricket @ 83
Here’s to Darcy (looking forward to voting for her again!) and here’s to Rep. Hodes! Please show him the FDL love (and that $200 check). He rocks.
-S
Howie,
Yo da man on this. I have looked at people’s websites and you’d think they are all JFK, Mahatma Ghandi and Jack Bauer all rolled into one. I know I said I’d do a tabulation of the Blue America candidates won/lost and I haven’t even done that. Let alone kept track of their voting records. FDL give us great response time and excellent fast-twitch, but I think we need some long-term or motor memory to round things out.
Long/short: I trust your judgement over mine, you know more.
There are times when one feels let down. And you realize this isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last time you may perhaps feel this way. Sure as the Sun comes up. But you move on. It is the “invisible” people”, for whom I will fight. The good fight. The best fight perhaps.
The sick, the hungry, those discriminated against, the old, the weak, the children, the women, the helpless, and the meek. These are those most subjected and suseptible to the greedy, the corrupt, the powerful and the tyrannical. These are the ‘invisibles’, here and over seas. I just hope against hope, we never lose sight of this.
Please don’t lose the grand view of what’s important. That is, we fight for those truly needing a hand-up. And for justice. Well… that’s my two pennies worth.
Funny that we all agreed to behave for Steny’s FDL appearance, and then he never showed up. Was that a “can you control your people?” moment or what?
Walz, Hall, McNerney, Hodes, Yarmuth, and Cohen. Please!
Howie,I nominate Nancy Boyda (Kansas 2nd) and, yes, she does happen to be my representative. After losing the 2004 race by 15 percentage points, she came back in 2006 and defeated Jim Ryun, a six-term incumbent and Bush lapdog. Boyda is off to a good start in representing her district. She sponsored a bill to take Congressional pensions away from members convicted of corruption, which passed by a wide margin. She no doubt faces tough opposition in 2008; as you know, the Republicans are targeting this race. Blue America can help her along with a $200 donation today. Thank you for your consideration.
WRT lhp and Howie dialogue.
lhp, I think you are right, practical is what we can do.
Howie, I think you are right, right action is the only permissible action.
And if you can’t do both, swing it the best you can.
HotFlash @ 96
I’m very happy to be represented by Webb, and he would be a fine recipient. (Legislation prohibiting military operations against Iran, yeah!) However, I have to say, I think there are other people who need it more. Webb’s a star, and he’s got six years to build up his cred in a trending-blue state.
howieklein @
34
Sorry guys but I haven’t a doubt Barbara Boxer’s problem is Barbara Boxer and after her choice to be Lieberman’s champion in CT it pains me to think we should forgive and forget her arrogant disregard of her staff and constituents to not reward Lieberman for his treachery.
HotFlash @ 102
I think we can do both. And should do both, And do a lotta other stuff too.
howieklein @ 94
Sigh. Yep. Running against Hoyer is a political career-killer. It doesn’t look like there’s anyone in the district inclined towards tilting at windmills, either.
neurophius @ 100
I have some mixed feelings about her. I LOVE that she’s pure grassroots and has asked the DCCC to stay out of her re-election campaign. The stuff you site is the good stuff and the kind of stuff that would make me vote for her if I lived in Kansas (even beyond the fact that far right extremist nutcase Jim Ryun is running against her again). On the other hand, her appearance on ABC-TV (Charles Gibson’s show) was scary in a rubber stamp kind of “let’s support the commander-in-chief” way.
I’d love to send some $$ to Zack Space, OH-18.
It’s going to take more than a couple of terms in office to help my area. We’re crumbling under job losses, housing foreclosures, etc.
In no way shape or form am I advocating “forgive and forget”
That is for doormats and I am sick of Dem voters being treated like doormats by RepsAND by our own party.
That is not what I am suggetsing at all. All I am saying is you need a carrot to go with the stick.
All stick and the cur turns on you and tries to kill you. Al l carrot and you are a doormat.
A little of both and you can often get some decent cooperation and GET SOMETHING DONE
Gotta go to my Mom’s (we call her St. Irene–she really is a living saint) for some corned beef.
Catch you all in couple hours.
Slante
OT FYI Six Nations Rugby, Ireland 51 Italy 24
howieklein @ 4
YES!
looseheadprop @ 109
Exactly.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/17/84445/5923 I wrote this diary at Kos today to explain why the net roots needs to keep John Hall NY19 in their minds come 2008 and donate to him to keep a Congressman that is putting his actions in motion to actually help veterans and get their problems with the VA straightened out, he supports veterans with more than a magnetic ribbon on his car, and to me a disabled vet that means everything. Read the diary to understand why this man deserves out support thank you
Jane Hamsher @
14
I’m already feeding one poodle. Might as well add a few more. Hodes, Tester, and what about Conrad Burns? Also, whoever runs for Grassley’s seat in Iowa, or are we limiting it to the House? How come nobody has mentioned Chris Van Hollen?
Howie,
My vote is for anybody you know who can get Darrell Issa off my television.
OK, my read so far from this conversation is that Hodes, Hall and McNerney are getting checks from us today. That leaves two more slots.
howieklein @ 117
Walz!
howieklein @ 107
I agree that the ABC appearance didn’t make her look good, but she said she was misunderstood and it may have just been freshman jutters. I have talked to her about the war and heard her speak to groups since then and I think she is on the right track. There are members and candidates elsewhere who are more progressive on some issues, but she is a great fit for her district.
Well, that was easy. ActBlue takes debit cards. C’mon, gang…ante up.
Dover Bitch @ 116
LOL! I hear that. Seconded.
I’ve long been an admirer of Hinchey, too.
Come on, gang: Carol Shea Porter!!
Kissell! He came very very close this time, and should win next time.
Pach, I’ll second Carol Shea Porter be added to the list in one of the two remaining slots.
Blue Dido @ 123
Larry Kissell was one of our most popular Blue America candidates last year. 667 of us donated almost $11,000 to his campaign. I expect to have have him back on for a full-fledged chat again too. I’m hoping the DCCC gets behind him early this time– although I have heard rumblings that a less progressive, more Establishment-oriented hack may challenge him in the primary. Just rumors.
O’OldCoastie @
93
O’OldCoastie @
93
This is my first FDL post (Love all y’all!!)
Steve Young is a GREAT candidate. I live in CA-42 and the repugs are nearly impossible to beat here. Ick. If you can get Steve to move to 48 he might have a chance. He just lost to Campbell who is nothing but a right wing tool without an individual thought in his head. Take Steve and run…save yourselves!!!
help me find a candidate to run against Bush’s poodle Joe Wilson in SC02 that man is dumber than a box of rocks and to think he’s a retired Army Lt Colonel that is scary
Suzanne @ 125
I’ll third! She’s awesome. I’d be a lot happier if all of our congresspersons were people who’ve been kicked out of a Bush event for wearing the wrong t-shirt.
I’ve got 7 contenders for the remaining 2 slots:
Should I draw lots? Am I missing anyone? Does anyone want to suggest something else? I have to leave for a meeting in 10 minutes.
Massa?
Kissell or Charlie Brown
ruffian @ 130
Massa contacted me this week and said he wants to come back on for another chat. I said we want him back.
Howie @ 126: I’d hate to see a Rahm-clone challenge Kissell in the primary, but if that happens, I’m prepared to support Kissell any way I can. Thanks for the heads-up.
One more thing, when I interview candidates for Blue America, I ask them about public financing, women’s right to choice, anti-gay bigotry, and Bush’s war against Iraq. Should I start asking candidates if they’re willing to promise to not join the Blue Dogs?
Thanks Howie-I am grateful for all that you do…
There are lots of good choices above for recipients #2 through 5, but I think that you really have to include Jerry McNerney. This was our biggest pickup in November. The Cons have been targeting him with smear mass mailings since the week after the election. The damage to progressive causes trading him back for Pombo or a similar SoCal dinosaur would be awful!
howieklein @ 135
Yes, no blue puppies!
howieklein @ 135
Yes, please.
I vote Carol Shea-Porter and McNerny with the last two slots.
howieklein @ 135
Yes, there’s nothing more disappointing than supporting a winning candidate who joins up the minute she arrives in DeeCee (looking at you, KIRSTEN!!)
Arf arfHowie, thanks for letting FDL readers provide input on the $200 picks.
Totally OT, but does anyone know where one can find printable NCAA brackets?
emptywheel @ 140
I vote emptywheel for *dreamiest* poster in today’s Blue America thread!
and also a shout-out for McNerny.
howieklein @ 135
YES!!!!!!!!! Jeez, you’d think one would not have to ask but apparently one does. So yes, please do. “Ah, take the money and run…”
Keep those votes for Blue America candidates coming, but if you’re dealing with snow today, Brendan’s got a new thread upstairs.
OK, here’s the list of today’s check winners:
I’ll invite Darcy Burner and Paul Hodes for chats. I already invited Yarmouth and Shea-Porter
Give it to any freshman with the courage to go on Colbert.
Hilda is great! We need more like her!! She was the first woman to win the JFK Profile in Courage Award-well deserved.
Joe Katz @ 147
She’s come on to talk with us soon.
Probably too late, but anyway…..Carol Shea Porter and Nancy Boyda. My other choices you already wrote a check to.
I’ll throw my 2 cents in for Christopher Murphy (CT-5th), not just because he’s already held many well-received townhall meetings where he actually LISTENS to his constituents, but because he unseated a 26 year veteran, Nancy Johnson… a Bush crony and rubber stamper and a good friend to Joe Lieberman— against all odds. He’ll be headlining our Jefferson Jackson dinner on April 1st; I like the way he’s stepped up to the plate right out of the gate. And, oh yeh, he’s against the war.
newspaperbrat @
104
I will *NEVER* forgive that bitch. I’d happily donate to any progressive running against, I’d donate my band’s services for fund-raisers (we’ve already agreed on this) and I’d phone-bank for any progressive running against Boxer.
Anyone who thinks Boxer is anti-war has only to look at her Lieberman stance to learn the truth. She is in favor of the war.
“Dave Loebsack and Bruce Braley (both progressive freshmen from Iowa)”
IOWA!
Boyda (let me impress on everyone how important this hinge-seat in Congress is, and what it represents in terme of the basic sea change that occurred in this race.)
neurophius @
142
If you’re still here, please click on this:
Printable NCAA brackets
Loebsack
Ellison
Braley
Porter
Boyda
How about anyone who would go up against those two young dangerous down the road repugs
Patrick Henry NOT(R-NC) and Howdy Doody (R-FL)
How about Christine Jennings from FL-13? She is keeping at least a little attention on the un-auditable paperless electronic voting machines.
OT: see NCAA Sports for printable brackets.
Yarmuth (who did have the nerve to go on Colbert) and is what KY really needs (as a Kentuckian)
Porter
Pelosi & Murtha, to show we love them on Iraq
Waxman, to show we appreciate the oversight
Jerry McNerney!
Thanks…
TeddySanFran @
11
Second the Tim Walz. He also held listening sessions across his district for farmers and met with the Land Stewardship Project about the 2007 Farm Bill, and set up a mobile constituent service office to take staff to the remote corners of his 300-mile wide district.
Just this last Sunday, he was up in Minneapolis for a town hall meeting for Darfur, and stoodup to an audience member who was trying to bully Keith Ellison about his faith.
It’s not usual for Bluestem Prairies to get emails from readers of “Walz spottings” –they turn out to be Walz going out to meet with constituents in their workplaces, etc., to talk over problems he might help with. BSP doesn’t report on these, to protect the private citizens.
Walz speaks out on the war, on illegal anti-union firings, etc., in a district where some would think he’d toe a safe line.
He has three GOP candidates lined up to challenge him and the MN GOP thinks it owns this district. TJW will put any help to good use.
here’s another very
solid vote for the funding
of rep. henry waxman.
his video feed now appears
on my blog — a blog that seeks
the resignation or indictment
of the vice president, dick cheney.
Yarmouth and Hodes are both freshman who did right well yesterday. Shea-Porter is also a good choice.
Yes on McNerny, John Hall, Charlie Brown, Hodes.
Barbara Lee deserves our gratitude and respect in perpetuity, but she’s in a safe district, so maybe show her the respect in a different way.
howieklein @ 107
Just read the transcript and watched the video of Boyda on Gibson.
Here’s a quote:
“Gibson: But the polls would indicate, and indeed, so many voters when they came out of the ballot box, said, “We’re voting because we want something done about the war and we want the troops home.”
Boyda: They should have thought about that before they voted for President Bush not once, but twice.”
Before that, she said Bush is the commander in chief and Congress has no control.
Scarey is an understatement. Whose beat is she marching to?
I would give a big vote for supporting Feingold.
Thanks
Jerry McNerney, without a doubt. My choice for all five donations :-)
Jerry is a scientist/engineer and wind energy expert, as well as the guy who knocked off the worst anti-environment repub in congress, former chair of the house resources committee Richard Pombo. We need him to stay in congress for a long time, and the repubs are already after his hide.
Just watched all 4 hours of the Plame hearings, and Diane Watson seemed awesome. Even Henry Waxman was terrific. I live in SE Pennsylvania, so don’t worry that I’ll suggest anyone local: they are all, shall we say, Arlenesque.
Another vote for Darcy Burner, she came close this last time with poor advice from DC Dem consultants. This time she’ll know better, and win!
barbara lee d/cal for being a principled rep….
I have to echo the support already expressed for John Yarmuth (D-KY). He is doing a fine job on many fronts, a real breath of fresh air, after 10 years of Anne Northup!
oh and john murtha for taking on the iraqi war hawks…. and being vilified by wingers tho he was a defense hawk for years..
My list includes: Trauner, Hodes, Burner, McNerney, Yarmuth, Webb &
McCaskill, Ryan, Meek(s)
I have not been impressed with the Blue Dogs and was surprised that Patrick Murphy is supporting weakening the Dems position of having troops trained and equipped before going to Iraq per Murtha. Blue Dogs wants the pres to certify that all is well and troops can go. Who believes the pres would ever tell the truth if he wanted to do something? NOT anyone I talk to.
Just curious.
You’ve been receiving threatening letters from the FEC (part of the Bush/Gonzales executive branch) and have had to lawyer-up accordingly, but I just wonder how many Republican blogs have received threatening letters from the FEC for essentially doing the same thing you’ve been doing?
In other words, after learning in Gonzalesgate or USAttorneygate that Gonzales’ Justice Department lawyers have been ?ordered? to go after Democrats while leaving Republicans largely untouched (if the U.S. Attorneys value keeping their jobs), I can only presume that liberal, progressive blogs like firedoglake have also been targeted in an attempt to force you to lawyer-up and waste a whole lot of money defending yourself from manufactured, spurious charges.
Where Republicans are concerned, it’s all about money, with their goal being that they make more money while others make or have less. And what better way to go after Democratic money than to tie-up Democrats in litigation, forcing Democrats into spending huge amounts of money to defend themselves, often from one charge after another that lacks merit.
But, you see, that is the evil beauty of what the Republicans (like Gonzales) have been doing. Charging someone with a crime is easy, especially if one has some compliant U.S. Attorneys doing one’s bidding. Voter fraud? Election fraud? Payback for Watergate, Iran-Contragate, and now Plamegate, in which obviously guilty Republicans had to lawyer-up and spend a whole hell of a lot of money on their legal defense?
I smell a rat, a Republican rat, a dirty Republican rat…as James Cagney might say.