Weekly Update (11/2/07)

DAPAC Announces Endorsement of Jay Footlik
We are pleased to announce our endorsement of Jay Footlik, who is running for Congress in Illinois's 10th district. Like all of DAPAC's candidates, Jay has pledged to vote progressively when elected to Congress on issues including choice, same-sex marriage, the environment, healthcare, and more. Footlik will be facing competition in the Democratic primary from a more conservative opponent, and also faces Republican incumbent Mark Kirk, who has portrayed himself as moderate, while actually acting as a rubber stamp for the Bush administration's policies.

Jay Footlik grew up in Skokie, Illinois, and learned about economic hardships first-hand as his mother worked to support the family. This background shaped his belief that political leaders have a responsibility to help citizens with quality schools, access to healthcare, and availability of jobs.

Footlik went on to earn a BA from UCLA, and a law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. His political career took off when he was working on Bill Clinton's 1992 bid for the presidency. When Clinton was elected, Jay was brought to the White House as Special Assistant to the President, working as the principal liaison to the American Jewish community. He has been involved in other political campaigns as well, including the Kerry/Edwards presidential campaign, where he worked as Senior Advisor on the Middle East and Jewish Affairs. In this position, Footlik shaped the political policies that led to the campaign's overwhelming support from the American Jewish community.

Currently, Jay works at the firm, DiNovo Strategies, Inc., which he co-founded. At the firm, Jay has worked on a variety of projects, both in Israel and at home, aimed at forging peace in the Middle East. In addition, Jay currently serves on the board of trustees for the American Council of Young Political Leaders, and on the board of directors for both American Friends of the Rabin Center and SAFE (Securing America's Future Energy), which aims to reduce America's oil dependency.

You can learn more about Jay Footlik by clicking here to visit his website. We will also post information on our website in the endorsed candidates section, which features all of DAPAC's endorsed, progressive candidates.

US Diplomats Challenge State Department on Iraq
The Bush administration's Iraq strategies continue to be criticized, and this week many US diplomats added their disapproval. These diplomats were uncharacteristically public with their blunt criticisms, after the State Department sent word that “directed assignments” to Iraq may begin next summer. This type of assignment has not been used since the late 1960s, when diplomats were sent involuntarily to Vietnam. The State Department stated that if enough diplomats do not volunteer to go to Iraq, assignments will be put in place for approximately fifty openings expected next summer. If diplomats refuse to be stationed in Iraq, they could risk losing their jobs.

The embassy in Iraq is the largest in US history. Although it is located in Baghdad's Green Zone, the embassy has been frequently under fire. Diplomats have also complained that they are unable to travel without heavy security. In addition, many diplomats feel that the training they receive – often just two weeks – prior to deployment to Iraq is inadequate; comparatively, diplomats going to Vietnam during the Vietnam War were given four to six months of special training. Together, these factors have made diplomacy in Iraq near impossible. One foreign service veteran said that service in Iraq is “a potential death sentence.”

According to a recent poll released by the Associated Press, only 12% of foreign service officers believe that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is fighting for them. In addition to the thousands of men and women serving in the military in Iraq, these government employees are needlessly put in harms way in Iraq. It is time for an end to Bush's failed Iraq strategy. All of DAPAC's endorsed candidates will vote to put an end to the war in Iraq when elected to Congress.