Another amazing day in Denver leading up to tonight's historic speech. Check out the latest pictures from the Convention Hall to events with Speaker Pelosi and special guests Annette Benning, Eva Longoria, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, John Legend, Wyclef Jean, and our Convention Contest winners below. For the latest updates, make sure to check out the Convention Zone.
The Florida Congressional Primary elections yesterday solidified the Sunshine State's place as a Congressional Battleground in 2008. The results showed that Floridians remain frustrated by Republican incumbents, who have blocked progress on middle class priorities such as affordable children's health care and lower gas prices. Most of all, these results are the best evidence to date that Floridians are hungry for change in Washington.
Below is a look at some of the notable primaries that shows why Democrats remain squarely on offense going into November throughout Florida.
FL-08 - A "Disappointing Showing" from Incumbent Ric Keller
Representative Ric Keller (FL-08) garnered only 53% in his Republican primary yesterday, hinting at serious trouble for the incumbent in November. As Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel put it:
"Considering Keller could only eke out a win against an unknown newcomer that Keller depicted as a drunk, you can expect that race to jump on the national radar." [Orlando Sentinel Taking Names Blog, 8/26/08]
This Central Florida district has a swing nature and was Keller was held to less than 53% of the general election vote in 2006. This year, Keller's problems have mounted. He has come under fire for his broken term limit pledge, his continued opposition to children's heath care legislation, and his much-ridiculed flip-flop on the troop surge in Iraq.
Democrat Alan Grayson has shown the ability to run a professional and aggressive campaign against Keller, holding him accountable for his failures and flip-flops. Grayson has also invested some of his own resources into the races and seems to have the ability to put in more.
Grayson, a successful attorney, has been nationally recognized for his work to crack down on corrupt defense contractors in Iraq and won the first case that forced a corrupt defense firm to pay back $10 million to the tax payers. The Wall Street Journal said "Lawyer Alan Grayson is waging a one-man war against contractor fraud in Iraq." [Wall Street Journal, 4/19/06]. Grayson will be able to use this success to show that he will stand up for the change voters are hungry for in this swing district.
FL-16 - Republicans Emerge Divided and Weak, Mahoney Remains Focused
Tom Rooney emerges from the Republican primary in Florida's 16th District battered and bruised. Charges of questionable gambling connections and ethical issues generated headlines in the primary and remain fresh in the minds of voters. Rooney also spent the past months highlighting his extremist views in order to win by the slimmest of margins.
Tom Rooney was called "scandalous" by a fellow Republican candidate. In the primary, Rooney faced questions about his connections to his father's Palm Beach Kennel Club. Rooney accepted over $39,000 from employees of and lobbyists for the Palm Beach Kennel Club and owns up to $50,000 worth of stock in the business, while trying to deny involvement in his family's efforts to expand gambling.
While Republicans bickered, Representative Tim Mahoney (FL-16) has worked tirelessly as an independent voice for his constituents. In this election, Mahoney will run on the promises he kept, including his leadership in the fight to lower homeowners' insurance, bring affordable housing to the district, and fund Everglades restoration.
Representative Mahoney will also fight for the change that is still needed, and show that with his independent record and support from groups like the Chamber of Commerce, he is the right person to continue the bipartisan change his voters are looking for.
FL-24 - Feeney Dragged Down by Ethical Questions, Kosmas Comes Out Strong
Representative Tom Feeney (FL-24) faces his most difficult election of his career. Questions continue over his unethical conduct. Feeney remains part of an FBI investigation. But the worst news for Feeney this year is the strength of Democrat Suzanne Kosmas.
Feeney is currently part of an FBI investigation into his connection to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Feeney accompanied Abramoff on an infamous golf junket to Scotland in 2003 and has already paid over $147,000 on legal fees this election cycle.
While Feeney struggles to fend off ethics allegations, Suzanne Kosmas continues building her support. Kosmas shares the priorities of Florida's 24th District, which is why she received over 72% of the primary vote. She is continuing to raise more money and have more in the bank than Feeney.
Indicative of Feeney's concerned about Kosmas' strength, Feeney even paid for deceptive robocalls in the primary touting another Democratic candidate in a desperate attempt to confuse voters
Florida Democrats Highlighted in Denver
Three Democratic candidates who did not have primaries, Raul Martinez (FL-21), Joe Garcia (FL-25), and Christine Jennings (FL-13), joined DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen on stage yesterday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. They were included as part of several "terrific Democratic candidates for change" that Chairman Van Hollen highlighted during his speech to the Convention.
Van Hollen said Garcia, who is challenging Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, was "leading an incredible grass-roots campaign.'" Van Hollen introduced Martinez, who is taking on Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, as a "'proven leader and the beloved mayor of Hialeah"' and called Jennings, running against Rep. Vern Buchanan, "a bank teller who worked her way up to president, a pioneering businesswoman and community leader." [Miami Herald, 8/26/08]
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen addressed the Democratic National Convention yesterday to speak about our chance "to realize the change we need by electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden and expanding our Democratic Majority in Congress."
He was joined on stage by some of the 50 Democrats for Change from across the country:
Chairman Van Hollen's introduction of our Democratic candidates:
The wave for change that began in 2006 continues to grow. Already this year, we've won special elections in districts no one thought we'd win: in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi. Now we take our campaign to whole country, with more than 50 terrific Democratic candidates for change.
And we're honored to have some of them with us tonight: from New Jersey's 3rd District, a fighter for the middle class, state Sen. John Adler; from Illinois' 11th, an independent fighter with a track record of creating new jobs in her district, state Sen. Debbie Halverson; leading an incredible grass-roots campaign across Florida's 25th, Joe Garcia; from New Mexico's 3rd district, a dedicated community leader, Ben Ray Lujan; a proven leader and the beloved mayor of Hialeah running in Florida's 21st, Raul Martinez; from Florida's 13th District, a bank teller who worked her way up, a pioneering businesswoman and community leader, Christine Jennings; and bringing independent leadership that Minnesotans of the 3rd District are seeking, a patriot who served in Iraq as a U.S. Marine, Ashwin Madia.
These are just a few of the 50 outstanding candidates for change that are running across the country from Alabama to Alaska, from New York to New Mexico, and right here in the great state of Colorado. We must succeed, because if we make the right choice this election, it will mean a new direction for America and the world for years to come.
Chairman Van Hollen's full speech below:
Did you see the amazing speeches last night? Here are a couple highlights:
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer takes John "I don't know how many houses I own" McCain to task on energy policy:
Hillary Clinton points out that John McCain's agenda looks an awful lot like George Bush's.
Tonight we hear from our future Vice President Joe Biden. And tomorrow we hear from Barack Obama, our next president. For the latest updates from here in Denver, make sure to check out the Convention Zone.
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen will be speaking at the Democratic National Convention today in the 6:00 p.m. ET (4 p.m. MT) hour. He will be joined on stage by some of the 50 Democrats for Change from across the country, including:
Wow -- what a first night!
Last night, Michelle Obama gave an amazing speech and we even heard from Senator Ted Kennedy. You can check out the latest pictures and updates from Denver at the Convention Zone.
Tonight, one of the rising stars of our Party and the next U.S. Senator from Virginia, Mark Warner delivers the keynote address. And then, Hillary Rodham Clinton will take the stage and give an electrifying speech. Text your support to Denver by typing DEN and your comment to 30644. You can see your message posted here.
Today's edition of USA Today covers Speker Pelosi's speech last night to the convention:
DENVER - The Democrat-controlled Congress has set the country on a better path, but the renewal won't be complete without Barack Obama in the White House, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told convention delegates Monday night.
With his devotion to family, love of country, and determination to create a more prosperous future, Senator Joe Biden's values are America's values.
In Joe Biden, Barack Obama gets a uniquely qualified candidate for change. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Biden is one of America's foremost experts on the global challenges facing our nation. Having overcome the very worst of life's adversities, Senator Biden understands the pain that families are feeling and knows the way forward through tough times.
Obama-Biden will be a powerful force for change and an important partner in growing our Democratic Majority in Congress. With Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and a deep roster of Democratic House candidates committed to forging a New Direction, America has a clear choice this November between continuing the Bush-McCain status quo or the Democratic agenda for change.
How many houses do you own? It seems like a simple enough question - unless you're John McCain.
"I think - I'll have my staff get to you," McCain said. "It's condominiums where - I'll have them get to you."
While American families deal with a struggling economy and the housing crisis, it must be nice to lose count of your houses. The Obama campaign released this ad taking McCain to task for being so out-of-touch on economic issues.
All of those Republican candidates hitching their wagon to John McCain and a third term of Bush's economic policies might want to think twice.
Bill Clinton sent the following message to DCCC supporters:
Dear Friend,
We are just 75 days away
from a historic election where Democrats have the opportunity to take
back the White House and win strong Democratic Majorities in Congress.
I've stood in the House chamber to deliver the State of the
Union Address. I've looked out over that sea of faces - some friendly,
others not - knowing how critical Congressional support for bold ideas
and strong policies is for our future.
Believe me, the best thing we could do to help Barack Obama when he is
president is to elect more change-oriented Democrats to Congress on
November 4th.
You can start your personal role today by contributing to the
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)'s Denver to November
campaign before their critical FEC reporting deadline August 31st and if you give today, your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by House Democrats.
All eyes will be on fundraising totals after the Democratic Convention
ends next week - Democrats have to make a strong showing for these
final days from Denver to November.
Contribute $15, $25 or more to our Denver to November campaign and your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by House Democrats.
We must never underestimate the commitment of the hard-core
Republican operatives who will come after our candidates. Republican
attack groups - even one led by people like Tom DeLay, and another
advised by Karl Rove - are prepared to spend nearly $250 million to
defeat Democrats.
We know they will attack our candidates with everything
they've got, so we urgently need your support before the August 31st
deadline. There is no time to wait.
Contribute $15, $25 or more to our Denver to November campaign and your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by House Democrats.
Thank you again for all of your hard work during this
high-stakes election. I am counting on you to help pull us through to
victory.
Sincerely,
Bill Clinton
P.S. You and I know we cannot let the Republicans and John McCain succeed at giving this country another Bush third term. That's
why we need your urgent contribution before our FEC reporting deadline
August 31st - we must show we have the resources to fight back.
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement this evening on the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH-11).
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a courageous voice for equality and a fierce advocate for her constituents. As the first African American woman to represent Ohio in Congress and a preeminent voice in the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones spent every day working to make America a more perfect union.
Whether it was her fight to keep families from losing their homes to foreclosure or to ensure that every vote is counted in our elections, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones approached every battle with passion, grace, and determination.
On behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, I extend my deepest condolences to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' son Mervyn, her entire family, many friends, and her constituents in Ohio's 11th Congressional District. I hope it is of some comfort that the thoughts and prayers of so many are with them at this difficult time.
The Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call takes a look at how Republican candidate Dean Andal's candidacy has been affected by his role in a "botched construction project at a a community college."
By Josh Kurtz
August 20,
2008
Former California Assemblyman Dean Andal, a top Republican recruit who is challenging freshman Rep. Jerry McNerney (D) in the Golden State's 11th district, is facing increasing scrutiny over his role in a botched construction project at a a community college.
A prominent state Senator late last week called on the California State Controller's Office to conduct an audit of the San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees after the board allegedly misappropriated $250 million in government-backed bond funds set aside for the reconstruction of the community college campus.
A civil grand jury report released earlier this summer found that the college board wasted millions of dollars of taxpayer money and violated open-meeting laws by discussing the project outside of public meetings. Andal, a consultant for the developer of the project, was named in the grand jury report as having obtained information from board members that was not intended to be made public.
Andal has denied that he leaked any information from board meetings. But the attention on the community college construction project is unwelcome news for a candidate who Republicans are counting on to oust McNerney. The freshman Congressman upset then-House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) in 2006, aided largely by environmental groups, and Republicans have argued that Andal is a candidate with far less baggage than Pombo who can take advantage of the district's GOP leanings.
But some Republicans have privately expressed frustration with Andal's relatively low fundraising numbers. Through June 30, he had raised a respectable $829,000 and had $663,000 in the bank. But that was modest compared with the $2.17 million raised and almost $1.38 million on hand for the incumbent.
Democratic strategists have suggested that internal polls show Andal's support dropping since the community college story has received wide circulation in the district and have promised that Andal's role in the controversy is certain to be fodder for political ads later in the fall.
She quickly seals the deal with a voter on behalf of Representative Baron Hill, a Democrat being promoted by Mrs. Eckert via a phone bank set up in a vacant Masonic building in this working-class community snug against the Ohio River. Senator Barack Obama proves a tougher sell, with the woman on the other end of the line saying she hears that he might be a bit too sure of himself.
"There are a lot of nasty rumors and smears about him going around," said Mrs. Eckert, a retiree who soothingly promises to dispatch some literature to reassure the woman and perhaps secure a vote for Mr. Obama to go along with the one for Mr. Hill.
It is all part of the building ground game in this crucial Congressional district and many others around the nation. Trying to put their steep financial advantage over House Republicans to good use, House Democrats have initiated extensive voter contact programs to fortify their own candidates and simultaneously bolster Mr. Obama in areas where he might struggle with blue-collar voters.
While Mr. Obama could prove beneficial to House candidates by increasing turnout in urban communities and raising enthusiasm among young voters in college towns, party officials believe an association with known Democratic candidates down the ticket could pay off for Mr. Obama among people who frequent Wal-Mart and passed up college to work.
"It is a two-way street," said Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "There are going to be many districts where the Obama campaign helps our candidates, but our candidates are going to bring out people and we want to be sure they vote for Obama as well."
As MSNBC's Keith Olbermann pointed out in his "Worst Person in the World" segment, some Republican candidates are making desperate claims to justify their support of the Bush-McCain agenda (skip ahead to 43 seconds in):
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) told the website OneNewsNow:
"[Pelosi] is committed to her global warming fanaticism to the point where she has said that she's just trying to save the planet. We all know that someone did that over 2,000 years ago, they saved the planet -- we didn't need Nancy Pelosi to do that.
Republican candidate Ed Tinsley was roundly booed at a local candidate forum after making the outrageous accusation that his opponent, Democrat Harry Teague, will cut the throats of our troops. Watch the video for yourself.
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