Progressive Democrat Issue 141: THOUGHTS

What a difference a few years makes.

I started this newsletter about 3 years ago, right after the 2004 election. It grew out of an attempt to reassure fellow progressives in the face of some pretty depressing world events and election results.

Starting in 2005 and continuing to this last week, Democrats in general and progressives in particular have been winning big nationwide.

Sometimes this is hard to appreciate because our nation is still run by a right wing extremist President, a right wing dominated media, a Senate that is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and a House that, though in Democratic hands, is still too conservative because there are a handful of cowardly Democrats who give up if the Republicans glance at them. But keep in mind that a.) those cowardly Democrats are a tiny fraction of the Democrats in Congress, most of whom vote the way we want them to. Those cowards are only significant because they can team up with Republicans. This will change. b.) change HAS occurred since we now have minimum wage increases and far more open debate on Iraq and impeachment. and c.) the trend is VERY encouraging as we gain each and every year.

On the more local level, things are looking even better as progressives win bigger in school board and city council races and the like across the country. These are the NEXT generation of politicians and over all they are a good bunch.

This issue is dedicated to those young, progressive newcomers who are the next generation of politicians. They are better than what we have now. So if you are disappointed in the Chuck Schumers and Diane Feinsteins who give in even when it comes to torture, keep in mind that the next generation looks much better.

I also cover some of the nastiest and most disgusting aspects of the current Republican Party. Skip to the local stuff if you don't want to be disgusted.

Here is this week's newsletter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

RUDY GIULIANI ENDORSED BY A RELIGIOUS EXTREMIST

REPUBLICAN PEDOPHILES

A SUMMARY OF CORRUPTION NATIONWIDE


NYC FOCUS: Events

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Election Results Mixed

VIRGINIA FOCUS I: BIG Win This Week

VIRGINIA FOCUS II: Virginia Organizing Project

KENTUCKY FOCUS: BIG Win!...With Another Coming Up?

ARIZONA FOCUS: Progressives Win

COLORADO FOCUS: Wins and Losses

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: New Jersey Gets Bluer

WASHINGTON STATE FOCUS: Electing Progressives...Again!!

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Two Wins, One Runoff and One Loss for Progressives

MINNESOTA RESULTS: Election Results

Extremists for Giuliani

Not too long ago Rudy Giuliani could claim to be a moderate, making many right wing extremists uncomfortable. But now, Rudy is embracing Christian fundamentalists, shedding any pretence of being a moderate.

This comes from the National Jewish Democratic Council:

“I am very encouraged by Pat’s support,” said GOP Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in a statement released by his campaign. “His confidence in me means a lot. His experience and advice will be a great asset to me and my campaign.”

The "Pat" in question is the Rev. Pat Robertson [real name: Marion Gordon Robertson], who endorsed Giuliani's campaign for president today.

Yes, this is the same Pat Robertson who suggested that former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution. It is the same Pat Robertson who said: "the feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." It is the same Pat Robertson who called for the assassination of the President of Venezuela. And, alas, it is the same Pat Robertson who said: "just like what Nazi Germany did to the Jews, so liberal America is now doing to the evangelical Christians. It's no different."

Rudy Giuliani could very well become the Republican nominee for President. It's imperative that all of us start reminding our friends and neighbors today that a vote for Giuliani is a vote for Pat Robertson and the narrow vision of America he represents. We've already seen how the Bush Administration has paid back the religious right.

Just how will Rudy say thank you to Pat Robertson? It's hard to tell. But we do know that Rudy has gone on record saying that as President he would appoint Supreme Court Justices like Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.

Let's hope he never has the chance.

Let's not forget Pat Robertson also said this:

"You say you're supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists and this, that, and the other thing. Nonsense. I don't have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist."

Pat Robertson also has said this about Islam:

These people are crazed fanatics, and I want to say it now: I believe it's motivated by demonic power. It is Satanic and it's time we recognize what we're dealing with.

and he has said: "Islam, at its core, teaches violence."

And he has also attacked Hindus, basically considering only Christianity and Judaism even legitimate religions:

"When I said during my presidential bid that I would bring only Christians and Jews into the government, I hit a firestorm. 'What do you mean?' the media challenged me. 'You're not going to bring atheists into the government? How dare you maintain that those who believe in Christian values are better qualified to govern America than Hindus and Muslims?' My simple answer is, 'Yes, they are.'"

Let's not forget that Pat Robertson is a supporter of former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor, the man responsible for the bloody civil war in Sierra Leone, who has been accused of harboring al-Qaeda terrorists after the bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, and who is now indicted as a war criminal.

Rudy Giuliani is already hated by firefighters because his refusal to give the NY firefighters adequate radios led to many deaths on 9/11. Now Rudy is alienating Jews, Hindus, Muslims and moderate Christians (including Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Methodists) by associating himself with intolerant extremism that he really should be rejecting. And as to the experience and advice Pat Robertson can give Rudy, well maybe it's a good thing after all. Remember, Pat Robertson failed miserably in his 1988 bid to become President. Yeah, Rudy. Take advice from a dictator-loving, fanatical, failure. Just don't claim you're a moderate when you do it.

Republican Pedophiles

Republican corruption was one major factor in the defeat of Republicans across the country in 2006 and was a major reason for the defeat of Kentucky Republican Ernie Fletcher in 2007.

But there is an even worse side to the so-called "Party of Morality": Pedophilia. Tom Foley was just the tip of the iceberg, it seems. And what is worse than the actual existence of pedophilic Republicans is the fact that all too often other Republicans cover up for them...sometimes for many years. Keep this list in mind any time someone tries to claim that the Republican Party is the supposedly "Moral" party.

I came across a list of Republicans charged or convicted of pedophilia: (links can be found on the original site)

* Republican Party Chairman Donald Fleischman was charged with two counts of child enticement, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a child and a single charge of exposing himself to a child.

* Republican prosecutor John David Roy Atchison was arrested for soliciting sex from a 5-year old girl, then killed himself three weeks later. At the time of his arrest, Atchison was an "assistant U.S. attorney" appointed by President Bush's attorney general.

* Republican city councilman John Bryan killed himself after police began investigating allegations that he had molested three girls, including two of his adopted daughters, ages 12 and 15.

* Republican legislator Ted Klaudt was charged with raping girls under the age of 16.

* Republican city councilman Joseph Monteleone Jr. was found guilty of fondling underage girls.

* Republican congressional aide Jeffrey Nielsen was arrested for having sex with a 14-year old boy.

* Republican County Commissioner Patrick Lee McGuire surrendered to police after allegedly molesting girls between the ages of 8 and 13.

* Republican prosecutor Larry Corrigan was arrested for soliciting sex from 13-year old girls.

* Republican Mayor Jeffrey Kyle Randall was sentenced to 275 days in jail for molesting two boys -- ages ten and 12 -- during a six-year period.

* Republican County Board Candidate Brent Schepp was charged with molesting a 14-year old girl and killed himself three days later.

* Republican Congressman Mark Foley abruptly resigned from Congress after "sexually explicit" emails surfaced showing him flirting with a 16-year old boy.

* Republican executive Randall Casseday of the conservative Washington Times newspaper pleaded guilty to soliciting sex from a 13-year old girl on the internet.

* Republican chairman of the Oregon Christian Coalition Lou Beres confessed to molesting a 13-year old girl.

* Republican County Constable Larry Dale Floyd pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting sex from an 8-year old girl. Floyd has repeatedly won elections for Denton County, Texas, constable.

* Republican judge Mark Pazuhanich pleaded no contest to fondling a 10-year old girl and was sentenced to 10 years probation.

* Republican Party leader Bobby Stumbo was arrested for having sex with a 5-year old boy.

* Republican petition drive manager Tom Randall pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under the age of 14, one of them the daughter of an associate in the petition business.

* Republican County Chairman Armando Tebano pleaded guilty to fondling a 14-year-old girl.

* Republican teacher and former city councilman John Collins pleaded guilty to sexually molesting 13 and 14 year old girls.

* Republican campaign worker Mark Seidensticker is a convicted child molester.

* Republican Mayor Philip Giordano is serving a 37-year sentence in federal prison for sexually abusing 8- and 10-year old girls.

* Republican Mayor Tom Adams was arrested for distributing child pornography over the internet.

* Republican Mayor John Gosek was arrested on charges of soliciting sex from two 15-year old girls.

* Republican County Commissioner David Swartz pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under the age of 11 and was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

* Republican legislator Edison Misla Aldarondo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping his daughter between the ages of 9 and 17.

* Republican Committeeman John R. Curtin was convicted of molesting an underage teenage boy and sentenced to serve six to 18 months in prison.

* Republican anti-abortion activist Howard Scott Heldreth is a convicted child rapist in Florida.

* Republican zoning supervisor, Boy Scout leader and Lutheran church president Dennis L. Rader pleaded guilty to performing a sexual act on an 11-year old girl he murdered.

* Republican anti-abortion activist Nicholas Morency pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his computer and offering a bounty to anybody who murders an abortion doctor.

* Republican campaign consultant Tom Shortridge was sentenced to three years probation for taking nude photographs of a 15-year old girl.

* Republican racist pedophile and United States Senator Strom Thurmond had sex with a 15-year old black girl which produced a child.

* Republican pastor Mike Hintz, whom George W. Bush commended during the 2004 presidential campaign, surrendered to police after admitting to a sexual affair with a female juvenile.

* Republican legislator Peter Dibble pleaded no contest to having an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old girl.

* Republican advertising consultant Carey Lee Cramer was sentenced to six years in prison for molesting two 8-year old girls, one of whom appeared in an anti-Gore television commercial.

* Republican fundraiser Lawrence E. King, Jr. organized child sex parties at the White House during the 1980s.

* Republican lobbyist Craig J. Spence organized child sex parties at the White House during the 1980s.

* Republican Congressman Donald "Buz" Lukens was found guilty of having sex with a female minor and sentenced to one month in jail.

* Republican fundraiser Richard A. Delgaudio was found guilty of child porn charges and paying two teenage girls to pose for sexual photos.

* Republican activist Mark A. Grethen convicted on six counts of sex crimes involving children.

* Republican campaign chairman Randal David Ankeney pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault on a child and was arrested again five years later on the same charge.

* Republican Congressman Dan Crane had sex with a female minor working as a congressional page.

* Republican activist and Christian Coalition leader Beverly Russell admitted to an incestuous relationship with his step daughter.

* Republican Judge Ronald C. Kline pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on his home computer.

* Republican congressman and anti-gay activist Robert Bauman was charged with having sex with a 16-year-old boy he picked up at a gay bar.

* Republican Committee Chairman Jeffrey Patti was arrested for distributing a video clip of a 5-year-old girl being raped.

* Republican activist Marty Glickman (a.k.a. "Republican Marty"), was taken into custody by Florida police on four counts of unlawful sexual activity with an underage girl and one count of delivering the drug LSD.

* Republican legislative aide Howard L. Brooks was charged with molesting a 12-year old boy and possession of child pornography.

* Republican Senate candidate John Hathaway was accused of having sex with his 12-year old baby sitter and withdrew his candidacy after the allegations were reported in the media.

* Republican preacher Stephen White, who demanded a return to traditional values, was sentenced prison after offering $20 to a 14-year-old boy for permission to perform oral sex on him.

* Republican talk show host Jon Matthews pleaded guilty to exposing his genitals to an 11 year old girl.

* Republican anti-gay activist Earl "Butch" Kimmerling was sentenced to 40 years in prison for molesting an 8-year old girl after he attempted to stop a gay couple from adopting her.

* Republican Party leader Paul Ingram pleaded guilty to six counts of raping his daughters and served 14 years in federal prison.

* Republican election board official Kevin Coan was sentenced to two years probation for soliciting sex over the internet from a 14-year old girl.

* Republican politician Andrew Buhr was charged with two counts of first degree sodomy with a 13-year old boy.

* Republican legislator Keith Westmoreland was arrested on seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition to girls under the age of 16 (i.e. exposing himself to children).

* Republican anti-abortion activist John Allen Burt was found guilty of molesting a 15-year old girl.

* Republican County Councilman Keola Childs pleaded guilty to molesting a male child.

* Republican activist John Butler was charged with criminal sexual assault on a teenage girl.

* Republican candidate Richard Gardner admitted to molesting his two daughters.

* Republican Councilman and former Marine Jack W. Gardner was convicted of molesting a 13-year old girl.

* Republican County Commissioner Merrill Robert Barter pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact and assault on a teenage boy.

* Republican City Councilman Fred C. Smeltzer, Jr. pleaded no contest to raping a 15 year-old girl and served 6-months in prison.

* Republican activist Parker J. Bena pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on his home computer and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $18,000.

* Republican parole board officer and former Colorado state representative, Larry Jack Schwarz, was fired after child pornography was found in his possession.

* Republican strategist and Citadel Military College graduate Robin Vanderwall was convicted in Virginia on five counts of soliciting sex from boys and girls over the internet.

* Republican city councilman Mark Harris, who is described as a "good military man" and "church goer," was convicted of repeatedly having sex with an 11-year-old girl and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

* Republican businessman Jon Grunseth withdrew his candidacy for Minnesota governor after allegations surfaced that he went swimming in the nude with four underage girls, including his daughter.

* Republican campaign worker, police officer and self-proclaimed reverend Steve Aiken was convicted of having sex with two underage girls.

* Republican director of the "Young Republican Federation" Nicholas Elizondo molested his 6-year old daughter and was sentenced to six years in prison.

* Republican president of the New York City Housing Development Corp. Russell Harding pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his computer.

* Republican benefactor of conservative Christian groups, Richard A. Dasen Sr., was found guilty of raping a 15-year old girl. Dasen, 62, who is married with grown children and several grandchildren, has allegedly told police that over the past decade he paid more than $1 million to have sex with a large number of young women.

Review of Government Corruption

In light of the list of Republican Pedophiles above, I thought it might be good to review the following list of politicians convicted, indicted, under investigation or otherwise corrupt. Remember this is a comprehensive list, so it is a good reflection of the relative corruption between the two parties.

This was sent by a reader. It is a list of all Congressional Reps and Senators and Governors, etc. who have been indicted, convicted, pled guilty or otherwise brought to the attention of the legal system due to corruption. It includes both Democrats and Republicans for fairness, but in all fairness, it is hard to find the Democrats because they are so buried in the list of corrupt Republicans.

Keep this list. Anytime some right winger claims the Republican party is the party of values, pull this out and ask just what kind of values they mean. Thanks to Tammy for this little list of society sinners...

Corruption count
Since January 1, 2000. Federal level, Governor level, elected and appointed officials, aides etc.
Please let me know of any errors.

Convicted/Pled Guilty
--------------
Republican Governor George Ryan - 4/17/2006 racketeering and bribery - (76 people convicted)
Republican Governor Bob Taft - 8/18/2005. 5 counts failure to report gifts from Lobbyists
Republican Governor John Rowland - 12/24/2004 Bribery
Republican Governor Sonny Perdue - Campaign ethics violations

NH GOP Chair Chuck McGee - conspiricy to make harrasing phone calls to block people from voting.
Republican Aide Allen Raymond
Republican James Tobin (NE Regional Dir., Bush campaign) - 12/15/05 conspiracy to commit telephone harassment, aiding and abetting of telephone harassment
Republican Charles McGee (Executive Director of the NH Republican State Committee )
Republican Shaun Hansen. GOP Marketing aide - conspiracy to commit telephone harassment and aiding and abetting telephone harassment

Republican Aide Scott Falwell - racketeering, mail fraud and obstruction of justice
Republican Aide Alexandra Prokos - Perjury
Republican Aide Jim Ellis - 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution, money laundering
Republican Aide John Colyandro - money laundering
Republican Brian Hicks - bribery
Republican Chief of Staff Peter Ellef - Bribery
Republican Roger G. Stillwell - Interior Department official - bribed by Abramoff

Republican Lobbyist Jack Abramoff - defrauding of American Indian tribes and corruption of public officials
Republican Tony Rudy (lobbyist and aide to Tom Delay) - conspiricy
Republican Representative Bob Ney - Conspiricy to defraud the United States and making false statements
Republican Neil Volz (lobbyist and aide to Bob Ney) - bribery and corruption
Republican William Heaton(Bob Ney's chief of staff) - Conspiricy
Republican Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham - conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion

Republican David Hossein Safavian. Lying, obstruction of Justice

Democratic Congressman Traficant - bribery and forcing his aides to perform chores

Republican Chief of Staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby - two counts of perjury, one of obstruction of justice, and one of making false statements to federal investigators
Republican Tom Noe - Laundered money for the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign, theft, corruption, party chairman and Bush Pioneer fundraiser
Republican Gov Ernie Fletcher - 13 aides indicted
Republican Micheal Scanlon (lobbyist and aide to Tom DeLay) - bribery
Deputy Secretary Steven Griles - bribery, perjury, obstrcting a congressional investigation.
Republican Congressional aide Mark Zachares - bribery


Confessed under grant of Immunity
---------------------------------
Monica Goodling, White House liaison for Alberto Gonzales - Hired federal prosecuters based upon party affiliation.


Indicted/Charged
----------------
Republican Tom Delay - conspiring to violate Texas state election law, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Reprimanded by House Ethics Committee
Republican Lawrence Novak
Republican Nathan Taylor
Kyle "Dusty" Foggo (George W Bush's CIA Executive Director) - 30 wide-ranging counts of fraud, conspiracy,
money laundering, leaking classified information.
Republican Lurita Alexis Doan, Administrator of the General Services Administration - violations of the Hatch act.
Democratic Senator William Jefferson - 16 counts of racketeering, soliciting bribes and money-laundering


Under investigation
---------------------------
Republican Senator Ben Stevens - bribery, corruption
Republican Karl Rove - Abramoff, interfering in federal investigations, obstruction of justice
Republican President George W. Bush - Abramoff, interfering in federal investigations, obstruction of justice
Republican Vice President Dick Cheney - Abramoff, interfering in federal investigations, obstruction of justice
Republican Governor and RNC Chairman Haley Barbour - Laundered money from foreign governments into presidential elections. Used non-profit organizations for illegal purposes. Perjury.
Republican Representive Mark Foley - Pediphilia
Republican Representive Mark Reynolds - Covered up for Mark Foley
Republican Representive Dennis Hastert - Covered up for Mark Foley
Republican Governor Mitt Romney - Made false statements to bondholders
Republican Governor/Ex Representative Jim Gibbons - Bribery
Republican Attorney General Gonzales - Fired US Attorneys for prosecuting Republicans, interfering in federal investigations, obstruction of justice, lying to Congress, perjury, witness tampering.
Republican Paul J. McNulty - Deputy Attorney General. Interfering in federal investigations, obstruction of justice, lying to Congress, perjury
Republican Senator Pete Domenici - Used influence to get a US Attorney fired
Republican Representative Heather Wilson - Used influence to get a US Attorney fired
Republican Representative Tom Feeney - bribery
Republican Representative Richard George Renzi - bribery, conflict on interest.
Republican Representative Jerry Lewis - Accepted gifts from Lobbyists, bribery, honest services fraud, dispensation of special favors
Republican Representative John Doolittle - Accepted money from Jack Abramoff in exchange for favors.
Democratic Representative Alan Mollohan -May have funnelled money to his own home-state foundations
Republican Representative Rick Renzi - bribery, sponsored legislation that dealt hundreds of millions of dollars to his father’s business
Republican Representative Tim Murphy - Ethics violations regarding use of Congressional staff for campaign purposes.
Republican Representative Gary Miller - Illegal land deals, tax fraud
Republican Representative Ken Calvert - Steered federal money to projects near his private real estate developments.
Republican Representative Don Young - bribery

Implicated - May be under investigation
---------------------------------------
Richard Shelby (REPUBLICAN SENATOR - AL)
Robert Riley (REPUBLICAN GOVENOR- AL)
J. D. Hayworth (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - AZ)
Dana Rohrabacher (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - CA)
Doug Ose (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - CA)
Richard Pombo (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - CA)
John Doolittle (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - CA)
Ed Royce (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - CA)
Scott McInnis (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - CO)
Rob Simmons (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - CT)
Tom Feeney (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - FL)
Ric Keller (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - FL)
John Isakson (REPUBLICAN SENATOR - GA)
Saxby Chambliss (REPUBLICAN SENATOR - CA)
Jack Kingston (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - GA)
Michael Simpson (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - ID)
Butch Otter (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - ID)
Jerry Walker (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - IL)
Dan Burton (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - IN)
Charles Grassley (REPUBLICAN SENATOR - IA)
BOB EHRLICH (REPUBLICAN GOVENOR- MD)
Dave Camp (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - MI)
Gil Gutknecht (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - MN)
Christopher Bind (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- MO)
Jim Talent (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- MO)
Charles Pickering (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - MS)
Roger Wicker (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - MS)
Thad Cochran (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- MS)
Dennis Rehberg (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- MT)
Jon Christensen (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NE)
John Ensign (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NV)
Roger Wicker (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - MS)
Jim Saxton (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NJ)
Frank LoBiondo (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NJ)
Mike Ferguson (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NJ)
Heather Wilson (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NM)
Charles Taylor (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NC)
Walter Jones (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NC)
Jean Schmidt (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - OH)
Ralph Regula (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - OH)
Ernest Istook (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - OK)
James Inhofe (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- OK)
Tom Coburn (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - OK)
Gordon Smith (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- OR)
Arlen Specter (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- PA)
Curt Weldon (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - PA)
Joe Pitts (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - PA)
John Thune (REPUBLICAN SENATOR - SD)
Bill Janklow (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - SD)
Van Hilleary (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - TN)
Chris Cannon (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- UT)
Eric Canter (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - VA)
Randy Forbes (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - VA)
George Allen (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- VA)
Tom Davis (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - VA)
George Nethercutt (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - WA)
Doc Hastings (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - WA)
Dave Reichert (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - WA)
Mark Green (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - WI)
Paul Ryan (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - WI)
Shelly Moore Capito (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - WV)
Mike Enzi (REPUBLICAN SENATOR- WY)
Barbara Cubin (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - WY)
Robert Riley (REPUBLICAN GOVENOR - AL)
Marilyn Musgrave (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE- CO)
Jim Nussle (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - IA)
Matt Blunt (REPUBLICAN GOVENTOR- MO)
Roy Blunt (REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER - MO)
Jon Christensen (FORMER REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE- NE)
Jeb Bradley (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - NH)
John E Sununu (REPUBLICAN SENATOR - NH)
Jean Schmidt (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - OH)
Joe Wilson(REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - SC)
Gresham Barrett (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - SC)
Henry Brown (REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE - SC)

Convicted: 102 Republicans. 1 Democrat
Indicted: 5 Republicans. 1 Democrats
Confessed under grant of Immunity: 1 Republican. 0 Democrats.
Under investigation: 21 Republicans. 1 Democrat.
implicated: 75 Republicans. 0 Democrats
Total: 204 Republicans. 3 Democrats.

NYC FOCUS: Some events

Rally to Support Democracy in Pakistan
Tuesday, November 13, from 1:00-1:30 p.m.

As an expression of solidarity with our beleaguered colleagues at the Pakistani bar, the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York County Lawyers' Association, in conjunction with other organizations, invite you to attend a public rally in front of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street on Tuesday, November 13, from 1:00-1:30 p.m.

The crude and brutal suspension of law and the legal system in Pakistan, and the repression of judges and lawyers there, require that we take a moment from our own busy schedules and demonstrate our concern.

Because the images from Pakistan show the violent repression of Pakistani lawyers wearing their customary dark suit and white shirt, we request that you appear on Tuesday in similar attire, though this is not required. What is important is a strong show of support.


Join Jim Dean to Support DFNYC Endorsed Candidate Jimmy Dahroug
Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Democracy for NYC cordially invites you to attend a cocktail reception to benefit New York State Senate candidate Jimmy Dahroug, who's running in Suffolk County's 3rd District.

The event will take place at the home of Barbara and Morris Pearl, 1075 Park Avenue (corner of 85th Street) on Tuesday evening November 27 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. The contribution levels will range from $50 to $2,300. Jim Dean, the chairman of Democracy for America, will be the evening's keynote speaker.

DFNYC members voted unanimously to endorse Jimmy Dahroug for New York's 3rd State Senate District. He was also endorsed by Democracy for America in 2004 and 2006 in his previous attempts to take back this important State Senate seat for the Democratic party. Jimmy ran in 2004 against incumbent Republican Ceasar Trunzo in Suffolk County on Long Island. After earning an impressive 40% of the vote with a grassroots campaign, he went to work for the Administration of Steve Levy, the Suffolk County Executive, as a County Executive Assistant for community affairs and intergovernmental relations. He ran again in 2006, gaining a higher percentage, even after a contested Democratic primary. Jimmy was endorsed by Democracy for America in both races and many DFNYCers joined Long Island volunteers to canvas and phonebank. For more information about Jimmy, visit his campaign website, http://www.jimmyforsenate.com/

Please save the date and help us put Jimmy Dahroug in the New York State Senate - in addition to bringing us one seat closer to having a Democratic majority in the State Senate.

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Election Results Mixed

Progressives had mixed results in Pennsylvania last week. Progressives took control of the Kennett Square Borough Council (western Philadelphia suburb) with the election of openly gay Jessie Cocks. But they were not able to break the conservative stranglehold in either Chester or Montgomery Counties. For example, Joe Hoeffel and Ruth Damsker ran as a ticket to the county council, yet were only partly successful. Unfortunately, Ruth lost a close race and will not be joining Joe on the county council. Candidates under 35 stormed the ballot box, with future progressive stars Heather Arnet (Pittsburgh School Board), Jason Salus (Conshohocken City Council), and William Reynolds (Bethlehem City Council) winning their races. Here are the full results of the Progressive Majority endorsed candidates:

County Offices

Kevin Christie, Chester County Sheriff: Lost with 43% of the vote.

Bill Scott, Chester County Commissioner: Lost in four candidate field.

Kathi Cozzone, Chester County Commissioner: Elected out of a four candidate field.

Peter Amuso, Montgomery County District Attorney: Lost with 44% of the vote.

Ruth Damsker, Montgomery County Commissioner: Lost with 23% of the vote.

Joseph Hoeffel, Montgomery County Commissioner: Won with 25% of the vote.

Lamont McClure, Jr., Northampton County Council, District 3: Won with 51% of the vote.

John Maher, Northampton County Council, District 4: Lost with 44% of the vote.

Tony Branco, Northampton County Council: Lost with 45% of the vote.


City Offices

Mary Jeffery, Bensalem Township Council: Lost by finishing third in four candidate field.

Alex McDowell, Bensalem Township Council: Lost by finishing fourth in four candidate field.

German Yakubov, Bensalem Township Auditor: Lost with 43% of the vote.

Willy Reynolds, Bethlehem City Council: Won with 26% of the vote.

Jason Salus, Conshohocken City Council, Ward 1: Won with 55% of the vote.

Jessie Cocks, Kennett Township City Council: Won with 26% of the vote.

Jennifer D'Amato-Dow, Plymouth Township Council, Ward 2: Lost with 42% of the vote.


School Boards

Lisette Agosto, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Paul Bujwid, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Melissa Heller, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Tom Humesky, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Janette Reed, Bensalem School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Jerold Glick, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Dave Reppert, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Fred Dugan, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Crystal Taylor, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Frank Gillen, Colonial School Board: Was not elected out of a ten candidate field.

Heather Arnet, Pittsburgh School Board, District 2: Won with 99.7% of the vote. (Wow! THAT is a win!!)


Progressive Majority is one of the most successful grassroots organizations in America. Yet clearly they have a long way to go in Pennsylvania. They have been far more successful in states like Washington, Arizona and Colorado. To help build a Progressive Majority in Pennsylvania step by step, please join them!

And to get really local, join your community's Pennsylvania for Democracy group. It is the best way to get involved as an individual in your local political scene.

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Big Win this Week

Virginia had some big wins this last week. Hope you all voted! If you did, you got a lot to be proud of. Democrats picked up four State Senate seats, flipping the Virginia State Senate to Dem on Tuesday. A candidate I have highlighted in this newsletter from time to time, Chap Peterson won with 55% of the vote. The Dems also picked up some seats in the House of Delegates, though that house remains with a Republican majority, so Virginia Democrats still have some work to do.

These results continues a trend of turning Virginia blue that started in 2005 and has progressed pretty steadily in 2006 and 2007. The significance of this? Let me quote former Governor Mark Warner (from Washington Times):

"I think we're on a roll," former Gov. Mark Warner told a crowd at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, where Democrats held a post-election gathering. "Six years ago, the press and the pundits said the state wasn't going to be competitive anymore. We showed them differently."

Virginia is indeed competitive. I am betting it can be compeititive in 2008 as well.

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Virginia Organizing Project Events and Actions

The Virginia Organizing Project (VOP) is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives. VOP especially encourages the participation of those who have traditionally had little or no voice in our society. By building relationships with individuals and groups throughout the state, VOP strives to get them to work together, democratically and non-violently, for change.

El Proyecto de Organizar Virginia (VOP) es una organizacion de base a nivel estatal dedicada a luchar encontra de la injusticia dandole poder a la gente en las comunidades locales para que puedan exponer sus preocupaciones que les afecta en su vida diaria. Como una organizacion no partidista, VOP especialmente fomenta la participacion de aquellos que tradicionalmente han tenido poca o ninguna voz en nuestra sociedad. Estableciendo relacion con grupos o personas individuales atraves del estado, el VOP sigue luchando para que trabajemos juntos, democraticamente sin violencia por cambio social.

Find action alerts from VOP here.

Here are some upcoming events throughout Virginia:

November 16, 2007, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville
Social Justice Bowl IV. For more information, contact Sally Bastian at 434-984-4655 x229 or bastian@virginia-organizing.org.

November 17 - January 18, 2007
Shalom Retreat House,Hanover County
Virginia Organizing Project Leadership Institute. For more information, contact Cathy Woodson at cwoodson@virginia-organizing.org or (804) 261-7497.

November 26, 2007, 5:30 p.m.
Petersburg Library - 137 S. Sycamore Street-- 2nd floor meeting room
Petersburg Virginia Organizing Project Chapter Meeting

KENTUCKY FOCUS: Big Win and More to Come?

This last week was a huge win not just for Kentucky, but for clean government. Ernie Fletcher, one of the most corrupt politicians around today, was finally voted out of office. I have highlighted Ernie Fletcher's old fashioned (and illegal) Spoils System form of corruption before. But I had given up hoping that Kentucky would rebel against his corruption, particularly after 50% of Kentucky Republicans eagerly nominated him AGAIN for Governor. But I should have realized that it was REPUBLICANS who didn't mind Fletcher's corruption, not the average citizen of Kentucky. Kentucky as a whole rejected Fletcher's corruption quite soundly and should be damned proud for doing so.

Kentucky's new Governor is a much more respectable gentleman named Steve Beshear, who won the election with more than 60% of the vote. In fact the rejection of corruption in Kentucky went even further as Democrats did quite well in all but two statewide races. May the Democrats serve you better than the corrupt Republicans did.

Next is Mitch McConnell, the increasingly unpopular Senator from Kentucky. His consistent support of Bush's Iraq quagmire means voters are getting pretty tired of him. There are many prediction that he will be the next Bush lap dog to fall to voter anger at the mess Republicans have made of America under Bush. Kentucky is viewed as one of the best Senate pick up chances for Democrats in 2008. In this context I should note that McConnell's voting record is pretty abyssmal. He gets a "D" rating from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a "0" from The Retired Enlisted Association, and a "0" from the Disabled American Veterans. He gets only a 0-11 score out of 100 (that's a failing greade) from the National Catholic Social Justice Lobby. He gets a "0" score from Parkinsons Action Network. He gets low marks from pretty much every union there is, including the United Auto Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the AFL-CIO. He gets a "0" from the Children's Defense Fund, the National Education Association, and the National Parent Teacher Association. So really, there are almost no Americans, other than Bush and Halliburton, that McConnell represents!

I predict (though not with strong conviction quite yet) that McConnell will be the next corrupt Republican ousted from office by the good voters of Kentucky. If you want to make this happen, get involved with your local Democratic Party. It is your chance to shape local politics and get to know your elected officials.

ARIZONA FOCUS: Progressive Wins This Week

Progressive Majority endorsed two excellent candidates in Arizona in 2007. Both of them won.

Marie Lopez Rogers won as Mayor of Avondale with 52% of the vote. She was the incumbent having been appointed in 2006. Marie is a strong progressive, and she is the key to halting or slowing legislation from a city council that is dominated by conservatives.

This was previously an agricultural town that is rapidly growing with scores of subdivisions along Interstate-10 west of Phoenix. It also includes Phoenix International Race Way that attracts tens of thousands of people to NASCAR races. Marie wants to preserve the quality of life in Avondale by working for safer streets and neighborhoods, providing efficient cost-effective city services, and ensuring a vital economy through an appropriate balance of residential, commercial and recreational development.


John Williams won for Surprise City Council District 3 with 67% of the vote. That is a VERY big win. Particularly since John was a challenger in this race. He is a high school teacher, husband, father of three, and member of the Peoria Education Association. This is a rapidly growing city whose previous Council's actions were very controversial on a number of issues. John wants to bring quality jobs to Surprise so people can live and work there. In addition, he hopes to attract health care facilities to the town. John wants Surprise to be a city with services and opportunities where the children being raised there now will ultimately to able to live and raise their children.

Arizona is one of those states that Progressive Majority focuses on. Support Progressive Majority if you want to see more progressives winning in Arizona because they kick ass. May I also recommend the Native American Democrats of Northern Arizona, Democracy For America - Maricopa County, the Navajo Youth Democratic Forum, and Drinking Liberally Tucson as organizations in Arizona you might be interested in. Building the local grassroots is CRITICAL for these kinds of victories that really mean something to the citizens of Arizona.

COLORADO FOCUS: Wins and Losses

Progressive Majority did well in Colorado this year! Building on a 4//5 win last spring, they won a bunch more this last week.

City Offices

Pat Quinn, Broomfield Mayor: Won with 48% of the vote.

Kevin Jacobs, Broomfield City Council, Ward 3: Won with 59% of the vote.

Judy Enderle, Broomfield City Council, Ward 4: Lost with 47% of the vote.

Angelique Espinoza, Boulder City Council: Won one of seven seats up on the Boulder City Council in a field of 22.

Eugene Pearson, Boulder City Council: Lost in a 22 candidate field for seven seats up on the Boulder City Council.

Russ Arensman, Glenwood Springs City Council, District 1: Won with 100% of the vote. (100%??? That is almost unheard of!)

Jacob Smith, Golden Mayor: Won by 141 votes in a three way race. (Shows you that EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!)

Bob Murphy, Lakewood Mayor: Won with 49% of the vote.

Karen Kellen, Lakewood City Council, District 1: Won with 53% of the vote.

Cindy Baroway, Lakewood City Council, District 2: Won with 55% of the vote.

Tom Quinn, Lakewood City Council, District 5: Won with 67% of the vote.

Karen Benker, Longmont Mayor: Lost with 43% of the vote.

Sean McCoy, Longmont City Council, District 3: Won with 53% of the vote.

Eric Drummond, Manitou Springs Mayor: Won with 75% of the vote. (VERY respectable!)

Karen Post, Steamboat Springs City Council, District 3: Lost with 44% of the vote.

Vince Arroyo, Steamboat Springs City Council, District 3: Lost with 43% of the vote.

Townie Anderson, Steamboat Springs City Council, At Large: Lost with 36% of the vote.

Eva Henry, Thornton City Council, Ward 1: Won with 62% of the vote.

Faith Winter, Westminster City Council: Was elected out of a seven candidate field.


School Boards

Jennifer Herrera, Cherry Creek School Board, District A: Lost with 43% of the vote.

Jan Tanner, D-11 School Board; Was elected out of a seven candidate field with 20% of the vote.

Tom Strand, D-11 School Board: Was elected out of a seven candidate field with 19% of the vote.

Chyrese Exline, D-11 School Board: Was not elected out of a seven candidate field with 12% of the vote.

Naomi Helterbran, Douglas County School Board: Was not elected out of a five candidate field with 17% of the vote.

Trena Anastasia, Poudre Valley School Board, District A: Lost with 34% of the vote.


All in all not a bad record for progressive grassroots. To build on these gains, I strongly urge you to join Progressive Majority.

Additionally, Democracy for Colorado has a very ambitious, quite brilliant, I think, plan to work precinct by precinct to win Colorado. I urge you to join the Think Precinct movement in Colorado. It is one of the best grassroots organizing idea I have seen recently. It could make a HUGE difference between now and 2008.

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: New Jersey gets Bluer

The bad news is that New Jersey voters rejected a bill that would provide $450 million in bonds to fund life-saving stem cell research. But at the same time, two previously strongly Republican districts in New Jersey elected Democrats for State Senate. This is partly balanced by another strongly Republican district that HAD flipped Democrat, but flipped back Republican. The message seems to be that Republicans are losing their small stake in New Jersey, but Democrats have to do more to hold the gains they make.

To me this is representative of the National situation. Democrats need a more local, grassroots approach and for New Jersey I think New Jersey for Democracy fits the bill. Get involved with your local New Jersey for Democracy chapter to help make New Jersey BLUER and more responsive to the needs of everyday Americans.

You can also listen to Blue Jersey Radio every Saturday morning from 10:30a-11:00a - or download the podcast anytime to listen to the latest hot topics, gossip and opinion on New Jersey politics with host Jeff Gardner and Jay Lassiter. You can listen here online.

WASHINGTON STATE FOCUS: Electing Progressives

Progressive Majority has been working on the Snohomish County Council since 2004. Back then the council had a 4-1 conservative majority. In 2005, we helped Dave Somers get elected. That made 3-2 conservative. This week, Progressives won big on the Snohomish County Council with the election of Brian Sullivan and Mike Cooper. Today, progressives now have a 4-1 progressive margin on the council. This is even more amazing as the developers spent nearly $100,000 in the last several weeks trying to defeat Cooper.

Many races where Progressive Majority endorsed in Washington are too close to call, with roughly 40% of the vote still out in many races (Washington uses a vote-by-mail system), but other notable wins include Ramona Fonseca, who will become the first Latina mayor of Granger; Sili Savusa, who by winning a seat on the Highline School Board becomes the first Samoan-American elected official in the state; Richard Rush, who beat a conservative incumbent for a seat on the Spokane City Council; and Marilyn Strickland, who won a seat on the Tacoma City Council and is the only person of color who serves on that body in a heavily diverse city.

Control of the Whatcom County Council and the Seattle Port Commission is still up for grabs with many close races in those jurisdictions.

You can keep up with the still developing races in Washington State here.

Keep in mind that in last Spring's elections Progressive Majority also did well in Washington. If you want to help them keep up the great work, join them! It could be the best investment in Washington's future you ever make.

And if you want to be personally involved with the progressive grassroots, get involved with your local Democracy for Washington group. It is a very social and enjoyable way to be involved with your local community.

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Two Wins, a Runoff and One Loss

Progressive Majority had a better than 50/50 outcome for their endorsed candidates in California.

Carolyn Tillman runing for San Bernardino City Council, Ward 5 lost pretty big time with only 21% of the vote. She was challenging an incumbent, so this is not surprising given the advantages that incumbents have.

Rikke Van Johnson running San Bernardino City Council, Ward 6 came in first but is facing a runoff, having won 49.5% of the vote. Had he gotten 50% he would be the winner. SO CLOSE! Councilman Rikke Van Johnson is a first-term incumbent representing the 6th Ward in the city of San Bernardino. Four years ago, he defeated the Republican incumbent, Betty Dean Anderson, who is attempting to win back her seat. Councilman Van Johnson is the only Democrat up for re-election in 2007 in San Bernardino. The 4-3 majority Republicans hold makes Van Johnson's re-election vital to flipping the city council. As a minister, he is also a key leader in the city's African-American community. It would be a REAL shame to lose this one.

Pete Aguila running for Redlands City Council won out of a seven candidate field. Pete Aguilar is a 28-year old, Latino city councilor in the city of Redlands, located within San Bernardino County. Pete was appointed to an open seat on the city council, and won his first election to the office in 2007. He has been involved for years in Democratic campaigns throughout the county.

Rick Hutcheson runing for Palm Springs City Council won out of an eight candidate field. Rick Hutcheson was a first-time candidate when he ran for Palm Springs City Council in 2007. He is openly gay, and a former Staff Secretary in the Carter administration. Rick's election has ensured that we will maintain progressive strength here for years.

In the interest of continuing these successes, I urge you to join Progressive Majority. They are one of the most successful LOCALLY FOCUSED progressive organization in the nation.

In San Bernadino, I recommend joining the next San Bernardino DFA Monthy Meeting:
Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 7:00 PM, host: Lorena Wolfe, meeting at Bob's Big Boy at 201 E. Valley Boulevard in Colton, CA, 92324. Phone: (909) 514-0888

To join the Redlands Democracy for America group, go here.

To find other California Grassroots groups, please go here. (Look on the left hand side for regional and statewide groups).

MINNESOTA FOCUS: Election Results

Progressives did a little better than 50/50 in Minnesota last week. Here are the results from Progressive Majority's endorsed candidate slate:

City Offices

John Nephew, Maplewood City Council: Was elected by finishing second in a four candidate field.

Tammie Yak, Moorhead City Council - Ward 1: Lost, finished third in a four candidate field.

Melvin Carter, St. Paul City Council - Ward 1: Won with 58% of the vote. (A young, dynamic progressive, Carter's win was very important!)

Pakou Hang, Moorhead City Council - Ward 1: Lost with 46% of the vote.


School Boards

Warren Harder, Anoka-Hennepin School Board - District 5: Lost with 42% of the vote.

Kim Ross, Eden Prairie School Board: Was elected out of a seven candidate field.

Janet Glover, Monticello School Board: Was elected but details not yet available.

Pam Rykken, St. Louis School Board: Was elected by finishing first out of a seven candidate field.

Kevin Riach, St. Paul School Board: Lost in a nine candidate field.

Sue Stradtmann, West St. Paul School Board: Lost in a five candidate field.


To build on these results, I strongly urge you to join Progressive Majority.

To get involved on even more local levels, get involved with your local Democracy for Minnesota group. It's a great way to meet people, get to know your community and really affect local politics.