Obama campaign, not Iowa Democratic Party, to coordinate GOTV in Iowa (desmoinesdem)

According to this report at Iowa Independent, the Iowa Democratic Party's "coordinated campaign" for getting out the vote has been disbanded, with "field staff that was previously working for down-ticket races now being placed on the payroll of Obama's presidential campaign and working almost entirely on its behalf." Bleeding Heartland is worried about how this will affect Democratic candidates in some battleground state legislative districts.

Posted at 07/04/2008 12:50:56 PM EST - #

Some 4th of July Trivia (fbihop)

Here's a bit of trivia about the Fourth of July.

Posted at 07/04/2008 12:47:23 PM EST - #

VIDEO: McCain Denies Economics Comments, DNC Releases Web Video Proving Otherwise (Matt Ortega)

John McCain denied previous comments about his grasp on economics in an appearance on Good Morning America.

The Democratic National Committee released this web video that proves otherwise:

Disclaimer: I work for the Democratic National Committee.

Posted at 07/02/2008 03:26:02 PM EST - #

MN-Sen: Norm Coleman's record on education (MN Campaign Report)

Second in a series, diarist Jeff Rosenberg casts a skeptical eye on Norm Coleman's record on education. Have a read.

Posted at 07/02/2008 03:23:48 PM EST - #

Liveblog: Obama in Colorado Springs (em dash)

We're liveblogging Obama's speech on national service in Colorado Springs -- smack in the backyard of James Dobson and Focus on the Family who tried to pick a fight with the presumptive Democratic nominee last week.

Posted at 07/02/2008 01:27:39 PM EST - #

Pelosi Heads To Netroots Nation (Josh Orton)

She'll participate in an interactive "Ask the Speaker" keynote. As one of the organizers, it's my duty to nag you to register now.

Posted at 07/02/2008 12:31:33 PM EST - #

Moveon to make July 9 a "Day of Action for an Oil-Free President" (desmoinesdem)

Moveon.org is organizing a "National Day of Action for an Oil-Free President" on July 9. Members will hold events at gas stations around the country in order to inform voters and the media that

John McCain's campaign is run by oil lobbyists,1 it's funded by oil companies,2 his policies are straight out of Big Oil's playbook,3 and he won't solve our energy crisis.

Bleeding Heartland has the full text of an e-mail from Moveon.org about this event. It includes footnotes supporting the assertions in that quote and a link you can click if you want to attend a gas station event next Wednesday.

Posted at 07/02/2008 02:13:16 AM EST - #

WA-8: Burner Loses Home to Fire (Sandwich Repairman)

article Sad.

Posted at 07/01/2008 11:22:26 PM EST - #

MN-Sen: Ethics Complaint Filed Against Republican Norm Coleman (Senate Guru)

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has filed an ethics complaint against Republican Norm Coleman over his questionable rental arrangement with his landlord, who also happens to be a Republican political operative whose wife works for Coleman (under her maiden name) and who has been paid about $1.6 million over the years by Coleman's PAC and campaigns. You can read the complaint in PDF format here. By "questionable" rental arrangement, we're talking about a $600 apartment (seemingly well below market value) whose rent is sometimes not paid and sometimes paid for in furniture. One can tell that Coleman is nervous based on his recent defensive, dismissive TV appearance.

Posted at 07/01/2008 10:01:11 PM EST - #

Richardson says Clinton would be a strong running mate (fbihop)

While Richardson's VP hopes are fading, he said Hillary Clinton would be a strong choice for Barack Obama.

Posted at 07/01/2008 06:49:15 PM EST - #

NM-01: Heinrich Raises Nearly $100,000 on ActBlue (fbihop)

Martin Heinrich raised nearly $100,000 in the final weeks of the quarter. His opponent, meanwhile, raised cash from a visit from President Bush.

Posted at 07/01/2008 06:07:43 PM EST - #

MS-03 Outgoing Congressman Pickering Files For Divorce (cottonmouthblog)

Only a few official details available. When he publicly declared only months ago that he would not seek re-election he stated a desire to spend more time with his family.

Posted at 07/01/2008 05:46:37 PM EST - #

McCain Confuses Sudan and Somalia (Josh Orton)

These things happen.

Posted at 07/01/2008 12:54:43 PM EST - #

KY-02: SUSA- Boswell (D) 47, Guthrie (R) 44 (MediaCzech)

SUSA's new poll shows Democrat David Boswell leading Republican Brett Guthrie 47-44% in the very conservative 2nd district of KY. This is an open seat vacated by Republican Ron Lewis.

The bad news is that Boswell will make Ben Chandler look like Dennis Kucinich.

Posted at 07/01/2008 01:56:25 AM EST - #

VIDEO: DCCC Launches Independence Day Radio Ad Campaign (Brandon English DCCC)

Chairman Chris Van Hollen announced today that the DCCC is launching the "Independence from Big Oil" campaign and will run radio ads against 13 House Republicans who stand with George Bush and Big Oil while America’s middle class families are being squeezed by the highest gas prices in history. The radio ads were recorded by a comedian impersonating President Bush.

Check out the full list of districts at www.dccc.org/independence

Posted at 06/30/2008 12:20:07 PM EST - #

The Modern Republican Party: A Compendium of Catastrophe (HellofaSandwich)

Here it is: the most comprehensive timeline of Republican hubris, f*ckups and misfortunes you will find anywhere, ever.

Posted at 06/30/2008 11:26:19 AM EST - #

Read this if you want to volunteer with flood recovery in Iowa (desmoinesdem)

The State of Iowa has created an Iowa 2008 Floods Information Site, where you can click on "Volunteer Opportunities" or "AmeriCorps Volunteers" if you want to register as a disaster volunteer. Then volunteer coordinating agencies can connect you with a community in need of assistance. More details on the AmeriCorps member deployment in Iowa can be found here. The initial focus will be on the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor.

Posted at 06/27/2008 05:45:50 PM EST - #

Wes Clark endorses Mark Begich (AK-SEN) (Matt Browner Hamlin)

Wes Clark:“Mark will restore Alaskans trust with his commitment to honest leadership.”

Posted at 06/27/2008 02:57:09 PM EST - #

New Majority Action Fund ad against Smith in OR (Jerome Armstrong)

Posted at 06/27/2008 02:48:08 PM EST - #

IA-05: Steve King gets "jackass award" (desmoinesdem)

Over at the Washington Independent, Spencer Ackerman has given Iowa Congressman Steve King the "jackass award" for saying, among other things, that "we can't trust interrogators who want to 'cuddle up to someone' to get the truth." Bleeding Heartland has discussed quite a few other reasons to support Democrat Rob Hubler against this national embarrassment. It's also worth noting that while running in Iowa's reddest district (R+8), Hubler released a strong statement opposing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that the House approved on June 20.

Posted at 06/27/2008 08:55:46 AM EST - #

OR-SEN: Gordon Smith was "one of the first to stand up to George Bush". Oh really? (karichisholm)

In a TV spot getting wall-to-wall airplay in Oregon, Gordon Smith claims he was "one of the first to stand up to George Bush and other Republicans to end this War."

Puh-leeze. Here's the response from Jeff Merkley. Be sure to watch all the way to the end -- and don't have any liquids in your mouth (or your monitor will hate you.)



p.s. The woman on the left, former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse (D-OR), now claims she "misspoke" - but the Smith campaign says it was an accurate script. The ad is still on the air. Go figure.

Posted at 06/27/2008 01:14:16 AM EST - #

San Francisco Mayor Laid The Foundation for Marriage Ruling (utbrian)

It might not be who you are thinking. George Moscone, who was killed along with Harvey Milk by conservative former City Supervisor Dan White, put the ball in motion that ultimately led to the decision in In Re Marriage Cases. More at Calitics.

Posted at 06/26/2008 06:36:18 PM EST - #

LA-06: A Republican Sits Down (DailyKingFish)

One of the challengers, Laurinda Calongne, to Woody Jenkins announced today that she will not run this fall. That leaves Woody Jenkins, and State Senator Bill Cassidy to vie for the Republican line against Congressman Don Cazayoux.

Posted at 06/26/2008 02:01:30 PM EST - #

Obama to Visit Alaska (Matt Browner Hamlin)

Anchorage Daily News reports: ""That is the plan -- we are pretty sure he's going to come at the end of the summer," said Kat Pustay, who was named Wednesday as Obama's Alaska director."

Posted at 06/26/2008 10:57:31 AM EST - #

Link to roll call vote on FISA cloture motion (desmoinesdem)

Here's the roll call vote. It was 80-15, with Obama, McCain, Clinton, Kennedy, and Byrd not voting. I'm proud to note that Iowa's own Tom Harkin tried to stop this bad bill. Watch out for some of those 80 (likely to include Harry Reid) who voted yes on the cloture motion but will make a big show of voting against the bill once it is certain to pass.

Posted at 06/26/2008 01:51:15 AM EST - #

KY-Sen: Mitch vs. Predator (MediaCzech)

Mitch McConnell has a new Libertarian challenger with an excellent pedigree, being "Billy" from the 1987 classic "Predator", also starring Jesse Ventura and Ahnold.

Sonny Landham is also a ex-porn star, wife beater and good buddy of white supremacists. So yea, we'll have some fun in KY with this.

Posted at 06/26/2008 12:15:28 AM EST - #

AK-SEN: Begich Hits Court, Stevens for Exxon Ruling (Matt Browner Hamlin)

Mark Begich responded to today's Supreme Court ruling that slashed the Exxon Valdez oil spill ruling, criticizing Ted Stevens for inaction on behalf of Alaska families hurt by Exxon.

Posted at 06/25/2008 04:31:40 PM EST - #

LA-07: A Democrat Steps to the Plate (DailyKingFish)

Are you with Junior? Don Cravins, Jr., that is. The Daily Kingfish has more.

Posted at 06/25/2008 10:49:50 AM EST - #

MN-Sen: Coleman's record on employment issues (MN Campaign Report)

The first in a series, MNCR diarist Jeff Rosenberg takes on the task of outlining incumbent Republican Norm Coleman's spotty record on employment issues. Keep watching for Jeff's issue-by-issue series, as it will be an invaluable resource through November.

Posted at 06/25/2008 07:57:53 AM EST - #

Louisiana Legislature Goes OUT (DailyKingFish)

The Daily Kingfish has a synopsis of some of the more memorable bills.

Posted at 06/24/2008 08:39:49 PM EST - #

MS-02: Chairman Thompson Takes On Gov. Barbour on Housing (cottonmouthblog)

Republican Governor Haley Barbour has attempted to divert money away from housing and into expanding a port, increasing judicial salaries and building a road. Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson is not pleased.

Posted at 06/24/2008 05:47:28 PM EST - #

NM-Sen: Udall Up 28 (fbihop)

Sorry for all the Breaking Blue posts, but this one is huge.

Tom Udall is up 28 points. Yeah, that's not a typo. Up 28 points over a fellow U.S. Rep. in the Senate race. Incredible. No wonder SSP dubbed Udall Tom Udall, Republican slayer.

Posted at 06/23/2008 08:29:38 PM EST - #

BIG News In NY: Joe Bruno Will Not Seek Re-election (lipris)

The most powerful Republican in New York, State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, will not seek re-election. I think they just threw in the towel on the whole chamber.

Posted at 06/23/2008 06:52:06 PM EST - #

Obama Up Eight in New Mexico (fbihop)

Obama is up eight percent in the latest Rasmussen poll in New Mexico.

Posted at 06/23/2008 01:17:31 PM EST - #

NY-13: GOP Candidate Frank Powers Has Passed Away (lipris)

Frank Powers died Sunday of an apparent heart attack.

Posted at 06/23/2008 08:30:06 AM EST - #

The Tim Tagaris Story (lowkell)

Tim Tagaris is a former U.S. Marine, netroots superstar, and a main character in Nate Wilcox's and my new book "Netroots Rising." For the story of how Tim Tagaris got into politics, worked magic for Paul Hackett and Ned Lamont, see here and here. Thanks.

Posted at 06/23/2008 07:37:58 AM EST - #

NM-Sen: Oilman vs Environmentalist (fbihop)

The New Mexico Senate race offers a clear choice between the two candidates in New Mexico especially on environmental issues.

Posted at 06/22/2008 09:05:00 PM EST - #

New Jersey Congressman Claims In State Tuition in Virginia? (notlarrysabato)

See it here. Chris Smith has some explaining to do.

Posted at 06/21/2008 02:41:44 PM EST - #

MN-Sen: Coleman campaign jumps shark, attacks bloggers (MN Campaign Report)

You read that right: the Coleman campaign went off the deep end Friday, devoting a spot on their front page to attacking bloggers (including me) who were asking questions about an odd-looking campaign ad involving Coleman's wife. They also went to the trouble of filming a parody ad of someone wearing an Al Franken mask and getting spliced into a video. It might have been funny if it weren't so shark-jumpy.

Posted at 06/21/2008 08:00:55 AM EST - #

Sierra Club and United Steelworkers jointly endorse Obama (desmoinesdem)

The leaders of the Sierra Club and United Steelworkers appeared together in Cleveland on Friday to endorse Barack Obama for president. Bleeding Heartland has the Sierra Club's statement on the endorsement, as well as some background on the "Blue Green Alliance" that Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers formed two years ago.

Posted at 06/21/2008 05:40:33 AM EST - #

Your Austin Guide to Netroots Nation (KTinTX)

Coming to Netroots Nation in Austin? Want to find out where the best bars are? What about housing and hotels? Transportation options or restaurants? Unofficial events and parties going on in town?

Then check out Burnt Orange Report's grassroots guide to Austin for Netroots Nation.

Posted at 06/21/2008 12:16:06 AM EST - #

James Meredith Appears At Mississippi Lawyers For Obama Event (cottonmouthblog)

James Meredith helped integrate Southern Colleges and his courage helped secure greater civil rights for black Americans. Guest poster David McCarty writes about a meeting of Mississippi Lawyers for Obama. Barack Obama And The Birth Of The Southern Shield

Posted at 06/20/2008 08:16:49 PM EST - #

AK-Sen: AFL-CIO Endorses Mark Begich (Matt Browner Hamlin)

The Alaska AFL-CIO just endorsed Mark Begich for US Senate. Traditionally the national follows the lead of the state affiliate.

Posted at 06/20/2008 03:27:26 PM EST - #

House 2008: Who's Going to be Progressive? (HellofaSandwich)

Crisitunity looks at the likeliest House races that will flip to the Democrats this year and uses a demographic analysis to break down each possible freshman by their probable caucus affiliation: Progressive, New Dem, or Blue Dog.

Posted at 06/20/2008 02:33:52 PM EST - #

Louisiana House Race Roundup (DailyKingFish)

There's been a flurry of activity in Congressional races throughout Louisiana in advance of the July 9 - 11 qualifying period.

Over in LA-01, there may be a challenger to Steve Scalise (R). Over in LA-02, Congressman Jefferson may have seen a fatal blow to his re-election hopes when his sister decided to testify against his siblings in another Jefferson family scandal. Over in LA-04, the DCCC added Paul Carmouche to the Red to Blue List. Over in LA-06, we take a look at the Republican opposition to Congressman Cazayoux.

Posted at 06/20/2008 10:37:00 AM EST - #

McCain Visited Iowa Over Governor's Objections (chase martyn)

Governor Culver asked McCain not to divert resources from flood recovery by visiting Iowa, but McCain visited Iowa anyway.

Posted at 06/20/2008 01:00:21 AM EST - #

This guy thinks Bush is a "Great President" (Tracy Joan)

He's running against the very awesome Bev Perdue for Governor of my former homestate of North Carolina. I'm looking watching her win.

Posted at 06/19/2008 02:26:28 PM EST - #

MN-Sen: Coleman adds wife to TV ad via green-screen (MN Campaign Report)

Looks like Norm Coleman's wife Laurie couldn't make it back to Minnesota for a family-highlighting TV ad -- so the campaign green-screened her in to make it *look* like she was there. Modern technology, folks. It's amazing. Except when it isn't, and it ends up looking cheesy *and* makes Coleman's curious domestic arrangements fair game on the campaign trail.

Posted at 06/19/2008 12:50:20 PM EST - #

NM, CO-Sen: Pearce Confuses Mark, Tom Udall (fbihop)

We have two Udall cousins running for Congress. One is Mark Udall (Colorado) the other is Tom Udall (New Mexico). Simple, right?

Not for Steve Pearce, GOP candidate in New Mexico.

Posted at 06/18/2008 10:07:53 PM EST - #

Kissell leads Hayes in NC-08 (The Southern Dem)

The most recent poll is out for North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District race and it shows Larry Kissell leading Robin Hayes in a pure unadulterated head-to-head match up. The poll, conducted by Anzalone Liszt, shows Kissell at 45% and Hayes at 43%.

Posted at 06/18/2008 10:42:38 AM EST - #