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  • The Worst Election You’ve Never Heard of

    Posted by
    Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic National Committee Chair

    As Chair of the Democratic Party, I've been to more GOTV events than I can count. I've visited almost every state and have been involved in everything from the Presidential election to Governorships to ballot initiatives and small town races.

    But never have I seen an election like the one that's happening in Colorado right now.

    After the Colorado legislature passed commonsense gun violence prevention measures, national deep-pocketed gun lobbyists and their allies decided they weren't satisfied. They weren't going to let a small thing like the democratic process get in their way. So instead of waiting until the next election (which is only a little more than a year away), they're bankrolling a wasteful recall effort on two current elected officials — elected officials who have strong track records on job creation, education and strengthening Colorado's middle-class families.
     
    This effort is a blatant attack on our Democratic principles and it's a waste of Colorado taxpayer dollars. A recall will cost Colorado's citizens hundreds of thousands of dollars. It also sets a dangerous precedent for communities across our country. Local elections are supposed to be about the people in their districts, not extreme national groups trying to impose their policies.

    These national gun lobbyists have already tried to buy votes in Congress. Let's not let them buy elections, too.

    To learn more about these elections, visit: http://www.coloradodems.org/

  • Joe Biden: “Stand with me”

    Today, Vice President Joe Biden sent the following email to supporters encouraging them to take action and tell Congress to pass common-sense reforms to reduce gun violence:

    Friend --

    Soon after our first attempt at reducing gun violence was blocked by a minority of senators, I brought together advocates for this legislation and gave them a very clear message:

    This fight is far from over.

    If you're with me in the fight for common-sense legislation to reduce gun violence, let the Republicans in Congress know you're not backing down. Add your name right now.

    Look, I've been in politics a long time now. And I've seen time and time again that real, lasting change isn't always immediate -- but as long as you don't give up, you can win battles that you never thought possible.

    I have nothing but complete faith that Congress will pass meaningful gun laws that will save lives -- if we do everything we can to make it happen. When we band together to create change, we can win. And make no mistake, kid, it's up to us to win this fight.

    Let Republicans in Congress know that you're not done fighting for common-sense reforms to reduce gun violence -- and that we won't stop until it's signed into law:

    http://my.democrats.org/Reduce-Gun-Violence

    Let's do this,

    Joe

  • Distinguished Republican Leaders Hit Back

    While the RNC and Republicans at every level are paying lip service to repairing their damaged brand, distinguished Republican Party leaders are calling BS on an effort that is all form and no substance — lashing out against the Tea Partiers like Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Ken Cuccinelli who have become the standard bearers for the GOP. Unfortunately, the only Republicans with the courage to stand up against the Tea Party and their anti-gay, anti-women and anti-middle class agenda are retired from public office.

    Here's what some of those distinguished Republicans have said about their own party in the last few days:

    Former Virginia Senator John Warner:
    "The strength of America’s political system rests in the strength of having two viable, strong parties in stiff competition. Today each person has to make up their own mind. I’m concerned about the relative competitive strength of the two parties."  [Richmond Times Dispatch,  5/26/13] 

    Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole: 
    “I think they ought to put a sign on the national committee doors that says ‘closed for repairs’ until New Year’s Day next year and spend that time going over ideas and positive agendas.” [Fox News,  5/26/13] 

    Former Senator Olympia Snowe:
    "I certainly do agree with the former majority leader, Bob Dole, with whom I worked when I first entered the Senate and who was a consensus builder and understood what was essential and important for the Republican Party brand -- what was important for America and that unfortunately has been lost today on Capitol Hill."

    "The Republican party is undergoing some, you know, significant and serious changes and they are going to have to rethink their approach as a political party and how they are going to regroup and become a governing majority party that appeals to a broader group of Americans than they do today. You have a whole new group of lawmakers that know no other environment than the current one of dysfunction and disharmony,” said Snowe. “And that’s troubling.” [MSNBC, 5/28/13]

    The RNC may have filed their post-mortem report on their failings from the 2012 election months ago, but it's clear that the GOP has a lot more soul searching to do before they're able to return from the wilderness. And for good reason —Republicans are out of touch with middle-class Americans on every important issue we face, from tax fairness to making college more affordable, to common-sense reforms to reduce gun violence.  But you don’t need to take our word for it — just listen the GOP’s distinguished former leaders.  Kind of says it all.

  • Mad as hell

    In response to the NRA's continued attempts to influence Republicans, our communications director, Brad Woodhouse, fired off this email to supporters.

    Friend --

    New polls show that the approval ratings for Republicans who blocked a vote on background checks for gun sales have taken a huge dive.

    And now, after spending millions of dollars to get Republicans to vote against background checks, the NRA is bankrolling radio ads to help boost their dwindling poll numbers.

    The NRA's lobbyists think if they throw enough money around, they can get Republicans to vote however they want them to and protect them afterward -- it makes me mad as hell.

    But they're forgetting that we've got 90 percent of Americans on our side -- and we're not backing down.

    Show Congress that 90 percent of Americans matter more than the gun lobby: Help us collect 200,000 signatures in support of common-sense gun safety measures like background checks.

    The NRA may have deep-pocketed donors, but -- as history has shown -- nothing can stand in the way of the American people calling for change.

    We're close to our goal of 200,000 signatures demanding change to our gun laws.

    Help us reach our goal. Add your name to the petition now:

    http://my.democrats.org/The-90-Percent

    Your voice can make a difference.

    Thanks,

    Brad

    Brad Woodhouse

    Communications Director

    Democratic National Committee

    Add your name

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