EMILY's List candidate Tarryl Clark wants to makes sure the people of Minnesota's sixth district know what their future will look like if Cong. Michele Bachmann has her way. One thing it won't include? Social Security as we know it.
Tarryl's campaign released a very telling web video this week about Bachmann's stance on privatization of social security, and we wanted to make sure you saw it:
Is there anything more affirming of our mission than this picture of four anti-choice Republican men vying to unseat our pro-choice Democratic woman, Cong. Betsy Markey (CO-04)?
The GOP sure didn't wait long to launch their first attack in the Florida governor's race.
Just this week, the Republican Governors Association released its first television ad of the season, an attack on gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink. The GOP is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on the piece, which is airing across the state.
Here's what Alex's campaign manager, Paul Dunn, had to say about the attacks:
"The decision by Bill McCollum to bring his Washington style of politics to Florida and launch misleading, negative attack ads eight months before the election shows just how scared he is that voters clearly want a business leader with a vision for growing Florida's economy over a career Washington politician who helped create today's economic mess."
The race is being called one of the "best gubernatorial contests of this cycle" -- and it's apparent Republicans are willing to do whatever it takes to keep the governor's mansion in GOP hands.
Alex is a proven Democratic leader who has worked to streamline state government and helped protect Florida consumers from fraud in her current role as the state's chief financial officer.
But she's counting on support from EMILY's List members across the country to help her respond to the GOP's attacks and win this seat!
While excitement fueled by hate and anger tend to run high at rallies hosted by tea-partiers, we were shocked when we heard about this comment from a participant in a tea party rally in Washington state last week, attended by hundreds of activists, calling for the hanging of Senator Patty Murray. The tea-party spokesperson compared Senator Murray to the character of Jake from “Lonesome Dove” and said: “What happened to Jake when he ran with the wrong crowd? He got hung (sic). And that’s what I want to do with Patty Murray.”
We know a lot of voters are angry right now, but statements like that go too far. We’re all for robust debate, but saying you’d like to murder a U.S. Senator because you’re frustrated about what’s going on in Washington is way out of line. What’s more disconcerting is that the rally organizers, the Lewis and Clark Tea Party Patriots, had little to say about how the lack of appropriateness of the comment. And the really disturbing part? It’s only February, and the tea partiers are just starting to get warmed up for the November elections.
Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas's decision not to run for re-election has attracted a crowd of Democrats looking to become the next governor of the Green Mountain State. It can be tough to set yourself apart in a large field -- but a recent poll shows that EMILY's List candidate Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is doing just that.
According to the WCAX/Research 2000 poll, Deb has the highest support of any Democratic candidate when matched head-to-head against the Republican nominee, Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie, with 43% of voters polling for Deb and 41% for Dubie. The poll also matched up Dubie with other possible Democratic nominees -- and each trails Dubie by at least 5 points, leaving Deb a the only Democratic contender to poll ahead of Dubie.
While these results are encouraging, they also show how intense this election will be: first a multi-candidate Democratic primary, then what appears will be a tight race against Republican Dubie.
This just in from NH-02: Charlie Bass is in the running for the GOP nomination for this open seat. As a former Congressman, Bass is anything but a fresh face -- he held this seat from 1995 until 2007, after losing it to Democrat Paul Hodes. Now that Hodes is vacating the seat to run for Senate, Bass is eager to fill his old seat once again. He made his candidacy official yesterday, holding a kick-off campaign call with reporters.
EMILY's List candidate Annie McLane Kuster is already hard at work to get her message out to the district's voters and keep this open seat in Democratic hands this fall -- but as NH Political Report pointed out yesterday, Bass has an energized Republican base behind him, just as he did when he first announced his run for Congress in 1994.
We need Annie's voice in Congress -- and we certainly can't afford to watch this seat fall into Bass's hands. Just look at what he had to say about his thoughts on the Tea Party movement during his call yesterday:
“As far as the tea party movement is concerned I love ‘em. God bless every single one of them. Do you know what their agenda is? ...Exactly the same as mine."
In an email to Annie's supporters yesterday, Annie's campaign manager Colin Van Ostern said, "Unlike Congressman Bass’s plans to take our country backwards, Annie has a positive agenda for our country." And, based on some of the inconsistencies in Bass's record -- accusing President Obama of "coddling terrorists" when Bass himself voted against establishing the original 9/11 commission, for example -- there's no doubt we must act now to make sure Annie's positioned to win this race.
If voters want something different, the GOP knows its Missouri Senate candidate doesn't have much to offer. That's why they've already resorted to attack ads against Democratic candidate and current Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.
More than 8 months from election day, and the GOP is already taking the gloves off, attempting to blame the country's woes on Robin. Robin has made a name for herself as a strong voice for reform who gets results and puts Missourians ahead of partisan bickering.
But that doesn't mean right-wing attacks -- and money -- aren't having an effect on the race. Recent polling shows the GOP's candidate, conservative loyalist Cong. Roy Blunt, with a slight lead in the race, making clear that we can't waste a moment helping Robin prepare for a tough battle.
Robin must work now to get her message out to voters and make sure she has the resources to fight back against right-wing attacks and win this seat.
That's what Marc Ambinder called a number of GOP candidates in key races this election cycle. In a recent post on The Atlantic's Politics blog, Ambinder said exactly what we've been noticing in tight races across the country -- tried-and-true GOP loyalists repeating much of the same mantra we've heard before (renegotiating that Contract with America, anyone?).
In particular, Ambinder zeroed in on the Senate race in Missouri, where Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is facing GOP Cong. Roy Blunt, a former member of the Republican House leadership that backed President Bush's agenda.
Here's what Ambinder had to say: "In Missouri, Senate candidate Roy Blunt is to Washington insider like Sammy Davis, Jr. is to rat pack." And, with all the talk of independent action coming from the Republican party, Ambinder pointed out that Blunt's "insider-y-ness" might be the opposite of what voters are looking for. "...[I]f independents are truly independent in November, and if they turn out, Blunt will not win their hearts or minds without a big fight."
This is good news for Robin, a proven vote-getter who knows how to get results when it comes to protecting consumers from fraud and waste. But Blunt's party connections and special interest ties will mean major financial support from conservatives.
Already, Blunt has called in political favors from top GOPers, including Bush ally Karl Rove. Rove even boasted about his personal donation to Blunt in the Wall Street Journal.
In a message to her supporters this week, Robin pointed out exactly why the Blunt/Rove friendship makes for such a natural pairing: "Karl Rove and Congressman Blunt are both Washington insiders infamous for doing favors for lobbyists and their too-big-to-fail Wall Street friends...yes, the same people whose reckless spending drove our country to the brink of financial disaster, leaving us to pay the bill."
Some groups call them "rising stars." Others call them "races to watch." Republicans call them "Young Guns." Go figure.
We've been keeping you updated on developments in the NRCC's "Young Guns" program, designed to recruit and train GOP prospects in high-priority open-seat and challenger races. The three-level program ranks candidates in tiers as "On the Radar," "Contenders," and "Young Guns." Candidates' rankings are based on benchmarks such as fundraising, media plans, and grassroots organizing, according to CQ Politics.
The NRCC announced this week that they're adding a new batch of candidates to the program, including three opponents hoping to challenge EMILY's List women. Blake Curd is running to defeat EMILY's List alum Cong. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL) , while Joe Heck is in the race against Cong. Dina Titus (NV-03). And in Arizona's first district, Paul Gosar is looking to take on Cong. Ann Kirkpatrick. Curd, Heck, and Gosar were added to the first step of the program -- "0n the Radar" -- this week.
Two other opponents of EMILY's List women were bumped up to the second part of the NRCC program -- the "contender" level. Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou, called "the next Scott Brown" by a number of right-wingers, will face off in a three-way special election with EMILY's List candidate Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) as early as May. Cong. Debbie Halvorson's opponent in Illinois's third district, Adam Kinzinger, is fresh off his primary win in Illinois last week. He was also bumped up to the "contender" level of the program.
There's no doubt the NRCC and their recruits are gearing up for tough battles this fall. With momentum building and the prospect of making gains in Congress, Republicans are eager to do what it takes to win back seats. That's why all of our women will be counting on EMILY's List members around the country to help them keep their seats in the Democratic column.
Just wanted to make sure you saw the great new ad Martha's campaign launched today, reminding us exactly how important it is we help elect Martha to the Senate.
In the ad, President Obama speaks at a campaign rally, telling the crowd about Martha's long record of service for the people of Massachusetts, including her tough stance on Wall Street and her work to protect citizens against predatory lenders.
Polls open in less than 24 hours in Massachusetts, where EMILY's List candidate Martha Coakley is racing toward the finish line. This race couldn't be tighter -- and the GOP is pulling out all the stops in an attempt to take over the Senate seat of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
But Martha's field operation is in full swing, and voter turnout will be critical. President Obama visited Massachusetts this weekend, helping to energize voters, make sure they know how critical this Democratic seat is, and get them to the polls tomorrow.
Here's a clip from his rally with Martha:
Already, the members of EMILY's List have made a remarkable difference in this race, mobilizing when Martha needed our support most. But she's going to need all hands on deck to keep this seat in the Democratic column. If you're interested in volunteering, click here to visit Martha's website.
If you're a Massachusetts voter, make sure to get your friends and family to the polls tomorrow! Martha's counting on you! Click here to find your polling location.
Polls show a volatile race in Massachusetts, and there's no doubt voter turnout is going to decide whether Democrats keep our crucial 60th seat in the Senate.
EMILY's List candidate Martha Coakley is crisscrossing the state, meeting with voters and making sure they remember to get to the polls tomorrow. She's also continuing to bring in key endorsements in the final days of the race, including from the newspapers of her GOP opponent's hometown.
Here are a few clips from some of Martha's recent endorsements you won't want to miss:
Berkshire Eagle
"Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley will be an ally in the fight to make America a better nation for all Americans, not just the privileged and well-connected. Republican state Senator Scott Brown will be just another "no" vote, a rubber-stamp with nothing positive to offer. The choice is that clear, the election that critical."
Springfield Republican
"We urge Bay State voters to ignore the attack ads and fear mongering and elect Martha Coakley as the person who will pick up the torch for Kennedy."
"Massachusetts needs a senator who understands the needs of middle-class families that are struggling to pay their mortgages, maintain their health coverage, send their kids to college and plan for their retirement. Those are the people Sen. Kennedy spent his 47-year career fighting for – and that’s who Martha Coakley will fight for."
New Bedford Standard Times
"In the attorney general's office, Coakley has carved out a position of leadership. She returned millions of dollars to the state from Big Dig contractors, protected homeowners in foreclosure from sham rescue schemes, and earlier in her career, prosecuted high-profile criminal cases, including those of alleged sexual predators."
Attleboro Sun Chronicle
"As the state's first female attorney general, Democrat Coakley since 2007 has proven herself an effective administrator. Throughout her career as a lawyer and district attorney she has exhibited rare skills in mediation and conciliation - the arts of finding middle ground for divergent viewpoints. It will serve her, and Massachusetts, well in the Senate."
The Boston Globe's headline says it all: "Conservative group launches another attack ad against Coakley."
Martha has been inundated by attacks, including some from the same people responsible for the Willie Horton and Swiftboat ads. And now, they're on the attack again.
Fortunately, Martha's supporters are fighting back against the attacks and bolstering Martha's qualifications and dedication to Massachusetts citizens. In an ad released today, Vicki Kennedy, wife of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, speaks about her decision to support Martha's campaign.
Watch it here:
Former President Bill Clinton is appearing at an event for Martha today, and President Barack Obama has also announced he'll head to Massachusetts this weekend to help get voters to polls.
We're thrilled Martha has the support of top Democratic leaders in this race -- but we also know she'll need everyone of us standing behind her to win this seat. The polls continue to show this will be neck-and-neck until election day, and it's going to take all of us, working together, to secure a victory for Martha.
And, if you're a Massachusetts voter, click here to find your polling location -- and don't forget to bring your friends and family members to the polls with you on Tuesday!
If you're interested in volunteering for Martha, visit her campaign website for more information.
When it comes to women's rights, GOP Senate candidate Scott Brown has made one thing clear: women voters should turn and run.
Reproductive rights have become a central issue of the Massachusetts special election, where EMILY's List candidate Martha Coakley has taken a strong stand in defense of abortion rights. Brown, however, hasn't been quite so forthright.
Representatives of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women, and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus held a joint press conference this week where they spoke of Brown's use of “smoke and mirrors’’ to conceal a record dangerous for women, including sponsoring an amendment that would have allowed hospital employees to deny emergency contraceptives to victims of sexual assault based on religious beliefs.
Here's what Andrea Miller, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, said:
“Time and again, Scott Brown has shown that he is willing to compromise, for political gain, the health and well-being of some of the most vulnerable women in Massachusetts...And this includes victims of sexual assault.’’
Brown recently filed legislation that would allow the elimination of mandated coverage for critical health services for women -- including mammograms and maternity care.
Massachusetts women certainly deserve more than what Brown has to offer. Fortunately, Martha Coakley has proven herself a committed advocate for women and girls -- and she's exactly the candidate we need in the Senate.
The right-wing is coming out in full force for GOP candidate Scott Brown in the Massachusetts special Senate election. And with voters heading to the polls just one week from today to fill the seat of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, it's sure to be a sprint to the finish between Brown and EMILY's List candidate Martha Coakley.
While Coakley's being hit by the American Future Fund, which has already spent $700,000 on the race, reports are that Brown is receiving major support from the Chamber of Commerce and the so-called Tea Party movement. In an appeal to supporters, one Tea Party leader said Brown's election to the Senate "would strip Democrats of the ability to pass the [health care] bill." He also called for Tea Partiers to "throw all of our resources behind Brown" to help him win. So far, right-wing third-party groups have spent $1.2 million on the race.
Brown has also made a major fundraising push on his website, a "moneybomb event," which helped him raise $1.3 million in just 24 hours. His recent appearances on Fox News -- and some buzz from Rush Limbaugh -- have no doubt helped his fundraising efforts.
Martha has been reaching out to voters and we know she's the candidate to carry on the progressive legacy of Sen. Ted Kennedy. But we can't afford to take any chances, especially with Democrats' 60-seat majority on the line.
The New York Daily News is reporting that, after deciding not to run for governor, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani "will run for U.S. Senate," pitting him against EMILY's List candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
From the story:
A source familiar with Giuliani's thinking said the failed presidential candidate has been telling people he plans to run against Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010 to fill out the remaining two years of Hillary Clinton's term.
If elected, the source said, he could use that as a stepping stone to run for President in 2012 - rather than run for re-election to the Senate.
Kirsten hit the ground running when she joined the Senate this January, and we know how crucial her voice is in Washington. We'll keep you updated on race developments as we learn more.
We knew the Missouri Senate race would be tight, but this open seat battle is shaping up to be one for the record books.
In a new survey by Public Policy Polling, EMILY's List candidate Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is running neck and neck with likely GOP nominee Cong. Roy Blunt. In the poll, Carnahan edged out Blunt with 43% of the vote, only one percent above Blunt's 42%. The poll's margin of error was ±3.6%. In the last PPP Missouri Senate poll -- conducted in January -- Carnahan led Blunt 45%-44%, showing this race will undoubtedly be close until the very end.
We're gearing up to make sure Robin has the resources she needs to communicate with and mobilize Missouri voters. We are encouraged that Carnahan's favorability ratings remain high.
Accordingto Dean Debnam of PPP, "If Robin Carnahan had faced off against Roy Blunt in any election year between 1996 and 2008, she would likely have won, given her superior popularity... But 2010 has the potential to be an extremely good year for Republicans, and that's made this race highly competitive."
This one will stay competitive all the way through Election Day.
The attacks are already flying in Ohio's 15th congressional district and, oddly enough, they're about an issue on which some believe the candidates would agree -- in theory.
Former right-wing state Sen. Steve Stivers sent out an email to supporters earlier today, calling EMILY's List candidate Cong. Mary Jo Kilroy a "rubber stamp" and arguing against her opposition to the Stupak/Pitts Amendment. Here's the kicker, though: Stivers took serious heat from Republicans when he ran against Kilroy in 2008 for his mixed choice record.
Confused? So were we.
Apparently, now that Stivers is looking for a rematch, he's planning to move farther to the right to win over the Republican base.
Stivers isn't the only one leveling attacks at Kilroy, either; the national GOP also is taking aim at the freshman congresswoman, according to Politico.
Kilroy has been a leading advocate for health care reform, including sharing her own story about dealing with multiple sclerosis. And, in a district that's trending more and more Democratic -- even going for Barack Obama in 2008 -- we know she can pull out a win and continue working on behalf of Ohioans. She'll have a tough re-election battle ahead -- but we know how critical her voice is in Washington, and we couldn't be prouder to stand with her.
We were shocked to watch Republican members of Congress attempt to silence members of the Democratic Women's Caucus as they spoke on the House floor this Saturday. But as frustrating as it was to watch, it must have been even more maddening for the women members who couldn't finish a sentence.
As EMILY's List alum Florida Cong. Debbie Wasserman Schultz pointed out, however, it wasn't just unbelievably rude. It also revealed exactly how GOPers view their women colleagues -- and women in general.
"We already have had a clear sense that Republicans were opposed to our efforts at advancing women's health interests. Now we know that they are opposed to letting women voice their opinions on health care as well...I've been in office for 17 years, and I have never seen a more disrespectful display than the one put on by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle Saturday morning, when they literally shouted down a group of female members who were just trying to discuss how the House health care reform bill will help women."
During a conference call with reporters today, Wasserman Schultz referred to the GOP actions as "Republicans' 'back-of-the-hand' treatment to women."
When the GOP runs out of ideas, it apparently relies on the tried and true tactics of preschoolers: tantrums.
As the House discussed rules of debate for today's health care talks, the Democratic women's caucus met with jeering, shouts, and predictable delay tactics when they addressed the floor. The women -- many of whom EMILY's List helped elect -- made their remarks while Republicans cried out objections for nearly 30 minutes.
Freshman Cong. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), listening to a barrage of objections, responded, "Do I not have the right to be able to continue my sentence without objections that are trying to censor my remarks here on the floor that I have a right to make as a member of this House?"
Calls for civilized behavior and orderly conduct went largely unnoticed by Republicans, who later referred to the legislation as the “freedom-killing, job-killing Democratic healthcare bill.”.
Of course, it's no surprise that Republicans are doing what they can to delay a vote, but interrupting proceedings and talking over their colleagues on the House floor? That's a show of real leadership and integrity, isn't it?
Check out some of the low-lights compiled by Think Progress:
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