Shelia Smoot made sure the Birmingham Downtown Democrats knew she is the candidate "On your side" at their meeting last Friday. "Don't send a rookie to Congress," she said. Not coincidentally, Smoot hosts a daily radio show on WAGG 610 in Birmingham called "Smoot on Your Side"
All the Democratic candidates for the 7th congressional district spoke at the Downtown Democrats meeting on March 5th. It was a great opportunity to hear from the entire field and I have to say that all six candidates made good points. I'm not sure who I would vote for if I lived in AL-07. For the rest of the week we'll be posting video of each of the six Democrats in this race, in this order:
Fourth in our series is Shelia Smoot, Jefferson County Commissioner, consumer advocate, radio talk show host and businesswoman. Smoot is currently serving her second term on the Jefferson County Commission. She's the best public speaker in the field, has a lot of charm on the stump and is running on her experience and accomplishments. One nit - she should have taken more notice of the "time's up" alarm. The Downtown Democrats performed a near-miracle in shoehorning all six congressional candidates into one lunch meeting -- and Smoot was the only one to seriously exceed her time limit. She's a super-energetic candidate, though.
Selected quotes in italics:
"I'm Shelia Smoot and I'm on your side, your side, and your side. And I've been on your side a long time."
"I fought hard for those who couldn't fight for themselves. For those who couldn't hire a lawyer at expensive rates. "
"I'm the person that's been fighting a long time, see? Before I got elected, before I was on television, I was fighting in college ... See, I've been fighting a long time. You don't just start fighting when you want to run for Congress ... you fight before you get there."
"See, it really doesn't matter who you elect, what matters is what they're going to do. What really matters is what have they been doing before they get there."
"Folks, when you send somebody to Congress, don't send a neophyte, don't send a rookie. Congress is a tough job and it needs somebody that's going to be tough on the policies there and someone that's going to bring things home to this community."
Smoot listed some of her accomplishments in Jefferson County:
29 new schools
Supported a 1 cent school tax
Senior citizens complex
New walking tracks
New roads.
"Go look at all the things that have been done and you don't need a rookie going to Congress. You need someone who understands the dynamic."
"In Panola, Alabama, Sumter County where my family is from... when they brought the waste treatment plant. ... The guy told me, "we already cut the deal." On the backs of poor people. That plant is still in my community, where my family grew up. We've got coal ash in Perry County. The EPA says it's safe. They didn't even have a public hearing."
"We've got some issues folks, and they are big issues. You need to send somebody who cares and gets it done.I'm that person. I'm committed to work for you."
"I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure the 7th congressional district gets its fair share. But first I'm going to make sure that people are treated fairly. That's my job. I've been doing it a long time."
"In Wilcox county, they don't have technology, they don't have broadband. I have 2 cell phones and can't get a signal. ... Is there a reason they don't have a bridge?"
"Let's talk about education and jobs. .... We need infrastructure, we need roads and bridges, we need broadband, another superhighway. Folks we do need healthcare."
"I'm for labor, but you know it would be nice if the female candidates in this race, got an opportunity to be interviewed by ALFA. We did not. It would be very intriguing if the women in this race would be allowed to be interviewed by all the unions. We were not given that opportunity. So no, some of us don't have those endorsements. But you are talking to Shelia Smoot, UAW proud and UAW strong."
"I don't need an endorsement for a union; I am union."
"As we see people flip and flop as Democrats ... See, I'm telling you I am a Democrat, I don't have it on my flyer. I am a Democrat. ... I've been a Democrat a long, long time. We don't need another pretend Democrat -- can we say Parker Griffith?"
"We must stop playing games with the lives that we serve, we must stop playing games with the economy and health care. ... You can help send the right person to Congress. Because right now we have the 7 congressional districts and as far as I'm concerned, 6 of them are Republican."
"I'm a journalist first, and an elected official, not a politician. Because my job is to work for you. And I can do that."
"I'm prepared, I'm ready. I'm strong. I'm smart, I'll do my homework. And when it's time to take the hit, I won't tuck my tail and run away from the tough decisions."
"I will vote for health care, I will vote for hate crimes. I will stand strong for the people who cannot stand for themselves. And for the rest of you, I'll stand strong for you , too. My door is always open."
"Make sure you send the right person to Congress at the right time and the time is now."
"I want to make a difference in somebody else's life, other than my own."
Shelia Smoot is running on her experience and her accomplishments. Of this field, she is probably the candidate who best understands just how the legislative sausage making process really works -- and there is some benefit in having a representative with no illusions about how Congress works. It's not pretty.
Folks, I've spent the last two weeks dealing with computer crashes, software glitches, and equipment malfunctions. My apologies for the length of time it took to get this in the can.
The main reason I support Constitutional Reform in Alabama goes back to a U.S. Supreme Court case I read in law school, Hunter v. Underwood, 471 U.S. 222 (1985). It is from that case that I learned about the overtly racist origins of our current Alabama constitution of 1901. Since then, I feel a shame in my gut for the invidious racism that underlies the fundamental document that creates our state government.
During and after Reconstruction and at the time our Alabama constitution was adopted, the southern states were not that subtle about using laws taking away the right to vote from those who committed certain criminal offenses (even misdeameanors) to disinfranchise blacks to try to get around the 14th and 15th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which had extended those rights to blacks. As one journal article suggests, "The disenfranchisement laws adopted in a number of southern states were not at all subtle, often requiring the loss of voting rights only for those offenses believed to be committed primarily by blacks." That frighteningly racist intent was stated openly, the same journal quotes the author of the Alabama disinfranchisement provision, who "estimated the crime of wife-beating alone would disqualify sixty percent of the Negroes."
The Supreme Court opinion documents the undeniable racist intent of the Alabama constitution. Noting for example, that "John B. Knox, president of the convention, stated in his opening address:
"And what is it that we want to do? Why it is, within the limits imposed by the Federal Constitution, to establish white supremacy in this State."
1 Official Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of the State of Alabama, May 21st, 1901 to September 3rd, 1901, p. 8 (1940)."
So, for me, this Alabama Constitution of 1901 represents Klan robes that continue to cloak this troubled state government of Alabama. Let the Klan robes come off!
Bingo came to a head this week – sort of. It has been a general boil on the body of Alabama for months. It has been a specific boil on both bodies of the Alabama Legislature this entire session. But the bingo boil came to a head this week – sort of.
The bingo bills encountered rough going from the very start. They were written by the most powerful bingo operators. Every provision enlarged the more powerful and diminished the less powerful. But all the bingo people could not agree on the proposed bill. Yes, the bingo boil came to a head this week – sort of.
The long and the short of it is that the bingo bills were not passed, and their sponsors were not optimistic that they would pass if brought up again this session. Sanders does not advise allowing this problem to fester.
We must lance the boil or do something else to bring bingo to a real head.
I have introduced two pieces of legislation that I think will help. On February 17, I introduced a simple measure providing for a statewide bingo commission to overlay all the Constitutional Amendments and resolve the legal issue. It would go into effect immediately. Those that are legal would be free to operate and those that are illegal would be shut down. Some of the crazy politics would be brought to an end.
The day after the bingo bills failed, I introduced a second proposal to let folk vote just on the question of bingo. There are no provisions for the big bingo bosses or anyone else. The people will vote “yes” or “no” just on the question of whether bingo should be legal. If they vote yes, additional laws would be passed to regulate and tax it.
I believe that these two pieces of legislation would really bring the bingo boil to a full head. However, if someone else has different ideas that work better, I will support those. I just know the bingo boil must be brought to a full head, not sort of.
Now, let's look at what our gubernatorial candidates are advocating. Both Artur Davis and Ron Sparks have recently sent out statements on this issue.
Temporary AL-05 Congressman Parker Griffith and his new best friend, Congressman John Boehner, weren't the only attractions in Huntsville, AL on Monday.
The labor unions in North Alabama also held their promised monthly news conference demanding their money back from Griffith. Just a few minutes later, Griffith and Boehner held a "press availability."
The Griffith/Boehner event was pretty short - by design it appears. An LIA member was in the hotel lobby and watched as the Congressmen's "handlers" prepped them for the presser. If only we'd had a camera handly for that one! The Congressmen were told by a finger-waving staffer to "keep your answers short and non-committal" and "don't take many questions."
Earl Hilliard, Jr. is no stranger to the Harbert Center where the Birmingham Downtown Democrats met last Friday. "As a child I used to sit in this room and I thought I'd go into politics, then when I got a little older I thought maybe I wouldn't go into politics." Hilliard left Alabama and left politics for a while, but after a stint in California and Washington, DC, he decided to come back home, step off the sidelines and get involved again, first in the Alabama Legislature and now running for Congress.
All the Democratic candidates for the 7th congressional district spoke at the Downtown Democrats meeting on March 5th. It was a great opportunity to hear from the entire field and I have to say that all six candidates made good points. I'm not sure who I would vote for if I lived in AL-07. For the rest of the week we'll be posting video of each of the six Democrats in this race, in this order:
"Most people think because of my family lineage in politics, that it was always a definite that I'd do politics. But I kind of changed my mind and actually ran real far away from it. Went corporate with Coca-Cola, was the director of government relations with Morehouse College .. then moved back to Los Angeles to do the entertainment law thing for a while."
"I tried to run away from it, came back to Alabama ... I figured I should step off the sidelines and get involved."
Hilliard touted his accomplishments as a freshman legislator in Montgomery:
Pay increase for foster parents and foster children's bill of rights.
"We have to do what our job is, and that is passing laws, but we also have be a part of our community and be involved. It's not enough just to say we're going to be involved, we have to take the bull by the horns and we have to get involved."
"And working bipartisan, working in the Alabama State House with good men and women, that's how we've gotten things accomplished."
"I think that one of the things I bring to the table is the ability to work with everybody. I've been able to get the endorsement of the Congressional Black Caucus ... because they understand that I believe in education. They understand that I believe in health care. They understand that I believe in lowering crime, because all those things are important."
"These men and women of labor, who support us ... they understand that I'm one of them, and I am third generation union."
"We all have track records. ... I have a track record of community service ..."
"If we're going to give back, and we're taking your family's and our family's lives in our hands and making laws, we should feel the need to do that in our daily life, not only to talk about it, but to do those kind of things."
"In Congress I plan on doing things that deal with economic development, which is the number one thing in my platform, economic development."
"Now, people always ask me, well how are you going to create jobs? Every single candidate says economic development. ... There are three different things you can do for economic development on the local level."
"It's called economic gardening. ... One, you offer tax incentives and tax abatements for companies, small businesses and medium sized businesses ... to be able to grow and expand when they want to hire new employees. But also the connectivity. Putting those ... companies with other agencies that supply them and help them out."
"The other thing is actually giving them market data and research ... to small and medium sized businesses. ... If we turned a lot of our incentive efforts inside the state and support and maintain the businesses we have, we can keep them thriving and allow them to grow and expand."
"Everybody knows education is a problem. ... Make sure we streamline, make things better."
"I always tell people, look at your constituency. Look at the people you serve with, look at the people that I work with Ask about my work ethic."
(
I'm promoting this story/report of "Mooncat's" as -- perhaps like others here -- I missed it last night and believe it's worthy of some focused attention, not just a passing glance. - promoted by BenGoshi)
Alabama's state budget year runs from October 1 to September 30th. Normally that's no big deal, but next year it puts us in danger of losing out on 3 months of higher federal Medicaid reimbursement from a provision in the Jobs for Main Street Act and its counterpart in the Senate. Congress extended federal medical assistance percentages (FMAPs) to provide a higher rate of Medicaid reimbursement to states, but as currently written, that higher rate only runs through June, 2011.After that, reimbursments will drop, meaning less federal money for a state budget that's already leaner than a homeless hound dog.
Congressman Artur Davis (D, AL-07) sent a letter to House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid, urging them to restructure the FMAPs to provide higher reimbursement through the end of Alabama's fiscal year.
“The fact that Alabama’s fiscal year starts as late as it does should not penalize low-income Alabama families dependent on Medicaid” stated Congressman Davis . “I am requesting that Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid make a reasonable accommodation so that our state receives the benefit of a much needed influx of new federal dollars for our Medicaid program.”
Texas and Michigan would be in a similar situation because their fiscal years also extend past June 30. Rep. John Conyers (D, MI) and four Texas Representatives signed the letter along with Davis.
You can read the letter here. As you can see, the temporary increase was for 6 months, to get cash strapped states through the 2010 fiscal year -- except all fiscal years don't end in June.
I seem to recall hearing folks suggest the State of Alabama could benefit by changing the fiscal year to a July 1-June 30 system. Does anyone have thoughts on such a move? Given how resistant to change state government has been, it's hard to imagine that change taking root.
Rep. Laura Hall to host “One Woman Can Change The World” to celebrate Women's History Month in Huntsville. If not for the fact that this is at 7 am, Friday morning I would definitely attend, just not sure I can drag myself to Huntsville at that hour. http://bit.ly/chsfCp
Artur Davis to speak to North Alabama African-American Chamber of Commerce about economic plan and small businesses in Huntsville. The event is Friday at noon and you need to RSVP by 4 pm today. http://bit.ly/ad91i9
The Madison County Democratic Executive Committee will meet tonight at 7 pm at the Optimist Rec. Center, 703 Oakwood Ave. E, in Huntsville (just east of Andrew Jackson Way and I-565 on Oakwood Ave.)
Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries (and gubernatorial candidate) Ron Sparks will be the guest speaker.
Qualifying for county offices and the County Democratic Executive Committee will open at this meeting, which is free and open to the public.
Qualifying closes for all Democratic candidates at 5 pm on April 2. Qualifying for county offices and county executive committees is typically opening at the Executive Committee meetings this month. Check with your local county chairman for the details in your county. Membership on the executive committee is an excellent way to be more involved and have a say in the direction of the Democratic party. The filing fee is typically small ($25 in Madison County) and you'd be surprised how often seats are vacant due to lack of interest.
Terri Sewell was unambiguous in her support for health care reform at the Downtown Democrats' lunch in Birmingham last Friday. She declared, "I will go to Congress and make sure that health care gets passed. A comprehensive health care bill that includes a public option." Sewell may not be the most polished public speaker in the field, but she came across as serious about the challenges facing the 7th District and sincere in her commitment to deal with those challenges.
All the Democratic candidates for the 7th congressional district spoke at the Downtown Democrats meeting on March 5th. It was a great opportunity to hear from the entire field and I have to say that all six candidates made good points. I'm not sure who I would vote for if I lived in AL-07. For the rest of the week we'll be posting video of each of the six Democrats in this race, in this order:
Second in our series is Terri Sewell, a Selma native, graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School and one of the only black public finance lawyers in Alabama. Ms. Sewell came back home to "work on behalf of our community to make sure that others have that same opportunity." Heaven knows, the 7th CD has long been a place where opportunity seldom knocks!
Selected quotes in italics:
"I'm running for Congress for one simple reason and that is to create opportunities and restore hope to the 7th congressional district."
"What I mean by that is rolling up my sleeves each and every day and making sure in Congress that I work, I work hard to actually bring back jobs to Alabama, I work hard to put businesses hiring again and I work hard on your behalf. It's critically important that we have someone in Congress who's a fighter, who will fight for the rights of all in the 7th congressional district, not just some."
"I came from a family of preachers, teachers and farmers who told me that the values of faith and hard work, personal responsibility and community service were the values that I should instill and move forward."
"With the help of scholarships and the Grace of God, and a whole bunch of loans, I got a chance to go to Princeton and Harvard Law School. The challenge with the 7th congressional district is that others have that same opportunity. I came back home so that I could work on behalf of our community to make sure that others have that same opportunity. And if given a chance in Congress, I will continue to work on behalf of all of the 7th congressional district."
"I'm asking for your vote because I know that I'm the candidate that can unite this whole district -- black and white, urban and rural, young and old -- behind our common vision and our shared concern. And that is that we deserve better in the 7th congressional district. We deserve better opportunities to attract industries. And we deserve better education for our children so that they can reach their God-given potential. We have to find jobs. We deserve better opportunities with health care. It should not be that the quality of the health care that you receive is dependent upon your zip code. But that is true. In 2010 in America, and in Alabama, and it's unacceptable."
"I understand what the issues are ... it's about job creation, it's the number one issue."
"I have been working ... as a finance attorney working on behalf of local authorities and helping local governments attract industries. Putting together public and private partnerships that actually attract industries which create jobs. I'm very proud of my representation of local water authorities in rural Alabama ..."
"I believe that I have the passion, the drive, the intellect, the desire, to represent the 7th congressional district. I will roll up my sleeves each and every day beause I was raised a fighter, I am a fighter and I will fight on behalf of the 7th congressional district."
"Education I believe is the best economic plan ever devised - a good education."
Sewell used her father's medical situation to illustrate the complexity of the Medicare system and the need to reduce inefficiencies and simplify the health care system.
"I will go to Congress and make sure that health care gets passed. A comprehensive health care legislation that includes a public option. It's critically important for all of this district. And do know that I will fight for that."
"We need someone who will zealously advocate on behalf of all of us. I am that person. We need leadership that's ethical. We need leadership that understands fiscal responsiblity and accountability. We need leadership that will listen."
Patricia Evans Mokolo was the surprise of the day at the Downtown Democrats' lunch in Birmingham last Friday. She was virtually unknown to me, but arrived early with a couple of her staff (it's a true grassroots campaign so they may constitute her entire staff) so I was able to speak with her one on one for a few minutes. She's a very passionate advocate for lifting people out of poverty and improving conditions in the 7th District which contains some of the poorest communities in this state and the highest unemployment rates. Mokolo is also very articulate and gave an excellent speech. Because she is a political newcomer, I didn't expect a great speech, but she surprised me.
All the Democratic candidates for the 7th congressional district spoke at the Downtown Democrats meeting on March 5th. It was a great opportunity to hear from the entire field and I have to say that all six candidates made good points and I'm not sure who I would vote for if I lived in AL-07. For the rest of the week we'll be posting video of each of the six Democrats in this race, in this order:
Patricia Evans Mokolo (below)
Terri Sewell
Earl Hilliard, Jr.
Shelia Smoot
Eddison Walters
Martha Bozeman
First up is Patricia Evans Mokolo, a Tuscaloosa native, Air Force veteran and former Obama field organizer who believes "Alabama needs a corruption-free leader in government."
Selected quotes in italics:
"This is the land of opportunity."
"My presence today is one that is unlikely to some and unexpected by others. Only in district 7 is my story born."
"I am a descendent of those who came before me from Greene County, Alabama where my mother's mother, my grandmother Maxine McCain, was born."
Mokolo told a her family's story, one of generational poverty, people living without electricity, running water, no indoor plumbing, health care -- a story all too common in Alabama and especially the 7th district.
"I know poverty firsthand. I have had a conversation with poverty most of my adult life."
"Some have a desire to work hard but can't because unemployment in America affects 18 million people. In Alabama's unemployment rate is 11%. It is even more prevalent in District 7 ..."
"We need to give companies incentives to keep jobs here in America. We need to create jobs by giving tax incentives to small businesses who hire employees at a higher rate than minimum wage."
"The truth is, my mother discovered long ago that there are really two Americas. In one America someone is complaining that they may not have enough to shop at Macy's while the other is debating whether to pay the electric bill or keep food on the table."
"In one America someone is travelling less, preserving their transportation cost while the other is having his car reposessed."
"In one America someone is living above the law while the others have to play by the rules."
"In one America mortgage companies are modifying home loans while the other is grieving home foreclosure."
"In one America someone can be seen by a doctor while the other is being denied care because of pre-existing conditions."
"We have work to do. Just as my mother rose above her circumstances, she also taught me to rise. So I'm saing today to District 7, it is time to rise. Now is the time to rise above our obscure conditions."
"I say it is time to eradicate poverty. Every person who wants to work should have the right to a job. And not only have a right to a job but the right to a decent, liveable wage. The right to equal pay for equal or comparable work. Thanks to Congress last night, for passing the Jobs Bill. Not only that, the right to adequate health care. It is an intimate, yet interconnected issue."
"I state to Democrats, when I'm elected to the office of Congress representing District 7, I won't treat it as if I'm being rewarded for service, it will be my calling to move this district forward out of the conditions by putting common sense into practice."
"It's time for our leaders to live up to a new standard, take the mask off and be true leaders as we were called to be. It's time to elect Patricia Evans Mokolo ..."
A short housekeeping reminder: anyone who posts diaries or comments at LIA and who is employed by a candidate or campaign must identify themselves as such.
During past elections, we've had a few issues where a campaign manager, consultant, etc. would make contributions to LIA under the guise of just being a candidate's supporter or interested citizen. Sometimes they were promoting their own campaign, but often, they were using their anonymity to disseminate derogatory information about their opponents.
That is simply not allowed and it is a bannable offense.
Candidates and their surrogates are more than welcome - even encouraged - to post and interact with our community. But it must be transparent. Usually the best way to do this is to create an account using your candidate's name: JaneDoeForCongress or JohnSmith-HD112.
It seemed to be a good time to post this short reminder because Mooncat and I have met a ton of Democratic candidates in the past week and most are interested in getting their message out to LIA readers. We just want to make sure they're doing it within our community rules.
One year after U.S stocks hit their post-financial-crisis low on March 9, 2009, the benchmark Standard & Poor’s 500 Index has risen more than 68 percent, and it’s up more than 41 percent since Obama took office. Credit spreads have narrowed. Commodity prices have surged. Housing prices have stabilized.
“We’ve had a phenomenal run in asset classes across the board,” said Dan Greenhaus, chief economic strategist for Miller Tabak & Co. in New York. “If he was a Republican, we would hear a never-ending drumbeat of news stories about markets voting in favor of the president.”
If this is what a Democratic President can do, America needs a lot more of it. And don't forget, he's done this with no help whatsoever from Republicans in Congress, who have voted NO on every single economic initiative, hoping Obama's failure would help them return to power. Not happening, dudes.
It's a great day for former supporters of Parker Griffith who have been frustrated by the refrain of "You contributed in 2008 and that money is just gone. Much as we'd like to, we can't give you a refund."
Griffith spokeswoman Heather Johnson said Tuesday evening that after the $2,000 donation from Rangel and $5,000 donation from Rangel's political action committee were brought to Griffith's attention, he decided to cut the check to the Madison County Veterans Memorial Foundation.
Griffith had to do this because a WAFF-48 reporter was sharp enough to ask him about Rangel's contributions yesterday and his non-answer was reflecting badly on John Boehner -- who was foolish enough to be standing next to PG as he fabricated a silly excuse about not having any idea where his money comes from.
Bur, hey! However it happened, it's a great day for 2008 donors disappointed with our Representative. If they can find Charlie Rangel's money, they can find mine.And the UAW's. And the Steelworkers'. Etc., etc. ...
And we're all proud liberals, so surely our money is just about as bad as Rangel's. I mean, what self-respecting Republican would stoop so low as to spend liberal-blogger, labor-union, tree-hugger, practically socialist dollars in a Republican primary? No genuine Republican, that's for sure.
Call 256-881-5059 (during business hours) to get on the refund list. Accept no excuses -- and the "that 2008 money is just gone" line was obviously just that, an excuse for Parker to welch on his rash promise of a refund to any disappointed supporters.
If he had a shred of honor or of sense, he'd refund the money to anyone who asked and put this whole story to bed. I'm betting he has neither.
"George W. Bush was the biggest spending president in the history of the republic, but his record is now threatened. George W. Bush almost doubled the national debt during his eight years as president..."
Those words were spoken by David M. Walker, former U.S. Comptroller and the president of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation on NPR's Fresh Air With Terry Gross. He was on to promote his book "Comeback America: Turning the Country Around and Restoring Fiscal Responsibility."
By the way, he's also a Republican.
He has some very interesting things to say. It's a must-hear, especially for LIVers (Low Information Voters).
Temporary Alabama Congressman (and noted political adulterer) Parker Griffith has been telling the media that "liberals" were behind yesterday's protest at his poorly-attended, low-dollar fundraiser with Congressman John Boehner:
h/t to Go Blue and the Decatur Daily:
“I am standing by my principles, and I will not be deterred by these liberal groups that are intent on ramming through a health-care reform package that is bad for our country and opposed by the vast majority of the American people,” he said.
He said he would work with Boehner to stop President Barrack Obama’s health care plan.
Perhaps if he hadn't chosen to huddle in the back of a vehicle and sneak into his own fundraiser, the good doctor would have noticed the plethora of TEA party activists, Mo Brooks supporters, and Les Phillips supporters. Surely, Congressman Boehner would liked to have seen the sign that - all things considered - asked him rather politely to leave town.
Perhaps if he took the time to read the press release or even watch a few minutes of news coverage, the doctor-turned-funeral-home-owner-turned-TURNCOAT-Congressman might have noticed that Ms. Christie Carden of the Huntsville TEA Party group was the principle organizer.
Note to Parker.... It's not wise to ignore or annoy these people. They're out for blood: yours. And not one Democrat in the 5th district would donate a drop to save you.
PASS THE POPCORN!
More photos on the flip. Ask yourself: do some of these people appear to be liberals to you?
Americans United for Change launched a series of robocalls targeting 10 potentially vulnerable House GOP lawmakers, as well as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
...
The group launched 250,000 robocalls in Arizona targeting McCain, and 400,000 robocalls in the districts of the following lawmakers: Reps. Parker Griffith (Ala.), Mary Bono (Calif.), Ken Calvert (Calif.), Daniel Lungren (Calif.). Mark Kirk (Ill.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Pat Tiberi (Ohio), Lee Terry (Neb.), Jean Schmidt (Ohio), and David Reichert (Wash.).
Here's the call script:
I’m calling from Americans United for Change.
Congressman Parker Griffith is happy to let the government pay for his health care, but last November, Congressman Griffith voted against requiring that ordinary Americans be eligible to buy the same health insurance as Members of Congress.
Parker Griffith may enjoy being an important member of Congress, but when it comes to his health care he should be no better than the rest of us.
Call Congressman Parker Griffith at 202-225-3121. Tell him to support health care reform now.
We know Parker Griffith is happy to let the government pay his bills -- not only health care, but postage and advertising, too. Let's hope PG doesn't get to enjoy being a member of Congress much longer.
Griffith had a bad Monday, what with the right and left ganging up on him at that fundraiser yesterday, and this ought to make his Tuesday a good deal livelier than he likes. Even if you didn't get the robocall, pitch in and call Griffith at 202-225-3121 and tell him to support health care reform now.
I have laid out the foundation of my platform in three preliminary issue stances. Below each issue, you can even endorse my position and send me a comment. (I love getting endorsements, especially yours.)
Using the “Tell a Friend” page, you can easily spread the word about our campaign.
I am excited about the upcoming months of the campaign. The people of Alabama deserve an independent leader who will break the partisan paralysis in Washington.
Thanks for your support.
I'm glad he's starting to focus more on social media. That's becoming a much more important tool for campaigns. As voters trust media, ads, and even candidates less, they do still trust their friends. I like it when a candidate makes it easy for me to distribute information about them on blogs or Facebook.
After you enjoy the new Web site, send Josh some $$ to help him defeat Mike Rogers!
The question is not whether the current bill is the best possible health care reform bill; the question is whether this bill is better than the status quo. Only a fool or a Republican would think it's not.
Artur Davis, you, and I all know that this bill is the closest thing we are going to get to universal health care this session. Artur Davis has made it clear that his opposition to the bill is based on "cost containment issues," which is the GOP talking point for their opposition as well. He is not opposing this because it's not single payer or doesn't contain a public option; he is opposing it from the right. It is fundamentally dishonest to suggest otherwise.
Have you ever heard a more pathetic bunch of BS? It's positively Parker Griffith-esque in its attempt to throw a tiny rhetorical bone to Democrats while maintaining a solidly Republican stance on the issue.
Everyone check their in-boxes for the latest email from MoveOn.org. They are doing a big survey today of all members and it will determine the policy moving forward on healthcare reform. It is a fascinating example of democracy in action, and if you have a strong opinion (which I do) then this is the time to express your feelings and influence the stance this massive group is going to take. There are arguments for going with the President's plan and arguments for taking nothing less than the public option.
Here is what my official ballot looks like.
**OFFICIAL BALLOT** Dear MoveOn member, We're holding a full-membership vote TODAY to chart our course on health care. Can you weigh in? As you've probably read, President Obama and Democrats in Congress are aiming to pass a final health care package before the end of March. Not every detail is decided yet, but the final package will most likely look like the plan President Obama released two weeks ago. (For more information, see below.) The president has offered a proposal that resembles the health care bill the Senate passed in December, but with a few key fixes. It's definitely not the bill most of us hoped for at the start of this fight, but it does do some important things. And we need to know if MoveOn members want to support or oppose it. Can you vote today? All votes must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (PST) tomorrow, Wednesday, March 10th. The official question is: "Should MoveOn support or oppose the final health care bill if it looks like the plan recently proposed by President Obama?" http://www.moveon.org/healthcarevote/?id=19291-7778177-ER2AQwx&t=1 Before you vote, you'll be able to see arguments for both options from other MoveOn members, and afterwards, you can post your own argument for or against supporting the bill. MoveOn members have worked long and hard to win health care reform. The president's proposal doesn't include a public option, a key component we've pushed for—and regardless of what we decide together today, we'll keep fighting to pass a public option. But with big votes coming up, we need your input on the president's health care proposal. Click here to vote today: http://www.moveon.org/healthcarevote/?id=19291-7778177-ER2AQwx&t=2
Not only will the results be interesting, after you vote you can help them evaluate the actual message with a rating system. This is a great strategy for them to try to be representative of a very splintered progressive movement when it comes to healthcare options.
Let's even do our own survey with the same questions here at LIA!
Make that OUR 2008 money!
Surely, Congressman Boehner would liked to have seen the sign that - all things considered - asked him rather politely to leave town. 
