[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Senator Art Torres (Ret.), Chairman of the California Democratic Party, issued the following statement on the five-year anniversary of President Bush’s declaration of "Mission Accomplished." Just days after Bush’s speech on the U.S.S. Lincoln, John McCain said "it’s clear that the end is very much in sight." Now -- five years, more than 4,000 lost lives, and at least $500 billion later -- John McCain says keeping our troops in Iraq for 100 years would be fine with him.  "John McCain is wrong on Iraq, and the wrong choice for California," said Torres. "After standing side-by-side with President Bush as he misled us into war and declared ‘mission accomplished’ before it was over, John McCain has been the President’s most loyal supporter every step of the way. John McCain doesn’t understand that Californians are not ‘fine’ with our troops staying in Iraq for 100 years under any circumstances. It is time to start using some of the $435 million a day, $3 billion per week, $12 billion a month we spend in Iraq to address the real threats to America's security, take care of our injured veterans and invest in confronting the challenges we face right here at home. Clearly, the only way to do that is to put a Democrat in the White House. Californians will vote to do just that come November."

by Jeff Morris [courtesy of Blog for America]

   As expected, there were no surprises in the testimony given by Gen Petraeus on Capital Hill. The purpose of his report to Congress was to give an honest assessment of the progress (or lack of) in Iraq. I was a bit struck by how the report was very close to nothing more than a re-cycled, re- print of his testimony of last year. He advised against any troop withdrawal, claimed the Military needs six more months, then wait forty five days, with an assessment to come in Sept. Identical to last years report. The plan is undoubtedly to keep U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely, six months at a time.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Today’s symbolic passing of the torch at the White House from President Bush to Republican presidential nominee John McCain couldn’t be better news for California Democrats.
 
Talk about timing -- just as McCain himself is vowing to "compete in California," he’s embracing the blessing of one of the most unpopular Presidents in history, a politician whose disapproval rating in California is well over 70 percent. Even more confounding, McCain’s plan to keep troops in Iraq for 100 years, his steadfast opposition to abortion rights, his vote against the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and other far-right positions offer California voters nothing more than a third Bush term. That doesn’t seem to be a winning strategy in the Golden State.
 
Then again, McCain’s advisors appear to be rosy-eyed enough to consider California a "purple state." Really? A "purple state"?

There's more...

Image courtesy CNN.

by Ilya Sheyman [courtesy of Blog for America]

I was surfing the net and Atrios pointed me to DFA-List Candidate Mark Pera's first TV ad. Remember Mark Pera?

Mark Pera is the progressive in the primary. Congressman Dan Lipinski is out of touch with his district. He can't stop himself from voting with the Bush party line to prevent life-saving stem cell research or give oil companies even higher profits. He's even voted five times to keep funding Bush's war and supports keeping troops in Iraq beyond 2010.

Here's the first ad:

Keep your eyes on this race - because if we're interested in ending the war, primaries matter!

by Sheri Divers [courtesy of Blog for America]

Send a message to Congress: You're on notice. Regardless of political party, when Congress won't represent the will of the American people, then DFA members will fight to replace them with someone who will.

This is one bright blue Democratic district where we can make a change; Mark Pera is the progressive in the primary. Support Mark with a contribution of $15 right now:

www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/SupportMark

Congressman Lipinski is out of touch with his district. He can't stop himself from voting with the Bush party line to prevent life-saving stem cell research or give oil companies even higher profits. He's even voted five times to keep funding Bush's war and supports keeping troops in Iraq beyond 2010.

But this election isn't just about bad votes; it's about leadership and community. Hand-picked by the party machine to take his father's seat in Congress, Dan Lipinski is a poster child for the culture of incumbency.

by Sheri Divers [courtesy of Blog for America]

There are some Democrats - Bush Democrats - who claim to represent us, but vote with Republicans on too many issues that matter.

Send a message to Congress: You're on notice. Regardless of political party, when Congress won't represent the will of the American people, then DFA members will fight to replace them with someone who will.

This is one bright blue Democratic district where we can make a change; Mark Pera is the progressive in the primary. Support Mark with a contribution of $15 right now:

www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/SupportMark

Congressman Lipinski is out of touch with his district. He can't stop himself from voting with the Bush party line to prevent life-saving stem cell research or give oil companies even higher profits. He's even voted five times to keep funding Bush's war and supports keeping troops in Iraq beyond 2010.

But this election isn't just about bad votes; it's about leadership and community. Hand-picked by the party machine to take his father's seat in Congress, Dan Lipinski is a poster child for the culture of incumbency.

by Sheri Divers [courtesy of Blog for America]

Please call Congress today! Tell your representative that additional funding for the occupation of Iraq must have a timeline for our withdrawal.

U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard 
(202) 224-3121

On Tuesday, President Bush vetoed funding for our troops in Iraq because the legislation included language to bring our brave men and women home. Now Congress is considering its next step.

The Republicans want to give George Bush another blank check. And there are some Democrats who are wavering. Whether your representative is part of the problem or part of the solution -- today is the day to call!

The way to keep Congress from buckling to George Bush is to make sure that all the members hear from their constituents. That's you!

Tell your representative, "Stand firm against the President's veto. Any additional funds for the occupation of Iraq must include a timeline for our withdrawal."

When you call Congress, here are some suggestions:

- Speak with the receptionist.
- Identify yourself as a constituent and a voter.
- Be polite, but firm.

After your call, click here to report on your conversation: