Progressive Democrat Issue 155

This week I was reminded of why 2006 was so important for progressives. Our disappointment in a continued Iraq quagmire and lack of impeachment should be tempered by pride in what was accomplished by the 2006 election. This comes from the League of Conservation Voters:

"Our 2006 campaigns also helped defeat 9 out of 13 of LCV's 'Dirty Dozen' members who had a combined average lifetime score of just 8 percent, while the new members who defeated them have a combined average score of 88 percent," Karpinski said.

The "Dirty Dozen" program targets members of Congress, regardless of party affiliation, who consistently vote against the environment and are running in races where LCV has a serious chance of affecting the outcome. LCV's success in 2006 brought these changes:

* Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA), who scored 90 percent in 2007, replaced Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), whose lifetime score was 7 percent.

* Sen. John Tester (D-MT), who scored 80 percent, replaced Sen. Conrad Burns, (R-MT), whose lifetime score was 5 percent * Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), who scored 100 percent, replaced Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), whose lifetime score was 7 percent.

* Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), who scored 100 percent, defeated Rep. Katherine Harris (R-FL), whose lifetime score was 15 percent.

* Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), who scored 73 percent, replaced Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), whose lifetime score was 15 percent.

* Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), who scored 75 percent, replaced Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC), whose lifetime score was 5 percent.

* Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), who scored 100 percent, replaced Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), whose lifetime score was 10 percent.

* Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), who scored 87 percent, replaced Sen. George Allen (R-VA), whose lifetime score was 1 percent.

Some of these Democrats may be too conservative for our tastes. Bill Nelson of Florida, for example. But they all are considerable improvements over what we had before. And keep in mind this is just a sampling based on races LCV specifically targeted. There are more that LCV did not target that were big improvements. Dave Loebsack in Iowa and John Yarmouth in Kentucky. Even Ellsworth in Indiana, one of the most conservative of Democrats, is better than the Republican he replaced given the heavily conservative district he represents.

This is progress. But progress is never easy or to be taken for granted. We need to follow up these victories in 2008. There are four goals in 2008.

1. Win the Senate. The 50/50 split in the Senate is one of the main obstacles to getting things done. We have several great opportunities to win Senate seats, particularly in Oregon, New Hampshire and Minnesota. Even in Texas we have a shot.

2. More Democrats in the House: the same kind of incremental improvements that LCV is describing can continue. We have lots of House pick up opportunities. Here are my top picks.

3. BETTER Democrats. Yep. Progress also means fighting WITHIN the party for better, more progressive Democrats. Here I have a list of primaries that are critical for progressives to win. We also have to defend those freshmen Democrats who are particularly progressive and who are being targeted by Republicans. Here is my list of Freshmen Allstars who are being targeted and who have been particularly good about keeping their promises to voters.

4. Winning the White House. I put this last because, although it gets the most attention, it may not be the most important. Okay, maybe it IS the most important. But WHOEVER is President, we need the Senate to be more Democratic and the House to be more Progressive. But winning the White House remains critical and if we win, we will be making history. Either Obama or Hillary as President would represent progress in a BIG way.

Help out with any of these you feel is most important.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

THE BUSHS ENDORSE McCAIN: America Unimpressed

REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION IN ALASKA: The VECO Scandal

ACCUSATIONS OF ELECTORAL FRAUD IN NYC: It's the machines

NY STATE FOCUS: Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Blue Jersey Radio, Peace Rallies, Groups and Events

TEXAS FOCUS: Alternative Energy, Rick Noriega for Senate, Groups and Events

ALASKA FOCUS: Groups and Events

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Impeachment, Groups and Events

FLORIDA FOCUS: Christine Jennings, Groups and Events

ARIZONA FOCUS: Progressive Canidates, Groups and Events

ILLINOIS FOCUS: Special Congressional Election: IL-14

ILLINOIS FOCUS: Groups and Events

NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS: Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

WISCONSIN FOCUS: Progressive Candidates, Groups and Events

IOWA FOCUS: Alternative Energy, Groups and Events