(Big news here. If Doolittle is leaving, I’d rather someone personally tied to him like Rico Oller get the nomination. Pretty much every Republican in that region is tied to the Doolittle machine in one way or another, so that would still be a factor in the race. Obviously, though, things get much more difficult for Charlie Brown in an open seat scenario. – promoted by David Dayen)
Hank Shaw has just put up a post on his blog saying that his sources have John Doolittle resigning:
I am hearing from my Sacramento Valley friends that John Doolittle is about to step down and will ultimately endorse Rico Oller, who apparently owns lots of property in Doolittle’s 4th District. Oller would still have to get past Assemblyman Ted Gaines of Roseville and Eric Egland of Rocklin. Rico is definitely conservative, and if he has the blessing of the NorCal GOP machine that Doolittle has created, he should immediately become the favorite in that primary.
Hardly unexpected but also not good news for Charlie Brown…
[UPDATE]: Hank has just put up a clarification. His sources have Doolittle withdrawing from the 2008 race, not resigning. Still not good news for Democrats.
The long-dormant Jerry Lewis investigation showed signs of being restarted in recent months after one of his top aides was handed a federal subpoena. Now we’ve learned that the FBI has been taking a look at Lewis’ personal financial records – and fellow Triangle of Corruption member Ken Calvert’s, too.
The apparently stalled probe of Lewis has focused on his relationship to buddy and lobbyist Bill Lowery. Roll Call notes that the feds pulled records for two of Lowery’s lobbyists, Jeffrey Shockey and Letitia White. Both once worked to Lewis, but moved over to work for Lowery. Shockey has since moved back to Lewis again. The feds also pulled records for Lewis’ wife, his chief of staff Arlene Willis.
As for Calvert, it’s unclear just what the feds are scrutinizing (one of his “honest graft” schemes?) or even if he’s the focus of a full-blown investigation.
His trouble started last May, when the Los Angeles Times reported that he and a partner pocketed a profit of nearly a half-million dollars in less than a year on a land deal. The report found that while he owned the land, Calvert earmarked $1.5 million for commercial development nearby and $8 million for a freeway exchange 16 miles away.
About a week later, the California FBI agent pulled Calvert’s financial disclosure forms for 2000 through 2005. Calvert never retained legal counsel, but buzz over the issue compelled GOP leaders to skip over him last year when a slot opened on the Appropriations panel….
Candidates and campaigns in these districts take note: these corruption investigations are not going away.
The grassroots, anti-occupation crew got McNerney elected. He needs to step up. He voted the wrong way on the Kucinich impeachment move, and even more importantly, he has refused to sign on to the letter from the Progressive Caucus to Bush saying that the singers will only fund withdrawal. 90 Congresspersons have singed so far, including Waxman and Conyers. His staffer told me it is to “restrictive”. That’s ridiculous.
In answer to their solicitation today, I’m saying I will give them $ once he decides to sign that letter. I hope that you will join me.
Disclosure: I work with the Yes on Prop 93 Campaign. This is also available in orange.
There’s already a Howie Rich exposed website, so the Contra Costa Times will have to just stick with the site they have now. In today’s paper (reg req’d), Steven Harmon goes into a little bit more about the mysterious initiative funder:
Just a few days after Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner’s widely heralded takeover of the No on Proposition 93 campaign, a Virginia-based nonprofit organization quietly chipped in $1.5 million to the cause.
The group, U.S. Term Limits, spends considerable effort and money across the country trying to fend off attempts to weaken term limits laws, such as Prop. 93 — which will appear on the February ballot — in California. And the group tries to do so while steering clear of the limelight, which is precisely how Howard “Howie” Rich prefers it. (CCTimes 11/19/07))
More over the flip.
Mr. Rich has tentacles all over the right-wing infrastructure. He helped fund Proposition 90. He’s funded TABOR initiatives all over the country, from areas as disparate as Maine and Oregon. He’s a coast-to-coast equal opportunity “libretarian” funding machine. In other words, the man fights anything that makes government effective:
“You have a group of wealthy radical activists who see no role for government,” Wilfore said. Their measures would “bankrupt state government and give special rights to developers. … And it’s brought to you by a network of Libertarian Party activists who want to eliminate government.”
And if that wasn’t enough, he won’t just disclose that he, a wealthy New York real estate developer, is funding these measures. He desperately maintains his privacy, and hides from the sunshine that is required by good government. He uses front groups, like U.S. Term Limits, and other nonprofits to push his agenda.
Rich, who would only agree to be interviewed via e-mail, said he uses nonprofit groups to protect donors fearful of being stalked by entrenched interests threatened by anti-government ballot initiatives.
“It’s safe to say that an organization dedicated to imposing term limits on politicians has a lot of powerful politicians and interest groups interested in threatening and intimidating potential supporters,” he wrote. “I have no intention of subjecting anyone to that abuse and we have gladly complied with all laws.”
He has no intention of sharing just who is providing money for Prop 93, or any of his other initiatives. It is clear that we need to reform the system to stop organizations from hiding information about their funders, but it is also equally clear that those who involve themselves in political actions must understand why transparency is important. How are we to understand the true purpose of these initiatives or of those fighting against propositions if we do not understand who is funding the effort? If money is speech, surely the speakers understand that they should not yell from behind a mask. But, Mr. Rich is interested in protecting his friends from the consequences of their actions, not the effectiveness of our political system. Transparency is key to understanding our political process, and there are few involved in the political process that are as opposed to that transparency as Howie Rich.
I’m at a Congressional hearing about the oil spill in SF Bay, with most of our local congressional members, including the Speaker. It’s not clear what needs to happen,but it is very good to see this happening here in SF rather than just DC.
Rep. Tauscher asked a # of questions about bunker fuel an howmuch info we need on the cargo ships. Rep. Lantos seems to want to take this back to terrorism. While using language like “calvacade of calamities” he wanted to know whether this could have been prevented and whether language barriers are to blame.
UPDATE: I’m back at home, but the hearing is still going. I’m sure there will be lots of news on TV and in the papers, though. I think a number of good points were made by both the Congress members and the witnesses. This was clearly a preventable incident. What we can do to systemically prevent the incidents is the important question now.
This should be very interesting. It looks like Jackie Speier, who was a fine state Senator who just missed in a there-are-no-losers primary for Lt. Governor with John Garamendi last year, is going to run for Congress in a primary against longtime incumbent Tom Lantos.
“It’s Time!” declares an e-mail circulated by supporters to “friends” and “fans” this past week, announcing the first organizing meeting of the Jackie Speier for Congress Exploratory Committee on Tuesday at a home in Hillsborough.
Speier has been consulting with friends and supporters about a run since a poll conducted by allies in January showed her a 2-1 favorite among voters in the 12th Congressional District, which covers northern San Mateo County and parts of San Francisco.
Speier has since hired at least one staffer to start gearing up. Nonetheless, she told us late Friday that she hasn’t made a final decision – and that when she does, we’ll be among the first to know.
I wrote this for today’s Beyond Chron, San Francisco’s Alternative Online Daily.
It’s often hard to assess which candidate “won” a debate, but a few basic conclusions can be drawn from the November 17th State Senate forum, hosted by the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club: (1) State Assemblyman Mark Leno and Senator Carole Migden agree on most issues ideologically, (2) the third candidate, Joe Alioto Veronese, is more politically moderate, and (3) there is harsh acrimony between Leno and Migden – which has made the race far more divisive than it needs to be. Progressives have no one to blame but themselves if the race gets so nasty that Leno and Migden kill each other, though it is very unlikely that Veronese would eke out a victory under such circumstances. But Leno and Migden have a distinct difference in style, temperament and priorities – and that is where progressive voters deserve a clear choice in the June primary. As Veronese said at the debate, “we’re all here today because we have a contested race.”
A race between two prominent local gay politicians has already caused tension in the Milk Club. At the Club’s last general meeting, Carole Migden’s campaign overwhelmed the room with East Bay attorneys, Sacramento staffers and Willie Brown hacks – in an attempt to ram through an early endorsement schedule that rigged the system in her favor. Club President Brian Basinger alluded to this episode as he welcomed the crowd to the debate, and proudly rattled off the Club’s accomplishments in the past year. “Even in the middle of controversy,” he said, “work can still get done.”
Moderated by TV news anchor Belva Davis, the State Senate debate revealed an obvious point – there is little ideological difference between Mark Leno and Carole Migden. Both want to amend “Three Strikes” to avoid locking up non-violent offenders. Both want single-payer health care, but are pushing for incremental steps this year that could pass politically. Both want to raise revenue through split-roll property taxes, restoring the upper income tax bracket and allowing cities to reinstate the Vehicle License Fee. Progressives want to see a clear distinction before making a choice, but it’s just not there.
Migden tried to position herself to Leno’s left by attacking him on several votes. “I did not vote to expand prison systems like Mr. Leno did,” she said. “He also wrote a bill about rental cars that the Consumer’s Union is now suing.” But the prison bill in question (AB 900) was to add more beds and require rehabilitation services in existing facilities – a move Leno says the legislature had to take, or else the federal courts would have mandated building new prisons. As for the rental car bill (AB 2592), Migden voted for it – and according to Leno, the Consumer’s Union is not suing.
At one point, the two front-runners had a basic disagreement about whether Leno voted to sell EdFund – a corporation owned (but not run) by the state to manage financial aid money for students. Leno voted for SB 89 while Migden opposed it, but he disputes the notion that it was a vote to “sell” EdFund. After an audit raised questions about EdFund’s fiscal management, the legislature passed SB 89 to allow the option of finding another contractor. It certainly wasn’t to privatize education a la Don Fisher – which is what Migden’s accusation implied.
But while Leno and Migden nit-picked over who is more “progressive,” there was no doubt which candidate is the most “moderate” – Joe Alioto Veronese. The San Francisco Police Commissioner acknowledged his support of Proposition 83, a measure requiring former sex offenders to wear a tracking device that California voters passed last year. Prop 83 is currently tied up in court, but Veronese said he supports it “in concept.” Veronese also said he had “problems” with the health care bill being pursued in the legislature (which is already a compromise from single payer), because the Democrats, he said, “need to work” more with the Governor.
In fact, Veronese’s theme throughout the debate was the need to compromise with Schwarzenegger. “I’m not going to sit here and attack the Governor,” he said, as the other candidates eloquently criticized Arnold’s budget priorities. Throughout the debate, Veronese stressed the need to work with Republicans and Central Valley Democrats. Leno finally responded to him with a line that generated applause: “we have worked too much with the Governor. He needs to work with us.”
Some observers may surmise that with Veronese in the race, Leno and Migden will split the liberal vote – leaving the 3rd District with a State Senator who is far less progressive than his constituents. In 1998, when the 9th District in the East Bay had a State Senate election, Dion Aroner and Keith Carson split the progressive vote – which allowed moderate Don Perata to eke through. But Veronese is no Perata, who at the time was a well-known State Assemblyman and former County Supervisor. As a local Police Commissioner, Veronese will more likely play the “spoiler” role in this race – if even that.
Which brings us back to the two major candidates. As I explained last April, the real difference between Leno and Migden is how they approach representing a safe Democratic district – which is a distinction in their priorities, style and temperament. Migden is a hard-nosed pragmatist who spends time in Sacramento cutting deals and building political clout. Leno is a big-picture idealist who engages the grassroots to pressure the state government.
When asked about passing a gay marriage bill next year that Schwarzenegger twice vetoed, Leno said, “our strategy was based on a false premise: that the Governor is an honorable human being.” While this gave Leno the biggest applause line of the debate, Migden’s rebuttal showed her difference in tactics. “I’ve worked with the Governor,” she said, “and he doesn’t like being called names. I got him to get money for us to help transgenders. You have to work with people no matter who they are.”
Sparks flew when Leno was asked why he was challenging an incumbent State Senator. “This is an exercise in democracy,” said Leno, “not an assault on a 30-year career. Carole says that she should be unopposed, but this Senate seat doesn’t belong to her. It belongs to the voters.” Alluding to the fact that Migden has not had a contested race in 17 years, Leno added “Carole’s had the good fortune of having the waters parted for all the seats she’s run for. There’s never been accountability.”
This provoked a harsh response from Migden. “I know why [running is] a good idea for him,” she said. “He’s out of a job.” Migden reminded the crowd that she got Leno his first job in politics – when her election to the State Assembly allowed him to get appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She said that Leno has a “personal animus” against her, because in 2002 she endorsed his rival, Harry Britt, for the State Assembly. Leno’s challenge, she implied, is about revenge.
Migden supporters have made this accusation ever since Leno first declared his candidacy – but even assuming that it’s true, will the average voter care?
Migden then brought up a point that, if persuasive, will have far more resonance in determining the outcome of this race: which candidate is a more effective legislator? “[Leno’s] been a little light on accomplishments,” said Migden. “Mr. Appropriations Chair has only had 3 bills signed into law this year.” In contrast, she said, 12 of her bills this year have become law.
Unmentioned was the role that State Senate President Don Perata has played in derailing Leno’s legislation. As Randy Shaw reported in September, six Leno bills that passed the Assembly in this session were stalled in the Senate – even if they enjoyed wide support. It’s a deeply cynical move by Perata (and presumably Migden) to deprive Leno of any accomplishments that he can tout while campaigning for the Senate seat.
If Leno defeats Migden, all incumbent State Senators could be subject to similar challenges – which explains Perata’s move to undercut Leno’s accomplishments. “In my first four years in the State Assembly,” said Leno, “about 13 out of 15 bills I wrote every year became law. Then, all of a sudden, my numbers went down. Guess what? Politics happens in Sacramento.; Then, all of a sudden, my numbers came down. Guess what? Politics happens in Sacramento.”
When it came time to make closing statements, the tension was so palpable that Leno and Migden both wanted to go last. But the debate moderator made Leno go first, and he made the following veiled statements about Migden: “I will not sing Don Fisher’s praises, I will not hold fundraisers at Clear Channel, and I will not declare marriage equality ‘dead for the year.'”
In a classic game of “tit-for-tat,” Migden then replied by making her own comments about Leno during her closing statement. “He says he won’t take money from Don Fisher,” she said, “but he’ll take money from strip clubs that exploit women.” With two top legislators running against each other, expect this race to get far nastier in the next few months. And with a statewide Proposition to abolish rent control on the same ballot, let’s hope the average voter won’t get so disgusted that they’ll just sit out the election.
Because in the end, a race between two talented elected officials with similar politics should be a good thing – not a bad thing.
EDITOR’S NOTE: As a private citizen, Paul Hogarth is a member of the Harvey Milk Club and has endorsed Mark Leno for the State Senate – but does not play an advisory role in the campaign. A former Berkeley resident, he actively supported Dion Aroner’s 1998 run for the State Senate against Don Perata. Send feedback to [email protected]
December 1, 2007 – Des Moines, IA, Brown & Black Forum
December 1, 2007 – Des Moines, IA, Heartland Presidential Forum
December 4, 2007 – Des Moines, IA, NPR News/Iowa Public Radio Debate
December 10, 2007 – Los Angeles, California, CBS
December 13, 2007 – Johnston, Iowa, Des Moines Register Democratic Debate
January 15, 2008 – Las Vegas, Nevada
January 31, 2008 – California
In the space of an hour this weekend, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, using some of their most pointed and forceful rhetoric of the campaign, framed the choice for Democrats deciding their party’s presidential nomination.
Clinton gave a strong speech at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner late Saturday. But Obama, criticized for occasional lackluster performances, delivered one of his most focused and powerful addresses.
In the view of many watching, he emerged as the oratorical winner at the biggest Democratic political event in Iowa before the state’s January caucuses.
His candidacy, Obama said, could produce a new Democratic majority capable of breaking the gridlock and polarization that have plagued Washington for a decade or more.
“The same old Washington textbook campaigns just won’t do it in this election,” he said. Seattle Times
November 19, 2007 – Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Clarion, IA
November 19, 2007 – Town Hall Meeting with Barack, Fort Dodge, IA
November 20, 2007 – Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Alton, NH
November 20, 2007 – Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Conway, NH
November 20, 2007 – Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Laconia, NH
November 20, 2007 – Michelle Obama, Orangeburg, SC
November 20, 2007 – Michelle Obama, Columbia, SC
November 30, 2007 – Barack Obama and Former Sec of Navy, Richard Danzig, Washington, D.C.
December 2, 2007 – Countdown to Change, Boston, MA
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Why It’s Barack Obama Obama Shows Off Organizational Strength at JJ Dinner Transcriptof Obama Apperance on Meet the Press
obama on meet the press with tim russert, november 11, 2007, des moines, ia
Democrat Barack Obama said Sunday that if elected he will push to increase the amount of income that is taxed to provide monthly Social Security benefits.
Obama and other Democratic presidential candidates previously have signaled support for this idea.
But during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Obama said subjecting more of a person’s income to the payroll tax is the option he would push for if elected president.
He objected to benefit cuts or a higher retirement age.
“I think the best way to approach this is to adjust the cap on the payroll tax so that people like myself are paying a little bit more and people who are in need are protected,” the Illinois senator said.
“That is the option that I will be pushing forward.”
Currently, only the first $97,500 of a person’s annual income is taxed. The amount is scheduled to rise to $102,000 next year. more
Democratic Caucus Goers Pick Obama, Edwards as JJ Winners
Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Scott Brennan called it “the most successful Jefferson Jackson Dinner in history,” but it was more successful for some candidates than for others.
After discussions with party insiders and people in attendance, the early consensus seemed to be that the candidates who have generally polled in the top three — Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama — all did well, with Edwards and Obama excelling in particular. Among the other three candidates — Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson — the crowd seemed to be moved the most by Dodd and Biden, but not enough to significantly affect their chances in January, interviews Saturday night suggested. Candace Opstvedt of Story City was an undecided caucus-goer, but not any longer.
“I am definitely leaning toward Barack after tonight,” she said after the long night of speeches and Democratic fundraising, including an auction. Undecided caucus-goer Jordan Oster, a Drake University student and a Des Moines native, thought Obama and Edwards made a definite impression on the crowd.
“It is yet to be seen if tonight can be considered a moment of shakeup, but I think it really goes to show that Edwards and Obama cemented their importance in the race,” he said. “Neither made direct reference to Senator Clinton, but without mistake many references were aimed her way.”
Oster said he thought Biden, Dodd and Richardson did well, but didn’t stand out. Iowapolitics.com
Can Obama Rock the Nomination?
What kind of question is THIS??? One word, yes. He showed it last Saturday night, at the JJ Dinner. The debate performance is now past and will forever be plagued with innuendo. He is stronger than ever in Iowa. And if people are fed UP, with partisian politics, gridlock, the same old thing. Then you know for sure, what time it is. It is change time.
youtube interview
Will Obama Turn Out Young Voters inIowa All TiedUp in Iowa Obama PhotoBlogLebanon, NH Obamaon Net Neutrality
UAW Region 4, Endorses Obama
UAW Region 4 Delegates Throw Support to Obama’s Campaign for PresidentDUBUQUE – Delegates of United Auto Workers Region 4, which includes 30,000 members and retirees in Iowa, voted today to support Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. The group announced its overwhelming support at the close of a weeklong conference where seven of the major Democratic presidential candidates addressed the group earlier this week.
“There are many talented Democrats in the presidential field this year, but Barack Obama is the leader who will bring the kind of change to Washington that America’s working men and women can believe in,” said UAW Local 442 (Webster City, IA) President Paul Erickson. “For the last two decades, working families have been able to count on Barack Obama to stand up for us and our values. We are supporting him, because we know he’ll do the same thing in the White House.” Time, DemDog
kos, on Obama’s Plan for Open Government StollerLeaning Obama Chris Bowers, Ok, it is Still a Close Campaign Barack Obama and the Illinois Death Penaltyby AdamB
Clinton Camp, Sure Do Not Care About Nor Believe in the Youth Vote
Yep. The Clinton Campaign has to be one of the more out of touch campaigns running. For the Clinton Campaign to tout the inevitability meme, this campaign does not understand what drives the youth. And to totally dis’ them as unimportant is even more laughable. I am sure no dissin’ will be going on in an Iowa barn on January 3rd, if these Facebook Caucus Goers decide to show up. Respect the youth. Respect the ones who are disenfranchised. Respect the lost Democratic Voters who want in again. Just respect the voters. Ok?
shoutouts: food prices up, by bink; i am starting to detest hillary clinton, the british observer; read, dengre; why an edwards fan thinks obama took jefferson-jackson; dl’s take on democrats preferring dems on iran; update on marlboro marine; foreclosures record high
icebergslim’s last word: obama and his supporters advocates.
Barack came from the Iowa JJ Dinner, with a speech that people are still talking about.
Then the debate.
Well, it was a sham. My opinion, as I do not speak or write for Obama Supporters Advocates. But, it was. Then we got the blistering report from an Obama supporter advocate who called them all out in her diary, no stone unturned, not off the beaten path, but blunt and precise. LV Pol Girl’s diary of the events surrounding the debate was simply titled, Las Vegas Disgrace. Was it Pulitzer Prize writing? No. Rhetorical Rhetoric? No. It was four simple paragraphs with an ending sentence that summed it all up what happened in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the CNN Debate. So, simple, that everyone has read this diary, passed it on, shaking their heads. And those that did not want it out had to sit, squirm, and take it.
Then Bob Johnson, comes on the scene. You really don’t know what to expect with him, but he ripped Steny Hoyer a new one with this diary, Hey, Steny… Butt out. I don’t know who Bob supports, but he was absolutely correct in this assessment of Hoyer going after Obama:
Oh, no. Steny thought it best to single out a candidate who he felt was bashing the current frontrunner:
“I’ve been disappointed,” Hoyer, 68, said in an interview on Bloomberg television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt,” scheduled to air tonight. “I think it will hurt the party.”
He took particular exception to Illinois Senator Barack Obama’s assertion in a Las Vegas debate yesterday that Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton hadn’t given “straight answers” on “a host of issues.” Hoyer said that comment is “likely to get used by Republicans” in the general election.
What is this you ask? It is what politicians refer to as, “calling your chits in.” The old, “I helped you, raised money for you, now you need to help me.” In other words, the Clinton Camp needs to dirty up Barack Obama. The Clinton Camp need to reinforce that Obama is inexperienced, not ready. Obama should not challenge, nor question anything on Hillary Clinton. The GOP could use this against her. As if “girlfriend” has already been anointed and appointed.
Then your keepin it real voice of icebergslim, rolls into a Saturday with an aw, hell naw diary on our best friends at CNN. I don’t like to write on the weekends because I am usually compiling ‘This Week’, but when you get articles from NYT and L.A. Times sent to you about the debate, but more importantly how it is all connected up? What are you to do? I had to do what I do best. Clinton News Network = CNN.
Of course, Obama Supporters Advocates then had to read insinuations of a whisper campaign, against our candidate. Remember, it is all about making him dirty. But, we took solace to what Barack said in his statement.
“The item did not identify these ‘agents,’ nor did it reveal the nature of the charge. It was devoid of facts, but heavy on innuendo and insinuation of the sort to which we’ve become all too accustomed in our politics these past two decades. If the purpose of this shameless item was to daunt or discourage me or supporters of our campaign from challenging and changing the politics of Washington, it will fail. In fact, it will only serve to steel our resolve.
That paragraph, for me, said it all about Barack Obama.
It will only serve to steel our resolve.
That is what the other campaigns don’t get. But they will, starting in Iowa.
Yes, we are supporters of Barack Obama, but you are correct in your assessment, we are his ADVOCATES, first.
If you appreciate the weekly Obama Roundup, then Tip My Obama Jar!! Minimum five dollars. This contribution goes directly to the Obama Campaign. We are in the last stretch of fundraising, Quarter 4, it ends December 31st. Remember to make your contribution.
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Lastly, a magnificent diary by femlaw titled, “Obama’s Field of Dreams (California & Iowa Edition)” This is a must read for all. If you don’t understand strategy and Obama’s passion for building from ground up, peep this. After the read, you will get it.
well, barack was in austin, texas telling them to get ready for change. and i am here to ask you, are you ready for it? always, remember to focus on obama, and not the drama….
We have to recognize the relationship between global warming and “global warring”. Just as dependence on foreign oil has led to wars in the Middle East, allocating an outrageous amount of our budget to the Pentagon facilitates and preserves this dependence on foreign oil. Dennis Kucinich understands this connection and so, as stated above, will slash the Pentagon budget by 15% as his first step to move away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable and renewable fuels and energy sources. As stated above, this money will go to education, as well as creating his Works Green Administration (WGA). The WGA will couple the EPA with NASA to develop new technologies to utilize alternative fuels and energies.
Inspired by FDR’s Works Progress Administration, the WGA utilizes the Environmental Protection Agency to put millions of Americans back to work rebuilding our schools, bridges, roads, ports, water systems, and environmental systems. Not only does the bold practicality of the plan lie in putting Americans back to work by investing in the national wealth of our own infrastructure, but the plan also incorporates environmental and energy concerns to further create wealth for the country and save individual families more money. For example, not only will the public works projects stress green building and renewable energy technology, but the plan will enable homes to be retrofit with green building, solar and wind microtechnology which will save families money on their energy bills. The WGA rebuilding effort will incorporate sustainable development and renewable energy from our public infrastructure to the millions of private homes that choose to retrofit with wind and solar technologies to save on family energy costs. In fact, they will be able to sell energy back to the grid.
The role of utilities will change dramatically because it will no longer be a centralized approach toward energy production. Utility companies will have to provide support for green alternatives. They will no longer be dictating energy costs, as Kucinich will work to break up the monopolies and ensure close regulation of their activities. They will be required to go green as license conditions and shut down if they violate the Clean Air Act. We will finally have a strict and EPA.
Further, Kucinich will finally committ the U.S. to the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as incorporating a carbon tax to create disincentives for using carbon-based energies. However, he believes this isn’t enough; simply punishing those people who are using carbons is not the answer. Rather, Kucinich wants to put the emphasis first on the government supporting renewable technologies, to move the country toward a renewable portfolio standard of at least 30% by 2020.
Kucinich will create a cooperative and synergistic relationship between all departments and administrations within the government for the purpose of greening America. Whether it’s the Small Business Administration, or the Housing and Urban Development Department, or the Department of Agriculture, or the Department of Labor, each would incorporate green goals into its policies.
Internationally, as President, Kucinich will work with the leaders of China and India and other nations to promote an environmental consciousness and sustainable economies. After withdrawing from NAFTA, the new trade agreements will include requirements for protecting the air and the water and the land of all the countries we do business with.
Dennis Kucinich has a long history and strong committment of fighting for the environment. He was active in helping draft the first environmental law protecting the air, as a member of the Cleveland City Council 30 years ago and led the effort in Ohio challenging nuclear power as being unsafe, unreliable, and unsustainable. Internationally he attended the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, advocating a plan with Mikhail Gorbachev for a Global Green Deal that would enable the introduction of $50 billion of new solar projects around the world.
Support Dennis Kucinich and make America a leader in protecting our environment and creating a sustainable future.
Ca. Fire Documents Conflict With Reports
By AARON C. DAVIS – 1 day ago
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Several aircraft were able to fly in strong winds on the first full day of last month’s Southern California firestorms, contradicting officials’ earlier claims that the weather had grounded virtually all aircraft, according to documents released Saturday.
Twenty-eight of 52 aircraft the state was tracking for firefighting efforts remained grounded that day, and high winds were not listed in the documents as the reason.
The documents obtained by the AP and other news providers under the California Public Records Act answer some questions while raising others. They also reveal a more detailed and at times different version of events than previously provided by the state’s top fire and emergency officials.
For example, state fire officials last month said high winds had grounded virtually all aircraft in the first two days after the flames broke out. Therefore, they reasoned, it would not have mattered whether additional state fire spotters had been available to ride in the military choppers.
The documents show that although pilots were hampered by strong winds, a dozen air tankers and five helicopters flew more than 70 hours Oct. 21, the first full day of the firestorm. Those aircraft would have been flown by pilots who – unlike military pilots – are trained specifically for fighting wildland blazes and would not necessarily have required state fire spotters.
The papers also reveal that the number involved in the aerial attack was a fraction of the tankers and helicopters available in the state during the fires’ opening days.
Twenty-eight of 52 aircraft the state tracked for firefighting efforts remained grounded. The total would include a combination of aircraft operated by the state, U.S. Forest Service, the military and private contractors.
They remained on the runway not because of high winds, but because state officials had not requested them or they were being kept in other parts of the state in case fires broke out there, according to the documents.
Again and again and again, we’re reassured after a given disaster that the government “did all it could,” that while “mistakes were made,” this disaster “could not have been forseen,” and that they will start thinking about how to prepare for “next time.” And yet when the news trickles out, long after the spin cycle has passed, it reveals that for all the subcontracting and bloviating and excuses, the government simply is not taking its job seriously.
So let me ask this now, to the ether:
What are the capital region’s local governments and the California state government planning to do if the Sacramento or San Joaquin river levees bust out this winter?
What are the Bay Area governments and the California state government planning to do if the Hayward fault slips and wrecks the Bay Area?
What are the SoCal local governments and the California state government planning to do if this year’s fire season stretches into yet another year of tinder-dry drought?
Because if they aren’t thinking about it now, and actually plannning out how to respond in real time to a bad situation instead of just issuing a report and calling it a day, we’re all going to take it on the chin collectively when they look into the cameras like deer in headlights when things go wrong.
It is only a matter of time with these sorts of things. We cannot prevent disasters from happening, but we do have some say about our response to them.
And if you botch something as simple as not allowing fire fighting planes to fly when SoCal burns, or you sit on your hands for hours while tens of thousands of gallons of carcinogenic bunker fuel glugs into a delicate coastal environment, at least have the decency to break out your wakizashi and announce your resignation on camera, instead of offering up lame excuses in hopes that noone will find out what you botched.
