Progressive Democrat Issue 131: THOUGHTS

This last two weeks saw a major flexing of the muscles by local bloggers in NY State, bringing down a sleazy Republican operative who has been active since the Nixon years. This is all about how bloggers are the real investigative journalists of the 21st century. I mentioned last week the very strange battle going on in NY State that the MSM has largely been showing only one side of. The MSM told a story that Governor Eliot Spitzer has abused his power to have Republican Joe Bruno followed by state troopers. But it turns out that this may be another Whitewater fraud. The troopers were there at Bruno's request and there is a suspicious campaign by a particular pair, Michael Caputo and Roger Stone, to smear Spitzer. The question that the Albany Project and Daily Gotham is raising is whether Joe Bruno is behind this campaign. Michael Caputo, the frontman of the smear campaign, swore up and down that he had no ties to Roger Stone and Joe Bruno. Roger Stone, who was once a Nixon operative, worked for Joe Bruno. Turns out that Roger Stone is INDEED behind Michael Caputo in a scandal called "emailgate". Here are the stories I posted last week which now are background to the REAL story that broke since then on The Albany Project and Daily Gothm:

The Strange Case of Michael Caputo

Bruno, Stone and Caputo: Emailgate

Caputo Responds

Caputo Speaks

Caputo's comment in response to a posting on Daily Gotham

And a related story.

NOW we come to the meat of it. Michael Bouldin and Liza Sabater of the Daily Gotham traced the precise connections that link Michael Caputo and Roger Stone, showing both of them are liars. Read through it...it really shows how blogging works at its best and what the MSM SHOULD have caught.

Very soon after the Roger Stone/Michael Caputo connection broke on The Albany Project and Daily Gotham, Roger Stone apparently went into a rage. And who did he take it out on? Eliot Spizter's elderly father. Stone called Spitzer's father and threatened him viciously. Stone then claimed that he had not been home at the time but rather had been at a play. Problem is, the play he claimed to be seeing was closed that night, showing him to be not just a liar...but a really, really bad liar. Some think that once his link to emailgate was revealed, Roger Stone may be losing it.

Roger Stone was subsequently fired by Joe Bruno...though this leaves unanswered the question as to whether Bruno knew what Stone was doing. There are also some legal issues that may soon be raised by all of this...but more of that later.

So three cheers for the people who uncovered this! Now, for those familiar with my work, I do write for Daily Gotham, but I wasn't involved very much in this story. But my collegues at DG did!

Now here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS: The Year of Tree Planting

COWARDLY REPUBLICANS RUN AWAY: Too afraid to face their constituents

THE ARTICLES THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE 2

NY STATE FOCUS: Chickenhawk Republicans dissing our Veterans

WASHINGTON STATE FOCUS: Electing True Progressives

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Jerry McNerney Speaks Out About Iraq

MICHIGAN FOCUS: MI-7 and MI-9 heat up

GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS: Our First Year is Almost Over

I will harp on this theme fairly often: the most optimistic scientists tell us we have only ten years to act to mitigate global warming. And it was about a year ago they first started saying this. And note that no one is saying "prevent." It is too late for that. We ignored the warnings of thirty years ago and twenty years ago...so we have LOST our chance to prevent global warming. It is already upon us. So now we have ten (now almost nine) years to mitigate the effects.

Now of course this "ten years" is an approximation...but we aren't talking about much MORE than ten years and it may be less. If we don't act within that window, we may be hit with the full consequences of global warming and, in all honesty, we will be leaving a world for our children where conditions are much, much worse than what we have been used to.

I find that unacceptable. Just a reminder that some of the consequences will be more events like hurricane Katrina and the horrible floods in Bangladesh and more coastal flooding.

There are many things we all can do as individuals and as a society that can help mitigate the effects, as I have covered in the past. You can also find ways you as an individual can help by going here or here. I would add to the list quitting smoking and cutting back on meat consumption as ways to limit your carbon footprint. I am too much of a meat eater to cut it out completely, but I have cut back.

I have personally chosen this year (which only has about 4 months left in it) to focus on trees, which help absorb carbon out of the atmosphere. Trees sequester carbon AND have many environmental and economic benefits for the areas they are planted. I discuss this at length here.

I ask you to join me in protecting and planting trees. Over time this can be one of the best ways to offset your carbon footprint. Here are my recommendations:


TREE PLANTING:

Trees, Water, People: (NORTH and CENTRAL AMERICA) Trees, Water, People is composed of a group of dedicated environmentalists who feel strongly about making the world a better place for people through improving their environment. They believe that natural resources are best protected when local people play an active role in their care and management and that the preservation of local trees, wetlands, and watersheds is essential to establish the long-term social, economic, and environmental viability of communities. They work in several nations in North and Central America.

Greenbelt Movement: provides income and sustenance to millions of people in Kenya through the planting of trees. It also conducts educational campaigns to raise awareness about women's rights, civic empowerment, and the environment throughout Kenya and Africa.

Trees for the Future: Trees for the Future has helped communities around the world plant trees since 1989. Through our seed projects and country programs, rural groups have restored tree cover to the most degraded lands. Planting trees helps to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations. They have projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.


PRESERVING FORESTS:

RWANDA: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) began work in Rwanda in 1978, with support for the interdisciplinary research of Amy Vedder and Bill Weber. Their investigation of mountain gorilla ecology and the socio-economic context for conservation led Vedder and Weber to establish a program of mountain gorilla tourism in Rwanda as a means of generating revenue and employment to help protect gorillas and their habitat. The success of this effort reversed the gorillas' decline and helped restore their numbers to 380 in 2004. To protect the forest's extraordinary levels of species richness and endemism, the government of Rwanda created the Nyungwe National Park in 2004. The WCS continues to work on the conservation and management of this park.

Albertine Rift Program: covering the northern end of Lake Albert to the southern end of Lake Tanganyika and working in three African nations, this project takes a regional rather than local approach to conservation. Using satellite data and coordinating groups across borders, this program is helping to preserve parks that protect gorillas, chimps, 29 other endemic mammalian species and 42 endemic bird species. This is a critical region because the big lakes of Africa are drying up, which will cause massive drought and starvation throughout Eastern Africa as well as devastating the remaining forests of the area.

The Andes: The Wildlife Conservation Society also focuses on the Andes. I particularly want to highlight their Northern Andes and Central Andes programs. WCS does a great job of combining human needs and environmental needs, a critical factor for any environmental program to be successful.

Helping the above tree planting and forest preservation efforts will help a great deal in mitigating global warming. For a somewhat more controversial diary (where I highlight the needs of Lebanon, Israel and Palestine) please see this diary.

REPUBLICANS RUNNING AWAY FROM AMERICANS

Seems Republicans are going in hiding rather than facing America about the Iraq quagmire. This comes from Americans Against Escalation in Iraq:

Members of Congress are Afraid to Face Their Constituents on Their Support for Endless War in Iraq

All Across the Country, Republicans who Supported Bush’s Failed Iraq policy are Running away from, Avoiding, and Even Locking Out Their Own Constituents

WASHINGTON - Just seven days before national “Take a Stand Day,” the culmination of the “Iraq Summer” campaign that has pressured Members of Congress to stand up against President Bush and his endless war, Iraq Summer organizers and constituents have noticed a disturbing trend – Members of Congress running away from, avoiding, and even locking the door in constituents’ faces, all to avoid listening to their constituents’ requests for them to take a stand against the President Bush’s reckless Iraq policy.

PA: Rep. Tim Murphy Locks Door in Constituents’ Faces:

IL: Congressman Mark Kirk Runs Away from Iraq Vet, War.

VA: Rep. Thelma Drake Runs From Iraq Question.

MI: Rep. Vernon Ehlers Ducks Out on Iraq.

IA: Mother of Iraq Veteran Confronts Rep. Tom Latham on the war.

NY: Invitation to Take a Stand Day delivered to Rep. Randy Kuhl (in protective vests), but are shut out.

VA: Rep. Thelma Drake seeks "protection" from "unexpected questions.

NH: Sen. Sununu (R-NH) Refuses to Take A Stand

Some members of Congress have felt so much heat from the Iraq Summer Campaign that they have decided to get out of the kitchen completely. Both Rep. Ray LaHood [Peoria Journal-Star] and Rep. Deb Pryce [Columbus Dispatch] recently announced their retirements after continually refusing to take a stand against President Bush’s endless war.

“It is clear that members of congress are feeling the heat of Iraq Summer, and it has reached a boiling point. They can run from the issue, skirt the issue, and even lock their office doors in constituents’ faces, but Americans are demanding answers and action from their leaders in congress. Poll after poll indicates 70 percent of Americans want a responsible end to the war now, and while members of congress can avoid the tough questions, constituents are not going to forget this come 2008,” said Leah Johnson, spokeswoman for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. “These members of congress have a clear choice: stand with President Bush and face the wrath of their constituents, or listen to their constituents and Take a Stand against endless war in Iraq.”

Remember. It is time to get right in the face of every Congressman, Republican OR Democrat, and confront them over Civil Liberties, Iraq and Impeachment. Call to make an appointment with your Rep today.

The Articles They Don't Want You to See 2

Last week I started something without even realizing it. I posted my second ever recommended diary on Daily Kos called "The Articles They Don't Want You to See." The success led me to even start it as a new blog, as well as a regular Daily Kos article.

The response was good enough that it is clear I should try and make this a weekly thing. The idea is to highlight articles/infromation/videos, new or old, that are important, under-reported and/or forgotten. And to provide YOU to post articles that YOU think need more attention. Last week I focued on Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain as well as a Republican Congressman named Vito Fossella (also called Bagdhad Vito or Bush's Lap Dog) in NYC and his challenger, Steve Harrison. This week I will review last week's articles, YOUR suggestions from last week, and present a new set of articles that I think deserve more attention. And if you think I forgot anything, please post in the comments! New articles come first, last week's articles are at the end.

I think one of the things that is really important to remember is that there ARE sane Republicans out there. Problem is, the Republican Party has gotten so extremist that those sane Republicans are fleeing the Party as fast as they can. So last week I brought up in the comments my article on how Bush might just be the death of the Republican Party.

Now let's look at some of the absolutely terrible Republican presidential candidates. What a bunch of extremist losers, aren't they? Last week I covered Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain (see the bottom of diary for a review). This week let me add Brownback (Senator Taliban) and Huckabee (Always willing to lend a hand to rapists).

Sam Brownback:
aka Taliban Brownback

Brownback has a name that just CAN'T win the Presidency. I find it hard to believe people will vote for "President Brownback." Too much like "President Skidmark" or something.

But someone clued me in to a particularly scary article from Rolling Stone showing what a damned Christian fundamentalist nut case Sam Brownback really is. This guy is NOT mainstream Christian. He is the American Christian equivalent of the Taliban.

In particular Sam Brownback believes a woman should be forced to have a baby, even in the case of rape or a danger to the mother's life. Sounds like Brownback believes a woman should die for a rapist's right to choose who has his baby.


Mike Huckabee:
aka Soft on Crime Huckabee

It seems Mike Huckabee will go out of his way to get a rapist off the hook. Which then allowed that rapist a chance to rape someone else. Mike Huckabee: Soft on Crime.

Huckabee also seems to be raising something of a sociopath for a son. Huckabee Family Values!

And this from a man who may be more of a fundamentalist fanatic than Brownback! Mike Huckabee, or is that "Taliban Mike," wants to declare jihad on fellow Americans. Taliban Mike wants to throw out the Constitution and create an Christian version of an Iran-style theocracy.

What's with these Republicans?? The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution for a purpose. Throwing it away and establishing a theocracy goes against everything America has ever stood for. The Taliban Twins Huckabee and Brownback should just move to Iran and let America stay free.

As to Iraq, the war nobody wants that has no purpose and no exit strategy...Huckabee has decided to go John McCain one better. McCain was the engineer who gave us the current escalation that has mired us even deeper in the Iraq civil war. But Huckabee wants more. Mike Huckabee wants a FURTHER escalation of American troops and money into Iraq. Bush fails. McCain multiplies that failure. Huckabee wants an even LARGER failure.

Here is a good summary of "what's wrong with Mike Huckabee" (from the National Jewish Democratic Council).


How about a little more on the Vito Fossella (aka Bagdhad Vito)/Steve Harrison rematch for 2008:

Let me just say that Daily Gotham got the scoop on Steve Harrison entering the race against Vito.

And Vito is running scared already. Seems he was so spooked by Harrison last time, he came out nasty and brutish within a day of Harrison declaring, leading a Daily Gotham blogger to declare that Vito Fossella, aka Bagdhad Vito is Freaking Out. Problem is, Vito Fossella is already in debt from last time around. Sounds like Harrison was softening up Vito last time around, leaving him weak and in debt for 2008. By contrast, I have heard from the inside that Harrison had some money left over from last time (donated at the very last minute, so not able to spend it).

Here's an article on Vito Fossella breaking campaign finance laws.

But if you really want to know how bad Vito Fossella is, you can read my article titled
Vito Fossella: Bush Lap Dog, Social Security Flip Flopper, and Friend to Criminals.

And I will end this week's Vito Fossella/Steve Harrison Rematch segment with a quote from Steve Harrison on Iraq

What are we doing in Iraq? Saddam is dead, we found no weapons of mass destruction, and we know that Iraq didn't attack us — we need to get out.

— Steve Harrison, Democratic Candidate for Congress


Finally, there is a very strange battle going on in NY State that the MSM has largely been showing only one side of. You will read in the MSM that Governor Eliot Spitzer has abused his power to have Republican Joe Bruno followed by state troopers. But it turns out that this may be another Whitewater fraud. The troopers were there by Bruno's request and there is a suspicious campaign by a particular pair, Michael Caputo and Roger Stone, to smear Spitzer. The question that the Albany Project and Daily Gotham is raising is whether Joe Bruno is behind this campaign. The torturous scandal of Emailgate may hit Bruno in the face if this story spreads. Here are the relavent stories:

The Strange Case of Michael Caputo

Bruno, Stone and Caputo: Emailgate

Caputo Responds

Caputo Speaks

Caputo's comment in response to a posting on Daily Gotham

And a related story.

Curiouser and curiouser.


ARTICLES FROM LAST WEEK: (with minimal comment)

Rudy Giuliani:

Firefighters hateRudy Giulianai

Firefighters REALLY hate Rudy Giulianai

And, it also seems like he wasn't all that great of a leader (from dKos), according to his own former emergency management director, and Bush's 2002 choice to plan for preparedness for WMD attacks.

And let's not forget Rudy Giulianai is a typical Republican Chickenhawk.


John McCain:

My own summary of what's wrong with John McCain


Mitt Romney:

Mitt Romney: abortion flip flopper

Mitt Romney is as big a Chickenhawk as Rudy,

Mitt Romney: Abusive Pet Owner.


Vito Fossella:

Vito Fossella: Part of the Bush/Abramoff culture of corruption,

Really Corrupt!

What the NY Times has to say about Vito Fossella.

And, for comparison, here is what the NY Times said about Steve Harrison, Vito's 2006 and 2008 opponant.


YOUR ARTICLES FROM LAST WEEK:


Rudy Giuliani:

Rudy Giuliania's Five Big Lies,

Harper's Expose on Rudy the Egomaniac (subscription required...but also recommended!)

Rudy Giulianai: AWOL from Iraq panel,

Rolling Stone says Rudy Giuliani is worse than Bush

Rudy's Abusive Approach to Crime

Rudy Raw

Rudy Wants MORE War

Giuliani's Homeless Policy Rejected by the Courts

Rudy Ignores the Courts on his Homeless Policy


John McCain:

All you need to know about John McCain


Vito Fossella:

Vito Just Doesn't Get it


Sorry if I missed anyone!

NY STATE FOCUS: Republicans Disrespect Veterans

This comes from Michael Bouldin on Daily Gotham. Seems Republican Randy Kuhl has no respect for retired Veterans:

What is it with republicans and actual veterans? They cut their healthcare, let things like Walter Reed happen, start illegal wars, and when push comes to shove, point to yellow-ribbon bumper stickers to cover up their systematic abuse of America's military and the men and women in uniform.

From the 29th District comes another such tale of woe. It starts, predictably enough, with potshots taken by draft-dodger, Certified Wingnut™ and incumbent republican Congressman Randy Kuhl against Democratic challenger Eric Massa, a retired Navy Vet. In this specific case, Kuhl broke ground with an interesting description of military retirees.

To Kuhl, these aren't retired military personnel - they just don't have a job. This from a professional politician who has served in elected office for almost three decades.

Now, you'd think that even a Randy Kuhl would realize that this kind of slur is somewhat inappropriate. You'd think so, but you'd be wrong.

Hornell Evening Tribune

Kuhl previously took aim at Massa, saying he didn't have a job, which struck a nerve with the potential challenger. Massa responded by pointing out he was retired from the Navy.

During his stop in Hornell, Kuhl didn't back down from his previous statements.

“I've got a job to do, I don't care what he's doing,” he said. “I guess he's a professional politician.”

Kuhl also took another swipe at Massa, saying there is nothing but negativity coming out of the Democrat's camp.

Allow me to translate from the wingnutese: "Yo, dude! Get a frigging job! And stop being so negative!"

It's time for Randy Kuhl to be out of a job. We have Eric Massa and other fine netroots candidates on our ActBlue page - show them some love.

Support the troops - Elect Democrats.

On the web: Eric Massa for Congress

WASHINGTON STATE FOCUS: Electing Progressives

Progressive Majority is one of the most effective and important Progressive organizations out there. They focus on local elections, helping new people enter politics as progressive, grassroots candidates within the Democratic Party. They help progressive challengers in primaries as well as helping progressive Democrats against Republicans in the general election. If you are dissatisfied with both parties, THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION FOR YOU. Progressive Majority has around a 70% success rate in getting their candidates elected, which beats pretty much any other grassroots organization I am familiar with. And they focus on pretty much all levels from school board on up.

Here is their latest primary election succcess. Let's help them in supporting these excellent winners for the general election.

In Washington state's Tuesday's primary election, 11 of our 27 candidates faced primaries, many of them stiff challenges.

As of this morning, 10 of our 11 candidates have won their primaries and moved on to the general election this November. This is another day of victories for Washington state progressives, and for progressives across the country!

Snohomish County: A New Progressive Majority.
The most important race in the primary was for Snohomish County Council, where Brian Sullivan won the Democratic nomination against a long-time elected official. As his district is strongly Democratic, he faces only token conservative opposition in the general election. Sullivan replaces a conservative Democrat and changes the balance of power on the council from conservatives to progressives!

We have been working on the Snohomish County Council since we opened our doors in Washington in 2004 when the council had a 4-1 conservative majority. In 2005, we helped Dave Somers get elected. Now this fall we have one other Snohomish County Council race. If our candidate Mike Cooper wins in November, we will have a 4-1 progressive majority! Now, that's PROGRESS!

Big Upset in Port of Seattle, but the battle isn't over yet.
The other shocker on primary night was when Progressive Majority candidate Gael Tarleton led incumbent Seattle Port Commissioner Bob Edwards. In fact, Edwards is at a lowly 28%!!!! The progressive community has been fighting for a majority on the port for years; this year we have our best chance in years to win. It's time for change, and Gael is ready to deliver that change!

Here is a complete list of results from the Washington State primary. As Washington is a vote-by-mail state, the numbers can change, but we're confident in our predications:

County Offices

* John Lovick - Snohomish County Sherriff
Won! Faces a tough general election.

* Brian Sullivan - Snohomish County Council, District 2
Won! Faces token opposition in the general.

* Bob Kelly - Whatcom County Council, District 1, Position B
Won! Currently leading other candidates 2:1.

City Offices

* Dan McShane - Bellingham Mayor
Won! The leading vote-getter over 6 primary opponents.

* Maureen Judge - Mercer Island City Council, Position 3
Won! The leading vote getter over 3 primary opponents.

* Terry Scott - Shoreline City Council, Position 6
Won! While the election results are close, he will advance to the general election and held an incumbent to 35%!

* Marilyn Strickland - Tacoma City Council, At Large
Won! The leading vote-getter in a four-way primary.

* De'Sean Quinn - Tukwila City Council, Position 2
Lost in a three-way primary.

* Ron Bonlender - Yakima City Council, District 3
Won! Bonlender will face strong opposition this fall.

Port Commission

* Alec Fisken – Seattle Port Commission, Position 5
Won! Alec will face a very strong race this fall against a very well-funded opponent.

* Gael Tarleton – Seattle Port Commission, Position 2
Won! Leading a 6-way primary over an 8-year incumbent.

Yesterday was another great day for progressives. Last year served notice that progressive values are American values. Now voters across the country are electing more and more progressives. Help us keep the progressive movement going by donating $20, $35, $50, or what ever you can spare to Progressive Majority to keep the conservatives retreating. Click here to donate today! This fall has the potential to be another great election for progressives, but we can't do it without your help...

I donate $10 per month to Progressive Majority because they don't JUST target Republicans. They also encourage young, more progressive, grassroots candidates within the Democratic Party, creating the next generation of America's leaders. Help them out!

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Jerry McNerney Statement on Iraq

Here is a statement from one of America's best freshman Congressional Reps: Jerry McNerney (CA-11).

As you know, I ran for Congress to change the way Washington works and restore honesty, integrity and accountability to our federal government. Now that I am serving you in our nation's capital, fulfilling this promise means engaging in an open and ongoing dialogue with my constituents and supporters about the issues that concern all of us the most.

The war in Iraq is, of course, the most significant issue of our time.

A few weeks ago, I was honored to lead a bipartisan, all-freshman Congressional delegation to Iraq to gain a deeper understanding of the conflict. As I discovered, it's one thing to read about what's going on there. But it's quite another to witness it firsthand and experience it personally.

I came away from this profound experience tremendously moved by the commitment of our brave men and women in uniform as well as the perseverance of the Iraqi people. Although I was proud to lead this delegation and personally meet with our troops, the trip was brief and limited to the locations picked by the military ahead of time.

For a grounded perspective on the war from those who are on the front lines, I urge you to read this critical first-hand account in the New York Times by a group of infantrymen just returning from serving in the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq:

New York Times Op-Ed: "The War as We Saw It"

As the poignant and piercing words of these seven soldiers demonstrates, the unfortunate reality in Iraq is that -- while our troops have performed extremely well under very difficult conditions -- the Bush Administration's planning and execution of the war continues to be an abysmal failure.

Our women and men laying their lives on the line in Iraq have done everything we have asked of them. To honor their service, they deserve leaders who respect them enough to ask the tough questions, and -- when something isn't working -- not only acknowledge it, but fundamentally change course.

In September, Congress will be participating in perhaps the most critical discussion of this conflict since it began in 2003. My campaign web site has been receiving increasing amounts of email from concerned citizens curious about my stance on the war. So, as we approach this pivotal debate, I want to clearly and unequivocally express to you where I stand on the question of executing a responsible redeployment from Iraq:

I am firmly in favor of withdrawing troops on a timeline that includes both a definite start date and a definite end date ("date certain") and uses clearly-defined benchmarks. I am not in favor of an "open-ended" timeline for withdrawal, as some members of Congress have proposed recently.

As many foreign policy experts agree, setting a date certain for withdrawal is fundamental to forcing George W. Bush to bring our troops home from Iraq and ensuring the Iraqis step up and defend their own country. That's why -- even as I consider all proposals as a matter of due diligence -- I am standing strong on setting a definite redeployment end date (as an example, I recently voted for the "Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act" to safely draw down our troops over the course of nine months).

As this national debate begins anew, I am counting on you to stand strong with me as well. The only way that we, together, can bring this unfortunate chapter in our history to a close is if we remain united and steadfast in our collective commitment.

Now that I've had the opportunity to frankly articulate where I stand on the war, I would appreciate it if you took just a few minutes to tell me what you think as well. Please let me -- and our community -- know your thoughts by posting them on my blog.

If you would rather not post your thoughts publicly, you can send your comments privately to me.

As always, I am looking forward to hearing your heartfelt concerns for the future of our nation and the world. In the spirit of continuing our open dialogue, I will read your comments and will do my best to respond on our blog.

Thank you for your time and your support.

Jerry McNerney has been heavily targeted by the Republicans from the very day he took office. He is included in my Democratic Allstars Act Blue Page.

MICHIGAN FOCUS: MI-7 and MI-9

Been pushing two Michigan races for awhile, predicting that they will be hot races in 2008 particularly given the fact that Michigan is something of a swing state. Seems Daily Kos is also developing an interest in these races:

Michigan's seventh House district became a top-tier pickup opportunity for Democrats today when State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer announced he'll be challenging first-term wingnut Congressman Tim Walberg.

Local blog Walberg Watch had a guest post from Schauer today:

As you’ve noted in thorough detail on this site, Walberg continually obeys the extreme Republican agenda in DC, instead of the practical views of the constituents who depend on him. He has voted against a minimum wage increase, but for privatizing social security. He opposed expanding health care to more than 4 million uninsured kids, and he refused to support recommendations from the 9/11 commission that would help keep us safe. He didn't have a problem putting out a press release claiming credit for critical local funding, but couldn't bring himself to actually vote for the bill.

Given Schauer's strong record of running in the district - the AP points out that most of his state senate district is in MI-07 - and Walberg's rubberstamp Republican record (he's a Club for Growth favorite), this should be an extremely good opportunity for a Democratic pickup. In fact, before Schauer entered the race, a DCCC poll apparently showed him beating Walberg by 3 points.

Additionally, Michigan's ninth district gained a strong candidate a couple weeks ago when Gary Peters entered the race. Peters (who attended YearlyKos) is a former state senator and resigned from his post as lottery commissioner in order to run for this seat.

This seat is ripe for a pickup as well:

Michigan's 9th Congressional District will be one of the top targeted races for 2008. The DCCC has already aired ads exposing Knollenberg's awful record on veterans. Knollenberg is under fire from citizen action groups, and has been constantly bashed in letters to the editor throughout the district. Knollenberg is beatable. He narrowly won the '06 election with 51% of the vote, and has 15% less money now than he did this time that cycle.

It appears the 9th District has undergone a sudden blue trend. However the Democratic base in the district has been growing steadily for the last eight years. Despite the growing Democratic base, Joe Knollenberg continues to cruise to electoral success versus weak challengers.

In 2002 David Fink performed 2.21% below the Democratic base, with 39.89% of the vote, despite raising 1.2 million and contributing 1.2 million of his own. In 2004 Steve Reifman performed 6.80% below the Democratic base, with 39.54% of the vote. In 2006 Nancy Skinner performed 4.28% below the Democratic base, with 46.21% of the vote. The Democratic base in 2006 was 50.49% (in '02 it was 42.19%, in '04 46.34%).

By contrast, Peters has a strong record in the district:

In the 2002 Attorney General race, Gary Peters performed at or above the Democratic base in 72% of 9th district precincts (234 out of 325). This certainly puts the candidate's performance in perspective. While losing by 4,677 votes in Bloomfield Township, Peters actually performed above base in all 36 precincts of the township. In his former home city of Rochester Hills, he outperformed base by 4.66%, in 30 of 32 precincts. Despite losing the AG race Peters out performed the Democratic base in 72% of the 9th District. Consider that this is a statewide election, and each candidate did not necessarily concentrate on persuading 9th District voters. Peters was above base in 19 of 22 jurisdictions, and just slightly under base in the other 3 (within 2.2%).

Michigan has a strong local blogosphere and now they'll have a couple of really exciting races to cover.

I will add that the Michigan Democratic Party is shaping up to be one of the stronger ones in the nation. I highlight both of these races as well as the Michigan Democratic Party it self on my Michigan Act Blue Page.