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View Article  Hey! The Dems FINALLY Get Behind Withdrawing from Bush's Unpopular War - Sort of
 Hey!  The Dems FINALLY Get Behind Withdrawing from Bush's Unpopular War - Sort of

by Rick Klein, Boston Globe

[Blog for Iowa comments are between brackets.]

WASHINGTON - After months [um, YEARS?] of trying unsuccessfully to develop a common message on [Bush's War], Democratic Party "leaders" are beginning to coalesce around a broad plan to begin a "quick" withdrawal of US troops and install them elsewhere in the region, where they could respond to emergencies in Iraq and help fight terrorism in other countries. [Can we just get away from this GOP meme that our ARMY or even ANY army can "fight terrorism?"  It's like saying we don't have a plan to "win the peace."  What peace, for heaven's sake?]

The concept, dubbed ''strategic redeployment," is outlined in a slim, nine-page report coauthored by a former Reagan administration assistant Defense secretary, Lawrence J. Korb, in the fall. It sets a goal of a phased troop withdrawal that would take nearly all US troops out of Iraq by the end of 2007 [and this is considered quick?] ...

Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee chairman, has endorsed Korb's paper and begun mentioning it in meetings with local Democratic groups. In addition, the study's concepts have been touted by the senator assigned to bring Democrats together on Iraq - Jack Reed of Rhode Island - and the report has been circulated among all senators by Senator Dianne Feinstein, an influential moderate Democrat from California.  [Well, at least they are trying to look like they're organized.] ...

Many leading Democrats say the Korb plan represents an answer to Republicans' oft-repeated charge that Democrats aren't offering a way forward on Iraq [because, if Democrats DO offer a way to get out of Iraq, the Republicans call them disloyal and unpatriotic and traitors.  Go figure....]

''We're not going to cut and run - that's just Republican propaganda," Dean said in a speech Feb. 10 in Boston. ''But we are going to redeploy our troops so they don't have targets on their backs, and they're not breaking down doors and putting themselves in the line of fire all the time. . . . It's a sensible plan. It's a thoughtful plan. I think Democrats can coalesce around it."

[For heaven's sake, Howard - CUT AND RUN!  What are we doing there in the first place?  How many more of our loved ones have to die?  How many more Iraqis do we have to murder in their beds?]

(Click here to read the complete article. Free registration may be required.)


View Article  Howard Dean Knocks the Wind out of Wolf Blitzer
  Howard Dean Knocks the Wind out of Wolf Blitzer

CNN

Here is a partial transcript of Howard Dean’s appearance on CNN’s Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer Sunday.  Click on the video link that follows to experience for yourself  glazed-over stares from Wolf, two awkward pauses, and Wolf's final heavy sigh of frustration as Dean takes him from stammering to speechless.  Notice  in his opening shot, Wolf found a way to say not once but twice as if it were fact,  “Democrats who took money..." [from Jack Abramoff].  Dean sets the record straight.

BLITZER: Should Democrats who took money from Jack Abramoff, who has now pleaded guilty to bribery charges, among other charges, a Republican lobbyist in Washington, should the Democrat who took money from him give that money to charity or give it back?

DEAN: There are no Democrats who took money from Jack Abramoff, not one, not one single Democrat. Every person named in this scandal is a Republican. Every person under investigation is a Republican. Every person indicted is a Republican. This is a Republican finance scandal. There is no evidence that Jack Abramoff ever gave any Democrat any money. And we've looked through all of those FEC reports to make sure that's true. 

BLITZER: But through various Abramoff-related organizations and outfits, a bunch of Democrats did take money that presumably originated with Jack Abramoff.

DEAN: That's not true either. There's no evidence for that either. There is no evidence...

BLITZER: What about Senator Byron Dorgan?

DEAN: Senator Byron Dorgan and some others took money from Indian tribes. They're not agents of Jack Abramoff. There's no evidence that I've seen that Jack Abramoff directed any contributions to Democrats. I know the Republican National Committee would like to get the Democrats involved in this. They're scared. They should be scared. They haven't told the truth. They have misled the American people. And now it appears they're stealing from Indian tribes. The Democrats are not involved in this.

BLITZER: Unfortunately Mr. Chairman, we got to leave it right there.

Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic Party, always speaking out bluntly, candidly.  Appreciate your joining us on "Late Edition."

Link to the transcript

Link to the video (scroll down when you get there to "Dean Issues Smack-Down on Wolfie")

View Article  Howard Dean A Failure...
Howard Dean A Failure...


... as a boogeyman!

I thought I would point out this post at the Daily Kos commemorating the one-year anniversary of Howard Dean's election to chairman of the DNC.


We're now at the rough one-year anniversary of the DNC chairmanship battle, in which us netroots hooligans helped propel Dean to the top of the DNC. We outmaneuvered Kerry, who wanted to install Vilsack and then Sheehan by fiat. We outmaneuvered Reid and Pelosi, who wanted Tim Roemer. We outmaneuvered Mark Brewer of the Association of Democratic State Chairs, who wanted Donnie Fowler. (Here's Ryan Lizza's take on the whole affair.)

This was the first tangible "victory" for the netroots in its struggle for supremacy of the Democratic Party. But I don't bring this up to gloat. Rather, I bring it up to point out how little of the Dean Doomsday Scenario actually played out.

More specifically, the notion that Dean would be a boon to Republican propaganda efforts has completely fallen flat. Remember those? Dem insiders were quaking in their shoes, Republicans were salivating at the chance to remind America how far-left and craaazzzyy those Democrats were with Dean at the top....

While the true measure of Dean's success will be the 2008 elections (rebuilding the party takes time, regardless whether we make gains in 2006 or not), the early praise from his fiercest Democratic detractors and the unilateral ceasefire from the Republican side proves that he's not the Scary Liberal Boogeyman many feared he'd be.


Read the rest of the post for a rather funny set of press releases put out by the Virginia GOP set out to associate "now governor-elect" Tim Kaine with the "boogeyman" Howard Dean.

(I hope I didn't ruin too many lunches with my post title.... )

View Article  SCIENTISTS DOUBT EXISTENCE OF DEMOCRATS
SCIENTISTS DOUBT EXISTENCE OF DEMOCRATS

The Borowitz Report

Opposition Party Could Be Black Hole, Experts Say

With George W. Bush’s approval ratings plummeting in recent weeks, the inability on the part of Democrats to capitalize on [Bush]’s waning fortunes has caused some leading scientists to postulate that the Democratic Party may not exist at all.

Dr. Marisa Drazin, a leading scientist who for years has been questioning the existence of Democrats, said today that what many have thought to be the Democratic Party may in fact be nothing more than a black hole.

“When [Bush] loses ten or twelve approval points, one would normally expect those approval points to go to the opposition party,” Dr. Drazin said. “But instead, those points have vanished into thin air, leading one to conclude that the so-called Democratic Party does not exist."

Theories about the nonexistence of the Democratic Party are nothing new, said Dr. Drazin, who pointed out that scientists first developed them during the 1988 presidential campaign of then-Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis. 

While the silence of the Democratic Party in recent weeks seems to bolster theories of the party’s nonexistence, she said, there are still some nagging pieces of evidence to the contrary, such as the perpetually outspoken DNC chairman, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

“I’ve discussed the Howard Dean phenomenon with my colleagues,” Dr. Drazin said. “And it’s the consensus of the scientific community that there is no logical explanation for Howard Dean.”

(source)

View Article  The DFA Vote is Down to the Final 10, and Iowa Has TWO Great Candidates Still in the Running! Vote Now!
The DFA Vote is Down to the Final 10, and Iowa Has TWO Great Candidates Still in the Running!  Vote Now!


Well, I have to admit that I am very impressed by the Iowa progressive community.  In the initial round of voting to select a Congressional candidate for DFA endorsement, two Iowa candidates, David Loebsack from Iowa Congressional District 2 and Bruce Braley from Iowa Congressional District 1, made it to the Top 10 as finalists.  And they did this by beating out many other Congressional candidates from far more populous states than Iowa.  Fifty candidates were eliminated in the first round.

Go vote now for your choice.  The voting ends Saturday.  DFA is using an Instant Runoff Voting system, which means you can vote for up to three candidates and rank them in your order of preference.

Since both Loebsack and Braley are on Blog for Iowa’s Candidate Watch list, we’ve decided to have two passionate members of our blog team each personally endorse a candidate.  Hold onto your hats!


David Loebsack is The Man to Vote For!!!

by Molly Regan


David Loebsack is a TRUE DEANER!  And whom better should Democracy for Iowa followers choose than one of their own?!  Go to Blog for America to cast your vote now, then pass the word to all you know.  Anyone in the country can vote.  You only have until Saturday, September 24th, at 4pm Iowa time.  We have the power.  Let’s make it so for this great Dean supporter.

David has been teaching political science at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon for over 22 years.  Now he has chosen to take on the task of defeating Rep. Jim Leach in the 2nd Congressional District of Iowa.

David helped Governor Dean on his many tours of Eastern Iowa and was a Dean delegate to the Linn County, the state, and the national conventions.  He is a true progressive.  He is one of us.  Go to Loebsackforcongress.org for more information about David.

I have known and admired David for nearly ten years and he truly is the best person to be DFA’s first candidate of choice.

Molly Regan / Scott County / DFQC


Bruce Braley Speaks For Me!

by Caroline Vernon


At a time when the current administration is attempting to stack the Supreme Court with right-wing ideologues rather than mainstream judges who will remain fair and impartial on their interpretation of the law, it is important that we have true representation of the people in our Congress in order to balance the scales of justice.  America needs a new class of leadership who is not afraid to speak truth to power even at the risk of being ostracized.

I believe Bruce Braley is such a man. In Bruce's words, (paraphrasing) "Saying what's popular is not always right and saying what's right is not always popular."

America needs leadership that will FINALLY stand up to the corporate special interests and tell them that while it's great that they want to make money for their shareholders, we have had enough of the rampant greed and it is no longer acceptable to choose profits over people!

I believe Bruce will have the courage of his convictions, represent the best interest of "we the people" and reflect the many progressive values that have truly made this country great.

Bruce is strong on education, health care, and a woman's right to choose her own destiny.  Throughout his career, he has donated legal services to many indigent Iowans through the Volunteer Lawyers Project. He also feels that stewardship of our land, water and air needs to be a national priority.  Bruce is prepared to ask the tough questions about the war and demand that our troops are sent home. Bruce is also against the privatization of social security and supports continued efforts to achieve energy independence through renewable fuels and alternative energy sources.

A vote for Bruce Braley is a vote for a brighter future for Iowa. Therefore, I am hoping you will join me in voting for Bruce Braley (Iowa's 1st Congressional district) as DFA's next Grassroots All-Star!

To learn more about Bruce, visit his website at www.brucebraley.com

Cast your vote now!

Caroline Vernon / Scott County / DFQC

View Article  Democracy For Iowa Conference 2005
Democracy For Iowa Conference 2005

Notes by Aaron Wings, with additions and Workshop notes by Robin Roseman

Report on DFIA Conference
September 10, 2005
Iowa City


OVERVIEW:  


The morning sessions were very informational. What was most impressive was the variety of issues that were discussed and the political cooperative efforts.

The afternoon sessions were work sessions.  Several important actions were planned. We began to give structure to a statewide DFA organization - DFIA.  We also decided to have a coordinated focus for the next several months on state health care issues, in particular, a State Health Care Lobby Day.  We urge all interested people to join DFIA by signing up here.

MORNING SESSION:

We began with a welcome by Dennis Roseman, Iowa City DFA Organizer who in turn introduced members of the meeting that represented some progressive non-DFA groups and activities:

Pat Vunderink talked about DAWN, a Democratic Activists Women’s Network.  This might be termed an Iowa Emily’s List with a major goal to support progressive women candidates.

Trish Nelson talked about IBLTV, Iowans for Better Local TV, a media reform group: http://www.ibltv.org.  They have an on-line petition which all are invited to sign asking the FCC to hear Iowa complaints about the quality of local television. There will also be an important FCC-Free Press Public Hearing, on October 5th, in Iowa City at the University of Iowa (exact location to be determined).

Ellen Ballas spoke of Rapid Response Network. This organization is well known to all readers of Blog for Iowa.   Please join them in their efforts to fight disinformation: http://www.rapidresponsenetwork.org

Mike Carberry informed us of an Iowa City group, Citizens for Public Power. This group has put the issue of creating a municipal Iowa City electric power company on the November ballot. They are currently building support for passage. http://www.icpublicpower.org

Dick Stater, Chair Linn County Democrats, talked about a Fundraiser on October 22nd, in Mount Vernon, with the possibility of a nationally prominent Democratic office holder as a speaker. For more information go to http://www.linndems.org

Alta Price discussed Quad Cities Progressive Action for the Common Good, a new progressive coalition consisting of various issue forums. Due to the high level of activity, PACG is currently engaged in a fundraising campaign in an effort to hire an organizer to maintain the necessary support of the various issue forums.
http://www.digiforce.net/PACG%20Site/index.php

Mike Carberry also spoke of FAIR, a local group working for social and economic justice. FAIR will co-sponsor an Iowa City Council Candidate Forum with Johnson County DFA and The 49 - to be held on September 15th.

The above list exemplifies the variety of activities that Iowa DFA members are engaged in as well as establishing  connections and cooperation with other progressive groups.

Jim Dean, DFA Chair, then gave a lively keynote talk about the future plans and goals for DFA.

He spoke of other DFA State meetings (23 of these to date). They focused on some small races as well as larger ones. Currently DFA is supporting 40 candidates nationwide and plans to endorse an additional 10 more candidates for a total of 50. DFA is also engaged in providing some Candidate and Activist training with 21st Century Democrats. In addition, they plan to provide a 2-day training workshop in the Quad Cities next Spring.

Jim listed and spoke briefly on several current and future political issues and mentioned two particular goals for the near future: a DFA Meet-up in every congressional district and expansion of Generation DFA for college students.

In the next segment there were four reports by Iowa DFA Meetup groups: Alta Price for Democracy for the Quad Cities, Tony Hansen for Des Moines DFA, Sue Astley for Cedar Rapids DFA, and Robin Roseman for Johnson County DFA.

Chris Warshaw, DFA Field/Political Director, described four areas of focus for DFA:

1.  Meet-up programs in all states, 100 college groups, a total of 5000 at meet-ups

2.  Development of communication tools such as DFA-Link.
DFA Link will replace and improve upon the functionality that we had with Meetup.com.

3.  Having special training sessions to build political skills such as communication with elected officials and writing letters to editors, etc.  For example, there is a plan for a two-day training next Spring in the Quad Cities.

4.  Candidate development: One goal is to build from within by encouraging members to run for office.  Also, DFA sponsored 103 candidates last year - approximately 1/3 won.  DFA is currently sponsoring 40 candidates, but won’t endorse any more until after the November elections with the exception of one congressional seat.

This early sponsorship will be decided by voting online here.
(Note: The vote started on Tuesday, 9/13)

Next on the program was a Candidate Forum. It was a real showcase of what we in DFA are doing. Candidates (and one pre-candidate) from many levels of government participated; David Loebsack (2nd District), Bill Gluba and Bruce Braley (1st District), Tammy Place (pre-candidate, Iowa House 79) and Garry Klein (Iowa City Council).  Scroll down for contact information.

Next we had two presentations dealing with Iowa issues and Iowa groups:

Mike Owen, assistant Director of the Iowa Policy Project, gave a fact filled presentation on Iowa economic issues. To review this wellspring of useful information, stats and facts (highly recommended), visit thier website at: http://www.iowapolicyproject.org

Sarah Swisher, gave a spirited talk about three organizations of which she is an officer:  The Iowa Democratic Party, SEIU, and Johnson County Democrats. Sarah discussed various ways that DFA could interface with each of these organizations for a mutual benefit.

AFTERNOON SESSION:
Identifying Goals

What to focus on in the next 6 months?  At first a large list of goals and issues were suggested by participants but were ultimately reduced down to reflect two levels: Meetup level and State level.

On the Local Level:

Endorse and support local candidates. (Run for office)

Participate in 2006 Democratic caucuses.


Build coalitions with other progressive groups.


Outreach-expand membership.


On the State Level:

Increase the number of contributors for Blog for Iowa.

Support Democratic Candidates; Opportunity to take back the Iowa House, Senate,
and Governorship in 2006.

Health Care for Iowa.


Most importantly it was decided to form a state-wide group known as Democracy for Iowa (DFIA). This would be done with the help of a steering committee and implemented (in part) as a new statewide DFA-link group called DFIA.

Introducing the DFIA Steering Committee: Dennis Roseman, Robin Roseman, Alta Price, Gary Gramon, Sue Astley, Tony Hansen, Cliff Day, Sally Troxell, Trish Nelson and  Ellen Ballas

One goal of DFIA is to expand the number of Meet-up groups and to facilitate communication between members across Iowa.

In particular we would like to have at least one Meetup group per congressional district. (see map)

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Redist/congress-color.pdf

It was suggested that folks from established groups should  help new groups get going. Tony volunteered for central Iowa, Alta and Dennis for eastern Iowa, and we need someone for western Iowa.

As a particular focus for statewide action it was decided to have a Health Care Lobby Day.

Tony volunteered to coordinate with SEIU/Iowans for Health Care to participate in a joint Health Care Lobby Day in Des Moines on Februrary 7th, 2006.  DFA will help with a phone list and support.  We also plan to make home visits to legislators in the districts to discuss Health Care for all Iowans.

At the end of the day, a few of us went out for ice cream with Ed Fallon, candidate for governor, who wasn't able to make the meeting because of a previous engagement, but showed up at the Iowa Room just as we were
leaving. A great time was had by all!


Braley for Congress
http://www.brucebraley.com
P O Box 390
Waterloo, IA  50704
319-464-4450

Tammy Place
PO Box 501
Durant, IA  52747
563-785-4837

Friends of Bill Gluba
http://www.glubaforcongress.com
PO Box 2205
Davenport, IA  52808
563-459-6558

David Loebsack
http://www.loebsackforcongress.org
PO Box 81
Mt Vernon IA 52314
319-721-5324

Garry Klein
http://www.kleinforcouncil.org
628 2nd Ave
Iowa City, IA  52245

View Article  Howard Dean's Statement on Frist Push for Estate Tax
  Howard Dean's Statement on Frist Push for Estate Tax

U.S. Newswire

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean released the following statement in response to reports that Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will push for a vote on Repealing the Estate Tax when the Senate returns on Tuesday:

"Countless thousands of our fellow Americans throughout the Gulf Coast region continue to suffer in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. While some have begun the painful task of rebuilding their lives and coping with the unfathomable loss, so many still await help. And the cost of this disaster in human and material terms remains unknown.

"It's simply irresponsible for Senator Frist and Ken Mehlman to even think about spending our tax dollars on breaks for millionaires at a time when our top priority must be to ensure we have the resources needed to address the long and short term costs associated with rescue, recovery, and rebuilding in the wake of hurricane Katrina. Not to mention the vital lesson we learned this week about the deadly cost of diverting funds at the expense of the safety of the American people. These costs also come at a time when our nation faces a massive deficit, and mounting costs in the ongoing war in Iraq.

"There is also a question of values, priorities and choices. Tens of thousands of our fellow Americans have literally lost everything; we have a responsibility to put their needs first. Senator Frist should join Democrats in Congress who understand that our priority as a nation must be to focus our energy and resources on determining how we help the victims begin to rebuild their lives and addressing the long term issues we face as a nation in the aftermath of Katrina.

"Perhaps seeing the images on television was not enough this time for Senator Frist and having now had the chance to actually look some of the victims in the eye, he'll be able to better diagnose the situation, get his priorities straight and recognize that the victims of this crisis, and providing the resources to keep our people safe in the future, must be our highest priorities."

(source)


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Media Bias

Iowa

Rapid Response Network - Iowa

First responders to biased, imbalanced or factually inaccurate media coverage


Iowans for Better Local TV

*IBLTV is a group of citizens from the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area who are concerned about the decline in the quality of local television. Fight local media consolidation, as it leads to an unaccountable medium that enriches itself while disregarding the need to serve the public good.


Air America

*How to Bring Air America Radio to Your Local Community


The Counterpoint

*The rational counter to 'The Point,' 'The Counterpoint' critiques and corrects the daily editorial by Sinclair Broadcasting's corporate vice president, Mark Hyman, that is broadcast on all Sinclair-owned television stations across the country


National

FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting

*FAIR is a national media watch group that offers well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship


Media Matters for America

*Media Matters for America is an information center dedicated to monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media