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September 30, 2006

Saturday Night Open Thread

Chat away...

Saturday Open Thread

Have you spent time in your local campaign office lately?

September 29, 2006

Midday Open Thread

Have you checked out the community pages?

State of Denial

In the open thread this morning I excerpted from a story in the Daily News. Now there is more from The New York Times:

The White House ignored an urgent warning in September 2003 from a top Iraq adviser who said that thousands of additional American troops were desperately needed to quell the insurgency there, according to a new book by Bob Woodward, the Washington Post reporter and author. The book describes a White House riven by dysfunction and division over the war.

The warning is described in “State of Denial,” scheduled for publication on Monday by Simon & Schuster. The book says President Bush’s top advisers were often at odds among themselves, and sometimes were barely on speaking terms, but shared a tendency to dismiss as too pessimistic assessments from American commanders and others about the situation in Iraq.

As late as November 2003, Mr. Bush is quoted as saying of the situation in Iraq: “I don’t want anyone in the cabinet to say it is an insurgency. I don’t think we are there yet.”

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld is described as disengaged from the nuts-and-bolts of occupying and reconstructing Iraq — a task that was initially supposed to be under the direction of the Pentagon — and so hostile toward Condoleezza Rice, then the national security adviser, that President Bush had to tell him to return her phone calls. The American commander for the Middle East, Gen. John P. Abizaid, is reported to have told visitors to his headquarters in Qatar in the fall of 2005 that “Rumsfeld doesn’t have any credibility anymore” to make a public case for the American strategy for victory in Iraq.

...

It says that Mr. Blackwill and L. Paul Bremer III, then the top American official in Iraq, later briefed Ms. Rice and Stephen J. Hadley, her deputy, about the pressing need for more troops during a secure teleconference from Iraq. It says the White House did nothing in response.

...

Vice President Cheney is described as a man so determined to find proof that his claim about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was accurate that, in the summer of 2003, his aides were calling the chief weapons inspector, David Kay, with specific satellite coordinates as the sites of possible caches. None resulted in any finds.

There's even more from The Washington Post. Not surprisingly, the book is currently #1 on Amazon.

ID-LG: Where's Jimmy?

Larry LaRocco's campaign has some creative supporters. They've put that to good use, and through the power of the internets, have injected some humor into the Idaho's LG race. Check out the video, via YouTube.

More on Larry here and here.

Liar

Ken Mehlman, Chair of the Republican National Committee, to Vanity Fair:

"Abramoff is someone who we don't know a lot about. We know what we read in the paper."

Today's Washington Post:

Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his colleagues billed their clients for more than 400 contacts with White House officials between 2001 and 2004, according to a report released yesterday by the House Government Reform Committee....

The report also cites documents suggesting that former White House political director Ken Mehlman, now chairman of the Republican National Committee, may have helped Abramoff's team get money for a tribal client from the Justice Department. But the committee did not corroborate the claim...

One exchange of e-mails cited in the report suggests that former Abramoff lobbying team member Tony C. Rudy succeeded in getting Mehlman to press reluctant Justice Department appointees to release millions of dollars in congressionally earmarked funds for a new jail for the Mississippi Choctaw tribe, an Abramoff client. Rudy wrote Abramoff in November 2001 e-mails that Mehlman said he would "take care of" the funding holdup at Justice after learning from Rudy that the tribe made large donations to the GOP.

TPM has more:

[This is] by no means the only example of Mehlman's favors.

In 2001, he made sure a State Department official wasn't re-nominated for his post -- the official, Allen Stayman was a long-time foe of Abramoff's.

And according to a report from the Justice Department's Inspector General, Mehlman ordered one of his suboordinates at the White House to keep Abramoff updated on issues related to Guam; Abramoff was keen to see the U.S. Attorney there replaced.

Classic.

South Dakotans Find Common Ground

Yesterday South Dakota Democratic legislative candidates in Sioux Falls and Rapid City unveiled their unifying plan called "Common Ground". Backed by the entire Democratic slate of 90 candidates, Common Ground is a declaration of intent going into the 2007 legislative session. The plan was developed by legislative leadership, legislators, candidates, and state party staff.

House Democratic Leader Dale Hargens:

“In the last legislative session, the education debate was pushed aside to the last day to make way for debates on divisive social legislation. The Common Ground plan is designed to change the priorities of the legislature. Democrats want the education funding discussion to start on the first day, not the last.”

Senate Democratic Assistant Leader Gary Hanson

“There is power in unity. Democrats are committed to a new direction for South Dakota. We want to focus on the issues that unite us, not divide us.”

Common Ground addresses the "meat and potato issues that affect South Dakota families". Read more details about the plan, after the jump.

South Dakota Democrats have really been coming together this year to fight the extreme right-wing agenda in their state.

From the Argus Leader:

Thursday's event[s] demonstrates the Democrats are better organized this time around. That's due in part to some financing from the national party.

On October 7th the South Dakota Democratic Party hosts 3 events for the 50-State Turnout. Find one, here.

Keep reading "South Dakotans Find Common Ground"

TGIF Open Thread

Disturbing:

The CIA'S top counterterrorism officials felt they could have killed Osama Bin Laden in the months before 9/11, but got the "brushoff" when they went to the Bush White House seeking the money and authorization.

CIA Director George Tenet and his counterterrorism head Cofer Black sought an urgent meeting with then-national security adviser Condoleezza Rice on July 10, 2001, writes Bob Woodward in his new book "State of Denial."

They went over top-secret intelligence pointing to an impending attack and "sounded the loudest warning" to the White House of a likely attack on the U.S. by Bin Laden.

Woodward writes that Rice was polite, but, "They felt the brushoff."

September 28, 2006

Support The "Confidence in Voting Act of 2006"

Fellow citizens,

We still have time to address the e-voting security crisis!

The November 7th mid term congressional and statewide elections are around the corner -- and fears and concerns about the integrity of our electoral system and the security of paperless electronic voting systems have increased daily.

But there is time to act!

Before Congress adjourns for the November elections, we must pressure our lawmakers to support legislation that would help produce a fair and transparent election. Please call your lawmaker now and asked them to support the "Confidence in Voting Act of 2006."

This legislation, sponsored in the Senate by Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Russ Feingold (WI), along with Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) in the House of Representatives will allow the states to use optical scan or other paper ballot-based voting systems to opt in to a program for this November's election whereby they would be reimbursed for giving voters the right to cast their votes on paper ballots.

The "Confidence in Voting Act of 2006" would also:

• Reimburse States at the rate of 75 cents per printed ballot for offering voters, upon their request, the right to cast a vote by means of a contingency paper ballots, regardless of the voting equipment otherwise in use at the precinct;


• Mandate that the voter's right to cast his or her vote by means of such a contingency paper ballot be conspicuously posted at polling places;


• Mandate that jurisdictions treat contingency paper ballots as
  regular ballots, and count them accordingly and not as provisional ballots (unless a voter is otherwise required to vote provisionally); and


• Authorize such sums as are necessary to reimburse the States under the program.

We still have time to address the e-voting security crisis!

Every citizen deserves the right to vote and have that vote counted as cast. This is the system by which we hold our elected officials accountable and the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. A wide variety of non-partisan, objective studies have shown deeply troubling irregularities in the conduct of the 2000 and 2004 elections, as well as in some of the primary elections this year that call into question the fairness and accuracy of our current election system and demonstrate that the problems have not been fixed. Many of these voting irregularities are a direct result of malfunctioning electronic voting machines and poll workers who may be untrained in administering this new technology. Some of the problems could be eliminated by the use of voter-verified paper ballots. It's time we act and call upon our lawmakers to ensure this election is fair and transparent. Given the recent rampant election irregularities and discrepancies, voters are justifiably concerned about the integrity of their votes cast through potentially flawed and unreliable machinery.

That is why I am calling on Democrats to stand firmly in support of H.R.6187, the Confidence in Voting Act of 2006.

A New Direction for America with Women Leading the Way

This year’s WLF Issue’s Conference is being dedicated to Governor Ann Richards, an extraordinary woman whose commitment to public service, and the people of Texas, was a big as her spirit.

In a letter to WLF Conference participants, Governor Dean wrote:

Governor Richards graced the WLF conference with her presence many times, starting in 1996 and most recently in 2004, when she delivered one of our keynote addresses. But even more important, Ann Richards graced and enriched our lives and the life of our great Party with her wisdom and wit, her unflappable determination to speak up and speak out, her inspirational leadership and her vision for a better Texas and a better America. Our nation lost a mighty warrior when Governor Richards passed away earlier this month. Her memory and example will long guide and embolden us, and our gratitude for all she was and all she did will stay with us forever.

In honor of Governor Richards, we all took a moment to remember her before lunch began with a special video, dedicated to this great leader, who continues to be a role model for women everywhere.

After the video, and quite a few teary eyes, Governor Dean took the podium to welcome everyone. He spoke briefly, noting that he was on the schedule tomorrow morning for a Town Hall meeting, but passionately, about the hard work that is being done in all 50 states to take back the House and the Senate. He spoke about the role the 50-State Strategy is playing in November’s elections, widening the field, making Democrats competitive in unexpected races, and reaching out to millions of voters in person and at their doors.

There was a lot of applause and a standing ovation, but more importantly there was a sense of urgency and excitement in the room. Democrats know what is at stake this November and we are fighting to take back our country from a rubber-stamp Congress that blindly acquiesces to the Bush administration’s failed policies.

One of the hottest races in the country is a race in upstate New York’s 20th Congressional district. It is there that Kirsten Gillibrand is running for Congress. As she describes it, it is a district that has been gerrymandered red, but is well on its way to turning blue. Kirsten is an alumni of the WLF organization. She has worked over the years to empower more women, particularly to get more young women involved in the political process, and she joined us to talk about her race and to introduce Senator Clinton.

Kirsten first spoke about her District and about her experiences meeting people on the campaign trail and talking to them about the issues that really matter to them. She described how the lack of leadership from the Republican Congress has hurt the people of she wants to represent, making it harder for them to make ends meet in an economy that is hurts the people who can least afford it.

She talked about the need for a vision for America that strives to achieve more, rather than less. And she was especially passionate about the need for real leadership in the area of energy independence. She remembered the kind of leadership America had under President Kennedy’s administration, saying:

John F. Kennedy had a vision and the reason he succeed, was that he created a vision for America to take hold of…We are going to do this, not because it's easy, but because it's hard. That is the kind of leadership we need in America.

Kirsten moved on to introduce Senator Clinton, whom she said has been a friend and a mentor throughout her campaign. She talked about the ways in which Senator Clinton has helped upstate New York, and the difference it has made for the people of the 20th District.

Senator Clinton was the day’s keynote speaker. Her message was one of urgency with a single simple theme: the importance of taking back the House and the Senate in 2006.

It is important for the future of our country - everything we care about is at stake. The damage that has been done to our country is incalculable. We are in a deep hole, and the Republicans want to keep on digging.

She talked about the challenges our country faces and the problems the rubber-stamp Republican Congress and Bush Administration have created.

Democrats know how to fix these problems. We've done it before and we'll do it again. On every issue there are big differences. But the biggest difference is the disregard of our constitutional democracy, the disdain of checks and balances, the denial of accountability. That is our entire system being put at risk. We can not afford to have our Constitution shredded and our country's commitment to freedom thrown out after setting the standard by which others are judged.

She urged the women of the WLF to do everything they could to make a difference in the races this November, and she stressed the ways their involvement has already play a part in getting us this far.

For me it sometimes seems as if November’s elections are forever away. But the truth is that they are around the corner, and there are 40 days left to do the hard work to take back the House and the Senate.

No one could have predicted a year ago how close we would be to so many successes. The hard work that has been done by Democrats up and down the ballot, by our elected officials, and by our State Parties, has created a super-competitive field, with dozens of races in play, and a team of amazing candidates who have stepped up to the plate to serve our country.

Those candidates are our friends and neighbors. They are school teachers and veterans, lawyers and ranchers. They are the face of the Democratic Party across our nation, and they are the face of America.

Together, we can send these men and women to the United States Congress and the United States Senate where they will serve us with honor and with purpose, but it’s going to take hard work, every day, until November 7th, to make it happen.

The Women's Leadership Forum Issues Conference

The Women's Leadership Forum is hosting their 13th annual issues forum today and tomorrow in Washington, DC. The Women's Leadership Forum hosts this event annually, which gives Democratic women the opportunity to meet with fellow activists, Party leaders and political experts. This two-day event is packed full, with sessions on politics and policy. There are training sessions to pick up new techniques and brush up on old skills.

I headed over to the Mayflower around 11 a.m. and as I was walking in the first person I spotted was Florida Congressional candidate Christine Jennings. Jennings is running in the 13th Congressional District of Florida. I met her way before I landed at the DNC. She has been working hard to take back the district for Florida Democrats for over a year. She had good news - polling that shows her ahead of her GOP opponent, and that was a great first conversation to have.

I did a quick lap of the various conference rooms. In the main room Congressman Murtha and Congresswoman Harman were briefing on national security issues. Congressman Murtha was talking about the need for a new strategy in Iraq, about the disasterous mess the President has gotten us into with his war of choice. Congresswoman Harman addressed the recent NIE report and the actions she has taken this week in response to the report. As I wrote yesterday, the Congresswoman has called on National Intelligence Director, John Negroponte, to releases a second NIE, which focuses solely on Iraq, However, the administration has said that report won't be ready for release until 2007, giving them additional time to hide from the mess that they have created and deceive the American people.

I hope to have more from the WLF Issues Forum for you through out the day. Senator Clinton and Congressional candidate Kirsten Gillibrand will be joining us during lunch. This afternoon we'll be doing several training sessions, including one I'll be helping lead on how to use the internet and the Democratic Party's online tools, like PartyBuilder, to organize and spread the Democratic message. The day ends with a special event for Young Women, with an emphasis on Young Women of Color, which will feature Star Jones Reynolds.

More Hope For A New Direction

Could Democrats take back the Senate? That is the question the New York Times poses today:

Six weeks before Election Day, the Democrats suddenly face a map with unexpected opportunities in their battle for control of the Senate.

In Virginia, a state that few expected to be seriously competitive, Senator George Allen looks newly vulnerable after a series of controversies over charges of racial insensitivity, strategists in both parties say. In Tennessee, another Southern state long considered safely red, Representative Harold E. Ford Jr., a Democrat, has run a strong campaign that has kept that state in contention.

Elsewhere, Democratic challengers are either ahead or close in races in five states held by the Republicans: Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, according to political strategists in both parties and the latest polls.

So what does this mean? Six months ago I remember hearing chatter about our '06 prospects and the consensus was that we had a good shot at taking taking back the House and that we'd likely make some gains in the Senate. Even the most optomistic observer was hesitant to say the Senate could flip. That's not the case any longer.

“Anybody who says there’s no way the Democrats could regain control of the Senate, that’s just wishful thinking,” said Glen Bolger, a Republican pollster active in numerous House and Senate races. “But there’s a long way between could and would, and the Republican resource advantage is just now coming to bear.”

Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said: “We will pick up seats. And if the stars continue to align, we can take back the Senate.”

This year there are more states in play than ever before, and this is why the 50-State Strategy is so crucial. We need a new direction for America. We need to break free of the strangle hold the Bush Administration and his do-nothing Republican Congress have on our country.

But we can only do it if we work together, which is why getting connected with your local campaigns is so important. To win in November we have to show up everywhere and ask for every vote. We can't take anything for granted. We can't take any short cuts. We have to do the hard work.

So what do you do?

• Make sure you are registered to vote and make sure your closest family and friends are too.
• Talk with your family and friends about why their vote is important and the Democratic vision for America. Don't worry about repeating specific talking points word for word, talk about what is important to you, what you think is at stake and why you are a Democrat.
• Then, sign up to kick-off the final 30 days before Election Day with Democrats in your state at one of hundreds of 50-State Turnout events and help make change happen.

Thursday Open Thread

Chat away...

September 27, 2006

Late Night Open Thread

I was just on the phone with a customer service rep trying to get a gadget to work properly. When I told the nice guy who was helping me where I worked he started telling me how he was fed up with the direction our country was headed in, and really wanted to see things go in a new direction.

I couldn't agree more.

If you are fed up too, do something! 100actions.com has a new idea every day!

Listen Up: Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers

This week's DNC Podcast features award-winning film director Robert Greenwald. Greenwald discusses his newest work, Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers.

Iraq for Sale is a scathing documentary that exposes the record profits made off the war in Iraq by private corporations with Republican friends in Congress and the Republican decision makers that made it happen.

From the podcast:

"Blackwater, CACI, Titan, Halliburton - all have stocked their Boards of Directors or their high corporate levels with former military, former CIA, and former people in the legislative process so that they get a kind of protection against oversight. [As a result,] they give Halliburton millions of dollars. [Blackwater owner] Eric Prince's family has given $2.5 million to the Republican Party in the past couple of years. That buys them a kind of protection they should not be buying. There should be transparency and there should be oversight."

Greenwald also discussed the devastating impact the war profiteering has on soldiers on the ground in Iraq.

"Soldier after soldier was saying to me 'This is demoralizing to us, to work right next to someone who is doing exactly the same job and getting paid three and four times as much.' Outsourcing was never meant to do that...that takes a terrible toll on the troops."

Listen to the Podcast, here.

And remember, if you are an iTunes user, you can make sure you never miss a podcast - subscribe to the DNC podcast and you'll be updated automatically!

If the President Says It, It Must Be True

That's what Tony Snow, the White House Press Secretary said today. I have a bit of trouble following that logic. You see, the President doesn't have such a great track record when it comes to telling truth or dealing with facts.

Via ThinkProgress:

REPORTER: Thanks. You said first of all that Al Qaeda has been degraded. Actually, the report said the leadership has degraded, but its ranks have increased. You also just -

SNOW: Ok.

REPORTER: You also said that you were talking about things the administration has done, and yet the intelligence estimate is taking this into account and coming up with this conclusion that the factors fueling this growth of the movement, that they report, outweigh the vulnerabilities and will do so for some time. That’s not, we’re safer.

SNOW: No, it talks about jihadism.

REPORTER: It’s not, “We’re winning.”

SNOW: Well– It doesn’t draw judgements like that. You’ve read National Intelligence Estimates —

REPORTER: I’m practically quoting verbatim.

SNOW: I know, but look for, “We’re not winning.” Please show me. Well, the President says we’re winning.

Tony Snow was on a roll today. He also flat out lied about the existance of a second NIE, one that focuses on Iraq, despite the fact that it's existance has been confirmed by John Negroponte, the Director of National Intelligence.

Today, Jane Harman, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee called for it's release. In a letter to John Negroponte, she wrote:

I received your letter of September 26, in which you confirmed that the National Intelligence Council (NIC) is writing a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iraq. Though you promised that the NIE would be completed “in a timely manner,” senior White House officials have indicated publicly that the report may not be completed until January 2007.

This timetable is unacceptable. Sectarian violence, which has reached record levels and continues to grow, is putting our troops – not to mention millions of Iraqis – at grave risk. Furthermore, the proven ineffectiveness of U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces, an absence of effective infrastructure reconstruction, and political crises that threaten the fragile new polity have made it clear that we need a new strategy in Iraq.

NIEs have been produced in as little as several weeks, as in the case of the 2002 report on Iraqi WMD. While I understand the desire to be thorough, events in Iraq make it urgent that the Intelligence Community produce this NIE immediately. If your intention is to delay this report until after the November elections, I do not think that is appropriate given that U.S. troops are at risk at this moment.

U.S. policymakers need the Intelligence Community’s insights to determine how to defend our troops and our interests in Iraq. I urge you to expedite completion of the NIE and to release it in both classified and publicly releasable unclassified forms.

Not surprisingly, the White House has said that the Iraq NIE won't be released until January 2007. Giving them some extra time to hide from the facts.

Sobering Conclusions

The National Intelligence Estimate, recently declassified, shows how the President's war of choice in Iraq, and his failed leadership, have fueled global terrorism.

From the Washington Post:

In announcing yesterday that he would release the key judgments of a controversial National Intelligence Estimate, President Bush said he agreed with the document's conclusion "that because of our successes against the leadership of al-Qaeda, the enemy is becoming more diffuse and independent."

But the estimate itself posits no such cause and effect. Instead, while it notes that counterterrorism efforts have seriously damaged and disrupted al-Qaeda's leadership, it describes the spreading "global jihadist movement" as fueled largely by forces that al-Qaeda exploits but is not actively directing. They include Iraq, corrupt and unjust governments in Muslim-majority countries, and "pervasive anti-U.S. sentiment among most Muslims."

The overall estimate is bleak, with minor notes of optimism. It depicts a movement that is likely to grow more quickly than the West's ability to counter it over the next five years, as the Iraq war continues to breed "deep resentment" throughout the Muslim world, shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and cultivating new supporters for their ideology.

In describing Iraq as "the 'cause celebre' for jihadists," the document judges that real and perceived insurgent successes there will "inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere," while losses would have the opposite effect. It predicts that the elimination of al-Qaeda leaders, particularly Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed after the estimate was completed in April, would probably leave that organization splintered into disparate groups that "for at least a time, pose a less serious threat to U.S. interests" than the current al-Qaeda structure.

President Bush still refuses to acknowledge the truth about his war of choice in Iraq, and the damage it has done. Yesterday he said:

"I of course read the key judgments on the NIE. My judgment is, if we were not in Iraq, they [the terrorists] would find some other excuse because they have ambitions. We're not going to let lies and propaganda by the enemy dictate how we win this war." [Remarks, 9/26/06]

Yet, the NIE presents the cold, hard truth.

The NIE Is U.S. Intelligence Community's Most Comprehensive Treatment Of A Subject. National Intelligence Estimates are produced by the National Intelligence Council, a group of high-level analysts from government and academic institutions. The document is designed to represent the U.S. intelligence community's most comprehensive treatment of a subject. [Los Angeles Times, 9/24/06]

What the report says:

• NIE Says Iraq Made Overall Terrorism Problem Worse. The National Intelligence Estimate ''says that the Iraq war has made the overall terrorism problem worse,'' said one American intelligence official. [New York Times, 9/24/06]
• NIE: Iraq War Main Recruiting Vehicle for Terrorists. U.S. officials told CNN that the National Intelligence Estimate report concludes that the war in Iraq and the insurgency is the main recruiting vehicle for new Islamic extremists. [CNN.com, 9/24/06]
  

  From the NIE:
  We assess that the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives; perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere.

  The Iraq conflict has become the "cause celebre" for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement.



• NIE: Iraq War Spread Jihad Ideology. An opening section of the report, ''Indicators of the Spread of the Global Jihadist Movement,'' cites the Iraq war as a reason for the diffusion of jihad ideology. The classified National Intelligence Estimate attributes a more direct role to the Iraq war in fueling radicalism than that presented either in recent White House documents or in a report released Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee, according to several officials in Washington involved in preparing the assessment or who have read the final document. [New York Times, 9/24/06]

The report echos what scholars and experts have been saying all along:

• Afghanistan Scholar, Barnett R. Rubin, director of studies and senior fellow at the Center on International Cooperation at New York University told the Philadelphia Inquirer that US Strategy in Afghanistan May Be Helping Al Qaeda.

  A leading Afghanistan scholar says that America’s military counterterrorism strategy has failed to eliminate the Taliban – and may actually be contributing to the growth of the insurgent Islamist group.

  He believes that although the international community helped Afghanistan create the trappings of democratic institutions, the changes are still largely cosmetic. Rubin says that in some places, the Bush Administration has "actually turned farmers in some areas against us and driven them into the arms of terrorists." [Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/10/06]



• Terrorism Experts Say Al Qaeda Movement Has Gained Ground Since Invasion Of Iraq.

  "Al Qaeda has responded to four years of intense pressure from the United States and its allies by dispersing its surviving operatives, distributing its ideology and techniques for mass-casualty attacks to a wide audience on the Internet, and encouraging new adherents to act spontaneously in its name. Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, terrorism experts in and out of government have warned that the movement has appeared to gain ground, particularly in Europe, where a large, mobile, technology-savvy and well-educated Muslim population includes alienated young people attracted to the call of holy war against the West." [Washington Post, 7/8/05]

Wednesday Open Thread

Take Six! launches today.

TAKE SIX is an innovative program designed by the Women's Vote Center to reach the 20 million unmarried women who did not vote in 2004 -- the biggest potential group of new voters in the country, and the most likely to vote for Democrats -- but only if they vote.

As we learned from the West Wing:

If women were the only voters, the Democrats would win in a landslide every time.

EMILY's List will back us up:

Women voters have a huge influence on the outcome of elections. When they vote, Democrats win — because women voters tend to favor Democratic candidates. When they stay home, as they did in 1994, the radical right wins. It all comes down to voter turnout.

You can find the official sign-up, here and the PartyBuilder group, here.

September 26, 2006

MD-Sen: You can run...

...from the President and the Republican Party, but Michael Steele can't hide from his own record.

Standing Up Open Thread

This morning College Democrats of New York stood up to the right-wing propaganda machine, also known as Fox News, and stood up for President Bill Clinton, whose Sunday morning appearance has been making news.

Watch Fox and Friends co-anchors try and swing the camera away from the protesters. Not only will you remember why you don't watch Fox and Friends, but you'll get a laugh.

C&L has the video.

Not So Much

Condi Rice can parrot the President's fantasy talking points as often as she likes. It won't make them true. In an interview with the NY Post she claimed the Clinton Administration failed to leave behind a comprehensive strategy to fight al Queda.

The 9/11 Commission disagrees:

As the Clinton administration drew to a close, Clarke and his staff developed a policy paper of their own [which] incorporated the CIA’s new ideas from the Blue Sky memo, and posed several near-term policy options. Clarke and his staff proposed a goal to “roll back” al Qaeda over a period of three to five years …[including] covert aid to the Northern Alliance, covert aid to Uzbekistan, and renewed Predator flights in March 2001. A sentence called for military action to destroy al Qaeda command-and control targets and infrastructure and Taliban military and command assets. The paper also expressed concern about the presence of al Qaeda operatives in the United States.” [p. 197]

Plus, as Think Progress points out:

Clarke, who also worked for the Bush administration, wrote Condoleezza Rice a memo as soon as the Bush administration took office, stating, “[W]e urgently need…a Principals level review of the al Qida network.” His request was denied.

Today in Congress

Leader Pelosi offered a motion earlier designed to call Congress into a secret session to discuss the National Intelligence Estimate on global terrorism.

According to AP:

In an interview with The Associated Press, Pelosi, D-Calif., said the secret session is necessary to allow members to better understand the intelligence community's most recent assessment on global terrorism.

She said she hoped House Republicans would recognize the need for such an internal debate on the document, some of which leaked to the news media over the weekend.

But the Rubber-stamp Republican Congress couldn't be bothered to discuss the facts the NIE has presented to them. The motion was defeated.

Leader Pelosi:

"I don't know how anyone could vote against it," Pelosi told reporters in a conference call immediately after the vote. "What they're saying by voting against this is, 'Spare me the facts, spare me the truth.'"

Of Course He Does

The frontpage of the NYT website reads "Bush Disagrees That Iraq War Raises Threat of Terror". Of course he disagrees. This President disagrees with anything that doesn't mirror his singular interpretation of the "success" of the war in Iraq.

"Some people have guessed what’s in the report and concluded that going into Iraq was a mistake," the president said. "I strongly disagree."

...

"I told the D.N.I to declassify the document, you can read it for yourself," Mr. Bush said.

"Everybody can make own judgments."

Governor Dean responds:

"Now that President Bush has heeded Democrats call to declassify the NIE report, the American people can decide on its merits for themselves. Facts are stubborn things.

"And unfortunately the Bush Administration has repeatedly chosen to ignore the facts when they're inconvenient, and make them up when they don't support their rigid ideology. This is no way to run a country or a war. It's telling that President Bush failed to say whether there were White House meetings on Osama bin Laden before the 9/11 attacks, but unfortunately this is one of many questions left answered about the lead up to the war in Iraq.

"Nothing changes the fact that President Bush's failed leadership and war of choice in Iraq have made us less safe and hampered our ability to fight and win the global war on terror. Democrats want a new direction for our country and will fight the war on terror based on the facts and guidance from our military and intelligence officials."

WY-AL: The Big Mo'

In case you missed it, the love keeps on coming for Wyoming Congressional candidate Gary Trauner.

Last week, Markos pointed out the way the 50-State Strategy has boosted Wyoming Democrats.

Today, we see Trauner keeps gaining momentum.

Tuesday Morning Open Thread

The New Orleans Saints won big last night in their first game at the Superdome in 13 months. They are now 3-0.

Action #43: Spread the word about President Clinton fighting back.

This is an open thread...

September 25, 2006

Democrats & Iraq

Senator Reid:

“There was a time when events like today’s hearing were commonplace in the halls of Congress—especially during war. Unfortunately in this Congress—for the war in Iraq—meaningful hearings have been few and far between. The 109th Congress has sat on the sidelines of the war, refusing to ask tough questions or take the necessary steps to make America safe. This lack of oversight has had disastrous consequences for our national security. We need a new direction. If the Administration won’t talk straight—and the Congressional Majority won’t hold them accountable—Democrats will.”

Read the full statement below the fold...

Keep reading "Democrats & Iraq"

Midday Open Thread

Did you catch this week's Democratic Radio address?

If not, check it out, here.

IL-06: Real Patriotism

Tammy Duckworth is the real thing:

During an election debate at the weekend in the outskirts of Chicago, Peter Roskam, the Republican candidate for Illinois's sixth district, trotted out the familiar line that his Democratic opponent wanted America to "cut and run" from Iraq.

His opponent, Tammy Duckworth, a former National Guard pilot who lost both her legs in Iraq last year when her helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade, was visibly angry at the exchange. "I just could not believe he would say that to me," said Ms Duckworth, who now walks on artificial legs with the help of a cane. "I have risked my life to serve my country and you cannot question my patriotism."

...

"I am sick and tired of the Republicans saying 'Either you agree with us on national security or you are not patriotic'," says Ms Duckworth, whose campaign has ignited the highest level of volunteer door-to-door support the Democrats can remember in this district. "It is total baloney – in fact I have a better army word, but I can't use it. We must never forget that it is patriotic and it is American to question people in power."

(h/t TPM Cafe)

Falling into the Medicare Hole

This is what happens when Republicans let their buddies from the drug companies write Medicare legislation.

VA-Sen: Disgusting

I'm honestly too disgusted by the events recounted in the Salon article about Senator Allen to write about them in a way that would be acceptable on this blog.

Read the article and decide for yourself.

Fueling Radicalism

A must-read from the NYT:

A stark assessment of terrorism trends by American intelligence agencies has found that the American invasion and occupation of Iraq has helped spawn a new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown since the Sept. 11 attacks.

The classified National Intelligence Estimate attributes a more direct role to the Iraq war in fueling radicalism than that presented either in recent White House documents or in a report released Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee, according to several officials in Washington involved in preparing the assessment or who have read the final document.

The intelligence estimate, completed in April, is the first formal appraisal of global terrorism by United States intelligence agencies since the Iraq war began, and represents a consensus view of the 16 disparate spy services inside government. Titled “Trends in Global Terrorism: Implications for the United States,’’ it asserts that Islamic radicalism, rather than being in retreat, has metastasized and spread across the globe.

An opening section of the report, “Indicators of the Spread of the Global Jihadist Movement,” cites the Iraq war as a reason for the diffusion of jihad ideology.

The report “says that the Iraq war has made the overall terrorism problem worse,” said one American intelligence official.

Senator Reid responded to the report:

"No election-year White House P.R. campaign can hide this truth — it is crystal clear that America’s security demands we change course in Iraq.”

Did you see this?

(Governor Dean sent the following email to Democrats across the country today)

Dear Fellow Democrat,

You can't trust Republicans on national security -- and two things proved it yesterday:

1) In a powerful interview that aired yesterday, President Bill Clinton took on the extremist Republican propaganda about 9/11 -- and Fox News tried to cover up the fact that the Bush administration downgraded terrorism as a priority before September 11th and has failed to eliminate Osama bin Laden since the attacks.

2) An explosive report on the still-classified National Intelligence Estimate states that the "invasion and occupation of Iraq has helped spawn a new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown since the Sept. 11 attacks" -- and Republicans have been trying to cover it up.

This is what we're fighting against every day -- an administration covering up of the Bush failure of 9/11 and covering up an honest look at the war in Iraq and the war on terror.

You know that Democrats have a real plan for destroying Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda, fixing the mess in Iraq, and really securing us at home.

But we've always had those things -- the problem until now has been our willingness to stand up and fight for them in the face of fear mongering, bullying and intimidation from the other side.

That's why we're going on the offense on national security. The future of our party, and of our country, depends on the ability of Democrats to get a strong national security message out in all 50 states this year. Donate to make it happen and watch President Clinton fight back now:

http://www.democrats.org/playmoreoffense

Here's the meat of the Fox News interview with President Clinton, where he's had enough of the right-wing revisionist history from the propaganda machine:

CLINTON: I'm being asked this on the Fox network. ABC just had a right-wing conservative run in their little Pathway to 9/11, falsely claiming it was based on the 9/11 Commission report, with three things asserted against me directly contradicted by the 9/11 Commission report. ... And I think it's very interesting that all the conservative Republicans, who now say I didn't do enough, claimed that I was too obsessed with bin Laden. All of President Bush's neo-cons thought I was too obsessed with bin Laden. They had no meetings on bin Laden for nine months after I left office. All the right-wingers who now say I didn't do enough said I did too much -- same people.

Over a quarter million Americans stood up to ABC and beat back the right-wing Republican 9/11 propaganda that tries to cover up the Bush administration's huge failures to protect America before and after the attacks.

Yesterday Bill Clinton did exactly what Democrats need to do in this election -- to stand up to the right-wing and tell the truth. We will not let the Republicans twist history and distort reality.

We're sick of playing defense against a Republican leadership that uses national security to scare people to win elections. We're not going to be pushed around, spun, and defamed by right-wing extremists and those whom they use to disseminate their propaganda.

Our plan for this election is to go on the offense -- to talk straight about the Republican failures and lay out a clear Democratic plan to take American foreign policy and national security in a better direction.

Watch President Clinton and donate now to Democrats who will fight back:

http://www.democrats.org/playmoreoffense

We have a fundamentally different vision for our security than the Party of Bush. We want a new direction in Iraq, more competent security at home, and the restoration of America's moral leadership in the world.

They failed to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, and five years after September 11th he still lives to taunt Americans.

They squandered America's moral authority and global leadership by launching a war of choice in Iraq instead of fighting the war on al Qaeda.

The calls of the 9/11 Commission Report and Hurricane Katrina simply did not awaken Republican leaders to our continuing vulnerabilities at home.

We've had enough, and we're going to run an honest campaign about the security of our country. People are smart and ready for real leadership -- will you make a donation right now to help get the message out?

http://www.democrats.org/playmoreoffense

Republicans have won two elections since 9/11 by instilling fear in people, and they're trying to do it again this year.

But it's not going to work. The Bush policies have failed. Iraq is sliding into civil war. Iran and North Korea are more dangerous than they were five and a half years ago. And the Taliban resurgence poses new threats in Afghanistan.

As President Clinton said on Fox News that we have a government "that thinks Afghanistan is only one-seventh as important as Iraq."

People have had enough. This administration cannot be trusted with our security.

Democrats are going to reclaim American leadership with a tough, smart plan to transform failed policies in Iraq, the Middle East and around the world.

We will increase the size of Special Forces to destroy Osama Bin Laden and terrorist networks like al Qaeda. We will implement the bipartisan 9/11 Commission proposal to secure America's borders and ports and screen every container. And we will fully man, train, and equip our National Guard and our police, firefighters and other first responders.

Let's get this message out to Americans who need to hear it:

http://www.democrats.org/playmoreoffense

When it comes to national security, the Republicans have not led.

We will.

Thank you,

Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
Democratic National Committee

P.S. -- Below are a few excerpts from President Clinton's interview. To make a donation to Democrats across the country committed to beating back right-wing propaganda, click here:

http://www.democrats.org/playmoreoffense

Keep reading "Did you see this?"

Monday Morning Open Thread

Chat away...

September 23, 2006

Weekend Open Thread

Have you signed up yet?

September 22, 2006

50-State Strategy: Nebraska's Scott Kleeb

Nebraska Democrats debuted their version of the 50-State Strategy - the 93-County Strategy - over a year ago, and it's paying off.

From Nebraska Democratic Party Executive Director, Barry Rubin:

A new poll conducted by national polling firm Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates September 20-21 shows that the 3rd District congressional race is up for grabs as we enter the last six weeks of the campaign.

When asked who they would vote for “if the election were held today,” 41 percent of definite voters said they would vote for Adrian Smith and 37 percent said they would vote for Scott Kleeb. The margin of error for the entire sample is ±4.87%.

Considering the margin of error and the high percentage of undecided voters – this race is most definitely in play. The poll was conducted among 405 likely voters in Nebraska’s 3rd congressional district.

Obviously, this is exciting news in one of the most Republican-leaning congressional districts in the country. Not only is it exciting for the people of greater Nebraska, it is a clear sign that voters are tired of politics as usual throughout the state and nation.

Kleeb is a candidate I have been watching since early in the cycle. I profiled him and stand by my words:

Scott Kleeb, a forth generation Nebraskan, educated at Yale University, who got his doctorate studying the history of cattle ranching, who lives and works on a ranch and who says:

"We need young people coming back to our state. Folks who get their education and come back to the communities that they're from. That's exactly what I'm doing."

Scott Kleeb is a unique candidate who can give Republican opponent Smith a real run for his money.

Check out his newest ad, here.

And it's not just Kleeb. Nebraska Democrats say their time "is now" and are running to win.

Nebraska Democrats already have a dozen events for the 50-State Turnout. Find one in your state.

50-State Strategy: A Utah Insurgency?

Larry Daniel, a Gulf War veteran, a professor of constitutional law and a Democratic candidate for the Utah State Legislature e-mailed us this look inside the the 50-State Strategy.

I wanted to take a few moments to let you know how the 50-State Strategy is working as applied in Utah. I would not be running for office if it were not for Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland and the UT Dems 29-County Strategy application of the DNC's 50 State Strategy.

As a result of the UT Dems 29-County application of the 50-State Strategy, Republicans are defending and spending money in places they’ve thought were safe. This is turning out to be a "death by a thousand cuts" insurgency, particularly in Southern Utah.

Example:

Today's Utah Policy Daily reports Utah Republicans are planning a "Big Red Whistle Stop Tour" of Iron and Washington Counties "to energize the Republican base..." Participants will include the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and 2nd Congressional District candidate LaVar Christensen….

One can't help but wonder if this has as much to do with a reenergized Democratic Party in Iron and Washington Counties as with a less than enthusiastic Republican base. For the first time in perhaps decades, both Iron and Washington County feature a full slate of Democratic candidates. It appears participants in the "Big Red Whistle Stop Tour" will be seeing a lot more blue faces than they are used to.

Things get better.

During the UT Legislature’s Special Session on Tuesday, my opponent the incumbent I am in the race with, voted with the Democrats in favor of the education set aside and against the tax cut.

Several legislators told me he would never have voted that way, but he is scared. In fact, I've heard that he is scared from local movers-and-shakers, political insiders, and from lobbyists that he has called, frantically, searching for money.

A 14-year incumbent that has never faced a Democrat opponent in a district that went 82% Bush just two years ago, is scared. Several other Republicans voted with the Democrats for the same reason.

In my county, at the most local level, we’ve only had 2 Democrtas run for office in the past 20 years. Now, because of the support we get from our State Party which now has full-time, year-round staffers working to provide us with the resources, we have 4 candidates on the ballot, and our precinct caucuses have grown 300%.

Democratic registration in my county increased 25% in a single year. Plus, for the first time anyone can remember that we filled all of our slots at the state party convention.

All of this is because of Governor Dean, Chairman Wayne and the 50-State Strategy.

Today in Iraq: Stretched too Thin

With no end in sight and no real strategy for Iraq, the President and his Republican Congress have severely strained our military and hindered our ability to fight the real war on terror by bogging us down with his war of choice.

Strains on the Army from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have become so severe that Army officials say they may be forced to make greater use of the National Guard to provide enough troops for overseas deployments.

Senior Army officers have discussed that analysis — and described the possible need to use more members of the National Guard — with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld’s senior adviser on personnel, David S. C. Chu, according to Pentagon officials.

While no decision has been made to mobilize more Guard forces, and may not need to be before midterm elections, the prospect presents the Bush administration with a politically vexing problem: how, without expanding the Army, to balance the pressing need for troops in the field against promises to limit overseas deployments for the Guard.

The National Guard has a goal of allowing five years at home between foreign deployments so as not to disrupt the family life and careers of its citizen soldiers. But instead it has been sending units every three to four years, according to Guard officials.

The question of how to sustain the high level of forces abroad became more acute this week as General John P. Abizaid, the senior American commander in the Middle East, said that the number of troops in Iraq, currently at more than 140,000, could not be expected to drop until next spring at the very earliest.

That disclosure comes amid many signs of mounting strain on active Army units. So many are deployed or only recently returned from combat duty that only two or three combat brigades — perhaps 7,000 to 10,000 troops — are fully ready to respond in case of unexpected crises, according to a senior Army general.

An internal Army document that was provided to The New York Times notes that the demand for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan has greatly exceeded past projections that predicted earlier troop reductions. According to the document, the Army needs $66.1 billion to make up for all of its equipment shortfalls. Referring to the units that are to deploy next to Iraq and Afghanistan, or are in training, the document shows a large question mark to indicate their limited readiness.

TGIF Open Thread

Governor Dean has an op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal. Go read!

September 21, 2006

50-State Strategy: Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Democratic Party is doing an amazing job motivating Democrats in America's heartland. Chair Lisa Prior has embraced the 50-State Strategy and the results are tangible.

Hundreds of Oklahoma Democrats turned out for their
Democratic Reunion event on July 29th.

From the Oklahoma Gazette:

“I’m not a member of any organized political party, I’m a Democrat!” —Will Rogers

The Oklahoma Democratic Party has decided to make Will Rogers into a liar. All indications are that, for the first time ever, a viable and organized Democratic Party is present in the Sooner State. And it is the presence of organization combined with dedication among the activist base and a stiff political wind blowing against the right that has Democrats thinking heady thought toward November.

The Democrats are finally emerging from a long, dark tea time of the soul that has seen their registration and identification advantages among voters collapse, culminating in the loss of majority in one legislative chamber, control of a single congressional seat and a minority party governor who had the good fortune to run against a pious star athlete and an attorney gifted in the art of political destruction. When Republican candidates ran up 60 percent-plus totals statewide and a huge party debt, political observers two years ago wondered if the party’s prospects would ever rebound or if they’d just follow the socialists into Sooner politics oblivion.

The good news for Democrats is that legislative Republicans proved to be good at cutting taxes and sharing credit with Brad Henry, while also being even more eager than Democrats to expand government spending. Republican lawmakers and statewide candidates have a hard time criticizing the popular Henry because they are complicit in his victories. Henry walks outside the shadow of allegations of legislator misconduct that dog the Republican Party majority leadership in the House….

…The danger for the state GOP is that, in pursuing Henry, Republicans will have to opt for an unfortunate politics of personal destruction or try to play scare cards on security and immigration. The national political campaign again turns to what one friend in Washington, D.C., called the “time to scare the shit out of the country again strategy,” beating war drums to mobilize the GOP base. While such a strategy has worked in the past, it could prove to be one visit too many to the new edition of the bloody shirt of American politics.

Democrats in Oklahoma know that. And they have unity in message, organization and desire, which is something they’ve lacked for a long time. And they won’t get fooled again.

Oklahoma Democrats 2006 Dream Team

Oklahoma Democrats are on a roll, and they aren't stopping anytime soon. Check out one of the many events they have scheduled for The 50-State Turnout.

Guess Who's Coming to the White House?

If you guessed Jack Ambramoff cronies & Republican Culture of Corruption Co-Conspirators, you'd be right.

Late yesterday after stonewalling for close to a year and months of negotiations the Administration finally responded to The Democratic Party's FOIA request.

A detailed examination of these documents show that the Bush Administration gave unprecedented special access to top Bush aides to cronies of convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

In fact, President Bush and the Republican controlled Congress have repeatedly given privileged access to their special interest friends.

For instance, we've got:

• Grover Norquist and Ralph Reed advocating on behalf of disgraced GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff's clients.
• Dick Cheney inviting Big Oil to craft White House energy policy.
• A GOP Congress allowing the drug companies to write a Medicare prescription drug bill that prohibits the government from negotiating the best drug prices for our seniors.
• A reconstruction effort in Iraq plagued by cronyism, where loyalty to the Bush White House far outweighs the need for experience.
• A HUD department which has directed that contracts be doled out based on contractors' support for President Bush.
• A host of political appointees that lack experience in key government positions - from FEMA, to the Justice Department, to The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Board of the Federal Reserve.

Governor Dean:

What happened to President Bush's promise to run an ethical Administration? How can the American people trust the President and his Administration when time and again evidence reveals that they put Party ahead of country and use their power to protect their political interests?

It's time to end Republican rule in Washington which has been characterized by unethical and questionable activity on the part of the Bush Administration and his GOP controlled Congress. Democrats offer a new direction. We will restore honesty and integrity in government with real ethics reform and will always put the interests of the American people ahead of the special interests.

When will it stop? When will the Republican culture of corruption stop putting the interests of the Republican Party ahead of the American people's interests?

Blocking the Vote

Yesterday the Republican controlled Congress passed H.R. 4844, a bill that would disenfranchise thousands of voters by requiring them to obtain and produce government issued photo ID proving their citizenship before they could vote.

As Donna Brazile, Chair of the DNC's Voting Rights Institute, said:

This Republican legislation would become the equivalent of a national poll tax. As Democrats, we believe that no American should have to pay in order to vote and we will continue to fight for meaningful election reform that ensures every citizen has access to the ballot and that those votes are accurately counted.

Today the NYT Editorial Board chimes in:

One of the cornerstones of the Republican Party’s strategy for winning elections these days is voter suppression, intentionally putting up barriers between eligible voters and the ballot box. The House of Representatives took a shameful step in this direction yesterday, voting largely along party lines for onerous new voter ID requirements. Laws of this kind are unconstitutional, as an array of courts have already held, and profoundly undemocratic. The Senate should not go along with this cynical, un-American electoral strategy.

The bill the House passed yesterday would require people to show photo ID to vote in 2008. Starting in 2010, that photo ID would have to be something like a passport, or an enhanced kind of driver’s license or non-driver’s identification, containing proof of citizenship. This is a level of identification that many Americans simply do not have.

The bill was sold as a means of deterring vote fraud, but that is a phony argument. There is no evidence that a significant number of people are showing up at the polls pretending to be other people, or that a significant number of noncitizens are voting.

Noncitizens, particularly undocumented ones, are so wary of getting into trouble with the law that it is hard to imagine them showing up in any numbers and trying to vote. The real threat of voter fraud on a large scale lies with electronic voting, a threat Congress has refused to do anything about.

The actual reason for this bill is the political calculus that certain kinds of people — the poor, minorities, disabled people and the elderly — are less likely to have valid ID. They are less likely to have cars, and therefore to have drivers’ licenses. There are ways for nondrivers to get special ID cards, but the bill’s supporters know that many people will not go to the effort if they don’t need them to drive.

If this bill passed the Senate and became law, the electorate would likely become more middle-aged, whiter and richer — and, its sponsors are anticipating, more Republican...

Keep reading "Blocking the Vote"

Thursday Open Thread

Chat away...

September 20, 2006

Late Night Open Thread

Because I'm still working, the Governor just walked by and he's still working, and so are a bunch of other DNCers...

Chat away...

Finally!

After stonewalling for close to a year, after changing the rules, stalling and dragging their feet and months of negotiations Bush and Co. have finally responded to The Democratic Party's FOIA request.

According to the AP, the records detail over a hundred visits to the White House by Jack Ambramoff cronies & Republican Culture of Corruption Co-Conspirators Grover Norquist (97 visits), Patrick Pizzella, Ralph Reed (18 visits), Michael Scanlon, and David Safavian.

From AP:

Republican activists Grover Norquist and Ralph Reed landed more than 100 meetings inside the Bush White House, according to documents released Wednesday that provide the first official accounting of the access and influence the two presidential allies have enjoyed.

The White House released the Secret Service visit records to settle a lawsuit by the Democratic Party and an ethics watchdog group seeking visitors logs for the two GOP strategists and others who emerged as figures in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal.

Earlier this month, the White House suggested to the judge in that lawsuit that such records need not be disclosed because the information was privileged and might reveal how Bush and his staff get private advice, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press.

White House officials said Norquist, who runs the nonprofit Americans for Tax Reform, was cleared for 97 visits to the White House complex between 2001 and 2006, including a half-dozen with the president.

Reed, former executive director of the Christian Coalition and an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in Georgia earlier this year, got 18 meetings, including two events with Bush.

Both Reed and Norquist became involved with Abramoff, the once high-power GOP lobbyist who has pleaded guilty to fraud and is now cooperating with prosecutors in an influence peddling investigation that has rocked Capitol Hill.

Norquist's group advocates lower taxes and less government and he built it into a major force in the Republican Party. Along the way he became friends with Abramoff and Rove.

The Abramoff Connections:

E-mails obtained this summer by AP show Norquist facilitated several administration contacts for Abramoff's clients while the lobbyist simultaneously solicited those clients for large donations to Norquist's group. Americans for Tax Reform acknowledged Norquist helped Abramoff but said he did nothing improper.

Reed rose to prominence as an organizer of evangelical Christian groups, including the Christian Coalition, inside the Republican Party before moving into business ventures where he did work for Indian tribes at Abramoff's request.

Documents unearthed by congressional investigators showed Abramoff and business partner Michael Scanlon routed about $4 million from Indian tribes to Reed-controlled entities for grassroots work aimed at blocking rival casinos. The revelations came as Reed ran an unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor in Georgia.
The White House also released records showing White House appointments landed by some of Abramoff's former lobbying associates. Among them:

• Neil Volz, a former aide to Ohio Republican Rep. Bob Ney, had 18 appointments, including one to attend a large event featuring Bush on Sept. 11, 2001, that was canceled because of the terrorist attacks. Volz has pleaded guilty to conspiring to corrupt Ney and others with trips and other largess.


• Lobbyist Shawn Vasell also had 18. Two were Bush events, likely a February bill signing and a Ford's Theatre gala, that occurred this year, when Vasell was no longer working with Abramoff.


• Abramoff business partner Scanlon, a former aide to then-Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, may have had one appointment; the White House couldn't say for certain whether the name in the Secret Service log was the same person. Scanlon has pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe public officials while lobbying on behalf of Indian tribes.


• Former DeLay aide and Abramoff lobbying team member Tony Rudy had 13, none with ush. Rudy has pleaded guilty to conspiring with Abramoff. Former Abramoff lobbying associate Kevin Ring, a former aide to California Republican Rep. John Doolittle, had 21, none with Bush.


• Two former Abramoff lobbying colleagues who joined Bush's administration, David Safavian and Patrick Pizzella, show up in the appointment logs countless times. Pizzella, an assistant secretary of labor, had 48, none with Bush. Among numerous meetings for Safavian, a former Bush administration procurement official who pleaded guilty to trying to hide his dealings with Abramoff, just one was with Bush, likely an employee holiday reception in 2004.

But it wasn't so easy to get the FOIA filled. It took months of negotiations while the Bush administration tried to hide the truth and stonewall instead of just giving honest answers...

In a court filing earlier this month while settlement discussions were ongoing, Justice Department lawyers representing the administration said information about the Norquist and Reed visits should be protected from public disclosure under the doctrine of "deliberative process privilege."

That privilege lets the president and executive branch officials seek advice and deliberate policy decisions in private without having to disclose such information under the Freedom of Information Act.

Yeah, you've heard that one before...

It is similar to executive privilege, a power made famous by President Nixon, that lets a president keep information secret even from Congress or the courts on the grounds that it would hurt his ability to get candid advice.

Executive privilege was the focal point of major legal battles in the Watergate and Clinton impeachment cases.

Bush administration lawyers wrote that Norquist and Reed were "prominent advocates of particular tax policies and other conservative policies" and that releasing information about their White House visits would "inherently reveal the structure and nature of deliberative processes."

"In making decisions on personnel and policy, and in formulating legislative proposals, the president must be free to seek confidential information from many sources, both inside the government and outside," the lawyers wrote in citing a favorable court ruling from 2005 involving Vice President Dick Cheney.

Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Karen Finney said she saw a pattern of the White House trying to avoid answering legitimate questions.

"By trying to extend a special privilege typically reserved for U.S. government employees, to protect their Abramoff cronies like Grover Norquist, and Ralph Reed, the Bush administration showed just how willing they are to manipulate the law to hide the truth and protect their political interests," Finney said.

But I guess they had reason to be worried, since they were associating with convicted criminals...

The administration lawyers also argued against releasing information about the White House visits of former federal procurement official David Safavian on the grounds that it would violate Safavian's privacy. Safavian was recently convicted of trying to cover up his dealings with Abramoff.

In the end that didnt't fly...

Administration officials said the Justice Department never invoked the privilege mentioned in the court filings because a settlement was reached. The lawyers made the arguments in the court filing only when the judge asked them to outline what legal arguments it might make if the case went to trial, the official said.

Former White House lawyer Lanny Breuer, who handled many of President Clinton's privilege claims, said that administration routinely released White House entry records to the public and never "came close to making a claim like the one being suggested in this instance."

Deliberative and executive privilege claims are "designed to protect the advice the president gets. They are not intended to protect the identities of people from whom he gets that advice or when or where that advice was given from a particular person," Breuer said.

More on the Rewriting the Geneva Convention

A few days ago we wrote about the debate surrounding the President's attempts to redefine the US interpretation of the Geneva Convention. The issue has continued to dominate Congressional discussions. Today, a development.

Under a headline reading "House Panel Defeats WH Detainee Bill; GOP in Conflict" TPM reports via CQ:

The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday rejected the Bush administration’s proposed ground rules for interrogation and trial of enemy combatants captured in the war on terrorism, defeating a bill that was approved last week by the Armed Services Committee.

The Q also noted that negotiations continue between the administration and Congress. "GOP leaders from both chambers were headed to the White House Wednesday afternoon to discuss the state of play on the detainee legislation."

The NYT says:

The House Judiciary Committee, in a surprise move, rejected the measure 20-17. The Republican-led panel had been widely expected to back the bill pushed by Bush while he battles with some key Republicans in the Senate for similar authority.

Despite their rejection, the bill will still be considered by the full House.

[Update]: Never mind, it was a trick. Republicans re-introduced the legislation after they rounded up a few more votes.

FL-Sen: GOP Grudgingly Accept Harris Is the Senate Nominee

Poor Katherine Harris, even when she wins (the primary, that is) she still can't get any real love:

On Tuesday morning, it looked like U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris was going to miss Thursday's rally in Orlando with President Bush and Republican gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist.

Harris' schedule showed her participating in votes in Washington on Thursday for a series of House votes on immigration bills and then attending a River City Republican Club function in Atlantic Beach, near Jacksonville, around the same time as the evening rally.

That prompted reporters at the Florida Cabinet meeting in Tallahassee to ask Crist and Gov. Jeb Bush about why Harris wasn't going to be there.

"We all need to choose where we can be the most efficient," Crist said.

Translation: We all need her to keep her brand of crazy away from us!

Well Harris wasn't gonna pass up the chance to show the big boys of the Florida GOP that she matters, especially if it means forcing Governor Jeb, who desperately tried to get every other Republican in the state to run against her, to say nice things about her, like:

Gov. Bush said: "I think she should attend. She's the party nominee for the United States Senate."

But the schedule change hasn't gone unnoticed and there were questions. Were the Bush boys and their new nom avoiding Harris?

Both denied there had been any effort by Republican leaders to keep Harris away from the event.

Late Tuesday, Harris spokeswoman Jennifer Marks said Harris had been invited and "looks forward to being with the president and Charlie Crist."

Marks declined to comment on why Harris' schedule had not previously included the event with the president or when the schedule was changed.

Can't get enough of the soap opera that is the Harris campaign? Read more, here.

Midday Open Thread

Can you believe there are only 48 days left until Election Day?

Georgia Voter ID Law Heads to GA Supreme Court

Laws that make it harder for Americans to exercise their freedom to vote are fast becoming one of the most popular pages in the GOP Playbook.

From The Macon Telegraph:

The fight over Georgia's voter ID law appears headed to the state Supreme Court, which likely will be asked to rule before the November general elections in seven weeks.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford Jr. on Tuesday rejected the state's latest attempt to require voters to present a government-issued photo ID at the polls.

...

State and federal judges for nearly the past year have consistently blocked enforcement of such a photo ID requirement for Georgia voters. An earlier version of the law also failed to pass muster - forcing the state Legislature to make the IDs free and available in all 159 of Georgia's counties. Still, judges in both courts have questioned the law as an undue burden on voters.

Bedford ruled the measure disenfranchises otherwise qualified voters and adds a new, unconstitutional condition to voting in the state.

"This cannot be," Bedford wrote, pointing out that a photo ID isn't even required to register to vote in Georgia.

"Any attempt by the Legislature to require more than what is required by the express language of our Constitution cannot withstand judicial scrutiny," Bedford wrote.

Supporters of the photo ID law, including Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue, say it is needed to protect against voter fraud. Opponents, including former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, argue it disenfranchises poor, elderly and minority voters who are less likely to have a driver's license or other valid government-issued photo ID.

Barnes challenged the law in the state case on a voter's behalf. Several civil rights groups filed a similar lawsuit in federal court.

"Judge Bedford obviously understood that at the end of the day, you don't play politics with the most fundamental right - the right to vote," said Jennifer Jordan, co-counsel with Barnes in the case. "The right to vote is actually the one thing that makes us all equal."

Yet, despite the injunction in Georgia, just a day later the United States Congress is considering H.R. 4844, a bill that would disenfranchise thousands of voters by requiring them to obtain and produce government issued photo ID proving their citizenship before they could vote.

Donna Brazile, Chair of the DNC Voting Rights Institute had this to say:

"This is the second blow in less than a week to the Republican strategy to narrow and limit the rights of America's voters. This latest decision in favor of voting rights and against Georgia's voter ID sends a message to Republicans across the country, that their partisan schemes to undermine the right to vote will not go unchallenged."

"Tomorrow, Republicans should think twice before enacting a law that requires voters to pay for photo ID and proof of citizenship. This Republican legislation would become the equivalent of a national poll tax. As Democrats, we believe that no American should have to pay in order to vote and we will continue to fight for meaningful election reform that ensures every citizen has access to the ballot and that those votes are accurately counted. While the Republicans play politics at the ballot box, Democrats will continue to work with state and local officials to help avoid some of the messy problems that have occurred this election cycle."

Author and Voting Rights expert Spencer Overton wrote about the dangers of Photo ID laws over at MyDD.com a few months back:

At first blush, photo ID requirements seem reasonable. But upon closer examination, about 20 million voting-age citizens lack photo identification, which is more people than in Delaware, New Mexico, and 14 other states combined. In places like Wisconsin, 23% of seniors lack a state-issued photo ID, and 78% of young black men ages 18-24 lack a driver's license. At the same time, evidence of fraud is rare (a study of all Ohio counties found 4 cases of fraud at the polls out of 9 million ballots cast).

Voting is different than flying, buying cigarettes, and other activities that require photo ID. For example, it makes sense to prevent 1000 legitimate travelers without ID from boarding an airplane to stop one terrorist who could blow up the plane, but it doesn't make sense to prevent 1000 legitimate voters from casting a ballot in the off chance that we'll stop one improper voter. Such an approach moves us away from rather than closer to the objective of democracy--ascertaining the will of the people. Based on the current evidence, a photo ID is likely to result in more rather than fewer erroneous election outcomes.

CT-Sen: On the Campaign Trail

GQ magazine has a great article up that looks at the race in the days leading up to the primary. As Tim says over on the official Ned Lamont Blog, "It’s long, but probably the most colorful piece you’re ever going to see about the campaign."

I wouldn't say that the CT race has lacked "colorful" coverage, but this is real inside-the-bubble reporting and it's good (I teared up around page 9).

Read it here.

Wednesday Open Thread

http://www.100actions.com/

September 19, 2006

50-State Strategy: Idaho

Larry LaRocco, former Congressman and current candidate for Idaho Lt. Governor has a new ad on the radio.

From The Idaho Statesman:

A campaign radio ad airing in the Treasure Valley as soon as this week accuses Gov. Jim Risch of damaging school funding and hurting Idaho families with the property tax plan that passed during last month's special legislative session.

Larry LaRocco, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, paid for the ad and said it is his "September strategy" to let Idahoans know about the impact the tax shift will have on their lives.

On the campaign trial, LaRocco is having trouble pinning down his GOP opponent to debate as Risch and 2 other top-Gop candidates have refused to debate.

From Spokesman Review:

The Idaho Republican Party should be ashamed of three of its top candidates for statewide office.

For the third time this month, a Republican candidate for an executive office has rejected an invitation from the League of Women Voters and Idaho Press Club for a live statewide debate on Idaho Public Television. Last week, U.S. Rep. Butch Otter, who is running for governor, opted for a TV debate in the Boise area with more controls. On Sept. 1, Gov. Jim Risch declined an invitation to face Democrat Larry LaRocco on public television in their lieutenant governor race. On Wednesday, former legislator Donna Jones said she won't bother to debate Democrat Jackie Groves Twilegar in their controller race.

...

The attitude of the Republican candidates toward live public debates is a far cry from the one displayed by then U.S. Rep. Richard Stallings in the 1992 U.S. Senate race. Stallings interrupted his busy Capitol Hill schedule to meet Dirk Kempthorne in a series of eight debates. At the time Kempthorne said: "These debates will give Idaho voters a chance to hear a direct and open exchange of ideas on the issues facing the state and the nation."

The arrogance of the three front-running Republicans doesn't serve government or candidates well when a cynical citizenry already assumes the worst about both.

and LaRocco himself chimed in with an Op-Ed in The Post-Register:

As a U.S. Army veteran and former congressman, I have a record of public service. I believe I have earned my place in the traditional statewide television debate Nov. 1 as a candidate for Idaho’s lieutenant governor.

The Idaho Press Club, Idaho Public Television and the League of Women Voters had everything in place — as always. The format is tried and true. The broadcast network reaches the far corners of Idaho. The reporters are seasoned political observers.

Unfortunately, one person has been able to derail this traditional face-off. That person is my opponent, Jim Risch.

As a result of Jim Risch’s maneuvering, Idaho voters have been denied an opportunity to learn more about the issues important to their families. Once again, as with the recent special session of the Legislature, it was Risch’s way or the highway.

I have participated in this forum in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1992 and 1994. It didn’t matter whether I was a candidate for an open seat, as a challenger or as an incumbent. I always showed up.

In the race to represent Idaho's 1st Congressional district, Larry Grant met with his opponent to debate recently. Over at the Grassroots for Grant blog, Julie Fanslow provides a wrap-up:

The first face-to-face meeting between Larry Grant and his opponent Bill Sali saw the candidates outline sharp differences in philosophy - just what voters will need to make up their minds on November 7.

Nearly 300 people packed the Lake Coeur d'Alene Room of North Idaho College's Edminster Student Union to hear the candidates answer questions in the first of several planned debates over the next five weeks. Although many people sported Grant or Sali stickers, others said beforehand they hadn't yet chosen their favorite candidate. By the end of the night, however, Larry easily garnered the loudest applause.

For a full blow-by-blow, make sure you read the whole entry.

Posted by on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 | Permalink

Listen Up: DNC Podcast

This week, the DNC's Podcast hosted Democratic Strategist Doug Sosnik, author of the new book "Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community." In his interview, Sosnik outlines themes from his book, including Americans' desire to restore a sense of community which has been lost in the recent years. He criticizes President Bush for squandering opportunities to bring Americans together in the current climate of political partisanship and divisiveness.

"I think people are clearly now much more inclined to be part of something larger than just themselves. They want to be part of a community and that is one of the great failures of the Bush presidency. Not only did he not bring this country together as one as President, but he didn't even try. He had three of four opportunities to lead this country after winning a very divisive election in 2000 and he never even made the effort to bring the country together."

Sosnik also discussed "gut value connections," personal connections politicians make with others that lead to their success. He says President Bush's handling of Hurricane Katrina ruined his ability to connect with the hearts and minds of Americans, and he may never regain their support.

"I think the last straw for most people in this country was Katrina - his inability to lead a government to respond to Katrina, his insensitivity about the problems for the folks in Louisiana at the time. If you look at the polls since Katrina, which has now been over a year, they largely have been consistent. I think for the most part, people in this country have made their mind up about George Bush and I don't think for the vast majority of this country will ever revisit how they feel about him and I don't think he'll ever regain their support level."

You can listen to the podcast, here.

And, if you are an iTunes user you can make sure you never miss a podcast - subscribe to the DNC podcast and you'll be updated automatically!

Posted by on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 | Permalink

Today in Iraq

More news of escalating violence in Iraq:

Suicide bombers killed at least 34 people in attacks in western and northern Iraq on Monday, underscoring the continuing violence throughout the country as U.S. and Iraqi forces focus on tamping down attacks in the capital.

In Tal Afar, north of Baghdad, a man wearing an explosive vest blew himself up at 6:15 p.m. in a line of residents waiting to buy cylinders of cooking gas, killing 21 people and wounding 18 others, said Brig. Gen. Saeed Jubury, a police spokesman in Mosul.

Earlier in the afternoon, a suicide car bomber slammed into a recruiting center for Iraqi security forces in Ramadi, capital of Anbar province, killing 13 recruits and wounding 10 others, said Talib Mushtaq al-Obaydi, a doctor at Ramadi General Hospital. A statement from the insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq asserted responsibility for the attack...

[H]orrific bloodshed remains routine in Baghdad, where nearly 100 people were found dead in one 24-hour period last week. Many residents remain fearful of security forces meant to protect them, particularly police from the Interior Ministry, which is thought to be infiltrated by militias and death squads.

While the civil war rages on in Iraq, American troops are caught in the cross-fire and a report in today's New York Times says they aren't leaving anytime soon:

The top American commander in the Middle East said the more than 140,000 soldiers now in Iraq are likely to be needed there at least until next spring because of continuing sectarian violence and the effort to secure Baghdad.

“I think that this level probably will have to be sustained through next spring, and then we’ll re-evaluate,” General John P. Abizaid told reporters at a breakfast roundtable.

American commanders have said previously that they expected current troop levels to be maintained through the end of the year unless security improved, but General Abizaid’s comment were the first indication that commanders believe reductions are unlikely until well into next year.

The surge in violence over the last six months, especially in Baghdad, has forced American commanders to increase troop levels by around 20,000 since last June and scrap plans made by General George W. Casey Jr., the senior American commander in Iraq, to reduce the number of combat brigades to 12 by this month.

“If you had asked me six months ago, I would have said that we would be down a couple of brigades from what we currently have,” General Abizaid said.

...

The troop levels in Iraq are the highest since force levels were increased to provide security for last January’s elections in Iraq.

Posted by on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (4)

Tuesday Open Thread

What's happening in your world today?

Posted by on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (185)

September 18, 2006

Monday Night Open Thread

The Fudge Report

Posted by on Monday, September 18, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (112)

HELP WANTED

Bush Cronies Only Need Apply:

After the fall of Saddam Hussein's government in April 2003, the opportunity to participate in the U.S.-led effort to reconstruct Iraq attracted all manner of Americans -- restless professionals, Arabic-speaking academics, development specialists and war-zone adventurers. But before they could go to Baghdad, they had to get past Jim O'Beirne's office in the Pentagon.

To pass muster with O'Beirne, a political appointee who screens prospective political appointees for Defense Department posts, applicants didn't need to be experts in the Middle East or in post-conflict reconstruction. What seemed most important was loyalty to the Bush administration.

O'Beirne's staff posed blunt questions to some candidates about domestic politics: Did you vote for George W. Bush in 2000? Do you support the way the president is fighting the war on terror? Two people who sought jobs with the U.S. occupation authority said they were even asked their views on Roe v. Wade .

Many of those chosen by O'Beirne's office to work for the Coalition Provisional Authority, which ran Iraq's government from April 2003 to June 2004, lacked vital skills and experience. A 24-year-old who had never worked in finance -- but had applied for a White House job -- was sent to reopen Baghdad's stock exchange. The daughter of a prominent neoconservative commentator and a recent graduate from an evangelical university for home-schooled children were tapped to manage Iraq's $13 billion budget, even though they didn't have a background in accounting.

See the want ad, here. (Caution: Snark!)

Posted by on Monday, September 18, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (8)

Sham Reform

The Republicans in Congress have gotten pretty good at packaging and passing legislation that sounds good, gives them some political cover and utterly fails to address the problem they are supposed be solving.

From today's NYT:

One of the shabbiest shell games under way in Congress is the attempt to convince voters that lawmakers are curbing their corrupt relations with power lobbyists. The cravenness was never clearer as G.O.P. House leaders passed a placebo rules change in place of honest reform — and on the very day when one of their own, Representative Bob Ney of Ohio, was plea bargaining in the corruption investigation of his old friend Jack Abramoff, the disgraced überlobbyist and influence peddler.

The political ghosts of Mr. Ney and Tom DeLay, the former House majority leader, should haunt this Congress and its Republican bosses for their disgraceful refusal to end the Capitol’s embrace of the lobbying industry. In the first burst of the Abramoff scandal last spring, both houses made all manner of reform vows, then cynically hung two hollow bills out to die on the vine.

Last week House leaders sanctimoniously promised an end to the “fog” and “shadows” with a rules change concocted of smoke and mirrors. The rule pretends to deal with just one part of lobbying corruption, the cramming of millions of dollars in special interest favors into must-pass budget bills.

Disclosure of these backdoor deals and their sponsors is promised. But lobbyists who have feasted on earmarks are already mapping their way around this fig leaf, just as lawmakers hungry for lobbyists’ campaign money know they have once more voted for the shameless status quo.

Congress is offering this wink and a nod on earmarks only to cover its spinelessness on larger ethical issues. The Republican majority has already junked proposals to restrict the rise of lobbyists as campaign finance brokers for grateful lawmakers.

A more responsible Congress would ban lobbyists as political money bundlers, as well as the proliferation of lawmakers’ relatives as lobbyists and the Capitol junkets catered by lobbyists on corporate tabs.

So sure, expect to start hearing about Republicans in Congress swept corruption out of Congress. Expect to hear about their amazing "oversight" and "reform" of the system. But don't buy it.

The truth is:

• In two of the last three years, Republicans have failed to pass a final budget resolution. This is the first time in history that has happened when the same party controls the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives (FY 2007 & FY 2005). Failure to produce a final budget by the Republicans is failure to meet the most basic responsibility of any government, and is one of the reasons their fiscal policies are out of control.
• The Bush Administration has turned a $5.6 trillion surplus into a nearly $3 trillion deficit – a $8.6 trillion fiscal reversal. When the Bush Administration came into office in January 2001, there was a projected 10-year surplus of $5.6 trillion thanks to President Clinton’s policies. After just five years of a Republican President and a Republican Congress, the projected deficit for the same time period has reached nearly $3 trillion.
• Republicans in Congress have seen a decreasing oversight of the Bush Administration, and against cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse. As the Washington Post described it: "The decline of oversight hearings on Capitol Hill reflects what many of the commentators called a loss of institutional pride in Congress. Majority Republicans see themselves first and foremost as members of the Bush team -- and do not want to make trouble by asking hard questions.”

Posted by on Monday, September 18, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (5)

Combat Boots vs. Cowboy Boots

A Democrat Rises in Virginia:

From the start, the Virginia Senate race was an emblematic campaign for 2006: combat boots vs. cowboy boots, in the inevitable shorthand.

A highly decorated Vietnam veteran and former secretary of the Navy who opposed the war in Iraq (James Webb, Democrat) in an uphill battle against a paragon of sunbelt conservatism with national ambitions (Senator George Allen, Republican.)

But in the past month, ever since Mr. Allen’s demeaning reference to a young man of Indian descent at a campaign event, this race has become more than an intriguing clash of symbols; according to the polls, it is now truly competitive.

On the web: Webb for Senate

AMERICAblog takes note of this weekend's debate with video, while Markos covers the post-debate commentary over at DailyKos.

TPM Cafe profiles the race and shows you the most recent polling.

Posted by on Monday, September 18, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Manic Monday Open Thread

Chat away...

Posted by on Monday, September 18, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (121)

September 17, 2006

Sunday Open Thread

100actions.com

Posted by on Sunday, September 17, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (99)

September 16, 2006

Weekend Open Thread

Chat away...

Posted by on Saturday, September 16, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (413)

September 15, 2006

Getting Local: Iowa State Legislature

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is tasked with electing Democrats to State Legislative Offices in all 50 States. Recently, they partnered with ActBlue to form the State Activation Project.

Today, Executive Director Michael Davies sent out their first "State Spotlight," and highlighed The Hawkeye State, Iowa.

In Iowa, although Bush won this state, Democrats have continued to make gains at the state legislative level with a localized message and strong operations on the ground. 

In 2004, we picked up 4 seats in the Iowa Senate to push the chamber to a tie, and we picked up 3 seats in the Iowa House; we are now within one seat of taking the chamber. 

We now have a great opportunity to finish the job and push two chambers towards Democratic control. 

A recent article in the DesMoines Register talks about the unpredictable situation this cycle.

It could be the first Democratic sweep at the Iowa Capitol in more than 40 years. Or maybe voters will again choose split-party control in Des Moines, this time with a Republican governor.

How the chips fall on Nov. 7 in terms of who seizes control of the various reins of state government is more difficult to predict in Iowa this year than most, and more than any other state.

The DLCC is working to give Democrats in Iowa every advantage with polling, communications, and research.  We recently activated the state with ActBlue, which gives every Democrat online fundraising capacity.

Read about some of the front-line House and Senate candidates after the flip...

Keep reading "Getting Local: Iowa State Legislature"

Posted by on Friday, September 15, 2006 | Permalink

Desperate Attacks Don't Work

Senator Conrad Burns is desperate. Jon Tester is winning over the people of Montana, and the Burns campaign has nothing to fall back except embarrassing political gaffes, racist remarks and a record of special interest legislation.

A new poll by Rasmussen now shows Tester ahead of Burns 52%-43%, and Montana's newspapers have publicly chastised the Burns' Smear Operation.

From Tester's blog:

Two stories today shut down Senator Burns’ baseless attacks on Jon Tester from the Hamilton Debate. Senator Burns claimed that Jon used his constituency account improperly, a charge that the Helena Independent Record and the Butte Montana Standard systematically disassembled on their editorial pages.

The Motnana Standard labelled Burns’ charges “poorly researched” and goes on to say “his staff should be chastized for bringing up information that was obviously skewed.”

The Independent Record found “no indication that Tester did anything improper with his constituency fund.”

“It doesn’t seem helpful to single out one legislative leader who apparently followed the rules and used his account for its intended purpose — keeping in touch with constituents — for ethical criticism about how the accounts are set up.”

This isn't the first time Conrad Burns has lied about Jon Tester, but he has nothing to run on and his pay-to-play record is quickly catching up with him.

It's time for real change.

If you haven't already, you should check out Jon Tester's fantastic ads. They are some of the best I have ever seen, and really make me feel like I know who Jon Tester is, what he stands for and what kind of Senator he will be. (This one is my favorite).

Posted by on Friday, September 15, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (5)

By the Numbers: The Senate

Markos has a great state-by-state look at the recent polling for the competitive Senate races.

Bottom line? We are leading in the polls in six races and are competitive in a seventh. Democrats will likely hold all their endangered seats...It would be nice if we got add another race to this list (Nevada or Arizona?) to further expand the playing field and spread Republicans even thinner. But as is, this is a stunning turn of events in a year where the map clearly favored the GOP.

Check out the whole thing, here.

Posted by on Friday, September 15, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (19)

Moral Authority & The Geneva Convention

Yesterday:

The Senate Armed Services Committee defied President Bush on Thursday, with four Republicans joining Democrats in approving a plan for the trial and interrogation of terrorism suspects that the White House has rejected as unacceptable.

The Republican rebellion was led by Senator John W. Warner of Virginia, the committee chairman, with backing from Senators John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Susan Collins of Maine.

The White House had said their legislation would leave the United States no option but to shut down a C.I.A. program to interrogate high-level terrorism suspects.

The vote came on a frantic day of Republican infighting and despite an all-out effort by the White House to win support for its own approach, which provides far fewer protections for detainees.

The President lobbied hard for his version of this legislation yesterday - traveling to Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and ask for their votes. But Democrats and some Republicans aren't buying it.

The main dispute between the White House and the Senate Republicans revolves around a provision known as Common Article 3, which prohibits inhumane treatment of combatants seized in wartime. Gen. Michael V. Hayden, the C.I.A. director, has argued that the article’s prohibition against “outrages upon personal dignity” must be clarified so that troops and C.I.A. personnel know what is permissible in the interrogation of terrorism suspects.

But Senators Warner, McCain and Graham say the Bush proposal would send a signal that the United States has abandoned its commitment to human rights, and invite other nations to reinterpret the Geneva Conventions as they see fit, eliminating protections for American troops seized in future conflicts.

The senators also dismissed the letter from the military lawyers, saying they had questions about whether it amounted to an authentic endorsement of the White House proposal. They said they put more weight on extensive public testimony in which the lawyers raised doubts about the Bush plan.

Some military officials briefed on the military lawyers’ position also disputed the notion that the lawyers had reversed course. They said the lawyers agreed to sign a letter at a meeting on Wednesday after discussing the language over several hours.

Senate Democrats on the Armed Services Committee all opposed the President's plan.

Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, the senior Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, warned the administration against taking on Mr. McCain, a former prisoner of war.

“They’re trying to reinterpret the Geneva Conventions,’’ Mr. Levin said, “but the best expert on that is somebody who has very personal experience with those who violate Geneva, and that’s Senator McCain.”

Senate Democrats and Republican Senators McCain, Warner, Graham and Collins aren't alone in opposing the President's plan. The Former Secretary of State, Collin Powell, also opposes the changes. In a letter to Senator McCain he wrote:

The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis for our fight against terrorism. To redefine Common Article 3 would add to those doubts. Furthermore, it would put of our troops at risk.

In a seperate letter, a group of retired military leaders and former officials from the Department of Defense wrote:

Moreover, were we to take this step, we would be viewed by the rest of the world as having formally renounced the clear strictures of the Geneva Conventions. Our enemies would encouraged to interpret the Conventions in their own way as well, placing our troops in jeopardy in future conflicts. And American moral authority in the war would be further damaged.

For more details on this, check out today's NYT Editorial.

Posted by on Friday, September 15, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (22)

TGIF Open Thread

Here you go...

Posted by on Friday, September 15, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (245)

September 14, 2006

The Secret of His Success?

Get elected Governor of Georgia. Have a buddy insert language into a bill that gives you a massive personal tax break. Not bad work if you can get it.

First this:

The evidence is conclusive: In 2005, Georgia legislators quietly smuggled language into an otherwise routine tax bill that gave one particular Georgia taxpayer a special tax deferral worth more than $100,000.

The taxpayer in question was Gov. Sonny Perdue, the man who signed the bill into law on April 12, 2005, and shortly thereafter signed his state tax return taking advantage of that special legislation.

That chain of events represents a serious abuse of public power for private gain, and the victims of that abuse were Georgia taxpayers.

Then this (Via TMP):

Brian: “Hello, Governor, I’m a big fan of yours.”

Sonny Perdue: “Thanks, Brian.”

Brian: “I’d like to think I’m a lot like you. I just graduated from UGA [University of Georgia] and recently married my high school sweetheart.”

Sonny Perdue: “All right. I hope you make it 34 years like we have.”

Brian: “Well, that’s my goal, Governor. The one thing I haven’t been able to do is find a way to have a friend of mine write me a bill that saves me a $100,000 on my taxes. I was wondering how I might be able to get that done.”

Sonny Perdue: “Well, you get elected governor, Brian. I appreciate your question. That was really nice. I appreciate you being a fan, and i wish you well on your honeymoon.”

Georgia Democrats are not amused.

"Here is what is really bad about Sonny," state Democratic Party spokesman Emil Runge said. "He thinks it's funny that he's gotten away with stealing this money." Runge said. "His arrogance blinds him to the plight of the rest of us who can't afford health insurance, while our children learn in cash-strapped schools, and our workers lose their jobs."

Luckily, Georgia has another, better choice on November 7th, Mark Taylor. A candidate they call, "The Big Guy," but who fights for the "little guy," and is intent on keeping Georgia affordable, for everyone in the Peach state.

Posted by on Thursday, September 14, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (12)

Remembering Ann Richards

Governor Dean:

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Richards family as we mourn the loss of a true trailblazer and beloved member of the Democratic Party.

Governor Richards may be best known for her quick wit and sense of humor, but people in Texas know she created the most diverse government in the state's history at the time, fought for public schools and advocated for people struggling with substance abuse problems.

Today, we celebrate the life of a woman whose commitment to public service and the people of Texas was as big as her spirit. The country will remember her with fondness and admiration.

Since hearing the news last night I have been receiving e-mails filled with people's fond memories and stories about Governor Richards.

In the office this morning there were more stories to be shared about Governor Richards - from tales of her exploits in Texas to ancedotes about traveling with her during the 2004 Presidential election.

From Burnt Orange Report:

The current chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, Boyd Richie, added, “we lost a true Texas hero in Ann Richards. Ann knew the real meaning of public service, and her dedication to empowering others was evident throughout her entire political career. Ann was a trailblazer and a real treasure, and I know people of all political persuasions are saddened by her passing”

Governor Richards leaves a lasting legacy behind. Ann once said,"I did not want my tombstone to read, 'She kept a really clean house.' I think I'd like them to remember me by saying, 'She opened government to everyone.'"

From AP:

The silver-haired, silver-tongued Ms. Richards said she entered politics to help others, especially women and minorities who were often ignored by Texas' male-dominated establishment...

Ms. Richards grabbed the national spotlight with her keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention, when she was the Texas state treasurer. She won cheers when she reminded delegates that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, "only backwards and in high heels."

Ms. Richards sealed her partisan reputation with a blast at George H.W. Bush, a fellow Texan who was vice president at the time: "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

From the Austin-American Statesman:

Richards often told young girls not to try her path diverting from obedient know-no-alternative housewifery to a late discovery of personal potential.

"The only standard that truly matters is the one you set for yourself," she said at Girls State in 1993. "And you cannot count on Prince Charming to make you feel better about yourself and take care of you, like some funhouse mirror that reflects you at twice your real size.

"Because Prince Charming may be driving a Honda and telling you that you have no equal . . . but that won't do you much good when you've got kids and a mortgage . . . and he has a beer gut and a wandering eye."

On embarking on her 12-year stint as a statewide official, Richards said: "Naturally, I want it to be easier for women to get involved in politics. I want them to think of politics and public service as a good place for them, as something honorable and something worthwhile for them to pursue. And the way they are going to do that is to say, 'If she can do it, I can do it.' "

Posted by on Thursday, September 14, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (21)

Thursday Morning Open Thread

Today, the Democratic Party, women, and activists everywhere mourn the loss of a champion for our rights - Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas. Our thoughts are with her family.

A DNC staff member sent this out late last night:

In the summer of 1988, my dad made me sit down and watch the Democratic National Convention. Not really a fun prospect for a 12-year-old kid. However, the captivating keynote speaker grabbed my attention with her charm, her wit, her familiar Texas twang and that gravity-defying hair! Two years later, my political career began when I carried yard signs for Ann Richards's successful campaign to become Governor of Texas.

Tonight, instead of mourning the loss of this giant of American politics, I figured I'd listen to that twang once again... to remind me why I love what I do. I thought you might enjoy a listen, as well.

http://www.progressivemajorityspeaks.org/
(Click on #10)

This is an open thread...

Posted by on Thursday, September 14, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (241)

September 13, 2006

When you have nothing to run on...

What ThinkProgress said:

Yesterday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said that if bin Laden is caught tomorrow, “it is five years too late.” She added, “He has done more damage the longer he has been out there. But in fact, the damage that he has done is done. And even to capture him now, I don’t think makes us any safer.”

Pelosi is now under attack for her statements about bin Laden. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) said Pelosi’s comments “can only have a demoralizing effect on American troops and intelligence personnel who are currently risking their lives in the rugged mountain ranges and deserts of the Middle East in pursuit of Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants.” (More here and here.) Pelosi’s words, however, are no different from what the White House, many foreign policy experts, and the 9-11 Commission have said consistently:

9-11 Commission Said Capturing Bin Laden Would Not End the War on Terror. “The problem is that al Qaeda represents an ideological movement, not a finite group of people. It initiates and inspires, even if it no longer directs. In this way it has transformed itself into a decentralized force. Bin Ladin may be limited in his ability to organize major attacks from his hideouts. Yet killing or capturing him, while extremely important, would not end terror.” [9-11 Commission Report Executive Summary]

Bush Said Bin Laden Was “Not the Issue.” Bush: “We are patient, we’re deliberate. Oh, I know the news media likes to say, ‘Where’s ol’ Osama bin Laden?’ He’s not the issue. The issue is international terror.” [Bush Remarks, 2/5/02]

Cheney Said “You’d Still Have a Problem With al Qaeda” If Bin Laden Were Killed. “He’s not the only source of the problem, obviously, Tim. If you killed him tomorrow, you’d still have a problem with al-Qaeda, with Zawahiri and the others.” [Cheney, 9/10/06]

Rumsfeld War On Terror Was Larger Than Bin Laden. Rumsfeld: “My attitude is if [bin Laden] were gone tomorrow the same problem would exist. He’s got a whole bunch of lieutenants that have been trained and they’ve got bank accounts all over and they’ve got cells in 50 or 60 countries. Would you want to stop him? Sure. Would you want to stop the rest of his lieutenants? You bet. But I don’t get up every morning and say that’s the end, the goal and the end point of this thing. I think that would be a big mistake. Furthermore, the al Qaeda is just one of the networks.” [Rumsfeld, 10/24/01]

Rumsfeld Said Al Qaeda Can Function Without Bin Laden. Rumsfeld: “He could walk in here tomorrow and Al Qaeda would go on functioning.” [Christian Science Monitor, 3/1/02]

Other prominent conservatives have also said that capturing bin Laden will not end the terror threat.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (35)

Rep. Murtha Calls for Rumsfeld Resignation

John Murtha blogs over at HuffPo:

Today I introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for the immediate resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

The President must show the American people and the world that there is accountability for the mistakes that have made in the war in Iraq. We must restore our credibility with our allies and the world in order to effectively fight the global threat of terrorism.

Secretary Rumsfeld has failed in managing the military response to this threat and should be replaced with someone who is capable of not only recognizing the mistakes that have been made but addressing them head on for the good of our military and our great nation.

Read the full text of Rep. Murtha's resolution in the extended entry.

Keep reading "Rep. Murtha Calls for Rumsfeld Resignation"

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (10)

Midday Open Thread

• I agree - this ad is pretty powerful.
• John points to this great column in The Washington Post about Disney's mockudrama, "The Path to 9/11".
• Josh Marshall explains that even when he is attempting to apologize, George Allen is still a hateful liar.
• C&L has video of "Jersey Girl" Kristen Breitweiser on CNN, who talks about many things, including standing up to an evil Republican smear campaign.
• I know you were wondering what was happening in Texas these days.
• My Congressman has his own TV show. And it's awesome, because my Congressman rocks! It's on tonight: #4:

  "In episode four, the staff is working on Iraq and environmental policy matters when Hurricane Katrina hits. Having experienced FEMA's incompetence during Florida's previous hurricane season, Wexler is incensed by the unfolding catastrophe and becomes an angry, articulate voice on behalf of Katrina refugees."

• You still have a chance to sign-up for one of the DNC's leadership Summits. The African American Leadership Summit, The Women's Leadership Forum 13th Annual Issues Conference and The Hispanic Leadership Summit are all fast approaching!

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (160)

Maryland Primaries Still Not Over

A series of tough primaries have keep Maryland Democrats quite busy, but today they have their nominee for Senate in Rep. Ben Cardin.

From WaPo:

U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin beat out former NAACP president Kweisi Mfume to win the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland, even as chaos at polling sites Tuesday delayed final results and left some other races too close to call.

With 93.3 percent of precincts reporting by 9 a.m. , Cardin had 45.8 percent of the vote and Mfume had 37.7 percent.

"I know that we are united," Cardin told the Associated Press. He said he and Mfume "ran a campaign that wasn't about our election, it was about November's election. We need to change the direction of the country. We had two people running who shared the same commitment."

Mfume had appeared before his supporters shortly after 1:30 a.m. and all but conceded the race, calling Cardin his friend and saying that "he'll be a damn good senator."

Maryland Democrats also chose John Sarbanes as their nominee for the seat vacated by Rep. Cardin. John is the son of retiring U.S. Senator Paul Sarbenes, who was recently honored by the DNC.

From The Baltimore Sun:

John P. Sarbanes, an attorney and political novice, held on to win the highly contested race for the 3rd District congressional seat this morning.

Sarbanes, the son of retiring U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, outpaced former Baltimore Health Commissioner Peter L. Beilenson and state Sen. Paula C. Hollinger, the only elected official among the eight Democrats vying for the nomination...

Sarbanes of Towson is an attorney at Venable LLP, where he is chairman of the health care practice. He has also been special assistant to the state superintendent of schools and is a 16-year board member of the nonprofit Public Justice Center.

He waged an aggressive campaign, raising nearly $1 million with the help of his father's extensive national network of donors, including the Greek-American community.

The quiet and deliberate Sarbanes released detailed plans on such issues as health care and education. He refrained from attacking his rivals, even when some questioned his lack of political experience and implied that he was riding on his father's coattails.

Initially, Sarbanes distanced himself from his father. But in recent weeks, the elder Sarbanes has appeared in a television commercial, a mailing and on the campaign trail.

Last night the elder Sarbanes said he hoped his political reputation had helped his son. "We represented the people for three decades, and I think they are happy with what we did," he said. "But it's his campaign, not mine. He has proven himself on his own merits in this campaign."

Elsewhere in the state, voting problems plagued Tuesday's Elections, forcing polls open later, delaying results and causing enormous frustration. As a result, Maryland's full list of nominees is not yet know.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

AZ-08: It's Gabrielle Giffords

Gabrielle Giffords emerged from a crowded field as the Democratic nominee from Arizona's 8th Congressional District, winning a clear majority of the vote. In a speech to supporters last night, Giffords said:

I will follow in the tradition of Congressmen Mo Udall and Jim McNulty — They protected this beautiful place, and spoke plain English, and had the guts to tackle tough issues. And we can do that today, by grabbing hold of the values we have in common, not by grasping in the dark at fears to divide us. We know our values — strengthening our communities, creating opportunity, living up to our responsibilities, and keeping our families safe. These aren’t just Democratic values; these aren’t just Republican values — these are our values — America’s values.

What is unmistakably clear is that the choice in this election is between common sense or beliefs that don’t fit Southern Arizona. If you elect me in November, I will work my heart out to bring Southern Arizona together, not drive wedges to force us apart.

Giffords will now face ultra conservative right-winger Randy Graf, who has already been slapped with a "can't win" label - making this seat a great pick-up opportunity for Democrats. Markos has more...

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink

NY-19: He's the One!

In New York's 19th Congressional District John Joseph Hall is set to take on his Republican opponent this fall as he handily won his primary contest last night.

Thirty years ago — long before he set his sights on a seat in Congress — John Joseph Hall was a member of the popular soft rock band Orleans, and he co-wrote the pop music standard, “Still the One.”

He could hardly have predicted that the tune would become a fitting theme song for his successful primary campaign this year in New York’s 19th District, where on Tuesday he won the nomination for a potentially competitive challenge to six-term Republican Rep. Sue W. Kelly....

Hall had long grass-roots experience that appealed to many Democrats. A former Ulster County legislator, he was well-known to many of these rank-and-file voters and easily introduced to others. His campaign platform was unabashedly progressive and consistently so, as he outlined many of the same stances he has held for decades.

Though he doesn’t cut a dashing appearance, Hall’s musical background and hint of celebrity provided him with free publicity and an ability to raise campaign funds fairly effortlessly...He also received backing from Democratic Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey of the neighboring 22nd District and from Yorktown City Councilman Jim Martorano, who had dropped his own bid for the 19th District seat.

Environmental advocates also signaled their preference for Hall, with conservationist Robert Kennedy Jr. switching his support from Aydelott in July and the Sierra Club giving Hall its endorsement earlier this month.

“Rep. Kelly may be a six-term incumbent with all the inherent advantages, but she’s never had to run in a political year like this one, and she’s never had to face an opponent like John Hall,” Hall spokesman Tom Staudter told CQPolitics.com.

His campaign believes the strength of Hall’s convictions will resonate with the public, regardless of party affiliation. “We know that voters — not just Democrats and independents but moderate Republicans — most of all want a straight talker,” said Staudter.

It would seem the Hall Team has already hit the ground running in anticipation of November's General Election.

You can catch John this evening over at FireDogLake for a Blograiser.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (7)

MN-05: Dems Poised to Send 1st Muslim-American to Congress

There many, many primary results to sort through today. In Minnesota, Democrats in the 5th Congressional District nominated Keith Ellison to represent them in the United States Congress. In the heavily Democratic district, this victory all but assures him a win in November. And, when Ellison heads to Congress next year he will be the 1st African-American to represent Minnesota and the first Muslim American to serve in Congress.

From CQ:

Democrats in Minnesota’s strongly Democratic 5th Congressional District put history into motion by nominating state Rep. Keith Ellison in Tuesday’s primary — all but guaranteeing that he will become the first Muslim ever elected to Congress.

Ellison’s virtually certain victory in November also would make him the first African-American to represent Minnesota in the 110th Congress, and one of a small handful of black lawmakers who represent districts with sizable white majorities. The 5th, which includes all of Minneapolis and much of its suburbs, has a population that is about 70 percent non-Hispanic white.

The winner of the November election will succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Martin Olav Sabo, who never had a close race over his 14-term career. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry took 71 percent of the 5th District vote in 2004...

Ellison’s charm and progressive politics are what likely pulled him through, experts say. The 43-year-old state lawmaker has been likened to progressive political icon Paul Wellstone — a comparison that can go a long way in a state that is still mourning the late senator, who died in a plane crash late in his 2002 bid for re-election.

“The margin speaks to the strength of progressives and grass-roots in that district,” said Blois Olson, co-publisher of the newsletter Politics in Minnesota. “He’s been compared to Paul Wellstone . . . I think it was a factor, and I think the people could relate to that.”

Ellison also pushed hard in the final hours of his campaign, meeting with as many voters as possible to spread a message that included advocating withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, universal health care coverage and support for labor issues.

Throughout the race, Ellison focused on those subjects, eschewing a race-based campaign, and vigorously seeking face time with as many voters of all backgrounds as possible.

The tactic clearly worked: more voters showed up for this primary than any other primary in state history. “This is exactly how we planned it,” said Ellison campaign spokesman Dave Colling.

Colling contended the real reason Ellison is able to elicit so much enthusiasm is his willingness to stand up to authority, a trait he said President Bush will soon encounter. “I watched him do it in the state House, and I can’t wait to watch him do it in Congress,” Colling said.

This morning Ellison's website reads:

We came together, all colors, all faiths, all of us... This campaign is about everybody counts, and everybody matters.

Great message.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (5)

Wednesday Open Thread

The 50-State Turnout. All the cool kids are doing it!

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (51)

50-State Strategy:Ten Primaries Held Tuesday

Democratic voters hit the polls yesterday as nine states and the District of Columbia held their primary elections. Voters from Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin participated in closely watched primaries across the nation.

Results will be coming in all day Wednesday, but here are the results we have so far:

Maryland
Martin O’Malley - Governor nominee

Rhode Island
Sheldon Whitehouse - Senate candidate
Charles Fogarty and Elizabeth Roberts - Governor and Lieutenant Governor nominees

Minnesota
Amy Klobuchar - Senate
Patty Wetterling - House candidate
Tim Walz - House candidate, 1st CD
Coleen Rowley - House candidate, 2nd CD

Arizona
Harry Mitchell - Congressional candidate from the 5th district
Jim Pederson - Senate nominee

New York
Eliot Spitzer - Governor
David Paterson - Lieutenant Governor

New Hampshire
Paul Hodes - House Candidate, 2nd CD

Delaware
Dennis Spivack - House candidate, at large seat

Washington DC
Adrian Fenty - Mayoral candidate

Posted by on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 12, 2006

Tuesday Night Open Thread

Primaries on your mind?

Posted by on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (127)

Governor Dean Writes a Letter

College Republicans are at it again, this time with some help from the RNC:

Morgan Wilkins, the intern hired by the Republican National Committee to win the hearts and minds of Michigan 20-somethings, is planning events that some may find odd. To others, they may be offensive.

One such idea is "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day," in which a volunteer would play the part of an illegal immigrant and hide somewhere on campus while others try to find him. The winner would receive a prize.

Her other ideas include an event called "Fun with Guns," in which young Republicans would use a BB gun or paintball gun to shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)

Well this isn't the first time College Republicans have used such hate-filled tactics to try and win the hearts and minds of their peers. They've tried to do it before, at Penn State and at the University of Texas, and we think it has got to stop. So does Governor Dean, and today, he wrote a letter Republican National Committee Chairman, Ken Mehlman, telling him so.

The letter was hand delivered by James, a senior at Iona College and an intern for the DNC's American Majority Partnership (The AMP is a division of the Chairman's office which coordinates constituency-related activities across all DNC departments).

James, on his way to deliver the Governor's letter.

Signing in the letter

Read Governor Dean's full letter, below.

Ken Mehlman, Chairman Republican National Committee 310 First Street, SE Washington, D.C. 20003

September 12, 2006

Dear Ken,

A troubling article today reported that a Republican National Committee-hired intern is planning events that can only be described as divisive, potentially dangerous, and discriminatory to promote the Republican Party's agenda at the University of Michigan.

Promoting "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day," which has been used by the Republican Party in other states including Pennsylvania and Texas, is not only offensive, it promotes discrimination for political gain. And an event titled "Fun with Guns" that encourages young Republicans to shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders further promotes intolerance and violence. These un-American activities cannot go unchallenged.

We'd read that the RNC would use its funds to engage in negative campaigning in a desperate attempt to hold on to power and mobilize Republican voters in November, but these un-American attacks and violent, inflammatory campaign tactics are beyond the pale. As Chairmen of America's two major political parties, we have a responsibility to elevate the political discourse in America. Whether this is directly an RNC funded activity or not, I ask that you not only order such events ceased but also denounce these types of campaign tactics that breed only hatred, division and fear.

You said yourself to a gathering of Hispanic elected officials that America is a "nation of immigrants.a nation united by ideas, not race, creed or place of origin." That same day you also acknowledged that "we are all held to account by a common rule of law," and that "respect for this basic concept is critical to an America where we are all treated the same." To demonstrate your commitment to these words and ideals you must immediately act to have these desperate, inappropriate attacks stopped. America's democracy can only continue to work if we respect each other, and uphold the values that have made our country great. I hope to hear back from you on this important matter promptly.

Best regards,

Howard Dean, Chairman
Democratic National Committee

Posted by on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (14)

Telling the Truth About the War in Iraq

It would be nice if the Bush Administration could be honest with the American people about the war in Iraq. Even just a little bit. Instead of painting a happy-go-lucky picture of success. For instance...

The U.S. Military reported a decrease in the number of murders in Iraq last month. That is great news. But you know what they failed to tell you? They changed the definition of murder. Victims of suicide bombings, mortar, and rocket attacks may be dead, but for record keeping purposes they haven't been "murdered".

The American military did not count people killed by bombs, mortars, rockets or other mass attacks - including suicide bombings - when it reported a dramatic drop in the number of murders in the Baghdad area last month, the U.S. command said Monday.

The decision to include only victims of drive-by shootings and those killed by torture and execution, usually at the hands of death squads, allowed U.S. officials to argue that a security crackdown that began in the capital Aug. 7 had more than halved the city’s murder rate.

But the types of slayings, including suicide bombings, that the U.S. excluded from the category of “murder” were not made explicit at the time. That led to confusion after Iraqi Health Ministry figures showed that 1,536 people died violently in and around Baghdad in August, nearly the same number as in July.

The figures raise serious questions about the success of the security operation launched by the U.S.-led coalition. When they released the murder rate figures, U.S. officials and their Iraqi counterparts were eager to show progress in restoring security in Baghdad at a time when Iraq appeared on the verge of civil war.

At the end of August, the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, said violence had dropped significantly because of the operation. Caldwell said “attacks in Baghdad were well below the monthly average for July. Since Aug. 7, the murder rate in Baghdad dropped 52 percent from the daily rate for July.”

However, Caldwell did not make the key distinction that the rate he was referring to excluded a significant part of the daily violence in and around the capital. On Monday, for example, at least 20 of the 26 people slain in the capital were killed in bombings.

In Iraq, things aren't getting better. It doesn't matter which way you count the deaths - the violence is increasingly bad.

Situation in Western Iraq Deteriorating. "The political and security situation in western Iraq is grim and will continue to deteriorate unless the region receives a major infusion of aid and a division is sent to reinforce the American troops operating there, according to the senior Marine intelligence officer in Iraq...As the situation has deteriorated, insurgent attacks have increased." [NY Times, 9/12/06]

Iraq Defense Minister: Violence Has "Really Escalated.Faster Than We Can Take Action to Stop It." Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qadir Muhammed Jassim acknowledged that violence had "really escalated lately in Baghdad" and that Shiite and Sunni Arab extremists were responsible. He said daily reports of the civilian death toll indicated that Sunnis and Shiites were dying in "almost equal numbers" in attacks "faster than we can take action to stop it." [Washington Post, 7/14/06]

July 2006: General: Crackdown in Baghdad Ineffective, General Admitted. The push by more than 70,000 Iraqi and U.S. troops to bring order to Baghdad had failed to curb the explosion of revenge killings across the capital, Army Major General William Caldwell said. "I think everybody had thought that perhaps it might be improving more than it is at this point," he said. "We have to bring the level of violence down, there's no question. It's not at all where we want it to be yet." [New York Daily News, 7/11/06]

General in Charge of Training Iraqi Security Forces: "They Are Not Independent At This Point in Time." Lt.-General Martin Dempsey, who was in charge of training Iraqi security forces, said that three years into the war, Iraqis still could not operate independently. "They are not independent at this point in time," Dempsey said. "It's just not appropriate yet to be thinking in terms of independent anything in Iraq. This, remember, is a nation at war." [Canadian Press, 6/27/06]

Casey Warned of Need for More American Troops, Rumsfeld Said "There Certainly Has Been An Upsurge in Sectarian Violence." "There certainly has been an upsurge in sectarian violence," Rumsfeld said en route to Iraq from Kandahar, Afghanistan. Rumsfeld said the new Iraqi government was not yet ready to decide on security issues that would determine the pace of U.S. troop reductions. Meanwhile, General George Casey said "terrorists and death squads" were responsible for the surge in sectarian killings and that there might be a need to move more American forces into the capital to prevent the deadly cycle from worsening. Rumsfeld said troops in Baghdad had increased to about 55,000 from 40,000 to deal with the surge in attacks in the city. [Washington Post, 7/12/06, New York Times, 7/12/06]

Iraqi Prime Minister: "Last Chance" to Reconcile; "I Don't Know What The Fate of Iraq Will Be." Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki appealed for unity and warned the nation's future was at stake. "We all have the last chance to reconcile and agree among each other on avoiding conflict and blood," he said. "If we fail, God forbid, I don't know what the fate of Iraq will be." [Washington Post, 7/12/06]

Posted by on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (27)

O say, can you sing?

Yesterday Speaker Hastert had a wee bit of trouble singing our national anthem. When I first heard this, I thought, well gee, it's a pretty difficult song to sing. But then I read a little more and realized it wasn't the notes he was having trouble with, but the words.

Here's the video...

So Mr. Speaker, here they are, for reference...

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming!
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Bonus verses below the fold!

Keep reading "O say, can you sing?"

Posted by on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (5)

50 State Strategy: Primaries Today

Democratic voters will hit the polls today as eight states and the District of Columbia hold their primary elections. Voters from Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin will participate in closely watched primaries across the nation.

Posted by on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (6)

Tuesday Open Thread

100actions.com

While it's easy enough to find information on top tier candidates, information about candidates running in local races isn't always as easy to come by. And many times, candidates in smaller races that are listed near the bottom of the ballot are a complete mystery to voters. Knowing basic facts about a candidate can often make the difference when people are deciding for whom to vote. So today, learn about down ballot races in your area, and give your local friends and family reasons to vote for the Democrats on the ticket.

Check out 100actions.com for a few tips on how to gather this important information!

Posted by on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (115)

September 11, 2006

Remembering September 11th

(To mark this sad day in our nation's history, Governor Dean sent the following e-mail to Americans across the country, as we remember, together.)

Dear Fellow American,

Today we remember many things.

We remember where we were. We remember the scenes on television.

We remember the victims who were murdered. We remember the families and loved ones they left behind.

We remember the heroes who charged into danger to save lives.

We remember a moment of unity at home and around the world, where people rallied around a single mission and a common sense of justice that must be done.

Today we face many challenges at home and abroad. And too often it's too easy to be distracted by the politics, the pundits, and the posturing.

We must always remember that the dangers we face know no political party, and the solutions and leadership we need now go beyond ideology.

We must meet these challenges head-on -- remembering to stand together in action as we live together under threat. We are all Americans.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

We will not be silent.

Today we remember many things.

And tomorrow, back on the campaign trail, we will remember to take with us the plain truth and a commitment to true justice for all those whose lives were transformed on this day five years ago.

Thank you.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

Posted by Tracy Russo on Monday, September 11, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (19)

Governor Dean on the 5th Anniversary of 9/11

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement commemorating the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:

"As we mark the fifth anniversary of the tragic attacks against our country, we honor the memories of the brave men and women who lost their lives that day and the families and friends of those who mourn them. Today is a day to reflect on the grief and loss we experienced as Americans but it's also a time to renew our commitment to fight and win the war on terror at home and around the globe. On September 11, the world unified around America and saw the strong spirit and resiliency of the American people. Today, we must renew our call to protect our airports, ports and transit systems and do everything possible to keep Americans safe from harm."

Posted by on Monday, September 11, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (18)

Honoring Their Memories...

New York

The 16-acre trade center site in lower Manhattan fell quiet at 8:46 a.m., five years after American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north tower, and 9:03 a.m., when United Flight 175 slammed into the south tower. A third moment of silence at 9:59 a.m. marked the collapse of the south tower...

Family members at ground zero held up signs reading "You will always be with us" and "Never forget," and quiet sobs could be heard as the moments of silence were observed. Some victims' relatives crossed themselves and wiped away tears.

The sorrowful task of reading the names of the 2,749 victims of the trade center attacks fell to spouses and partners.

Posted by on Monday, September 11, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 11th Open Thread

We remember. We mourn. Together.

Posted by on Monday, September 11, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (337)

September 10, 2006

Watch It: Governor Dean on TV

The video is over at C&L.

Posted by on Sunday, September 10, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (6)

Sunday Night Open Thread

Osama bin Missing? Read more...

Posted by on Sunday, September 10, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (185)

Sunday Open Thread

Have you seen it? YouTube, here.

[UPDATE @ 6:30 p.m.]: Ack! I just realized the link wasn't working. It's fixed now! - Tracy

Posted by on Sunday, September 10, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (211)

September 9, 2006

My Ohio Summer Vacation

(This post was sent in by Susan Turnbull, one of your DNC Vice Chairs, who has been agressively campaigning for Ted Strickland for Governor of Ohio, often traveling with Ted's wife, Frances. Susie is a native of Cleveland Heights. She started in politics as a student intern for Cincinnati City Council while attending the University of Cincinnati College of Community Service.)

People often ask me why I have chosen to spend my summer following Frances Strickland around rural Ohio. She is hitting the roadways daily and I have been fortunate to come along for the ride for about 1000 miles. In addition to enjoying her wonderful company and feeling a part of an important campaign, I have had a chance to see parts of Ohio that I haven't seen for years. But, most important I have found that the trips give me things to think about."

I usually hate to admit that I actually live "inside the Beltway." My house literally is in a neighborhood in Maryland that is adjacent to the Beltway and I have lived here for 23 years. My local news is in the Washington Post and my local TV and radio are very Washington-centered. My family roots for the Washington Redskins and the Nationals even though we also admit that we are Indians, Browns, Ohio State football and University of Cincinnati basketball fans.

This summer, I have spent less time in my Bethesda house then I have in Ohio and other places "outside the beltway." I have been campaigning with College Democrats in St. Louis and at a senior center in Circleville. Last month, I went to a hog auction in Shelby County and to a Democratic Reunion Rally in Lima. This month I passed out stickers at a Labor Day Parade on the Ohio River in Marietta. I proudly wore my Ted Strickland shirt walking through an almost empty shopping mall in Columbus and eating a fabulous gyro at the biggest Greek festival I have ever seen in Columbus' Short North.

People might look at this and wonder, are these trips "worth it."

Let me tell you what I have learned along the way.

A steelworker in Coshocton told me about his son's experiences in Iraq. His son had spent more than 18 months in Iraq and is currently preparing to go back. This same steelworker had possibly the most anti-war message I have heard in months. He told me that his son had lost several members of his platoon. He doesn't understand why he is painting schools in Iraq instead of repairing schools in Coshocton. He doesn't see an end to the violence and he doesn't really understand why he is there in the first place.

While in Logan, Sue Ellen walked up to me and said, "Democrats should use this line over and over. Just because they say it, doesn't make it so." She was talking about everything -- the War in Iraq, the economy, the prescription drug plan, etc. She was also responding to the barrage of negative ads that Strickland's opponent had launched.

Two doctors who hosted a "meet and greet," the Weinstocks, in Bexley, showed me that you can pull together a group of people anywhere in Ohio these days and hear the same thing -- disappointment in the direction and corruption in Ohio and the country and a real longing to elevate the conversation and the response to our nation's ills. They want good schools for their children and health care for their parents.

A tour of the Columbus YWCA family homeless shelter showed me how significant the homeless population is in that city and how critically needed services are at a premium and how the economy puts more and more people at risk. The adorable children playing in the day care center could have been children anywhere, but here they were in borrowed clothes and wearing donated diapers.

A member of LULAC described the abominable conditions for Hispanics in Butler County where racial discrimination is rearing its ugly head. Some stores in Butler County have signs barring Spanish speaking inside them. The Sheriff has erected a billboard with a huge anti-immigrant message.

A waiter stopped us on the way out of a restaurant, we stood and chatted for a few minutes. He left us with one thought, "It is about the kids dying, people don't talk about that. It is about the kids dying".

Those words struck me as I walked into the Columbus Airport. Standing in line at the check in counter was a man with his arm around a woman and what appeared to be his family standing next to them. We see images like that in airports everyday. This time it was different. The man was in his fatigues and the woman's eyes were red-rimmed. I could hardly look in their direction. I didn't want to intrude but their eyes told the story. I was afraid for this young man and his family.

Now I am home. I am "inside the Beltway." I am going to sleep in my own bed for a couple of nights. But, I am going to be thinking about that young man in his fatigues and wondering where his next stop will be.

Soon enough, I'll write a light-hearted post about how I think the campaigns in Ohio are going. I'll try to recruit some volunteers, jot down some talking points for next week's appearances and raise some money for our candidates. But, tonight I know my answer.

Yes, Frances and I agree. These trips are so very important. It is all about the people you meet along the way.

Posted by on Saturday, September 9, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (24)

Under Pressure...

NYT:

Despite word of small last-minute cuts meant to soften the film’s depiction of President Bill Clinton and his aides, members of his administration and Democratic officials yesterday stepped up their campaign to force ABC to cancel its disputed mini-series, “The Path to 9/11.”

The Democratic National Committee delivered to the network a petition with more than 200,000 names that demanded withdrawal of the film, which the petition called “right-wing propaganda.”

Officials of the committee said they would continue to collect and deliver signatures until ABC “does the right thing and pulls this scandalous project.”

Senator John Kerry and Al Gore, Mr. Clinton’s vice president, also released statements castigating ABC.

Maureen Dowd adds:

The ABC movie promoted itself as a serious work based on the 9/11 commission report and featuring Tom Kean, the commission’s co-chairman, as a co-executive producer. (It’s impossible to imagine Earl Warren producing a movie about the events in Dallas.) But if it’s making a claim upon people’s attention as a trustworthy and accurate description of events that bear on all our lives, you’ve got to stick with the truth. You can’t pick and choose when you want it to be history and when you want it to be art. (Quel art.)

Posted by on Saturday, September 9, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (73)

Late Night Open Thread

Here you go...

Posted by on Saturday, September 9, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (263)

September 8, 2006

Governor Dean: The American People Deserve to Know!

Governor Dean has called on ABC/Disney to reveal who poured $40 million into the slanderous 9/11 propoganda film they plan to start airing starting Sunday. He issued the following statement:

"It's deeply disappointing that ABC would put something on the air that has been proven to have factual inaccuracies about one of the most important events in our nation's history. ABC should not air this distortion of history.

"The fact that the writer/producer of the piece is a well known conservative raises additional concerns and questions. The American people deserve to know who funded this $40 million dollar slanderous propaganda. Use of the public airwaves is a privilege conferred upon broadcasters in the public interest. It comes with a responsibility to the American people and a responsibility to the truth."

Check out ThinkProgress for more.

Posted by on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (40)

Delivering Your Message to ABC

[Update]: We thought we'd record some of our thoughts...

Check out the video...

I've just returned from delivering hundreds of thousands of messages to ABC headquarters in Washington, D.C.

We walked into the lobby and were immediately greeted by ABC receptionists who told us they were expecting us, and asked us to wait in their lobby. Well, outside their lobby. There were huge sliding glass doors between us and them. But there was a TV at least. And guess what ABC News was reporting on? The controversy surrounding their propaganda film.

But, back to the story. So we wait. About 5 minutes later we saw a woman approaching us. But she saw my camara and immediately headed back for the elevators and disappeared. We were confused. They were expecting us. They told us that. So where did she go?

We wait...and wait...

I don't know the answer to that. I do know that about 20 minutes later she reappeared. She also immediately asked that I stop taking pictures. I politely let her know we wanted the thousands of people whose petitions we were delivering to be sure to know that they had gotten to ABC. I even offered to take the picture so you were just see her from the back. She wasn't happy with that option either.

ABC Representative Finally Re-emerges...

I relented, in the name of politeness, and we got down to business. We explained we were delivering the petitions in response to their airing of the film 'The Path to 9/11' which contains known distortions of the facts, yet still claims to be based on the September 11th Commission's Report.

She said she couldn't help us - that these petitions needed to be sent to ABC's entertainment division - in Burbank. We asked if she would be able to get them to Burbank. She said no. She said ABC couldn't pay the postage for such a delivery. One of our staffers pointed out that ABC had already spent $40 million on the movie, so surely, $20 for postage wasn't gonna kill 'em. But she delined.

So then we asked what they would do with the petitions if we left them there. Would they be thrown out? She said no.

So we left them there, where they would be able to review the thousands of comments by their viewers about the airing of their "docudrama". We also let the ABC representative know that we would be overnighting a CD to their entertainment division in Burbank, California, as well.

Posted by on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (13)

Keep the Pressure On ABC/Disney

One action multiplied thousands of times over...

This is the first 120,000 petitions. We are still printing thousands more.

Hurry and add your name.

Then, check out McJoan over at DailyKos for a list of action items!

We're ready for our close-up, Mr. Iger. Are you?

Posted by on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (62)

In the Senate

A bill to cripple Taliban drug trade passed -- despite GOP attempts to kill it.

Via Bob Geiger:

In yet another moment that will leave you shaking your head and asking yourself whose side Republicans are really on, the Senate leadership yesterday tried to block a bill by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that would provide $700 million in funding for a program to "combat the growth of poppies in Afghanistan and to eliminate the production and trade of opium, and heroin, and to prevent terrorists from using the proceeds for terrorist activities in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere."

"Our soldiers fought long and hard to rid Afghanistan of terrorists and Taliban,” Schumer said. “However, if the drug trade continues to surge and consume the nation, their heroic efforts may be undone."

"The Taliban draws its strength from the drug trade and in order to prevent them from reclaiming the country, we need to crack down the drugs that fuel their regime," he continued. "We need to ensure that the Department of Defense has the resources available to attack this problem before it becomes far worse.”

Schumer's S.Amdt. 4897, an amendment to the 2007 Defense appropriations bill passed yesterday, is an attempt by Senate Democrats to double the funding for the existing Department of Defense counter-narcotics operation in Afghanistan and a response to reports that opium production is up 50 percent in that country in 2006.

Posted by on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (3)

RE: A Despicable, Irresponsible Fraud

Following up on our most successful petition campaign ever, DNC Executive Director sent the following e-mail to over 150,000 people who added their name to tell ABC to keep their "docudrama" off the air. (A slightly different version was sent to those who have yet to take action!)

Dear Fellow Democrat,

This is it: crunch time for getting the slanderous ABC television docudrama "The Path to 9/11" yanked off the air. The network schedule has this slanderous attack on Democrats slated to start on Sunday night, September 10, at 8 o'clock -- and as long as it stays on the schedule, we have work to do. Take a minute right now and tell Disney president Robert Iger to keep this right-wing propaganda off our airwaves:

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911/send

Here's the good news: the suits at ABC and the Walt Disney Company have started panicking under pressure, thanks to your ferocious response to the outrageous decision to put this irresponsible miniseries on the air. But until Disney quits defending its plan to broadcast conservative propaganda -- fraudulently presented to Americans as "based on the 9/11 Commission Report" -- the company should plan to keep taking every bit of heat we dish out.

Here's a quick catch-up on developments over the last 48 hours:

• President Clinton, through his attorney, rebuked ABC for producing a "factually and incontrovertibly inaccurate" miniseries -- and walked the network through three make-believe scenes in the "the Path to 9/11" that defame people and misrepresent events during his administration.
• Clinton's spokesman later stepped up the pressure, condemning Disney as "despicable" for "airing a fictional version of what is a serious and emotional event for our country. No reputable organization," he said, "should dramatize 9-11 for a profit at the expense of the truth."
• The families of September 11 victims have weighed in on the controversy, telling "entertainers" not to "promote misleading or incorrect information as fact to the public."
• House and Senate Democratic leaders hammered Disney president and CEO Robert Iger, in letters that questioned the company's commitment to its "reputation ... as a corporation worthy of the trust of the American people and the United States Congress."
• Scholastic has pulled teaching materials off its website and has scrambled to adopt a plan to help teachers show students "the differences between factual reporting and a dramatization," but is still encouraging teachers to show their students this propaganda.

Thanks for helping to make all this happen by joining over 150,000 Americans who told Disney president Robert Iger to keep this cheap right-wing miniseries off our airwaves. But our work isn't done. Before we deliver your letter today, tell your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to insist that Disney and ABC live up to its duty to tell the truth:

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911/send

Thank you,
Tom

Tom McMahon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

Posted by Tracy Russo on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (21)

And some more...

From ThinkProgress:

NYT Falsely Claims 9/11 Commission Concluded Lewinsky Distracted Clinton Admin From Terrorism

From the New York Times review of Path to 9/11:

The Sept. 11 commission concluded that the sex scandal distracted the Clinton administration from the terrorist threat.

What the 9/11 Commission actually says (pg. 118):

Everyone involved in the decision had, of course, been aware of President Clinton’s problems. He told them to ignore them. Berger recalled the President saying to him “that they are going to get crap either way, so they should do the right thing.” All his aides testified to us that they based their advice solely on national security considerations. We have found no reason to question their statements.

This is what happens when people learn about the 9/11 Commission by watching Path to 9/11.

And Atrios points us over to, this, for more details.

Plus, they've got some interesting news about Tom Kean, former co-chair of the 9/11 Commission, who is closely tied to ABC's propaganda film, "The Path to 9/11" for which he was an advisor.

Don't forget:

Write to ABC/Disney. We're delivering your messages in just a few short hours...

http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/pathto911

Posted by on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (5)

Over 100,000 Signatures

Our campaign to write to Disney President Bob Iger became our most successful ever. Over 100,000 people signed on within the first 24 hours and thousands more have been added since then.

From The New York Times:

Democrats and allies of Mr. Clinton unleashed full-throated appeals to ABC yesterday to cancel the broadcast, which is scheduled for Sunday and Monday nights. The Senate Democratic leadership sent a letter to Robert A. Iger, the chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, ABC’s parent, saying that broadcasting the film “would be a gross miscarriage of your corporate and civic responsibility.”

The national Democratic Party drew more than 100,000 signatures in 24 hours to a petition of complaint that it plans to give to ABC today.

Today, we will deliver these messages to ABC offices in Washington, D.C. You still have time to add your name, or encourage your friends and family to add theirs.

http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/pathto911/

Posted by on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (24)

The Campaign Continues: Keep Propaganda Film Off the Air!

Have you written to ABC/Disney yet?

http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/pathto911

From Variety:

"The Path to 9/11" is looking a lot like "The Reagans, Part II."

Bill Clinton loyalists are demanding wholesale changes to the upcoming miniseries -- and while ABC is making some snips, the alterations, insiders say, may not please the Dems.

But a bombshell decision may happen anyway: Sources close to the project say the network, which has been in a media maelstrom over the pic, is mulling the idea of yanking the mini altogether.

As for specific criticisms -- and changes -- the original mini contained a scene in which then-National Security Adviser Sandy Berger declines to give the CIA authority to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, even when CIA operatives know where the al-Qaeda leader is.

"This account has been expressly contradicted by Richard Clarke, a high-ranking counterterrorism official in both the Clinton and Bush administrations," certain lawmakers wrote in a letter to Disney topper Bob Iger.

Keep up the pressure and write Bob Iger yourself.

ABC needs to understand that manipulating the events surround September 11th is not acceptable. The American public deserves better.

Posted by on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

TGIF Open Thread

I was on a campaign once where an advisor made the staff promise to eat at least one meal that wasn't out of a bag, a box or a can. If you want to keep Democratic staffers energized and healthy, consider today's action...

Posted by on Friday, September 8, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (143)

September 7, 2006

Keep Up the Pressure Open Thread

A lot of people have put loads of energy into making sure ABC keeps its propaganda off the air. 9/11 was a horiffic day. A day that deserves to be remembered forever, honestly, solemnly, and respectfully. Thousands of people died. Thousands more risked their lives. And countless people will be changed, always and forever, by that day, by those events. ABC owes it to them, to us, to keep their fictional account off the air. America deserves nothing less.

This is an open thread...

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (128)

Senate Democrats on "The Path to 9/11"

Senate Democratic Leadership calls on Disney CEO to keep "The Path to 9/11" off the air.

From a press release:

Mr. Robert A. Iger President and CEO The Walt Disney Company 500 South Buena Vista Street Burbank CA 91521

Dear Mr. Iger,

We write with serious concerns about the planned upcoming broadcast of The Path to 9/11 mini-series on September 10 and 11. Countless reports from experts on 9/11 who have viewed the program indicate numerous and serious inaccuracies that will undoubtedly serve to misinform the American people about the tragic events surrounding the terrible attacks of that day. Furthermore, the manner in which this program has been developed, funded, and advertised suggests a partisan bent unbecoming of a major company like Disney and a major and well respected news organization like ABC. We therefore urge you to cancel this broadcast to cease Disney’s plans to use it as a teaching tool in schools across America through Scholastic. Presenting such deeply flawed and factually inaccurate misinformation to the American public and to children would be a gross miscarriage of your corporate and civic responsibility to the law, to your shareholders, and to the nation.

The Communications Act of 1934 provides your network with a free broadcast license predicated on the fundamental understanding of your principle obligation to act as a trustee of the public airwaves in serving the public interest. Nowhere is this public interest obligation more apparent than in the duty of broadcasters to serve the civic needs of a democracy by promoting an open and accurate discussion of political ideas and events.

Disney and ABC claim this program to be based on the 9/11 Commission Report and are using that assertion as part of the promotional campaign for it. The 9/11 Commission is the most respected American authority on the 9/11 attacks, and association with it carries a special responsibility. Indeed, the very events themselves on 9/11, so tragic as they were, demand extreme care by any who attempt to use those events as part of an entertainment or educational program. To quote Steve McPhereson, president of ABC Entertainment, “When you take on the responsibility of telling the story behind such an important event, it is absolutely critical that you get it right.”

Unfortunately, it appears Disney and ABC got it totally wrong.

Despite claims by your network’s representatives that The Path to 9/11 is based on the report of the 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Commissioners themselves, as well as other experts on the issues, disagree.

Richard Ben-Veniste, speaking for himself and fellow 9/11 Commissioners who recently viewed the program, said, “As we were watching, we were trying to think how they could have misinterpreted the 9/11 Commission’s findings the way that they had.” [“9/11 Miniseries Is Criticized as Inaccurate and Biased,” New York Times, September 6, 2006]

Richard Clarke, the former counter-terrorism czar, and a national security advisor to ABC has described the program as “deeply flawed” and said of the program’s depiction of a Clinton official hanging up on an intelligence agent, “It’s 180 degrees from what happened.” [“9/11 Miniseries Is Criticized as Inaccurate and Biased,” New York Times, September 6, 2006]

Reports suggest that an FBI agent who worked on 9/11 and served as a consultant to ABC on this program quit halfway through because, “he thought they were making things up.” [MSNBC, September 7, 2006]

Even Thomas Kean, who serves as a paid consultant to the miniseries, has admitted that scenes in the film are fictionalized. [“9/11 Miniseries Is Criticized as Inaccurate and Biased,” New York Times, September 6, 2006]

That Disney would seek to broadcast an admittedly and proven false recounting of the events of 9/11 raises serious questions about the motivations of its creators and those who approved the deeply flawed program. Finally, that Disney plans to air commercial-free a program that reportedly cost it $40 million to produce serves to add fuel to these concerns.

These concerns are made all the more pressing by the political leaning of and the public statements made by the writer/producer of this miniseries, Mr. Cyrus Nowrasteh, in promoting this miniseries across conservative blogs and talk shows.

Frankly, that ABC and Disney would consider airing a program that could be construed as right-wing political propaganda on such a grave and important event involving the security of our nation is a discredit both to the Disney brand and to the legacy of honesty built at ABC by honorable individuals from David Brinkley to Peter Jennings. Furthermore, that Disney would seek to use Scholastic to promote this misguided programming to American children as a substitute for factual information is a disgrace.

As 9/11 Commission member Jamie Gorelick said, “It is critically important to the safety of our nation that our citizens, and particularly our school children, understand what actually happened and why – so that we can proceed from a common understanding of what went wrong and act with unity to make our country safer.”

Should Disney allow this programming to proceed as planned, the factual record, millions of viewers, countless schoolchildren, and the reputation of Disney as a corporation worthy of the trust of the American people and the United States Congress will be deeply damaged. We urge you, after full consideration of the facts, to uphold your responsibilities as a respected member of American society and as a beneficiary of the free use of the public airwaves to cancel this factually inaccurate and deeply misguided program. We look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Sincerely,

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid
Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Senator Charles Schumer
Senator Byron Dorgan

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (23)

"The Path to 9/11" - Truth Squad

Well the MSNBC version, at least.

STEWART: Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has has called the TV film defamatory to toward the Clinton Administration. You've seen it. Is it?

MITCHELL: It is? That would be a matter of opinion, of course. There is no question that the film spreads some blame around. There is also no question that it is heavily weighted against the Clinton Administration. One of the biggest problems is that there are, as they say, composite scenes. But there are really no composite characters. So you have Madeleine Albright, you have Sandy Berger, the Clinton advisor, who are there under their own name. Clearly identified. And they're clearly the one in the film who likely let Osama go. You have a real problem when you have actual real people who are getting fingers point at them, in which everyone would agree, is the crime of the century.

STEWART: Let's do a little bit of truth squadding, if we can. Since you've seen the movie. A few of the scene, one has former national security Sandy Berger refusing to give the go-ahead to take out Bin Laden. From your understanding, is this entirely accurate?

MITCHELL: No. It is entirely made up. Which is one of the problem.

The other thing, which actually just came out today, was that the screenwriter admitted on talk radio on the West Coast that this scene, while it was in the script, was partly improvised in the making of the movie. It ended quite dramatically with Sandy Berger slamming down the phone and cutting off all communication on making this decision to go after Osama. And it is great cinema.

Not only did it not happen. The screenwriter says it wasn't even in the script. And it was improvised on the spot. He liked the way it looked and it went over well when it was being filmed so they left it in.

It seem like an appalling thing to admit for a film on such a serious subject. Really on the most serious, most sensitive subject and mass murder.

Check out Crooks and Liars for the full video.

And, don't forget: WRITE ABC!

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (4)

"Despicable"

Jay Carson, President Clinton's spokesperson released a statement reading:

ABC/Disney acknowledges this show is fiction and in direct contradiction of the 9-11 commission report and the facts, and it is despicable that ABC/Disney would insist on airing a fictional version of what is a serious and emotional event for our country. No reputable organization should dramatize 9-11 for a profit at the expense of the truth.

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Midday Open Thread

Have you written your letter yet?

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

If yes, go tell a friend!

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (123)

More on the ABC "Docu-drama" Propaganda

From the Families of September 11th:

As we mark five years since 9/11, we are inundated with the media's portrayal of that tragic day. Television miniseries, Hollywood films, comic books and countless "documentaries" are dramatizing and sometimes distorting the events leading up to and happening on 9/11.

Families of September 11 believes the best way to honor those who were lost is to make sure that what happened to them never happens again. As such, we must understand exactly what took place, and not allow "entertainers" to promote misleading or incorrect information as fact to the public.

If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Any depiction of 9/11 that is not accurate and factual propagates myths, myths that may cause us future harm.

In order to make our country safer and more secure, we owe it to those who were lost to acknowledge that which took place, so that we can ensure it never happens again

Tell ABC to keep their inaccurate "docudrama" off the air:

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

Plus:

• According to MSNBC, President Clinton's office is saying they won't be satisfied until they pull this fictional account off the air.
• Congresswoman Slaughter and Congressman Pascrell are holding a press conference this afternoon to 'Call on Scholastic and ABC to Keep 9-11 Docudrama Out of Schools'
• Glen Greenwald has a must read post about how people reacted when CBS attempted to air their own docudrama - about The Reagans.

Tell ABC to STOP NOW: http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink

Making Things Up

Via ThinkProgress:

James Bamford, an author and journalist who has written about security issues, appeared on MSNBC to discuss “The Path to 9/11.” Bamford revealed that an FBI agent who worked as a consultant to the film quit halfway through production of the mini-series because he believed the writers and producers were “making things up.”

They have video too.

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

ABC Pays to Teach Lies to America's Students

So let me get this straight? ABC has "generously sponsored", (i.e. paid for) materials to accompany their "docudrama" that distort the truth and spread their fictional account of the events surrounding 9/11 to America's students?

From Media Matters:

Media Matters for America has found ABC is "generously sponsor[ing]" high school teaching materials in connection with its "docu-drama" the Path to 9/11 that leave out key information, resulting in a distorted account of pre-Iraq War WMD claims, and falsely link the war in Iraq to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Scholastic Inc., which describes itself as "the global children's publishing, education and media company," is reaching out to more than 100,000 high school teachers around the country in an effort to publicize the ABC miniseries "The Path to 9-11." Scholastic is not only urging teachers to discuss and debate the events leading up to the terrorist attacks on September 11, but is also providing them with multiple "resource sheets" which contain misleading information about the Iraq war.

A Scholastic/ABC document titled "Student Resource Sheet 1" says of Iraq, "The dictatorial government of Saddam Hussein was overthrown in 2003, following an invasion led by the United States. The U.S. government believed that Hussein had been developing weapons of mass destruction that he planned to use against American and other targets."

The "Student Resource Sheet" omits any mention of two crucial facts: We now know Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction, and there is a voluminous and growing body of evidence that indicates that the Bush administration knew its claims about weapons of mass destruction were unsupported, as Media Matters has documented here, here, and here.

The "Student Resource Sheet" also seems to link the war in Iraq to the 9/11 terrorist attacks: "Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, the United States began a global "War on Terror" to stop terrorist groups and state-sponsored terrorism. President Bush has led the United States into Afghanistan and Iraq and reorganized the national government in an attempt to combat terrorist activity."

The controversial ABC miniseries "The Path to 9/11," is also under heavy criticism for pushing false, misleading and overtly political misinformation about the factors leading to the 9/11 attacks from officials closely tied with the 9/11 Commission Report and current and previous administrations.

The emphasis is mine.

The fact that ABC would air something that spreads misinformation about such a critical event in our nation's history is outrageous. The fact that they would then pay an educational organization to promote the film and deliberately teach these falsehoods to our nation's students is even worse.

Tell ABC to STOP NOW: http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (8)

President Clinton on "The Path to 9/11"

President Clinton writes letters. Surely you can do the same.

Bill Clinton is warning ABC that its mini-series "The Path to 9/11" grossly misrepresents his pursuit of Osama bin Laden - and he is demanding the network "pull the drama" if changes aren't made.

Clinton pointedly refuted several fictionalized scenes that he claims insinuate he was too distracted by the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal to care about bin Laden and that a top adviser pulled the plug on CIA operatives who were just moments away from bagging the terror master, according to a letter to ABC boss Bob Iger obtained by The Post.

The former president also disputed the portrayal of then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as having tipped off Pakistani officials that a strike was coming, giving bin Laden a chance to flee.

"The content of this drama is factually and incontrovertibly inaccurate and ABC has the duty to fully correct all errors or pull the drama entirely," the four-page letter said.

Read the full letter, over at Talking Points Memo.

Then, write your own!

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (4)

Thursday Open Thread

Have you written a letter to Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger to tell him to keep propaganda off the air?

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (149)

Rewriting History: "The Path to 9/11"

The ABC television network -- a cog in the Walt Disney empire -- unleashed a promotional blitz in the last week for a new "docudrama" called "The Path to 9/11". ABC has thrown its corporate might behind the two-night production, and bills it as a public service: a TV event, to quote the ABC tagline, "based on the 9/11 Commission Report".

That's false. "The Path to 9/11" is actually a bald-faced attempt to slander Democrats and revise history right before Americans vote in a major election.

Today's Washington Post:

Former secretary of state Madeleine K. Albright called one scene involving her "false and defamatory." Former national security adviser Samuel R. "Sandy" Berger said the film "flagrantly misrepresents my personal actions." And former White House aide Bruce R. Lindsey, who now heads the William J. Clinton Foundation, said: "It is unconscionable to mislead the American public about one of the most horrendous tragedies our country has ever known."

Among the scenes that are fictional:

• Berger is seen as refusing authorization for a proposed raid to capture bin Laden in spring 1998 to CIA operatives in Afghanistan who have the terrorist leader in their sights. A CIA operative sends a message: "We're ready to load the package. Repeat, do we have clearance to load the package?" Berger responds: "I don't have that authority."

  Berger said that neither he nor Clinton ever rejected a CIA or military request to conduct an operation against bin Laden. The Sept. 11 commission said no CIA operatives were poised to attack; that Afghanistan's rebel Northern Alliance was not involved, as the film says; and that then-CIA Director George J. Tenet decided the plan would not work.

• Tenet is depicted as challenging Albright for having alerted Pakistan in advance of the August 1998 missile strike that unsuccessfully targeted bin Laden.

  "Madame Secretary," Tenet is seen saying, "the Pakistani security service, the ISI, has close ties with the Taliban." Albright is seen shouting: "We had to inform the Pakistanis. There are regional factors involved." Tenet then complains that "we've enhanced bin Laden's stature."

  Albright said she never warned Pakistan. The Sept. 11 commission found that a senior U.S. military official warned Pakistan that missiles crossing its airspace would not be from its archenemy, India.

• "The Path to 9/11" uses news footage to suggest that Clinton was distracted by the Republican drive to impeach him. Veteran White House counterterrorism official Richard A. Clarke, who also disputes the film's accuracy, is portrayed as telling FBI agent John P. O'Neill: "Republicans went all out for impeachment. I just don't see the president in this climate willing to take chances."

  O'Neill responds: "So it's okay if somebody kills bin Laden, so long as he didn't give the order. . . . It's pathetic." The Sept. 11 commission found no evidence that the Monica S. Lewinsky scandal played a role in the August 1998 missile strike, but added that the "intense partisanship of the period" was one factor that "likely had a cumulative effect on future decisions about the use of force against bin Laden."

Are there more inaccuracies? The people in a position to know best, the people who are being portrayed, have been denied advanced copies of the film.

That includes the former President and Secretary of State.

But don't worry, ABC/Disney made sure that Rush Limbaugh got a copy!

You know what to do, send a letter to Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger -- tell him to keep this propaganda off their air.

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

Posted by on Thursday, September 7, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (14)

September 6, 2006

A Despicable, Irresponsible Fraud

(DNC Executive Director, Tom McMahon, sent the following email to Democrats across the country today.)

Dear Fellow Democrat,

Does a major national broadcast network want to stain itself by presenting an irresponsible, slanderous, fraudulent, "docu-drama" to the American public?

Not if you and I have the last word -- but either way, we're about to find out.

The ABC television network -- a cog in the Walt Disney empire -- unleashed a promotional blitz in the last week for a new "docudrama" called "The Path to 9/11". ABC has thrown its corporate might behind the two-night production, and bills it as a public service: a TV event, to quote the ABC tagline, "based on the 9/11 Commission Report".

That's false. "The Path to 9/11" is actually a bald-faced attempt to slander Democrats and revise history right before Americans vote in a major election.

The miniseries, which was put together by right-wing conservative writers, relies on the old GOP playbook of using terrorism to scare Americans. "The Path to 9/11" mocks the truth and dishonors the memory of 9/11 victims to serve a cheap, callous political agenda. It irresponsibly misrepresents the facts and completely distorts the truth.

ABC/Disney executives need to hear from the public and understand that their abuse of the public trust comes with a cost. Tell Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger to keep this right-wing propaganda off the air -- we'll deliver your message:

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

This story is breaking quickly. The bias of the "docudrama" only became known when ABC began circulating previews recently. Less than two weeks ago, 9/11 Commission member Richard Ben-Veniste confronted a lead writer of "The Path to 9/11" after watching the first half of the miniseries at a screening, but most of what we know amounts to bits and pieces because ABC chose to screen the miniseries to conservative bloggers and right-wing media outlets exclusively. Almost none of the Democrats portrayed in the film have even been asked for their thoughts.

But we still know enough, thanks to news accounts and crack research, to fact check "The Path to 9/11" as a biased, irresponsible mess. Here's what you need to know:

• Richard Clarke -- the counterterrorism czar for the Clinton administration, now himself a consultant to ABC News -- describes a key scene in "The Path to 9/11" as "180 degrees from what happened." In the scene, a CIA field agent places a phone call to get the go ahead to kill Osama Bin Laden, then in his sights, only to have a senior Clinton administration official refuse and hang up the phone. Sandy Berger, President Clinton's National Security Advisor, called the same scene "a total fabrication. It did not happen." And Roger Cressey, a top Bush and Clinton counterterrorism official, said it was "something straight out of Disney and fantasyland. It's factually wrong. And that's shameful."
• Another scene revives the old right-wing myth that press reporting made it impossible to track Osama bin Laden, accusing the Washington Post of blowing the secret that American intelligence tracked his satellite phone calls. In reality, responsibility for that blunder -- contrary to "The Path to 9/11" -- rests with none other than the arch-conservative Washington Times.
• The former National Security Council head of counterterrorism says that President Clinton "approved every request made of him by the CIA and the U.S. military involving using force against bin Laden and al-Qaeda," and the 9/11 report says the CIA had full authority from President Clinton to strike Bin Laden. Yet chief "Path to 9/11" scriptwriter Cyrus Nowrasteh, a friend of Rush Limbaugh, says the miniseries shows how President Clinton had "frequent opportunities in the '90s to stop Bin Laden in his tracks -- but lacked the will to do so."
• ABC asked only the Republican co-chair of the 9/11 Commission, Tom Kean, Sr., to advise the makers of "The Path to 9/11". The producers optioned two books, one written by a Bush administration political appointee, as the basis of the screenplay -- yet bill the miniseries as "based on the 9/11 Commission Report."

This is a picture of bias -- a conservative attempt to rewrite the history of September 11 to blame Democrats, just in time for the election.

Tell Walt Disney president Robert Iger that you hold his company responsible -- and that this community demands that ABC tell the truth:

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

ABC is trying to use of the airwaves -- airwaves owned by you and me, and loaned to broadcasters as a public trust -- to slander Democrats and sell a slanderous, irresponsible fraud to the American people, and they're shamefully doing it just weeks away from Election Day.

The Walt Disney Corporation could have given Americans an honest look at September 11. Instead, the company abandoned its duty to the truth -- and embraced the fiction known as "The Path to 9/11."

But ABC isn't the only company pushing this gross revision of history. ABC has enlisted the reputable education and children's entertainment company Scholastic, Inc. to send 100,000 letters to high school teachers, urging them to show students "The Path to 9/11". Scholastic has also created a discussion guide for teachers to use to encourage students and their families to watch this irresponsible fraud and then discuss it in school. The discussion guide does not in any way point out the concerns and criticisms that have been raised about the validity and accuracy of the film.

We've got to stop this now.

ABC/Disney must face an accountability moment. You can ratchet up the pressure on ABC by sending your own letter to Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger -- tell him to keep this propaganda off their air.

http://www.democrats.org/pathto911

We'll keep you up to date as this story evolves.

Thank you,
Tom

Tom McMahon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

[Update]: (From Tracy) Follow all the latest developments over at An Open Letter to ABC.

Posted by Tracy Russo on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (50)

It's an Open Thread

But only for the people who already washed their hands, ate their veggies and did today's action!

Trust me, it's good for you!

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (124)

Governor Dean

Following the latest speech by the President, Governor Dean issued the following statement:

"It's about time that President Bush finally addressed Guantanamo Bay and the issue of bringing suspected terrorists to justice. For five years now, Democrats have urged the Bush White House and Republican Congress to establish measures to bring the terrorists to justice but President Bush has stubbornly decided to go-it-alone. Democrats want to aggressively fight the war on terror and ensure that we utilize the tools to capture terrorists, bring them to justice and keep America safe. This Administration likes to talk tough but it has failed to capture Osama bin Laden, even going as far as closing down the office charged with capturing the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.

"The war in Iraq was a war of choice. The war on terror is not. The Bush White House and its Republican rubber-stamp Congress have limited our ability to fight and win the war on terror because of our involvement in a civil war in Iraq. For what we spend in one week in Iraq, we could be securing our ports, airports and borders. Democrats want a new direction for our national security and will continue the fight and win the war on terrorism."

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (5)

He supports it, except for those times when he doesn't...

Today:

“Last year my administration worked with Senator John McCain and I signed into law the Detainee Treatment Act, which established the legal standards for treatment of detainees wherever they are held. I support this act.”

Except when he doesn't:

Dec. 30, 2005: US interrogators cannot torture prisoners or otherwise subject them to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

Bush's signing statement: The president, as commander in chief, can waive the torture ban if he decides that harsh interrogation techniques will assist in preventing terrorist attacks.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Disturbing...

After listening to the President speak on any given occasion, I am usually pretty disturbed. Yesterday, was worse than usual though.

WaPo's Froomkin:

The spectacle of the president of the United States extensively quoting Osama bin Laden to bolster his controversial policies during political season deserves notice, and reflection.

By all rights, President Bush ought to be embarrassed that the al Qaeda leader who masterminded the September 11 terrorist attacks remains at large almost five years later.

But Bush yesterday let bin Laden share his bulliest of pulpits, giving the mass murderer precisely the attention he craves and endorsing his extreme view that a Third World War is under way.

Here's the text of Bush's speech.

Mentioning bin Laden so much couldn't help but remind listeners of Bush's failure to capture or kill him. But the risk was easily offset by the fact that bin Laden remains the most effective bogeyman out there, and job one for the White House in the run-up to a potentially crippling mid-term election is to scare the hell out of people.

Maybe the President is trying to make up for all that time he spent, not being concerned about him?

Q: Mr. President, in your speeches now you rarely talk or mention Osama bin Laden. Why is that? Also, can you tell the American people if you have any more information, if you know if he is dead or alive? Final part -- deep in your heart, don't you truly believe that until you find out if he is dead or alive, you won't really eliminate the threat of --

THE PRESIDENT:...I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him...to be honest with you....

Q: But don't you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won't truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, as I say, we haven't heard much from him. And I wouldn't necessarily say he's at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don't know where he is. I -- I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

In Case You Missed It...

We've got Governor Dean's clip from earlier today up on our YouTube Channel. You can watch it, here.

[UPDATE]: Governor Dean was also on CNN this morning. Catch that appearance, here.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Supporting our First Responders

Yesterday news of a new study was released detailing health woes related to the recovery effort at Ground Zero:

The study, released yesterday by doctors at Mount Sinai Medical Center, is expected to erase any lingering doubts about the connection between dust from the trade center and numerous diseases that the workers have reported suffering. It is also expected to increase pressure on the federal government to provide health care for sick workers who do not have health insurance.

Roughly 70 percent of nearly 10,000 workers tested at Mount Sinai from 2002 to 2004 reported that they had new or substantially worsened respiratory problems while or after working at ground zero.

The rate is similar to that found among a smaller sample of 1,100 such workers released by Mount Sinai in 2004, but the scale of the current study gives it far more weight; it also indicates significant problems not reflected in the original study.

For example, one-third of the patients in the new study showed diminished lung capacity in tests designed to measure the amount of air a person can exhale. Among nonsmokers, 28 percent were found to have some breathing impairment, more than double the rate for nonsmokers in the general population.

The study is among the first to show that many of the respiratory ailments — like sinusitis and asthma, and gastrointestinal problems related to them — initially reported by ground zero workers persisted or grew worse in the years after 9/11.

Most of the ground zero workers in the study who reported trouble breathing while working there were still having those problems up to two and a half years later, an indication that the illnesses are becoming chronic and are not likely to improve over time. Some of them worked without face masks, or with flimsy ones. “There should no longer be any doubt about the health effects of the World Trade Center disaster,” said Dr. Robin Herbert, co-director of Mount Sinai’s World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program. “Our patients are sick, and they will need ongoing care for the rest of their lives.”

These are the other victims of 9/11, our first responders who came from across the country in a time of need, and who must not be left behind.

This is a national problem, requiring federal answers. The terrorists attacked the United States, not New York. Understanding that, people came from across the country to help. Their medical costs and compensation for long-term disabilities must be handled through a national plan that treats everyone, from illegal immigrant cleaners to firefighters to physicians, with equal respect.

Yet until recently, Congress and the Bush administration have barely managed to squeeze out enough money for surveys to determine the extent of illnesses related to ground zero. A scant $52 million has been set aside for medical care, but so far, none of that money has reached a real patient. Even Dr. John Howard, who was appointed in February as the administration’s coordinator for 9/11 health efforts, recognized the frustration. He said of those waiting for medical help, “I can’t blame them for thinking, ‘Where were you when we needed you?’ ”

They still need help. Congress and the White House need to make sure there is enough money to continue monitoring those from around the country who were caught in the toxic dust. And they need to make money available quickly for responders who grow sicker with each Sept. 11.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink

50 State Strategy: Florida Primaries

Yesterday, Florida held primaries statewide. With five Democratic women up for positions in the U.S. House (two are incumbents), a strong sitting Senator running for re-election, and Jim Davis seeking to replace Jeb Bush, things are looking up in Florida.

Democraticgovernors.com breaks it down:

The Sunshine State is among the most politically volatile in the nation. While Florida trended Democratic through the 1990s, Republicans now control both houses of the legislature and the Governor's Office, however Democratic insiders have reason to smile. For the first time in 12 years, his name won't be on the ballot. But the legacy of Republican Jeb Bush is on the line when Florida voters head to the polls this November to choose his replacement for governor.

...Following a tricky road of policy emulation, the Republican candidates find themselves and their future cast into the shadow of the Bush family. The Democratic team has an opportunity to present new ideas and direction to the Florida electorate in 2006.

It's definitely an exciting time in Florida. Check out the Florida groups on PartyBuilder for more info.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink

Watch It: Governor Dean on TV

Governor Dean will be on TV this morning!

You can catch him on MSNBC around 10:10 a.m. and on CNN following that, around 10:20 a.m.

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (6)

Wednesday Open Thread

What's on your mind?

Posted by on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (106)

September 5, 2006

Exciting News

(Governor Dean sent the following e-mail to Democrats across the country today.)

Dear Fellow Democrat,

The ability of our citizens to engage in the political process is only as meaningful as the tools they have to do it.

Special interests and lobbyists have the money and power to dominate our political system -- and that's exactly what they've done under this Republican president and Republican Congress.

So today we officially launch a suite of tools in an unprecedented and permanent drive to empower Americans to take back our political process.

Why today? The Tuesday after Labor Day traditionally starts the homestretch of the election season. This year Americans face a choice of historic importance, and with the launch of these new tools you have more ability than ever to affect the outcome.

But the work we do now for 2006 must be the foundation for a permanent Democratic Party infrastructure, and these tools won't go away after Election Day. We're going to continue to expand them, and the networks of activism that solidify will power a 50-state Democratic Party for the first time in a generation.

That's why our brand new suite of web tools is called PartyBuilder.

Explore the tools here:

http://www.democrats.org/partybuilder

When it comes to the mechanics of running elections, Democrats have in the past been accused of showing up to a gunfight with only a knife.

No more.

In this new era of using the Internet to empower people to take meaningful action, we're way ahead of the Republicans. We're bringing the Democratic Party online and asking you to take control by putting more power into your hands than they ever could.

Here are a few of the things you can do:

• Social Networking: Create a profile and connect with your network of friends and fellow Democrats
• Groups: Create or join a group, which will have its own listserv, common blog and events
• Search: Easily search for other people or groups in your area
• Blogging: Create and promote your own blog
• Events: Plan and manage your own real-world events
• Fundraising: Fundraise from your contacts and track your progress
• Letters to Editors: Easily connect with local, regional and national papers
• Petitions: Make your voice heard on important issues
• Messaging: Send and receive messages while keeping your email address private

And it's all tied together with an easy-to-use PartyBuilder Dashboard -- a simple, straightforward management center where you can keep everything organized.

If you already have a login and password for Democrats.org, you can use the same one. If you haven't explored our web site before, now is the time to create your account and explore:

http://www.democrats.org/partybuilder

From its voter suppression activities in Ohio, Florida and elsewhere to its scorched-earth political tactics nationwide, the Republican Party knows that it wins when people don't participate.

We choose a different path. We know that when more people participate, we win.

This year hundreds of thousands of new voters are joining the Democratic Party. They're joining a party of tens of millions of Americans that's more active than it's been in a generation -- one that's growing in all 50 states.

We're seeing a new generation of Americans become involved in politics, and they're becoming Democrats.

With PartyBuilder, they will have the tools to organize, communicate and build a community of Democrats committed to making America better.

Now let's get to work!

Thank you,

Howard

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

Posted by Tracy Russo on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (10)

Republicans Doing Even Less...

Apparently, the do-nothing Republicans in Congress are going to be doing even less in their last 19 days of work this year. The New York Times is reporting they are abandoning the issue of immigration reform because they can't get along.

As they prepare for a critical pre-election legislative stretch, Congressional Republican leaders have all but abandoned a broad overhaul of immigration laws and instead will concentrate on national security issues they believe play to their political strength.

With Congress reconvening Tuesday after an August break, Republicans in the House and Senate say they will focus on Pentagon and domestic security spending bills, port security legislation and measures that would authorize the administration’s terror surveillance program and create military tribunals to try terror suspects.

“We Republicans believe that we have no choice in the war against terror and the only way to do it is to continue to take them head-on whether it is in Iraq or elsewhere,” said Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the majority leader.

A final decision on what do about immigration policy awaits a meeting this week of senior Republicans. But key lawmakers and aides who set the Congressional agenda say they now believe it would be politically risky to try to advance an immigration measure that would showcase party divisions and need to be completed in the 19 days Congress is scheduled to meet before breaking for the election.

Posted by on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (14)

Tuesday Open Thread

And we're off...

Have you checked out 100actions.com today?

Posted by on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (281)

September 3, 2006

Open Thread

This is an open thread...

Posted by on Sunday, September 3, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (180)

September 2, 2006

Weekend Open Thread

Chat away...

Posted by on Saturday, September 2, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (321)

September 1, 2006

On History

Visit Jesse Lee to read the whole thing...

Mr. President:

Since you’ve taken it upon yourself to educate the American people on the “lessons of history,” perhaps you should spend the long holiday weekend with one of the many fine volumes about World War II and bone up yourself. (Or, since it’s a family weekend, you could ask your dad.)

Mr. President, when faced with the deadly threat of fascism, Franklin Roosevelt did not divide our country; he brought people together—Democrats and Republicans—behind the war effort. During the war, he created a bipartisan Cabinet and refrained from using the war as a partisan ramrod.

There's more, and it's good, but you have to visit The Stakeholder to read the rest!

Posted by on Friday, September 1, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (36)

Ballot Controversy in Ohio

This week, voting rights activists in Ohio filed a federal lawsuit demanding that Secretary of State Ken Blackwell preserve the paper ballots from the 2004 election and that a court-appointed supervisor be selected to oversee the conduct of this November’s election.

Activists filed a civil rights lawsuit asserting that Secretary of State Ken Blackwell deprived people of their voting rights in the 2004 presidential election. The suit seeks to have him barred from overseeing the November election. The plaintiffs, who include the Ohio Voter Rights Alliance for Democracy, say Mr. Blackwell distributed fewer voting machines per person in black neighborhoods, purged voter registrations and disproportionately assigned provisional ballots to blacks. Those ballots were then disqualified at higher rates, the plaintiffs allege.

Federal law permits, but does not require, election officials to destroy ballots from the 2004 election beginning this weekend. But, according to media reports, serious voting irregularities continue to be uncovered, and some counties have already begun to destroy ballots in violation of the law.

Now, Blackwell seems to have flip-flopped on the important question of whether he will instruct local election officials to preserve the ballots.

Yesterday:

With paper ballots from the 2004 presidential election in Ohio scheduled to be destroyed next week, the secretary of state in Columbus, under pressure from critics, said yesterday that he would move to delay the destruction at least for several months...

“The decision of who decides whether the records will be preserved is quite simply not the secretary’s to make,” said Robert A. Destro, a lawyer for the secretary of state’s office.

Mr. Destro said preservation decisions belonged to the county public records commissions, the county boards of elections and the Ohio Historical Society.

“But by issuing this order,” Mr. Destro added, “the secretary of state will prevent any records from being destroyed for at least several months while this matter is studied more closely.”

Today:

[Blackwell] has not decided whether to direct county Boards of Election to preserve ballots beyond Saturday...

Donna Brazille, Chair of The Democratic Party's Voting Rights' Intitute issued a statement today, saying:

“For public election officials, the most important responsibility is to ensure the public’s confidence in the fairness and accuracy of the vote. In Ohio, those officials failed. A wide variety of non-partisan, objective studies have shown deeply troubling irregularities in the conduct of the elections and the counting of the votes in 2004. The people of Ohio, indeed all Americans, have a right to know what went wrong , what has been done to fix it, and how we can prevent similar problems in future elections.

“Now, with new studies revealing new problems and a new election right around the corner, Ken Blackwell is waffling on the crucial question of whether he will instruct local election officials to preserve paper ballots in order to allow examinations of the election to continue. The 2000 ballots in Florida have not been destroyed, so why would Ken Blackwell rush to destroy the 2004 evidence in Ohio?

“In our democratic system, the right of the American people to vote and have their votes counted is the fundamental freedom that protects our way of life. Elected governments cannot be held accountable to the people if citizens do not have confidence in the fairness and accuracy of our election systems. That is why the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute stands firmly in support of efforts to preserve ballots and allow studies of the 2004 election to continue, and supports the appointment of a court-selected supervisor for this year’s elections.

“It is clear that the Secretary of State, who so badly mishandled the last election, should not be responsible for the conduct of the next one, particularly when his own race for the governorship is at stake. That is not a recipe for confidence in the outcome of this year’s vote. It is time for the courts to step in and stop Ohio election officials from destroying Ohioans ‘ ballots.”

For more on the Voting Rights' Institute and Election reform, click here.

Posted by on Friday, September 1, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (7)

No Confidence...

...In the Secretary of Defense, who has completely failed.

From WaPo:

Under assault from Republicans on issues of national security, congressional Democrats are planning to push for a vote of no confidence in Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld this month as part of a broad effort to stay on the offensive ahead of the November midterm elections.

Posted by on Friday, September 1, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (10)

TGIF Open Thread

With a nice long weekend ahead of us, take the time to rest up before the final stretch of the campaign cycle. From September 5th to November 7th there will be no rest for the wicked. Or is that no rest for the weary?

Either way...

Get ready for some hard-core, feet on the streets, ready to rumble, Get Out the Vote action from Democrats in all 50 States!

This is an open thread...

Posted by on Friday, September 1, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (397)