FEC and McCain

Dear matt,

A recent report by the Associated Press has revealed that the Republican National Committee is pulling together a joint fund with John McCain called the "Victory Committee." Its goal is to raise $120 million -- which they're sure to spend trying to destroy our candidates.

We've seen this before -- we know they're already launching attacks on Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. And while they're tearing them down, they'll try to spin John McCain to the American people.

It's a $120 million makeover fund, designed to make everyone forget about the last eight years of John McCain, George Bush, the war, the economy, Katrina, and a stunning lack of competency.

We can't let John McCain and the RNC get away with it -- Hillary and Barack need us to fight back while they're trying to win the nomination.

That's why I'm making an urgent request for you to help us with a contribution today -- we have to keep up. They've got a head start, but we can stay competitive if you make a contribution right now:

http://www.democrats.org/competitive

This $120 million fund is about more than just money and negative ads though -- it goes to the core of what John McCain pretends to be.

As a "maverick reformer," he has repeatedly claimed to be a crusader for campaign finance reform, but he has shown little regard for campaign finance law. At the same time, he's staffed the highest levels of his campaign with Washington lobbyists, with one of them going so far as to work out of McCain's campaign bus.

I emailed at the end of February about McCain's decision to break the law and unilaterally withdraw from primary matching funds. We filed a complaint with the FEC that many of you signed your support for, but it has been unable to act.

So yesterday, we sued the FEC to force an investigation into whether McCain has violated campaign finance law. We refuse to let his campaign go unchecked, and we'll do whatever it takes to make sure he is held accountable.

It takes a lot to raise $120 million, but John McCain's staff of lobbyists knows they can count on checks from their friends and special interests. They can't raise the money they need without it.

So this is what we're up against -- a $120 million fundraising push, an opponent who's already broken campaign finance law, a team of lobbyists who have plenty of friends to help them get the cash they need to trash our candidates, and an FEC that is unable to act on our complaint.

We need to stay competitive, and the only way to do that is for you to make a contribution right now:

http://www.democrats.org/competitive

Your contribution means we stay competitive. It means we can go out and respond to the Republican attacks while Hillary and Barack work to become our party's nominee.

And your support means we can show the Republicans that, as in 2005, 2006 and 2007, Democrats plan to compete everywhere -- and win.

Thanks for all that you do,

Howard Dean

fix FISA

Dear Matt:

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a strong and balanced FISA bill, legislation that protects America’s national security while defending civil liberties – without granting retroactive immunity to phone companies. Retroactive immunity would abet the Bush-Cheney Administration’s efforts to avoid accountability for its actions.

	Now that the House has passed a fair FISA bill, it's time to turn our attention back to the Senate. Forward an email to your Senators now!

This was a tremendous accomplishment -- and would not have been possible without the hard work and support from engaged citizens like you. The fight for a fair FISA bill has been waged all across the country: in the halls of Congress, on progressive political blogs, in newspaper editorial pages, on the public airwaves, and around dinner tables and water coolers from coast-to-coast.

But there’s still much work to do. Now that the House has passed a fair FISA bill, it’s time to turn our attention back to the Senate – and we hope you’ll join us in urging our Senate colleagues to sign on to the strong FISA legislation the House passed just last month.

Urge the Senate to support the House’s strong and balanced FISA bill – forward an email to your Senators now!

We’ve already seen the impact of grassroots activity on the FISA debate. Your emails, phone calls, blog posts, and letters-to-the-editor – including more than 1,600 letters written [by you and other friends] in response to our call last month alone – really do make a huge difference. Thank you so much!

Now we need your help to make sure that our colleagues in the Senate know that the American people are watching – and that they want a FISA bill that protects our national security, preserves our civil liberties, and refuses retroactive immunity to telecom companies.

Urge the Senate to support the House’s strong and balanced FISA bill – forward an email to your Senators now!

First the Bush-Cheney Administration tried to bully the House into accepting its own deeply flawed FISA legislation. Then White House officials and Congressional Republicans refused to meet with us to hammer out a better bill. And then the President and his allies blocked our attempts to temporarily extend existing surveillance legislation – incredibly blaming Democrats for their own efforts to let the legislation expire.

Despite all of this bullying, cajoling, and foot-dragging, we’re proud that our House Democratic colleagues stood firm, refusing to water down the strong, balanced FISA bill that passed the House and is now on its way to the Senate.

Now we need your help to encourage our Democratic colleagues in the Senate to stand firm as well.

Urge the Senate to support the House’s strong and balanced FISA bill – forward an email to your Senators now!

Thank you, once again, for your continued support on this critical issue.

bitter

Dear Friends,

We've all said things that we've regretted. Sometimes they result from a mere slip of the tongue and sometimes they reveal deeply held beliefs that you'd rather not communicate to the world.

A few days ago, at a San Francisco fundraiser, Barack Obama described Americans who live in small towns or other areas that have experienced a loss of jobs as "bitter" people, adding that it didn't surprise him that they, "..cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

These words are revealing on a number of levels, and expose the out-of-touch beliefs to which John McCain offers stark contrast. Today, John McCain offered a different account of small town America:

"During the Great Depression, with many millions of Americans out of work and the country suffering the worst economic crisis in our history, there rose from small towns, rural communities, inner cities, a generation of Americans who fought to save the world from despotism and mass murder, and came home to build the wealthiest, strongest and most generous nation on earth.

They suffered the worst during the Depression, but it did not shake their faith in, and fidelity to, America. They did not turn to their religious faith and cultural traditions out of resentment and a feeling of powerlessness to affect the course of government or pursue prosperity. On the contrary, their faith had given generations of their families' purpose and meaning, as it does today."

These hard working men and women aren't "bitter". They love their country, their faith, their family and their traditions. They are the heart and soul of this country, the foundation of our strength and the primary authors of its essential goodness - Barack Obama should get to know them.

If Barack Obama is the Democrat nominee in the general election, the American people will have a clear choice between two different visions - Senator Obama's liberal, elitist philosophy and John McCain's faith in the small town values that continue to make America great. John McCain will not forget them or write them off. Neither should Barack Obama.

We are up against a large fundraising hurdle if Barack Obama is the nominee and we need your help now. Even before the general election begins, the differences are clear, we must do everything we can to make sure these beliefs don't make it into the White House.

I hope you will make a contribution today.

Sincerely,

Rick Davis
Campaign Manager

DSCC rant

Remember Jack Abramoff, the jailed Republican lobbyist busted a couple of years ago for fraud, corruption, and shady dealings with Tom DeLay?

Colorado Republican Bob Schaffer hopes you don't. Because it's going to be awfully hard for him to win his Senate election once the voters know that Schaffer is just another Republican tainted by scandal.

An Abramoff front group paid $13,000 to send Schaffer to the Northern Marianas Islands. Ostensibly, the purpose of the trip was for Schaffer to investigate well-documented human rights abuses by Abramoff clients.

What surprised us is the floating, mid-air garment factory - accessible only by parasail - now operating in the Northern Marinas.

After all, that's the only possible explanation for the newly surfaced photograph of Schaffer parasailing on Abramoff's dime, right? It couldn't possibly mean that a crooked lobbyist was showering this congressman with all the extras at a lavish 5-star tropical resort, right?

Nah...couldn't be...

Needless to say, Schaffer claimed he didn't find any indications of abuse, despite a mountain of evidence. And after he returned to Washington, Schaffer became one of Abramoff's leading attack dogs against anyone trying to bring reform to the Northern Marinas.

Click here to learn more about Bob Schaffer's tropical vacation, paid for by Jack Abramoff.

The news broke last week and is burning up the Colorado newspapers. We'll be sure to keep you updated as the story unravels.

And no matter what happens, the DSCC will be working day and night to make sure Colorado elects Democrat Mark Udall and his record of courageous leadership on the war in Iraq and renewable energy issues.

The last thing we need is another Abramoff crony in Washington.

april 11 mccain update

The McCain Update - April 11, 2008

John McCain began the week focusing on the war in Iraq and the larger struggle against radical Islamic extremism. He spoke at the VFW National headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday. On Tuesday, he heard about the importance of continuing the new strategy in Iraq when General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker testified before the Senate on the progress being made there. Later in the week, John McCain also addressed the economic problems affecting America's families by unveiling several new critical economic initiatives during a Brooklyn Small Business Roundtable.

This week, John McCain's public service announcement for American Idol's charity, "Idol Gives Back," appeared on the popular show. Click here to watch the clip of the ad!

John McCain spoke Monday at the National Veterans of Foreign Wars Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. He was grateful to be in the company of Americans who have had the burden of serving our country in distant lands and the honor of having proved their patriotism in difficult circumstances. The job of bringing security to Iraq is not finished, but we are no longer staring into the abyss of defeat and can look ahead to the genuine prospect of success. We have a great opportunity, not only to bring stability and freedom to Iraq, but to make Iraq a pillar of our future strategy for the Middle East. If we seize the opportunity before us, we stand to gain a strong, stable, democratic ally against terrorism and an ally in the region against an aggressive and radical Iran. John McCain discussed the critical need to provide for our veterans after their courageous service. As president, he will do everything in his power to ensure that those who serve today and those who have served in the past have access to the highest quality health, mental health and rehabilitative care in the world. Whatever our commitments to veterans may cost, John McCain will keep them. To read his entire speech to the VFW, click here. On Tuesday, John McCain listened to General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker's testimony on the current situation in Iraq, including the danger of Iran, the continuing threat of al-Qaeda in Iraq and the security of the Iraqi people. John McCain's opponents’ constant call for an immediate withdrawal, regardless of the consequences, is a reckless and dangerous move that would threaten the long term security of our country. Leadership is not about bowing to political pressure; it is about thinking through the consequences and having the experience and judgment to make the tough decisions. As president, John McCain will ensure that our troops come home victorious in a war that is a critical part of the larger struggle against radical Islamic extremism. He will keep our national security his highest priority. Before the Iraq Senate hearings Tuesday, John McCain attended the Veterans for Freedom Rally outside of the Capitol. Among others, John McCain was joined by Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham, who also have been outstanding supporters of our military men and women. At the rally, John McCain said, "No one detests war more than a veteran. But the veteran also knows the consequences of defeat means greater sacrifice and greater numbers who are wounded and killed. You know better than any, the consequences of defeat." Click here to see pictures from the rally.

John McCain outlined several new initiatives to provide immediate help for American families. Across the country, hard-working families are facing economic challenges. Gas prices are rising, mortgages are threatened, and thousands have lost their jobs. Now is the time to act, and John McCain outlined several near-term, tangible plans to address some of the challenges confronting Americans today. Click here to read his plan. At the Brooklyn Small Business Roundtable in New York on Thursday, John McCain discussed his plan and how to get our economy back on track. For Americans, a good job is the best program for housing, education, clothing, health care and transportation ever devised. A strong, growing economy with good jobs is central to everything we want for America. Today our economy is weakening, and as John McCain travels around the country and meets with people, he sees how things are getting tougher for many Americans. John McCain's plan will help alleviate the economic pressures on American families by bolstering job security, confronting higher living costs, and facing the housing crisis with real solutions. Click here to read the full speech.

McCain Star Supporters

Congratulations to all of our winners from the McCain Basketball Brackets challenge! We had outstanding participation and appreciate everyone who took the time to submit their brackets. All of the winners defeated John McCain, whose final pick of UNC fell in the final four. In the main contest, Gary Brown won with 169 points. Jeffrey Carlington was second with 168 points and Tucker Peve was third with 167 points. In the Second Chance contest, the first place winner was Johnny Moats with 124 points. Nicole Najim and Peter Smith tied for second with 120 points each. Sara Meriweather and Laura Norton tied for third place with 116 points each. Our first place winners will receive a McCain fleece, second place winners will receive a McCain hat and the third place contestants will receive a pin.

Our winning schools were University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in first place, Ohio State University - Columbus in second place and University of Kansas in third place. Thank you to everyone who participated in the bracket challenge. We appreciate your support!

We want to again congratulate Vivian and Elliott Palefsky from Savannah, Georgia, who were the lucky winners of the Ride the Bus contest as part of the Service to America tour last week. The Palefskys had a great time with John McCain aboard the Straight Talk Express in Jacksonville, Florida. If you have not had a chance to watch the video of their experience, click here.

Latest News

Below are some of the top news articles from this week. For more news articles and press releases, go to www.JohnMcCain.com.

• McCain Press Release: Statement By John McCain On China And The Olympic Games
• McCain Press Release: John McCain Outlines New Initiatives To Provide Immediate Help For American Families
• Fortune Magazine: Why McCain Has the Best Health-Care Plan
• McCain Press Release: McCain Honors The Sacrifice Of Michael Monsoor
• Baltimore Sun: McCain's Memphis Tribute to King
• Florida Times-Union: McCain Has this Crowd at 'Hello Again'
• Time Magazine: McCain: Loving His Misspent Youth
• Reuters: McCain Says He Knows Economy Better than Democrats

$40 million attacks by the far left

Dear McCain Supporter, George Soros the "liberal megadonor" is at it again. He and his group of billionaire left-wing Democrats have pledged $40 million dollars of soft money to smear John McCain in a national television ad campaign. In an article published in Politico, it was reported that Paul Begala and David Brock met with a gang of Manhattan liberals at the home of George Soros to outline their plans for a $40 million dollar ad campaign against Senator McCain. Brock is quoted as saying the group could do the work of the press corps that has "fallen down on the job" when it comes to McCain! Folks, that is why we need your help and we need it now. We need to be able to answer whatever smear campaigns the liberal left throws at us. Please help as we combat this base demagoguery with a donation of $50, $100, $250 or even $1000 today. Soros and his liberal friends need to know that they cannot buy this election with their billions. With your help we will continue to get out the straight talk on the issues that Americans care about. Sincerely, Rick Davis Campaign Manager P.S. - Billionaire George Soros has shown time after time that he is willing to fund baseless left-wing smear campaigns. Help us combat the millions he plans to use against us - please make your most generous donation right away. Many thanks. [And how many millions and billions have the far right spent on aggressively publishing pseudo-journalistic commentary magazines pushing failed ideas and broadcasting TV ads turning Max Cleland into Osama?]

left wing extremists

Dear matt,

You and I have seen this attack before.

Yesterday morning, the Miami Herald quoted Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart calling Joe Garcia and his supporters "left-wing extremists."

"Joe Garcia continues to align himself with left-wing extremists. The latest to join the ranks is Congressman Charlie Rangel," reads a statement from Diaz-Balart's campaign.

"He has a long and well-known history of supporting a radical left-wing agenda including supporting higher taxes on working families and appeasing our nation's enemies. Left-wing birds of a feather, tax and spend together."

I know we will not just stand aside and let these attacks go unanswered. Let's show this Bush-Republican machine what we can do when "birds of a feather" really flock together, contribute $20.08 to Joe Garcia right now.

http://www.actblue.com/page/supportjoe

During our Dean for America days together, we learned to always fight back.

Now, I'm the Senior Advisor to Joe Garcia's powerful campaign to take back south Florida. The early endorsement of Democracy for America led the way in bringing us a national spotlight, and helped us grow our people-powered, grassroots campaign. DFA members provide us with boots on the ground and the small-donor, financial support to back them up.

Joe Garcia has already strongly rejected Mario Diaz-Balart's claims. We can reject them by showing our people-powered support for Joe Garcia today. Contribute $20.08 now:

http://www.actblue.com/page/supportjoe

We know that the more this campaign grows -- the more supporters from across south Florida and the country that get involved -- the more negative and desperate Republican Rep. Diaz-Balart will get. This is just the beginning. And while these tactics might have worked in the past, they won't work this time. At least, not with your strong support.

Working together, we stand for a different kind of politics.

-Joe

Joe Trippi
Senior Advisor for Joe Garcia for Congress