[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Failure to End Iraq War is Probable Cause
Pelosi, Feinstein, and Boxer Dip

By Frank D. Russo

The California Field Poll has released another part of it's current poll taken earlier in October and in many ways the results are an echo of what this venerable poll showed in August.

California registered voters disapprove of Congress by a margin of 64% to 22%--statistically about the same as the 66% to 20% disapproval registered in the August 24, 2007 poll by Field, and within the margin of error of the poll numbers in this release of 4.1%.

Field does not ask voters why they are dissatisfied with Congress as an institution. What is interesting is the partisan divide, and the numbers are quite telling throughout the survey, especially as we see the numbers as to how Democrats, Republicans, and "Non-partisan/others" break down as to the performance of Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Randy Bayne
The Bayne of Blog's California Notes

Congress voted once again today to reauthorize the State Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The vote on H.R. 3963 was 265 yeas to 142 nays.

The new version of SCHIP attempts to address concerns raised by President Bush and House Republicans. According to a press release from Congressman Jerry McNerney's office, there are several changes to this bill that did not appear in previous versions:

• SCHIP coverage will be permitted for children only from families who earn less than 300 percent of the poverty level.

• In order to ensure that lowest-income children are covered first, the states will only receive bonus payments for enrolling eligible children in Medicaid, in this case California’s MediCal program.

• The revised bill goes even further that previous versions in clarifying that the legislation does not allow illegal immigrants to get SCHIP:

• If the Social Security Administration cannot confirm an applicant’s citizenship, the applicant will be required to provide the state with additional documentation to confirm eligibility.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Randy Bayne
THE BAYNE OF BLOG'S CALIFORNIA NOTES

Congressman Dan Lungren (CA-3) held a town hall meeting in Jackson on Saturday. He came to talk to Amador Co. residents about four issues, immigration, Iraq, spending and earmarks. Most of the two hours was spent on immigration, with few local issues being addressed. As a matter of fact, Lungren seemed disturbed that these constituents would bother him with anything local. He certainly didn't want the audience driving the conversation off his pre-determined course.

He entered the auditorium at Jackson City Hall barely noticed, shook a couple hands, and headed straight for the donuts.

After an introduction by Amador Co. Sheriff Martin Ryan in which he received so much praise it simply had to be phony, Lungren took center stage and started into an explanation of the role of the California Attorney General, an office he used to hold. It felt like he was trying to waste time so he wouldn't have to face too many questions.

Before questions from constituents, Lungren talked about four issues that he says generate the most mail to his office — immigration, Iraq, federal spending and earmarks.

Immigration

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Rosemary Shahan,
President
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety

Will California lead the way to curbing global warming and making the US less dependent on foreign oil? Or will we be held hostage by the dinosaurs in Detroit and Big Oil and Coal? A historic showdown is imminent in Congress. The time to make your voice heard is NOW.

For the first time in a decade, the U.S. Senate has voted to improve motor vehicle fuel economy, saving consumers at the pump and also reducing harmful pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. But the House is closely divided, with the auto, coal, and oil industries attempting to derail the momentum from the Senate victory. This is a critical moment for the environment, consumers, and the nation.

The burning question: Will enough lawmakers from California vote AYE for H.R. 1506, the Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2007, to offset the NO votes from members of states dominated by the auto, coal, and oil interests? H.R. 1506 will raise fuel economy 10 miles per gallon over the next 10 years, to 35 mpg, and 4% every year afterward. These gains in fuel economy are achievable and long overdue. Any added costs for the vehicles will be offset by savings at the pump. Oh, and did we mention that we also help save the planet?

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Major Danby

Blogging is largely about talking the talk – and that’s important. This is about walking the walk.

A few months ago, another member of this community and I made a pair of expensive decisions -- decisions to do what we felt we were obligated to do as patriotic Americans. He -- the good-looking, likable, established-in-the-community one -- decided to run for Congress if I would manage his campaign full-time. And I agreed to manage his campaign (at a steep discount from standard “Democratic consultant” rates) if it would be more than a token run.

A brain trust of Southern Californian bloggers – people like thereisnospoon, hekebolos, Shockwave, OrangeClouds115, occams hatchet, dday, atdleft, vernonlee, honorary Californian clammyc, and many others – were there at the beginning and have provided support and sage advice since. Others have joined the train since then. Tomorrow at 9 a.m. PDT, with the announcement of the name and handle of the nominee, the train leaves the station.

We want you on that train with us. We're ready to crash that train right through the gates of Congress – and you know that that means we’re going to make a lot of noise.

by Lucas O'Connor [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Last week I ran down the unused money from last year's unopposed and underopposed California members of Congress.  It was a long list. 22 districts held by Democrats fielded no Republican challenger who met a very low bar of fundraising legitimacy.  Really not impressive, but really not surprising either.  So what about the flipside?  How did Democrats do in going after Republicans?

Democrats left only one California seat unopposed, and failed to raise money in one other.  Of the 21 Republican-held seats, only 4 qualified as as unopposed or underopposed (challenger raising less than $25,000).  It suggests two things to me.  One, Democrats are already doing a pretty good job of funding candidates in red districts (although there's still room to improve of course), and two, that strong funding only goes so far given the way these districts are drawn.  So as I would be cautioning anyways, fundraising is only one piece of the puzzle.  It still takes the right candidate in the right context.

Warning: I get long-winded on the flip

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]

Yup, this is national...but we're going to focus on our Representatives.  Personally, I'm pretty sure that my representative, Speaker Pelosi will be voting YES on the blank check.  So, why don't you give a call to your representative and ask them how they are going to vote on the Iraq Supplemental.  MoveOn will give you the phone numbers for your representative..

Post responses in the comments.