AAEI has had nearly 100 organizers in swing states and districts across the country to build the pressure on Republicans ever higher to try to force an end to President Bush’s tragic Iraq policy. They’ve been organizing for weeks and the culmination of their summer work is a nationwide series of events on August 28th, holding town meetings across the country in the targeted states and districts. Of course, none of these are in Massachusetts, since our delegation is unified against Bush’s policies, and John Kerry, of course, has been a leader of the effort to fight that policy in the Senate.
But New Hampshire … now that’s a different story. Senator Sununu has been a reliable Roadblock Republican, ignoring reality in Iraq (and his constituents) to support President Bush’s policy and block efforts to force a change in that policy. So, if you can make it up to New Hampshire Tuesday of next week, consider taking part in the event. We here in Massachusetts can make a big difference in that race in New Hampshire next year, and we can help create a true Democratic majority in the Senate with a win there (not the Democrats+Lieberman majority we have now … which is actually not a majority on national security questions). And a big crowd in New Hampshire now can show Senator Sununu how endangered he is … and hopefully get him to see the light and stop blocking attempts to start getting troops out of Iraq.
And, if you can head up the coast a little more, there will be events in Maine targeting Senator Collins, too. That’s another hot race next year that we can make a difference in. (off topic, but did you see her crazy web communications guy go off on Firedoglake, calling it a “foul-mouthed fem blog”? Just plain weird … )
Also, even if you can’t get up to New Hampshire or Maine, MoveOn.org is partnering with AAEI and setting up vigils all across the country to try to show the power behind the movement to get some sanity into our foreign policy. So, even though our delegation here in Massachusetts doesn’t need any encouragement, any events help to show the overwhelming public push to get the Republicans to break with the President on Iraq.
This upcoming September will see another big push in Congress to force President Bush to change Iraq policy, and these events can set off the fight in style …
“full disclosure: I’m John Kerry’s Online Communications Director”
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Can you Get the John to give me an appointment to West Point. Annapolis would be fine also, but not the Air Force Academy. Too far.
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Thnaks Dude. I know I can count on you.
it was suppose to be a question to BriVt.
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so pretend it is.
If it were up to me, you’d be put in charge of West Point Ernie. That would really scare those evildoers, I dare say.
Is that a FLIP_FLOP?
Does anyone remember when John Kerry was attacking MoveOn in the Presidential? Seems awful interesting that there is new love between the two in this election cycle.
You should consider posting this on Blue Hampshire as well.
It’s kind of ironic, though … right now there’s a post from Dean quoting the GOPNH chair as saying that a lot of the anti-Sununu stuff is “coming from out of state” …
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Get used to it, my man.
Dean is Dean Barker, the Bluehampshire guy, in case anyone’s confused by the reference above.
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Not Howard Dean. Or Hurricane Dean.
What percentage of anti-Kerry and anti-Kennedy money comes from out of state? 75%, conservatively?
On MyDD you can read a chart that shows a very handsome Democratic advantage in fundraising. The Republican Congressional Campaign’s debts even exceed its cash on hand. Note: Republicans in every election cycle since 1992 have enjoyed a fundraising advantage. Without it, they are in serious trouble.
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A campaign to stop Roadblock Republicans is useful for the AAEI’s goal of stopping the war in September when General Petreaus gives his report. It is also politically useful in 2008 for making the case that bigger Democratic majorities are needed in Congress. If the Democrats can keep up this momentum, it’s possible that national health insurance could even appear on the national agenda.
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So I think this campaign does good in multiple dimensions.
Don’t know of the exact percentage, but it’s a lot. We’ll have to see how much comes in next year.
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Of course, the reasons are different, though. In the case of Kennedy and Kerry, it indicates a real lack of support in MA for their opponents. In the case of Sununu, it indicates an intense desire nationally for a Democratic Senate. There’s still plenty of money and opposition to him in NH … he’s got a rough ride ahead of him.
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Tom Allen has a lot of support in Maine, as well, but is also getting a lot nationally. Especially after Lieberman did a fundraiser for Collins.
A “real lack of support” in MA for opponents of Kennedy and Kerry?
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Let’s look at that. Kennedy is up for reelection in 2012, 5 years from now. Who, exactly, is or are his opponent(s)?
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Kerry, of course, is up again in 2008. He is opposing former firefighter and 25-year Massachusetts defense lawyer Ed O’Reilly of Gloucester.
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It’s good that Kerry wants to bring the troops home from Iraq now.
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It’s too bad that Kerry helped send them to Iraq in the first place, and kept voting money to keep them there.
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That, and Kerry’s throwing in the towel in 2004 instead of using his multi-million $$ war chest for a recount of the squirrely (how polite is that?) Ohio vote, ended my support for him.
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Having met Ed O’Reilly and heard him speak, I’d say that he’s a breath of fresh air in Massachusetts public life with the guts, brains, and care for the people of the Commonwealth to be a great Senator.
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Ed’s platform includes bringing our troops, reservists, National Guard, and mercenaries home now. With Ed, though, this is no flipflip. Ed opposed the Iraq invasion from the start.
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It’s not the only reason I’m supporting Ed O’Reilly. He’s right that we must convert to renewable, sustainable, non-polluting energy; ensure that all Americans get the healthcare they need; and provide excellent public education. But it is a darned good reason, and I’m far from alone.
Hunting for events near my undisclosed location, manchester, new london (nh), and portland (me), I notice that all the events on MoveOn’s website begin in the evening. of Tues., Aug 28, e.g., Portland.
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I like the theme of the signs the AAEI has.