Its always hard to send a husband to war, but to send your child is much harder.

With 71 days to this historic election, I wanted to send you a special video message about why this campaign is so personal, and why we aren’t waiting until January of 2009 to make a difference in California’s District Four.

Today, we’re launching the second round of Promises Kept Veterans Charity Challenge voting.  We’ll be giving away another $30,000 next week.  And between now and 11:59 PM on Monday, September 1st, you will determine how much each of our 3 worthy beneficiaries will receive.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

As a veteran, a wife, and a mom, I am so proud of the military tradition in our family.  A big part of that tradition is ensuring all who defend America around the world are also able to pursue their dreams here at home.  Despite plenty of election year words to the contrary, history shows us that this is all too often not the case.  

For example, recent reports show housing foreclosures among military families are occurring at 4 times the national average.  

The support services offered by community based providers can make a huge difference for veterans and families most in need and most at risk.  Like our previous beneficiaries, our newest finalists–Rebuild Hope, Cottage Housing, and the Greater Oroville Homeless Coalition are offering innovative solutions to help meet needs ranging from financial crisis, to homelessness, to emotional readjustment.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FINALISTS, AND VOTE HERE!

A new generation of American warriors is already beginning to come home. The Promises Kept Veterans Charity Challenge is about much more than supporting service providers in our community—it’s about giving veterans and military families a voice.  

Since we launched the program last September, we have been inundated with phone calls and letters from fellow veterans across the country.  Many are dealing with overwhelming financial, physical, and emotional hardships—lasting costs of war that no carefully staged photo op or well intentioned sound byte can possibly repay.    

These voices are a reminder of why taking action in our communities today is so important, but they are also a reminder of why we need a strong voice for our military, our veterans and their families in the next Congress.

VOTE HERE IN THE PROMISES KEPT VETERANS CHARITY CHALLENGE!

Over the next few weeks, the public spotlight will shift to the national political conventions and what will be an historic election in November.  Together, through this unprecedented program, we are making history right now.

Thank you again for your commitment to a higher standard of leadership.

Very Sincerely,

Jan Brown

(Charlie’s coming back after this with a vengeance. – promoted by David Dayen)

As you know, Charlie Brown just released his energy plan —a pragmatic, “all of the above” strategy that calls for more domestic oil supply, a new energy economy that creates thousands of new jobs, and an end to the practice of spending taxpayer dollars on Middle-East oil.

Hundreds of people from across the political spectrum have signed our petition to put Charlie’s plan into action.

In response, Tom McClintock did what career politicians do…

He pandered to the oil interests who have bankrolled his political career (Tom has taken $155K from Big Oil in the last 10 years alone), and in full disregard of the facts, he told the biggest lie he could think of.  

Click Here to Help Charlie Fight Back!

To be fair, Tom got help from Vice President Dick Cheney —the man whose energy policies have been great for oil companies, but awful for American families—driving gas prices from a once manageable $1.46, to nearly $5 a gallon.  So how much do McClintock & Cheney have in common?  Judge for yourself.

“Oil is being drilled right now 60 miles off the coast of Florida. But we’re not doing it. The Chinese are, in cooperation with the Cuban government.”–VP Dick Cheney, 06/11/08.

Cheney then retracted the fabrication the day after he issued it:  “It is our understanding that no Chinese firm is drilling there.”–06/12/08  

Two months later, McClintock repeated the lie:  “The vast oil fields off the coast of Florida…are now being drained by the Chinese Government drilling in Cuban waters.”–8/10/08

Like Dick “imminent threat/last throes” Cheney, Tom McClintock has a credibility problem —and not just on energy.   Then again, career politicians often say just about anything to score cheap partisan points.  By contrast, career military officers like Charlie know that misstatements and distortions don’t solve problems-they are part of the problem.  

McClintock’s ridiculous assertions aside, America is finally having a serious dialogue about our energy future. Consequently, gas prices are falling, but the difference between that drop being temporary, and much bigger and more permanent, rests on our willingness to elect leaders committed to taking action and doing whatever it takes to change how we power our nation.  That’s what makes your support for Charlie Brown so critical.

Click Here to Contribute Now!

Every day we are learning more and more about Tom McClintock.  

We know he is continuing to raise money so he can run for Board of Equalization or Lt. Governor in 2010 —all while he’s running for Congress in a district that is over 400 miles from his home.  

We also know he’s already sending out letters attacking Charlie’s patriotism, but focusing much more on Nancy Pelosi–from which we can only surmise that he should be carpetbagging over to San Francisco, not the 4 th District.  

But that’s not all.

California still doesn’t have a state budget and hundreds of thousands of hard working people are being laid off or paid at minimum wage.  Longtime obstructionist Tom McClintock hasn’t voted for a budget in more than 20 years, but he’s still getting paid a full salary with tax free per diems.

That’s not only hypocritical, it’s just plain wrong.  Results matter.  That’s why Charlie’s stand is that politicians who can’t produce budgets on time and in balance shouldn’t get paid–period.

Help Charlie send Tom McClintock packing once and for all.

You know Charlie.  You know he means what he says and says what he means.  You know that he is a man of action who leads by example and puts his money where his mouth is.

That’s what this campaign is about, and it’s the higher standard of leadership we need in Washington to get our country back on track.

We are less than 85 days from an historic election—and your continued support will make all the difference down the stretch.  

Thanks again for all you do.

Sincerely,  

Todd Stenhouse

Campaign Manager

P.S.  From policy distortions, to sleazy fundraising letters attacking Charlie’s patriotism, Tom McClintock has gone negative with his desperate job search. Please help us ensure that Charlie has the resources to fight back and win this election—Contribute Today!  

P.P.S  And if you aren’t doing anything on Saturday, please come out and join us for our fourth district-wide day of action. Click Here to Sign Up!

(local politics.  Do you think Tom McClintock can locate Nevada County on a state map? – promoted by David Dayen)

This last weekend, Charlie Brown continued to make contact with voters of all political stripes by paying a visit to the Nevada County Fair. Unlike career politicians, Charlie knows that voters don’t want poll-tested responses and well-polished speeches: they want direct access and conversation with their elected officials. Charlie Brown once again proved his roots run deep in the 4th District by visiting one of Northern California’s most anticipated county fairs.

Entrance to the Fair

The Nevada County Fair is one of the district’s most popular summer events. This year’s theme, “Barnyard Buckaroos” was geared towards the Junior Livestock Association, Future Farmers of America and 4-H youth.

Charlie speaks with Skip Lusk, President of the Fair

Among the various groups present at the fair were local police, fire and probation officers.

With 3,000 tall pine trees, Nevada County Fair was named by the LA Times as one of the top 10 rural fairs in America and recognized by California Legislature as “California’s Most Beautiful Fairgrounds.”

No question is too tough for Charlie– one of the great things about him is his accessibility and willingness to have civil discussion.

Charlie speaking with PlanIt Solar, a local Nevada County alternative energy provider.

Charlie recently released his ambitious energy plan, which has been getting great reviews on the blogosphere and within the alternative energy community. For more details, please visit our website and be sure to sign our petition urging the federal government to make the change to renewable energy.

KVMR radio’s booth was powered exclusively with these solar panels. Nevada County is taking the lead in renewable energy in the district.

Charlie Brown taking the Libertarian Party’s “shortest political test ever.” Charlie received a warm reception from the Libertarians gathered at the fair.

Classic ferris wheel

Ever true to form, Charlie was even able to get a few new registered voters!

According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the Nevada County Fairgrounds is an economic, social and cultural treasure for Nevada County. On average, the Fair contributes nearly $21 million in economic impact to Nevada County, creates approximately 250 local jobs and generates about $225,000 in local tax revenue each year.

Evening at the Fair

(Go sign that petition to put the government’s purchasing power behind renewable energy! And you can find Charlie on the Calitics ActBlue page. – promoted by Brian Leubitz)

Hey everyone! I just wanted to take some time to update you on what’s happening out here in CA 04.  

As you may know, Charlie Brown has just released his energy plan, and launched a petition  to get the federal government (also the world’s largest energy consumer) to put its purchasing power behind alternative energy.

More below the flip.

-Neil Pople

Charlie Brown for Congress

One of the things that drove me to enter politics was frustration with a status quo that’s been pushing our nation further and further off course.

The fact is that many of the problems we’re facing today-on healthcare, education, immigration, veterans aftercare, and energy–aren’t new, and far too many are getting worse because of gridlock in Washington.  

Ultimately, partisan politics has not resolved the economic hardships confronting families across our nation, and it won’t alleviate the concerns I hear from people of every political persuasion in this campaign.      

It’s why we’ve decided not to wait to make a difference by donating 5% of the funds we raise to local veterans service providers, and asking you to help us identify and choose the beneficiaries.

It’s also why just this past week, we put forward a comprehensive strategy to help lower gas prices, jump start our economy, and move America towards Energy Independence.  

READ THE RELEASE HERE

READ THE PLAN HERE

DEMAND ACTION FROM WASHINGTON-SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Our plan is not a sound-byte driven band aid.  It includes short term actions designed to give families relief at the pump, increase domestic supply of traditional fuels, and show OPEC that America is serious about changing the way we power our nation.  Ultimately, facts are stubborn things and much as we’d like to, we simply cannot drill our way out of this problem.

That’s why I’m calling for the world’s largest energy consumer-the U.S. Government-to lead by example and spend the $14.5 billion it already devotes to energy costs each year on domestic alternatives over the next seven years.

And I’m asking you to stand with me.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

With energy costs hurting families and our economy, it is unconscionable to think that we import more foreign oil and refined gasoline today than we did before 9/11.  It is equally troubling to see our government spending our hard earned tax dollars lining the pockets of special interests and foreign governments, when it could be invested in a new energy economy that creates thousands of new jobs here in America.

Innovation has always been the hallmark of our nation.  And I believe it is the key to seizing our single greatest economic opportunity since the industrial revolution if we are prepared to act.

TAKE ACTION NOW-CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

One thing you learn over 26 years in the military is that solving problems is not about being a Democrat or a Republican.  It’s about the willingness to take action.

From county fairs, to house parties, phone banks, and precinct walks, we are doing just that, and taking our message of change to the streets of district four.  

So with 96 days left until election day, we are not going to let up an inch.  The stakes are simply too high.  And there are many ways you can help at this critical time:

Volunteer to Walk a Precinct or Phone Bank

Contribute

Write a Letter to The Editor

I am grateful for your continued support, and look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail very soon.

Sincerely,

Charlie Brown, Lt. Col. USAF Ret.

P.S.  Stand with us and stand for Energy Independence!  Read the plan and sign the petition to put our tax dollars at work to jumpstart a new energy economy for America!

A Comprehensive Plan For Energy Independence And Lowering Gas Prices

By:  Charlie Brown, Lt. Col. USAF Ret., 7/22/08

BROWN CALLS FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GO ENERGY INDEPENDENT, JUMPSTART RENEWABLE ENERGY MARKET AND REDUCE COSTS FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES

For years politicians have passed the buck on hard choices we needed to make about our energy future—-and today, we are all paying the price.

For years, they refused to raise fuel economy standards because the special interests were too strong. Now, American car companies that were once the hallmark of American innovation are on the verge of going out of business.  General Motors’ stock recently closed at its lowest price since 1954.

For years, instead of investing in a clean energy future, career politicians gave tax breaks to oil companies.  Today, those same companies are reaping record profits, while we’re paying $4.00 – $5.00 for a gallon of gasoline.  Worst of all, we are importing more oil from the same countries that serve as fertile recruitment ground for Al Qaeda today, than we did on 9/11.

The politicians got it wrong-way wrong.

Any patriotic American would drill for oil on the White House lawn if it would solve our energy problems.  But the hard truth is that we can’t drill our way out of this problem.

Nearly 80% of the land that is currently being leased by oil companies for drilling in the U.S. is not being used for this purpose. All of the world’s existing drill ships are booked solid for the next five years. The cost of new ships, most of which are made in Asia, has increased from $100 million per ship to almost $500 million per ship.

Workers with the specialized skills needed to expand domestic exploration are in short supply. Industry experts estimate it will take between 7,000 – 8,000 new workers just to fill the jobs on all the rigs already coming on line in the next two years.

Further complicating matters, we have not built a new refinery in the U.S. since 1976 and continue to import more and more refined gas.  Our refining capacity in 2020 will be only 100,000 more barrels per day than it was in 1981.  What good is it to produce more crude oil if we can’t refine it into gasoline?

The Bush Energy Department has said even if ANWR turned up massive amounts of crude, the net affect on U.S. Gas Prices would be $.01. In addition, a 2007 Department of Energy study found that access to coastal energy deposits would not add to domestic crude oil and natural gas production before 2030 and that the impact on prices would be “insignificant.”

The bottom line is that there is no easy solution that will provide immediate relief to our families from rising energy costs. The facts are clear. We use 25% of the world’s produced oil but hold only 3% of the world’s reserves.

And while this might all seem like bad news, there is a silver lining.

The current energy crisis provides us with the single greatest economic opportunity this country has seen since the industrial revolution if we are prepared to act.  If we are prepared to overcome this challenge the way we have so many before—with a comprehensive solution that increases domestic energy supply, puts speculators and OPEC countries on notice that America is serious about energy independence, and invests in good old fashioned American innovation and know how.

That’s why I am calling for a $100 billion, 7 year “Apollo” project to move the U.S. Government towards energy independence, and to jump-start the entire renewable energy market and economy in America.

The U.S. Government is the largest landholder and consumer of energy in the world. It holds more than 1.2 million property assets and spends over $14.5 billion per year on energy consumption.

Every year the Federal Government buys over 60,000 automobiles – not including military vehicles – and maintains over 3.3 billion square feet of office space. Yet, the Federal Government must obtain only 7.5% of its electrical energy from renewable sources by 2013 and it’s only mandated to reduce fuel consumption by 2% annually.

An Apollo program like I am proposing needn’t involve any new government spending.  Simply, we need to put the $14.5 billion worth of purchasing power that the world’s largest energy consumer is already spending on oil behind renewable and alternative energy—including wind, solar, bio-fuels, hydrogen, and nuclear power. The technologies already exist to free our nation from its economically unhealthy dependence on foreign oil, but the challenge is creating enough economies of scale to make renewable energy competitively priced.

But beyond the short term affect on oil prices for everyday consumers, America’s $100 billion Apollo Program will also help drive down the price of existing technologies like solar and wind power to the point that the other sectors of the economy would follow.  It’s important to remember that federal investment in technology has already served as the launching pad for many green technologies, including photovoltaic cells that were developed in their current form by the US space program.

We’ve even seen the military already moving in the direction of alternative fuels.  Last year, the Air Force announced plans to certify its entire fleet of bombers, fighters, transports and other aircraft to run on alternative fuels by 2011.  The Air Force has also installed the North America’s largest array of Solar Panels at Nellis Air Force Base.

And just recently, T. Boone Pickens, a Texas oil billionaire and conservative Republican – who is no preacher for Global Warming – announced plans to build the world’s largest wind farm in Texas in an attempt to produce 20% of America’s energy needs from wind power.  Pickens has said publicly that he’s not in this because he’s “going green,” he’s in it because he sees the limitless economic opportunities of alternative energy.  In his announcement, Pickens summed up the case, “Our dependence on imported oil is killing our economy. It is the single biggest problem facing America today. We are going to have to do something different in America. You can’t keep paying out $600 billion a year for oil.”

Finally, announcing that the United States is moving federal investment away from foreign oil would send a powerful message to OPEC regarding America’s willingness to move in a new energy direction—causing oil prices to decline in response to an anticipated drop in demand from the world’s largest energy consumer.

This phenomenon is not without precedent.  Just last week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake’s comments about dropping demand from U.S. consumers due to limited purchasing power yielded a $6 dollar drop in the price of oil.  Similarly, President George H.W. Bush’s announcement that America was tapping its Strategic Petroleum Reserve prior to the first Gulf War yielded a 33% drop in oil prices.

Ultimately, energy independence is not a Democrat or Republican issue – it’s an American issue. It’s about our willingness to finally solve a problem that threatens our economy and our security, while creating good, high-paying jobs for our children, restoring the competitive edge of American businesses, and the purchasing power of American consumers.

The Brown 6 Point Comprehensive Energy Plan:

1. A $100 billion “Apollo” project to move the Federal Government towards energy independence in the next seven years, jump-start the entire renewable energy market and economy in America, and to demonstrate to Oil Speculators and OPEC nations alike that America is committed to moving in a new energy direction.

2. The Federal Government should immediately open the strategic petroleum reserves to increase the supply of oil on the market and provide relief for American families from skyrocketing gas prices.

3. Build additional refineries to increase America’s capacity to produce gasoline, and to reduce our dependence on imported gasoline.

4. Drill on the 80% of federal land that is leased for drilling but currently not being used as a means of further increasing traditional energy supply here in America.

5. Close tax loopholes for oil companies and use that $18 billion to increase and make permanent tax incentives for research and development in renewable energy so companies can have the financial incentive and certainty to plan and undertake the advanced research that will drive our new energy economy.

6. Increase the federal tax credit for consumers, business or personal, for investment in renewable energy products (such as solar panels for home energy or hybrid vehicles) to $5,000— encouraging broad public investment in America’s energy independence.

(This is the directive of Brown’s campaign – to help those in need, to work in their own community, and to lead before ever getting to Washington. – promoted by David Dayen)

As many are aware, the fires ravaging Northern California have affected the lives of thousands. Yesterday, Charlie Brown headed north to Oroville to help with relief efforts for fire victims and evacuees.

scorched earth outside Oroville city limits

Our first stop was to the Oroville Rescue Mission on Lincoln Blvd. They have been collecting goods for the fire victims since the blazes began over 3 weeks ago. They, like other collection agencies in the area, are asking for the following items:

-summer clothing

-bottled water

-paper plates

-paper cups

-bath towels

-adult diapers

-canned & dry food

Oroville Rescue Mission van outside their HQ

Goods donated by the campaign team in Roseville

Charlie Brown sorting through the goods at the ORM

From the Oroville Rescue Mission, we moved on to the shelter set up at Las Plumas High School on Las Plumas Ave. The families there were eager to talk and help one another through this shared difficult time.

Outside Las Plumas High School, some families have set up tents rather than sleep in the gymnasium

As of right now, this is the closest some have to homes

Charlie loading water onto a cart

A message board inside the gym letting families and friends have a chance to communicate with each other

The Red Cross has done a fantastic job, but they still need help

With all the trouble afflicting our neighbors in Butte County, the amount of friendliness and generosity we’ve seen is inspiring. Helping hands unloading the Jeep, volunteers serving those in need, and complete strangers helping their brothers & sisters who have lost everything but the clothes on their backs.

One cannot say enough about the incredible work of the national guardsmen and firefighters–from across California and across the country–who are working around the clock to battle the California wildfires.

This has been a tough week for many of our neighbors, and our fellow Californians, but we can all take action to help those afflicted.

If you have the weekend off, take a load of bath towels up to Oroville. The Las Plumas Shelter hotline is 1-925-788-9821. They can tell you what the greatest need is. The Red Cross is coordinating all efforts to take care of our friends in Butte County, but they need all our help on this one.

Thank you all for reading.