Congress Ends Year By Approving Disappointing Budget
As the year comes to a close, Congress has been working to approve a budget for the 2008 fiscal year, and the final result was a disappointment for Democrats. On Wednesday, the House made its final vote to approve the budget as many Democrats voted against the bill, with a vote of 272-142. Earlier in the week, the House approved a budget that did not include funding for the war in Iraq, but these funds were added when the bill went to the Senate. The end result is a budget that provides an unrestricted $70 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through next spring.
This bill concludes a difficult year for Democrats in Congress. Consistently falling short of a two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto, Congress has failed to reach many of the goals set after Democrats' electoral victory in 2006. In addition, some Democrats have sided with Republicans on difficult issues, like the war in Iraq. Russ Feingold, the Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, put it well when he said, “Until Democrats stand together, it's going to be difficult to draw Republicans to our side.”
Democratic leaders continue to offer a hopeful perspective for next year, but it is clear that we need to demand change with the 2008 election. With the current trends in presidential preference (see the newest polling data below), we are hopeful that a Democrat will be in the White House. Even so, it remains essential that progressive Democrats be elected to the House and Senate, so that the legislation that reaches the next president's desk reflects real Democratic values. The only way to do this is to support candidates like those that DAPAC endorses.
Latest Presidential and Congressional Polls Show Continuing Democratic Strength
In polling data released by Gallup on Wednesday, Democrats remain in the lead in head-to-head presidential match-ups. This national poll pitted frontrunners against each other, and the results were:
Clinton 49%
Giuliani 48%
Obama 51%
Giuliani 45%
Clinton 53%
Huckabee 44%
Obama 53%
Huckabee 42%
Clinton 52%
Romney 46%
Obama 57%
Romney 39%
The poll also explored respondents' Congressional preferences. It asked: If the elections for Congress were being held today, which party's candidate would you vote for in your congressional district? Nationally, 53% of registered voters chose the Democratic candidate, and 40% chose the Republican.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Weekly Update (12/14/07)
Destroyed CIA Interrogation Tapes Raise Questions about Agency and Bush Administration
This week, the House Intelligence Committee began what will most likely be a long-term investigation of the CIA., looking into the destruction of tapes showing the interrogation of suspected Al Queda operatives. These tapes are said to have shown the controversial waterboarding interrogation technique, which is widely regarded as torture. The interrogations took place in 2002, and the tapes were destroyed in 2005, after a court order mandated that the CIA retain and identify all materials related to the treatment of detainees in the agency's custody. These same detainees have been refused many legal rights, and now the Bush administration will also be questioned regarding what it knew about the CIA tapes and their destruction.
This issue illustrates the need for change in the government, starting with the election of progressive Democrats. The country cannot continue down this path – only more obstructions of justice will occur, as we lose the most basic and central American rights and values. DAPAC's Congress members and candidates will work to ensure that we have a lawful government and a just society.
SCHIP Vetoed Again By Bush, Killing the Expansion of Popular Children's Healthcare Program
President Bush has again vetoed a bill expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and this move will make it impossible to cover all the children in need of health insurance. Democrats fought to get the bill passed, but were unable to override the first veto in October. For now, Congress will likely extend the current program, and will possibly bring the expansion up again prior to the 2008 elections, when Republicans will face extra pressure from their districts to vote for this popular bill.
Updates From Our Endorsed Candidates
John Laesch, DAPAC's endorsed candidate running in Illinois' 14th district, is officially on the ballot for the special primary to fill Dennis Hastert's seat. John's campaign has successfully collected the needed signatures, and now his name will appear on the February 5th ballot.
Jay Footlik, our endorsed candidate running in Illinois 10th, recently earned the endorsement of the Illinois Federation of Teachers Local 504, which is the largest union in the district. The union met with both Democratic candidates, and made their choice based on the quality and electability of each.
This week, the House Intelligence Committee began what will most likely be a long-term investigation of the CIA., looking into the destruction of tapes showing the interrogation of suspected Al Queda operatives. These tapes are said to have shown the controversial waterboarding interrogation technique, which is widely regarded as torture. The interrogations took place in 2002, and the tapes were destroyed in 2005, after a court order mandated that the CIA retain and identify all materials related to the treatment of detainees in the agency's custody. These same detainees have been refused many legal rights, and now the Bush administration will also be questioned regarding what it knew about the CIA tapes and their destruction.
This issue illustrates the need for change in the government, starting with the election of progressive Democrats. The country cannot continue down this path – only more obstructions of justice will occur, as we lose the most basic and central American rights and values. DAPAC's Congress members and candidates will work to ensure that we have a lawful government and a just society.
SCHIP Vetoed Again By Bush, Killing the Expansion of Popular Children's Healthcare Program
President Bush has again vetoed a bill expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and this move will make it impossible to cover all the children in need of health insurance. Democrats fought to get the bill passed, but were unable to override the first veto in October. For now, Congress will likely extend the current program, and will possibly bring the expansion up again prior to the 2008 elections, when Republicans will face extra pressure from their districts to vote for this popular bill.
Updates From Our Endorsed Candidates
John Laesch, DAPAC's endorsed candidate running in Illinois' 14th district, is officially on the ballot for the special primary to fill Dennis Hastert's seat. John's campaign has successfully collected the needed signatures, and now his name will appear on the February 5th ballot.
Jay Footlik, our endorsed candidate running in Illinois 10th, recently earned the endorsement of the Illinois Federation of Teachers Local 504, which is the largest union in the district. The union met with both Democratic candidates, and made their choice based on the quality and electability of each.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Weekly Update (12/7/07)
House Democrats Pass Impressive Energy Bill
On Thursday, Democrats in the House passed an important energy bill that raises fuel economy standards, increases development of clean-energy technology, and reduces the production of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide. All of DAPAC's eight elected members of Congress voted in favor of the bill, and the overall vote in the House was 235-181.
Joe Courtney, a DAPAC-endorsed Congressman from Connecticut's 2nd district, stated, “This one piece of legislation achieves three goals. The bill helps consumers, protects the environment, and reduces our dangerous dependence on foreign oil ... The President must know that we will never be able to drill our way out of the problem of high gas prices and I urge him to immediately sign this bill into law.”
The bill includes a 40% increase in the fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks sold in the US, and by 2022 it would increase the production of ethanol and other biofuels from 5 billion gallons a year today to 36 billion gallons a year. By 2020, Democrats estimate that 1.1 million barrels of oil could be saved every day.
President Bush has already said he will veto the bill if it remains in its current form. Additionally, cattlemen, coal producers, and multinational oil companies will be lobbying against the bill as it heads to the Senate. The bill will most likely undergo changes before it reaches the Senate floor, but Democrats in the Senate remain determined that a substantive energy bill will be passed and sent to Bush.
Access and Cost Top Americans' Health Concerns
A new Gallup Poll released this week asked the open ended question: What would you say is the most urgent health problem facing this country at the present time? Of those polled, 30% answered that access to health care is most urgent, and 26% named cost. After these top two responses, specific diseases were the most common answers, including cancer (14%), obesity (10%), AIDS (2%), and diabetes (2%).
Access and cost are relatively new health concerns among the American public, and as recently as two decades ago, virtually no one mentioned these issues as the most urgent problem. DAPAC's candidates understand the importance of health care reform, and all of our candidates support universal health care.
Congressional Primaries Arriving Soon
We are less than two months away from the start of the Congressional primary season. DAPAC already has two excellent progressive candidates running in the February 5th primary in Illinois, and we are actively screening other candidates for additional Illinois districts now. To help us in our efforts, please consider one last donation for the 2007 year. You can donate online by clicking here.
On Thursday, Democrats in the House passed an important energy bill that raises fuel economy standards, increases development of clean-energy technology, and reduces the production of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide. All of DAPAC's eight elected members of Congress voted in favor of the bill, and the overall vote in the House was 235-181.
Joe Courtney, a DAPAC-endorsed Congressman from Connecticut's 2nd district, stated, “This one piece of legislation achieves three goals. The bill helps consumers, protects the environment, and reduces our dangerous dependence on foreign oil ... The President must know that we will never be able to drill our way out of the problem of high gas prices and I urge him to immediately sign this bill into law.”
The bill includes a 40% increase in the fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks sold in the US, and by 2022 it would increase the production of ethanol and other biofuels from 5 billion gallons a year today to 36 billion gallons a year. By 2020, Democrats estimate that 1.1 million barrels of oil could be saved every day.
President Bush has already said he will veto the bill if it remains in its current form. Additionally, cattlemen, coal producers, and multinational oil companies will be lobbying against the bill as it heads to the Senate. The bill will most likely undergo changes before it reaches the Senate floor, but Democrats in the Senate remain determined that a substantive energy bill will be passed and sent to Bush.
Access and Cost Top Americans' Health Concerns
A new Gallup Poll released this week asked the open ended question: What would you say is the most urgent health problem facing this country at the present time? Of those polled, 30% answered that access to health care is most urgent, and 26% named cost. After these top two responses, specific diseases were the most common answers, including cancer (14%), obesity (10%), AIDS (2%), and diabetes (2%).
Access and cost are relatively new health concerns among the American public, and as recently as two decades ago, virtually no one mentioned these issues as the most urgent problem. DAPAC's candidates understand the importance of health care reform, and all of our candidates support universal health care.
Congressional Primaries Arriving Soon
We are less than two months away from the start of the Congressional primary season. DAPAC already has two excellent progressive candidates running in the February 5th primary in Illinois, and we are actively screening other candidates for additional Illinois districts now. To help us in our efforts, please consider one last donation for the 2007 year. You can donate online by clicking here.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Weekly Update (11/30/07)
Senator Trent Lott Joins Resigning Republicans
This week, Trent Lott, Senator from Mississippi and minority whip, joined the growing list of Republican resignations from Congress. Lott will leave the Senate before the end of the year, which came as a surprise to many. It is speculated that he chose to resign so suddenly because, in doing so, he will avoid a new law which would prevent him from working as a lobbyist for an additional year.
Lott is the sixth Republican Senator to announce his retirement from this Congress, and in the House there have already been 17 Republican retirement announcements. Notably, Dennis Hastert, the former speaker of the House, formally resigned on Monday, and DAPAC candidate John Laesch will be running in a special election in Hastert's former district on a date to be determined by Illinois' governor.
The increasing number of Republican resignations adds to the hope for a historic Democratic victory in 2008. In the Senate, 23 Republican seats will be up for election, while only 12 seats currently held by Democrats are up for election. In the House, it is clear that many seats held by Republicans are trending Democratic, and DAPAC continues to target these seats and seek true progressive Democrats to take back our districts.
Former Congressman Henry Hyde died on Thursday. He ran the impeachment of Bill Clinton and he was my nemesis when I ran for Congress against him during the impeachment. -- Tom Cramer, President of DAPAC
Republicans, Struggling to Raise Money, Recruit Rich Candidates
In an historic change, Democrats are out-raising Republicans in Congressional campaigns, and Republicans are now changing their election strategies. In the most recent fundraising data from this cycle, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) had raised $56.6 million, while the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee (RCCC) had only raised $40.7 million. The most-telling data lies in the amounts of cash both organizations have on hand: the DCCC reported $29.2 million, while the RCCC had $2.5 million at its disposal.
Republicans are now actively recruiting independently wealthy candidates to make up for the fundraising weaknesses, and in a New York Times article, Republicans described this tactic as central to their plan for the 2008 election. These wealthy candidates include James Oberweis (R), an Illinois dairy magnate who is running in IL 14th, the same district as DAPAC-endorsed candidate John Laesch.
Although rich Republican candidates would seem to have an advantage, the results of the 2006 election show that this is not necessarily so. Of the ten candidates who spent the most amount of money from personal funds in their 2006 campaigns, only two actually won their races.
This week, Trent Lott, Senator from Mississippi and minority whip, joined the growing list of Republican resignations from Congress. Lott will leave the Senate before the end of the year, which came as a surprise to many. It is speculated that he chose to resign so suddenly because, in doing so, he will avoid a new law which would prevent him from working as a lobbyist for an additional year.
Lott is the sixth Republican Senator to announce his retirement from this Congress, and in the House there have already been 17 Republican retirement announcements. Notably, Dennis Hastert, the former speaker of the House, formally resigned on Monday, and DAPAC candidate John Laesch will be running in a special election in Hastert's former district on a date to be determined by Illinois' governor.
The increasing number of Republican resignations adds to the hope for a historic Democratic victory in 2008. In the Senate, 23 Republican seats will be up for election, while only 12 seats currently held by Democrats are up for election. In the House, it is clear that many seats held by Republicans are trending Democratic, and DAPAC continues to target these seats and seek true progressive Democrats to take back our districts.
Former Congressman Henry Hyde died on Thursday. He ran the impeachment of Bill Clinton and he was my nemesis when I ran for Congress against him during the impeachment. -- Tom Cramer, President of DAPAC
Republicans, Struggling to Raise Money, Recruit Rich Candidates
In an historic change, Democrats are out-raising Republicans in Congressional campaigns, and Republicans are now changing their election strategies. In the most recent fundraising data from this cycle, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) had raised $56.6 million, while the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee (RCCC) had only raised $40.7 million. The most-telling data lies in the amounts of cash both organizations have on hand: the DCCC reported $29.2 million, while the RCCC had $2.5 million at its disposal.
Republicans are now actively recruiting independently wealthy candidates to make up for the fundraising weaknesses, and in a New York Times article, Republicans described this tactic as central to their plan for the 2008 election. These wealthy candidates include James Oberweis (R), an Illinois dairy magnate who is running in IL 14th, the same district as DAPAC-endorsed candidate John Laesch.
Although rich Republican candidates would seem to have an advantage, the results of the 2006 election show that this is not necessarily so. Of the ten candidates who spent the most amount of money from personal funds in their 2006 campaigns, only two actually won their races.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Weekly Update (11/16/07)
Democrats Continue to Push for End to Iraq War
On Wednesday, the House approved a bill which allocates $50 billion for short-term funding of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which includes deadlines and goals for troop withdrawal. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, leader of the House Out of Iraq Caucus, commented that, “While this bill is not perfect, it is the strongest Iraq bill to date.” The bill passed with a vote of 218-203, with all eight of DAPAC's endorsed members of Congress voting in favor.
The $50 billion allocated by this bill would fund the wars for approximately four months, and without it, the Pentagon would have to start dipping into its general budget. The bill requires that troop withdrawals begin 30 days after its enactment, and sets a goal for most combat troops being withdrawn by December 15, 2008. In addition, the bill requires that all detainees in US custody be interrogated under the standards laid out in the Army Field Manual, which is a significant measure aimed at preventing torture.
This bill will face a tougher fight in the Senate, where it will probably not receive the support needed to prevent a filibusterer. Regardless, Bush would most likely veto the bill if it arrives at his desk. In spite of this, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “Democrats are committed to bringing the American people what they deserve and demand: An end to President Bush's 10-year, trillion-dollar war.”
The struggle over this bill, and the many that have preceded it, illustrates why we need to elect a greater number of progressive Democrats to the House. Many of the Democrats currently serving want to set deadlines to end the Iraq war, but we have seen time and again that the votes to do so are not there. It seems likely that a Democrat will be elected president in 2008, and it is just as important that our Democratic candidates for Congress are elected, to ensure that the legislation reaching the president is progressive. All of DAPAC's endorsed candidates commit, in writing, to support legislation to end the war in Iraq when elected to Congress.
New Polls from Iowa and New Hampshire Show Presidential Races Still Undecided
This week, the New York Times and CBS News released polling data from Iowa and New Hampshire, taken among potential caucus-goers and primary-voters, showing the current standing of the presidential contenders. When the respondents who will be participating in the Democratic caucus or primary were asked which candidate they would vote for today, the results were:
Iowa
Clinton 25 %
Edwards 23
Obama 22
Richardson 12
Biden 4
Dodd 1
Kucinich 1
Undecided 11
New Hampshire
Clinton 37
Obama 22
Edwards 9
Richardson 6
Kucinich 5
Biden 2
Dodd 1
Undecided 13
In both Iowa and New Hampshire, only 48% indicated that they had made up their minds about their choice; in contrast, 51% in Iowa and 52% in New Hampshire said that it is still too early to be sure.
On the Republican side, the results were:
Iowa
Romney 27
Huckabee 21
Giuliani 15
Thompson 9
McCain 4
Paul 4
Tancredo 3
Hunter 2
Undecided 10
New Hampshire
Romney 34
McCain 16
Giuliani 16
Paul 8
Huckabee 6
Thompson 5
Undecided 11
Republican voters were less decided than the Democrats, with 57% in Iowa and 66% in New Hampshire answering that it is still too early to decide on their choice.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Weekly Update (11/9/07)
House Overrides Bush for First Time on Water Projects Bill
This week, after the president vetoed an important water projects bill, the House of Representatives overrode Bush for the first time in his presidency. The vote to override passed easily, with 361 members voting in favor, and 54 against. The bill then went to the Senate, which also overrode Bush, with a vote of 79 to 14. Democrats hope that this effort serves as a turning point, and that Bush and the Republicans who continue to support him realize that they do not hold a monopoly on decision-making.
The bill allocates $23 billion to various water projects, and would bring funding to almost every congressional district in the country, including projects like dams and sewage-treatment plants. The bill also funds restoration of the Florida Everglades, and includes $3 billion for post-Katrina flood control projects, which Bush has been heavily criticized for vetoing.
State Elections Show Democratic Growth
Elections were held on Tuesday in many states, and Democrats gained control in a few notable races. In Kentucky, Democrat Steve Beshear defeated the Republican incumbent governor, bringing the total governorships held by Democrats to 28, and reducing the Republican number to 22. In addition, Democrats in Virginia gained control of the state senate for the first time in 12 years by picking up four seats. These victories signal the increasing support for Democratic candidates throughout the country, and show the great promise for Democrats in 2008.
Poll Shows Importance of Iraq and Economic Issues for 2008 Election
A poll conducted by ABC News and The Washington Post, released this week, asked respondents what issues are most important to them when considering their 2008 vote for president. As expected, Iraq was the most-named issue, with 45% of respondents citing the war. The economy was a strong second, with 30% of respondents naming it as one of their top two issues. In addition, nearly two-thirds rated the current economy negatively in the poll.
Clearly, Americans are tired of the Bush administration's failed economic policies, and are ready for change on the economic front, as well as on the Iraq war. This news bodes well for all Democratic candidates. All of DAPAC's endorsed candidates commit in writing to responsible economic policies, including cutting Bush's tax cuts, increasing the minimum wage, and ending predatory lending practices, and also commit to taking immediate steps to end the Iraq war.
This week, after the president vetoed an important water projects bill, the House of Representatives overrode Bush for the first time in his presidency. The vote to override passed easily, with 361 members voting in favor, and 54 against. The bill then went to the Senate, which also overrode Bush, with a vote of 79 to 14. Democrats hope that this effort serves as a turning point, and that Bush and the Republicans who continue to support him realize that they do not hold a monopoly on decision-making.
The bill allocates $23 billion to various water projects, and would bring funding to almost every congressional district in the country, including projects like dams and sewage-treatment plants. The bill also funds restoration of the Florida Everglades, and includes $3 billion for post-Katrina flood control projects, which Bush has been heavily criticized for vetoing.
State Elections Show Democratic Growth
Elections were held on Tuesday in many states, and Democrats gained control in a few notable races. In Kentucky, Democrat Steve Beshear defeated the Republican incumbent governor, bringing the total governorships held by Democrats to 28, and reducing the Republican number to 22. In addition, Democrats in Virginia gained control of the state senate for the first time in 12 years by picking up four seats. These victories signal the increasing support for Democratic candidates throughout the country, and show the great promise for Democrats in 2008.
Poll Shows Importance of Iraq and Economic Issues for 2008 Election
A poll conducted by ABC News and The Washington Post, released this week, asked respondents what issues are most important to them when considering their 2008 vote for president. As expected, Iraq was the most-named issue, with 45% of respondents citing the war. The economy was a strong second, with 30% of respondents naming it as one of their top two issues. In addition, nearly two-thirds rated the current economy negatively in the poll.
Clearly, Americans are tired of the Bush administration's failed economic policies, and are ready for change on the economic front, as well as on the Iraq war. This news bodes well for all Democratic candidates. All of DAPAC's endorsed candidates commit in writing to responsible economic policies, including cutting Bush's tax cuts, increasing the minimum wage, and ending predatory lending practices, and also commit to taking immediate steps to end the Iraq war.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Abner Mikva Endorses DAPAC
Abner Mikva is just one of many prominent Democratic leaders who has endorsed DAPAC. His name should be familiar, as he has recently been named as the mentor to Presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Abner Mikva graduated from the Univeristy of Chicago Law School and went on to become a US Congressman in Illinois' 2nd Congressional district from 1969 to 1973, and Illinois' 10th from 1975-1979. Following that he was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where he served as chief judge until his retirement in 1994 to become the White House Counsel to Bill Clinton until 1995. He has also taught law at Northwestern University and at the University of Chicago.
Mikva has consistently been an advocate for progressive politics and his endorsement means a lot to us at DAPAC. Being backed by such a respected member of the progressive Democratic community means that DAPAC only endorses candidates who meet our strict requirements for progressive causes. These issues include, being 100% pro-choice, supporting publicly funded universal healthcare, opposing the Iraq War, supporting stronger gay and lesbian rights, and many others.
Abner Mikva graduated from the Univeristy of Chicago Law School and went on to become a US Congressman in Illinois' 2nd Congressional district from 1969 to 1973, and Illinois' 10th from 1975-1979. Following that he was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where he served as chief judge until his retirement in 1994 to become the White House Counsel to Bill Clinton until 1995. He has also taught law at Northwestern University and at the University of Chicago.
Mikva has consistently been an advocate for progressive politics and his endorsement means a lot to us at DAPAC. Being backed by such a respected member of the progressive Democratic community means that DAPAC only endorses candidates who meet our strict requirements for progressive causes. These issues include, being 100% pro-choice, supporting publicly funded universal healthcare, opposing the Iraq War, supporting stronger gay and lesbian rights, and many others.
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