Welcome back to Firedoglake, Donna!

Donna, welcome back to FDL. I’m sure you know you’re always welcome here. To many of us you’re the embodiment of all the best reasons we got involved with electoral politics. I know you’re on the Hill today and don’t have a lot of time so let me get right down to a question. I hear you’ve been spending a great deal of time and effort trying to get the Employee Free Choice Act passed. Can you tell us why you think this is so important and let us know what kind of opposition you’re encountering from within the Democratic caucus?

Hi Donna, welcome to FDL

Hello FDL. It’s great to be back among allies. It’s been non-stop since the FDL community helped me get to Congress. And, with the new President, new Congress, and old problems, we have a lot a work ahead of us.

I know everyone’s been focused on all the economic legislation, but I’ve also joined with a tremendous progressive, Rep. George Miller (D-CA) to begin the march for the Employee Free Choice Act. Even in these tough economic times, perhaps especially in these times, it’s important to stand up for workers’ rights to choose a union, to bargain for good wages, good benefits and safe working conditions.

As you can imagine, the opposition — the Chamber of Commerce, manufacturers, business interests are loaded for bear — fight with an aggressive media campaign to kill this important legislative initiative.

Welcome back REPRESENTATIVE Edwards. [dang but it’s good to ’say’ that]

Hi Donna, Marcy Wheeler and our fine legal minds here have been talking about the statute of limitations running out on Bush’s illegal wiretapping – one of many links about this.

Prosecuting Bush and his Cabal for War Crimes is a very big priority in the progressive community. How are the Dems going to get donations from their base if they thumb their noses at our dearest issues ?

I know everyone has seen all the ads — slick, aggressive and a pack of untruths. The opposition claims that somehow workers won’t be able to choose a secret ballot — as though somehow a secret ballot with your employer standing over your shoulder makes the election legitimate. The Employee Free Choice Act is about workers choosing how they want to organize, either by signing up or casting a ballot — either way, it would be the workers’ choice and not the boss’.

We’re following the Employee Free Choice debate closely. We know its a key part in rebuilding the middle class after years and years of Republican economic devastation. But I’m wondering about Democrats who seem to be flirting with the Chamber of Commerce and other right wing front groups. Have you run into any opposition from Democrats on this?

I hear you. This, of course, is about politics. The President has made it pretty clear that he doesn’t want to go in this direction and that’s true for many in the Democratic Caucus. Short of more pressure coming from constituents in all districts, it’s hard to see how we get to the kind of accountability that you want and that those who may have broken the law deserve.

Rep. Edwards – you and Rep. Ellison took to the floor this week to express your support for the bill, which was great – thank you for doing that.

I want to ask you about something Rep. Ellison asked Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis – Rep. Ellison asked Lewis if it was appropriate to work against the Employee Free Choice Act while Bank of America received TARP funds. Lewis replied that if Bank of America saw opposing any bill to be in their best interest they should do what they can to oppose it.

Do you think that banks with TARP funds should be allowed to work against the Employee Free Choice Act? What can be done to stop Bank of America and other banks from fighting change with taxpayers’ money?

Any thoughts on DC Voting Rights? Frankly, a lot of us are pretty discoureged at the lack of progress. The fact is that a lot of Congresspeople are scared of the NRA but no one is scared that DC citizens pay taxes, die in wars but can’t vote in Congress. If I was Eleanor Holmes Norton I’d be personally insulted.

I think the real challenge here is on the Senate side and then work on shoring up Democrats on the House side. This is why I spent an hour on the House Floor on Thursday with my colleague Keith Ellison (D-MN) trying to bust some of the myths that the opposition has been spreading. We really need the Netroots out there blogging on the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act as a necessary component to rebuilding and strengthening the middle class.

Did you see that even the Wall Street Journal said the Employee Free Choice Act doesn’t remove the secret ballot?

“The bill doesn’t remove the secret-ballot option from the National Labor Relations Act,” wrote the WSJ.

When even the WSJ knows you’re wrong….

I think that financial institutions that receive TARP funds need to get back to the banking and lending business and let Congress figure out how to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. These institutions should not be spending taxpayer money lobbying — they’ve already caused enough grief and they’re costing our children their future!

Congresswoman, welcome back to FDL, and yes — you are among friends and allies here. We are all so proud of you. Thanks for all your efforts to get EFCA passed for working families.

The real fight will be in the Senate. I was very discouraged to see that our Democratic delegation from California is no longer unanimously co-sponsoring EFCA, as our senior Senator has decided that her mad negotiating skills would be best applied to some kind of Starbucks/CostCo compromise with Big Retail.

Any suggestions about how to get newly wavering Democratic Senators back on the EFCA train? It’s almost as if now we have a Democratic President who will actually sign the thing into law, the backsliding has begun among Chamber-of-Commerce-friendly Senate Democrats.

Thanks again for stopping by today, and continue to make us proud, please.

Rep. Edwards
What has been the response among your colleagues to the “third-way” that the CEOs of Starbucks, CostCo, and Whole Foods were promoting last week? (And of course, I’m sure you noticed that one of the Blue Dog senators pronounced it a great alternative)

Welcome!

Jim Webb is talking about criminal justice reform in the Senate. Any chance of progressive representatives doing the same in the House?

While not as urgent as health care reform and other economic issues it really would be great to see leadership emerge on this issue in the House.

It’s not a third way, it’s the same old way.

I’m sorry but this in unacceptable. This is not about politics, it is about upholding your Oath to the Constitution.

If those in charge of enforcing rules and laws fail to do so, they have betrayed their oath and their country.

This is how the financial mess came about … those who were supposed to oversee and enforce failed to do so.

I hope that you, Obama and the Dems will understand that enforcing laws and punishing lawbreakers does not depend on the right political climate.

Few things have angered me so much over the last months as what’s happening on DC voting rights. It is shameful that some in Congress are being held hostage by the NRA. Last week the AFL-CIO released a letter to Congress encouraging us to vote for a “clean” DC Voting Rights bill — that means, no guns, no way. The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, with organizational members in every state indicated that they will be looking at a clean rule and a clean bill for DC. This means that Republicans and Democrats alike can make a choice — Stand with the NRA or Stand with Labor and Civil Rights — for me, it’s the latter. This 600,000 people who live in the DC deserve representation and we won’t let the NRA take that away.

Howie, I owe you an apology and an explanation — some other time.
Meanwhile, it’s been almost… 2 years (…wow! time flies!) since I’ve been at the ActBlue threads.

Good to be back.

Just getting Bruce Braley elected and watching him in a House hearing was worth all the meagre pennies that I put in the ActBlue till back a couple years ago. Considering who he replaced just made it sweeter.
And although McNerney isn’t perfect, he’s also not Pombo.

Last week, Shuster reported at MSNBC on the amounts of money that House members who were harranging bank CEOs had received from those very institutions. It’s nice to see the MSM catch on a bit…

Matt Taibbi’s “The Big Takeover” reported that banking, finance, and financial services spent $350 million in the years leading up to Sen-Enron Phil Gramm’s gutting of Glass-Steagall. Surprise, surprise…

Off to hit the ActBlue PayPal after a very long hiatus.
Kind regards!

And Donna, thanks for your efforts (!)

Donna, I’m wondering if you ever encountered any resentment from any other members of Congress because you beat a colleague of theirs in a primary. Also, in his new position, has Wynn ever tried to lobby you?

I agree but it also shows how they are grasping at whatever framing they can find to try to pretend they’re “actually, really really really, wanting to help workers out but they just can’t have something that workers actually want.”

We have problems on the Senate side on a lot of things. It’s time to call the bluff on the filibuster so we can pass important legislation with the majority we have. As long as we are held by the grips of fewer than a handful of quixotic Senators, it will be even tougher to get measures out of the House.

welcome back, RoTL! And thanks. I hope others will hit the Blue America page today too.

Please Digg this great chat right here!

I know it’s about the Constitution — I meant that the barrier that’s getting in the way is about politics. How do you think we can move forward with accountability given the posture of the President and Congressional leadership on this issue?

No comment — use your imagination.

What do you think of the current strategy for EFCA in the House, which seems to be to wait until Harry Reid gets it passed in the Senate before taking a vote on the House side? Wouldn’t more real pressure exist if the House had taken an overwhelming YES vote?

Nothing is much harder to understand from the outside than how Congress works, especially in its inter-cameral negotiations!

LOL! I don’t have to use my imagination. Jane and I were in a restaurant in DC and we ran into Rahm Emanuel– when he was still in Congress– and congratulated him on losing an aisle-crosser like Wynn and getting someone dedicated to progressive ideals instead. It looked like he was going to either pop an artery in his neck or punch me out. Jane calmed him down by snapping a picture of him with her cell phone.

We need to keep agitating at the grassroots to move the leadership. The outrage and “torches and pitchforks” we saw over AIG needs to be expressed about accountability.

You could lead by introducing resolutions that Congressional leadership doesn’t approve of that call for accountability – Truth Commissions that have a mandate to prosecute if they find crimes.

I know that Webb has some ideas about a commission to look at reforms. I think we’ve had a lot of research over the years that tell us without question that the system is deeply flawed and dysfunctional. I was just visiting a juvenile facility in my district — it’s a factory, cycling young people in and out until they’re fully prepared for the adult correctional system. We don’t offer nearly enough job training and services in vulnerable communities to break this cycle of violence and incarceration. In facilities we continue to close off opportunities for education and transition to civil society. So, I think that Sen. Webb is onto something, but I’d like a commission that operates like the base closing commission, binding the Congress to the recommendations — otherwise it may be just another report for the bookshelves.

If I could get close to the President like you do from time to time, I would say that, just as he is not President of Red States or Blue States but the United States … in the same way, he has to enforce the entire Constitution and not cherry pick the parts that are politically expedient, like his predecessor did.

I appreciate the tough task that he and all of you are facing but War Crimes have to be prosecuted or the next President will be even worse than Bush43.

Very kind of you, Howie. Hope you are well and it’s such a thrill to be able to come and see the energy of FDLers, and see Donna helping change such a corrupt system ‘from the inside out’.

I think that I hear the quiet sound of grass growing up through concrete ;-))

I think this is the reason that some of us have decided that we need a drumbeat, a chorus in every state, in every district. I will be taking to the floor regularly with my colleagues to make the case for EFCA — I need the FDL community to take this one on in a big way to raise the chorus. Senate Dems need to be held to account.

Has anyone come up with a campaign finance bill in the House that you like? One that would end corruption and bribery as an integral part of the electoral process? Looking at the AIG mess and this whole bankster catastrophe– and the $2.2 billion (not counting much more in lobbying) they’ve dumped into Congress to get deregulation legislation passed– it just looks like we’ll never be free of special interests-directed government until we get the big bucks out of electoral politics.

Good idea.

Tell me about reports for the bookshelves … Shafer Commission anyone? 9/11 Commission more recently, although Shafer impinges on criminal justice and was and still is ignored.

Hey, in case you didn’t get my thanks for that terrific WIRED article on Navier-Stokes equations, thank you!!!

Donna and Howie, wmd1961 seems to actually understand the kind of complex math used in those derivative formulas that underlie the economic meltdown. For your bookmarks: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/i…..3/wp_quant

Speaking of the Senate, it was quite discouraging to read the Majority Leader’s characterization of EFCA today in a conversation about flipping Arlen Specter:

Said Reid: “Yes, I’ve talked to him. But I think he — in coming out against card check — kind of stopped everyone from being able to help him.”

It’s bad enough fighting the opposition’s name for EFCA in the media, but when Harry Reid uses “card check” I just want to throw up my hands. Can you ask Nancy Pelosi to talk to him about what Democrats actually call the bill — “majority sign up?”

This is just another gimmick by the opposition to try to dilute the argument. One lesson I’ve learned is that we have the upper hand here — a better argument, the truth, and the right thing for workers and our economy. Now is not the time to roll over for a premature compromise — It’s the time to roll up our sleeves and fight for this one for workers! My experience tells me that the opposition offers up a compromise when they know they are losing.

Shucks. I also ride motorcycles and its a beautiful day for a ride… I’m going to just leave on a high note.

Thanks for being here Donna. Say hi to my CA congresswoman Anna Eshoo for me, I’ve been writing her about accountability and rule of law for a while now.

Michael, just a question — are unions giving this info to their members?
Because if I banked with BoA, I’d switch banks.
Those union members (which include teachers, cops, public employees, SEIU, etc) don’t have to keep feeding the hands that screw them.

I still have to check it out but I believe a Clean Elections bill was offered last week — more on this later. I have to tell you, this system is distasteful and it doesn’t stop. I raise all my campaign funds from individuals and labor unions and not corporate PACS — there is a level of independence from the industry interests, but it’s tough to do. I think we need to get all of the private money out of the system — we wouldn’t even be having a conversation about letting up on regulations for financial institutions, the failure to have included a bankruptcy provision in the 2005 bill, the argument about nuclear and clean coal as a solution to global warming and so many other issues that are contorted because of the influence of money in the system. Look, I believe that most of my colleagues are good people, with values and good intentions, but this system interferes with sound policy.

Amen – another great idea for a grassroots campaign.

Welcome back Donna, Do you have a lot of private businesses involved in the juvenile justice system in your district?

Also wondering what your current thoughts might be on health care legislation. What bills have momentum and which would you prefer we support in order to obtain the best possible results in this congress?

One other question.. Will the Progressive caucus stand together and hold the blue dogs feet to the fire at some point. That gang of 50 ish needs a wake up call! You all are the majority caucus after all.

signed,

Your biggest Arkansas fan.

Sitting here with a double compound fracture and no insurance in ES, AR

I was just visiting a juvenile facility in my district — it’s a factory, cycling young people in and out until they’re fully prepared for the adult correctional system. We don’t offer nearly enough job training and services in vulnerable communities to break this cycle of violence and incarceration.

Well, the time seems to be ripe for some new looks at this whole issue.

Here is one resource for your staff, and I sincerely hope that if such a commission is created, it will ask neurological researchers what light they can shed on workable programs. http://www.seedsofcompassion.org/default.asp

In addition, kids who are not academically successful, particularly if they have reading problems, are at greater risk. So if this is ‘brain centered’, along with more focus on ‘attachment’ and also early brain development, those areas are beginning to offer some real promise IMHO.

EurekaSpringer, I won’t presume to answer the questions you asked Donna. But I called Darcy Burner a couple days ago on behalf of a progressive organization looking for a ceo. She was driving across country to start a new job in DC and if I understood her correctly, it sounds like she’ll be working for the Progressive Caucus. If that’s the case… what a difference it will be!

Indeed — there are a lot of private interests in both the juvenile and adult systems. In fact, the more money we put into those institutions and systems for criminalization, the more cottage industries we produce. Just imagine what would happen if we had responsive social systems before a kid gets into trouble, or stronger transition services at the end of incarceration — this would be a different world. The profit motive is at every point in the criminal justice system.

On health care — I’m an original cosponsor of H.R.676 (Rep. Conyers) — I think we must have a marker for a public plan option however this debate shakes out in the end — otherwise we never will address cost and we’ll never get to single-payer. Now as you can only guess, the insurers, and for-profit hospitals and all the industry are marching the halls of Congress to keep the basic system that’s in place. So, in these coming weeks after we settle the budget next week, we need an all out push for H.R. 676 so that a progressive voice will be in the mix when the final bill is crafted. We need more co-sponsors on H.R. 676 — so get to work!

That’s wonderful news!

Here’s a list of the current co-sponsors. If anyone has a congressmember not on it, that’d be a good call.

We need more co-sponsors on H.R. 676 — so get to work!

Yes ma’am. Thank you.

rOTV,
Isn’t Bruce Braley from my district a great replacement for Jim “Budget Director” Nussle? Yea!

Wow! That is fabulous good news.

Well, I first learned about him in the 2006 election here at ActBlue, and he really does your region proud.

Sorry, I found an updated list of co-sponsors:

Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] – 2/11/2009
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] – 1/26/2009
Rep Becerra, Xavier [CA-31] – 3/17/2009
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] – 1/26/2009
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] – 2/23/2009
Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] – 2/11/2009
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] – 3/3/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] – 2/23/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] – 1/26/2009
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] – 1/26/2009
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] – 2/23/2009
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] – 1/26/2009
Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] – 2/3/2009
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] – 2/23/2009
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] – 1/26/2009
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] – 1/26/2009
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] – 1/26/2009
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] – 1/26/2009
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] – 1/26/2009
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] – 1/26/2009
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] – 1/26/2009
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] – 2/11/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] – 2/11/2009
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] – 1/28/2009
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] – 2/23/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] – 1/26/2009
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] – 1/26/2009
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] – 2/23/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] – 1/26/2009
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] – 2/23/2009
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] – 2/11/2009
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] – 3/5/2009
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] – 1/26/2009
Rep Johnson, Henry C. “Hank,” Jr. [GA-4] – 2/3/2009
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] – 1/26/2009
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] – 2/23/2009
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] – 2/23/2009
Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] – 1/26/2009
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] – 1/26/2009
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] – 1/26/2009
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] – 3/17/2009
Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] – 3/24/2009
Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [NM-3] – 3/24/2009
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] – 2/23/2009
Rep Massa, Eric J. J. [NY-29] – 1/26/2009
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] – 1/26/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] – 3/3/2009
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] – 3/24/2009
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6] – 1/26/2009
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] – 3/19/2009
Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] – 2/11/2009
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] – 1/26/2009
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] – 1/26/2009
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] – 1/26/2009
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] – 3/19/2009
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] – 3/3/2009
Rep Pingree, Chellie [ME-1] – 1/26/2009
Rep Polis, Jared [CO-2] – 1/28/2009
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] – 2/23/2009
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] – 3/5/2009
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] – 2/23/2009
Rep Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [VA-3] – 2/23/2009
Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2] – 2/23/2009
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] – 1/28/2009
Rep Tonko, Paul D. [NY-21] – 1/26/2009
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] – 2/23/2009
Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] – 3/19/2009
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] – 1/26/2009
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] – 2/23/2009
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] – 2/11/2009
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] – 1/26/2009
Rep Yarmuth, John A. [KY-3] – 2/23/2009

Well, FDL, it look like it’s time for me to sign off. Howie, please stay in touch so we can chat regularly. I think it’s important to be more organized as progressives — the times call for that. It’s a challenging political environment and the pathways are not always straight. But we know the importance of truth, justice, and fairness. I’m a strong supporter of President Obama, and I believe that his success as President is directly linked to the ability of progressives in Congress to stand for change. That means that we may not always agree with the President or with our fellow Democrats in Congress. There is an important role that you (the grassroots, the Netroots, the FDL community) play on the outside pushing all of us to be better Democrats for the American people. I’m counting on you to help me out on this front. So, ring the bell for Employee Free Choice, for meaningful health care reform, for getting money out of politics, and for accountability.

Going out on a limb here, but what steps have you taken to groom an in-district successor should Barbara Mikulski decide to retire?

Donna,
As you know we love you here. We wish there were at least 225 of you in the House and 60 in the Senate. But we know that isn’t likely to happen.

It has been mentioned here and other places that the ONLY caucus that the Pres. has not had a private meeting with is the Progressives. He’s had sit downs, cocktail parties, etc. with the Repubs., the New Dems, the Blue Dogs, but nothing with you. The Blue Dogs are happy throwing their weight around and gumming up the works and they have fewer votes than the Progressives do. Is there a plan among you to start using the clout you have and standing up to the mushy middle—stand on principle—for things like the cram down and banking regulations? The wars? etc.

As for earlier comments about bringing the war criminals to justice, you can’t just say kumbaya and move on. The laws of our country and the treaties we have signed obligate bringing those people to justice. How can you just let it pass?

I like the way you think, Teddy!

off to e-mail Sestak to find out why he’s not on it. No excuses!

I managed a large USDOJ grant in the late ninetees and earlier this decade on the Rosebud Reservation in SD. The purpose was to develop means of dealing with juveniles in trouble. Working with Tribal elders and numerous professionals we developed some incredible ways of dealing with troubled youth.

In fact, the more money we put into those institutions and systems for criminalization, the more cottage industries we produce. Just imagine what would happen if we had responsive social systems before a kid gets into trouble, or stronger transition services at the end of incarceration — this would be a different world.

Indeed.
With the ability to watch brain development on brain scans, it does appear that there are some new insights being developed about the critical importance of early childhood support for kids, as well as families.

Which is actually related to the union and labor issues, so that parents can provide stable support for their kids. And is also actually related to health care on several levels.

Brain scans don’t show everything, nor can they read people’s minds (yet).
But they do provide solid evidence of how trauma and ‘lack of nurturing’ prevents brains from developing property. If you can get to that level of activity, many other problems evaporate.

Then those ‘for profit’ outfits you mention still have plenty of work doing other things — there’s definitely a growth industry in elder care, for instance.

Thanks again, Howie!

Is that an old list? Tom Lantos was my rep and he died a couple of years ago – Jackie Speier is now my rep and her name is not on the list.

RevDeb,
It’s great to hear from you. I am off to e-mail Braley-IA after I just bragged him up. He listens.
Hope Sestak does the same for you. JC

Thanks for coming by, Donna.

OK, now that the congresswoman is gone, I want to say something. Because she was in her office on Capitol Hill this was not a fundraising session. Now that she’s gone, I hope it will be. If anyone deserves a vote of confidence from our community for sticking to the reasons we first helped her get elected, it’s Donna Edwards. If you can’t afford $20, how about $10? Times are tough, I know. But we haven’t made a pitch for contributions all year. If $10 is too much, how about $5? In fact, I’ll match every $5 donation that comes in between now and 1pm (PT). It’s been so long, that most people have probably forgotten, but this is the Blue America ActBlue page.

Yes, the first list was for the 110th Congress. The second was for the 111th. Speier isn’t on it. You should talk with her.

Afraid I sawed off that limb while sitting on it, though — just missed the Congresswoman’s signoff. We need to think about how to “promote” the best Blue Americans into the upper House, though, especially in Blue states like Maryland.

I am especially discouraged about the Pennsylvania race in 2010, too, since the Democrat may have a very clear shot at election against Pat Toomey when he beats Specter in the primary. It’s as close to a flippable Senate seat as we’re likely to have in 2010, yet there doesn’t seem to be a progressive candidate available. I don’t want a Casey clone in there, and Pennsylvanians deserve better.

When we have a clear shot at a Senate seat in a Blue state, there should be a progressive to take the shot.

John Callahan, mayor of Bethlehem, looks like the progressive who might jump in

I should be working on my sermon, but I had to jump in for a few minutes.

Sestak made the mistake of giving me an actual working e-mail addy. He hears from me frequently and I run into him once in a while and push where I can. It was FDL that pushed me into making that connection. Good for me, not always for him. But I think he works very hard and does listen. We just disagree on some important stuff. That doesn’t stop me from pushing though.

Back to work.

I’m in for ten dollars. Wish it could be more.

Are there a few who’d care to match that? Let’s make Howie’s wallet cry!

tell me about it :-(

Not much scuttlebut that I’m hearing other than Allyson Schwartz and Patrick Murphy.—neither name appearing on the list above.

Do you know about Mayor Callahan?

On the war criminals . . . it seems that the Spanish are more concerned about justice than we are.

Pathetic.

who?

that kind of says it, huh?

Howie mentioned him in his 70.

Anybody else gonna throw in a Hamilton with me?

I threw several – proud of Blue America.

So far today people have donated to Donna, Alan Grayson, Carol Shea-Porter, Steve Cohen, Jeff Merkley and John Hall.

hey howie-
i was still wondering why diane benson (sp?) from alaska was not endorsed as a blue america candidate.
i don’t remember hearing why.

There was never unanimity for an endorsement. It’s not a majority vote thing. I think there was a feeling that she didn’t have a real chance and that we had already endorsed too many candidates. There was also a mediocre phone discussion with her. There’s no real argument against her though.

Thanks for everything Howie.

Maybe it would be instructive to take a Saturday morning soon to explain the whole endorsement process, Howie. Although you’ve done that before, I always forget that unanimity among the principals is part of it. And it’s never a bad time to elucidate the core values required for a Blue America endorsement, either.

Have you thought about asking future Blue America candidates to forswear Blue Dog membership?

Yes, the Blue Dog question is now part of the interview process

Thanks for all your hard work, Howie. Great chat today — I hope Congresswoman Edwards succeeds in all her endeavors.

Book Salon a few flights upstairs with Jerry Stahl’s Pain Killers hosted by Jane

sorry i didn’t respond.i had to go do something else.

i know there are some who are disappointed about it. i wondered why she didn’t make it onto the list.

thanks.

also, i sent a note to your youtube account about ‘buckets of rain’ a while back. check your mail.

or the new ‘talking heads caucus’ as i have named it.