Urgent- contact Don Fowler AGAIN- don@fowlercommunications.com
Don Fowler who recently grew tired of the citizens of this country is now Pimping off his Wife Carol. She is out attacking Sarah Palin saying her only qualification to run for office is that she did not abort her baby. I wonder what qualifies her to speak for the rest of us women. She certainly does not speak for me - in fact she is a disgrace - I want not association with. She should immediately be removed as a representative. She has stepped over the line of human decency.
That is about the sickest and lowest these two sharks have stooped to. And these men who are now hiding behind their wives skirts - who are sending their dutiful subservient wives have certainly married their equals who are gladly berating other women like mud wrestlers for the delight of their husbands. What a disgrace!
Since Don has this much control over his mindless wife send him an email to let him know what we think of this less that dynamic duo. don@fowlercommunications.com
Please note - His wife serves as democrat chairwoman. This is change I can do without- It is time to be outraged with this party and this sexism- it is an outrageous, unacceptable form of assault on women - it is a human rights violation.
*************************************************************************
This is a great read - it also explains how this a lot
How Obama lost the election
By Spengler
DENVER - Senator Barack Obama's acceptance speech last week seemed vastly different from the stands of this city's Invesco Stadium than it did to the 40 million who saw it on television. Melancholy hung like thick smog over the reserved seats where I sat with Democratic Party staffers. The crowd, of course, cheered mechanically at the tag lines, flourished placards, and even rose for the obligatory wave around the stadium. But its mood was sour. The air carried the acrid smell of defeat, and the crowd took shallow breaths. Even the appearance of R&B great Stevie Wonder failed to get the blood pumping.
The speech itself dragged on for three-quarters of an hour. As David S Broder wrote in the Washington Post: "[Obama's] recital of a long list of domestic promises could have been delivered by
any Democratic nominee from Walter Mondale to John Kerry. There was no theme music to the speech and really no phrase or sentence that is likely to linger in the memory of any listener. The thing I never expected did in fact occur: Al Gore, the famously wooden former vice president, gave a more lively and convincing speech than Obama did."
On television, Obama's spectacle might have looked like The Ten Commandments, but inside the stadium it felt like Night of the Living Dead. The longer the candidate spoke, and the more money he promised to spend on alternative energy, preschool education, universal health care, and other components of the Democratic pinata, the lower the party professionals slouched into their seats. The professionals I sat with were Hillary Clinton people, to be sure, and had reason to sulk, for an Obama victory might do them little good in any event.
The Democrats were watching the brightest and most articulate presidential candidate they have fielded since John F Kennedy snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And this was before John McCain, in a maneuver worthy of Admiral Chester Nimitz at the Battle of Midway, turned tables on the Democrats' strategy with the choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Speaking to Obama supporters on the periphery of the big event, I was startled by the rapturous devotion elicited by the junior senator from Illinois. He is no symbol for identity politics, no sacrifice on the altar of white guilt, but the most gifted persuader of individuals that I have encountered in any country's politics, as well as a powerful orator on the grand stage. This is not a crowd phenomenon nor a fad, but the response of hundreds of people to an individual.
I sat in on a session with three leaders of Veterans for Obama, a group of retired young officers who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, courtesy of the New Republic's writer on the scene, David Samuels. With passion and enthusiasm, these young people spoke of their hopes for nation-building in Iraq. The George W Bush administration should have put twice the resources into the beleaguered country, they harangued me - not just soldiers, but agronomists, traffic cops, lawyers, judges, and physicians. The Department of Agriculture should have mobilized, along with the Department of Justice.
Nation-building? Doubling down on the US commitment to Iraq? Isn't that trying to out-Bush the Bush administration, while Obama campaigned on getting out of Iraq and spending the money on programs at home? Unblinking, one of the soldiers said, "That's what we think Barack will do." They believed in a more expensive version of the administration's program, and faulted Bush for half measures - and somehow they believed that Obama really agreed with them, all the public evidence to the contrary. And they believed in Barack with perfect faith.
Gandalf's warnings about the irresistible voice of the wizard Saruman in J R R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings come to mind. If these battle-hardened veterans of America's wars fell so easily under the spell of Obama's voice, who can withstand it? Obama's persuasive powers, though, are strongest when channeled through the empathy of his interlocutor. Everyone believes that Obama feels his pain, shares his dream, and will fight his fight and heal his ills. But that is everyone as an individual. Add all the individuals up into a campaign platform, and it turns into three-quarters of an hour worth of promises that echo all the ghosts of conventions past.
Obama will spend the rest of his life wondering why he rejected the obvious road to victory, that is, choosing Hillary Clinton as his vice presidential nominee. However reluctantly, Clinton would have had to accept. McCain's choice of vice presidential candidate made obvious after the fact what the party professionals felt in their fingertips at the stadium extravaganza yesterday: rejecting Clinton in favor of the colorless, unpopular, tangle-tongued Washington perennial Joe Biden was a statement of weakness. McCain's selection was a statement of strength. America's voters will forgive many things in a politician, including sexual misconduct, but they will not forgive weakness.
That is why McCain will win in November, and by a landslide, barring some unforeseen event. Obama is the most talented and persuasive politician of his generation, the intellectual superior of all his competitors, but a fatally insecure personality. American voters are not intellectual, but they are shrewd, like animals. They can smell insecurity, and the convention stank of it. Obama's prospective defeat is entirely of its own making. No one is more surprised than Republican strategists, who were convinced just weeks ago that a weakening economy ensured a Democratic victory.
Biden, who won 3% of the popular vote in the Democratic presidential primary in his home state of Delaware, and 1% or less in every other contest he entered, is ballot-box poison. Obama evidently chose him to assuage critics who point to his lack of foreign policy credentials. That was a deadly error, for by appearing to concede the critics' claim that he knows little about foreign policy, Obama raised questions about whether he is qualified to be president in the first place. He had a winning alternative, which was to pick Clinton. That would have sent a double message: first, that Obama is tough enough to make the slippery Clintons into his subordinates, and second, that he is generous enough to extend a hand to his toughest adversary in the cause of unity.
Why didn't Obama choose Hillary? The most credible explanation came from veteran columnist Robert Novak May 10, who reports that Michelle Obama vetoed Hillary's candidacy. "The Democratic front-runner's wife did not comment on other rival candidates for the party's nomination, but she has been sniping at Clinton since last summer. According to Obama sources, those public utterances do not reveal the extent of her hostility," Novak wrote. If that is true, then Obama succumbed to the character weakness I described in a February 26 profile of (Obama's women reveal his secret). His peculiar dependency on an assertive and often rancorous spouse, I argued, made him vulnerable, and predicted that Obama "will destroy himself before he destroys the country".
Alternately, Obama might have chosen a rising Democratic star like Virginia's 50-year-old governor Tim Kaine. A weaker choice than Hillary, Kaine (or someone like him) would have made a bold statement of self-confidence. Obama could have said with credibility that he would bring to Washington a new generation of outsiders who would change the old system. Instead, Obama saddled an old and unpopular Washington warhorse.
Curiously, Obama ignored the rising stars of his own party, offering the prime time speaking slots to familiar faces, including Senator Edward Kennedy and Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as his own wife, the first prospective First Lady to take the keynote spot in the history of American party conventions.
McCain doesn't have a tenth of Obama's synaptic fire-power, but he is a nasty old sailor who knows when to come about for a broadside. Given Obama's defensive, even wimpy selection of a running-mate, McCain's choice was obvious. He picked the available candidate most like himself: a maverick with impeccable reform credentials, a risk-seeking commercial fisherwoman and huntress married to a marathon snowmobile racer who carries a steelworkers union card. The Democratic order of battle was to tie McCain to the Bush administration and attack McCain by attacking Bush. With Palin on the ticket, McCain has re-emerged as the maverick he really is.
The young Alaskan governor, to be sure, hasn't any business running for vice president of the United States with her thin resume. McCain and his people know this perfectly well, and that is precisely why they put her on the ticket. If Palin is unqualified to be vice president, all the less so is Obama qualified to be president.
McCain has certified his authenticity for the voters. He's now the outsider, the reformer, the maverick, the war hero running next to the Alaskan amazon with a union steelworker spouse. Obama, who styled himself an agent of change, took his image for granted, and attempted to ensure himself victory by doing the cautious thing. He is trapped in a losing position, and there is nothing he can do to get out of it.
Obama, in short, is long on brains and short on guts. A Shibboleth of American politics holds that different tactics are required to win the party primaries as opposed to the general election, that is, by pandering to fringe groups with disproportionate influence in the primaries. But Obama did not compromise himself with extreme positions. He did not have to, for younger voters who greeted him with near-religious fervor did not require that he take any position other than his promise to change everything. Obama could have allied with the old guard, through an Obama-Clinton ticket, or he could have rejected the old guard by choosing the closest thing the Democrats had to a Sarah Palin. But fear paralyzed him, and he did neither.
In my February 26 profile, I called Obama "the political equivalent of a sociopath", without any derogatory intent. A sociopath seeks the empathy of all around him while empathizing with no one. Obama has an almost magical ability to gain the confidence of those around him. Perhaps it was the adaptation of a bright and sensitive young boy who was abandoned by three parents - his Kenyan father Barack Obama Sr, who left his pregnant young bride; his Indonesian stepfather Lolo Soetero; and by his mother, Ann Dunham, who sent 10-year-old Obama to live with her parents while she pursued her career as an anthropologist.
Combine a child's response to serial abandonment with the perspective of an outsider, and Obama became an alien species against which American politics had no natural defenses. He is a Third World anthropologist profiling Americans, in but not of the American system. No country's politics depends more openly on friendships than America's, yet Obama has not a single real friend, for he rose so fast that all his acquaintances become rungs on the ladder of his ascent. One human relationship crowds the others out of his life, his marriage to Michelle, a strong, assertive and very angry woman.
If Novak's report is accurate, then Michelle's anger will have lost the election for Obama, as Achilles' anger nearly killed the Greek cause in the Trojan War. But the responsibility rests not with Michelle, but with Obama. Obama's failure of nerve at the cusp of his success is consistent with my profile of the candidate, in which I predicted that he would self-destruct. It's happening faster than I expected. As I wrote last February:
It is conceivable that Barack Obama, if elected, will destroy himself before he destroys the country. Hatred is a toxic diet even for someone with as strong a stomach as Obama ... Both Obama and the American public should be very careful of what they wish for. As the horrible example of Obama's father shows, there is nothing worse for an embittered outsider manipulating the system from within than to achieve his goals.
By all rights, the Democrats should win this election. They will lose, I predict, because of the flawed character of their candidate.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Clinton Dem Action Alert! 11SEP08
Calling all Clinton Dems!
Hillary will be attending a reception for Sheila Jackson Lee on September 21st in Houston Texas and they need your help! This is no ordinary fundraiser...
There appears to be an all out effort on to oust representatives that supported Hillary from their congressional seats. Sheila is one of them.
Big money players are supporting Sheila's opponent and really putting the heat on. The "politics of personal destruction" is their game. The smear campaign is in full swing.
Sheila stood with Hillary though her entire primary run and received threats, intimidation and namecalling just for supporting her. This kind of behavior can not be rewarded! Please come to her defense by attending this Houston fundraiser.
If you can't be there, please consider donating to her campaign.
JOIN HILLARY IN HOUSTON, SEPT 21, 1.30 PM
Invitation (Please RSVP):
www.sheilajacksonlee18.com
In the Message box, please type "HOST: ANN MacNAUGHTON".
Donate To Shiela Jackson Lee's Campaign
It is important that Hillary keeps as many of her friends as possible in office to help carry out her work for the American people...us!
Please support Sheila if you can.
Pam
Clinton Dems
Keep Fighting!
"Without courage you cannot practice any of the other virtues."
~ Maya Angelou
Hillary will be attending a reception for Sheila Jackson Lee on September 21st in Houston Texas and they need your help! This is no ordinary fundraiser...
There appears to be an all out effort on to oust representatives that supported Hillary from their congressional seats. Sheila is one of them.
Big money players are supporting Sheila's opponent and really putting the heat on. The "politics of personal destruction" is their game. The smear campaign is in full swing.
Sheila stood with Hillary though her entire primary run and received threats, intimidation and namecalling just for supporting her. This kind of behavior can not be rewarded! Please come to her defense by attending this Houston fundraiser.
If you can't be there, please consider donating to her campaign.
JOIN HILLARY IN HOUSTON, SEPT 21, 1.30 PM
Invitation (Please RSVP):
www.sheilajacksonlee18.com
In the Message box, please type "HOST: ANN MacNAUGHTON".
Donate To Shiela Jackson Lee's Campaign
It is important that Hillary keeps as many of her friends as possible in office to help carry out her work for the American people...us!
Please support Sheila if you can.
Pam
Clinton Dems
Keep Fighting!
"Without courage you cannot practice any of the other virtues."
~ Maya Angelou
Monday, July 28, 2008
Video List
__________________________________
Hillary Clinton - rising above sexism & misogyny
Hillary Clinton: Mad As Hell/Bitch:
Obama visited 57 states, says McCain losing his bearings
Obama Claims He's Visited 57 States
Double Talker and Liar Barack Obama Flip Flops On Iran
Obama Thinks We Have 57 States | Bonus Video -Tornado
Barack Obama - Dumber than Dumb - Gaffe Mania
Obama gaffe - cost
Obama gaffe on "breathalizer"
Yes Or No? Obama stumbles
Obama's Memorial Day Gaffe, Caught Lying About His Uncle
Obama 2+2=5
Obama Claims No One Clapped During Detroit, MI Speech
Slew of Gaffes Obama on Fox News
Obama's flip-flop on running and the iraq warL
Obama VS. Robert Gibbs on the surge
Obama on Iran - Threat, or not?
The Game of Expedience:
Obama Just words - just speeches - just think
Obama on Lobbiest bill
Obama on the Race Card
Obama on his dad and the flag?:
Barack Obama Sees Dead People
Obama's Memorial Day Gaffe
Obama in Sunrise
Barack Obama rally in Sioux Falls
Obama on Rezko
Obama Gets Afghanistan Language Wrong
A video portrait of Obama
SHOCKING Obama words: what he really thinks of white folks
Clinton Supporter Thrown Out of Rules Committee Meeting
Hillary Clinton: Mad As Hell/Bitch
DNC: Fractured Fairy Tales
DNC Rules & Bylaws Protest 1
Clinton Supporter Ejected From DNC Meeting Shows Bruises
Obama give Hillary the "finger"?
Obama Whines Then Refuses To Debate Anymore! PA
Hillary Kicked Obama's Ass In PA Debate
If Obama is the Nominee This is What We Will See
Michelle Obama's
Shocking Comments from Barack Obama's wife!!
Barack Obama Makes Shocking confession!!
_________________________________
Hillary Clinton - rising above sexism & misogyny
Hillary Clinton: Mad As Hell/Bitch:
Obama visited 57 states, says McCain losing his bearings
Obama Claims He's Visited 57 States
Double Talker and Liar Barack Obama Flip Flops On Iran
Obama Thinks We Have 57 States | Bonus Video -Tornado
Barack Obama - Dumber than Dumb - Gaffe Mania
Obama gaffe - cost
Obama gaffe on "breathalizer"
Yes Or No? Obama stumbles
Obama's Memorial Day Gaffe, Caught Lying About His Uncle
Obama 2+2=5
Obama Claims No One Clapped During Detroit, MI Speech
Slew of Gaffes Obama on Fox News
Obama's flip-flop on running and the iraq warL
Obama VS. Robert Gibbs on the surge
Obama on Iran - Threat, or not?
The Game of Expedience:
Obama Just words - just speeches - just think
Obama on Lobbiest bill
Obama on the Race Card
Obama on his dad and the flag?:
Barack Obama Sees Dead People
Obama's Memorial Day Gaffe
Obama in Sunrise
Barack Obama rally in Sioux Falls
Obama on Rezko
Obama Gets Afghanistan Language Wrong
A video portrait of Obama
SHOCKING Obama words: what he really thinks of white folks
Clinton Supporter Thrown Out of Rules Committee Meeting
Hillary Clinton: Mad As Hell/Bitch
DNC: Fractured Fairy Tales
DNC Rules & Bylaws Protest 1
Clinton Supporter Ejected From DNC Meeting Shows Bruises
Obama give Hillary the "finger"?
Obama Whines Then Refuses To Debate Anymore! PA
Hillary Kicked Obama's Ass In PA Debate
If Obama is the Nominee This is What We Will See
Michelle Obama's
Shocking Comments from Barack Obama's wife!!
Barack Obama Makes Shocking confession!!
_________________________________
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Share with Prodcers and Executives Examples of Sexism in the Media
Thank you to everyone on our WMC Action Team who participated in our
campaign "Sexism Sells, But We're Not Buying It." Through your
efforts, the WMC has generated more than 200,000 views of our "Sexism
Sells" video and more than 6,800 signatures for our very first
petition campaign! Your efforts are sending a powerful message to
media executives that the era when media sexism would be tolerated or
seen as a joke is over.
Over the next several weeks, I will be meeting and speaking with the
executives responsible for the sexist language and behavior that we
exposed through "Sexism Sells." And so I'm asking for your help again.
Please take a moment to visit our Web site, the Majority Post, and
write us a message to share with the producers and executives who have
allowed this behavior to go on for far too long.
Some members of the media, including The New York Times, have tried to
dismiss complaints about media sexism as being specific to Hillary
Clinton, or not a big deal. But we know that sexism is never about one
women. When these comments or jokes are made in the media, they demean
all women, and weaken the media which is a crucial part of our
democracy.
And when one woman exits the stage, you can bet that the "bad boys" of
media will find another target. Already, Michelle Obama and Cindy
McCain are feeling the heat of the national media stage. That's why
we've launched the new WMC Sexism Watch, an online form where you can
help us track instances of media sexism.
As part of the WMC Action Team, we're counting on you. Please bookmark
http://www.womensmediacenter.com/sexism_watch.html. When you see
something that needs a response, fill out the form and help our staff
fight back against media sexism.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Carol Jenkins
PS - We know that you value our fight for women in the media. Please
make a donation today to ensure that The Women's Media Center can
continue our fight to make women visible and powerful in the media.
About us:
The Women's Media Center strives to make women visible and powerful in
the media. From our founding in 2005 by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and
Gloria Steinem to our advocacy and media relations work today, we are
part of a strong feminist tradition that seeks to hold the media
accountable for presenting the world as we know it. Our mission is to
ensure that women and women's experiences are reflected in the media
just as women are present everywhere in the real world; that women are
represented as local, national, and global sources for and subjects of
the media; and that women media professionals have equal opportunities
for employment and advancement. In addition to the WMC founders,
current board members include Loreen Arbus, Cristina Azocar, Jodie
Evans, Gloria Feldt, Carol Jenkins, Teresa McBride, Pat Mitchell,
Jessica Neuwirth, Rossana Rosado, and Helen Zia. For more information,
please visit www.womensmediacenter.com.
campaign "Sexism Sells, But We're Not Buying It." Through your
efforts, the WMC has generated more than 200,000 views of our "Sexism
Sells" video and more than 6,800 signatures for our very first
petition campaign! Your efforts are sending a powerful message to
media executives that the era when media sexism would be tolerated or
seen as a joke is over.
Over the next several weeks, I will be meeting and speaking with the
executives responsible for the sexist language and behavior that we
exposed through "Sexism Sells." And so I'm asking for your help again.
Please take a moment to visit our Web site, the Majority Post, and
write us a message to share with the producers and executives who have
allowed this behavior to go on for far too long.
Some members of the media, including The New York Times, have tried to
dismiss complaints about media sexism as being specific to Hillary
Clinton, or not a big deal. But we know that sexism is never about one
women. When these comments or jokes are made in the media, they demean
all women, and weaken the media which is a crucial part of our
democracy.
And when one woman exits the stage, you can bet that the "bad boys" of
media will find another target. Already, Michelle Obama and Cindy
McCain are feeling the heat of the national media stage. That's why
we've launched the new WMC Sexism Watch, an online form where you can
help us track instances of media sexism.
As part of the WMC Action Team, we're counting on you. Please bookmark
http://www.womensmediacenter.com/sexism_watch.html. When you see
something that needs a response, fill out the form and help our staff
fight back against media sexism.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Carol Jenkins
PS - We know that you value our fight for women in the media. Please
make a donation today to ensure that The Women's Media Center can
continue our fight to make women visible and powerful in the media.
About us:
The Women's Media Center strives to make women visible and powerful in
the media. From our founding in 2005 by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and
Gloria Steinem to our advocacy and media relations work today, we are
part of a strong feminist tradition that seeks to hold the media
accountable for presenting the world as we know it. Our mission is to
ensure that women and women's experiences are reflected in the media
just as women are present everywhere in the real world; that women are
represented as local, national, and global sources for and subjects of
the media; and that women media professionals have equal opportunities
for employment and advancement. In addition to the WMC founders,
current board members include Loreen Arbus, Cristina Azocar, Jodie
Evans, Gloria Feldt, Carol Jenkins, Teresa McBride, Pat Mitchell,
Jessica Neuwirth, Rossana Rosado, and Helen Zia. For more information,
please visit www.womensmediacenter.com.
Washington State Delegate Contact Information
For any corrections or changes, please email pumainwa@gmail.com
Elected Officials:
Rep. Rick Larsen (2nd District)
Rep. Brian Baird (3rd District)
Rep. Norm Dicks (6th District)
Rep. Jay Inslee (WA)
Rep. Jim McDermott (7th District)
Rep. Adam Smith (WA)
Gov. Chris Gregoire
Sen. Maria Cantwell (WA)
Sen. Patty Murray (WA)
Democratic National Committee Members:
Dwight Pelz - WA Democratic Party Chair
Eileen Macoll - WA Vice Chair
Ed Cote (coed@pacifier.com)
Sharon Mast (skmast@att.net)
David McDonald (davidm@prestongates.com)
Pat Noter WA DNC Member
Former Speaker Tom Foley (WA)
Ron Sims (WA)
*(source: wikipedia )
Elected Officials:
Rep. Rick Larsen (2nd District)
Rep. Brian Baird (3rd District)
Rep. Norm Dicks (6th District)
Rep. Jay Inslee (WA)
Rep. Jim McDermott (7th District)
Rep. Adam Smith (WA)
Gov. Chris Gregoire
Sen. Maria Cantwell (WA)
Sen. Patty Murray (WA)
Democratic National Committee Members:
Dwight Pelz - WA Democratic Party Chair
Eileen Macoll - WA Vice Chair
Ed Cote (coed@pacifier.com)
Sharon Mast (skmast@att.net)
David McDonald (davidm@prestongates.com)
Pat Noter WA DNC Member
Former Speaker Tom Foley (WA)
Ron Sims (WA)
| *Victor Collymore | Add-on |
*(source: wikipedia )
An Outrageous Attempt by the Bush Administration to Undermine Women's Rights
The Bush administration is up to its old tricks again, quietly putting ideology before science and women's health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is poised to put in place new barriers to accessing common forms of contraception like birth control pills, emergency contraception and IUDs by labeling them "abortion." These proposed regulations set to be released next week will allow healthcare providers to refuse to provide contraception to women who need it. We can't let them get away with this underhanded move to undermine women's health and that's why I am sounding the alarm.
These rules pose a serious threat to providers and uninsured and low-income Americans seeking care. They could prevent providers of federally-funded family planning services, like Medicaid and Title X, from guaranteeing their patients access to the full range of comprehensive family planning services. They'll also build significant barriers to counseling, education, contraception and preventive health services for those who need it most: low-income and uninsured women and men.
The regulations could even invalidate state laws that currently ensure access to contraception for many Americans. In fact, they describe New York and California's laws requiring prescription drug insurance plans to provide coverage for contraceptives as part of "the problem." These rules would even interfere with New York State law that ensures survivors of sexual assault and rape receive emergency contraception in hospital emergency rooms.
We've seen this kind of ideologically driven move from the Bush administration before. Senator Patty Murray and I went toe to toe with the Bush administration to demand a decision on Plan B by the FDA. We won that fight and we need to win this one too.
When I learned about these proposed rules, I immediately joined with Senator Murray to call on the Bush administration to stop these dangerous plans. I am joining with New York family planning and healthcare advocates to spread the word. Now is the time to raise our voices. I will continue to press HHS and I hope you will join me. I have posted information on how to get involved here (http://www.hillpac.com/action/hhspetition ).
SOURCE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hillary-clinton/an-outrageous-attempt-by_b_114064.html
These rules pose a serious threat to providers and uninsured and low-income Americans seeking care. They could prevent providers of federally-funded family planning services, like Medicaid and Title X, from guaranteeing their patients access to the full range of comprehensive family planning services. They'll also build significant barriers to counseling, education, contraception and preventive health services for those who need it most: low-income and uninsured women and men.
The regulations could even invalidate state laws that currently ensure access to contraception for many Americans. In fact, they describe New York and California's laws requiring prescription drug insurance plans to provide coverage for contraceptives as part of "the problem." These rules would even interfere with New York State law that ensures survivors of sexual assault and rape receive emergency contraception in hospital emergency rooms.
We've seen this kind of ideologically driven move from the Bush administration before. Senator Patty Murray and I went toe to toe with the Bush administration to demand a decision on Plan B by the FDA. We won that fight and we need to win this one too.
When I learned about these proposed rules, I immediately joined with Senator Murray to call on the Bush administration to stop these dangerous plans. I am joining with New York family planning and healthcare advocates to spread the word. Now is the time to raise our voices. I will continue to press HHS and I hope you will join me. I have posted information on how to get involved here (http://www.hillpac.com/act
SOURCE: http://www.huffingtonpost.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Announcing: PUMA CONFERENCE 2008
Announcing: PUMA CONFERENCE 2008
Marriott Wardman Hotel
Washington, D.C.
August 8 – 10, 2008
Dear PUMAs,
The 2008 PUMA Conference Committee is ready to ROAR with these incredible conference deals! For the amazing (and we mean that sincerely) price of $250, you will receive the following:
- Lodging at a FIVE STAR hotel – the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. for THREE nights (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
- Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.
- Lunch on Saturday.
- AND it also includes the price of the conference itself.
Mind boggling, crazy good isn’t it?
Registration will open tomorrow at 12noon PST at:
http://www.pumaconference08.com
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
After the first 250 people register at the $250 price, IT IS GONE.
As we are under tight time constraints with the hotel for numbers and commitment at this time, once you register there will be NO refunds. (Please reread that sentence before you register.)
1. YES we have a registration offer if you’re local or not planning to stay at the hotel. If you would like to attend without the hotel room, the price is $150 (or if you aren’t one of the first 250 to register).
2. YES we welcome vendors. If you would like to have a “vendor table,” you may do so (we reserve the right to determine if your organization is a good fit). We have 30 slots open for $100 per table.
3. YES we need sponsors. If you’re interested, please email us immediately at PUMAConference@yahoo.com.
4. YES you will have an opportunity to volunteer – you can do so during the registration process.
5. YES we are still working on how folks can participate via the internet and radio. Details will follow late next week.
Email us with any questions at pumaconference@yahoo.com.
READY? So are we! Meet you in D.C!
~ PUMA Conference Committee
Marriott Wardman Hotel
Washington, D.C.
August 8 – 10, 2008
Dear PUMAs,
The 2008 PUMA Conference Committee is ready to ROAR with these incredible conference deals! For the amazing (and we mean that sincerely) price of $250, you will receive the following:
- Lodging at a FIVE STAR hotel – the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. for THREE nights (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
- Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.
- Lunch on Saturday.
- AND it also includes the price of the conference itself.
Mind boggling, crazy good isn’t it?
Registration will open tomorrow at 12noon PST at:
http://www.pumaconference0
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
After the first 250 people register at the $250 price, IT IS GONE.
As we are under tight time constraints with the hotel for numbers and commitment at this time, once you register there will be NO refunds. (Please reread that sentence before you register.)
1. YES we have a registration offer if you’re local or not planning to stay at the hotel. If you would like to attend without the hotel room, the price is $150 (or if you aren’t one of the first 250 to register).
2. YES we welcome vendors. If you would like to have a “vendor table,” you may do so (we reserve the right to determine if your organization is a good fit). We have 30 slots open for $100 per table.
3. YES we need sponsors. If you’re interested, please email us immediately at PUMAConference@yahoo.com.
4. YES you will have an opportunity to volunteer – you can do so during the registration process.
5. YES we are still working on how folks can participate via the internet and radio. Details will follow late next week.
Email us with any questions at pumaconference@yahoo.com.
READY? So are we! Meet you in D.C!
~ PUMA Conference Committee
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Call and write the chairs of the DNC Rules Committee and tell them you want your vote represented
Call and write the chairs of the DNC Rules Committee and tell them you want your vote represented. More people voted for Hillary Clinton than any primary candidate in American history. 18 million Democrats voted for a candidate who is now being disappeared by her party. Why, when she commands the support of a majority of the voters in her party, is Hillary being confined to a symbolic role in Denver? By disappearing Hillary from the Convention what the party bosses are really doing is DISAPPEARING OUR VOTES. ALL EIGHTEEN MILLION OF THEM. This is a swindle of massive proportions, and folks, they are getting away with it. They are saying that our votes don't matter. That our delegates don't have a real role at the convention. That those sworn to represent us, to vote for us in Denver, don't really have a right to vote as it turns out.
Taking away the right of our delegates to vote? By extension, taking away our right to vote?
Are they serious?? Call today. Call as often as you can. Tell them to allow a true, meaningful roll call vote in Denver with Hillary Clinton's name in nomination.
David WaltersPresident, Walters Power International Email: david@walterspower.com
Phone: (405) 528-2860
Fax: (405) 528-2466
Email: leedss@dnc.org Phone: (202) 863-8000
Mary Rose Oakar President, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Email: president@adc.org
Phone: (202) 244-2990 Fax: (202) 244-7968
Taking away the right of our delegates to vote? By extension, taking away our right to vote?
Are they serious?? Call today. Call as often as you can. Tell them to allow a true, meaningful roll call vote in Denver with Hillary Clinton's name in nomination.
David WaltersPresident, Walters Power International Email: david@walterspower.com
Phone: (405) 528-2860
Fax: (405) 528-2466
Email: leedss@dnc.org Phone: (202) 863-8000
Mary Rose Oakar President, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Email: president@adc.org
Phone: (202) 244-2990 Fax: (202) 244-7968
Email or Fax Harold Ickes
July 21, 2008
FROM: Murphy
TO: Puma PAC Members
SUBJECT: Today's Puma PAC PROWL
Hello Puma PAC,
This is getting ridiculous. Hillary Clinton's campaign to win the nomination of our party won her more votes than any candidate in primary history. She won every big state Democrats need to win in November, most of them by double-digit margins: New York, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio. The list goes on. She also won the admiration and respect of tens of millions of Americans across party lines and backgrounds.
Neither candidate, Obama nor Clinton, has enough delegates to secure the nomination.
Her delegates represent US. They have a RIGHT to vote for the candidate we chose. She has a right to a FAIR fight.
This is important. Time is running out. We must do ALL that we can to insure that the DNC is FORCED to either allow Hillary Clinton's name to be put in nomination at the convention – for a REAL vote, OR to explain to all of us voters why they refuse to do so.
Send this email to Harold Ickes TODAY. Print it out and fax (FAX -- 202.223.0358) it to his office as well. Short and sweet is best – it really gets the message across.
SIGN your name by putting your name, city and sate above Puma Pac Democrat
Send this to hickes@msek.com and blind copy MamaPuma@pumapac.org
Subject:
We have a RIGHT to a fair FIGHT!
______________________________________________________________________
7/21/08
PUMA Democrat
PUMApac
Contact: Murphy@pumapac.org
Dear Harold Ickes,
Senator Clinton MUST be put into nomination for a REAL vote at the Convention. I'm a member of Puma PAC, People United Means Action (http://blog.pumapac.org), and one of MILLIONS who believe this nomination process has been hijacked.
We have a RIGHT to have our votes COUNT for something at the Convention.
Nominate Hillary for a REAL VOTE in Denver. Otherwise the members of Puma PAC will NOT support the illegitimate nominee.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Puma PAC Democrat.
FROM: Murphy
TO: Puma PAC Members
SUBJECT: Today's Puma PAC PROWL
Hello Puma PAC,
This is getting ridiculous. Hillary Clinton's campaign to win the nomination of our party won her more votes than any candidate in primary history. She won every big state Democrats need to win in November, most of them by double-digit margins: New York, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio. The list goes on. She also won the admiration and respect of tens of millions of Americans across party lines and backgrounds.
Neither candidate, Obama nor Clinton, has enough delegates to secure the nomination.
Her delegates represent US. They have a RIGHT to vote for the candidate we chose. She has a right to a FAIR fight.
This is important. Time is running out. We must do ALL that we can to insure that the DNC is FORCED to either allow Hillary Clinton's name to be put in nomination at the convention – for a REAL vote, OR to explain to all of us voters why they refuse to do so.
Send this email to Harold Ickes TODAY. Print it out and fax (FAX -- 202.223.0358) it to his office as well. Short and sweet is best – it really gets the message across.
SIGN your name by putting your name, city and sate above Puma Pac Democrat
Send this to hickes@msek.com and blind copy MamaPuma@pumapac.org
Subject:
We have a RIGHT to a fair FIGHT!
______________________________________________________________________
7/21/08
PUMA Democrat
PUMApac
Contact: Murphy@pumapac.org
Dear Harold Ickes,
Senator Clinton MUST be put into nomination for a REAL vote at the Convention. I'm a member of Puma PAC, People United Means Action (http://blog.pumapac.org), and one of MILLIONS who believe this nomination process has been hijacked.
We have a RIGHT to have our votes COUNT for something at the Convention.
Nominate Hillary for a REAL VOTE in Denver. Otherwise the members of Puma PAC will NOT support the illegitimate nominee.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Puma PAC Democrat.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Respond to Don Fowler and Alice Germond's "fatigue and irritation" letter
From Election Watch:
ELECTABILITY WATCH (EW)
Rasmussen: Obama 44%, McCain 41%.
Gallup: Obama 45%, McCain 42%.
All,
Last night Don Fowler and Alice Germond, 2 senior DNC leaders, wrote about their "fatigue and irritation" at those of us who are committed to the notion that the Democratic Party does not yet have a candidate, that neither Obama nor Senator Clinton obtained the support necessary to clinch the nomination. Clinton was elected by a majority of voters; Obama was selected by a majority of super delegates. Still, neither achieved an actual majority of total delegates.
Sorry Don and Alice to be so stubborn about the democratic process. Some of us find your efforts to bully and bulldoze to be a bit offensive. In particular we find your tactics heavy handed and undemocratic. Among other omissions, you have failed to COUNT EVERY VOTE. If you did, it would become even clearer how close the count is and how critical it is for the Super Delegates to now be allowed to assess the qualities and experience of each candidate in order to determine which is the electable Democrat who can bring the Democrats back into the White House.
So, please stop trying to round up the Clinton and undecided delegates like cattle. Many are already feeling uneasy by virtue of your bringing to Denver 74,000 Obama supporters. Why do you keep manipulating the system and the people? Are you afraid that Obama is not sealing the deal and the delegates, if given the chance, just might vote for Hillary as the electable Democrat? Mustn't let that happen, hmmmm??
Don and Alice. Please understand that the more you do this stuff, the more people join the EW and are writing to SDs to encourage them to have the courage to choose the electable Hillary. We now have some new contact information for some SDs, so for those who have been waiting to join the EW, now is the time! Please let me know.
GO GO GO!
Ricki
THREE RESPONSES TO "FATIGUE AND IRRITATION":
1) CHARTER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
PREAMBLE
"We, the Democrats of the United States of America, united in common purpose, hereby rededicate ourselves to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. Recognizing that the vitality of the Nation's political institutions has been the foundation of its enduring strength, we acknowledge that a political party which wishes to lead must listen to those it would lead, a party which asks for the people's trust must prove that it trusts the people and a party which hopes to call forth the best the Nation can achieve must embody the best of the Nation's heritage and traditions.
What we seek for our Nation, we hope for all people: individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all citizens. Bound by the United States Constitution, aware that a party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility, we pledge ourselves to open, honest endeavor and to the conduct of public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free people. Under God, and for these ends and upon these principles, we do establish and adopt this Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States of America.
2) Dear Alice and Don, Please refund my tax dollars (by riverdaughter at The Confluence)
My state of NJ paid millions of dollars to have a primary. I dutifully voted in that primary for Hillary Clinton… And now you are telling me to shut up, sit down and support a candidate that did not win my state. A candidate whose name will be placed in nomination over the person who *did* win my state. A candidate who took the ill-gotten delegates from MI who were offered to him even though he earned none of them. Who took delegates who belonged to his opponents. A candidate who does not represent my sense of fairness and ethical behavior. A candidate who failed to defend the fourth amendment during FISA legislation, who fails to comment on the Bush administration rule redefining birth control as an abortifacient, who grandstands in Europe…
You are saying to me that I forked over my tax money for a sham primary. That is what your letter is saying. Your party has perpetrated a fraud on the states that conducted primaries and voted decisively for Hillary Clinton. The convention hasn't been held yet but you have pre-determined the outcome and have stripped my vote of any meaning. This is the message you are sending to me and others. Think very carefully if this is the message you meant. God help you if you really mean it.
3) FROM a Puma PAC Democrat:
Dear Mr. Fowler and Ms. Germond: You "confess" to feeling "a bit of fatigue and irritation with people who continue to carp, complain, and criticize the results of the primary and lay down conditions for their support." If listening to voters has become distressingly fatiguing and irritating to you both, perhaps you should consider a different line of work.
I am a member of Puma PAC, People United Means Action. As voters in the Democratic Party, we MOST CERTAINLY DO "lay down conditions" for our support. These conditions include a profound commitment to the Democratic process; enfranchisement of ALL Democratic voters; and a candidate who is ready and able to lead our country and LEAD US TO VICTORY in November.
You both, as well as your selected nominee, FAIL at meeting even one of these conditions. As a result, your selected nominee will absolutely, positively NOT receive our votes in November. That you compared, ineptly, a presidential primary election to a sporting event betrays your even deeper failure of leadership and competence.
Response from ELECTABILITY WATCH - 5; Letter To Super Delegates of the Democratic Party:
I am pleased to be writing to again this week in the context of the ELECTABILITY WATCH (5). Knowing that your only job at the Convention in Denver is to select the electable candidate to bring the Democrats back to the White House, and knowing that you take this responsibility very seriously, I believe that you will come to the conclusion that Hillary Clinton is that electable candidate. I have been glad to hear from some of you who agree with this assessment, and also from some who do not. Some of you have thanked the ELECTABILITY WATCHers for providing helpful information. Others have flicked us off by saying "it's all over"
In looking at the situation at the close of this week, there is no evidence that Obama is now able to "seal the deal" with the voters any more than he was able to during the primaries. We know that during the primaries, the more voters learned about Obama, the more they voted for Senator Clinton.
a) POLLING: The polling results are not encouraging for Obama. Specifically, this week:
Rasmussen: Clinton 50%, McCain 42%; Obama 46%, McCain 43%.
Rasmussen: Obama 44%, McCain 42%; Gallup Daily: Obama 45%, McCain 44%.
Gallup commented: "Though not a significant change, Obama's support has dropped out of "zone". Barack Obama and John McCain are now virtually tied in the voter preferences of national adults, with 45% saying they would vote for Obama and 44% backing McCain. This is the first time in more than two weeks that fewer than 46% of voters have picked Obama."
To me, a veteran Democrat, it is shocking and worrying that the Presumed Nominee is not leading by double digits at this point in the summer.
b) THE CONVENTION: Much to my great puzzlement, the DNC continues to refuse to confirm that the Convention in Denver will include, as in past practice, a fair and open nominating process, speeches and a State-by-State roll call. Could it be that the DNC is afraid that having prematurely coronated Obama, Hillary Clinton will be nominated because she is the Democrat who is electable and can return the Democrats to the White House?
So, in addition to choosing the electable candidate in Denver, I ask that, as Super Delegates, you be sure that the convention will be an open one, not just at Mile High Stadium, open to the elements. Only if the DNC hears forcefully from Super Delegates that it is not acceptable to appoint a candidate, especially one who did not have the majority of the primary popular vote, the DNC will not be able to pull this off. Please contact Howard Dean at (202) 863-8000 HowardDean@dnc.org, and Nancy Pelosi at (202) 225-4965 AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
I am sure you are hearing from others as well that if the DNC wants party disunity, all it has to do is appear to bulldoze through Obama's nomination. PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!
c) INTIMIDATION: This is a topic everyone would like to avoid, but I have been hearing from both SDs and pledged delegates that there is, in many places across the country, an undercurrent of intimidation - stories of threats to replace delegates who want to support Hillary Clinton, threats of credentials challenges to those perceived as "disloyal", names gone missing, etc. This may be the Chicago way, but it should not be the Democratic Party way. If this is happening to any of you or anyone you know, please let me know, in confidence. I think we can all agree that intimidation must not govern who governs.
d) SUSPENDED, NOT ENDED: Clinton delegates and others feeling buyer's remorse as they watch Obama throw core Democratic values "under the bus", please remember that Senator Clinton has not released her delegates and that there is a Delegate Help Desk available to you.
e) DON FOWLER AND ALICE GERMOND, 2 senior DNC leaders, wrote about their "fatigue and irritation" at those of us who are committed to the notion that the Democratic Party does not yet have a candidate, that neither Obama nor Senator Clinton obtained the support necessary to clinch the nomination. Clinton was elected by a majority of voters; Obama was selected by a majority of super delegates. Still, neither achieved an actual majority of total delegates.
Alice and Don, please read the DNC's own statement of purpose and reconsider your ill-advised letter:
CHARTER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES - PREAMBLE
We, the Democrats of the United States of America, united in common purpose, hereby rededicate ourselves to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. Recognizing that the vitality of the Nation's political institutions has been the foundation of its enduring strength, we acknowledge that a political party which wishes to lead must listen to those it would lead, a party which asks for the people's trust must prove that it trusts the people and a party which hopes to call forth the best the Nation can achieve must embody the best of the Nation's heritage and traditions.
What we seek for our Nation, we hope for all people: individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all citizens. Bound by the United States Constitution, aware that a party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility, we pledge ourselves to open, honest endeavor and to the conduct of public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free people. Under God, and for these ends and upon these principles, we do establish and adopt this Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States of America.
6) ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: One SD commented: "I heard Obama say on TV that he wants to give everyone a $700 energy credit to address rising fuel costs". I thought, "FROM TAXPAYER MONEY????? TO SUBSIDIZE OIL COMPANY PROFITS????? THIS IS A HORRIBLE IDEA! I liked Hillary Clinton's idea better: make the oil companies pay for it, not the American people.. "
Finally, below I have included some must see/hear links which I hope you will find helpful in your deliberations. I will be interested in any questions or comments you have.
She's simply the best, better than all the rest!!!http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
GO GO GO!
Ricki Lieberman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt6JmgKfXzo
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHsZEQW7KXKWc1zUuTW9Sipb65zY3lAtwi69nzpkCQaA3DyB_5qPD5srP9ftWNlKQAWt-ahyiqzQPfp1Rq5aCQlnmviKkekJ9I2a_n2aOLSDCI30FG_Fk9jsoj6C64OB576sO11MVrcCG/s1600-h/CQ_PA_DG7_17.jpg
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18882087
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOYyWpuEjyU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCG5Tp4ZwZI
AND FINALLY,
On CNN today, Bill Schneider commented on what it might be like to be one of the 2000 Clinton Delegates in Mile High Stadium with 74,000 Obama supporters...???
--
Ricki Lieberman
610 West End Avenue
New York, New York 10024
212.580-5516
ELECTABILITY WATCH (EW)
Rasmussen: Obama 44%, McCain 41%.
Gallup: Obama 45%, McCain 42%.
All,
Last night Don Fowler and Alice Germond, 2 senior DNC leaders, wrote about their "fatigue and irritation" at those of us who are committed to the notion that the Democratic Party does not yet have a candidate, that neither Obama nor Senator Clinton obtained the support necessary to clinch the nomination. Clinton was elected by a majority of voters; Obama was selected by a majority of super delegates. Still, neither achieved an actual majority of total delegates.
Sorry Don and Alice to be so stubborn about the democratic process. Some of us find your efforts to bully and bulldoze to be a bit offensive. In particular we find your tactics heavy handed and undemocratic. Among other omissions, you have failed to COUNT EVERY VOTE. If you did, it would become even clearer how close the count is and how critical it is for the Super Delegates to now be allowed to assess the qualities and experience of each candidate in order to determine which is the electable Democrat who can bring the Democrats back into the White House.
So, please stop trying to round up the Clinton and undecided delegates like cattle. Many are already feeling uneasy by virtue of your bringing to Denver 74,000 Obama supporters. Why do you keep manipulating the system and the people? Are you afraid that Obama is not sealing the deal and the delegates, if given the chance, just might vote for Hillary as the electable Democrat? Mustn't let that happen, hmmmm??
Don and Alice. Please understand that the more you do this stuff, the more people join the EW and are writing to SDs to encourage them to have the courage to choose the electable Hillary. We now have some new contact information for some SDs, so for those who have been waiting to join the EW, now is the time! Please let me know.
GO GO GO!
Ricki
THREE RESPONSES TO "FATIGUE AND IRRITATION":
1) CHARTER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
PREAMBLE
"We, the Democrats of the United States of America, united in common purpose, hereby rededicate ourselves to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. Recognizing that the vitality of the Nation's political institutions has been the foundation of its enduring strength, we acknowledge that a political party which wishes to lead must listen to those it would lead, a party which asks for the people's trust must prove that it trusts the people and a party which hopes to call forth the best the Nation can achieve must embody the best of the Nation's heritage and traditions.
What we seek for our Nation, we hope for all people: individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all citizens. Bound by the United States Constitution, aware that a party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility, we pledge ourselves to open, honest endeavor and to the conduct of public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free people. Under God, and for these ends and upon these principles, we do establish and adopt this Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States of America.
2) Dear Alice and Don, Please refund my tax dollars (by riverdaughter at The Confluence)
My state of NJ paid millions of dollars to have a primary. I dutifully voted in that primary for Hillary Clinton… And now you are telling me to shut up, sit down and support a candidate that did not win my state. A candidate whose name will be placed in nomination over the person who *did* win my state. A candidate who took the ill-gotten delegates from MI who were offered to him even though he earned none of them. Who took delegates who belonged to his opponents. A candidate who does not represent my sense of fairness and ethical behavior. A candidate who failed to defend the fourth amendment during FISA legislation, who fails to comment on the Bush administration rule redefining birth control as an abortifacient, who grandstands in Europe…
You are saying to me that I forked over my tax money for a sham primary. That is what your letter is saying. Your party has perpetrated a fraud on the states that conducted primaries and voted decisively for Hillary Clinton. The convention hasn't been held yet but you have pre-determined the outcome and have stripped my vote of any meaning. This is the message you are sending to me and others. Think very carefully if this is the message you meant. God help you if you really mean it.
3) FROM a Puma PAC Democrat:
Dear Mr. Fowler and Ms. Germond: You "confess" to feeling "a bit of fatigue and irritation with people who continue to carp, complain, and criticize the results of the primary and lay down conditions for their support." If listening to voters has become distressingly fatiguing and irritating to you both, perhaps you should consider a different line of work.
I am a member of Puma PAC, People United Means Action. As voters in the Democratic Party, we MOST CERTAINLY DO "lay down conditions" for our support. These conditions include a profound commitment to the Democratic process; enfranchisement of ALL Democratic voters; and a candidate who is ready and able to lead our country and LEAD US TO VICTORY in November.
You both, as well as your selected nominee, FAIL at meeting even one of these conditions. As a result, your selected nominee will absolutely, positively NOT receive our votes in November. That you compared, ineptly, a presidential primary election to a sporting event betrays your even deeper failure of leadership and competence.
Response from ELECTABILITY WATCH - 5; Letter To Super Delegates of the Democratic Party:
I am pleased to be writing to again this week in the context of the ELECTABILITY WATCH (5). Knowing that your only job at the Convention in Denver is to select the electable candidate to bring the Democrats back to the White House, and knowing that you take this responsibility very seriously, I believe that you will come to the conclusion that Hillary Clinton is that electable candidate. I have been glad to hear from some of you who agree with this assessment, and also from some who do not. Some of you have thanked the ELECTABILITY WATCHers for providing helpful information. Others have flicked us off by saying "it's all over"
In looking at the situation at the close of this week, there is no evidence that Obama is now able to "seal the deal" with the voters any more than he was able to during the primaries. We know that during the primaries, the more voters learned about Obama, the more they voted for Senator Clinton.
a) POLLING: The polling results are not encouraging for Obama. Specifically, this week:
Rasmussen: Clinton 50%, McCain 42%; Obama 46%, McCain 43%.
Rasmussen: Obama 44%, McCain 42%; Gallup Daily: Obama 45%, McCain 44%.
Gallup commented: "Though not a significant change, Obama's support has dropped out of "zone". Barack Obama and John McCain are now virtually tied in the voter preferences of national adults, with 45% saying they would vote for Obama and 44% backing McCain. This is the first time in more than two weeks that fewer than 46% of voters have picked Obama."
To me, a veteran Democrat, it is shocking and worrying that the Presumed Nominee is not leading by double digits at this point in the summer.
b) THE CONVENTION: Much to my great puzzlement, the DNC continues to refuse to confirm that the Convention in Denver will include, as in past practice, a fair and open nominating process, speeches and a State-by-State roll call. Could it be that the DNC is afraid that having prematurely coronated Obama, Hillary Clinton will be nominated because she is the Democrat who is electable and can return the Democrats to the White House?
So, in addition to choosing the electable candidate in Denver, I ask that, as Super Delegates, you be sure that the convention will be an open one, not just at Mile High Stadium, open to the elements. Only if the DNC hears forcefully from Super Delegates that it is not acceptable to appoint a candidate, especially one who did not have the majority of the primary popular vote, the DNC will not be able to pull this off. Please contact Howard Dean at (202) 863-8000 HowardDean@dnc.org, and Nancy Pelosi at (202) 225-4965 AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
I am sure you are hearing from others as well that if the DNC wants party disunity, all it has to do is appear to bulldoze through Obama's nomination. PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!
c) INTIMIDATION: This is a topic everyone would like to avoid, but I have been hearing from both SDs and pledged delegates that there is, in many places across the country, an undercurrent of intimidation - stories of threats to replace delegates who want to support Hillary Clinton, threats of credentials challenges to those perceived as "disloyal", names gone missing, etc. This may be the Chicago way, but it should not be the Democratic Party way. If this is happening to any of you or anyone you know, please let me know, in confidence. I think we can all agree that intimidation must not govern who governs.
d) SUSPENDED, NOT ENDED: Clinton delegates and others feeling buyer's remorse as they watch Obama throw core Democratic values "under the bus", please remember that Senator Clinton has not released her delegates and that there is a Delegate Help Desk available to you.
e) DON FOWLER AND ALICE GERMOND, 2 senior DNC leaders, wrote about their "fatigue and irritation" at those of us who are committed to the notion that the Democratic Party does not yet have a candidate, that neither Obama nor Senator Clinton obtained the support necessary to clinch the nomination. Clinton was elected by a majority of voters; Obama was selected by a majority of super delegates. Still, neither achieved an actual majority of total delegates.
Alice and Don, please read the DNC's own statement of purpose and reconsider your ill-advised letter:
CHARTER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES - PREAMBLE
We, the Democrats of the United States of America, united in common purpose, hereby rededicate ourselves to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. Recognizing that the vitality of the Nation's political institutions has been the foundation of its enduring strength, we acknowledge that a political party which wishes to lead must listen to those it would lead, a party which asks for the people's trust must prove that it trusts the people and a party which hopes to call forth the best the Nation can achieve must embody the best of the Nation's heritage and traditions.
What we seek for our Nation, we hope for all people: individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all citizens. Bound by the United States Constitution, aware that a party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility, we pledge ourselves to open, honest endeavor and to the conduct of public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free people. Under God, and for these ends and upon these principles, we do establish and adopt this Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States of America.
6) ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: One SD commented: "I heard Obama say on TV that he wants to give everyone a $700 energy credit to address rising fuel costs". I thought, "FROM TAXPAYER MONEY????? TO SUBSIDIZE OIL COMPANY PROFITS????? THIS IS A HORRIBLE IDEA! I liked Hillary Clinton's idea better: make the oil companies pay for it, not the American people.. "
Finally, below I have included some must see/hear links which I hope you will find helpful in your deliberations. I will be interested in any questions or comments you have.
She's simply the best, better than all the rest!!!http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
GO GO GO!
Ricki Lieberman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt6JmgKfXzo
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHsZEQW7KXKWc1zUuTW9Sipb65zY3lAtwi69nzpkCQaA3DyB_5qPD5srP9ftWNlKQAWt-ahyiqzQPfp1Rq5aCQlnmviKkekJ9I2a_n2aOLSDCI30FG_Fk9jsoj6C64OB576sO11MVrcCG/s1600-h/CQ_PA_DG7_17.jpg
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18882087
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOYyWpuEjyU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCG5Tp4ZwZI
AND FINALLY,
On CNN today, Bill Schneider commented on what it might be like to be one of the 2000 Clinton Delegates in Mile High Stadium with 74,000 Obama supporters...???
--
Ricki Lieberman
610 West End Avenue
New York, New York 10024
212.580-5516
TALKING POINTS MEMO 15JUL08
PUMAs,
I'm forwarding the handy Talking Points Doc. If anyone wishes to add or change, please let me know. I just want to get this out so that everyone can communicate from the same page.
The PUMA protest w/Michelle Obama is tomorrow at Qwest Field. Folks will meet around 11am. It won't take long. Please consider going! Contact jeanniestratton@comcast.net for details!
Joanie
Talking Points Tips:
-Seek out media opportunities
-Start dialogue with (former?)Hillary supporters
-Be well-prepared before speaking
-Avoid inflammatory or emotional terms like “Obama’s a liar.”
-Emotional reads crazy
-Have facts and references ready for any statement that you make
-Speak Slowly
-Caution: Be prepared to answer common media traps:
“Will you vote McCain?”
“Hillary and Obama are virtually the same,why vote against your interests?”
“But Hillary has asked you to support Obama!”
Talking Points:
.
1. Obama is NOT YET the nominee
2. Obama is UNELECTABLE*, ILLEGITIMATE and UNQUALIFIED
3. It is our obligation to choose the most ELECTABLE* candidate.
4. OUR GOALS ARE NOT FAR-FETCHED.
5. POLITICAL HISTORY IS FULL OF SURPRISES (cite history)
6. Obama and Hillary are NOT INTERCHANGABLE in their stance on the issues.
7. Obama has made serious REVERSALS away from Democratic core values.
8. OUR VOTE IS POWERFUL-WE HOLD THE CARDS
*Please be prepared to counter false polls that put him ahead, or true polls that show him even with McCain. Cite the fact that he LOST the significant states, and does not poll well with the demographics that decide elections. If careful, you can cite the fact that Republican attacks do not begin until after the convention.
Successful tactics for revealing Obama to under-informed Progressives:
Stay fact-based and unemotional
Provide complete list of reversals from promised Progressive positions
Emphasize that Obama will NOT care for the average American:
-Heath Care
-Privacy
-Future-Environment/Energy
-Social Security
-National Security
-Economy
Cite Hillary’s UNWAIVERING positions/credible endorsements on these issues
Accessibility to PUMA materials:
-Need for quality materials, easy to find, duplicate and distribute
-Links/Resources:
1. Excellent Source for Superdelegate Information http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Texas_2008_presidential_primary_and_superdelegates
2. Source for easy-access PUMA-related information. Media appearances, calendar, materials for circulation: Hillarysupporters.com
3. Janis’ Historically-based flyers promoting an open convention: http://www.io.com/~janis/pumaflyers.zip
I'm forwarding the handy Talking Points Doc. If anyone wishes to add or change, please let me know. I just want to get this out so that everyone can communicate from the same page.
The PUMA protest w/Michelle Obama is tomorrow at Qwest Field. Folks will meet around 11am. It won't take long. Please consider going! Contact jeanniestratton@comcast.net for details!
Joanie
Talking Points Tips:
-Seek out media opportunities
-Start dialogue with (former?)Hillary supporters
-Be well-prepared before speaking
-Avoid inflammatory or emotional terms like “Obama’s a liar.”
-Emotional reads crazy
-Have facts and references ready for any statement that you make
-Speak Slowly
-Caution: Be prepared to answer common media traps:
“Will you vote McCain?”
“Hillary and Obama are virtually the same,why vote against your interests?”
“But Hillary has asked you to support Obama!”
Talking Points:
.
1. Obama is NOT YET the nominee
2. Obama is UNELECTABLE*, ILLEGITIMATE and UNQUALIFIED
3. It is our obligation to choose the most ELECTABLE* candidate.
4. OUR GOALS ARE NOT FAR-FETCHED.
5. POLITICAL HISTORY IS FULL OF SURPRISES (cite history)
6. Obama and Hillary are NOT INTERCHANGABLE in their stance on the issues.
7. Obama has made serious REVERSALS away from Democratic core values.
8. OUR VOTE IS POWERFUL-WE HOLD THE CARDS
*Please be prepared to counter false polls that put him ahead, or true polls that show him even with McCain. Cite the fact that he LOST the significant states, and does not poll well with the demographics that decide elections. If careful, you can cite the fact that Republican attacks do not begin until after the convention.
Successful tactics for revealing Obama to under-informed Progressives:
Stay fact-based and unemotional
Provide complete list of reversals from promised Progressive positions
Emphasize that Obama will NOT care for the average American:
-Heath Care
-Privacy
-Future-Environment/Energy
-Social Security
-National Security
-Economy
Cite Hillary’s UNWAIVERING positions/credible endorsements on these issues
Accessibility to PUMA materials:
-Need for quality materials, easy to find, duplicate and distribute
-Links/Resources:
1. Excellent Source for Superdelegate Information http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Texas_2008_presidential_primary_and_superdelegates
2. Source for easy-access PUMA-related information. Media appearances, calendar, materials for circulation: Hillarysupporters.com
3. Janis’ Historically-based flyers promoting an open convention: http://www.io.com/~janis/pumaflyers.zip
13JUL08 Action Items
To those that are on this list, and didn't make it last night, please contact me if there is anything you want to do. I will do my best to keep you all in the loop and informed. Here is the recap of last night's meeting from Jen:
Please feel free to add and alert me to changes.
Joanie
Hi Joanie! Thanks again for having the meeting at your home last night. Here are the key points/actions I recorded from last night's discussion.
Goal: open convention where delegates can vote
Actions:
1. Identify super delegates who are still aligned with Hillary and those who switched late (Gilbert)
2. Identify WA delegates (Jen)
3. Identify problems with obama (Joanie, Lori, Ron)
4. Press release mailing list (Joanie, Ohio)
Those are our short term actions due by Wednesday.
Longer term:
1. Switch 200 SDs back to Hillary
2. Develop a process for getting negative information out
3. Influence polling to illustrate obama's lack of viability
4. Adopt a pol – support SD sticking with Hillary in a visible way $$
5. Discover ways to support WA (and other Hillary) Delegates to hold the line at the convention
6. Develop press releases to get our message out
We also talked about other visibility issues but there weren't any actions assigned to these:
How many of us are there?
How much money did we generate to pay down Hillary's debt and how quickly?
Should we demonstrate outside pro-obama or TV stations?
Thanks again for having this meeting!
Jen
Please feel free to add and alert me to changes.
Joanie
Hi Joanie! Thanks again for having the meeting at your home last night. Here are the key points/actions I recorded from last night's discussion.
Goal: open convention where delegates can vote
Actions:
1. Identify super delegates who are still aligned with Hillary and those who switched late (Gilbert)
2. Identify WA delegates (Jen)
3. Identify problems with obama (Joanie, Lori, Ron)
4. Press release mailing list (Joanie, Ohio)
Those are our short term actions due by Wednesday.
Longer term:
1. Switch 200 SDs back to Hillary
2. Develop a process for getting negative information out
3. Influence polling to illustrate obama's lack of viability
4. Adopt a pol – support SD sticking with Hillary in a visible way $$
5. Discover ways to support WA (and other Hillary) Delegates to hold the line at the convention
6. Develop press releases to get our message out
We also talked about other visibility issues but there weren't any actions assigned to these:
How many of us are there?
How much money did we generate to pay down Hillary's debt and how quickly?
Should we demonstrate outside pro-obama or TV stations?
Thanks again for having this meeting!
Jen
Email re PUMA meeting 13JUL08
Hello Fellow PUMAS,
Thank you for coming all the way over here last night! I thought it was a great meeting -- we miraculously emerged with an action plan!
I will be forwarding Jen's summary/action points following this e-mail.
We discussed Michelle Obama's visit, and we had the day wrong. It is this THURSDAY-info below. For those that expressed reservation about going out of concern that there would not be enough PUMA presence, remember that there are more folks that will be alerted to this event by PUMApac, as well as some from 18 Million Voices.
Please take the time to register at PUMApac if you haven't already. It's the best way to be alerted to events and connected as a broader group.
Yours,
Joanie
Thank you for coming all the way over here last night! I thought it was a great meeting -- we miraculously emerged with an action plan!
I will be forwarding Jen's summary/action points following this e-mail.
We discussed Michelle Obama's visit, and we had the day wrong. It is this THURSDAY-info below. For those that expressed reservation about going out of concern that there would not be enough PUMA presence, remember that there are more folks that will be alerted to this event by PUMApac, as well as some from 18 Million Voices.
Please take the time to register at PUMApac if you haven't already. It's the best way to be alerted to events and connected as a broader group.
Yours,
Joanie
Clinton Dem Action Alert 17JUL08: Write Senator Clinton!
Dear Clinton Dem,
Americans are finally hearing our message around the country - and they know that we are serious in our stance: Hillary Clinton is the best possible candidate to defeat John McCain in the fall. If the party ignores that fact it will be at their own peril.
The DNC, congressional democrats and delegates are now beginning to fathom the depth of the electorate's skepticism about the electability of their presumptive nominee. There are a vast number of voters that question whether he possesses the judgment, experience, resolve or readiness to take on the toughest job in the world. Our country is experiencing trying times not endured in decades and on-the-job-training is a luxury we can't afford. Fortunately, we don't have to -- there is still time for the Democrats to do the right thing and allow Senator Clinton a fair and meaningful roll call vote at the convention.
The PUMA movement would never have taken off as it did if we were just a few "bitter voters". Many Democrats are deeply disturbed by the way this primary played out -- especially the lack of leadership shown by the DNC and the ill-advised alignment against our most qualified candidate, Hillary Clinton, by some party "elites".
In conjunction with other PUMA sites, we request that you call, write, or fax to Hillary's D.C. office and make a simple request:
"We want our delegates to have the opportunity to vote for Hillary as our "nominee" at the convention. Our votes aren't for negotiation and our pledged delegates aren't for negotiation. Unity doesn't come from a declaration -- it comes from action. The action that will legitimize this process is the a fair, meaningful roll call vote at the convention.
Please let Senator Clinton know that we still support her and we encourage (and expect her) to hold her ground to make sure it happens! Thank you!"
While Obama has been flopping, super delegates have been flipping. If there were no chance of Hillary winning the nomination with a roll call vote, there wouldn't be such a strong effort to render that vote merely "symbolic".
We are making a difference. Intelligent people are beginning to consider the possibility that we really are the voice of reason and the conscience of the Democratic Party. Please...contact Senator Clinton today and ask her to insist on a fair and meaningful roll call vote at the convention!
Washington, D.C.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
United States Senate
476 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4451
General Fax: (202) 228-0282
Open Letter to Howard Dean
Sign the open letter to Howard Dean to put Senator Clinton’s name in as a nominee at the convention (created by the Denver Group): http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/TheDenverGroup/?e
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