by David Reiter [courtesy of Blog for America]

We compiled specific information about some of the plans our Democratic front-runners have taken stands on. Links to their websites are provided if you would like to get more complete information. Information was gleaned form a variety of sources to identify specifics of their plans as opposed to broad outlines. Because of the volume of research to be sifted through, we only focused on the top 3 candidates. The candidates support many similar proposals, but we selected items where candidates seemed to differ in priority and scope…we hope you find it useful.

(Click Read More for the rest of this post) 

by Be_Devine [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Those who know me know I'm a grumpy old man trapped inside a young but aging body. And so here goes my Andy Rooneyesque comment.

In the 2004 Nevada presidential caucuses (held on February 14th), a total of 9,000 people caucused in the entire state. No, that was not a typo. No, I did not forget some zeroes. 9,000 people.  Yes, a total of 0.3 percent of Nevada's population bothered to show up to decide who their party's presidential candidate should be.

Some argue that by moving up the Nevada caucuses, the turnout will increase.  For example, the Nevada Democratic Party says it expects "three or four times" that number. (Hazaaa!!! 36,000 people!)   Even if that optimistic projection comes true, that's still only 1.5 percent of the state's population.  That tells me that the only people who are going to show up to caucuses tomorrow are the die-hard supporters of a particular candidate , not a representative sampling of the state.

So, please tell me, why do we care what 9,000, or even 36,000 people in a politically apathetic state have to say?

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

While many campaigns talk about getting out the vote, for 4.2 million Californians, about 27 percent of the electorate, getting out to vote means mailing in their ballot, the Bee reports. This is a good thing, as permanent absentee voterstend to be more reliable, but this remains one area in which CaliforniaRepublicans maintain a registration advantage.

A new Field Polls show Bay Area voters are particularly inclined to vote absentee, which could sway the results of the February presidential candidate whois able to utilize this voting group, the San Francisco Chroniclereports. On the Democratic side, this would appear to benefit HillaryClinton, who has already gone to work courting those who vote by mail,but it's an open game. Rudy Giuliani has made similar efforts on theGOP side and is counting on California because our Republicans tend tobe a bit more moderate.

by Paul Eisenman [courtesy of Blog for America]

News from Bergen Grassroots
Monday, November 26, 2007

Voter Registration Deadlines

If you plan to help New Jersey pick a presidential candidate, there are some deadlines you need to know. Dec. 17 is the deadline for filing change of political party affiliation for the Feb. 5 presidential primary. That would apply if, for example, you are registered as a Republican and want to vote in the Democratic primary. Or vice versa. TW3 believes that if you are registered as unaffiliated, you may make that decision on primary day, but we’ll do some more checking to make sure that is so. If you are not a registered voter, you have until Jan. 15 to enroll and participate in the Feb. 5 primary.

Any More Fifth CD Candidates?

Speaking of registration deadlines, some Grassrooters seem impatient to proceed with what appears to be an Abbate/Shulman campaign. The deadline for candidates to register is 57 days prior to the primary, which falls on June 3 this year. That looks like April 1, 2008. Campaigns are far too long, TW3 believes, and waiting until April to get involved in one certainly seems to be a sensible plan. Anyone disagree?

by Rosi Efthim [courtesy of Blog for America]

Here we go! Calling all activists: Who's your candidate?

With New Jersey's super-duper early primary just about two months away, we're going to light it up a little early. . .

Participate in an Iowa-style Presidential Caucus Friday night, Dec. 7.

RSVP right here! 

5-7pm - Open House, with info tables for each candidate

7pm - Welcome by Linda Stender, followed by 5-7 minute short presentations by each Presidential Candidate's NJ surrogate

8pm - close - Iowa-style caucus with groups retreating to separate corners, winnowing down as the evening progresses. 3 ranked winners will emerge.

Featured Speakers TBA. Co-sponsors include our friends at: Blue Jersey, NJ's Democratic Future, Garden State Equality, NJ Stonewall Dems, NJ Jewish Democratic Caucus, Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus, Blue Wave, NJ Arab American Democratic Caucus, B.A.L.L.O.T., National Jewish Democratic Council/NJ Chapter, and PDA.

$10 "Poll Tax" comes with hot appetizers and cash bar. 

What will happen? You decide! 

RSVP right here! 

Thanks for powering NJ activism, everybody!

by Monica Smith [courtesy of Blog for America]

The first weekend in November, Granite State Independent Living, along with a half dozen sponsors and over two dozen supporting organizations, held a bi-partisan presidential candidate forum in Manchester, New Hampshire. Perhaps because some of the Republican candidates hadn't yet committed themselves, only two were invited and only John McCain actually participated via a conference call. Perhaps Rudolph Giuliani, having struggled to overcome some significant disabilities without, apparently, much success, decided that bragging about things he hadn't actually done would not go over well before such an audience.

Before you jump to any conclusion, let me explain that I came away from the Forum with the sudden awareness that everyone has some disability, something they're not able to accomplish because of some physical, psychological or emotional impediment and that the only thing differentiating the so-called "disability community" is their ability to accept their limitations instead of trying to hide them. Which, it would be my guess, makes them a bit more honest than the rest of us.

by Chad Shue [courtesy of Blog for America]

On wednesday, New Mexico Governor and Presidential Candidate, Bill Richardson ordered two fire crews (strike teams, with 5 engines and 21 crew members each) to California to assist with the wildfires devastating that state. He also contributed $10,000 from his campaign to the American Red Cross and invited everyone to do what they can.

He then issued a statement asking, "Where is Our National Guard?" Just as during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, George Bush's mis use and abuse of our National Guard has left our states vulnerable in times of emergency. Gov. Richardson'e statement reads in part:

 "...I look at the natural disaster in California and feel compelled to also ask President Bush and every candidate who thinks it is okay for our troops to remain in Iraq until 2013 or longer - where is our National Guard?

It is a sad irony that yesterday, the very day I sent fire crews to California, 300 more New Mexico National Guard members were sent to Iraq. Just when we need them most at home, more of our brave men and women, true public servants, are sent away to a war we cannot win.

Never before in our history has our National Guard, a group of dedicated men and women who serve our country and provide critical aid in the time of natural disasters been used, and re-used, for so long to fight a war tens of thousands of miles away."