With a new Congress comes new faces, or in this case familiar faces in new places. Rep. Darrell Issa from CA-49 officially took over the House Oversight Committee this week, and his to-do list is a mile long. I'm proudly working on the Courage Campaign project IssaExposed.com to set the record straight about Issa's record of extreme partisanism and shady dealings, plus hold him accountable during his tenure.

On Wednesday, Courage introduced Darrell Issa to our members with the email below the fold. Issa is gearing up for an unprecedented volume of investigations and hearings into every corner of the Obama Administration- just hoping something will stick. It's crucial, especially from here in California, that we do whatever we can to keep him in check.

I hope you'll check out this new project and help us spread the word about our work and the true Darrell Issa!

“I want seven hearings a week, times 40 weeks.” — Incoming Republican House Government Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, 11/8/10

Have you ever heard of Darrell Issa? 

If not, starting today, you will. Darrell Issa is a member of Congress from right here in Southern California. He's the newly minted chair of the House Oversight Committee, which has sweeping power to subpoena and could serve as the tool to dismantle nearly everything that Barack Obama and progressives have built in the last two years.

Will you join us to fight back at www.IssaExposed.com?

On this first day of Republican control of the House, they've already announced a vote to repeal healthcare reform next week (1). They know it'll die in the Senate, but they'll waste everyone's time putting on a show for the Tea Party. And then, they'll pass the dirty work off to Mr. Issa who will use his committee to dismantle healthcare reform piece by piece.

But it's not just healthcare. Mr. Issa and his right-wing Tea Partiers will attack America from a position of power: Deny climate science. Bash the stimulus. Fight the EPA. Resist full equality. Undermine the repeal of DADT (2).

Who is Darrell Issa, the new grand-inquisitor?

Indicted for felony grand theft and twice arrested on illegal weapons charges (3). Instrumental in convincing the Bush White House to fire Carol Lam (4), the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the corrupt Duke Cunningham — then refused to comply with a subpoena in a related case (5). No stranger to hypocrisy, he's requested hundreds of millions in earmarks–including some for his biggest campaign contributors — despite calling the practice “tantamount to a bribe.”(6)(7)(8)

Learn more at www.IssaExposed.com, and then please forward this link to five friends.

Effective today, and despite his own checkered past, Issa is now in possession of some of the broadest oversight and subpoena powers in Washington — powers he's already promised to focus on repealing health reform (9), attacking the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” (10) and putting big corporations in charge of his committee (11).

As a California based, national progressive organization, the Courage Campaign has a special responsibility to expose the truth about Darrell Issa's reckless, partisan agenda. And with thousands of members in his district, the Courage Campaign will hold him accountable for his record and his behavior. Together, we must stand up to his extremism and prevent him from pushing our country into the abyss.

Please help build an army for accountability — join us at Issa Exposed, and spread the word to five of your friends.

Thanks for all you do,

Rick Jacobs
Founder and Chair, Courage Campaign

P.S. Holding the right wing accountable is a full time job. That's why if you haven't yet, I hope you'll become a Courage Campaign subscriber for the new year. Every dollar makes a huge difference.

(1) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/03/health-care-repeal-vote-s_n_803883.html
(2) http://www.scribd.com/doc/38795482/A-Constitutional-Obligation-Oversight-of-the-Executive-Branch-September-22-2010
(3) http://politicalcorrection.org/factcheck/201006010007
(4) http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/article_30f2ef2d-3fdb-53a1-8b1e-bbdb9d3ae252.html
(5) http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0907/5897.html
(6) http://issa.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=118&Itemid=61
(7) http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00007017&type=I
(8)http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/clip.php?appid=597872157
(9)http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/nov/27/reclaiming-the-right-to-oversight/
(10)http://macsmind.com/wordpress/2010/12/28/rep-darrell-issa-r-ca-will-have-hearings-into-how-dadt-study-findings-were-manipulated/
(11) http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/46995.html

Ray Lutz for Congress 2010

www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Christine Cullinan

619-447-3246 / [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Hunger Strike” Debate to Air on TV

Where: Cox Cable Channel 23 (Channel 18 in North County)

When : 9 p.m., Monday, October 25, 2010

Also available at: http://www.copswiki.org/Common…

Produced by Citizens’ Oversight Projects (COPS)

San Diego County, Calif. (Oct 22, 2010) –  The “Hunger Strike Debate” can be seen in the San Diego County area on Cox cable television, channel 23 (channel 18 in north areas of the county) at 9:00 pm on Monday, October 25, 2010. The debate features Michael Benoit (L), incumbent Duncan D. Hunter (R), and Ray Lutz (D). The show is presented on the Public Access Channel and produced by Citizens’ Oversight Projects.

The debate was sponsored by the East County Chamber of Commerce and held at the Cuyamaca College on October 15, 2010. Steve Hamann, Editor of The East County Herald moderated.

Lutz and Benoit conducted an eleven-day hunger strike to coerce reluctant Hunter to agree to a debate. The hunger strike garnered national attention including articles in Politico, Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, the L.A. Times, The Atlantic and numerous other regional publications, and proved to be too much to withstand any further display of reluctance by the Hunter campaign.

Approximately 200 people attended the debate and the video is about 82 minutes in length.

Michael Benoit and Ray Lutz conducted a series of debates in other areas of the county, including Alpine, Poway, Lakeside, and Kearny Mesa, but Hunter declined to appear at those events. Videos of other debates are also available at

http://www.VoteRayLutz.com/Deb…  

HUNGER STRIKE DEBATE SET FOR OCTOBER 15

Where: Cuyamaca College Communication Arts Theatre, Room B-117

Rancho San Diego; 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy

When : 7p.m. – 9p.m., Saturday, October 15

Ray Lutz for Congress 2010

www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director

619-447-3246 / [email protected]

OCT 15 CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE FOLLOWS 11-DAY HUNGER STRIKE

San Diego County, Calif. (Oct 2, 2010) –

Congressman Duncan Duane Hunter has said he will finally step up to

debate his eager general election opponents on October 15, at a East

County Chamber of Commerce debate. The congressman refused to debate

his opponents until Democratic Candidate Raymond Lutz and Libertarian

Candidate Michael Benoit staged an 11-day “Hunger Strike for Democracy

back in August.”

On the morning of August 19, just hours after Lutz appeared on CNN to

discuss the hunger strike, a representative from Congressman Hunter’s

campaign hand delivered a debate acceptance notice to the Lutz office.

Though Lutz ended his hunger strike, which garnered him national

attention and a forthcoming article in The Nation magazine, his

“insurgent” campaign tactics have persisted. He has led marches,

protest and demonstrations, and founded a non-partisan national

organization, Debate For Democracy, to advocate for congressional

debates in every district.

And despite the lack of cooperation from the Hunter campaign, Lutz and

Benoit have continued their campaign to reach out to voters across the

expansive 52nd congressional district. They have already held debates

(inviting Congressman Hunter to each of them) in the communities of

Alpine, Ramona and Lakeside/Santee. They have upcoming debates

scheduled for Poway, Clairemont Mesa and Borrego Springs, though the

congressman has not confirmed attendance for any of these events.

“Hunter’s reluctance to debate represents a disturbing trend,” Ray

Lutz said. Earlier this month, Republican Congressman Darrell Issa

(CA-49) backed out of a commitment he made earlier this summer to

debate his Democratic Challenger Howard Katz.

However, not all debate trends are negative. While Hunter has made it

clear that he is not interested in allowing the voters of his district

to pose questions about his record and ideas, Republican

Representative Brian Bilbray (CA-51) has gone out of his way to

request more debates from his counterpart, Democratic Challenger

Francine Busby.

The October 15 debate, which will be moderated by a television anchor

and broadcast locally, is expected to be well attended. Audience

members will be encouraged to ask challenging questions, especially

with recent allegations of immorality in light of the Boehner Sex

scandal and controversial earmark requests.

Where: Cuyamaca College Communication Arts Theatre, Room B-117

Rancho San Diego; 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy

When : 7p.m. – 9p.m., Saturday, October 15

Ref: www.debatefordemocracy.org

For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246

MEDIA ADVISORY

Ray Lutz for Congress 2010

www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director

619-447-3246 / [email protected]

Hunger Strike candidate Lutz to confront Congressman Hunter

San Diego County, Calif. (Sept 7, 2010) –

Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz, who last month fasted 11 days to

earn a debate with Rep. Duncan Duane Hunter, will confront the

congressman again today at a Cajon Valley Republican Businesses

Women’s event.

During their last exchange, at an Aug. 20 “Politics in Paradise”

candidates forum, presented by the East County Chamber of Commerce,

Congressman Hunter promised (on a televised segment) to respond to a

letter Lutz hand-delivered to him. He also promised that he had

scheduled several public town hall forums, and invited Lutz to attend

and make comment at them.

To date, there has been no response, and no public town halls have

been scheduled or taken place.

The legislative recess ends this week.

Candidate Lutz will confront Rep. Hunter on these broken promises

prior to today’s event, and he invites to media to witness this

exchange.

Where: Downtown Cafe Patio, 182 E. Main Street, El Cajon

When : 5:00p.m.

For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit: www.VoteRayLutz.com

For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246

NEWS RELEASE

Ray Lutz for Congress 2010

www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director 619-447-3246 / [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hunger Strike Day 11: Candidate Lutz claims victory, breaks fast today

Lutz announces new national organization to carry on efforts

San Diego County, Calif. (August 23, 2010) – After 11 days of fasting, Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz has announced that with the founding of a new national organization (Debate for Democracy) to carry on the fight for congressional debates, he will finally agree to eat something.

“Now that I know the fight for debates will continue, I feel it’s time to have a bite,” Lutz said.

Lutz, whose fast lasted longer than Gandhi’s 1932 starvation, ate his first regular meal just after 2 p.m. on Monday, at Pat & Oscar’s restaurant in El Cajon. He had been phasing himself back into nourishment with some vegetable broth and a bit of fruit over the weekend.

Lutz’s new, non-partisan organization, DebateforDemocracy.org was founded after Lutz encountered other congressional challengers who faced incumbents who were also hesitant to engage in formal debates.

“I just made a few phone calls, and immediately realized this was a national problem,” Lutz said. “Congressman Hunter isn’t the only incumbent ducking debates. But he might be the only combat veteran afraid to face his opponent.”

On DebateforDemocracy.org, citizens, candidates and incumbents alike are invited to sign a pledge to support debates in their districts and if they are candidates, to debate their opponents an adequate number of times in locations that ensure most of their constituents will have the opportunity to attend and present questions. Already there are Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Greens as who have taken the pledge. The organization will research options for promoting debates in every district in the country, using the bright shining light of public review, involving the creation of a Commission on Congressional Debates (CCD), or perhaps enhancing the role of the Federal Election Commission.

Rick Tubbs, Republican challenger in California’s 7th Congressional District and a Debate for Democracy pledge-taker, said “Debates between candidates are the best way to inform the voters about where those trying to represent them stand on the issues. There is no big money involved, just the candidates standing on their own making their case to the voter.”

“Election debates are a traditional part of the American process, they go all the way back to Lincoln,” said Lutz. “It’s an effective way to help voters see where there candidates stand on this issues – and that strengthens our republic.”

The Lutz for Congress campaign would like to advise anyone who wants to “Hunger Strike” to lose weight to make sure they consult with their doctor and be very careful how they end the fast. Complete abstinence from food can be dangerous.

For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit:http://www.VoteRayLutz.com/

For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246

MEDIA ADVISORY

Ray Lutz for Congress 2010

www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director

619-447-3246 / [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hunger Strike Day 8: Fasting Candidates to confront Hunter at Friday event

Candidates Lutz and Benoit lead demonstrations outside

“Politics in Paradise event”

San Diego County, Calif. (August 20, 2010) – Congressional Candidates Ray Lutz (Democratic) and Michael Benoit (Libertarian) will lead demonstrations at a candidate’s forum tonight featuring Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, whom they are seeking to debate.

The two candidates have been fasting for 8 days, in effort to pressure Hunter to agree to a series of debates with them. Just yesterday, Hunter’s campaign delivered an acceptance letter Lutz’s office, agreeing to participate in one debate, scheduled for October 15.

Lutz and Benoit have continued their fasting, citing the fact that 65 percent of voters in June’s primary election cast absentee ballots, with a high portion of them being returned within the first few days of receiving them. The vote-by-mail ballots will be distributed on October 4.

Tonight’s rally will take place outside the Cuyamaca College Water Conservation Garden, between 5:30-6 p.m. Inside the event, Lutz will attempt to confront Hunter to change the date of the debate and to add at least three more debates prior to the distribution of vote-by-mail ballots.

For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit: www.VoteRayLutz.com

For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246

PRESS RELEASE

Ray Lutz for Congress 2010

www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director

619-447-3246 / [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hunger Strike Day 7: Congressman Hunter succumbs to hunger strike pressure, delivers debate acceptance letter

Hunter’s limited debate acceptance still inadequate, says Lutz; strike to continue

San Diego County, Calif. (August 19, 2010) – At 10:45 a.m. on Thursday morning, Hunter for Congress representative Wes Schermann hand-delivered a letter acknowledging acceptance of an Oct. 15 congressional debate invitation to Lutz for Congress’s Main Street office in El Cajon.

Mr. Schermann and the letter were warmly received by Lutz Campaign Manager Brennan Purtzer.

“We appreciate receiving a response from the Hunter Campaign, but 58 percent of the electorate voted absentee in the primary – many of these voters turning them in on the first day,” Lutz said. “Since absentee ballots are being distributed on Oct. 4, we scheduled our proposed debate series for August and September so it would not conflict with the legislative calendar.”

The Hunter letter, arriving 72 days after Lutz won the California Democratic primary election in June, is the first communication Hunter’s group has had with the Lutz campaign. It arrived only hours after Lutz was featured on a nationally televised live interview on CNN, and 17 days after Hunter’s office received its first debate request from the Lutz campaign.

“This action shows that Hunter is feeling the pressure from the public about avoiding the debates,” said Ray Lutz, Hunter’s Democratic challenger to represent California’s 52nd district. “Without the hunger strike, I doubt they would respond at all.”

Lutz continued, “It’s a step in the right direction. I hope Hunter can make it to the debate. This is what happened in my campaign for the 77th State Assembly District in 2008. My opponent backed out at the last minute, forcing the debate to be canceled, and it was too late to set one up at that point.”

Lutz says he won’t end his strike, which has garnered national media attention, including an interview with Kyra Phillips on CNN on Thursday morning. During Lutz’s interview, he made the point that media outlets and voters alike were still confusing Duncan L. Hunter and Duncan D. Hunter. To accentuate Lutz’s point, CNN mistakenly aired footage of Duncan Hunter Sr. while he made this remark.

“This is exactly why the voters everywhere in the district need to see this guy debate – they still don’t know who they’re voting for – he even uses nearly the same graphics on his signs that his father did,” Lutz said. “If he only appears in one debate, that will obviously reduce his exposure to the voters and hide the truth: that he just isn’t his father.”

The debate Hunter has agreed to attend is to take place October 15 at Cuyamaca College, and is sponsored by the East County Chamber of Commerce, of which Hunter is a member.

Lutz asserts that the voters need to see at least three debates before the vote-by-mail ballots are distributed. “Hunter needs to agree to an honest series of debates before I’ll agree to pick up my fork again.”

For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit: www.VoteRayLutz.com

For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246

Ray Lutz for Congress 2010

www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director 619-447-3246 / [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hunger Strike Day 5: Candidate Lutz’s hunger strike joined by Libertarian candidate

Lutz campaign now accepting donations for San Diego Food Bank

San Diego County, Calif. (August 17, 2010) – At an El Cajon rally on Monday, Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz announced that he had been joined in his hunger strike by Libertarian Candidate Michael Benoit, both fasting until incumbent Rep. Duncan Duane Hunter agrees to debate them.

“I’m amazed at the overwhelming amount of support I’m getting from people across this country,” Democratic Congressional Candidate Raymond Lutz said. “I’m not starving alone and that’s nice.”

Over the weekend, more than 28 people pledged to go at least a day without food in support of Lutz’s cause, including Libertarian Candidate for California’s 52nd Congressional seat, Michael Benoit, who joined Lutz’s “Hunger strike for accountability.”

“I welcome the solidarity offered by Mr. Benoit, who is a very nice person,” Lutz said, before welcoming Benoit on stage to make a statement at the rally in El Cajon’s Promenade Park.

In a speech before dozens of supporters, Lutz and Benoit vowed to continue their strikes until the Hunter campaign agrees to debate them.

“Until he agrees to come before the voters, he can expect that I will be holding press conferences every week to talk about each of the issues that aren’t being debated,” Lutz said. “Jobs, and energy policy, and of course, the issue that’s been on my mind a lot lately – hunger. We’ve had 10.8 million meals served by the San Diego Food Bank in the last year – that’s a lot of hungry people.”

Lutz announced that from now through the end of the campaign, his office would be accepting and forwarding food donations to the San Diego Food Bank.

Lutz ended his press conference by publicly announcing a revised tentative schedule of five debates, planned during the congressional recess, throughout the massive 52nd congressional district.

“I could never imagine a candidate who has been in combat but is slow to engage in debate about the important issues affecting his constituents.” He added, “These problems are effecting his constituents today, and what has he done to help them? He hasn’t yet enacted any legislation at all, and his latest effort was a bill about getting cigarettes to soldiers.” Lutz said, “We need to debate this now, while he is on his legislative break – not in October, after most of the mail-in ballots have already been sent in.”

Lutz, 52, said he had already lost 14 pounds by his fifth day of fasting.

Revised Debate Schedule:

Raymond Lutz and Michael Benoit jointly invite Rep. Duncan Duane Hunter to participate in the following debates, tentatively scheduled for:

WED – AUG 25, 6:30pm Viejas tribal Facilities Viejas

MON – AUG 30, 6:30pm Grossmont College El Cajon (La Mesa Area)

THUR- SEPT 2, 6:30pm El Capitan High School Lakeside

MON – SEPT 6, 6:30pm Serra High School Tierrasanta

THUR- SEPT 9, 6:30pm Granite Hills High School El Cajon

For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit:http://www.VoteRayLutz.com

For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246

BREAKING NEWS EVENT ADVISORY

Ray Lutz for Congress 2010

www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director 619-447-3246 / [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Strike Day 4: Starving candidate Lutz to make hunger strike-related announcement at Monday Press conference

San Diego County, Calif. (August 16, 2010) – Democratic Congressional Candidate Raymond Lutz will be holding a press conference at 3:30p.m. Monday, August 16, at the El Cajon Park Promenade. Candidate Lutz will be making a major announcement regarding his hunger strike, which will be in its fourth day.

Lutz is running against incumbent Duncan D. Hunter for California’s 52nd congressional seat. He began his hunger strike on August 12, after Hunter’s office failed to respond to Lutz’s second formal debate invitation.

The strike has garnered national press, and raised the issue regarding the electorate’s right to see their candidates confront each other.

Monday’s press conference will feature comments from a special guest, the announcement of a revised proposal for debates in the 52nd district, a statement about the future of the Lutz campaign (should Hunter still refuse to participate in a series of debates), and the announcement of a new partnership between the Lutz campaign and a major community organization.

One additional note: In press statements the Hunter campaign has announced a probable agreement to participate in one debate vaguely discussed for October. We would like to clarify that the Lutz campaign has received no direct correspondence from the Hunter campaign regarding this or any other matter. We have received no response regarding any tentative October debate via in-person, telephone, written or electronic correspondence.

It should be noted that the absentee ballots are distributed to voters on October 4 making a mid-October debate too late to be of value to many mail-in voters.

Lutz commented, “If Hunter can’t find the time or character for debate during his legislative recess what guarantee will I have that he would even show up for an October debate? Let’s be clear here, Hunter benefits from not participating in a debate. It doesn’t benefit anybody else, and certainly not the voters.”

For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit:http://www.VoteRayLutz.com/

For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246