Under Re-Construction...

The blog might be buggy for a bit while I update the format post-election.

Day One everything changes - but this isn't Day One yet.

My first post analyzing the local and national results - that will be day one.

Probably sometime Saturday.

John McHugh and the Military-Industrial Complex

Government funds for a "European Vacation":

$4000

Estimated government contractor waste in Iraq:

$9 BILLION+

Knowing your "Stay the Course" Republican Congressman was wined and dined by powerful military contractors in Europe, and voted to eliminate the Special Inspector for Iraq:

PRICELESS

LEARN MORE

McHugh's European Vacation

McHugh's Role in Termination of Special Inspector for Iraq

Billions Wasted in Iraq

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence – economic, political, even spiritual – is felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted.

Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

- President Dwight Eisenhower

Farewell Address January 17th, 1961

Julia Willebrand for New York State Comptroller

Until recently I was supporting Hevesi for Comptroller, but I don’t feel comfortable with him as a candidate any longer. Eliot Spitzer has withdrawn his endorsement of Hevesi and has also stated Chris Callaghan is an unacceptable candidate. I agree with Eliot and that has lead me to support Julia Willebrand.

Julia grew up poor and is a college professor focusing on labor issues. She ran for State Senate on the Upper West Side of NYC in 1998 and for mayor of New York City in 2001.

Julia was also a United Federation of Teachers (UFT) delegate during the Vietnam era and part of a caucus that succeeded in withdrawing UFT support for the war in Vietnam.

Julia is an environmental activist and she pledges to end corporate hand-outs, tackle Medicaid fraud and support environmental projects with government incentives.

I have some problems with the Green electoral strategy, but I do think we need more access for other choices when we vote - especially in cases such as this race.

Standing United for New York State.

On Election Day this year the people of the North Country have a chance to reject the politics of division and fear. Republicans have desperately clung to power by exploiting the historical divisions in our state, to our great detriment.

If New York is to succeed as a state we must find common ground to develop solutions that will benefit the entire state. The Republican State Senate has shown itself unable or unwilling to do that. Their only goal is to cling to the reigns of power and block efforts to reform the dysfunctional system in Albany. Their most effective tool in that struggle has been to hand out pork and hope people won't notice the bloated pig of a State budget they are forced to buy with it.

Certainly Governor Pataki and the Assembly are not blameless in this shell game, but it is the sole lifeline holding the Republicans in power in the State Senate. As shown in the most recent report on NY State government by the Brennan Center, the Assembly has made the first few steps toward reform, while the State Senate has gotten worse.

If we really want Eliot Spitzer to be successful, the best way to ensure that is by electing people that will work with him to change the process. A Republican State Senate will have no interest in Spitzer being successful, since his success would only likely increase Democratic votes in future elections.

Locally, Tim Merrick is the best possible candidate to represent us in the new Spitzer era. He shares the goals of socially progressive and fiscally responsible reform New York needs to move our state forward. Much like the body in which she serves, Betty Little has shown herself to be counter-productive to the process of reform and she needs to be fired on election day. Regardless of whether the State Senate goes to the Democrats this year or 2008, Tim Merrick is the only candidate on the ballot for the 45th State Sentate district this year who will offer the North Country REAL representation.

Andrew Brockway is another representative we need. There will certainly be some points of friction between Speaker Silver and Governor Spitzer and I am confident Andy will advance the Spitzer agenda for reform. Janet Duprey has shown herself to be a typical Republican politician. The only things she has to run on is smearing and distorting Andy's past with personal attacks and spreading false fears about a New York City takeover.

The time has come to stand united for reform - it is not upstate vs. downstate - we are all in this together. Spitzer, Merrick, and Brockway are a team that will stand united for the people of New York State, let's stand with them on November 7.

Our Time is Now.

Election day is fast approaching and John McHugh is still unable to face reality.

In Iraq, John McHugh has said we will "have to begin to face reality" at some time in an unspecified future. McHugh continues to support the "Stay the Course" occupation of Iraq (H. RES. 861) despite the almost 3000 dead soldiers and untold scores of Iraqi dead with no real plan for victory.

In his most recent debate with Bob Johnson, McHugh tried desperately to distance himself from Bush and the National Republican Party, but the facts show McHugh voted the GOP party line 91% of the time in Congress (GOPAuctionHouse.org). Despite claiming to support the troops in his advertising McHugh again is simply out of touch with his own record:

• Rep. McHugh voted to continue awarding contracts to Halliburton even if the Pentagon's own audit processes found that more than $100 million of their contractor's costs in Iraq were unreasonable.
• Rep. McHugh opposed expanding access to the military's TRICARE health insurance program to thousands of Reservist and National Guard members, even though 20 percent of all Reservists do not have health insurance, and 40 percent of Reservists aged 19 to 35 lack health coverage.
• Rep. McHugh voted against granting a bonus to grant a $1,500 bonus to every American service member serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, including National Guard and Reserve forces. (GOPAuctionHouse.org)

Much like his neighboring Republican Rep, John Sweeney, John McHugh voted to increase the pay for Congress, while voting against increasing health care for our troops. In a simple yet devastating ad for VoteVets.org, Tomas Young - a disabled Iraq war veteran, blasts Sweeney for his votes. The ad's ending comment on Sweeney could correctly applied to McHugh as well. "John MCHUGH voted against the troops. Now vote against him."

As a veteran and a doctor Bob Johnson understands everyone needs better health care, but our troops deserve the best health care possible. These heroes, like my cousin Jim Stewart, put their lives on the line for this nation every day, and we must do everything possible to make sure they are taken care of.

"Looking at the reality of a situation should not be an afterthought, and it shouldn't be a last resort. When I take office in January, facing reality in Iraq will be the first job on my list." - Bob Johnson

In the first part of Bob Johnson's Agenda for Renewing America he will:

Create a Select Committee to investigate corruption and war profiteering in Iraq and Afghanistan: Untold billions of our tax dollars have been wasted through rampant corruption and war profiteering in Iraq. Drivers have been sent to their deaths driving empty trucks into war zones because the contracting company was being paid by the convoy instead of by the amount of cargo delivered. Our troops have bathed in water containing raw sewage because the company contracted to purify the water never did so but was paid anyway. All of this needs to stop. It's wasting our tax dollars, it's harming our foreign policy, and, worst of all, it'’s costing lives. This bill would create a committee empanelled to hold the corrupt accountable and create a contracting system in line with our American values. Incumbent Representative John McHugh, with a seat on the Armed Services Committee, was in a position to do something about this. He did nothing, in fact voting three times against the creation of a committee like this one. We must get a handle on the situation in Iraq; this bill on the first day begins that process. (JohnsonforCongress.org)

We will win on November 7 if we all work together to make sure everyone knows that Bob Johnson will provide the representation we desperately need in Washington. Though some have written off the 23rd district, the fact remains we are not being served by "our" congressman, and the time for new leadership is now. The field of competitive races expands everyday, and there is no reason we should not be added to it. With recent support from Eliot Spitzer, Senator Schumer, and President Clinton the momentum is ours.

"Once pessimistic about making gains in the Republican bastion of upstate New York, Democrats have now made the region a focal point in their campaign to retake Congress..."

"...even some Republicans privately acknowledge that the overwhelming leads held by Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton may dampen spirits among Republican voters and boost Democratic turnout across the state."

"Democratic leaders in Washington say they see an opportunity to provide additional momentum to candidates in New York who had once been considered long shots." (New York Times)

As Bob Johnson states in his TV ad "A New Direction," "You won't get new ideas from the same old crew." I strongly encourage all North Country voters to join me in supporting New Ideas, New Solutions, and a New Direction for America by sending Bob Johnson to Washington.

Update from the Campaign Trail

I've been fairly busy of late helping with the campaigns of Tim Merrick for State Senate, Bob Johnson for Congress, Andy Brockway for Assembly, Eliot Spitzer for Governor, Kevin Duniho for Mayor of Plattsburgh, and other local Democrats. Things are looking good right now for all the great Democratic candidates this year, but we've got to keep pushing hard to election day. I'll try to get more time to update this blog soon.

Bob Johnson sent out an important message recently on his campaign for Congress:

Hello, friends

We're in the last month! We are seeing the culmination of a two and a half years struggle from a totally unknown member of the public deciding to step forward and do something, to a coalition of like minded people working to change the course of our nation. I have been recognized by both media and the public as a credible opponent in the race. I did not do this alone and I am absolutely indebted to, and dependent on, my incredible team of volunteers. From my senior team with their specialized fields of expertise, to the coordinators in the different counties, to the individual person who talks to a friend, hands out a piece of literature, calls a friend to vote, displays a sign or gets out the message in a myriad of ways. We are the people!

Mary and I had a great time traveling around our huge district visiting each county. We were struck again by the size and variety of the constituency - from the dairy land here in Jefferson County to the pastoral hills of Madison County to the peaks of the Adirondacks. Everywhere people were enthusiastic about our message and we especially enjoyed meeting with small groups of Democrats who are standing firm. Everywhere I go, I learn about the local concerns. In my political journey from the issue of healthcare, that got me into politics in the first place, I have had to learn about issues that I never even knew existed! And I'm still learning everyday. In my enthusiasm to meet people and introduce myself I am still amazed that I learn as much, if not more, about them as they do about me.

While the local concerns are so varied, there are common concerns that span the entire district. The number one concern is indeed our foreign policy and the war in Iraq. I will confess that I am somewhat surprised. Being such a blighted district economically – we are the poorest district in all of upstate New York – one would still think that it is the lack of jobs and opportunity. But people, almost instinctively understand that our foreign policy IS a local issue. Money and resources are being diverted from our communities to a war that we should not be in – and people are angry about it. They are even more angry and sickened by the smoke and mirrors that continually come out of Washington. They want a change.

Jobs and opportunity for our young people is still the greatest economic concern of everybody with healthcare coming into the mix because of its unaffordability. People are beginning to understand the smoke and mirrors about "tax cuts" when they have less and less in their pockets. As Lou Dobbs puts it - "there is a war on the middle class by Bush and his enablers of which our opponent is one of many."


DEBATE ALERT!

So far, there are going to be two live debates with an audience, and a taped television debate on November 1st to be aired soon thereafter. Both public debates are on friendly ground to McHugh – Massena and Watertown. He was "too busy" to debate live at Oswego, Colgate or St Lawrence Universities. So we need every one to come and me on. Our opponent needs to know how seriously we take this race. He's depending on the machine to sweep him back in. He needs a little reality check.

• Massena. Wednesday, October 25th, 7:00 PM at Massena Town Hall, meeting room 30, 60 Main Street


• Watertown. Friday, November 3rd, 7:00 PM, Jefferson Community College, Jules Amphitheater

• Plattsburgh. Debate, Mountain Lake Public TV, Plattsburgh. No audience, but debate will be rebroadcast on WCNY on Nov 3rd at 11 pm and Nov.5th at 1 pm.

MONEY ALERT!

• These are the last two weeks and our funds are low! Our TV and newpaper ads are hitting the mark. Our opponent is going to flood the airwaves the next two weeks. He may have a lot of ads but we have the best. Ours are memorable. We need to be able to keep up the pressure. Can I ask you to please go to the website http://www.johnsonforcongress.org/donate.asp and donate as much as you can. Everything now goes to get our message out!

Thank you very much for all your hard work.

-- Bob

Compromising Our Values

Many of the reports on the so-called "compromise" in the Senate over Bush's secret prisons have shown it to be a sham. The "Mavericks" lead by McCain actually have just caved in to the Bush policy. In the Congress they didn't waste any time with the appearance of oversight, the Rubber-Stamp Republicans simply gave Bush everything he demanded. John McHugh, as usual, was in lock-step with the Bush agenda.

Bob Johnson has a different view:
I am a doctor, a veteran, and an American. Because of all three of those things, I strongly condemn torture in all of its forms, and I oppose the "legalized torture"” bill currently in the Congress.

As a doctor, I know what pain does to people, and I know that torture doesn'’t work. Under the extreme stress of torture, a person will say literally anything to make it stop. He or she will tell the interrogator whatever it is he thinks the interrogator wants to hear. Because of that, the information gleaned from torture is useless and
completely unreliable.

As a veteran, I know what the prohibitions against torture encoded in the Geneva Conventions have done to protect our soldiers through the years. Starting to carve out exceptions to those prohibitions exposes our soldiers to the "exceptions"” of others. That is why the US military is against allowing torture: it exposes our own soldiers, sailors, Marines, and members of the Air Force to greater risk.

And as an American, I know that torture is both against our national interests in the world and our basic conception of right and wrong. It is against our national interests because our moral authority has always been our greatest asset in the world. People looked to us and followed us because of what we represented. This quality has been
greatly diminished by the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress over the last few years; this bill allowing torture would greatly accelerate that.

And torture is just plain wrong; it'’s against the very fabric of America. It cheapens and degrades anyone who takes part in it, and it weakens the societies that allow it.

My opponent this fall, incumbent Republican John McHugh, firmly supports the Bush Administration'’s right to torture. Perhaps because he never served in the military, he doesn'’t understand how opposing torture protects our own troops. Perhaps because he hasn't put in the work to study the issue, he doesn'’t know that torture doesn'’t work and produces unreliable information. And perhaps because he has been in Washington so long, he has lost touch with the basic morality of what it means to be an American.

I can'’t say why he takes the position he does. But I do know this: he is profoundly, seriously, and morally wrong.

- Bob Johnson, Democratic and Working Families candidate for Congress (NY23)

Primary School - Report Card

I am happy to report that Andrew Brockway has convincingly won the Democratic nomination for the 114th Assembly district. I truly feel that Andrew has shown himself capable to be our next Assembly person, and I look forward to victory in November.


While obviously expected, I am glad to see that Eliot Spitzer has overwhelmingly won the Democratic nomination for Governor. With Eliot Spitzer in the Governor's office, Andy Brockway in the Assembly, and Tim Merrick in the State Senate the North Country will be firmly set on a path to a brighter future.

Five Years...

There are many emotions that swell within me when I think of the horror our nation was subjected to on September 11, 2001.

The first thing that jumps into my mind is walking out of a class in Clinton Community College to see faculty setting up a TV and shaken looking students scattered around the lobby. A few were already in tears and I was confused until TV was switched on to reveal the World Trade Center burning. By that point both towers had already been hit, but clips of the second plane hitting were repeated many times to show us why. It felt completely unreal to me at that moment, and I remember mumbling a few times to one of my friends that I had visited the towers only two years before.

A picture from my visit (1999):


Though thankfully I didn't lose anyone close to me that day I think the only thing that kept tears from my own eyes at the sight of the collapse of one, then the second tower, was the numbness of shock.

I have always been a patriotic person, but on that day I felt an especially strong connection to my country. In the days that followed I joined those that proudly displayed flags to show our defiance against those that had attacked us. I supported the response of invading Afghanistan to destroy Al Queda and it's supporters the Taliban. I will not say I was ever a fan of the Bush administration but I was inclined to respect the early spirit of nonpartisanship that was felt in those first months.

Then I watched in disgust as Karl Rove and Bush exploited the attacks of 9/11 to basically declare their opposition traitors and cowards and win the elections of 2002. Their ultimate goal became clear as they twisted the resolve our nation felt to lead us into a ridiculous war in Iraq.

I feel now that the public is finally shaking off the shock of 9/11 to see the lies that Bush has used to crush democratic opposition and lead this nation toward ruin. I only hope enough of the public has woken up to change the course of this nation and get rid of the Bush rubber-stamp Republican Congress. We must have some kind of brake on this trainwreck of a President while we still can.

Tonight Keith Olbermann gave an eloquent and powerful statement on the Bush administration and how they have twisted the trust we placed in them. It much more clearly states what needs to be said about this disaster than anything else I could write.

These are some of the best excerpts, read the full transcript here.

This hole in the ground (excerpts):
Half a lifetime ago, I worked in this now-empty space. And for 40 days after the attacks, I worked here again, trying to make sense of what happened, and was yet to happen, as a reporter.

All the time, I knew that the very air I breathed contained the remains of thousands of people, including four of my friends, two in the planes and -- as I discovered from those "missing posters" seared still into my soul -- two more in the Towers.

And I knew too, that this was the pyre for hundreds of New York policemen and firemen, of whom my family can claim half a dozen or more, as our ancestors.

I belabor this to emphasize that, for me this was, and is, and always shall be, personal.

And anyone who claims that I and others like me are "soft,"or have "forgotten" the lessons of what happened here is at best a grasping, opportunistic, dilettante and at worst, an idiot whether he is a commentator, or a Vice President, or a President.

However, of all the things those of us who were here five years ago could have forecast -- of all the nightmares that unfolded before our eyes, and the others that unfolded only in our minds -- none of us could have predicted this.

Five years later this space is still empty.

Five years later there is no memorial to the dead.

Five years later there is no building rising to show with proud defiance that we would not have our America wrung from us, by cowards and criminals.

Five years later this country's wound is still open.

Five years later this country's mass grave is still unmarked.

Five years later this is still just a background for a photo-op.

It is beyond shameful.

--

The only positive on 9/11 and the days and weeks that so slowly and painfully followed it was the unanimous humanity, here, and throughout the country. The government, the President in particular, was given every possible measure of support.

Those who did not belong to his party -- tabled that.

Those who doubted the mechanics of his election -- ignored that.

Those who wondered of his qualifications -- forgot that.

History teaches us that nearly unanimous support of a government cannot be taken away from that government by its critics. It can only be squandered by those who use it not to heal a nation's wounds, but to take political advantage.

Terrorists did not come and steal our newly-regained sense of being American first, and political, fiftieth. Nor did the Democrats. Nor did the media. Nor did the people.

The President -- and those around him -- did that.

They promised bi-partisanship, and then showed that to them, "bi-partisanship" meant that their party would rule and the rest would have to follow, or be branded, with ever-escalating hysteria, as morally or intellectually confused, as appeasers, as those who, in the Vice President's words yesterday, "validate the strategy of the terrorists."

They promised protection, and then showed that to them "protection" meant going to war against a despot whose hand they had once shaken, a despot who we now learn from our own Senate Intelligence Committee, hated al-Qaida as much as we did.

The polite phrase for how so many of us were duped into supporting a war, on the false premise that it had 'something to do' with 9/11 is "lying by implication."

The impolite phrase is "impeachable offense."

--

How dare you, Mr. President, after taking cynical advantage of the unanimity and love, and transmuting it into fraudulent war and needless death, after monstrously transforming it into fear and suspicion and turning that fear into the campaign slogan of three elections? How dare you -- or those around you -- ever "spin" 9/11?

--

When those who dissent are told time and time again -- as we will be, if not tonight by the President, then tomorrow by his portable public chorus -- that he is preserving our freedom, but that if we use any of it, we are somehow un-American...When we are scolded, that if we merely question, we have "forgotten the lessons of 9/11"... look into this empty space behind me and the bi-partisanship upon which this administration also did not build, and tell me:

Who has left this hole in the ground?

We have not forgotten, Mr. President.

You have.

May this country forgive you.

Stem Cells and Church-States

Kathrine Harris is famous for her involvement with the disputed Presidential election of 2000 as the Secretary of State of Florida, but her notoriety - or some might say infamy - is not carrying her very far in her bid to unseat Senator Bill Nelson. Taking a page out of the Rove playbook, she is courting the right-wing fundamentalist Evangelical community.

In an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, Harris claimed that the separation of church and state is a "lie we have been told" and that "God is the one who chooses our rulers."

She also claimed "..if you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin," and "...if people aren't involved in helping godly men in getting elected than we’re going to have a nation of secular laws. That’s not what our founding fathers intended and that’s certainly isn't what God intended."

It seems she has a very narrow view of what it means to be a Christian by the policies she advocates for. Obviously this is why she felt the need - along with Congressman John "Miami Mob Boss" Sweeney and Governor Jeb "Jim Crow" Bush - to suppress the will of "average citizens who are not Christians, because they don’t know better" and ensure the selection of Dubya as President by the Supreme Court in 2000.

Bush made a similar statement with his use of the only veto in his entire time as President on a bill that would have expanded federal funding for medical research involving embryonic stem cells. This potentially life-saving research is supported by the majority of the scientific community, both houses of Congress, and the American public - but that isn't good enough for "the Decider," or apparently some of our local candidates for office.

The issue of stem cell research is not only a national one, as some states have stepped up to fill the funding void left by Bush's veto. At the Business and Professional Women's Candidate Forum in Plattsburgh on Thursday, Republicans Betty Little, and Janet Duprey, and even Democrat Kevin Nichols limited their support to adult stem cells - when even Republican Senate Majority Leader, and Doctor, Bill Frist has said, "embryonic stem cells uniquely hold specific promise ... that adult stem cells cannot provide."

During his rambling and unfocused performance at the August 24th forum, Nichols even went so far as to claim that embryonic stem cell research was some kind of scam - giving me one more reason to vote for Andrew Brockway for Assembly in the Democratic Primary on September 12. Andy voiced his strong objection to the President's veto and said he supports all stem cell research, noting even Nancy Reagan was a strong advocate for the research.

State Senate candidate Tim Merrick stated that officials attempting to hinder embryonic stem cell research where holding the religious objections of a few over the future of medicine and the will of the majority of Americans. As a Chiropractor he understands the strong potential benefits to those with spinal injuries.

"Local" Congressman John McHugh (NY23) joined Bush and Harris on the march toward theocracy by being one of the few in the House to vote against HR 810. Bob Johnson, the Democratic / Working Families candidate for New York's 23rd Congressional district, and a Doctor, had a different view on the issue.

With his vote on July 19 upholding President Bush’s first veto in five and a half years, Congressman John McHugh has denied federal funding for promising stem cell research that could help thousands of his constituents and millions of Americans who are afflicted with life threatening diseases. McHugh not only supported President Bush, whom he serves as a loyal foot soldier whenever his vote is needed, but he voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that was passed by the Senate and a majority of the House, including 50 votes by McHugh’s Republican colleagues.

The well established therapy of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has provided tens of thousands of couples with the chance to have children who otherwise would have been denied the wondrous privilege of raising the next generation. IVF, however, has now come into collision with the potential of stem cell therapy. Moral consistency demands that we either abandon both or embrace IVF and the new promise of stem cell research. By abandoning both, we dash the hopes of infertile couples and the long sought after therapy of disease for which there are no lasting treatments.

The list of diseases for which stem cell technologies could be applied is legion: diabetes, Parkinsonism, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries, Lou Gehrig’s (ALS), cystic fibrosis, stroke, burns, heart disease, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, the muscular dystrophies, kidney and liver disease that end in organ failure, and the thousands of diseases that are a result of a genetic mutation. For most of those with these diseases, a cure or therapy would be nothing less than the gift of life. - Bob Johnson

Emryonic Stem Cell research has real potential - just in the last few months the research has shown promise in the repair of paralysis and a possible AIDS cure - we can not allow religious extremists to hold our public policy hostage. Kathrine Harris is a prime example of the kind of "representative" that is trying to turn back the clock on America's progress, but some of our local "representatives" are not far removed from her.

We need to take things in a new direction in our government, Bob Johnson, Tim Merrick, and Andrew Brockway will bring the change we need in Washington and Albany.

Lamont Catching Lieberman

As I had expected Ned Lamont is catching up to Joementum in the general election campaign for Senator from Connecticut

While Lieberman's Democratic support is slipping away to Lamont, his Republican support is as high as it is going to go. Most of the Independents are just as anti-Iraq War as the Democrats, and when they have gotten a chance to get to know Lamont they will support him just as the Democrats did.

Poll: Lieberman, Lamont running neck-and-neck

(CNN) -- A new poll by the American Research Group indicated a statistical dead heat in the U.S. Senate race in Connecticut between upstart Democratic nominee Ned Lamont and incumbent Sen. Joseph Lieberman.

Some 44 percent of respondents deemed "likely voters" supported Lieberman, while 42 percent said they would vote for Lamont in the November election. This gap was well within the margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.5 percentage points. Republican nominee Alan Schlesinger got backing from 3 percent of likely voters.

The Democratic Party is Uniting for Victory

Despite many rumblings about the conflict between Howard Dean (DNC) and Rahm Emanuel (DCCC), the Democratic Party is starting to look a lot more united, and the Connecticut Democratic primary voters rejection of "Lie and Die" could be the reason.

Although a small few in the Democratic Party cling to the undead remains of the Joementum campaign, the vast majority are on board the Lamont express toward victory in 2006.

The Democratic unity is inspiring and day by day it continues to grow. In nearby Burlington, Vermont Democracy for America will be holding an event with Ned Lamont and some great Vermont candidates. Well known Democrats Bill Clinton, John Kerry, and John Edwards have spoken out very convincingly on the Connecticut Senate race.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean and potential 2008 Presidential hopeful Governor Bill Richardson have called on Lieberman to respect the primary and stop his selfish Conneticut for Lieberman campaign. Previously non-committal DSCC Chairman Chuck Schumer has endorsed Ned Lamont, and DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Il) had a very interesting take on the race:

“What’s playing out here is that being a rubber stamp for George Bush is politically dangerous to life threatening.” - Rahm Emanuel

If they can build on this growing unity I know that the power structures of the Democratic Party can win in November. All the actions of each of the strong arms of the Democrats will join together to form the tidal wave of change that can restore our American democracy.

Howard Dean's DNC is working on an excellent program to turn-out the Democratic vote called 100 Actions that will keep people around the nation actively involved in the Democratic Party's efforts to Take Back America from the right-wing rubber-stamp Republicans. Howard's 50-State Strategy is working, but the DCCC is doing some great work as well.

The GOP-Auction House project reveals how the Bush Republican Congress is selling out America, and their new video "Stay the Course" reveals the failed "strategery" that is hurting us at home and abroad - the DSCC has their own version of the video also.

The DCCC is now seeking the online community's input with the "Candidate for Change" Contest.

In our "Candidate for Change" Contest, you -- the DCCC community -- will choose your top three favorite candidates from a list of some of our hardest-working, most progressive campaigns who have shown they can win. Cast your vote today, the deadline is Wednesday, August 23rd.

Cast Your Vote Today for the DCCC's "Candidate for Change" Contest

The winners will receive a tremendous boost from the DCCC and the DCCC Community, right when it's needed most:

• A fundraising email from Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi or DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel to our list;
• A phone bank run out of the Democratic National Headquarters for their campaign;
• The feature spot on our Web site to get their message out, with a link to their campaign contribution page;
• An online chat with the DCCC community to exchange ideas on the campaign and the future of our country.

Being a DCCC "Candidate for Change" could give your favorite candidates the additional boost they need to put them over the top on Election Day. It will send a message to their opponents and the media that the DCCC grassroots are behind them. Cast your vote now!

Cast Your Vote Today for the DCCC's "Candidate for Change" Contest

Please write in Bob Johnson (NY-23) in the "other" box and also support our great New York Candidates Mike Arcuri (NY-24) and Kirsten Gillibrand (NY-20).

Also remember to tell your firends and neighbors about the Viggo Mortensen events in the North Country for Bob Johnson. New York will be the Republican's Waterloo this year and Bob Johnson needs our support to make him a part of that coming victory for America.

John McHugh is Lost

Apparently John McHugh has forgotten where his Congressional district is - not all that surprising when you consider 95.9% of his individual contributions come from outside the state of New York.

The McHugh for Congress campaign attacked Bob Johnson over his planned events with famed actor - and North Country NY native - Viggo Mortensen. The campaign spokesman claimed Johnson's only support came from Hollywood and McHugh's support was in his district, but the facts show otherwise.

"Who is John McHugh working for?" Johnson asked. "With those fundraising numbers, it certainly appears he isn't working for the people of northern and central New York. The sad reality of Washington today is that you work for the people who pay to get you elected. Is it any wonder he votes to give tax cuts to those in Fairfax, West Palm Beach and Darien while he throws the rest of us into insurmountable debt?" Johnson noted. "I travel all over this district, from Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain, attending house parties raising funds to get our message out. It's everyday people supporting me in our district - not PACs and moneyed special interests."

"I'm frankly shocked that the John McHugh campaign would stoop so low as to question the support of a local man just because he later found success," Bob Johnson said. "This doesn't have to be the poorest congressional district in Upstate New York. It's time to attain real success for everyone - to end our dependence on a government subsidized economy - to get real jobs and real industry and stand on our own two feet. For him to take a break from raising money in Virginia to attack us for building support in northern and central New York - well, it's just another indication that John McHugh has lost touch with his constituents and his district.
-Bob Johnson for Congress Campaign

Changing the Course of Our Nation With Bob Johnson and the Democratic Party

It didn't take long for the Republicans and the Connecticut for Lieberman Party to exploit the news of the terror plot in London.

“If we just pick up like Ned Lamont wants us to do, get out by a date certain, it will be taken as a tremendous victory by the same people who wanted to blow up these planes in this plot hatched in England,” Mr. Lieberman said at a campaign event at lunchtime in Waterbury, Conn. “It will strengthen them and they will strike again.”
- Joementum in the New York Times

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"I'd rather be talking about this than all of the other things that Congress hasn't done well," one Republican congressional aide told AFP on condition of anonymity because of possible reprisals.

"Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big," said another White House official, who also spoke on condition of not being named, adding that some Democratic candidates won't "look as appealing" under the circumstances.
- AFP

What they are unwilling - or unable - to understand is that Americans are sick of the War in Iraq and they want a New Direction for America.

Future leaders of the Democratic Party, Bob Johnson and Ned Lamont, understand that we need real solutions, not Republican rhetoric.

This crisis actually shows that the Republican policies have not made us any safer. The terrorists apparently received training in Pakistan, which continues to be a terrorist safe haven. Since we took our eye off the ball in Afghanistan to go on the ridiculous Iraq misadventure the region has been sliding back toward anarchy.

After five years of Bush's Terror War the same region of the world continues to produce 9/11 style plots. Maybe if Reagan and the Republicans hadn't trained and funded the Mujaheddin to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan we wouldn't have Al Queda today. Regardless, it is clear that the current Bush Republican foreign policy of "Lie and Die" creates terrorists faster than we can possibly kill them.

The Republicans and the Connecticut for Lieberman Party claim to be about values, but it is Democrats like Bob Johnson who understand what real American values are.

Democrats are standing up for our values. I'm running for Congress in New York's 23rd district because I believe in Democratic values. I believe that an individual life has value, and that people have dignity beyond their economic worth. I believe that hard-working Americans shouldn't have to go without proper health care. In fact, I don't believe any American should go without health care and that a hospital has an obligation to treat whoever passes through its doors. I believe that going to war is a profound moral decision, a decision in which the entire country needs to be involved and listened to. I believe that Americans have a right to feel secure when they talk on the phone. I believe that government should be open, accountable, and effective. I believe that science has a positive role to play and should not be stifled by government ideology. I believe that we have an obligation to the next generation and that he who has the most toys does not win the game. I believe that we are not in this alone, but together and that helping others requires sacrifice and not just lip service. My values command me to love and help my neighbor and not denigrate them. I believe in paying my debts and staying within my means. These are Democratic values. They are American values.
- Bob Johnson, future US Congressman, on Daily Kos

Bob Johnson will be traveling the around the district with renowned actor Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings, History of Violence, Hildago) discussing how we need to change the course in America, I suggest everyone who can to join him.

The Democratic Party of today is strong and we understand that America's future depends on finding new dynamic solutions based in reality. The Republicans and the Connecticut for Lieberman Party foolishly cling to the mistakes of the past - like the War in Iraq - they feel reality has a liberal bias.

Today, America is no safer, Israel is no safer, Iran is more dangerous, Osama bin Laden is still at large, and our brave troops are stuck in the middle of a bloody civil war. I believe that those leaders who got us into this mess should be held accountable.

Looking forward, I salute the patriotism and wisdom of Congressman Murtha and others who emphasize that “stay the course” is not a winning strategy for Iraq or America. Our best chance of success requires that the Iraqis take control of their own destiny. America should make clear that we have no designs upon their oil and no plans for permanent bases. While we will continue to provide logistical and training support as long as we are asked, our frontline military troops should begin to be redeployed and our troops should start heading home.
- Ned Lamont, future US Senator

Primary School - Final Exams (LAMONT WINS!! LAMONT WINS!!!)

As of this posting the polls have closed and all indications are that the Democratic party of Connecticut has booted Joementum in favor of the next Senator from Connecticut, Ned Lamont. The counting isn't quite over but I'm calling it now for Lamont (10:00 PM Lamont leads 52% to Lieberman's 48% with 81% reporting).

The momentum is building against the failed policies of the Republicans and those who would enable them to fulfill their outrageous foreign agenda.

In New York we will have our own primary on September 12 and the front-runner for Governor Elliot Spitzer has endorsed Tim Merrick for State Senate.

“Tim Merrick will be just the kind of State Senator we need,” said Spitzer. “He is a strong, principled leader with a deep understanding of the issues that affect the residents of the 45th District.

“As Governor, I know I will be able to work effectively with Tim to change the direction of state government, which for too long has served the interests of the few at the expense of the many,” added Spitzer. “Tim Merrick and I will work hard together to clean up Albany and revitalize the North Country.”

Merrick said: “I am strongly committed to bringing a spirit of change to Albany. I believe our greatness will be measured not by how well we take care of the entrenched interests, but by whether we assure that every citizen has access to affordable health care and a good education. I am also committed to taking action on spiraling property taxes to protect the American Dream of home ownership.

“I am deeply honored by Eliot Spitzer’s endorsement, and will be a strong supporter of his initiatives in the New York State Senate,” added Merrick. “And I’m glad to have a good working relationship with our future Governor so that I can effectively bring the needs and concerns of the North Country to Albany.”

In the local Assembly race, Andrew Brockway is facing a primary for the Democratic nomination but he has definitively secured the Working Families Party nomination. His opponent for the Democratic nomination attempted to challenge Andy's Working Families nomination - after he had submitted a statement to the Working Families Party that he would not challenge the committee's choice. Despite Andy's opponent's attempts to go back on his word, the board of elections has thrown out the petitions over an error on the forms used.

Andrew recently had an op-ed in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise that examined the problems in our area and outlined some common-sense solutions.

I congratulate the wise primary voters of Connecticut on choosing Ned Lamont for US Senate, and I am sure the local Democratic primary voters will join me in supporting Andrew Brockway for Assembly and Elliot Spitzer for Governor on September 12.

Republicans Show Paris Hilton Some Love

Seeing that Americans want a raise in the Minimum Wage, and frantically trying to stop the oncoming Democratic tidal wave in November; Republicans in the Congress linked a give away to the ultra rich to a Minimum Wage increase.

Despite a recent study by The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations that found wealthy individuals avoid paying between $40 billion and $70 billion in taxes annually and corporations evade $30 billion in taxes a year by using offshore tax scams, Republicans feel Paris Hilton and company are unfairly picked on.

The Republican leadership of Congress refused to allow a simple up-or-down vote on just the minimum wage. This will allow right-wingers like John McHugh to hide their vote for a Government give-away to the super rich behind an apparently worker friendly action, while costing the American public $753 billion in the first 10 years.

Democratic and Working Famlies candidate for Congress, Bob Johnson, blogged recently about this back-handed "support" for working people that has allowed McHugh and others to falsely cloak themselves in the labor mantle.

First, he voted against CAFTA. The unions gave him big points for that. But he only voted against it after it was clear his vote was meaningless. Here's another, particularly cynical one: he co-sponsored an act giving more collective bargaining rights to health-care professionals, and then he voted against it in the middle of the night. He also once sponsored a pro-labor bill and then refused to sign the discharge petition to get it considered. But he got points on the scorecards by these actions.

His score is still low (around 40% as opposed to Hillary Clinton's or Chuck Schumer's 90), but it's fairly high for a Republican. So the belief goes ... labor has to support him because it needs friends on the other side of the aisle to work for compromises in legislation. And here you can start to see the echoes of Joe Lieberman. They need to be "bipartisan," they need to extend hands to the GOP to get things done. And, in a normal time, I'd applaud that. I am all for cooperation and putting partisan labels aside.

But this is not a normal time, and it's missing that central fact that puts all the "insiders" on the wrong side of the key issues of our time, that gives them the totally wrong impression of what's going on in the Lieberman/Lamont race. The Republican Party of Tom Delay, of John Boehner, of Bill Frist, of George W. Bush and Karl Rove ... this is not a party designed to govern in the 20th century sense, this is not a party that is interested in the give-and-take of legislative horse-trading to get the best possible outcome. This is not even a Republican Party that many traditional Republicans could really believe in. This is a party that is bent on bending the federal government completely to its vision, that has a radical view of reshaping American society and the world in a totally different image. The truth of this is obvious to anyone outside the Beltway, but it seems completely to have escaped the centralized political and media structures that dominate our discourse. Or, at best, it's only just beginning to dawn on them.

On top of that, restaurant workers in the states of Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington would actually get a pay cut because of the way the House bill is written. The new law will override laws in those states that provide better wages for restaurant workers.

The bill will come up for a vote soon in the Senate, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist stands to benefit if it passes in the House form - he has millions he has tried to hide from the estate tax.

In New York thanks to the efforts of the Working Families Party we avoided such a smokescreen and passed a Minimum Wage increase over the opposition of conservatives like Betty Little. Tim Merrick, her Democratic and Working Famlies Party challenger, would have voted for the Minimum Wage raise.

All Americans deserve a real Minimum Wage increase without this tax hand out for the Hilton and Frist clans.

Why I Like Bill in 2008...

No, I'm not advocating for a repeal of the 22 Amendment to bring back Bill Clinton. If we did that the Republicans would probably try to get Bush to stay in. Just imagine ANOTHER four years of Dubya - I can't even imagine another two!

To avoid another "close election" the Democrats need a candidate that will stand out and bring real credibility to the table. I'm seriously considering New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for President in 2008.

Gov. Richardson recently gave the Democratic Radio address, and also blogged on Daily Kos about it. When I heard the address I thought to myself, "What if this man where President today?" What if instead of a radical foreign policy that seems to create more enemies and alienate our allies, we had a sensible foreign policy based on diplomacy AND strength? What if our President supported real soultions to America's energy crisis instead of misleading rhetoric and counter-productive actions?

...military power and diplomacy are not alternatives to one another, but rather are complementary sources of strength. What the Bush Administration has failed to understand is that while diplomacy without power is weak, power without diplomacy is blind.

Democrats offer real solutions that provide a new direction for America. We need a new realism in our foreign policy, which includes the following elements:

One, achieve national security through energy independence. We need a man on the moon effort to reduce our dependency on foreign oil -- go from 65-percent to 20-percent by 2015; increase fuel efficiency; invest in green buildings and fuel cells; and become the leader of the future economic engine of the world -- renewable energy, such as ethanol, solar and wind.

Two, re-build alliances and reinvigorate our allies. A far- sighted policy would have built a coalition to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Most immediately, we need an international coalition for peacekeeping in the Middle East.

Three, focus on the real dangers. Prioritize resources to fight Al Qaeda and Jihadist terrorists and the most urgent dangers, such as nuclear terrorism. That means a new strategy for success in Iraq that allows us to redeploy our troops.

Four, don't outsource our diplomacy. We need direct, face to face talks with North Korea. We should also talk directly with Iran.

Five, we need to pay attention to Latin America, our own back yard. The key is passing a comprehensive immigration plan now that includes enhanced border security, a path to legalization for the 11 million immigrants already here, and sanctions against employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The House should stop holding these silly hearings. Mr. President, your good words on immigration should be followed by deeds to pass a comprehensive plan.

Six, face up to global environmental threats. The first thing this Administration did was reject the Kyoto Treaty. America should be the world's leader, and that means owning up to grave environmental dangers, such as global warming.

Finally, respect human rights and American values. Prisoner abuse, torture, secret prisons and evasion of the Geneva Accords should have no place in our foreign policy.

Every American wants safety and security. We can continue to wait for Republicans in Washington to lead. Or we can make a change.

We are Democrats and we stand for diplomacy NOT threats; bridges NOT walls; alliances NOT isolation.

- Democratic Radio Address: Gov. Richardson

Some Democrats will probably consider Bill Richardson too centrist, but I see him as a Howard Dean-style centrist. He is looking for policies that will actually work, regardless of ideology. Like Howard Dean, he has a record of being a sensible Governor and unlike Dean he has an unassailable Foreign policy resume. While not being quite as anti-Iraq war as Dean early on, he has come to the conclusion that even Hillary Clinton recently came to: it is time to begin troop redeployment out of Iraq.

His connection to the DLC (Democratic Leadership Council) does put me off a bit, but as long as he is willing to work with the populist progressives that will be in control of the Democratic Party after 2006 I think he will do fine. The real power we need to push a social progressive and economic progressive reform agenda is the Congress, and fiscal responsibility isn't really a bad thing either. We need to reign in our out of control deficit spending.

Besides, the current darling of the populist progressives (myself included) is Al Gore - also a member of the DLC. I have accepted the fact Al isn't running in '08, and perhaps it is best we field a new candidate anyway.

It is way too early to make a firm choice yet, and I'm much more concerned about what we can do this year. Still, in the back of my mind a list is forming for who I could support in the 2007-2008 Presidential primary season, and right now Bill Richardson is at the top.

NPR Poll: America says, "Throw the Republi-bums Out!"

According to a poll taken by NPR, in the 50 most competitve Congressional races the people want to clean house.

• In 2004, these districts went for Republicans by 12 points but now voters favor the Democrat by about 6 points—a huge swing.
• On "values issues" that the Republicans have cynically been pushing in Congress—like stem cell research, flag-burning and gay marriage—Democrats prevail by their biggest margin in the entire poll: 51 to 37.
• Only a basement bottom 29 percent say they will definitely or probably vote to re-elect their incumbent representative and 46 percent say they're committed to someone else.

The tide is turning our way but it could always use a little extra "omph" to make sure things stay that way. Write a letter to the editor , contibute online or sign up as a volunteer with a great candidate like Bob Johnson, or contribute online to the Working Families Party's Take Back Congress Fund.

New York has voted against the Bush regime in 2000 and 2004, and they are ready to do it again in 2006. Elliot Spitzer will be at the top of the Democratic Ticket this year and some polls have him almost 50 points ahead of the competition. When the unpopularity of Bush in this state collides with the Spitzer/Clinton landslide the conditions are ripe for a perfect storm that will sweep seven or more of the rubber-stamp Bush Republicans out of Congress.

The best way to ensure a Democratic Congress in 2006 is to invest in New York State’s Democratic Congressional candidates in races where they can capture Republican held seats via the Working Families Party's Take Back Congress Fund.

The only way to block the radical NeoCon schemes of Bush and his cronies in Congress is to elect a Democratic majority in 2006. If we win in the Working Families Party endorsed congressional races we will be halfway toward the 15 seats we need. The time has come to take our country back and gain freedom from the Bush regime. New York State is the gateway to that freedom in 2006.

Together, America Can Do Better!

Bob Johnson Will Stand Against Bush

Unfortunately federal judge Matthew F. Kennelly did not stand up to the Bush administration's prying ears and AT&T's apparently total compliance.

A previous ruling against AT&T by a federal judge will proceed, but with efforts in the Senate to legitimise the Bush snooping with little oversight it seems dark days are ahead for those who would advocate for freedom in this government twisted by terror.

"Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power."

- Benjamin Franklin

Bob Johnson, the Working Families Party endorsed Democrat in the 23rd Congressional District of New York, blogged about his understandable reservations on the creepy domestic spying programs of the Bush administration on Daily Kos.

I'm Bob Johnson, I'm running for Congress in New York, and I'm going to make this an issue. It's far too important to just let all this slide, give amnesty for past actions and suggest the Bush Administration get approval from a court, as Arlen Specter has proposed. We have to lead on this, we as Democratic office-seekers and -holders, and we as committed activists who care about our country...

...I feel pretty alone on this issue. Prominent Democrats just aren't talking about it, and there's a virtual news blackout on the issue now. Unlike some other issues--stem cells are a pretty good example--I can't depend on any other voice reinforcing what I'm saying. But that doesn't mean I can remain silent. As I said before, I'm not going to be intimidated by Al Qaeda into giving up my Constitutional liberties, and I'm not going to be intimidated by the GOP into remaining silent about it...

- Bob Johnson on Daily Kos

Well, Bob speaks for me on this issue and we really need someone to speak for us. Our current Congressman certainly isn't speaking for average North Country folks, he got an "F" from the Drum Major Institute, a organization that tracks lawmakers attention to middle-class issues (thanks to Danger Democrats! for the info). McHugh also has no problem with the intrusions on our liberty by the Bush administration, or their radical foreign agenda.

Bob Johnson will stand up for us in Congress, but he can only get there if we stand up for him. There will be a House Party for the Johnson for Congress campaign in Cadyville, NY on Friday (Jul 28 6PM). Please RSVP on DFA-Link and stop by to show your support. Also you can contribute online, and sign up as a volunteer.

The time has come to stop this imperial Presidency and Take Back Congress for the people from the rubber-stamp Bush Republicans, before they take the right to vote away too.