by Samantha on August 20, 2009
21st Century Democrats endorsed Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-8) in both 2006 and 2008 because of her proud commitment to progressive values. She ran honest, competitive campaigns and made it clear that she would work to protect southern Arizona’s environment, enhance energy independence, seek economic revival, reform the educational system and make universal healthcare available to all her constituents. Congresswoman Giffords proved, after a mandate for re-election in 2008, that she is truly dedicated to reform.
Since taking office in 2006, Congresswoman Giffords has secured $7 million for energy and water projects in southeastern Arizona. Through the American Clean Energy and Security Act, Giffords appropriated over $22 million for the creation of jobs in the renewable energy industry. She brought $1.4 billion in stimulus funds to Arizona schools districts as well as $681 million to save teachers’ jobs and lay the foundation for education reform. Congresswoman Giffords also supports healthcare reform, including a strong public option. In 2008, she signed a bill that would improve Medicare for all Americans. Congresswoman Giffords is a dedicated public servant who has and continues to work tirelessly for her constituents.
by Samantha on August 14, 2009
Over the few weeks, many of us have seen our representatives engaged in town hall discussions on healthcare. It seems like decorum and respect have fallen by the wayside, replaced by rage fueled rants that divert attention from the topic at hand – fixing our broken healthcare system.
President Obama held his fifth town hall at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire yesterday. It was probably the most restrained town hall held by any elected official recently. I think it begs the question: if the President held an open meeting (one where none of the audience members were pre-screened) and encouraged people against healthcare reform to speak up, why didn’t it dissolve into a war of words or violent outburst as some of the other town halls did? It’s not as if dissent was absent from the President’s town hall either. I understand if respect for the most powerful man in our country kept people in line. Why don’t our Congressmen and women and Senators deserve the same treatment? They have put themselves in an uncomfortable place by openly encouraging dialogue that forces them to prove their stance to skeptical constituents. How can we have a debate on the merits of the public option, a single-payer plan or the expansion of Medicare if everyone isn’t given a chance to speak?
America welcomes and encourages an open exchange of ideas. Yet that concept depends on the innate respect one person has for another. Comparing someone who advocates for universal healthcare to a socialist or worse, Hitler, is a giant step backward for society. These are distractions – distractions from the reality that someone who has suffered from cancer may have to suffer losing their house due to outlandish medical bills. Distractions from the millions of children who are uninsured and forced to wait for hours in a busy emergency room to receive care. We need to shift the debate from who brought a gun to a town hall or who compared the President to Ahmedinijad to the merits of the bill itself. The reality is that America has the capability to make healthcare more affordable and more accessible to citizens when the economy precludes us from taking care of those basic needs. The manner in which reform takes place should be the topic of discussion, taking into consideration the cost, effectiveness and practicality of all the options. When our country erupts into such hate-filled fractionalization, we waste precious time and resources on negative ideas. We need to come together: Blue Dogs, Progressives (and even Republicans) to solve this crisis and restore our faith in one another.
by Samantha on August 10, 2009
In 2006, 21st Century Democrats endorsed Raj Goyle in his attempt to defeat three-time incumbent, Bonnie Huy, for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives. Goyle unseated his Republican challenger and reclaimed the 87th district as Democrat territory. His campaign promise was simple yet challenging – keep Kansas’ best and brightest in the state to give back to the community. Goyle argued that by making the state more attractive to local and national business, improving education, improving and expanding access to health care and developing clean energy, Kansas will continue to progress. As a proud native Kansan, Goyle proved to voters that he cared deeply for all citizens as well as the progressive agenda.
On his first day in office in 2006, Goyle wrote a law restricting extremist Fred Phelps from protesting military funerals that was later signed into law by Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Goyle continued to support legislation such as scholarships for teachers, expanded health care coverage, an increased minimum wage and an income tax reduction – all consistent with his campaign values. Goyle voted against pro-coal energy legislation, demonstrating his commitment to a green Kansas. In July 2009, he announced that he will be running for Kansas’ 4th District, a seat that will be vacant in 2010. Based on his impressive career as a state legislator, 21st Century Democrats is confident that Goyle will be an excellent Congressman.
by Samantha on August 6, 2009
Back in 2008, when Chellie Pingree decided to run for Congress in Maine’s 1st District, 21st Century Dems jumped on the chance to endorse and support her progressive campaign. She ran on a platform of reforming democracy by regulating the pharmaceutical lobby and removing the injustice in the United States health care system. In the race for the open seat, Pingree defeated her Republican challenger in the general election by a margin of nearly 10%.
Since taking office, Congresswoman Pingree has worked hard to reign in health care costs for her constituents in Maine and for all Americans. Together with Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-8), she introduced a discount prescription drug plan to help citizens get the medicine they need without major financial sacrifice. Congresswoman Pingree has also been a vocal advocate of a revised health care system that would include the public option, ensure coverage for all Americans, contain costs as well as support the existence of Medicaid. The Pingree Amendment, which ensures that companies submit reports every 90 days about compliance with new regulations, was successfully added to the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights so that citizens will be protected from unfair practices in the credit card industry. Congresswoman Pingree has demonstrated her commitment to her constituents and all citizens with a progressive agenda designed to lead the way back to prosperity in a fair and just manner.
by John Campbell on July 28, 2009
Today, 21st Century Democrats is proud to endorse Creigh Deeds for Governor of Virginia. Deeds has more than 20 years of public service to Virginia and a comprehensive plan to make the state a national leader in economic strength, jobs creation, education and environmental preservation.
As Jim Scheibel, 21st Century Dems’ Board Chairman said, “21st Century Democrats is proud to endorse Creigh Deeds for Governor of Virginia” said Jim Scheibel, 21st Century Democrats’ Board Chairman. “We have a history of promoting leaders who can transcend times of crisis and build a better tomorrow. Creigh Deeds is one of those leaders. His plans to generate green jobs and develop Virginia’s intellectual and physical infrastructure will benefit the state for decades.”
His site, www.deedsforvirginia.com, is full of information on his plan for job creation, improvements in education, and the protection and preservation of Virginia’s natural beauty. Deeds is a forward-thinking leader who understands that the choices we make today will determine the path of Virginia and America for decades to come.
The press release is below
by John Campbell on July 28, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, 21st Century Democrats, a leading progressive electoral organization, announced its endorsement of Creigh Deeds for Governor of Virginia. In over two decades of public service, Deeds has been dedicated to solving tough problems and improving the quality of life for all Virginians.
“21st Century Democrats is proud to endorse Creigh Deeds for Governor of Virginia” said Jim Scheibel, 21st Century Democrats’ Board Chairman. “We have a history of promoting leaders who can transcend times of crisis and build a better tomorrow. Creigh Deeds is one of those leaders. His plans to generate green jobs and develop Virginia’s intellectual and physical infrastructure will benefit the state for decades.”
Deeds, a state senator and former prosecutor, has fought tirelessly on behalf of Virginians, creating jobs, promoting education and protecting the state’s natural beauty. He has supported green jobs in Virginia, fought for a $500 tax credit for families caring for aged loved ones at home and authored the most progressive land preservation legislation in the state’s history, preserving over 270,000 acres in the past five years.
“I’m honored and excited to have the endorsement of 21st Century Democrats” said Deeds. “I respect their commitment to grassroots politics and admire their long record of electing progressives across the country.”
For over 20 years, 21st Century Democrats has worked to build a broad network of progressive Democratic leaders who shape the direction of the Democratic Party. They develop leadership at every level- from training new generations of field organizers and campaign staff to helping progressive candidates win campaigns. In 2008, 65% of their supported candidates won election to state, local, and federal government.
To learn more about 21st Century Democrats, visit www.21stcenturydems.org.
To learn more about Creigh Deeds, visit www.deedsforvirginia.com.
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by Samantha on July 24, 2009
In 2008, 21st Century Democrats endorsed Jim Himes in his bid to unseat Republican Chris Shays in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District. During the campaign, Himes vowed to help Connecticut families through economic recovery, healthcare coverage, education and environmental protection. His victory ended 40 years of Republican control of the Connecticut 4th Congressional District and brought a fresh, progressive attitude to the district.
A mere seven months after taking office, Congressman Himes remains dedicated to his campaign commitments with impressive initiatives. With funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congressman Himes has helped modernize three health care facilities in Connecticut. Connecticut schools will also receive $363 million to help maintain teachers and other resources in this time of economic need. In addition, he secured funding for local shoreline protection in the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, passed by the House on July 17, 2009. Congressman Himes has proved, for the first time in 40 years, that a Democrat in the Connecticut 4th can provide the strength and leadership necessary to achieve lasting change.
Note:
This is part one of an ongoing series here on The American Progression in which we will highlight the efforts of 21 of our 21st Century Democrats.
by John Campbell on July 21, 2009
The Senate today voted 58-40 in support of an amendment to prevent the construction of 7 f-22 fighters, saving US Taxpayers 1.8 billion dollars. To put that savings into perspective, it would fund the National Endowment for the Arts for over a decade or to pay the President for the next 4,500 years.
Speaking of the President. He spoke today from the white house on the f-22 vote and health care reform. He emphasized the cost savings and quality controls inherent in the bill. He reiterated the broad base of support for reform, ranging from the AMA to Walmart.
by John Campbell on July 20, 2009
Well, the Republican pundits are back at it. After taking a sabbatical to malign Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor, the Republican noise machine is back to their smears and attacks against health care reform. Bill Kristol epitomized the Republican/Conservative opposition to reform with his repeated refrain, “lets kill it.” Over and over again, Republicans such as Mr. Kristol have touted their noble opposition to health care reform. In support of his argument, that health care reform (ostensibly along with tens of millions of uninsured Americans) should die, Kristol falls back on talking points Republicans drew up in the 1990s to kill reform: “its rationing! its socialism! its arugula-eating, tax-and-spend liberals undermining the country!”
Nowhere in Kristol’s kill-the-bill cheerleading is there anything resembling an alternative idea for how we can curb runaway health care costs. Health care costs have risen 10% a year over the past decade. Do Kristol and the Republicans really thik simply ignoring the problem will cause it to go away?
Republican opposition has no connection to fact, to the need for reform now. Tens of millions of Americans desperately need health care coverage, untold millions are at risk of losing their insurance. Yet, Kristol repeats his mantra: kill, kill, kill. His course of action would endanger the wellbeing of all those citizens.
Gleefully, Kristol and other Republicans celebrate the supposed decline of health care reform while giving no evidence of it’s demise. As Nate Silver points out at fivethirtyeight.com, there are a lot of people with a vested interest in avoiding reform (ahem, the insurance industry) from lowering the cost of health care for average Americans.
So let’s take a look at the numbers: 51% of Americans approve of President Obama’s emphasis on health care reform and 21% think he should place more reform on health care. Only 25% think he has put too much emphasis on reform. Those numbers give us 72% of Americans in support of expedient health care reform. A clear majority of Americans support Obama’s push for health care reform, some of them just wish he were pushing harder.
by John Campbell on July 13, 2009
With President Obama enjoying a low-key day after his back from his trips to Russia, Italy and Ghana, Washington has turned its figurative gaze towards Sonia Sotomayor. whose confirmation hearings began this morning at 10 AM.
Many of us wondered how Republican senators would treat Justice Sotomayor after repeatedly attacking her both before and after her nomination.
And, as those Republicans offer moral outrage (I’m looking at you, Jeff Sessions) at Sotomayor’s judicial record, they waste no time in falling back upon the talking points they’ve
Politico: Republicans even more rabid than expected.
Sotomayor has given no indication that she is intimidated by the Junior Senator from Alabama. After all, she’s got backup from Senate Democrats.
NYT: Senate Dems offer support, praise for Sotomayor
And, in the Washington Post, E.J. Dionne takes a moment to give us all a healthy dose of perspective on the Supreme Court, conservative judicial activism, and the Republican outrage machine.
Dionne: Sotomayor’s critics are the radicals