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| Dear matthew,
In all the hubbub, you might have missed Senate Democrats defeating the roadblock Republicans in the Senate - Republicans who were trying to derail an economic stimulus package that will help over 130 million households. Radical right-wing Republicans opposed adding rebates for seniors and disabled veterans but Democrats overcame their obstruction and pushed through a bill that will help millions. Two of those roadblock Republicans, John Sununu and Mitch McConnell, deserve special attention for their craven votes last week. New Hampshire: What Republicans Call Moderation Sen. John Sununu loves to call himself a moderate Republican. Frankly, it's the only way he can get elected in a blue state like New Hampshire. The only problem is that it's just not true. Would a real moderate Republican cast the deciding vote in the Senate against extending unemployment benefits and against increased federal assistance for sky-high home heating bills? I don't think so. Yet that's exactly what Sununu did on Wednesday when Senate Democrats tried to include these important provisions in their economic stimulus package. Turns out Republicans in Washington don't actually like helping out the middle class. And John Sununu is ready to do whatever they say. We have a very strong candidate in New Hampshire in former Governor Jeanne Shaheen. I know we have a real opportunity to defeat Sununu and his right-wing brand of "moderation" in November. Kentucky: Mitch McConnell's Sabotage And who was the one pulling Sununu's strings? If you believe his hometown newspaper, it was none other than our least favorite minority leader, Mitch McConnell. Calling his actions "sabotage" in a Friday editorial, the Louisville Courier-Journal details exactly how McConnell obstructed Democratic efforts that would have given more help to seniors and disabled vets. Here's my favorite part:
You'd think that McConnell would have learned the importance of funding for disabled vets after the Walter Reed scandal was exposed exactly one year ago today. You'd be wrong. It's bad news for any sitting senator when in-state newspapers are calling you out for obstructing progress. But when your poll numbers are as low as McConnell's and there are a number of qualified candidates ready to take you on in November, that could be the precursor to disaster. I can't wait. Click here to read the Louisville Courier-Journal editorial calling out Mitch McConnell for sabotaging the Democratic economic stimulus package. Colorado: Bob Schaffer, R-Big Oil Judging by the Bush administration's tepid response to the global warming crisis, I'd say that Big Oil has just about enough representation in Washington, thank you very much. But that's not stopping them from trying to send former Congressman Bob Schaffer back to Washington as Colorado's next senator. During his time in the House, Schaffer was rewarded for his role in passing Dick Cheney's energy plan with more than $75,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry. After he left Congress, there was a plush corner office waiting at Aspect Energy. Now he wants to go to the Senate, so he can continue his life-long opposition to increasing fuel efficiency and decreasing emissions for cars and trucks. It's no wonder that the League of Conservation Voters has named Schaffer one of their 2008 "Dirty Dozen" based on his long and consistent anti-environmental record. This is no list I'd want to be on. Looks like Big Oil better keep the cushy chair open in that corner office. If we do our job and make sure Colorado voters know his real record, Bob Schaffer sure won't be headed back to Washington. Click here to read more about Bob Schaffer's anti-environment, pro-Big Oil record. New Mexico: Republican Infighting In 2006, I saw first-hand the destructive role a group called the Club for Growth (CFG) can have on a Republican primary. The CFG is known for their "tax cuts for millionaires" brand of economic policy and for entering races with guns blazing and mudslinging. Last cycle the CFG's destructive political tactics backfired on guys like Steven Laffey and George Allen. Now CFG has endorsed Republican Congressman Steve Pearce over Congresswoman Heather Wilson, because they apparently like Pearce's heartless opposition to increasing the minimum wage and to expanding health care for kids. CFG's endorsement means plenty of campaign cash and TV ads that will only expose the worst of the Republican Party. While the Republican primary turns bloody, the Democratic Party is rallying behind Congressman Tom Udall whose positive campaign is cutting through the GOP's bickering. Click here to read more about how Club for Growth's endorsement will impact the race in New Mexico. Georgia: Paybacks Six years ago, Saxby Chambliss won a Senate seat for all the wrong reasons. Now, I think we just might have the opportunity to beat him in November. And we both know what they always say about paybacks. Remember, incumbent Senator Max Cleland was a decorated war hero - a triple amputee - and here were Georgia Republicans smearing his patriotism and equating him with Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. It just the most disgusting campaign tactic I've seen in 20 years in politics. The latest Zogby polling numbers are startling. 49% of respondents say they want new representation in Washington, and only 38% say Chambliss deserves another term. For what we call "re-elect numbers" like this, anything below 50% is huge trouble for a sitting senator. This is another race I'll be watching closely, and if the opportunity presents itself, I'll make certain that the DSCC does everything it can to win this seat. Sincerely,  J.B. Poersch P.S. There is so much energy and so much momentum for Senate races in so many states. I don't want to have to choose which ones we go after in November. Can I count on your support to make sure that we can win every seat that can be won? Click here to make an immediate, secure contribution of $50, $75, or more. |
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