The Stakeholder
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 18, 2008
Barack Obama sent the following message to DCCC supporters:
Dear Friend,
America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
You and I are clear about our goal. We are out to change Washington in a deep and lasting way, charting a new course for America. That means winning the White House. But it also means building a strong foundation in Congress by electing dozens of new, change-oriented candidates nationwide.
June 30th marks the first FEC reporting deadline since I have become the presumptive Democratic nominee. It's clear that media pundits and our opponents will use Democratic fundraising totals as a measure of our party's strength this November.
Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is launching its United for Change Campaign to show Democratic strength across the electoral map by the June 30th reporting deadline.
House Democrats are joining us to help and will match every gift 2-to-1 today, making any gift of $50 worth $150.
Make a matched gift now of $35, $50 or more now at www.dccc.org/obama
The sole mission of the DCCC is to guide Democratic candidates for the House to victory. They were the driving force behind the powerful 2006 victories that made Nancy Pelosi the first woman Speaker of the House.
Our campaign has the potential to redraw the political map and help Democrats get elected all across the country - especially in places where Democrats have not fared well for decades. And, already this year, House Democrats have won three remarkable special election victories in historically Republican districts -- despite outside special-interest groups spending millions attacking our candidates.
Show your personal support and unity today in our first test together before the June 30th deadline. I hope you will answer our call.
Make a matched gift of $35, $50 or more now at www.dccc.org/obama
I believe we can win this election, and more importantly, I believe we can transform the electoral map and win a new majority for change, so we can finally solve the problems we have been talking about for decades.
Please stand with me and support the DCCC today. Let's add our strength, energy, and stand together United for Change.
Make a matched gift of $35, $50 or more now at www.dccc.org/obama
I look forward to the moment when I can stand, as your President, before a Congress filled with dozens of new members ready, willing and able to join us in driving change forward. Your immediate donation to the DCCC can help make that moment a reality.
Thanks for helping out with this,
Barack
P.S. Answer our call for unity and strength -- contribute now at www.dccc.org/obama.
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 18, 2008
DCCC
Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement on Donna Edwards'
victory in the Special Election in Maryland's 4th District:
"On behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee, I congratulate Congresswoman-Elect Donna Edwards on her victory and
look forward to welcoming her to the House.
"Congresswoman-Elect Edwards has spent her career
fighting tirelessly to bring hope and opportunity for Maryland's working
families. That same spirit and commitment to working for change will make her an
outstanding addition to our Democratic Caucus and a powerful voice for a New
Direction in Washington."
The Congressional seat in Maryland's 4th District was left vacant by the resignation of Congressman Al Wynn on May 31,
2008.
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 18, 2008
Support Our Red to Blue Candidates on ActBlue >>
Support Emerging Candidates on ActBlue >>
DCCC Press:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced today the next round of candidates who earned a spot in the DCCC's highly competitive Red to Blue program. These 14 candidates qualified for the third round of the Red to Blue program by surpassing demanding fundraising goals and skillfully demonstrating to voters that they stand for change and will represent new priorities when elected to Congress. The DCCC also released a list of 20 emerging races, where Democratic candidates are running strong campaigns that are generating excitement in their districts.
"The candidates for change being named to the DCCC Red to Blue program are running strong campaigns and are committed to making things easier for middle class families in their districts," said Chris Van Hollen, Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "With less than five months to make their case for change to voters in their districts, the Red to Blue program will give these candidates the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November."
Chairman Van Hollen joined Red to Blue co-chairs Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Artur Davis (D-AL), and Bruce Braley (D-IA) to announce 14 candidates who qualified for the Red to Blue program:
Ethan Berkowitz (AK-AL)
Paul Carmouche (LA-04)
Gerry Connolly (VA-11)
Joe Garcia (FL-25)
Martin Heinrich (NM-01)
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01)
Frank Kratovil (MD-01)
Bob Lord (AZ-03)
Betsy Markey (CO-04)
Raul Martinez (FL-21)
Mike McMahon (NY-13)
Glenn Nye (VA-02)
Harry Teague (NM-02)
Dina Titus (NV-03)
Support Our Red to Blue Candidates on ActBlue >>
Reflecting Democrats' expanding playing field this cycle, there are now 37 candidates on the Red to Blue program. The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country and offers them financial, communications, and strategic support. The program will introduce Democratic supporters to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for these campaigns.
Red to Blue was a proven success in the 2006 cycle. In 2006, the Red to Blue program raised nearly $22.6 million for 56 campaigns with an average of $404,000 per campaign. Red to Blue was also responsible for solidifying the structure of dozens of campaigns and making a real difference for Democrats across America.
The DCCC also announced 20 emerging races. In each of these races, Democratic candidates have generated excitement in their districts for their campaigns for change:
Sam Bennett (PA-15)
David Boswell (KY-02)
Colleen Callahan (IL-18)
Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-03)
Jill Derby (NV-02)
John Dicks (FL-09)
Judy Feder (VA-10)
Nick Leibham (CA-50)
Dan Johnson (NC-10)
Mike Montagano (IN-03)
Jill Morgenthaler (IL-06)
Tom Perriello (VA-05)
Bob Roggio (PA-06)
Steve Sarvi (MN-02)
Dennis Shulman (NJ-05)
Josh Segall (AL-03)
Michael Skelly (TX-07)
Annette Taddeo (FL-18)
El Tinklenberg (MN-06)
Vic Wulsin (OH-02)
Support Emerging Candidates on ActBlue >>
As these campaigns continue to develop and demonstrate increasing strength, candidates will have an opportunity to qualify for the Red to Blue program.
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 17, 2008
DCCC Press:
What do the following Republicans have in common?
Vice President Dick Cheney
Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-06)
Candidate Brian Davis (MN-01)
Candidate John Gard (WI-08)
Representative Sam Graves (MO-06)
Candidate Melissa Hart (PA-04)
Candidate Luke Puckett (IN-02)
Representative Jean Schmidt (OH-02)
Representative Tim Walberg (MI-07)
They're all making the same false claim
that China is drilling for
oil off the coast of Florida in Cuban
waters.
"Americans are paying an average of $4.08 for a gallon of gas and all they're getting are lies and ‘urban legends' from Republicans," Jennifer Crider, Communications Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "If Republican Members and Republican candidates can't be trusted to tell the truth about where oil is being drilled, they certainly can't be trusted to do anything meaningful to lower the price of gas. Americans struggling to afford to fill their gas tanks deserve better than fear mongering and lies about gas prices from Republicans."
Vice President Cheney's office was forced to issue a correction after Cheney made this claim. Even Republican Senator Mel Martinez, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, stated that "Any talk of using some fabricated Cuba-China connection as an argument to change U.S. policy has no merit." He also said, "Reports to the contrary are simply false. They are akin to urban legends." [Miami Herald,
6/12/08]
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 17, 2008
DCCC Press:
Connecticut Families Struggle to Afford Most Expensive Gas Prices in the Country
In a
statement yesterday in Westport Connecticut that was alarmingly out of touch,
Chris Shays stated that "the irony of our high energy cost is that a lot of good
things will come from it."
"Chris
Shays should tell people who are paying $4.38 for a gallon of gas 'good' that
will come from record high gas prices," said Carrie
James, regional
press secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee. "This cavalier statement about gas prices would be almost funny if it
weren't so pathetically out of touch. Chris Shays has clearly spent too much
time insulated inside the Washington Beltway and not enough time talking to
Connecticut
families struggling to afford record prices at the
pump."
BACKGROUND:
-
Chris Shays stated that "the irony of our
high energy prices is that a lot of good things will come from it." [Shays press
conference in Westport Connecticut,
6/16/08]
- Today, drivers in
Connecticut
are paying $4.38 for a gallon of gas. [Fuel Gauge
Report]
- Connecticut has second-highest
gas prices in the nation, only behind California. [Fuel Gauge
Report]
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 16, 2008
From "The Caucus" -- The New York Times Political Blog:
With all
the talk and worry about the potential "Obama effect" on races down the ticket,
the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee believes it has identified a
very positive one - Senator Barack Obama runs strongly with independent
voters.
A committee
memo sent this weekend to Democratic House members, some of whom have recently
expressed wariness about Mr. Obama, fleshes out some research on Mr. Obama's
standing with independent voters, a bloc that was crucial to the Democratic
takeover of the House in 2006.
"Senator Obama's appeal among independent voters was
clearly illustrated throughout the 2008 primary contest," said the memo from
Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the DCCC. "Out of a
total of 38 states that exit polling was available for, Senator Obama won the
independent vote in 29 of those contests. In presidential battlegrounds like
New Mexico, Ohio, Missouri, and
Virginia -
states where multiple House seats are in play - Senator Obama won independents
by strong margins."
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 13, 2008
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following
statement on the passing of NBC News' Washington Bureau Chief and the moderator
of "Meet the Press," Tim
Russert:
"We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of
Tim Russert. America
has lost one of the great models of integrity in journalism and a true political
institution. We will miss his passion, humor, and unyielding commitment to
seeking the truth.
"On behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Maureen, his son Luke,
and the entire Russert family. I hope it is of some comfort that the thoughts
and prayers of so many are with them at this difficult time."
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 11, 2008
144 Republicans voted today against
desperately needed unemployment relief for struggling American families. Even after
five straight months of job losses for American workers, Republicans chose to side with George Bush and his latest veto threat over middle class
families struggling to make ends meet.
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following
statement after the vote:
"House Republican efforts to defend the status quo and
protect George Bush's and John McCain's failed economic polices have reached a
new low. Less than one week after the largest one-month jump in America's
unemployment rate in two decades, House Republicans blocked passage of a bill to
extend unemployment insurance to workers, who are struggling to find a new job
in this slowing economy.
"This is a firm reminder that Republicans are absolutely
comfortable with the status quo and are completely out of touch with the harsh
economic realities facing American workers."
Background
- The Emergency Extended Unemployment
Compensation Act would provide economic relief for Americans looking for work.
- Extends Unemployment Insurance for 13
weeks nationwide and for 26 weeks in high unemployment states - those with 6%
unemployment or higher.
- According to the Congressional Budget
Office, this would provide relief for 3.8 million Americans.
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 11, 2008
After nearly a trillion dollars
spent and thousands of our men and women having already made the ultimate
sacrifice in Iraq, Senator John McCain said that bringing our troops home from
Iraq was 'not too important.' McCain's comment is a shocking reminder of House Republicans' stubborn refusal to change course in Iraq.
House Republicans have voted
repeatedly against a New Direction for our troops in Iraq
by:
- Opposing a
timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by
August 2008. [HR 1591, vote #186, 03/23/07; CQ House Action
Reports.]
- Opposing a
requirement that U.S. troops
and defense contractors must begin redeploying out of Iraq,
and that the withdrawal be completed 180 days after that. [HR 2237, vote #330,
5/10/07, CQ House Action Reports]
- Opposing a
timeline for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq
beginning within 30 days and with a goal to complete redeployment within a year.
[HR 4156, vote #1108, 11/14/07, CQ House Action Reports.]
- Opposing a
requirement that U.S. troops
begin redeployment from Iraq within 30 days of enactment with
a goal of completing withdrawal of combat troops by December of 2009.
So ask Republican members of
Congress in your area: Do you agree with John McCain that bringing our troops
home from Iraq is 'not too
important?'
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 11, 2008
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following
statement in response to Senator John McCain's comment that withdrawing troops
from Iraq is "not too important."
"The American people want change and John McCain's
stunning comment today that bringing our troops home from Iraq is ‘not too
important' is further proof of his intention to serve George Bush's third term
and make his policies even worse.
"In fact, if it was up to Senator McCain, he would leave
our troops in Iraq
indefinitely, spend countless billions more without seeing sufficient Iraqi
political progress, and ignore the growing threat Al Qaeda poses in Afghanistan. Democrats are committed
to responsibly redeploying our troops from Iraq, taking care of them when they come home
with a new G.I. Bill, and finishing the job in Afghanistan."
Background
Senator John McCain interviewed by Matt Lauer on NBC's
Today Show:
Lauer: A lot of people now say the surge is
working.
McCain: Anyone who knows the facts on the
ground say that.
Lauer: If it's working, senator, do you now
have a better estimate of when American forces can come home from Iraq?
McCain: No, but that's not too important.
What's important is the casualties in Iraq.
-- [NBC's Today Show, 6/11/08]
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 09, 2008
DCCC Press:
Chairman Chris Van Hollen announced today that Martin
Heinrich (NM-01) will immediately be added to the DCCC's Red to Blue program for
open seats following his decisive victory in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
Congressional candidates earn a spot in the competitive program by surpassing
demanding fundraising goals and by skillfully showing voters that they stand for
change and will represent new priorities when elected to Congress. Heinrich is
one of only 12 candidates in the Red to Blue program for open
seats.
"Martin Heinrich is a strong and principled leader
committed to change. Martin has a proven record of raising the minimum wage,
creating good jobs, cracking down on crime and protecting New Mexico's
environment," said Chairman Chris Van
Hollen. "The Red to Blue Program will give Martin the financial
and structural edge to be even more competitive."
The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic
campaigns across the country and offers them financial, communications, and
strategic support. The program introduces Democratic supporters to new,
competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for these
campaigns.
Red to Blue was a proven success in the 2004 and 2006 cycles.
In 2004, the Red to Blue program raised nearly $7.5 million for 27 campaigns
across the country with an average of more than $250,000 per campaign. In 2006,
the Red to Blue program raised nearly $22.6 million for 56 campaigns. Red to
Blue was also responsible for solidifying the structure of dozens of campaigns
and making a real difference for Democrats across America.
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 05, 2008
Today's Cook Poltical Report:
"We are changing our race ratings in ten districts where
we believe Democratic chances of taking Republican-held seats have increased.
With these changes, the GOP occupies 21 of the 27 seats now listed in the Toss
Up column."
House Ratings
Changes:
CA-04 OPEN
(Doolittle) Solid Republican to Likely
Republican
CO-04 Marilyn
Musgrave Lean Republican to Toss Up
CT-04 Chris
Shays Lean Republican to Toss Up
IL-10 Mark
Kirk Lean Republican to Toss Up
NM-02 OPEN
(Pearce) Likely Republican to Lean
Republican
NY-29 Randy
Kuhl Lean Republican to Toss Up
NC-08 Robin
Hayes Lean Republican to Toss Up
OH-01 Steve
Chabot Lean Republican to Toss Up
VA-02 Thelma
Drake Likely Republican to Lean
Republican
WA-08 Dave
Reichert Lean Republican to Toss Up
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 03, 2008
DCCC Press:
The Truth Won't Get
Locked Up in Galante's Prison Cell
Today, known mobster James Galante will finally plead
guilty to a stunning array of federal charges. His buddy, Dave Cappiello, who
accepted $15,000 in illegally funneled campaign contributions from Galante and
thanked him with bottles of wine, has some explaining to do about his ties to
known mobster, James Galante.
In addition to federal racketeering and
tax fraud charges, Galante was charged with three counts of making illegal
contributions to politicians and three counts of corrupt practices under state
election law. Cappiello was one of the recipients of Galante's
generosity.
"The truth about Dave Cappiello's relationship with James
Galante won't get locked up in the prison cell with the convicted mobster," said
Carrie James, regional press
secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "There's no way
to hide the fact that David Cappiello has a close relationship with James
Galante. Cappiello bestowed him with honors, took illegal campaign
contributions and provided him with gifts in
exchange."
There's what we know and
the unanswered questions... since David Cappiello has "nothing to hide" now is the
time to answer questions about his ties to James Galante. (Connecticut Post,
10/13/07)
- Was David Cappiello
worried that a September trial would have devastated his bid for Congress?
- Will Cappiello be
named in the plea bargain?
- Would Cappiello have
been called to testify if this went to trial? After all, Cappiello broke the
law, but only Galante who was charged.
- What was discussed
in Cappiello's conversations with federal investigators regarding the illegal
campaign contributions?
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 03, 2008
DCCC Executive Director Brian Wolff sent the following message to DCCC supporters:
Dear Friend,
 |
First I want to say, thank you! Our DCCC 100 Days Till Denver Convention Contest was a huge success with over 10,000 people entering for a chance to win a trip to the Democratic Convention. Stay tuned as we will announce the winner who will be joining us in Denver on June 15th.
Unfortunately, our time for celebration has been cut short.
The shadowy swift-boat group Freedom's Watch has just launched a new campaign of attacks against some of our strongest Democratic Members of Congress. Their latest attack uses deceitful robocalls to spread lies about Democrats who are fighting to end George Bush's failed war in Iraq.
With just five months left until Election Day, there is no time to rest. While your generous contributions have put us in a position of strength, these deceitful new attacks are a shot across our bow and send a clear message that they plan to come after every single Democrat this year. We need your help to fight back NOW to fund our Rapid Response Network.
Help us fire back at Freedom's Watch's swift-boat tactics -- Support the DCCC's Rapid Response Network
Thanks to you, we're poised to give Rapid Response a whole new meaning this year. Because of you, the DCCC's grassroots Rapid Response program will soon have more than 30 "trackers" in 21 states and thousands of online Rapid Responders nationwide. This sophisticated grassroots operation is helping us track the Republicans' every move so we can stay one step ahead of them every step of the way.
But, we need your urgent critical contribution now to put these operations in place and ensure every Democrat has the resources to fight back.
The clear lesson from our three special election victories in Republican held districts this Spring is that when we fight back, we win. Please help us fire back at the latest salvo from Freedom's Watch and signal to the Republicans that none of their shadow groups can stop us from putting a Democrat in the White House and creating a stronger Democratic Majority to bring change to America.
Contribute and send a powerful message to Freedom's Watch and every Republican shadow group that any shot against a Democrat will backfire on them this year.
Thanks for everything that you do.
Brian Wolff
DCCC Executive Director
Posted by Brandon English
Jun 02, 2008
DCCC Press:
DCCC Chairman Chris Van
Hollen reiterated his challenge today in a letter to NRCC
Chairman Tom Cole asking him to join publicly in calling on soft money outside
groups not to run ads in House races and to ask their supporters not to
contribute to these groups.
Van Hollen first issued his challenge to Cole during
their joint appearance on Fox News Sunday on May 25, 2008. Eight days later,
Cole has not yet responded to the challenge.
The text of the letter
follows:
Dear Tom,
I am writing to follow-up on the challenge I issued last
week during our joint appearance on Fox News Sunday: will you join me in
publicly calling on soft money outside groups to not run ads in House races this
year and also urge our supporters to not contribute to these
groups?
Senator Obama and Senator McCain have already called on
these groups to stay out of the Presidential race. Following their lead, by
calling on these groups to cease their involvement in House races, our
candidates and our committees would have greater control over the message and
voters would benefit from a transparent debate.
The non-partisan Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) is
predicting that these soft money groups - 527s and 501(c)(4)'s that operate as
527s - will play a major role in the 2008 election. According to their analysis
of IRS reports, federal 527 political organizations raised nearly $80 million in
2007.
I hope you will join me in this important reform effort
also endorsed by Senator Obama and McCain. I look forward to your
response.
Sincerely,
/s/
Chris Van
Hollen
Chairman
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