[courtesy of Blog for America]

May 22, 2008

Congratulations to Senators Barbara Mikulski, Ben Cardin, and the 73 other members of the United States Senate for your leadership in passing overwhelmingly a bill that will provide much-needed assistance for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We have asked our men and women in uniform to sacrifice their jobs, their families and in many cases, their very lives. It is imperative that our government reward this sacrifice by investing in our veterans by helping them to attend college.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to Senator Jim Webb of Virginia for his leadership in standing up for America's veterans whenever and wherever they are in need. As the daughter of a career U.S. service member, I appreciate fully the challenges and needs of transitioning from military to civilian life.  My father was the beneficiary of the old G.I. Bill, and those benefits transformed our lives and the opportunities for my father and for our family. They were a just reward for long and honorable service and sacrifice.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

This afternoon, I had the chance to sit down with a Andy Stern, president of SEIU International, and a few other bloggers. We talked about a number of things, a couple of which directly affect the labor movement in California.  Before we get to those more controversial elements, I'll address some of the great political work.

First of all, there's the They Work for Us and similar efforts.  SEIU was critical in Donna Edwards' victory over Al Wynn in MD-04. They are doing a good job of pushing the issues, rather than the candidates.  As Stern put it, you don't seal the deal by getting certified as the union after a long organization campaign, you have to get the contract.  Following up on our issues is the contract. If we don't follow up, we have really gained nothing.  Follow me over the flip...

by Charles Chamberlain, DFA Field Director [courtesy of Blog for America]

The right-wing extremist groups are at it again. These Bush-Republicans are swift-boating Democrats who voted against granting immunity to telecommunication companies who spied on innocent Americans.

The so-called "Defense of Democracies" lobbying group is smearing 15 Democrats in a two million dollar ad campaign. They claim Congress would rather be on vacation then work to keep America safe.

It's a lie. And if we don't fight back quickly, then the swift-boating will stick and Democrats who stood up to President Bush will be at risk.

It's David vs. Goliath. They have a multi-million dollar war chest, we have you. If 1,000 of us join together with contributions of $100 each then we'll have the resources to fight back and win. Contribute right now:

www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/DavidBeatsGoliath

The National Journal reports that the majority of the money funding this smear campaign is from just one mega-donor.

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Crossposted from the Courage Campaign blog. I do some work for the Courage Campaign.

Earlier this week the mood was grim as most observers expected House Democrats would fold, not stand, on telecom immunity, the protection of rights, the rule of law, and the Constitution. But today they chose to do the right thing and, by a vote of 213-197-1, the House rejected telecom immunity and warrantless surveillance. Many of the Blue Dogs who had earlier signed a letter insisting on immunity instead voted to strip it from the bill. The bill will now return to the US Senate, which must decide whether to continue to carry water for the Bush Administration, or join the House in rejecting immunity and embracing the Constitution.

Glenn Greenwald wrote that this could be a major turning point:

by DFA Staff [courtesy of Blog for America]

In column about the Fallon/Boswell Congressional race in Iowa, DFA gets a mention:

Fallon is an unconventional politician and Democrat. He's raised chickens in his former Des Moines neighborhood, lived in poverty and rides his bicycle in mid-winter. He calls Boswell a "Bush Democrat," which has become the new smear for establishment Democrats who voted for the war, among other things. The liberal group, Democracy for America, calls Boswell that, too. It endorsed insurgent Donna Edwards in a Maryland congressional primary and she scored a big upset victory. Now it backs Fallon, calling him "a true progressive," and writing, "He has a record of beating out-of-touch Democrats in Iowa ... When the conservative party establishment tried to primary Ed out of the state Legislature, Ed won again with 68 percent of the vote."

The group criticizes Boswell's votes for the Iraq war, the No Child Left Behind law and tax breaks for oil and gas companies. It says he accepts money from lobbyists.

read more »

by DFA Staff [courtesy of Blog for America]

Donna Edwards was a great candidate and she will be a phenomenal member of the United States Congress.  She is the real deal and the whole package.  Her victory over incumbent Bush-Democrat Al Wynn was a monumental achievement and DFA was there from the beginning.  

Here is Donna Edwards thanking DFA:

Danny                                                                                                        Communications Director

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Sara S. Nichols

People need to start recognizing that Obama is the best nominee, not just because he is more likely to beat McCain in November, but because he is more likely to beat him big, bring new voters into the process, thereby positively affecting the downticket races.

Donna Edwards is the first exciting case in point. Yesterday, Democrat Donna Edwards (who happens to be a former Congress Watch colleague of mine) pulled off a stunning upset against 6 term incumbent congressman Al Wynn (D-Maryland) in Maryland's fourth congressional district (a hybrid of Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in suburban DC).

The margin of victory? 20%! Completely unheard of for a primary challenge against an incumbent not currently under indictment. Hmmm...Who else won his Maryland Democratic primary by 20% on Tuesday?

Three guesses and the first two wear bold colored pantsuits.

This is no joke. Maryland's appear to be the first congressional primaries of the year (February is very early). Donna is part of a slate of Democratic challengers across the country running against Democrats who supported the war and continued military buildup. And she won, not a little bit, but huge, with the exact same margin of victory as Obama.