Possible Early Resignation Leaves Opening for DAPAC Candidate
Last week, reports emerged that former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, the Congressman from Illinois' 14th district, will probably be resigning before the end of his term. In August, Hastert announced that he would not seek reelection in 2008, but recent reports from Republican aides suggest he will resign near the end of this year. This news is especially exciting to DAPAC because we have already endorsed a great progressive candidate, John Laesch, in this district.
Laesch's campaign has stated that they are ready to fight and win this seat now. They have a strong grassroots organization, and many volunteers on the ground in the district. Laesch has a strong voice as a military veteran who wants to end the Iraq war now, and he will champion progressive values when elected to Congress.
Earlier this week, Hastert was vague on the issue of his early resignation. In an interview, he said that reports have been exaggerated, and that he is unsure of how long he will stay in Congress for now. There is speculation that Hastert is postponing a formal announcement to prevent a special election for this seat from being held on February 5th of next year, which is the date of the presidential primary. This primary is expected to bring high Democratic turnout, so it is in the Republican interest to delay Hastert's resignation.
Either way, John Laesch will fight for this seat, and is excited at the prospect of bringing progressive change to Congress earlier than expected. You can help us prepare for this early fight now and donate online by clicking here.
Democratic Presidential Candidates Address the Issues Voters Value
In a CBS News poll out this week, the Democrats running for president were rated higher than the Republicans for addressing the most important issues. A majority of Democrats (53%) say that the candidates in their party are addressing the issues relevant to them, while only 13% of Republicans felt the same about their candidates. In fact, Republicans, as well as Independents, believe that the Democratic field address the relevant issues more than the Republicans. These results, in addition to polls released in previous weeks, reaffirm the strength of the Democratic candidates, and the likelihood of a Democratic president in 2008.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Bush Vetoes Bill to Provide Healthcare for Uninsured Children; House Democrats Cannot Convince Republicans to Override Bush
Today House Democrats attempted to secure enough votes to override President Bush's veto on the bill expanding SCHIP, the program that provides health insurance to children whose families cannot afford coverage. Although the Senate already has the two-thirds majority needed, the House fell 13 votes short of overriding Bush. All of DAPAC's endorsed Congress members voted to expand the program and override Bush's veto.
Democrats seek to expand the program over five years to insure 10 million children. This expansion would cost $35 billion, and Democrats have proposed increasing taxes on cigarettes to fund the expansion. Bush and other Republicans have called the program too costly, but they find it all too easy to come up with funds for the war in Iraq – at least $150 billion has been allocated for 2008 alone. This shows just how skewed the Republicans' priorities are.
It seems that Americans are with the Democrats on this issue. In a CNN poll, 61% thought that Congress should override Bush, and only 35% thought that the veto should stand. House Democrats will continue to fight for SCHIP expansion, and have indicated that they are not willing to negotiate the size of the expansion. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the legislation is “not going away, because the children are not going away.”
New Numbers from the Presidential Race Indicate Democratic Promise
Democrats in the presidential field continue to outperform their Republican counterparts in both fundraising and polling. In a CNN poll released this week, respondents were first asked: Will you definitely/probably vote for a Democrat or a Republican in 2008? Democrats faired well, with 52% saying they would choose a Democrat, and 39% voting for a Republican. Another question in the poll used specific candidates to gauge the public support. The question asked respondents which candidate they thought is most likely to win the presidency in 2008, and the results were:
Clinton – 45%
Giuliani – 16%
Obama – 8%
Thompson – 5%
Edwards – 4%
McCain -- 4%
Also this week, fundraising numbers were released indicating that the top four Democrats (Clinton, Obama, Edwards, and Richardson) have a combined total of $104 million cash on hand, while the Republicans (Giuliani, Thompson, Romney, and McCain) have a comparatively-meager $36 million.
Together, these results show the promise of a Democratic president in 2008. It remains crucial not to forget Democratic candidates for Congress amid all the excitement over the presidential race, especially at this point in the election cycle. DAPAC already has strong progressive candidates running who will face early challenges in their primaries. We need your support now to ensure that the greatest number of progressives will be elected in 2008. Remember, even with a Democratic president, truly progressive legislation will only become law if Congress is committed to progressive values.
Today House Democrats attempted to secure enough votes to override President Bush's veto on the bill expanding SCHIP, the program that provides health insurance to children whose families cannot afford coverage. Although the Senate already has the two-thirds majority needed, the House fell 13 votes short of overriding Bush. All of DAPAC's endorsed Congress members voted to expand the program and override Bush's veto.
Democrats seek to expand the program over five years to insure 10 million children. This expansion would cost $35 billion, and Democrats have proposed increasing taxes on cigarettes to fund the expansion. Bush and other Republicans have called the program too costly, but they find it all too easy to come up with funds for the war in Iraq – at least $150 billion has been allocated for 2008 alone. This shows just how skewed the Republicans' priorities are.
It seems that Americans are with the Democrats on this issue. In a CNN poll, 61% thought that Congress should override Bush, and only 35% thought that the veto should stand. House Democrats will continue to fight for SCHIP expansion, and have indicated that they are not willing to negotiate the size of the expansion. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the legislation is “not going away, because the children are not going away.”
New Numbers from the Presidential Race Indicate Democratic Promise
Democrats in the presidential field continue to outperform their Republican counterparts in both fundraising and polling. In a CNN poll released this week, respondents were first asked: Will you definitely/probably vote for a Democrat or a Republican in 2008? Democrats faired well, with 52% saying they would choose a Democrat, and 39% voting for a Republican. Another question in the poll used specific candidates to gauge the public support. The question asked respondents which candidate they thought is most likely to win the presidency in 2008, and the results were:
Clinton – 45%
Giuliani – 16%
Obama – 8%
Thompson – 5%
Edwards – 4%
McCain -- 4%
Also this week, fundraising numbers were released indicating that the top four Democrats (Clinton, Obama, Edwards, and Richardson) have a combined total of $104 million cash on hand, while the Republicans (Giuliani, Thompson, Romney, and McCain) have a comparatively-meager $36 million.
Together, these results show the promise of a Democratic president in 2008. It remains crucial not to forget Democratic candidates for Congress amid all the excitement over the presidential race, especially at this point in the election cycle. DAPAC already has strong progressive candidates running who will face early challenges in their primaries. We need your support now to ensure that the greatest number of progressives will be elected in 2008. Remember, even with a Democratic president, truly progressive legislation will only become law if Congress is committed to progressive values.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Weekly Update (10/12/07)
House Panel Defies Bush in Passing Surveillance Overhaul
This week a House panel approved a bill requiring more judicial and congressional oversight of foreign intelligence surveillance conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA). This new measure would replace the so-called Protect America Act, which was passed this summer. Civil liberties groups believe that this measure would be a step in the right direction, towards more protection for Americans and their privacy.
One important aspect of the bill is that it does not provide protection for communications firms that may have aided government surveillance efforts illegally. Telecommunication firms have been lobbying heavily for such a provision, and the White House is in favor of this protection. House Democrats are now standing up to Bush and corrupt business interests in pushing for this bill. It remains to be seen how the entire House and Senate will vote on this measure.
DAPAC-Endorsed Congressman Makes a Statement for Congressional Power
John Yarmuth, the freshman Congressman from Kentucky endorsed by DAPAC in 2006, has been troubled by the way the Constitution has been forgotten when it comes to legislating. So he decided to remind his fellow Congress members of their Constitutional powers by making and distributing pins with the words “Article 1,” referencing the Constitution: “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States.” Yarmuth wants to reiterate that the Founding Fathers intended Congress to run the country, not the President. About 50 members of the House took the pins, and many were fellow freshman.
Yarmuth explained that the pins “came out of thinking about why we were all elected last year. The war had a lot to do with it but another, I think equally important factor was the sense that the people’s voice was not being heard in deliberations of government, that the presidency had gotten much too powerful and arrogant.” He added: “The American people wanted to push back against the imperial presidency.”
DAPAC is proud of Yarmuth and other endorsed House members who are taking their Congressional responsibilities so seriously. Yarmuth stated, “ All legislative powers are vested in the Congress and, in fact, the Constitution grants very limited powers to the executive branch [...] Hopefully, if this catches on, the public will see that we understand our power and our responsibility.”
Bush's Approval Ratings Drop in October
In a poll released by Gallup this week, President Bush's approval ratings have dropped once again, coming in at 32%. One month ago his approval was up to 36%, but has now returned to a level which matches his average for the second half of this year.
This week a House panel approved a bill requiring more judicial and congressional oversight of foreign intelligence surveillance conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA). This new measure would replace the so-called Protect America Act, which was passed this summer. Civil liberties groups believe that this measure would be a step in the right direction, towards more protection for Americans and their privacy.
One important aspect of the bill is that it does not provide protection for communications firms that may have aided government surveillance efforts illegally. Telecommunication firms have been lobbying heavily for such a provision, and the White House is in favor of this protection. House Democrats are now standing up to Bush and corrupt business interests in pushing for this bill. It remains to be seen how the entire House and Senate will vote on this measure.
DAPAC-Endorsed Congressman Makes a Statement for Congressional Power
John Yarmuth, the freshman Congressman from Kentucky endorsed by DAPAC in 2006, has been troubled by the way the Constitution has been forgotten when it comes to legislating. So he decided to remind his fellow Congress members of their Constitutional powers by making and distributing pins with the words “Article 1,” referencing the Constitution: “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States.” Yarmuth wants to reiterate that the Founding Fathers intended Congress to run the country, not the President. About 50 members of the House took the pins, and many were fellow freshman.
Yarmuth explained that the pins “came out of thinking about why we were all elected last year. The war had a lot to do with it but another, I think equally important factor was the sense that the people’s voice was not being heard in deliberations of government, that the presidency had gotten much too powerful and arrogant.” He added: “The American people wanted to push back against the imperial presidency.”
DAPAC is proud of Yarmuth and other endorsed House members who are taking their Congressional responsibilities so seriously. Yarmuth stated, “ All legislative powers are vested in the Congress and, in fact, the Constitution grants very limited powers to the executive branch [...] Hopefully, if this catches on, the public will see that we understand our power and our responsibility.”
Bush's Approval Ratings Drop in October
In a poll released by Gallup this week, President Bush's approval ratings have dropped once again, coming in at 32%. One month ago his approval was up to 36%, but has now returned to a level which matches his average for the second half of this year.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Weekly Update (10/05/08)
Bush Callously Vetoes Healthcare Bill for Uninsured Children
President Bush has vetoed a bill which would have expanded the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and now Democrats in Congress are working to secure more votes and override this veto. Democrats supported this bill because it will bring healthcare to more uninsured children. DAPAC-endorsed Congressman Chris Van Hollen explained, “We will strengthen CHIP's financing, improve the quality of health care children receive, and increase health insurance coverage for low-income children.” Although opponents of the bill claim that it covers too many middle class families, in reality those families may be making $50,000 a year, and with a private insurance policy costing approximately $11,000 annually, healthcare is out of reach. Bush claims that the bill would lead to the “federalizing” of healthcare, and that the expansion would benefit too many middle income families.
Although many moderate Republicans are distancing themselves from Bush on this issue, the leading presidential contenders for the GOP – Giuiani, McCain, Thompson, and Romney – all support Bush's veto. Since 61% of GOP voters support the expansion of SCHIP, the Republican blockage of this bill shows just how out of touch Republican lawmakers are. This is just another reason why Democrats can expect more support in 2008.
For now, Democrats in the House need to find more votes for the bill, in order to override Bush. Democrats are adamant that they will fight Bush on this issue, and are not yet willing to compromise. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not back down from the issue, and commented, “This legislation will haunt [Bush] again and again and again.”
House Passes Weak Iraq Bill
In another display of why more progressive Democrats are needed in Congress, the House passed a bill concerning Iraq that does little to ensure the war's end. After numerous stronger bills have been defeated by Bush and Republicans in Congress, the House passed this weak bill with a 377-46 vote.
The bill mandates that the Bush administration present a plan within two months for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. But the bill does not require that this plan actually be implemented, or that a specific timeline for withdrawal be laid out.
In order to get meaningful legislation on Iraq passed in the future, even when we have a Democratic president, we will need a real progressive Democratic majority in the House, not just the 75% of Democrats who are progressive, like we have now. It is DAPAC's job to get new Congress members in the House to achieve a real progressive majority, and all of DAPAC's endorsed candidates will vote to take immediate steps to end the war in Iraq when they are elected to Congress.
Poll: Democratic President Likely in 2008
An October 3rd ABC News/Washington Post poll presents a head-to-head presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani, with Democrats coming out on top. Clinton leads Giuliani, 51 percent to 43 percent. This poll also shows that Democratic support is growing, as just a few months ago Clinton's lead was much less significant at 49-47. Along with the poll last week showing greater approval for the Democratic party in general, compared to the GOP, this poll illustrates the advantage Democrats will have in 2008.
President Bush has vetoed a bill which would have expanded the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and now Democrats in Congress are working to secure more votes and override this veto. Democrats supported this bill because it will bring healthcare to more uninsured children. DAPAC-endorsed Congressman Chris Van Hollen explained, “We will strengthen CHIP's financing, improve the quality of health care children receive, and increase health insurance coverage for low-income children.” Although opponents of the bill claim that it covers too many middle class families, in reality those families may be making $50,000 a year, and with a private insurance policy costing approximately $11,000 annually, healthcare is out of reach. Bush claims that the bill would lead to the “federalizing” of healthcare, and that the expansion would benefit too many middle income families.
Although many moderate Republicans are distancing themselves from Bush on this issue, the leading presidential contenders for the GOP – Giuiani, McCain, Thompson, and Romney – all support Bush's veto. Since 61% of GOP voters support the expansion of SCHIP, the Republican blockage of this bill shows just how out of touch Republican lawmakers are. This is just another reason why Democrats can expect more support in 2008.
For now, Democrats in the House need to find more votes for the bill, in order to override Bush. Democrats are adamant that they will fight Bush on this issue, and are not yet willing to compromise. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not back down from the issue, and commented, “This legislation will haunt [Bush] again and again and again.”
House Passes Weak Iraq Bill
In another display of why more progressive Democrats are needed in Congress, the House passed a bill concerning Iraq that does little to ensure the war's end. After numerous stronger bills have been defeated by Bush and Republicans in Congress, the House passed this weak bill with a 377-46 vote.
The bill mandates that the Bush administration present a plan within two months for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. But the bill does not require that this plan actually be implemented, or that a specific timeline for withdrawal be laid out.
In order to get meaningful legislation on Iraq passed in the future, even when we have a Democratic president, we will need a real progressive Democratic majority in the House, not just the 75% of Democrats who are progressive, like we have now. It is DAPAC's job to get new Congress members in the House to achieve a real progressive majority, and all of DAPAC's endorsed candidates will vote to take immediate steps to end the war in Iraq when they are elected to Congress.
Poll: Democratic President Likely in 2008
An October 3rd ABC News/Washington Post poll presents a head-to-head presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani, with Democrats coming out on top. Clinton leads Giuliani, 51 percent to 43 percent. This poll also shows that Democratic support is growing, as just a few months ago Clinton's lead was much less significant at 49-47. Along with the poll last week showing greater approval for the Democratic party in general, compared to the GOP, this poll illustrates the advantage Democrats will have in 2008.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Quentin Young Endorses DAPAC
Recently Dr. Quentin Young contacted DAPAC's office to inquire as to what questions are on our candidate questionnaire regarding universal health care. After finding out the answer he was thrilled enough to contribute to DAPAC and to endorse our cause.
Dr. Quentin Young is the national coordinator for Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), which has more than 10,000 physicians as members who support single payer national health insurance. Dr. Young has been a leader in public health policy and social justice issues for several decades. In 1980, he founded the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. In 1997, he was inducted as a Master of the American College of Physicians, and in 1998 he served as President of the American Public Health Association.
In addition to these positions he has held a career as a distinguished physician and is good friends with documentary filmmaker Michael Moore. Recently Dr. Young has been helping Moore promote his new film, “Sicko,” across the country. In this documentary Moore points out the many problems with America's health care industry and the problems inherent in the corporate takeover of medicine in this country.
When we informed Dr. Young that one of our questions to candidates before he or she receives our endorsement was, “Do you support publicly funded universal health care,” he said that was precisely the question we should be asking of our politicians.
With such an influential leader in the field of health care agreeing with DAPAC's strong stance, it is clear that an endorsement from DAPAC means that a candidate will be committed to fighting for sensible, affordable, and better health care for all Americans.
Dr. Quentin Young is the national coordinator for Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), which has more than 10,000 physicians as members who support single payer national health insurance. Dr. Young has been a leader in public health policy and social justice issues for several decades. In 1980, he founded the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. In 1997, he was inducted as a Master of the American College of Physicians, and in 1998 he served as President of the American Public Health Association.
In addition to these positions he has held a career as a distinguished physician and is good friends with documentary filmmaker Michael Moore. Recently Dr. Young has been helping Moore promote his new film, “Sicko,” across the country. In this documentary Moore points out the many problems with America's health care industry and the problems inherent in the corporate takeover of medicine in this country.
When we informed Dr. Young that one of our questions to candidates before he or she receives our endorsement was, “Do you support publicly funded universal health care,” he said that was precisely the question we should be asking of our politicians.
With such an influential leader in the field of health care agreeing with DAPAC's strong stance, it is clear that an endorsement from DAPAC means that a candidate will be committed to fighting for sensible, affordable, and better health care for all Americans.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Weekly Update (9/28/07)
Democrats in House Pass Children's Health Insurance Bill
This week, the House of Representative passed a bill to expand the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program, with a vote of 265 to 159. All eight of DAPAC's representatives in Congress voted in favor of the bill. Forty-five Republicans crossed party lines to vote with the Democrats on this important bill, but the majority still falls short of the 290 votes needed to override Bush's intended veto.
The program currently covers six million children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private coverage. The program expires at the end of September, and the new bill expands the program to cover more children, and would be subsidized by a 61 cent levy on each pack of cigarettes sold. The bill for expansion has widespread support, including endorsements from United Way of America, the national YMCA, and even America's Health Insurance Plans, which is the largest insurance lobbying group in the nation.
Still, Bush remains dead set against this bill, and many Republican Congress members have followed him. Bush calls the bill “part of the Democrats' incremental plan toward government-run healthcare for all Americans.” Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised to fight Bush on this issue, and commented, “This legislation will haunt his again and again and again ... We will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to put bills on the president's desk and see how long he can hold a veto-proof majority.”
Congress Gets Set for Another War Spending Showdown
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates appeared before Congress this week to ask for an additional $42 billion for the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, on top of the $147 billion already requested for the 2008 fiscal year. Gates also spoke about the need for a “long-term presence” of US troops in Iraq, but failed to give specifics on what this means exactly.
Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), chairman of the Appropriations Committee, vowed that Congress would not be a “rubber stamp” for Bush's policies and said, “The president and supporters claim that we're now finally on the cusp of progress and that we must continue to stay the course. I've heard that before ... We cannot create a democracy at the point of a gun.”
DAPAC only supports Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives who will take immediate steps to end the war in Iraq.
This Week's Poll
On September 25th, Gallup released a new poll showing that the Democratic party is maintaining a solid image advantage over the GOP. Of those polled, 53% have a favorable view of the Democratic party, while only 38% have a favorable view of the Republicans. These results are very similar to the ratings of both parties since April 2006.
A recent significant shift has been how respondents rate the parties when it comes to the issue of security. For the first time since 2002, more Americans now say that Democrats will do a better job than Republicans protecting the nation from security threats: 47% to 42%.
This week, the House of Representative passed a bill to expand the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program, with a vote of 265 to 159. All eight of DAPAC's representatives in Congress voted in favor of the bill. Forty-five Republicans crossed party lines to vote with the Democrats on this important bill, but the majority still falls short of the 290 votes needed to override Bush's intended veto.
The program currently covers six million children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private coverage. The program expires at the end of September, and the new bill expands the program to cover more children, and would be subsidized by a 61 cent levy on each pack of cigarettes sold. The bill for expansion has widespread support, including endorsements from United Way of America, the national YMCA, and even America's Health Insurance Plans, which is the largest insurance lobbying group in the nation.
Still, Bush remains dead set against this bill, and many Republican Congress members have followed him. Bush calls the bill “part of the Democrats' incremental plan toward government-run healthcare for all Americans.” Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised to fight Bush on this issue, and commented, “This legislation will haunt his again and again and again ... We will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to put bills on the president's desk and see how long he can hold a veto-proof majority.”
Congress Gets Set for Another War Spending Showdown
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates appeared before Congress this week to ask for an additional $42 billion for the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, on top of the $147 billion already requested for the 2008 fiscal year. Gates also spoke about the need for a “long-term presence” of US troops in Iraq, but failed to give specifics on what this means exactly.
Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), chairman of the Appropriations Committee, vowed that Congress would not be a “rubber stamp” for Bush's policies and said, “The president and supporters claim that we're now finally on the cusp of progress and that we must continue to stay the course. I've heard that before ... We cannot create a democracy at the point of a gun.”
DAPAC only supports Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives who will take immediate steps to end the war in Iraq.
This Week's Poll
On September 25th, Gallup released a new poll showing that the Democratic party is maintaining a solid image advantage over the GOP. Of those polled, 53% have a favorable view of the Democratic party, while only 38% have a favorable view of the Republicans. These results are very similar to the ratings of both parties since April 2006.
A recent significant shift has been how respondents rate the parties when it comes to the issue of security. For the first time since 2002, more Americans now say that Democrats will do a better job than Republicans protecting the nation from security threats: 47% to 42%.
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