Proof that Jeff Merkley is gaining fast in his quest to be the next Senator from the great state of Oregon increases by the day. In the latest, the Oregon GOP goes after Merkley’s supposed campaign finance violations and then puts up a pathetic website attempting to smear Merkley’s tax record. More below the jump.
The first item today is an ad put out by the NRSC opposing Jeff Merkley’s appearance in some issue ads sponsored by the OR D’s:
The ad makes referrence of a website (http://www.musttaxmerkley.com/) which supposedly proves Merkley has a pro-tax increase record. Some facts:
1. The newest article on this page is nearly four months old. Oh and as I was writing this, their site went down…
2. If you go to the “Jeff Merkley’s Record” page, they give two examples of how Merkley supposedly supports higher taxes and bad budget policies The second is his vote for a renovation of the State Capitol, which was supported by both parties. Trust me when I say that the pipes were in bad enough condition that the water that came out of them was brown, not to mention other problems the building had.
Enjoy the smell of fear folks, they’re reeking of it.
You have seen the latest poll by Rasmussen: Mark Begich 50%, Ted Stevens 41%. Not only is Mark an excellent candidate, but it looks like he will actually be a Democratic Senator from Alaska.
If you are in the DC area, you have the chance to meet Mark Begich on Wednesday, July 23rd. Blue Catapult PAc is hosting the event at a Dupont Circle watering hole:
Have a Beer with Alaska Democratic Senate candidate and Anchorage Mayor, Mark Begich
Wednesday, July 23, 6 to 7:30PM
at James Hoban’s Restaurant (1 Dupont Circle – South Side of Circle)
We’ll be in the back room.
Suggested Contribution: $35 – $25 for those under 30 – ($70/$125/$250 are other contribution levels)
Jim Slattery is set to launch his ad campaign, releasing two 30-second spots–“Apollo” and “Young.” The ads basically have the same message: Pat Roberts is out of touch after 40 years in Washington and Jim Slattery is the change Kansas needs.
The production value, while not bad, won’t dazzle anyone–there is a lot of Slattery just talking directly into the camera. I’m also a little surprised that his campaign didn’t release a bio spot since he’s been out of office for more than a decade and has been under attack from Roberts.
SurveyUSA (7/18-20, likely voters, 6/6-8 in parens):
John Yarmuth (D-inc): 53 (57)
Anne Northup (R): 43 (40)
(MoE: ±4%)
This latest poll from SUSA is awfully similar to one of Northup’s internal polls from last month, showing Yarmuth leading by 51-43. Considering Northup’s high name recognition, this is not a bad place for Yarmuth to start off in.
AL-02 (Open): Likely Republican to Lean Republican
Republicans may have gotten their preferred choice for this race in state Rep. Jay Love, but he was battered heavily in a divisive primary against Wiregrass-area state Sen. Harri Anne Smith. Democrat Bobby Bright’s campaign smartly went up with a bio ad in Dothan, his birthplace, this past Wednesday in an effort to sway Smith supporters. Bright will likely have the airwaves largely to himself for a short period – at least while Love refills his coffers from the expensive and nasty primary. Love, who shares a geographic base with Bright, still has a clear edge in this R+13 district, but it is no longer a commanding one.
AL-05 (Open): Tossup to Lean Democratic
Republicans were initially quite giddy when longtime Democratic Rep. Bud Cramer retired, leaving his R+6.5 district for the taking, but candidate recruitment and fundraising are tilting the landscape in northern Alabama back to the Democrats. Democrat Parker Griffith, a state senator from Huntsville, significantly out-raised Republican Wayne Parker in the last quarter. Coupled with a divisive Republican runoff that drained Parker’s reserves, Griffith now holds a 5-to-1 CoH advantage in this traditionally Democratic district. Griffith has been airing ads portraying himself as a statesman ready to fill the chair of Bud Cramer, and most observers agree that he is a cut above Parker, who lost this district twice in the ’90s.
CA-50 (Bilbray): Safe Republican to Likely Republican
After dispatching Francine Busby in a high-profile special election in 2006 (and again that November), many Democrats were not sanguine about taking on the incumbent again in this R+4.6 district. But Democrat Nick Leibham has amassed some impressive fundraising numbers, out-raising Bilbray in the second quarter. An upset here is unlikely, but it can’t be completely ruled out in this slightly Dem-trending district.
CT-02 (Courtney): Likely Democratic to Safe Democratic
After Democrat Joe Courtney beat Rob Simmons by the closest of margins in this D+7.6 district in 2006, Republicans had hoped that Simmons could be convinced to try to reclaim his seat. Simmons passed on the idea, but national Republicans were initially high on Sean Sullivan, the former commanding officer of Groton’s submarine base, as an acceptable alternative. But Sullivan began his campaign with a resounding thud, refusing to devote serious time to fundraising and he quickly fell down – way down – the list of Republican targets. Sullivan’s most recent fundraising quarter was another dud, as he took in a mere $89K and is currently sitting on $155K cash-on-hand to Courtney’s $1.4 million. With no real resources in the bank and Courtney performing well for his district in Congress, it is difficult to imagine an upset in this blue district.
FL-15 (Open): Likely Republican to Safe Republican
Republican Bill Posey: $220K raised in the second quarter of 2008. Democrats Paul Rancatore and Steve Blythe: $18K raised (combined) in the second quarter. NEXT.
FL-21 (L. Diaz-Balart): Likely Republican to Lean Republican
When local prognosticators were asked last year to gauge how well Democrat and former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez would do in a hypothetical race against entrenched South Florida Republican Lincoln Diaz-Balart, they pegged the race as a battle of the titans. Martinez has borne out those projections so far, raising a stunning $1.2 million since entering the race in January of this year.
FL-24 (Feeney): Likely Republican to Lean Republican
The ghost of Jack Abramoff continues to haunt Rep. Tom Feeney, and Democrat Suzanne Kosmas has really turned up the heat this year, out-raising and out-banking Feeney in both fundraising quarters this year. Feeney still has the advantage in this R+3.1 district, but the gap is closing.
FL-25 (M. Diaz-Balart): Likely Republican to Lean Republican
Democrat Joe Garcia is turning up the heat on entrenched Republican Mario Diaz-Balart in this R+4.4 district. He recently posted a very impressive fundraising quarter, bringing in nearly $500K and closing in on Diaz-Balart’s cash-on-hand. Demographics are beginning to trend in the Democrats’ favor here, with Republicans hemorrhaging registered voters since the 2006 elections and Democrats adding thousands of voters to the rolls. A recent Bendixen poll has Garcia trailing Diaz-Balart by a mere five points. The money, numbers, and trends are leaving us feeling very good about the direction of this race.
IL-11 (Open): Lean Democratic to Tossup
One of the few downgrades for Democrats this round. This race began life on SSP’s charts as Lean D because the original hand-picked GOP candidate here, Tim Baldermann, dropped out after a brief and disastrous run. The Republicans floundered without a candidate for a while, before settling on what was (at the time) their twentieth choice: Martin Ozinga.
Things have changed quite a bit since. Ozinga hauled in a massive $810K in the second quarter, to Democrat Debbie Halvorson’s $405K. Meanwhile, Halvorson has been subjected to unrelenting attacks over her past ties to deeply unpopular Gov. Rod Blagojevich, as well sniping from fellow Illinois Democrats such as Jesse Jackson, Jr. The race is still very winnable for Team Blue, especially with Obama’s expected home-state coat-tails, but it looks to have gotten a lot more competitive of late.
IN-03 (Souder): Safe Republican to Likely Republican
Republican Mark Souder became an unlikely benefactor of NRCC assistance late in the 2006 cycle, despite occupying the 33rd most Republican district in the nation – and it appears that his laziness may cause him some more November pain this year. Democratic challenger Michael Montagano out-raised Souder in the last quarter and now holds a slight CoH advantage, making an upset unlikely but remotely possible given the anti-incumbent mood.
IN-08 (Ellsworth): Likely Democratic to Safe Democratic
After Democrat Brad Ellsworth torched incumbent Republican John Hostettler by a 22-point margin in 2006, few expected this seat to be particularly in danger this year, but GOP recruit Greg Goode, with a war chest of $50K, is sinking to Carl Mumpower-like levels in the fundraising race. This one is fast becoming hopeless for the hapless GOP.
NJ-03 (Open): Tossup to Lean Democratic
After a fractious GOP primary, Republican Chris Myers has $155K in the bank and is suddenly not looking like the stellar recruit that the NRCC made him out to be. (Surprise.) Meanwhile, Democrat John Adler has built up a massive fundraising edge with nearly $1.5 million on-hand. It would be difficult for anyone to not acknowledge the Democratic edge here in this D+3 district.
NM-02 (Open): Likely Republican to Lean Republican
Democrats are fairly high on former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague, a wealthy oilman who both a strong fundraiser and a self-funder. While this is an R+5.7 district, Republican Ed Tinsley has residency issues, as he spends a significant amount of his time in Sante Fe (a “liberal” city outside the district). The DCCC has signaled that this race a priority for them, having reserved $1.2 million in ad time in this district.
PA-03 (English): Safe Republican to Likely Republican
Before the primary was settled here, the DCCC was high on Erie City Councilman Kyle Foust. His candidacy soon fizzled, and it seemed for a time that so did the Democratic hopes of picking up this district. But buzz has been building for Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper, who recently released an internal poll showing her leading GOP incumbent Phil English by a single point. While we will need to see stronger fundraising from Dahlkemper before we move this race up further, English is clearly scared, and this race is certainly heating up.
PA-15 (Dent): Safe Republican to Likely Republican
After a slow start in 2007, Democrat Sam Bennett has steadily improved her fundraising operation and nearly matched Dent in dollars raised during the most recent quarter. Given the district’s D+1.6 lean, an upset can’t be ruled out here if Bennett continues to build strength.
TX-07 (Culberson): Safe Republican to Likely Republican
Texas’ 7th CD is no doubt a Republican stronghold, but it’s been trending slightly Democratic since 2000. Democrat Michael Skelly, a wealthy wind energy pioneer, emerged out of nowhere earlier this year and has been raising and banking money at a breakneck speed. He also has the potential to pour much more of his own considerable resources into the race. While Culberson is still heavily favored, Skelly has proved that his campaign is for real and is making the incumbent sweat.
VA-02 (Drake): Likely Republican to Lean Republican
Thelma Drake has always been damaged goods at best, winning her first election in 2004 with 55% of the vote and hanging on with just 51% in 2006. Democrat Glenn Nye has kept things relatively close in the cash-on-hand department and raised just $19K less than Drake this past quarter. What’s more, he was recently added to Red to Blue. On top of that, black voters have typically turned out in a proportion smaller than their numbers would suggest – the district’s black population is 21% – but that may be about to change. With Obama energizing folks at the top of the ticket and promising a massive registration campaign, this could tilt the balance in VA-02.
VA-05 (Goode): Safe Republican to Likely Republican
Democrat Tom Perriello has raised some good scratch here: $310K in the last quarter. That’s less than incumbent Virgil Goode’s $390K, but cycle-to-date, Perriello has actually brought in more money ($911K to $818K). That alone is enough to make this R+6 seat a closer race.
VA-11 (Open): Tossup to Lean Democratic
While lagging behind in the money race after an expensive primary, Democrat Gerry Connolly is far ahead of Republican Keith Fimian in terms of name recognition due to his tenure as chairman of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors. Connolly’s name recognition, combined with Northern Virginia’s rapid Democratic trend and the downballot boost provided by the Obama-Warner coordinated campaign give Connolly the early edge here.
WA-08 (Reichert): Lean Republican to Tossup
Of all the vulnerable Republican incumbents this year, we feel compelled to acknowledge that Dave Reichert is the first to lose a clear edge over his opponent, Democrat Darcy Burner. Reichert’s incumbency is less potent than other vulnerable incumbents in the Lean R column given his short tenure. Furthermore, he hasn’t been addressing his fundraising as seriously as other similarly-situated Republicans, allowing Burner to build a $1.25 million to $916K cash-on-hand advantage. In a tilt-Dem district (D+2.3) in a state and region where Obama is showing some early strength over McCain, Reichert is standing on shaky ground.
The first reaction when someone sees a list of the states that are poised to gain House seats as a result of the 2010 census is usually “Uh oh, that’s a lot of red states.” Well, that’s true; of the nine states that Election Data Services projects as possibly gaining seats, only one (Oregon) has voted Democratic in the last few presidential elections. This might make the Electoral College more difficult in the short term.
The question is, though, who’s moving to these states (or being born in these states)? Over the long term, the answer is good news, because for the most part, it’s groups who are favorable to the Democratic party. (In particular, Latinos.) As immigrants get citizenship, and as their kids reach voting age, these states are likely to tip in our direction (unless the GOP somehow muzzles its nativist base and becomes all about inclusion). But this might have more immediate implications at the House level, because this may mean more minority-majority and/or ‘influence’ districts. Despite the fact that the new seats will be in red states, they might not be red seats. (Especially if we can control the redistricting process in as many of these states as possible.)
This table shows the raw numbers for population change for each major population group in each of these states between the 2000 census and the 2007 estimate. (White, Af.-Am., Asian = non-Hispanic white alone, non-Hispanic African-American alone, and non-Hispanic Asian alone.)
State
Total gain
White gain
Af.-Am. gain
Asian gain
Hispanic gain
Arizona
1,208,123
469,107
66,077
58,131
582,480
Florida
2,268,865
640,271
475,492
135,175
1,072,845
Georgia
1,358,297
454,928
494,140
92,859
305,616
Nevada
567,125
183,986
54,547
64,482
250,514
North Carolina
1,011,719
473,557
211,927
54,860
259,481
Oregon
326,056
158,006
11,906
34,316
120,826
South Carolina
395,697
225,266
74,125
16,082
73,844
Texas
3,052,560
510,305
365,609
233,307
1,930,733
Utah
412,161
273,041
9,201
14,377
104,955
In Arizona, Florida, and Nevada, Hispanic growth outpaced white growth, and in Georgia, African-American growth outpaced white growth. Most glaring of all is Texas, where Hispanic growth has outpaced white growth by a factor of four. (I’ll follow up on this when they release the 2007 estimate broken down by Congressional district, which should happen soon. This can help us look closer at, say, Texas, and identify where exactly all this new growth is happening.)
The DCCC has reserved another $18 million worth of ad time in 20 House races, bringing their total early ad reservation to $53 million and 55 districts. The first round is available here. Here’s the latest batch:
Remember: Just because the DCCC reserved time here, it doesn’t mean that they’ll use it. Reserving time early allows the DCCC to secure a lower price before advertising becomes costlier as more time is bought by campaigns in the fall.
Not much is especially surprising here, although it’s worth noting that the DCCC is angling to drop dollars in two races that they did not allocate independent expenditures for in 2006, but were nonetheless extremely competitive: CA-04 and ID-01.
We’ve said all along that Vernon Jones would be a human train wreck of a Democratic nominee, and now we have some more numbers to back that up. Jones’ unfavorables are a sky-high 55% (compared to only 30% who view him favorably), while Martin has a 47-35 net favorability rating. The numbers really don’t lie: Jim Martin must win the state’s August 5th runoff.
Bonus finding: McCain leads Obama by 53-42 in the state (including leaners), an impressive showing considering how badly Georgia has been trending in the last couple of cycles.
When leaners are included, Begich leads by 52-44. This is the biggest lead that Begich has held in any of Rasmussen’s polls of this race, and not quite in line with the most recent DailyKos/R2K poll that had Begich up by two points. We could be looking at an ad blitz bump for Begich, or this might be something of an outlier from what has been a very close race so far.
The SSP crew (and other bloggers) got the chance to meet with Begich at Netroots Nation, and I have to say that I was very impressed with his style, knowledge, and sense of humor. While this race will be very challenging as Stevens reminds voters of his four decades of public service this fall, we couldn’t have asked for a better candidate to take him on.
Bonus finding: McCain leads Obama by 45-40 in the state, and by 49-44 when leaners are included. Spectacular numbers.
Exxon Ed Whitfield has been trying to clean up his voting record for this election year. He knows it is a bad year for Republicans, and that he has been a shameless enabler of every failed policy of the Bush Administration. All the election year scuffling to clean up his record cannot hide the fact that he has been a constant, bitter opponent to reform of our healthcare system, and of providing equal access to those in poverty as those with wealth to healthcare. Lets look at some of Exxon Eddie’s votes to limit the access of healthcare to working Americans
Oh goodness, where to begin? There have been so many bad votes by Ed Whitfield on this issue, it boggles the mind. However, lets start with Whitfield’s vote way back in 2000 to try and turn over Medicaire Drug coverage to the insurance companies, who we all know can be trusted to look out for our interests over their profits. (NOT):
Voted YES on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage.
HR 4680, the Medicare Rx 2000 Act, would institute a new program to provide voluntary prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries through subsidies to private plans. The program would cost an estimated $40 billion over five years and would go into effect in fiscal 2003.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Thomas, R-CA; Bill HR 4680 ; vote number 2000-357 on Jun 28, 2000
You see, in the twisted world of men like Exxon Ed Whitfield, profits for Insurance and Oil companies always come before people. Think I am exagerrating? Lets keep looking at the record Eddie wants us to forget:
Voted NO on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs.
Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003: Vote to pass a bill that would call for the Food and Drug Administration to begin a program that would permit the importation of FDA-approved prescription drugs from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Lichtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and South Africa.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Gutknecht, R-MN; Bill HR.2427 ; vote number 2003-445 on Jul 24, 2003
Yes, in Exxon Eddie’s world, the sick and elderly should be required to pay the high prices of drugs to protect the profits of drug companies, even when safe, cheaper drugs are available from trustable countries who don’t have a powerful drug lobby.
It gets even worse. Not only does Exxon Eddie believe Americans should pay higher drug prices to protect profits, evidently he believes some Americans who desperately need prescription drugs should not have access to them:
Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients.
Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003: Vote to adopt the conference report on the bill that would create a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. Starting in 2006, prescription coverage would be made available through private insurers to seniors. Seniors would pay a monthly premium of an estimated $35 in 2006. Individuals enrolled in the plan would cover the first $250 of annual drug costs themselves, and 25 percent of all drug costs up to $2,250. The government would offer a fallback prescription drug plan in regions were no private plans had made a bid.Over a 10 year time period medicare payments to managed care plans would increase by $14.2 billion. A pilot project would begin in 2010 in which Medicare would compete with private insurers to provide coverage for doctors and hospitals costs in six metropolitan areas for six years. The importation of drugs from Canada would be approved only if HHS determines there is no safety risks and that consumers would be saving money.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Hastert, R-IL; Bill HR.1 ; vote number 2003-669 on Nov 22, 2003
That makes perfect sense in the world of Exxon Ed Whitfield, Insurance profits before people, at all costs. Even if it means denying people the medications they desperately need and struggle to afford. However, it continues to get much worse. Not satisfied in denying life-giving medications, Exxon Eddie would deny treatment of the working poor too:
Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay.
Vote to pass a resolution, agreeing to S. AMDT. 2691 that removes the following provisions from S 1932:
Allows hospitals to refuse treatment to Medicaid patients when they are unable to pay their co-pay if the hospital deems the situation to be a non-emergency
Excludes payment to grandparents for foster care
Reference: Reconciliation resolution on the FY06 budget; Bill H Res 653 on S. AMDT. 2691 ; vote number 2006-004 on Feb 1, 2006
In the world of Exxon Eddie, it makes perfect sense to let those who are making a profit decide whether it is an emergency for those who may not be able to pay to recieve treatment.
In keeping with the theme of protecting Insurance profits at all costs, once again we see how Whitfield would keep drug prices high, to protect his big money contributors:
Voted NO on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D.
Would require negotiating with pharmaceutical manufacturers the prices that may be charged to prescription drug plan sponsors for covered Medicare part D drugs.
Proponents support voting YES because:
This legislation is an overdue step to improve part D drug benefits. The bipartisan bill is simple and straightforward. It removes the prohibition from negotiating discounts with pharmaceutical manufacturers, and requires the Secretary of Health & Human Services to negotiate. This legislation will deliver lower premiums to the seniors, lower prices at the pharmacy and savings for all taxpayers.
It is equally important to understand that this legislation does not do certain things. HR4 does not preclude private plans from getting additional discounts on medicines they offer seniors and people with disabilities. HR4 does not establish a national formulary. HR4 does not require price controls. HR4 does not hamstring research and development by pharmaceutical houses. HR4 does not require using the Department of Veterans Affairs’ price schedule.
Reference: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act; Bill HR 4 (“First 100 hours”) ; vote number 2007-023 on Jan 12, 2007
Now, if you think it could not get much worse than this, unfortunately you are sadly mistaken. Exxon Ed Whitfield puts profits over people, even CHILDREN!!! Yes, in the twisted world of men like Ed Whitfield, profits are so much more important than even the health of our children that he would vote not once, but twice to make sure that Insurance Company profits are protected at all costs, even over the well-being of American children:
Voted NO on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility.
Allows State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), that require state legislation to meet additional requirements imposed by this Act, additional time to make required plan changes. Pres. Bush vetoed this bill on Dec. 12, 2007, as well as a version (HR976) from Feb. 2007.
Proponents support voting YES because:
Rep. DINGELL: This is not a perfect bill, but it is an excellent bipartisan compromise. The bill provides health coverage for 3.9 million children who are eligible, yet remain uninsured. It meets the concerns expressed in the President’s veto message [from HR976]:
It terminates the coverage of childless adults.
It targets bonus payments only to States that increase enrollments of the poorest uninsured children, and it prohibits States from covering families with incomes above $51,000.
It contains adequate enforcement to ensure that only US citizens are covered.
Reference: Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act; Bill H.R. 3963 ; vote number 2007-1009 on Oct 25, 2007
Of course, this bill was passed by more compassionate members of Congress, but vetoed by the biggest corporate profiteer of them all, President Bush:
Veto message from President Bush:
Like its predecessor, HR976, this bill does not put poor children first and it moves our country’s health care system in the wrong direction. Ultimately, our goal should be to move children who have no health insurance to private coverage–not to move children who already have private health insurance to government coverage. As a result, I cannot sign this legislation.
Reference: Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act; Bill H.R. 3963 ; vote number 2007-1009 on Oct 25, 2007
Yes, it would be a shame if uncovered children recieved coverage without huge profits for the Insurance companies. From those who are always lecturing us about our “Christian values” it would be a shame if they valued children as much as Christ did. From Mark 10: 13-16:
13 ¶ Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Yes, Christian values dictate that the children be brought to be healed, but Exxon Eddie voted against Christian values on children not once, but twice:
Voted NO on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids.
OnTheIssues Explanation: This vote is a veto override of the SCHIP extension (State Children’s Health Insurance Program). The bill passed the House 265-142 on 10/25/07, and was vetoed by Pres. Bush on 12/12/07.
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY: This Act would enroll all 6 million uninsured children who are eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage under existing programs.
Even after changes were made to accomodate President Bush’s concerns:
The bill makes changes to accommodate the President’s stated concerns.
It terminates the coverage of childless adults in 1 year.
It prohibits States from covering children in families with incomes above $51,000.
It contains adequate enforcement to ensure that only US citizens are covered.
It encourages securing health insurance provided through private employer.
The result? Another victory for big insurance, and another defeat for true Christian values:
So, why would Exxon Eddie cast all these votes against the healthcare of even children if he is so Christian? Well, that is because the only god he worships is Mammon.
So as you can see, Exxon Eddie is clearly lined up for profits, and against people.
Luckily, this time Exxon Eddie has a real challenge. Heather Ryan believes all Americans should have a fundamental right to healhcare, whether it brings insurance profits or not:
It is an absolute travesty that 50 million Americans struggle without health care in the wealthiest nation in the world. What’s worse is when our representative votes against improvements in access to health services for children and the poor. Unfortunately, these are both realities that we’ve experienced under the current leadership. I propose that health care for every American is more important than tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.
It is time we had a representative who thinks about more than just how much money he can make when he helps pass legislation that benefits drug and insurance companies. As the leaders of the free world, it is an embarrassment that we are the only industrialized nation that does not offer health care for our citizens.
In fact, near the end of my interview with her, Heather Ryan states that the first thing she wants to work on in Washington is the introduction of healtcare for all Americans:
New leadership will mean a new direction for Kentucky, and our country:
Please, go here to help us win this race. With the resources to get Whitfield’s terrible record out to the 63% of registered Democrats in this district, we can easily win this race, and alleviate Exxon Eddie’s complaints:
Please go here and support fellow grassroots Democrats in their quest to expand our Congressional majorities and move our country in the direction of progress for everyone:
