Tommys News

My Election Day Nightmare and Motivation to Get out the Vote Today

Tommy News — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:29:23 EST

My Election Day Nightmare and Motivation to Get out the Vote Today

My Election Day Nightmare
This morning before 4 AM, I awoke from a terrible, frightening dream. In that dream, Sarah Palin had become President, and she was giving orders in the White House cabinet room in her flat Fargo accent to her shady looking cabinet. I saw Karl Rove and Dick Cheney in the room, and other scary looking people. This dream has frankly scared the hell out of me and I decided to write this post and send it out to you with an urgent request to help keep my nightmare from becoming a reality.
This is yet another close election. We must work to avoid a repeat of 2000 and 2004 by getting out as many voters as possible. Please do everything you can today to help get Barack Obama elected and prevent 4 more years of the same failed Bush policies that have put our nation into two wars and the economic mess it is in and the very real possibility of an incompetent and dangerous Sarah Palin presidency. Help keep McCain-Palin out of the White House with your vote for Obama-Biden.

Get out and vote, volunteer, make calls, bring others to the polls. Every vote matters! Be prepared to wait on line to cast your vote. Don't get off the line. After you have voted, Starbucks is offering free coffee to voters as an incentive. Just go to Starbucks after you vote, and tell them you have voted to claim your free tall coffee. Bring a group to the polls and then to Starbucks! Then round up another group and do it again!
I urge you to help keep my horrible nightmare from becoming a reality.
Please also go to op-ed news and help me get my message out. Buzz up my article, digg it, rate it, and add a comment, to help get it read. Then please to work on getting out the vote today. Get on the phone and make sure everyone you know is voting. Forward this message on to your email list. Volunteer. Call voters in swing states. Bring water and snacks to voters waiting on line and tell them to stay on line until they have voted. Tell them about the free coffee at Starbucks. Offer water, cookies and snacks. Do everything you can to get voters on those lines and keep them there. The lines are predicted to be shortest from about 1PM to about 4 PM. Find out more here or call your party headquarters to volunteer.www.mybarackobama.com
Please, our very future depends upon it. Lets get to work.
-Tommy
Here is the link to my article, please help me get the word out TODAY!Click Here:http://www.opednews.com/articles/TAKE-ACTION-Get-voters-ou-by-Tommy-News-081102-549.html
TAKE ACTION: Get Voters out to the Polls and Pass This On. ROCK THE VOTE! Election day is approaching fast. We have very little time left to make this important voter turnout drive succeed.This is one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. The economy is in big trouble, jobs are disappearing, people are losing their homes, two wars are raging, and the cost of living is soaring. Millions have no health care and global warming needs to be addressed. The way to get the change we need is to elect the right leaders. Every vote counts, and your vote and participation in this voter turnout drive can make all the difference. It is your civic duty and your Constitutional right to vote, and your help is needed to get out the vote. Rock The Vote has made voting easier with the information you need. But you must act now, Election Day is November 4th! Please join in and help get voters out, and then pass this important message on to everyone in your address book. Click Here to see how you can help Rock The Vote! http://rockthevote.org/Go Here:http://www.opednews.com/articles/TAKE-ACTION-Get-voters-ou-by-Tommy-News-081102-549.html

From Rob Kall at Op-Ed News:

Don't go to work today. Don't stay home. Work as a volunteer in the early AM, then vote between 10 and 3 when the polls are least busy, then work some more.When the polls close where you live, start making calls for other states, other candidates. Keep going until you drop. You will be a part of history either way. Make sure you know you've done all you can, not just for your presidential candidate, whoever he or she is, but also for congressional legislators all over the nation.

Share your experience of the day with other OEN folks. Use this Diary:

Voting Day Open Thread-- Post reports, observations, Thoughts Links

Let us know what you're feeling, seeing, doing.

Me, I was up at 3:30 AM, unable to sleep, thinking about vote theft. I found my other half had been up with the election on her mind since 2:30. I leave in five minutes to work the early shift at the polls.

I spoke to my "ex" last night. She's a born-again who votes strictly on abortion (she wasn't when we met and married) and even she said she and her church people are saying prayers for whoever wins. I guess, if McCain wins, the world needs the US to go down the tubes, because it surely will, strangled, blinded, gelded, starved and tortured by right wing extremist traitors to democracy.

But I am fearfully hopeful today. We'll see how it goes, right? It's all we can do, besides work our asses off today. And, BTW, there were plenty of people in their seventies and eighties out canvassing, knocking on doors and phone banking over the weekend, and people in wheel-chairs. What's your excuse for not doing MORE today?

Laying the guilt on heavy today,

rob kall
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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

My Election Day Nightmare and Motivation to Get out the Vote Today

Tommy News — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:27:03 EST

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Vote No on Hate! Help Defeat California Proposition 8; Florida Amendment 2; Arizona Proposition 102; Arkansas Act 1

Tommy News — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:04:26 EST

Please watch this important short video and then forward this urgent message on to your entire address book today!http://www.noonprop8.com/messages
MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Vote No on Hate! Help Defeat California Proposition 8; Florida Amendment 2 Arizona Proposition 102 Arkansas Act 1 And Vote Obama-Biden Too! Florida Amendment 2 What the Amendment Says Amendment 2

"Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized." 6 Reasons to Say No 2Taking Away Benefits
Amendment 2 could take away existing benefits from all unmarried Floridians Hurting Seniors
Amendment 2 could force seniors to choose between important benefits like sharing health care and important government benefits. "Gay Marriage" Bait & Switch
Amendment 2 claims to ban "gay marriage" but Florida already has multiple laws banning same-sex marriage Massive Government Intrusion
Amendment 2 puts the government where it doesn't belong - regulating the personal relationships of Floridians Hiring Expensive Lawyers
Amendment 2 could force unmarried Floridians to hire expensive private lawyers just to protect their basic legal rights Dramatic Consequences
Amendment 2 could take away job benefits from university employees and be used as a defense to domestic violence - as in other states which passed similar amendments Click Here to Help:http://www.sayno2.com/Arizona Proposition 102 Proposition 102, if approved by Arizona voters,
will amend the Arizona Constitution

Arizona voted NO in 2006

Now we have to vote NO again in 2008.

Help us make it loud and clear —
VOTE NO on Proposition 102 on November 4th

The state has more important issues to address.

Keep Phoenix Politicians out of Marriage!Click here to help:http://www.votenoprop102.com/web/home.phpArkansas Act 1http://arkansasfamiliesfirst.org/This proposal would ban anyone who is unmarried from serving as a foster or adoptive parent—gay and straight alike.It applies to both public and private adoption, and deprives children of loving, nurturing homes. What We Believe

We oppose Initiated Act 1 because it works against the best interests of children who need loving homes. We can all agree that children should be placed in loving permanent homes where they can be nurtured and raised in an encouraging environment. We ought to be making that easier, not harder, to do.
We believe that child welfare experts, who know what is in the best interests of children, should decide on a case-by-case basis who should be a foster or adoptive parent. We oppose a blanket rule that bans otherwise qualified people from being foster or adoptive parents.
Arkansans should not deny loving homes to the children who need them most.

We Need Your Support

Arkansas Families First is organizing and working to defeat Initiated Act 1—and we need your help! Please contribute to our campaign, sign up for email alerts, find opportunities to volunteer.

Click here to help:http://arkansasfamiliesfirst.org/California Proposition 8 Vote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! Vote No on Prop 8 - Equality for All
California Proposition 8 is a California ballot initiative that would make same-sex marriage in California illegal. This discriminatory initiative is on the statewide California ballot this November 4th.Civil rights matters should not be placed on the ballot, but unfortunately this is on the ballot, and we must work to defeat it. This discriminatory measure affects people nationwide. not just in California, but only Californians can vote on it. Gay people deserve the same EQUAL rights as everyone else. Anything less is discrimination.As long as the government makes laws about and codifies civil marriage, all people must be included in those laws equally. Churches are then free to bless those unions or not. There are plenty of Progressive and tolerant churches that will. Please think about this: How does someone else's marriage affect yours? It does NOT! Vote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! Go here to learn more about California Proposition 8 and donate to help fight it:http://noonprop8.com/homeVote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! We need your help and we need it now. Please pass this message on! Here are the facts:Vote No on Prop 8 - Equality for AllWhat Is Prop 8?

The following information will be included in the November ballot materials.

Ballot Title and Summary

Proposition 8:

ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

Fiscal Impact: Over the next few years, potential revenue loss, mainly sales taxes, totaling in the several tens of millions of dollars, to state and local governments. In the long run, likely little fiscal impact to state and local governments.

On August 8, 2008 Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley ruled that the Attorney General's Title and Summary of Proposition 8 is accurate.

Ballot Argument

OUR CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION -- the law of our land -- SHOULD GUARANTEE THE SAME FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS TO EVERYONE -- NO ONE group SHOULD be singled out to BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

In fact, our nation was founded on the principle that all people should be treated equally. EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW IS THE FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY.

That's what this election is about -- equality, freedom and fairness, for all.

Marriage is the institution that conveys dignity and respect to the lifetime commitment of any couple. PROPOSITION 8 WOULD DENY LESBIAN AND GAY COUPLES that same DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

That's why Proposition 8 is wrong for California.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, the freedom to marry is fundamental to our society, just like the freedoms of religion and speech.

PROPOSITION 8 MANDATES ONE SET OF RULES FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES AND ANOTHER SET FOR EVERYONE ELSE. That's just not fair. OUR LAWS SHOULD TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY.

In fact, the government has no business telling people who can and cannot get married. Just like government has no business telling us what to read, watch on TV or do in our private lives. We don't need Prop 8; WE DON'T NEED MORE GOVERNMENT IN OUR LIVES.

REGARDLESS OF HOW ANYONE FEELS ABOUT MARRIAGE FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT FOR UNFAIR TREATMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF OUR STATE. Those committed and loving couples who want to accept the responsibility that comes with marriage should be treated like everyone else.

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS are NOT MARRIAGE.

When you're married and your spouse is sick or hurt, there is no confusion: you get into the ambulance or hospital room with no questions asked. IN EVERYDAY LIFE AND ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH. Only marriage provides the certainty and the security that people know they can count on in their times of greatest need.

EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW IS A FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE. Prop 8 separates one group of Californians from another and excludes them from enjoying the same rights as other loving couples.

Forty-six years ago I married my college sweetheart, Julia. We raised three children -- two boys and one girl. The boys are married, with children of their own. Our daughter, Liz, a lesbian, can now also be married -- if she so chooses.

All we have ever wanted for our daughter is that she be treated with the same dignity and respect as her brothers – with the same freedoms and responsibilities as every other Californian.

My wife and I never treated our children differently, we never loved them any differently and now the law doesn't treat them differently, either.

Each of our children now has the same rights as the others, to choose the person to love, commit to and to marry.

Don't take away the equality, freedom and fairness that everyone in California -- straight, gay or lesbian -- deserves.

Please join us in voting NO on Prop 8.

Why Vote No on Prop 8?

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, we should guarantee the same fundamental rights to every Californian. Vote No on 8.

Let's remember that gay and lesbian people are our neighbors, our friends, our coworkers and our family members. They are nurses, firefighters and small business owners. Same-sex couples are loving and committed couples who want to get married. They care for each other, they pay taxes and they want to protect each other and take responsibility for each other, just like other couples. We should not hurt same-sex couples in California by eliminating their right to marry.

It's not the government's place to tell couples who have been together for years whether or not they are allowed to marry. In California, we let people decide what is best for themselves – without government interference. Eliminating fundamental rights for same-sex couples treats them differently under the law – AND THAT'S WRONG. Vote No on 8.

Domestic Partnerships are NOT the same as marriage. Domestic partnerships are just legal documents. They don't provide the same dignity, respect, and commitment as a marriage. In a marriage, a paramedic doesn't tell you that you cannot get into an ambulance with your spouse. Married couples can automatically make life or death decisions for each other in these crisis situations, no questions asked. Vote No on 8.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, it's wrong to eliminate the fundamental rights of fellow Californians – and hurt our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. THAT'S WRONG.

Proponents of Prop 8 continue to lie in their television ads.

Here's what's fiction and what's fact:

Fiction: Teaching children about same-sex marriage will happen here unless we pass Prop 8.

Fact: Not one word in Prop 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it, and the Yes on 8 campaign knows they are lying. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley has already ruled that this claim by Prop 8 proponents is "false and misleading."

Fiction: Churches could lose their tax-exemption status.

Fact: Nothing in Prop 8 would force churches to do anything. In fact, the court decision regarding marriage specifically says "no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs."

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Fact: Unlike Massachusetts, California gives parents an absolute right to remove their kids and opt-out of teaching on health and family instruction they don't agree with. The opponents know that California law already covers this and Prop 8 won't affect it, so they bring up an irrelevant case in Massachusetts.

Fiction: Four Activist Judges in San Francisco…

Fact: Prop 8 is not about courts and judges, it's about eliminating a fundamental right. Judges didn't grant the right, the constitution guarantees the right. Proponents of Prop 8 use an outdated and stale argument that judges aren't supposed to protect rights and freedoms. This campaign is about whether Californians, right now, in 2008 are willing to amend the constitution for the sole purpose of eliminating a fundamental right for one group of citizens.

Fiction: People can be sued over personal beliefs.

Fact: California's laws already prohibit discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This has nothing to do with marriage.

Fiction: Pepperdine University supports the Yes on 8 campaign.

Fact: The university has publicly disassociated itself from Professor Richard Peterson of Pepperdine University, who is featured in the ad, and has asked to not be identified in the Yes on 8 advertisements.

Fiction: Unless Prop 8 passes, CA parents won't have the right to object to what their children are taught in school.

Fact: California law clearly gives parents and guardians broad authority to remove their children from any health instruction if it conflicts with their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8

http://noonprop8.com/campaign_updates?id=0001

Donate

We need your help and we need it now. There are so many ways you can help fund the fight against Prop 8. You can help to raise much-needed funds and educate your friends and family about why it is so important for Californians to vote NO on Prop 8.

Click Herre:http://www.noonprop8.com/page/?id=0052

Sign up to receive more information on Prop 8

http://eqfed.org/equalityforall/join.tcl

Click Here to help:California Proposition 8 Vote No on Prop 8 - Equality for AllFlorida Amendment 2 http://www.sayno2.com/Arizona Proposition 102http://www.votenoprop102.com/web/home.phpArkansas Act 1 http://arkansasfamiliesfirst.org/
And Vote Obama-Biden Too!

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Vote No on Hate! Help Defeat California Proposition 8; Florida Amendment 2; Arizona Proposition 102; Arkansas Act 1

Tommy News — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:00:44 EST

Arizona voted NO in 2006

Now we have to vote NO again in 2008.

Help us make it loud and clear —
VOTE NO on Proposition 102 on November 4th

The state has more important issues to address.

We oppose Initiated Act 1 because it works against the best interests of children who need loving homes. We can all agree that children should be placed in loving permanent homes where they can be nurtured and raised in an encouraging environment. We ought to be making that easier, not harder, to do.
We believe that child welfare experts, who know what is in the best interests of children, should decide on a case-by-case basis who should be a foster or adoptive parent. We oppose a blanket rule that bans otherwise qualified people from being foster or adoptive parents.
Arkansans should not deny loving homes to the children who need them most.

We Need Your Support

Arkansas Families First is organizing and working to defeat Initiated Act 1—and we need your help! Please contribute to our campaign, sign up for email alerts, find opportunities to volunteer.

The following information will be included in the November ballot materials.

Ballot Title and Summary

Proposition 8:

ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

On August 8, 2008 Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley ruled that the Attorney General's Title and Summary of Proposition 8 is accurate.

Ballot Argument

Why Vote No on Prop 8?

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, we should guarantee the same fundamental rights to every Californian. Vote No on 8.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, it's wrong to eliminate the fundamental rights of fellow Californians – and hurt our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. THAT'S WRONG.

Proponents of Prop 8 continue to lie in their television ads.

Here's what's fiction and what's fact:

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8

http://noonprop8.com/campaign_updates?id=0001

Donate

Click Herre:http://www.noonprop8.com/page/?id=0052

Sign up to receive more information on Prop 8

http://eqfed.org/equalityforall/join.tcl

Some Things Campaign Volunteers can Do Monday and Tuesday*

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:08:43 EST

**Some Things Campaign Volunteers can Do Monday and Tuesday***Get Campaign Information here or call your local party headquarters:www.mybarackobama.com Hi everyone,Final plea - If you want to see Democratic victories where you live, and are available for even one hour the day or evening before the election, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE choose a candidate or election, call the office near you, and offer to help. Not sure where it is? Google the candidate, proposal, your area and the word "office". There are Obama offices in even the smallest communities in swing states, for example. Also, consider the local Democrats office, state reps, senators, commissioners, etc.The day before, there are always:- yard signs that can be put out before dawn on election day near polling places (schools, post offices, churches, etc.),- doorknob signs and phone calls, reminding people where their polling places are and the times they are open,- stacks of leftover literature that can be placed on front doors,- tired, overworked, stressed out staff who need nourishment.Campaign staff in every election are going crazy trying to get these last minute things done. If you want to see your candidates/proposals win, please go see how you can help in the final hours! If these ideas do not float your Democratic boat, please take an hour and call every Democrat you know. Make sure they are planning to vote, know where their precinct is, and the hours they are open. Tell them Obama needs a team of Democrats below him to get the job done right. Offer to babysit, give them a ride, or whatever it takes to get them to the polls on Tuesday, and keep them there until they vote. On election day - Bring some water bottles and granola bars to people in long lines. Offer to hold their space in line while they use the bathroom --- whatever it takes!!! (Just don't campaign while in line or wear campaign stuff). Research shows, when young people, minority members, working people, women, and other groups VOTE, DEMOCRATS WIN. Let's all help them get them to their voting booth!Bring people to the polls Tuesday and then to Starbucks for a free tall coffee. Just tell Starbucks you voted and they will give you a free tall coffee.Call voters in swing states and use the scripts available here:www.mybarackobama.com YES WE CAN!!!!!!Thanks,Tommy

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Some Things Campaign Volunteers can Do Monday and Tuesday*

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:06:34 EST

Some Things Campaign Volunteers can Do Monday and Tuesday*

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:04:20 EST

TAKE ACTION: Get Voters out and ROCK THE VOTE!

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:02:46 EST

TAKE ACTION: Get Voters out to the Polls and Pass This On. ROCK THE VOTE! Election day is approaching fast. We have very little time left to make this important voter turnout drive succeed.This is one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. The economy is in big trouble, jobs are disappearing, people are losing their homes, two wars are raging, and the cost of living is soaring. Millions have no health care and global warming needs to be addressed. The way to get the change we need is to elect the right leaders. Every vote counts, and your vote and participation in this voter turnout drive can make all the difference. It is your civic duty and your Constitutional right to vote, and your help is needed to get out the vote. Rock The Vote has made voting easier with the information you need. But you must act now, Electon Day is November 4th! Please join in and help get voters out, and then pass this important message on to everyone in your address book. Click Here to see how you an help Rock The Vote! http://rockthevote.org/Dear Rock the Vote Friends,

Last year, Rock the Vote joined with Live Earth as its partner. On 7-7-07, millions of people worldwide experienced Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis. In doing so, they were making the commitment to take action against the climate crisis. Besides the hundreds of thousands of people attending the Live Earth concerts on seven continents, over 10,000 "Friends of Live Earth' in 195 countries participated in house parties to watch the event and at least ten million more people viewed the concerts online.

Don't be left behind! Join the millions of people across the world who have pledged to take action against the climate crisis.
Together, we will solve the climate crisis.

Remember to register to vote because you can't vote if you're not registered! Why is voting important when it comes to stopping the climate crisis? Well, here are some things to consider:

- The next U.S. president will inherit a country that makes up less than 5% of the world's population but produces nearly a quarter of the world's greenhouse gases.

- Legislation regarding environmental issues is crafted by the lawmakers YOU elect.

- Congress appropriates the funds for the development of clean renewable energy sources.

- The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the legal responsibility to regulate carbon emissions, will be appointed by the next president.

Register now at and tell your friends to register as well.

The future is now. We cannot wait. Together we will make a difference.

Get Ready Rock The Vote: Tuesday 11-4 is Election Day This November 4th is Election Day in The United States of America. It is your Constitutional right and your civic duty as an American to vote. Your vote matters, EACH and EVERY vote counts! This year's elections offer you some important opportunities to make your vote count! I urge you to get ready to vote Tuesday, November 4th. Voting is one of the most important things that you can do. The polls open early, and stay open late. The time to act is now. Get out and vote, don't miss your chance to make a difference! Tell your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to vote. Remind them that election day is November 4th. Offer to bring people to the polls or go with them. Pass this message on to everyone in your address book. Rock The Vote! Tuesday, November 4th http://www.rockthevote.com/home.html November 4th--Election Day 2008--is just around the corner. The bottom line is if you target and talk to people they will vote. Get Involved! Click Here to Rock The Vote:http://www.rockthevote.com/home.html

Our future and real change depends on you.Project Vote We cannot turn out voters who never made it onto the rolls to begin with. By the time Election Day 2009 comes around it will be too late; the time to act is now.

It turns out there are still a lot of people in Washington and our state capitals who are working to discourage Americans from voting.

One of our most important groups working to register and protect voters -- Project Vote -- recently released a study which documented in great detail years of voter suppression all over the country. The result is that hundreds and thousands of minority voters, many of them 'single mothers,' were purged from the rolls and deprived of their right to vote in 2004 and 2006. That is outrageous!

And if it sounds sickeningly familiar, you are right. These are the same anti-American tactics that kept people from voting in the South during the Civil Rights movement. And it has to stop.

Please join is in this monumental battle for our democracy. Step up and say there is nothing more important than the ability to vote in America. Will you fight with us to ensure that every single eligible voter can go to the polls?

By the time Election Day comes around it will be too late. We cannot turn out voters who never made it onto the voter rolls to begin with. Early work to get voters on the rolls and make sure they stay there no matter what is crucial to our fight to take back our democracy. Project Vote http://www.projectvote.org/If you are registered to vote get out and VOTE! The polls open early and close late. Vote before or after work or on your break. Find out where to vote here or contact your local Board of Elections: http://www.rockthevote.com/electioncenter/If you are not registered to vote, register now!Call or write your local board of elections for a voter registration form or click here to get one:http://www.rockthevote.com/http://projectvote.org/our-work-pages/our-work/voter-registration.html
Not sure who to vote for?Educate yourself. Read the Voter's Guide in your local newspaper or on line to find out who and what is on the ballot in your Election District. Read the websites of the candidates and parties to find out where they stand on the issues that matter to you. Ask about the candidates and find out their qualifications and where they stand. Talk to people and find out who they are voting for and why. Read the ballot initiatives and find out what they mean and how they affect you. Get a sample ballot before you go into the voting booth and take your time deciding who and what to vote for. You Can Make a Difference! ROCK THE VOTE Tuesday, November 4th I invite you to join our Yahoo groups here for informative news and discussion:Click these links and join our fine groups: 4 United We Stand Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4UnitedWeStand/Matthew Shepard Pride and Tolerance Grouphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/MatthewShepardPrideandTolerance/New York State Senate Shift Control To Democrat Grouphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewYorkStateSenateShiftControlToDemocrat/
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Together, We Can Change The World, One Mind At A Time!
Have a great day,
Tommy

TAKE ACTION: Get Voters out and ROCK THE VOTE!

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:57:37 EST

It turns out there are still a lot of people in Washington and our state capitals who are working to discourage Americans from voting.

And if it sounds sickeningly familiar, you are right. These are the same anti-American tactics that kept people from voting in the South during the Civil Rights movement. And it has to stop.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Vote No on Hate! Help Defeat California Proposition 8; Florida Amendment 2; Arizona Proposition 102

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:29:52 EST

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Vote No on Hate! Help Defeat California Proposition 8; Florida Amendment 2; Arizona Proposition 102 And Vote Obama-Biden Too! Florida Amendment 2 What the Amendment Says Amendment 2

"Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized." 6 Reasons to Say No 2Taking Away Benefits
Amendment 2 could take away existing benefits from all unmarried Floridians Hurting Seniors
Amendment 2 could force seniors to choose between important benefits like sharing health care and important government benefits. "Gay Marriage" Bait & Switch
Amendment 2 claims to ban "gay marriage" but Florida already has multiple laws banning same-sex marriage Massive Government Intrusion
Amendment 2 puts the government where it doesn't belong - regulating the personal relationships of Floridians Hiring Expensive Lawyers
Amendment 2 could force unmarried Floridians to hire expensive private lawyers just to protect their basic legal rights Dramatic Consequences
Amendment 2 could take away job benefits from university employees and be used as a defense to domestic violence - as in other states which passed similar amendments Click Here to Help:http://www.sayno2.com/Arizona Proposition 102 Proposition 102, if approved by Arizona voters,
will amend the Arizona Constitution

Arizona voted NO in 2006

Now we have to vote NO again in 2008.

Help us make it loud and clear —
VOTE NO on Proposition 102 on November 4th

The state has more important issues to address.

Keep Phoenix Politicians out of Marriage!Click here to help:http://www.votenoprop102.com/web/home.phpCalifornia Proposition 8 Vote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! Vote No on Prop 8 - Equality for All
California Proposition 8 is a California ballot initiative that would make same-sex marriage in California illegal. This discriminatory initiative is on the statewide California ballot this November 4th.Civil rights matters should not be placed on the ballot, but unfortunately this is on the ballot, and we must work to defeat it. This discriminatory measure affects people nationwide. not just in California, but only Californians can vote on it. Gay people deserve the same EQUAL rights as everyone else. Anything less is discrimination.As long as the government makes laws about and codifies civil marriage, all people must be included in those laws equally. Churches are then free to bless those unions or not. There are plenty of Progressive and tolerant churches that will. Please think about this: How does someone else's marriage affect yours? It does NOT! Vote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! Go here to learn more about California Proposition 8 and donate to help fight it:http://noonprop8.com/homeVote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! We need your help and we need it now. Please pass this message on! Here are the facts:Vote No on Prop 8 - Equality for AllWhat Is Prop 8?

The following information will be included in the November ballot materials.

Ballot Title and Summary

Proposition 8:

ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

On August 8, 2008 Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley ruled that the Attorney General's Title and Summary of Proposition 8 is accurate.

Ballot Argument

Why Vote No on Prop 8?

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, we should guarantee the same fundamental rights to every Californian. Vote No on 8.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, it's wrong to eliminate the fundamental rights of fellow Californians – and hurt our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. THAT'S WRONG.

Proponents of Prop 8 continue to lie in their television ads.

Here's what's fiction and what's fact:

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8

http://noonprop8.com/campaign_updates?id=0001

Donate

Click Herre:http://www.noonprop8.com/page/?id=0052

Sign up to receive more information on Prop 8

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Call for Obama volunteers

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:08:23 EST

Call for Obama volunteers

Dear MoveOn member,

The 2008 election is in 48 hours. Obama needs your help. And you can make a difference right now, right where you are.

The Obama campaign has put out an urgent request for volunteers in the swing states. It's up to us to recruit them by calling MoveOn members in swing states and helping them volunteer. Our website makes it easy for you to call. And it really, really works: our phone calls have recruited more than 145,000 volunteers in states like Ohio and Florida!

But Obama still needs more, and we're down to the wire. We set an audacious goal of making 175,000 calls this week—but our momentum is so phenomenal, we're raising the bar to 250,000 calls! Come through for Obama when it counts—click here now:

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To make calls with our tool, all you need is a phone and a computer. Try it for just five minutes, and you'll see how fun and easy it is; many of the MoveOn members you reach will be grateful you called. Here's one:

I am glad I was able to help and hope that it has made a difference. I always wanted to help out, but never knew where to go or how to sign up. Thanks for the invite!—Stacy M., Indiana

We can't leave anything to chance in this election. Help us hit our target of 175,000 250,000 calls, and send the reinforcements Obama needs for the final push—click here to sign up now:

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Thanks for all you do,

–Justin, Adam G., Peter, Aisling, and the rest of the team

Call for Obama volunteers

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:04:28 EST

Call for Obama volunteers

Dear MoveOn member,

The 2008 election is in 48 hours. Obama needs your help. And you can make a difference right now, right where you are.

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/teams/index.html?id=14960-10306849-LruGMAx&t=2

I am glad I was able to help and hope that it has made a difference. I always wanted to help out, but never knew where to go or how to sign up. Thanks for the invite!—Stacy M., Indiana

We can't leave anything to chance in this election. Help us hit our target of 175,000 250,000 calls, and send the reinforcements Obama needs for the final push—click here to sign up now:

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/teams/index.html?id=14960-10306849-LruGMAx&t=3

Thanks for all you do,

–Justin, Adam G., Peter, Aisling, and the rest of the team

New York State: Empire State Pride Agenda 2008 General Election Voter Guide

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:32:12 EST

New York State: Empire State Pride Agenda 2008 General Election Voter Guide 2008 General Election Voter Guide

Introduction

The Empire State Pride Agenda is the statewide, bi-partisan civil rights and political advocacy organization dedicated to winning equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers and our families. We are committed to seizing all opportunities in the political and legislative arenas to advance our public policy goals and pursue our public policy agenda. Electing and appointing supporters of LGBT issues at all levels of government, educating candidates, and endorsing and providing campaign assistance to those who support our public policy agenda are important tools we use to achieve our goals. We believe that by supporting candidates for elected office, we increase the number of allies in government, solidify the commitment of current allies and hold opponents accountable.

Endorsement Criteria

When deciding whether to endorse in a particular race, the Pride Agenda considers a number of factors including whether the endorsement: furthers our public policy agenda, allows for coalition building with strategic allies, results in significant community or capacity building within the LGBT community, contributes to the election of LGBT candidates, and allows for specific public education on an issue of importance or has the potential to influence the outcome of an election.

We make our specific endorsement decisions based on responses to the Pride Agenda candidate questionnaire; an examination of a candidate's voting record (for those who have previously held elective office) and the voting record of their opponent; and a review of his or her public acts, statements, and consultations with other organizations throughout New York State, including local LGBT organizations. Non-incumbents are evaluated based upon the criteria above as well as the viability of their campaigns.

Candidates request consideration of an endorsement by completing and returning a Pride Agenda candidate questionnaire. Those who do not complete a questionnaire are not considered for endorsement.

About Our 2008 General Election Endorsements

The Empire State Pride Agenda has endorsed 75 candidates for the 2008 general elections on November 4.

Endorsements for the New York State Assembly

Endorsements for the New York State Senate

Endorsements for Local Races

For Informational Purposes Only

Information on Assemblymembers who did not fill out a questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement, but have voted in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples, banning discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and making schools safe for LGBT youth

Information on Federal Races (President and U.S. Congress)

Key:

D=Democrat R=Republican WFP=Working Families Party I=Independence Party C=Conservative Party

Endorsements for the New York State Assembly

Candidates running for the New York State Assembly expressed support for all the issues at the top of our agenda such as: family protections for same-sex couples including the ability to legally marry; prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and expression; protecting youth from bias harassment in schools; increasing the availability of state funding for community based organizations providing LGBT-specific health and human services; and the unrestricted right to reproductive freedom including abortion.

Because the Assembly took up and passed bills over the past two years bills that legalize marriage for same-sex couples, combat harassment and violence in schools against LGBT youth, and ban legal discrimination against transgender New Yorkers, support for these issues was a requirement of all incumbents and non-incumbents to be considered for a Pride Agenda endorsement. For incumbents, this meant actual votes in favor of these bills.

State Assembly Endorsements:

Long Island: AD 3 (Suffolk) - Patricia Eddington (D-WFP-I), IncumbentAD 5 (Suffolk) - Ginny Fields (D-I), IncumbentAD 6 (Suffolk) - Philip Ramos (D-WFP-I), IncumbentAD 11 (Suffolk) - Robert Sweeney (D-WFP-I), Incumbent
AD 12 (Nassau) - Keith Scalia (D), Challenger
Keith Scalia is challenging four-year incumbent Assemblymember Joseph Saladino (R-WFP-I-C). Scalia, a high school English teacher, indicated in his candidate questionnaire that he would co-sponsor the marriage equality bill and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. He also stated that he believes "New York should be a pioneer in LGBT legislation." The incumbent, Saladino, is an opponent of LGBT rights who has voted against the marriage equality bill and Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). Saladino did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

AD 13 (Nassau) - Charles Lavine (D-WFP-I), Incumbent
AD 14 (Nassau) - Joe Ferrara (D), Challenger
Joe Ferrara is challenging eight-year incumbent Assemblymember Robert Barra (R-WFP-I-C). Ferrara, an Account Manager for a nonprofit organization, indicated in his candidate questionnaire his support for marriage equality and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. He also stated that he thinks "LGBT rights are civil rights," and that he "would do everything in [his] power, including co-sponsoring legislation, to support the rights of the New York LGBT community." In contrast, his opponent Barra is a vocal opponent of marriage equality and was quoted in the July 20, 2006 Herald Community Newspapers as saying about marriage equality for same-sex couples, "We don't let polygamy happen. We don't let people marry animals. Where do you draw the line at for something like that?" He voted against the marriage equality bill when it passed in the Assembly in June 2007. Barra did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
AD 16 (Nassau) - Michelle Schimel (D-WFP-I), Incumbent
New York City:
AD 44 (Brooklyn) - James Brennan (D-WFP), IncumbentAD 52 (Brooklyn) - Joan Millman (D-WFP), IncumbentAD 57 (Brooklyn) - Hakeem Jeffries (D-WFP), Incumbent
AD 60 (Brooklyn, Staten Island) - Janele Hyer-Spencer (D-WFP-I), Incumbent
Janele Hyer-Spencer is running for re-election for the first time, having won an open seat in 2006 that was vacated by a retiring Republican. She co-sponsored and provided an important vote in the Judiciary Committee for a measure that became law this year that enables victims of domestic violence to seek orders of protection from non-family members and gives them the same access to Family Court as those who are married. This law covers same-sex domestic partners and achieves an objective the Pride Agenda has been working on since its earliest days as an organization. Hyer-Spencer also supported the passage of the marriage equality bill and the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). Her opponent, Joseph Cammarata (R-C), did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
For more information on Janele Hyer-Spencer, read our extended profile here.
AD 61 (Staten Island) - Matthew Titone (D-WFP), Incumbent
Matt Titone is the incumbent for this seat, having served in the New York State Assembly since he was elected in a Special Election in January 2007. As an openly gay Assemblymember, he is a strong supporter and advocate for the LGBT community. He is also a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill and the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). Titone is being challenged by Thomas McGinley (R) and Rose Margarella (I), who did not submit candidate questionnaires seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

AD 64 (Manhattan) - Sheldon Silver (D-WFP), Incumbent
AD 65 (Manhattan) - Micah Kellner (D-WFP), Incumbent
Micah Kellner is the incumbent for this seat, having served in the New York State Assembly since he was elected in a Special Election in June 2007. As the only openly bisexual Assemblymember, he is a strong supporter and advocate for the LGBT community. He is also a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill, Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and Dignity for All Students Act. Kellner is being challenged by Georgiana Viest (R), who did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

AD 66 (Manhattan) - Deborah Glick (D-WFP), Incumbent
Deborah Glick is the incumbent for this seat, having served eighteen years in the New York State Assembly. As the Assembly's first openly lesbian Assemblymember, she is a strong supporter and advocate for the LGBT community. Glick was instrumental in passing the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) for the first time in the Assembly in 1993. She was also the prime sponsor in the Assembly of the Hospital Visitation Bill, which became law in 2004. She is a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill, Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Dignity for All Students Act. Glick is running unopposed.

AD 67 (Manhattan) - Linda Rosenthal (D-WFP), Incumbent
AD 69 (Manhattan) - Daniel O'Donnell (D), Incumbent
Danny O'Donnell is the incumbent for this seat, having served six years in the New York State Assembly. As the first openly gay Assemblymember, he is a strong supporter and advocate for the LGBT community. In addition to being the prime sponsor in the Assembly of the marriage equality bill and Dignity for All Students Act, he is also a co-sponsor of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). The Pride Agenda worked with O'Donnell to pass the marriage bill by a vote of 85-61 in the Assembly in June 2007. O'Donnell is running unopposed.

AD 72 (Manhattan) - Adriano Espaillat (D-WFP), IncumbentAD 73 (Manhattan) - Jonathan Bing (D-WFP), Incumbent
AD 75 (Manhattan) - Richard Gottfried (D-WFP), Incumbment
Dick Gottfried is the incumbent for this seat, having served more than three decades in the New York State Assembly. He is a strong, longtime supporter of the LGBT community. In addition to being the prime sponsor in the Assembly of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), he is also a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill and Dignity for All Students Act. The Pride Agenda worked closely this year with Gottfried to pass GENDA for the first time in the Assembly by an overwhelming vote of 108-34. Gottfried is being challenged by Saul Farber (R-I), who did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

Hudson Valley: AD 87 (Westchester) - J. Gary Pretlow (D-I), IncumbentAD 88 (Westchester) - Amy Paulin (D-WFP-I), IncumbentAD 89 (Westchester) - Adam Bradley (D-WFP-I), IncumbentAD 92 (Westchester) - Richard Brodsky (D-WFP), IncumbentAD 93 (Westchester) - Mike Spano (D-WFP-C), IncumbentAD 94 (Rockland) - Kenneth Zebrowski (D-WFP-I-C), IncumbentAD 95 (Rockland) - Ellen Jaffee (D-WFP-I), Incumbent
AD 100 (Dutchess, Orange, Ulster) - Frank Skartados (D-WFP), Challenger
Frank Skartados is challenging 14-year incumbent Assemblymember Thomas Kirwan (R-I-C). Skartados, a business leader who renovates properties in downtown Poughkeepsie, indicated in his candidate questionnaire his support for marriage equality and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. He stated that he is seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement "because of our common goals to treat all citizens equally and justly." His opponent, Kirwan, is a longtime, vocal opponent of LGBT rights who has voted against the marriage equality bill, Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), Dignity for All Students Act, and the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) when it became law in 2002. Kirwan did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

AD 101 (Ulster, Dutchess) - Kevin Cahill (D-WFP), Incumbent
AD 102 (Dutchess) - Joel Miller (R-I-C), Incumbent
Joel Miller never hesitates to speak out about why equality and justice for LGBT New Yorkers is an important part of the promise America makes to all its citizens. When the Assembly passed the marriage equality bill in 2007, Miller was the first Republican to stand up and state his support, and the same was true again this year when the Assembly passed a bill prohibiting discrimination against transgender New Yorkers. Miller is the only pro-marriage equality Republican in the Assembly facing a challenge in his race for re-election. His opponent is Jonathan Smith (D-WFP), who also filled out a questionnaire and has stated his support for our issues. The choice is this race, however, is clear. Miller received the Pride Agenda's endorsement because he has stood with the LGBT community over and over again as an Assemblymember, through both his votes and his words.
For more information on Joel Miller, read our extended profile here.
Upstate: AD 104 (Albany) - John McEneny (D-WFP), IncumbentAD 106 (Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga) - Ronald Canestrari (D-WFP-I), Incumbent AD 113 (Essex, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren) - Teresa Sayward (R-I), IncumbentAD 116 (Oneida) - RoAnn Destito (D-WFP), Incumbent
AD 118 (Jefferson, St. Lawrence) - Addie Jenne Russell (D-WFP), Open Seat
Addie Jenne Russell is running for the open seat vacated by Democrat Darrel Aubertine, who became a State Senator (SD 48) in a Special Election in February 2008. Aubertine as an Assemblymember voted against the marriage equality bill in June 2007. Russell, an attorney and member of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators, indicated in her candidate questionnaire her support for marriage equality and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. She also stated that she would, if elected, co-sponsor these bills. Russell's opponent is Robert Cantwell (R-I-C), who did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

AD 120 (Onondaga) - William Magnarelli (D-WFP-I), Incumbent
AD 121 (Onondaga) - Albert Stirpe, Jr. (D-WFP), Incumbent
Al Stirpe is the incumbent for this seat, serving in the New York State Assembly since 2006. Stirpe, in his first term as an Assemblymember, voted to pass all three of the Pride Agenda's key bills: marriage equality, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Dignity for All Schools Act. Additionally, he is a co-sponsor of the GENDA and Dignity bills. He is being challenged by LaFayette businessman Dave Knapp (R-I-C). Knapp did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

AD 122 (St. Lawrence, Lewis, Jefferson, Oswego) - Dede Scozzafava (R-WFP-I), IncumbentAD 125 (Cortland, Tompkins) - Barbara Lifton (D-WFP), IncumbentAD 126 (Broome) - Donna Lupardo (D-WFP), IncumbentAD 131 (Monroe) - Susan John (D-WFP), Incumbent
AD 134 (Monroe) - David Garretson (D-WFP), Challenger
David Garretson is challenging six-year incumbent Bill Reilich (R-I-C). In his candidate questionnaire, Garretson indicated that he would co-sponsor the marriage equality bill and support bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. The incumbent Bill Reilich is one of very few Assemblymembers who has voted against all three of the Pride Agenda's legislative priorities: marriage equality, banning discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and a fully inclusive safe schools bill. Reilich did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

AD 135 (Monroe) - David Koon (D-WFP), IncumbentAD 141 (Erie) - Crystal Peoples (D), IncumbentAD 144 (Erie) - Sam Hoyt (D-WFP-I), Incumbent Endorsements for the New York State Senate

With candidates running for the New York State Senate, we did not endorse any candidate who opposes any of the issues at the top of our public policy agenda. For example, we did not endorse candidates who said same-sex couples should not be allowed to marry or transgender people should not have protections against discrimination.

Unless otherwise indicated, all endorsed Senate candidates support: family protections for same-sex couples including the ability to legally marry; prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and expression; protecting youth from bias harassment in schools; increasing the availability of state funding for community based organizations providing LGBT-specific health and human services; and the unrestricted right to reproductive freedom including abortion.

Because the State Senate has refused to vote on marriage equality legislation and bills providing safe schools for LGBT youth and non-discrimination protections for transgender New Yorkers, endorsed Senate incumbents do not have actual voting records on these issues like Assemblymembers do. On these issues, endorsements of incumbent and non-incumbent Senate candidates are based upon the candidate questionnaire answers they provided to us. State Senate Endorsements: Long Island: SD 3 (Suffolk) - Brian Foley (D-WFP), Challenger
Brian Foley is challenging incumbent State Senator Caesar Trunzo (R-I-C). Foley is currently the Brookhaven Town Supervisor and before that served in the Suffolk County Legislature for twelve years where he worked to secure Ryan White funding for the County Health Department and supported municipal labor contracts that included partner benefits. Foley supports equality for LGBT New Yorkers, including policies that combat bias-based harassment of youth in schools and non-discrimination protections for transgender people. While he did not take a firm position in his questionnaire on marriage equality, he stated that he is not opposed to marriage for same-sex couples and is committed to working with the Pride Agenda and the LGBT community to continue learning about this issue.

The Republican incumbent, Caesar Trunzo, has served in the State Senate since Richard Nixon was President (thirty-six years). He opposes marriage equality for our families and goes a step further by being a co-sponsor of the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) that would limit marriage to a man and a woman. Trunzo is out-of-step with the needs of his LGBT constituents and votes to keep the current anti-LGBT Majority in power, a Majority that blocks movement on our community's legislative priorities and has said repeatedly it will not allow a vote on marriage equality for our families.

Brian Foley has stated his commitment to making government accountable to New Yorkers and working with the LGBT community to bring about the changes that are needed to make New York a leader in providing equality for everyone.
SD 6 (Nassau) - Kristen McElroy (D-WFP), Challenger
Kristen McElroy is challenging incumbent Kemp Hannon (R-I-C). McElroy, an attorney, indicated in her candidate questionnaire that she would co-sponsor the marriage equality bill and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. She stated that she "will do anything within [her] power" to help achieve marriage equality and protections from discrimination." Her Republican opponent, Hannon, has been in the State Senate for almost twenty years, and is a part of the anti-LGBT Senate Majority that refuses to move LGBT legislation forward. In addition, Hannon voted against the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) when in became law in 2002. Hannon did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
SD 7 (Nassau) - Craig Johnson (D), Incumbent
Craig Johnson is the incumbent for this seat, having won it in a Special Election in February 2006. During his Special Election campaign, Johnson was openly in support of marriage equality—and was attacked by anti-gay forces attempting to turn his support for LGBT equality into a liability. Since winning the seat, Johnson has become the first Long Island State Senator to sign on as a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill and the Dignity for All Students Act. In his candidate questionnaire, he has indicated that he would also co-sponsor the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). Additionally, Johnson has a record of supporting pro-LGBT legislation during his years as a member of the Nassau County Legislature. Johnson is being challenged by Village of Plandome Manor Mayor Barbara Donno (R-I-C), who did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
New York City: SD 11 (Queens) - James Gennaro (D-WFP), Challenger
James Gennaro is challenging thirty-two year incumbent Frank Padavan (R-I-C). Gennaro is currently a New York City Councilmember, serving since 2002. He has a record of supporting pro-LGBT legislation as a Councilmember, including a vote that banned discrimination against transgender people in New York City and a vote that would make New York City schools safe for LGBT youth. In his candidate questionnaire, Gennaro indicated that he supports marriage equality and would co-sponsor bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make New York public schools safe for LGBT youth. He also stated that "every New Yorker, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be free from discrimination and enjoy the same rights and responsibilities afforded to everyone—period." Frank Padavan voted against the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) when it passed in 2002. He is also a co-sponsor of the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA). Padavan did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
SD 13 (Queens) - Hiram Monserrate (D-WFP), Open Seat
Hiram Monserrate is running for the open seat which is being vacated by John Sabini, a Democrat who has been a supporter on all of our issues during his six years in the Senate. Monserrate is currently a New York City Councilmember, serving since 2001. He has a record of sponsoring and supporting LGBT-related legislation, including a vote that banned discrimination against transgender people in New York City and a vote that would make New York City schools safe for LGBT youth. On his candidate questionnaire, he indicated his support for all of the issues at the top of our agenda. He also stated that as Senator, he plans to create an LGBT advisory board in his District. Monserrate is running unopposed.

SD 14 (Queens) - Malcolm Smith (D-WFP), Incumbent
SD 15 (Queens) - Joseph Addabbo (D-WFP), Challenger
Joseph Addabbo is challenging incumbent Serphin Maltese (R-I-C). Addabbo is currently a New York City Councilmember from Queens and has a long record supporting LGBT issues on the City Council. This record includes a vote that banned discrimination against transgender people in New York City and a vote that would make New York City schools safe for LGBT youth. Addabbo has promised to champion these and other LGBT issues as a State Senator, including outreach to his fellow Senators to have them co-sponsor important pieces of legislation. While he did not take a firm position in his questionnaire on marriage equality, he stated that he is not opposed to marriage for same-sex couples and is committed to working with the Pride Agenda and the LGBT community to continue learning about this issue.

The twenty-year Republican incumbent Serphin Maltese is a stark contrast to Addabbo when it comes to LGBT issues. Maltese is arguably the most anti-gay member of the State Senate. Not only has he worked behind the scenes to prevent LGBT legislation from being considered by the State Senate, but he has also voted against every major piece of legislation that did eventually go before the full Senate. He voted against Hate Crimes legislation when it passed in 2000 and the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) when it passed in 2002. Maltese is a vocal and strident opponent of marriage equality for same-sex couples. He is the lead sponsor of the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) that would limit marriage to a man and a woman. In 2004, he spoke at an anti-marriage equality rally on the steps of the State Capitol where he specifically talked about our relationships in the same breath that he spoke about polygamy and incest.

As a State Senator, Joseph Addabbo has promised to meet regularly with his LGBT constituents, and to work to bring our community's legislative priorities to the forefront of the State Senate's agenda in order to bring about their swift passage.
SD 16 (Queens) - Toby Ann Stavisky (D-WFP), IncumbentSD 17 (Brooklyn) - Martin Malave Dilan (D), IncumbentSD 18 (Brooklyn) - Velmanette Montgomery (D-WFP), IncumbentSD 21 (Brooklyn) - Kevin Parker (D-WFP), IncumbentSD 23 (Brooklyn, Staten Island) - Diane Savino (D-WFP), Incumbent
SD 25 (Brooklyn, Manhattan) - Daniel Squadron (D-WFP), Open Seat
Daniel Squadron defeated thirty-year Democratic incumbent Martin Connor in the September 9 Primary Election. Connor was a consistent supporter of LGBT issues, and Daniel Squadron has indicated that he will be an even stronger champion of LGBT equality as a Senator. Squadron is a former top aide to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. In his Pride Agenda candidate questionnaire, Squadron indicated that he would co-sponsor the marriage equality bill and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. He also said that he would be an outspoken supporter of LGBT issues in his conference, and would help secure additional support on pieces of pro-LGBT legislation. Democrat Squadron is running against openly gay Republican John Chromczak. Chromczak, who did not complete a Pride Agenda candidate questionnaire, has been written up in the press as being in support of marriage equality. If elected, however, he would vote to maintain the current anti-LGBT Senate Majority in place, which refuses to bring the marriage bill to the floor for a vote.
For more information on Daniel Squadron, read our extended profile here.
SD 26 (Brooklyn) - Liz Krueger (D-WFP), IncumbentSD 28 (Bronx, Manhattan) - Jose Serrano (D-WFP), Incumbent
SD 29 (Manhattan) - Thomas Duane (D-WFP), Incumbent
Tom Duane is the incumbent for this seat, having served ten years in the New York State Senate. As the first and only openly gay Senator, he is a strong supporter and advocate for the LGBT community. He is also the prime sponsor in the Senate for the marriage equality bill, Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), and Dignity for All Students Act. Senator Duane is being challenged by Debra Leible (R), who did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

SD 31 (Manhattan, Bronx) - Eric Schneiderman (D-WFP), Incumbent Hudson Valley: SD 35 (Westchester) - Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-WFP), Incumbent
SD 37 (Westchester) - Suzi Oppenheimer (D-WFP), Incumbent
Suzi Oppenheimer is the incumbent for this seat, having served in the New York State Senate for more than twenty years. She is a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill and has indicated on her candidate questionnaire that she would also co-sponsor legislation that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. As a long-serving member of the State Senate, Oppenheimer has a long record of support for LGBT issues, including voting for the Hate Crimes bill when it passed in 2000 and the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) when it passed in 2002. Oppenheimer is being challenged by Larchmont Mayor Liz Feld (R-I-C), who did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
Upstate:
SD 43 (Rensselaer, Saratoga) - Mike Russo (D), Open Seat
Mike Russo is running for an open seat, left vacant by the retirement of former Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. Russo is the former district director for U.S. Congresswoman Kristen Gillibrand (NY-20). He indicated in his candidate questionnaire that he supports marriage equality and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. He is running against Roy McDonald (R-I-C), who is currently a member of the New York State Assembly. An Assemblymember since 2002, McDonald voted against the marriage bill when it passed in the Assembly in June 2007. McDonald did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
SD 46 (Albany) - Neil Breslin (D-WFP), Incumbent
SD 51 (Otsego, Schoharie, Cortland, Chenago, Tompkins, Herkimer) - Don Barber (D-WFP), Challenger
Don Barber is challenging 22-year incumbent James Seward (R-I-C). Barber is currently in his eleventh year of service as Caroline Town Supervisor. He indicated in his candidate questionnaire that he supports marriage equality and would co-sponsor bills that ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. His opponent, Seward, voted against the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) when it passed in 2002. He is also a co-sponsor of the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) that would limit marriage to a man and a woman. Seward did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.

SD 55 (Monroe) - David Nachbar (D-WFP), Challenger
David Nachbar is challenging twelve-year incumbent Senator Jim Alesi (R-I-C). In his previous position as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Bausch & Lomb, Nachbar helped the company achieve a perfect score from HRC's Corporate Equality Index by extending equal benefits to the domestic partners of employees. In his candidate questionnaire he indicated that he would co-sponsor the marriage equality bill and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth.

Nachbar's opponent Jim Alesi is against marriage equality legislation and has gone a step further in co-sponsoring the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) that would limit marriage to a man and a woman. Alesi has indicated that he is also opposed to banning discrimination against transgender New Yorkers, and although he has told constituents that he would consider supporting legislation that would make schools safe for LGBT youth, he has not taken any steps to move the bill forward. He voted against the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) when it passed in 2002. Alesi did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
For more information on David Nachbar, read our extended profile here.
SD 56 (Monroe) - Rick Dollinger (D-WFP), Challenger
Rick Dollinger is challenging six-year incumbent Joe Robach (R-I-C). Dollinger held this seat previously, from 1992-2002, but left to serve as Brighton Town Justice. While previously serving in the State Senate, Dollinger was a champion of LGBT equality, voting to pass the Hate Crimes bill in 2000 and the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) in 2002. He has also indicated in his candidate questionnaire that he will co-sponsor the marriage equality bill and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT Youth. He stated that he will not only be a "yes" vote on important pieces of pro-LGBT legislation, but will also be an outspoken advocate in his conference and will help secure additional support on the bills.

Joe Robach has consistently acted against the interests of LGBT New Yorkers. As a member of the New York State Assembly for eleven years, he voted against the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) ten years in a row. He frequently shows up at LGBT events in Rochester and tells his LGBT constituents that he supports their interests, but behaves in an opposite manner when he goes to Albany for the legislative session. He does not support marriage equality or a fully inclusive safe schools bill. Joe Robach took the extra step of informing the Pride Agenda that he would not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement "due to the narrow parameters of the questions."
For more information on Rick Dollinger, read our extended profile here.
SD 60 (Erie, Niagra) - Antoine Thompson (D-WFP), Incumbent
SD 61 (Genesee, Erie) - Joe Mesi (D-WFP), Open Seat
Joe Mesi is running for the open seat being vacated by fifteen-year State Senator Mary Lou Rath. Mesi, an undefeated professional heavyweight boxer and entrepreneur, has a longstanding commitment to his local community. On his Pride Agenda candidate questionnaire, he indicated his support for marriage equality and bills that would ban discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and make schools safe for LGBT youth. He stated that he will "fight for the values that are important to working families – including equal rights for LGBT working families." Mesi's leadership would make a big difference in the 61st Senate District by replacing Rath, a Republican who is publicly opposed to marriage equality for same-sex couples and who voted against the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) when it became law in 2002. Mesi's opponent is Michael Ranzenhofer (R-I-C), an Erie County Legislator who did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
Endorsements for Local Races

Endorsements of local race candidates are based upon the candidate questionnaire answers provided to us. Monroe County Clerk - Tom Hasman (D-WFP), Challenger
Tom Hasman is challenging current Monroe County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo (R-I-C). Hasman, a Senior Information Security Analyst for SRA International, supports marriage equality, banning discrimination against transgender New Yorkers, and making schools safe for LGBT youth. He stated in his questionnaire that he will "publicly support the LGBT community and advocate for LGBT issues." Having an ally in elected county-wide office in Monroe County would be an important advance for the LGBT community, given the County's longstanding opposition to LGBT issues. The County Legislature is controlled by an anti-LGBT Majority and the County Executive, Maggie Brooks, has refused to provide spousal benefits to county employee Pat Martinez, who was legally married in Canada to her partner, Lisa Golden. The ensuing court case, Martinez v. Monroe County, has made news nationally, and the appellate-level ruling in favor of Pat Martinez is currently the binding decision on all courts in the state. County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo did not submit a candidate questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement.
Mayor of Ossining - William Hanauer (D-I), Incumbent
William Hanauer is the incumbent for this seat, having served as Mayor of Ossining for two years. When he was elected in 2006, he became Westchester County's first openly gay mayor. As mayor, Hanauer has lobbied the state legislature to pass the marriage equality bill, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Dignity for All Students Act. Additionally, as a Village Trustee, he rejected a request from the Boy Scouts of America to use village property for a fundraiser because of their discrimination against LGBT people. Hanauer is running unopposed for his second term.
Ossining Trustee - Janis Castaldi (D-I), Open Seat
Janis Castaldi is running for an open seat for Village of Ossining Trustee. Castaldi, a career coach, is an open lesbian, and has a history of involvement with the LGBT community. Castaldi indicated support for marriage equality, banning discrimination against transgender New Yorkers, and making schools safe for LGBT youth., and wrote that she will "champion" LGBT issues and "work constantly to make our lives equal and fair."

About Assemblymembers Who Voted Correctly on Our Top Issues, but Did Not Seek Our Endorsement

Because the New York State Assembly took historic first-time votes on marriage for same-sex couples and protections against discrimination for transgender New Yorkers, we are listing for informational purposes those incumbent Assemblymembers who stood with our community on these two measures as well as safe schools legislation. These Assemblymembers, however, did not seek and therefore did not receive our endorsement.

We are providing this list so our supporters who live in thess districts can know if their Assemblymember has been a part of the historic progress our community has made on these issues in the Assembly. The names of these Assemblymembers are listed below.

Long Island:

AD 1 (Suffolk) - Marc Alessi (D-WFP-I)
AD 4 (Suffolk) - Steve Englebright (D-WFP-I)
AD 20 (Nassau) - Harvey Weisenberg (D-WFP-I)

New York City:

AD 23 (Queens) - Audrey Pheffer (D-WFP)
AD 24 (Queens) - Mark Weprin (D-WFP)
AD 25 (Queens) - Rory Lancman (D-WFP)
AD 26 (Queens) - Ann Margaret Carrozza (D-WFP)
AD 27 (Queens) - Nettie Mayersohn (D)
AD 28 (Queens) - Andrew Hevesi (D-WFP)
AD 31 (Queens) - Michele Titus (D-WFP)
AD 32 (Queens) - Vivian Cook (D-WFP)
AD 35 (Queens) - Jeffrion Aubry (D)
AD 36 (Queens) - Michael Gianaris (D-WFP)
AD 39 (Queens) - Jose Peralta (D-WFP)
AD 41 (Brooklyn) - Helene Weinstein (D-WFP)
AD 42 (Brooklyn) - Rhoda Jacobs (D)
AD 50 (Brooklyn) - Joseph Lentol (D)
AD 51 (Brooklyn) - Felix Ortiz (D-WFP)
AD 54 (Brooklyn) - Darryl Towns (D-WFP)
AD 55 (Brooklyn) - William Boyland Jr. (D-WFP)
AD 59 (Brooklyn) - Alan Maisel (D)
AD 68 (Manhattan) - Adam Clayton Powell IV (D)
AD 70 (Manhattan) - Keith Wright (D-WFP)
AD 71 (Manhattan) - Herman D. Farrell, Jr. (D)
AD 74 (Manhattan) - Brian Kavanagh (D-WFP)
AD 76 (Bronx) - Peter Rivera (D-WFP)
AD 78 (Bronx) - Jose Rivera (D)
AD 80 (Bronx) - Naomi Rivera (D)
AD 81 (Bronx) - Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-WFP)
AD 82 (Bronx) - Michael Benedetto (D-WFP)
AD 84 (Bronx) - Carmen Arroyo (D)

Hudson Valley:

AD 91 (Westchester) - George Latimer (D-WFP-I)
AD 98 (Orange, Sullivan) - Aileen Gunther (D-I-C)

Upstate:

AD 132 (Monroe) - Joseph Morelle (D-I)
AD 145 (Erie) - Mark Schroeder (D-WFP-I-C)
AD 150 (Chautauqua) - William Parment (D-I)

Information on Federal Races

The Pride Agenda does not make endorsements in federal races (i.e. President of the United State and races for the U.S. Congress) because it does not have a federal Political Action Committee (PAC) and is therefore not legally able to do so. The Pride Agenda has a state-based PAC which enables us to make endorsements of candidates running on the local level, for the state legislature and for statewide office.

To learn where the two major Presidential candidates stand on LGBT civil rights issues, go to HRC's online report card. To learn where the two major Presidential candidates and their Vice Presidential running mates stand on HIV/AIDS issues, go to GMHC's website.

More:http://www.prideagenda.org/CampaignsandElections/2008ElectionCenter/2008GeneralElectionVoterGuide/tabid/470/Default.aspx
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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Dems close to winning New York State Senate After 70 Years of GOP Dominance.

Tommy News — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:35:57 EDT

Dems close to winning New York State Senate After 70 Years of GOP Dominance.Please urge every New Yorker you know to vote for the Democrats in the State Senate races. Joe Bruno has left the Senate, and we only need two seats to win a Democratic majority and help Governor David Paterson enact his agenda of reform and equality. It is time to defeat and retire Caesar Trunzo, Owen Johnson, etc. Please pass this on. -TommyNew York Stae Senate Website:http://www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/Home?OpenFormG.O.P. Forced to Defend State Senate After 70 Years of Dominance

By NICHOLAS CONFESSOREPublished: November 1, 2008

ALBANY — They have sent microfilm clerks and security guards from their desks in the Capitol to the hustings of eastern Long Island and the Buffalo suburbs. They have brought in a dozen outside consultants, including a firm that produced the Swift Boat campaign against John Kerry, to cut advertisements and raise money. They have spent millions of dollars to fight for seats that were once safely Republican.

No effort is being spared by New York Republicans in the final days of this election season, which will determine whether they continue to control the State Senate, their only outpost of power in an increasingly Democratic state. Even veterans like Senator Caesar Trunzo — 82 years old and running against the son of a candidate he beat a quarter-century ago — are making eight appearances a day to shake hands and ask for votes.

"We just keep going along, doing what we have to do, and then hope for the best," Mr. Trunzo said recently as he rushed off to a campaign rally in Patchogue, on Long Island. "It's so important that we control the New York State Senate."

Republicans have held a majority in the Senate for all but one of the last 70 years, outlasting governors and presidents, Watergate and Jack Abramoff, seemingly immune to the ebb and flow of national politics. The Senate majority has helped Republicans garner millions of dollars for their campaigns and 10 times that in state aid for their mostly suburban or rural districts. It has been the party's storehouse of institutional knowledge, the career springboard for generations of politicians and operatives, and the lifeblood of some of Albany's most powerful lobbyists.

But now the Republican majority is down to a single seat, provoking the most intense, expensive and sweeping campaign in many years. Eight Republican seats are being seriously contested, double the number in most recent election years.

"It's different, because they're fighting for their survival," said Michael D. Dawidziak, a Republican consultant. "They haven't fought for survival in any of their lifetimes."

The potential loss of the Senate majority is usually mentioned only glancingly on the campaign trail, in veiled references to the need for "balanced government." But it is the urgent undercurrent to conversations in campaign offices, in the hallways of the Capitol and among local Republican activists.

"Our troops, the committeemen, the volunteers — they are very aware of the Albany piece, where they usually are not," said James P. Domagalski, the Republican chairman of Erie County. "They understand what would happen if we lose the Senate."

The long tenures of many Republican senators fighting for re-election — some came into office in 1972 during Richard Nixon's landslide re-election — is a testament to the Senate Republicans' endurance and agility. But facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, a party name damaged by an unpopular administration in Washington, and the chance that Senator Barack Obama's presidential bid will bring a surge of Democratic voters to the polls, the challenge has never seemed so great.

"This is a national tide," said Alfonse M. D'Amato, a lobbyist and a former United States senator, who has been a major fund-raiser and booster for State Senate Republicans. "Sometimes the tide comes in."

Mr. D'Amato said he was convinced that Senate Republicans would hold on this year despite the obstacles they faced. And publicly and privately, Republican senators and aides scoff at the suggestion that this will be the year the majority cracks.

"I'm confident we're going to be victorious, and I'm not thinking about 'what if,' " said Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., of Long Island. "Because we're not going to have deal with the 'what if.' "

On the campaign trail, Republicans have used their fund-raising advantage to expand the playing field, devoting hundreds of thousands of dollars to races in which Democrats have shown unexpected weakness, to offset possible Republican losses. On Friday, they sent Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a key ally, to campaign with Senator Serphin R. Maltese of Queens, who is the Democrats' top target.

In recent weeks, Republicans have aggressively have stoked fears that communities upstate and on Long Island would suffer from a Democratic takeover of the Senate, which would leave the governor's office and both legislative leadership posts in the hands of Democrats from the five boroughs. They are blunt about what is at stake.

"The biggest fear is that if we lose the majority, all funding goes to New York City," said Mr. Fuschillo.

After a devastating loss in February in an upstate special election, Republicans revamped their campaign committee, bringing on new senior staff members, several with experience on presidential campaigns. Since that race — where much of the television advertising was handled by a firm linked to a former party chairman — the committee has broadly expanded its roster of campaign and advertising consultants, bringing in highly regarded talent from the Beltway.

"We learned from the special that the TV in particular has to be top-notch. It can't be the same old same old. You can't use the same old political tactics," said Senator Thomas W. Libous, an upstate Republican and a leader of the party's campaign effort.

Facing an unprecedented number of races, Senate Republicans have devised a buddy system — as it is known internally — to send senators from safe districts to campaign for and advise incumbents in tight races. Party officials say they have also gotten safe incumbents to contribute more campaign money than in the past to their more vulnerable colleagues.

"They now say, 'Instead of trying to drive up my margins in my district, I should spend that time trying to help one of the weaker guys win his race,' " Mr. D'Amato said.

Republicans are also preparing to unveil the kind of technology more familiar from presidential campaigns with hundred-million-dollar budgets. In several key races on Tuesday — party officials would not say which — workers will use BlackBerrys to check off Republican voters as they arrive at polling places and send the lists to a central database, making the party's turnout operation far more efficient.

In some races, the G.O.P. has resorted to methods that are lower-tech but no less intensive. In Westchester County, where Republicans are hoping for an upset victory, the Republican candidate, Liz Feld, has been sending handwritten notes to voters to ask for their support.

The loss of the majority, Republicans say, would not only put their districts at a disadvantage in Albany. It could also cripple the party itself. The majority, after all, comes with roughly $85 million in earmark spending and hundreds of extra staff jobs in Albany and in district offices. In most areas of the state, Republican senators sit atop a well-established political food chain, providing patronage jobs, smoothing political disputes and running local party organizations.

Vincent F. Liguori, who is active with the Republican committee in Islip, on Long Island, said that having Mr. Trunzo as his senator was "like having my father looking out for me."

"It's like they say: To the victor belong the spoils," he added. "There's going to be a lot of people looking for work if he loses."

More:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/nyregion/02senate.html?pagewanted=2

Help Barack Obama on Halloween: Trick or Vote for Change!

Tommy News — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:34:04 EDT

Help Barack Obama on Halloween: Trick or Vote for Change!Please Pass This Message On! Go door to door on Halloween and get out the Vote! Download and Print out some fliers or the attached pictures, Bring some treats to hand out, and go door to door with a group. http://www.barackobama.com/downloads/Get creative.Carve a Barack O' Lantern and put it in your window, on your lawn, or by your door: with a Rally sign.http://yeswecarve.com/Have two candy bowls ready - one Red one filled with DumDums and one Blue one filled with Smarties!You could also participate in a non-partesan get out the vote effort and ask people if they are voting Tuesday and give them this addresswww.rockthevote,org for voting information and poling places, along with the phone number for your local Board of Elections for voting infomation.Barack Obama Trick Or Vote: http://yeswecarve.com/ http://www.barackobama.com/downloads/Non Partesan Trick Or Vote:http://www.trickorvote.org/

http://www.trickorvote.org/Trick or Vote! Obama-Biden Halloween Edition
Right around the corner: the High Holy Days of Halloween, up there with Chinese New Year and Thanksgiving in importance in our household. Agonizing over and careful selection of a costume starts in July and is a multi-month and fickle process, Chez Cynematic. (The five year old will be Yoda.)
You getting excited too? First of all, you need to get your pumpkin and carve a big Obama logo on it. Patterns and instructions here, at YesWeCarve. (Do yourself a favor, you MUST look at the awesome pics.)
Then, you need to figure out your costume. Paper Obama masks available here. People who want to be (or exorcise through playacting) scary-ass race-baiting, soul-sucking, brain-eating zombies can find McCain masks here.
I won't even Go There on the Palin thing. Too. Effing. Frightening.

Next, get youth voters & Parentocrats out with their kiddies fired up to vote with a Trick or Vote canvass. Looks like it can work a couple different ways: you organize and hit the street giving out vote-happy treats, or (maybe more workable for the Parentocrats on candy-dispensing duty?) you stay at home and let the voters come to you for those vote-happy treats.

Things you can hand out along with candy: pamphlets that have poll location-finding information. Stars and stripes pumpkins with election day information. Halloween-themed door-hanger reminders for those too grumpy to answer the door or out partying. For more about this nonpartisan, fun way to ask registered voters to vote, visit the Trick or Vote Wiki.
Watch the video here:http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2008/10/trick-or-vote-o.htmlIf you want a really frightening costume, dress as a John McCain Mummy or McFrankenstein or a Sarah Palin Vampiress or Witch! Be creative! Fight Back Against This:
Republicans plan special goody for trick-or-treatersOctober 29, 2008

Parents, check the kids' candy extra carefully this Halloween. Some Broward Republicans plan to drop a little something extra into the bags: a piece of political propaganda.

Each is about 3 by 4 inches on heavy paper, the brainchild of Sharon Day, Broward's state Republican committeewoman. When parents go through the kids' candy, they'll find messages telling them, "Don't Make Everyday Halloween in America! Keep Barack Obama from using your hard earned dollars as his own personal 'Trick or Treat' bag!"

More:http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbsharonday1129sboct29,0,2527510.storyGo Here to Sign Up:http://www.trickorvote.org/

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Sarah Palin palled around with convicted Alaska felon Senator Ted Stevens, her mentor!

Tommy News — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:08:53 EDT

Sarah Palin palled around with convicted Alaska felon Senator Ted Stevens, her mentor!

If the media digs into Obama, then they better dig into Palin and McCain too. You say Ayers, I say G. Gordon Liddy. You say Wright. I say Hagee. You say political corruption in Chicago, I say Keating Five. You say 'elitist', I say McCain's a failure, and has been all his natural born life.

McCain: Veteran, yes. Tortured veteran, yes. But, why was he tortured? Because they caught him. 894th out of 899 in his class. Crashed 5 planes. Caught behind enemy lines. Navy cover-ups, saving his political future. Keating Five. Gordon Liddy. Absolute, complete, fundamental flip-flop on his ideology for this campaign. Commited adultery and abandoned his wife and children for a wealthy Busch heiress. Lied and Lied and Lied.

- Hide quoted text -

Please Pass this message on and help expose the Republican party of corruption before the election!

- Hide quoted text -The Sarah and Ted Show

10/28/08, 1:40 am EST

This Ted Stevens fiasco is baggage of the McCain camp's own choosing. Before they added Sarah Palin to the ticket, Alaska was anything but Main Street America. Under the old rules, Steven's corruption scandal could well have blown over as a parochial scandal of the great, oily North.

But since picking Palin, McCain & Co. have staked out Alaska as the living, beating heart of American authenticity. And so, today, Ted Steven's felonious betrayal of the public trust is going to allow Democrats to campaign like it's 2006 — against the Republican "culture of corruption" that proved so electorally toxic to the GOP two years ago.

Let's remember that the McCain camp knew in late July that Stevens was under indictment and demanding a speedy trial that would put Alaska's frontier ethics front-and-center in the days before the election.

And yet, thanks to a vetting free Veepstakes, in August the campaign chose Palin, who not only owes her governorship to Stevens' throaty endorsement, but as recently as 2005 served as the director of "Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service" 527 group.

As usual, the intrepid Anchorage Daily News offers the go-to coverage of the Stevens/Palin entanglements. This adn.com video offers a glimpse of their buddy-buddy relationship:

Watch the video here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2008/10/28/ted-stevens-palin-mentor/

At minute 1:13 you can see the last-minute 2006 campaign commercial in which Stevens passes the baton to Palin's "new generation" of leadership, asking his fellow Alaskans to "help Sarah become governor, which we all want to see."

Half way through, we see Palin and Stevens joshing around together at a press conference from this past July — post the FBI raid of Stevens' home, but just prior to his indictment. Stevens chummily calls it "The Sarah and Ted Show."

Minute 3:39

Minute 4:12

So here's my question: If Sarah Palin was such an all-American maverick, what was she doing palling around with a suspected felon like Ted Stevens?

More:http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2008/10/28/ted-stevens-palin-mentor/

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Graham Long for US Congress; Help Defeat GOP Bushco incumbant Pete King on Long Island, NY 3rd Congressional District

Tommy News — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:24:41 EDT

Graham Long for US Congress; Help Defeat GOP Bushco incumbant Pete King on Long Island, NY 3rd Congressional District

Graham Long for US Congress; Help Defeat GOP Bushco incumbent Pete King on Long Island, NY 3rd Congressional District. The barbell shaped, heavily Republican 3rd Congressional district stretches from Long Beach in Nassau County to East Islip, New York in Suffolk.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York's_3rd_congressional_districtPlease pass this on to everyone you know on Long Island, New York. http://grahamlong2008.com/About Graham

Graham Long spends every day at work seeking solutions to Long Island's challenges. As an economic development advisor, working with Nassau County, he helps to shape a better future for Long Island.

This is his first run for public office.

Born and raised on the island, he is concerned, along with so many others, that he will not be able to afford to stay in his hometown.

With a background in suburban planning, historic preservation, & government, his goal is to restore the unique character of the island that has always been the frontier of America's future.

Graham is a regional planning specialist, and has worked with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi on his initiatives to reduce our tax burden, create senior and next-generation affordable housing in our downtowns, strengthen our economy, and preserve our environment and the history and character of Long Island.

He has extensive background in both planning and government, starting out as an intern with The White House, working for the director of the President's National Economic Council in 2002.

While in Washington DC, Graham acted as Advisory Commissioner for the District of Columbia, focusing on regional planning, controlling development, and transportation infrastructure.

Since then he worked as an operations manager for the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City. After the current administration in Washington proved to be drifting away from the challenges our nation faces, Graham returned to Long Island and became active in local government issues.

He holds a B.A. in American Studies, concentrating in economic development and regional planning, from The George Washington University.

His family hails from Franklin Square, and Graham is a graduate of Locust Valley Central School District. He continues to reside in his hometown.

Visit and Bookmark Graham's website here:

http://grahamlong2008.com/

Graham Long By Carla Santella

Graham Long is challenging Congressman Peter T. King for his long-held seat in the 3rd Congressional District.

Graham Long

While Mr. Long has never held elected office, he is no neophyte to the governmental arena, beginning with his work as an intern with the White House, working for the director of the President's National Economic Council in 2002 and acting as advisory commissioner for the District of Columbia, focusing on regional planning, development and transportation infrastructure. Mr. Long stated that "After the current administration in Washington proved to be drifting away from the challenges our nation faces, I returned to Long Island and became active in local government."

He currently works as an economic development advisor and regional planning specialist for Nassau County, working "to restore the unique character of the Island that has always been the frontier of America's future." His initiatives have served to help reduce the tax burden, create senior and next-generation affordable housing in downtowns, strengthen the economy, and preserve the environment, history and character of Long Island. These county issues, said Mr. Long, also apply to more local governments.

Concern for Long Island's economic base has led Mr. Long to the realization that "We need to bring in high-tech research and development industries and to steer our economy in a new direction that is centered on 'green' industries, building a renewable energy network, and rebuilding and reworking our crumbling infrastructure." Long Island has the educated workforce to do that, Mr. Long added, but the economy must provide that workforce the affordability to live here. Affordable rental and condominium units in the downtowns, which are often near public transportation, will serve to encourage seniors and young adults to remain on Long Island and will promote greater use of trains and buses, thus reducing traffic, as well as gasoline usage, he said.

Mr. Long believes property taxes can be reduced not only through increased federal and state aid for our schools, but also through restructuring and consolidating local government to make the system more efficient.

Mr. Long said he is running as the candidate of change, and that Rep. King is "the candidate for the status quo." The fact that he has never run for, nor held, political office serves to his advantage, Mr. Long believes, because, "I'm not beholden to any special interests. We can no longer trust the politicians in Washington to fix the problems they helped create in the first place."

If elected, Mr. Long said he vows to help Long Island preserve the legacy, neighborhoods, landmarks and environmental resources "that make our Island unique and attractive" while continuing "to grow responsibly and bring more development into our downtowns, encourage clean energy industries to come to Long Island, and rebuild and enhance our [public and private] transportation network."

In regard to international affairs, Mr. Long said, "We must encourage the next president to re-deploy our combat forces in Iraq, give our troops the benefits and breaks they deserve, and increase our troop levels in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda is regrouping." The U.S. should reduce combat forces in Iraq, he said, while continuing to work as peacekeepers, which could provide our nation with greater international support. Mr. Long said he will also seek to reverse the current trend in Washington to export our economic base, which he said, has "left us with an unstable economy and a government based on borrowing."

Mr. Long stated, ""I am thrilled and honored to have the support of Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Diane Yatauro and former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger."

At press time, Mr. Long has also received the endorsement of the Nassau Women's Democratic Caucus and the Alliance for Retired Americans.

Mr. Long is running on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines. He holds a BA in American studies, concentrating in economic development and regional planning, from George Washington University. He resides in his home city of Glen Cove.

More:http://www.antonnews.com/glencoverecordpilot/2008/10/24/news/election.html

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Vote No on Hate! Help Defeat California Proposition 8; Florida Amendment 2; Arizona Proposition 102

Tommy News — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:22:26 EDT

Arizona voted NO in 2006

Now we have to vote NO again in 2008.

Help us make it loud and clear —
VOTE NO on Proposition 102 on November 4th

The state has more important issues to address.

The following information will be included in the November ballot materials.

Ballot Title and Summary

Proposition 8:

ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

On August 8, 2008 Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley ruled that the Attorney General's Title and Summary of Proposition 8 is accurate.

Ballot Argument

Why Vote No on Prop 8?

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, we should guarantee the same fundamental rights to every Californian. Vote No on 8.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, it's wrong to eliminate the fundamental rights of fellow Californians – and hurt our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. THAT'S WRONG.

Proponents of Prop 8 continue to lie in their television ads.

Here's what's fiction and what's fact:

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8

http://noonprop8.com/campaign_updates?id=0001

Donate

Click Herre:http://www.noonprop8.com/page/?id=0052

Sign up to receive more information on Prop 8

http://eqfed.org/equalityforall/join.tcl

TAKE ACTION:Get Voters out to the Polls and ROCK THE VOTE!

Tommy News — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:18:19 EDT

It turns out there are still a lot of people in Washington and our state capitals who are working to discourage Americans from voting.

And if it sounds sickeningly familiar, you are right. These are the same anti-American tactics that kept people from voting in the South during the Civil Rights movement. And it has to stop.

A Good New Morning, A Good New President; "On The Pulse of The Morning"

Tommy News — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:38:20 EDT

A Good New Morning, A Good New President; "On The Pulse of The Morning"Good MorningOn November 4th, we will participate in one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. We have less than two weeks to to go. At this late stage of the campaign, the tone of the campaign historically gets sharp and nasty. The opposing sides pull out the heavy artillery. That is the nature of Politics. We see that happening now with the desperate attacks and negative rhetoric of John McCain and Sarah Palin. McCain has pulled off the gloves and is showing why he was nicknamed McNasty, and Sarah Palin has bared her petulant pitbull fangs and her "jungle red" lipstick and claws and gone on the attack. The Bush-Rove fear tactics and the false insidious smears against Barack Obama have become more virulent, vicious, and even more rampant than we have seen before. One of our political group members mentioned Barack Obama's graduate thesis in a posting. I, for one, would be interested in reading that thesis, as I want to learn more about our likely next president including his Academic opinions. I want to compare, contrast, and point out that both Obama and Joe Biden have law degrees with honors, while John McCain graduated near the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy. Sarah Palin attended at least five different colleges before she finally earned her Bachelor's degree in Journalism, reportedly with a low C average. She was not admitted to Graduate School. The disparity of the opposing tickets in Academic achievement and intellect is clear. Hockey Moms do not World Leaders make. John McCain has shown his appallingly poor judgement in choosing her as his running mate and possible successor. Our thoughts are with Barack Obama and his family today as he travels to Hawaii to visit his ailing Grandmother who helped raise him. May his time with her and with his family be positive, productive, and relished. As you may know, I am working hard to help get Barack Obama elected and to help end the illegal and unwanted occupation of Iraq, and my own personal strategy to those ends includes smearing the McCain-Palin ticket by exposing the truth of their documented lies, falures, shortcomings, and corruption. The criminal and illegal McBush wars, bank deregulation, the Economic crisis, the Keating Five, Adultery, Abandonment, Troopergate, Travelgate, and now Palin's Wardrobegate are all tools that we can and should use to help undecided voters make up their minds, and frankly sway them to vote for Obama-Biden. John McCain and Sarah Palin are out of touch and are simply not qualified to hold the offices they seek. Wo not need four more years of the failed Bush policies they advocate.We must fight back against the McCain-Palin Lipstick Smears against Barack Obama and expose them as false in order to win this election. Please talk to people and tell them you are voting for Barack Obama and why you are certain he is the better choice. Compare McCain to Bush. Tell people that the smears they have heard about Barack Obama are not true. I caution you to be civil, and not flame or insult other voters even when you disagree with them. Let's recall evoke,and renew the Clinton Administration's message of hope from the 1992 campaign. Flame the candidates, and the failed Bush Administration, but not each other. Please keep up the good work, fight the good fight. Hope for change. Hope for peace. The debates are over, and our mission now is to get the voters out in large numbers, help undecided voters make the right choice, and to help prevent voter fraud and suppression. Please join me in this effort. Let's get to work and Rock The Vote together. www.rockthevote.org A Good, Good New Morning and Have a Great New Day. -Tommy I invite you to join my active news and discussion group here:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4UnitedWeStand/ On The Pulse Of Morning
by Maya Angelou
Delivered January 19, 1993
at the Inauguration of President Clinton
(audio)

A Rock, A River, A Tree
Hosts to species long since departed,
Mark the mastodon.
The dinosaur, who left dry tokens
Of their sojourn here
On our planet floor,
Any broad alarm of their of their hastening doom
Is lost in the gloom of dust and ages.
But today, the Rock cries out to us, clearly, forcefully,
Come, you may stand upon my
Back and face your distant destiny,
But seek no haven in my shadow.
I will give you no hiding place down here.
You, created only a little lower than
The angels, have crouched too long in
The bruising darkness,
Have lain too long
Face down in ignorance.
Your mouths spelling words
Armed for slaughter.
The rock cries out today, you may stand on me,
But do not hide your face.
Across the wall of the world,
A river sings a beautiful song,
Come rest here by my side.
Each of you a bordered country,
Delicate and strangely made proud,
Yet thrusting perpetually under siege.
Your armed struggles for profit
Have left collars of waste upon
My shore, currents of debris upon my breast.
Yet, today I call you to my riverside,
If you will study war no more.
Come, clad in peace and I will sing the songs
The Creator gave to me when I
And the tree and stone were one.
Before cynicism was a bloody sear across your brow
And when you yet knew you still knew nothing.
The river sings and sings on.
There is a true yearning to respond to
The singing river and the wise rock.
So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew,
The African and Native American, the Sioux,
The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek,
The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheikh,
The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher,
The privileged, the homeless, the teacher.
They hear. They all hear
The speaking of the tree.
Today, the first and last of every tree
Speaks to humankind. Come to me, here beside the river.
Plant yourself beside me, here beside the river.
Each of you, descendant of some passed on
Traveler, has been paid for.
You, who gave me my first name,
You Pawnee, Apache and Seneca,
You Cherokee Nation, who rested with me,
Then forced on bloody feet,
Left me to the employment of other seekers--
Desperate for gain, starving for gold.
You, the Turk, the Swede, the German, the Scot...
You the Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru,
Bought, sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare
Praying for a dream.
Here, root yourselves beside me.
I am the tree planted by the river,
Which will not be moved.
I, the rock, I the river, I the tree
I am yours--your passages have been paid.
Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need
For this bright morning dawning for you.
History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, and if faced with courage,
Need not be lived again.
Lift up your eyes upon
The day breaking for you.
Give birth again
To the dream.
Women, children, men,
Take it into the palms of your hands.
Mold it into the shape of your most
Private need. Sculpt it into
The image of your most public self.
Lift up your hearts.
Each new hour holds new chances
For new beginnings.
Do not be wedded forever
To fear, yoked eternally
To brutishness.
The horizon leans forward,
Offering you space to place new steps of change.
Here, on the pulse of this fine day
You may have the courage
To look up and out upon me,
The rock, the river, the tree, your country.
No less to Midas than the mendicant.
No less to you now than the mastodon then.
Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes,
Into your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.

Congress: Why a Democratic Majority? DCCC Explains

Tommy News — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:47:50 EDT

Congress: Why a Democratic Majority? DCCC Explains

DCCC - Democratic Congressional Campaign CommitteeGet Involved – Sign up today to be a part of the DCC.http://dccc.org/content/main/Why a Democratic Majority?America Needs a New Direction

With a stronger Democratic Majority in Congress alongside a Democratic President, we will focus the agenda on the priorities that families care about most, like fighting for health care, working to lower gas prices, making education for our children affordable and a plan for success in Iraq and the broader war on terror. America needs a new direction. House Democrats will lead the way with our Democratic Majority.

With a Democratic Majority...

• With Democrats in charge, we will help lower gas prices and achieve energy independence, crack down on price gouging; eliminate billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop American alternatives, including biofuels; promote energy efficient technology.

• With Democrats in charge, we will fight to help working families by raising the minimum wage; and repealing tax giveaways that encourage companies to move jobs overseas.

• With Democrats in charge, we will cut college costs, make college tuition deductible from taxes; expand Pell grants and cut student loan costs.

• With Democrats in charge, we will ensure a dignified retirement for our seniors by preventing the privatization of Social Security; but instead expanding savings incentives and ensuring pension fairness.

• With Democrats in charge, we will extend health coverage to millions of uninsured Americans nationwide and fight for affordable prescription drugs, not multi-billion dollar giveaways to pharmaceutical companies and HMOs.

• With Democrats in charge, we will get our fiscal house in order. Under the Bush administration, we have gone from record surplusses to record deficits and it is time for fiscal priorities that don't include mortgaging our nation's financial future on the backs of future generations.

• With Democrats in charge, we will make stem cell research a priority so that we can give a fighting chance to millions of Americans looking for hope. We will overcome President Bush's stifling limitations on progress and push for necessary cures.

• With Democrats in charge, we will finally enact the necessary reforms of the 9/11 Commission. The findings of the commission are vital to securing our ports, limiting the flow dangerous materials at home and abroad and winning the broader war on terror.

• With Democrats in charge, we will stop selling our natural resources to the highest special interest bidder and work to reverse the dangerous effects of global warming. We will promote alternative energy so that our future is in our own hands and so we can continue to lead the world in innovation and preservation.

More:http://www.dccc.org/pages/why_a_democratic_majority
2008 Races Center2008 Political StrategyOur ChallengeHistorically, following a wave election like 2006, the majority party loses seats:

· In 1984, Republicans picked up 14 seats following an election when they lost 26.
· In 1996, Democrats picked up 9 seats after losing 52.
· In 2008, Democrats are trying to re-write the history books.

Our OpportunityOn the other side, there is a mass exodus of Republicans at a historic pace:

· 30 Republicans have decided to leave the House, the most in at least 78 years.
· Many of the seats are in competitive districts where the DCCC has recruited strong candidates.
· It is clear, Republicans are scrambling and demoralized.

Today, given the favorable political environment, the strength of our Frontliners, our strong candidate recruitment and voter enthusiasm for our message, the big story is that instead of just consolidating our gains, we remain on the offense. We are increasingly hopeful that we can not only hold our gains from last cycle, but grow them. There are now 75 seats in play this cycle -– more than twice the number of seats from last year.

By continuing to address our challenges and staying focused on our agenda of change, we can make history this year and create lasting change for America.More:http://www.dccc.org/page/content/races

Click on your state to see the latest DCCC TV Ads and Updates in your area.

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Help Fight Voter Suppression from Home and also use paper ballots if available

Tommy News — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:35:07 EDT

Help Fight Voter Suppression from Home and also use paper ballots if available Pass this on! -Tommy

From: Lee

FYI

Help Fight Voter Suppression from Home with the

Election Protection Wiki!

Volunteers at the Center for Media and Democracy's Election Protection Wiki have collected unbelievable reports of voter suppression nationwide in the nine days since it went online. Among the reports on the EPWiki:

In Colorado and New Mexico there are not enough voting booths or machines for Election Day.
Students in Virginia are receiving probing questionnaires from voting officials falsely implying they don't have the right to vote there.
In Ohio alone, more than 600,000 newly-registered voters are threatened with purging.
There are reports of sometimes-illegal mass voter roll purges in Michigan, New Mexico, Florida, Georgia, Colorado and other states. Several states are even purging voter rolls of people who are "Bob" on driver's licenses and "Robert" on voter registration forms.
Officials in Indiana are avoiding setting up polling places in areas of the state heavily populated by minorities.
The Republican Party in Michigan planned to challenge the registrations of every voter whose home had been foreclosed on recently.
ACORN, which has been held out as a bogeyman for voter fraud (though only 26 TOTAL cases of voter fraud were prosecuted nationwide from 2002 - 2005), has bad registration rates below the California Republican Party's and a lawsuit alleging fraud in 2004 was dismissed by a judge for lack of merit?
And, of course, there are ongoing worries across the country about electronic voting machines.

The Election Protection Wiki (at EPWiki.org) is the only website trying to document and centralize these reports, which were found scattered across the Web by volunteers. We are trying to get everything ready so activists, advocates and the media have a central place to go on Election Day for immediate information about these issues.We need your help to collect more reports. No experience is necessary and CMD staffers are here to help with ready-to-go simple tasks and any support you need. Please join us in protecting the right to vote - go to EPWiki.org and click on "things you can do" to begin.

~~~~

BEV HARRIS has just released a fantastic 'how to' YOUTUBE video explaining exactly how citizens can monitor and verify their local elections. For all of us who are asked by family and friends, "What can one citizen do...?" this video is a great tool to forward along to better inform/ empower them: "VIDEO THE COUNT: What to do on Election Night?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3_xFb1sWKU

YouTube Asks Voters to Record Poll Problems

By CHRIS ALBRECHT

What better way to cap off an election season in which online video has played a major role than by videotaping your trip to vote? YouTube and PBS are partnering to create Video Your Vote, a new project that asks you to document and share your voting experiences, including any problems encountered at the polls.
From now through election day, "registered United States voters" can upload video chronicling their electoral activities to the Video Your Vote YouTube Channel. Select videos will appear on TV as part of The News Hour with Jim Lehrer's election day broadcast, as well as other PBS coverage.

YouTube has been a participant in this election through programs like the YouTube debates, but now it's courting controversy. The video site is inserting itself into the voter fraud/disenfranchis ement debate by anticipating voting problems and explicitly asking users to document any troubles they encounter. From a YouTube Blog post:
"We're looking for perspectives from polling places across the country that chronicle the excitement and energy at the polls, as well as any problems that may arise - like long lines or broken voting machines - that could prevent citizens from exercising their right to vote."

YouTube even wants users to tag their videos of any issues with "pollproblem" so they can be discovered sooner.
Polling problems have become a staple of American politics in recent elections (hanging chads, anyone?), and the issue of voter fraud has become a hot-button topic in this election with new allegations rising in battleground states.
YouTube has always been a place for would-be citizen journalists to capture and share controversial news, but the video sharing site's role is generally that of a passive host, and viewers would have to find the news on their own. Now it's putting such news front and center, proactively making it easier for you to find. Instead of just being a repository, YouTube, dare we say it, might actually be trying to make a difference.

http://www.youtube.com/videoyourvote

Volunteer to Protect Voting Rights on Election Day

Volunteer to Protect Voting Rights on Election Day through the Election Protection Mobile Legal Volunteer Program in Dallas The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law ("Lawyers' Committee") and its coalition partners seek volunteer Dallas attorneys, paralegals and law students to assist in Election Protection on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Election Protection is the country's largest non-partisan voter protection program and is supported by a national coalition that works throughout the year to break down barriers to the ballot box for traditionally disenfranchised voters.

To that end, the Lawyers' Committee and its partners are seeking volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students in the Dallas area to serve as Mobile Legal Volunteers ("MLVs"). MLVs work in teams of two, monitoring zones of 4-10 polling places, responding to incidents reported through the hotline and assisting voters at the polling place. Potential problems include dissemination of misinformation by poll workers, problems associated with voting machines (including new electronic ones) and potential intimidation of voters.
To volunteer, please sign-up directly here.

Volunteers must attend a 1 ½ hour in-person training session and are asked to sign up for a 4-5 hour shift. Materials will be provided. Volunteers will receive an e-mail with a link to sign up for specific trainings and shifts. For more information, please visit the Election Protection website.

Election Protection is a non-partisan effort and is not affiliated in any way with any candidate or political party.

http://www.nationalcampaignforfairelections.org/page/s/vol08ep

HRH Lee Mentley "Its one thing for children to be afraid of the dark, its another for adults to be afraid of the light"From Tommy:

Early Voting Advice: We must work to avoid a repeat of the voting problems that occurred in 2000 and 2004. Voting machines have been reported to switch Votes from Obama to McCain in West Virginia as reported in the below article. You may want to Vote by Paper Ballot if possible in your state. Be especially cautious of Republican made Die-Bold voting machines and ask for a paper receipt to check your votes if one is available. Report any problems or discrepancies you observe. Early voting began in several more states this week including Florida, Nevada, Texas, and other States. It might be a good idea to vote with a paper ballot if one is available in your Election District. Ask your local Board of Elections. We must work to avoid voting fraud and voter suppression, and get the voters out in large numbers. Call or Contact your local Board of Elections or go here: www.rockthevote.org Please pass this important message on. -Tommy The Early Voting Information Center at Reed College provides up-to-date tables of summary and detailed outlines of each state's laws, as well as links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_voting No-excuse early voting in U.S. states.See also: Absentee ballot See also: Postal voting
Early voting is similar to "no-excuse" absentee voting. In many U.S. states the period varies between four and fifty days prior to Election Day. Early voting in person is allowed with no excuse required in 31 U.S. states, with an excuse in 3, and not at all in 16. Absentee voting by mail is allowed in 28 states, with an excuse in 22. No-excuse permanent absentee voting is allowed in 4 states. The District of Columbia requires an excuse for both early voting and absentee voting.[1]
Early Voting: Machines Switch Votes from Obama to McCain

In two West Virginia counties, early voters have complained that voting machines have switched their choice from Barack Obama to John McCain, and from other Democratic candidates to other Republican candidates.

In both counties, Putnam and Jackson, the elections are overseen by registered Republicans.

The Republicans overseeing the malfunctioning machines insist the problems are isolated and blame voters for not being more careful.

"I pushed buttons and they all came up Republican," said Shelba Ketchum. "I hit Obama and it switched to McCain. I am really concerned about that. If McCain wins, there was something wrong with the machines."

More:http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=74139

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Early Voting Advice: Machines Switch Votes from Obama to McCain. Vote by Paper Ballot if possible.

Tommy News — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:00:37 EDT

Early Voting Advice: We must work to avoid a repeat of the voting problems that occurred in 2000 and 2004. Voting machines have been reported to switch Votes from Obama to McCain in West Virginia as reported in the below article. You may want to Vote by Paper Ballot if possible in your state. Be especially cautious of Republican made Die-Bold voting machines and ask for a paper receipt to check your votes if one is available. Report any problems or discrepancies you observe. Early voting began in several more states this week including Florida, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, and other States. It might be a good idea to vote with a paper ballot if one is available in your Election District. Ask your local Board of Elections. We must work to avoid voting fraud and voter suppression, and get the voters out in large numbers. Call or Contact your local Board of Elections or go here: www.rockthevote.org Please pass this important message on. -Tommy The Early Voting Information Center at Reed College provides up-to-date tables of summary and detailed outlines of each state's laws, as well as links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_voting No-excuse early voting in U.S. states.See also: Absentee ballot See also: Postal voting
Early voting is similar to "no-excuse" absentee voting. In many U.S. states the period varies between four and fifty days prior to Election Day. Early voting in person is allowed with no excuse required in 31 U.S. states, with an excuse in 3, and not at all in 16. Absentee voting by mail is allowed in 28 states, with an excuse in 22. No-excuse permanent absentee voting is allowed in 4 states. The District of Columbia requires an excuse for both early voting and absentee voting.[1]
Early Voting: Machines Switch Votes from Obama to McCain

More:http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=74139

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Please cancel your subscription to the Tampa Tribune and others that endorse McCain-Palin-Bush

Tommy News — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:11:28 EDT

Please cancel your subscription to the Tampa Tribune and others that endorse McCain-Palin-BushSubscribers should do this with any publication that endorses McCain-Palin-Bush. Also call and write the editors of those publications and explain why you object to their endorsements. Non-subscribers should also call and write the editors. McCain-Palin-Bush is the wrong choice. Make that clear to those who do not see clearly. -Tommy

From: Russell Please cancel your subscription to the Tampa Tribune
I just cancelled my subscription to the Tampa Tribune. The reason - the paper endorsed John McCain for president. While it isn't always possible, I try not to knowingly support financially any business that openly supports John McCain for president. I ask you to do the same.
Tampa Tribune phone numbers: Toll Free 800-282-5588Billing 813-874-2863Home Delivery 813-874-2863
Take care,
Russell

__._,_.___ We've started taking the country back. Let's finish the job by taking the White House in '08! The primary season is over and Barack Obama will be our nominee - let's work to get him and other progressive Democrats elected. Keep your eyes on the prize: NO Republicans in '08!

See the latest candidate videos at http://youtube.com/youchoose

Read:
http://www.buzzflash.com
http://www.bartcop.com
http://www.commondreams.org
Every day!

Listen to Air America - on the radio and online at http://www.airamericaradio.com!

Your humble moderator's webpage:
http://www.geocities.com/scfifreak

Your self-effacing moderator's blog:
http://journals.aol.com/proudliberal7/infrequent-rants/

If you'd prefer to receive the day's posts as one large email, please send a blank email to:
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A simple choice: The nation needs Barack Obama in the White House

Tommy News — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:50:22 EDT

A simple choice: The nation needs Barack Obama in the White House

Lets work extra hard to get the vote out and get it done! Rock the Vote!!! www.mybarackobama.com -TommyA simple choice: The nation needs Barack Obama in the White HouseBy The Tribune Editorial BoardArticle Last Updated: 10/19/2008 09:07:57 AM MDT

The next U.S. president will lead a nation that remains embroiled in two wars and is beset by an economic meltdown more severe than any since the Great Depression.
    By necessity, the country's next commander in chief must also be its mender in chief, capable of inspiring his angry and divided constituents to join together in a recovery project to restore the peace, prosperity and self-confidence we once knew.
    We fear that a lesser effort may be insufficient to reverse America's slide toward economic, political and societal chaos. The times require dramatic and comprehensive change.
    The presidential candidates know it, and have made it their mantra.
    Most Americans know it, and, in growing numbers, are demanding it.
    The countries that have long depended upon the United States for enlightened global leadership long for it.
    For the sake of all, and for those who follow us, we must have it.
    The editorial board of The Salt Lake Tribune believes that Barack Obama can deliver it.
    Over the 22 months since announcing his improbable candidacy, Obama has transcended his image as a mere political and racial phenomenon. Though blessed with uncommon skills as a writer and orator, he was mistakenly thought to possess too little political experience, too little backbone and too little evidence of the tangible, and intangible, qualities we ascribe to the best of our leaders. Democrats and Republicans alike thought Hillary Clinton would make short work of him.
    Admittedly, we thought so, too, and endorsed Clinton, not Obama, for the party's nomination.
    Yet, Obama mounted an extraordinary grass-roots campaign, raised gobs of cash, and showed great fortitude and equanimity in the face of the Clinton juggernaut. He endured, and once the nomination was his, he set about uniting his divided party with an impressive display of magnanimity and diplomacy.
    John McCain, meanwhile, crushed Mitt Romney to gain his party's nomination, but then blundered badly by not bringing the business-savvy Romney onto the ticket. Romney would have shored up McCain's poor grasp of economic policy.
    Then, out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain's bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency.
    Still, we have compelling reasons for endorsing Obama on his merits alone. Under the most intense scrutiny and attacks from both parties, Obama has shown the temperament, judgment, intellect and political acumen that are essential in a president that would lead the United States out of the crises created by President Bush, a complicit Congress and our own apathy.
    The candidates' positions on issues are, in most cases, distinctly different, and no more so than in health care reform. McCain would make a bad system worse by deregulating an insurance industry that is the root of the problem.
    He would give every family a $5,000 refundable tax credit for purchasing the insurance of their choice, but would tax employer-provided health benefits. Obama's plan would require large employers to offer insurance, or contribute a percentage of payroll to offset the cost of taxpayer subsidies. People could buy into a private or a government-run plan, and the premiums would be subsidized by tax credits based on income.
    On tax policy, Obama would sensibly increase taxes for individuals making more than $250,000 a year, while cutting taxes for everyone else. He also would send money to the states for public works improvements that would generate jobs. His intent to increase the capital gains tax, however, is foolhardy while businesses struggle to weather the economic meltdown.
    McCain would cut taxes for people in all income brackets, as well as mandate big reductions in corporate income taxes. It is a trickle-down plan that would do little to reduce the deficit.
    McCain's foreign policy objectives virtually replicate Bush's disastrous course. His disdain for diplomacy is troubling, and his faith in eventual U.S. "victory" in Iraq is ill-defined. We simply cannot afford perpetual war. Obama knows this. And his nuanced approach would help America recover it's global prestige.
    Indeed, we see too many of Bush's failed policies in McCain's recipe for recovery. The country desperately needs a new and well-defined road map for the 21st century and leadership that can unite the country behind it.
    We believe that Barack Obama can give us both.

More:http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10761520

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Vote No on Hate!

Tommy News — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:49:29 EDT

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Vote No on Hate! Help Defeat California Proposition 8; Florida Amendment 2; Arizona Proposition 102 And Vote Obama-Biden Too! Pass This on. - Hide quoted text -Florida Amendment 2 What the Amendment Says Amendment 2

"Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized." 6 Reasons to Say No 2Taking Away Benefits
Amendment 2 could take away existing benefits from all unmarried Floridians Hurting Seniors
Amendment 2 could force seniors to choose between important benefits like sharing health care and important government benefits. "Gay Marriage" Bait & Switch
Amendment 2 claims to ban "gay marriage" but Florida already has multiple laws banning same-sex marriage Massive Government Intrusion
Amendment 2 puts the government where it doesn't belong - regulating the personal relationships of Floridians Hiring Expensive Lawyers
Amendment 2 could force unmarried Floridians to hire expensive private lawyers just to protect their basic legal rights Dramatic Consequences
Amendment 2 could take away job benefits from university employees and be used as a defense to domestic violence - as in other states which passed similar amendments Click Here to Help:http://www.sayno2.com/Arizona Proposition 102 Proposition 102, if approved by Arizona voters,
will amend the Arizona Constitution

Arizona voted NO in 2006

Now we have to vote NO again in 2008.

Help us make it loud and clear —
VOTE NO on Proposition 102 on November 4th

The state has more important issues to address.

The following information will be included in the November ballot materials.

Ballot Title and Summary

Proposition 8:

ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

On August 8, 2008 Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley ruled that the Attorney General's Title and Summary of Proposition 8 is accurate.

Ballot Argument

Why Vote No on Prop 8?

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, we should guarantee the same fundamental rights to every Californian. Vote No on 8.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, it's wrong to eliminate the fundamental rights of fellow Californians – and hurt our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. THAT'S WRONG.

Proponents of Prop 8 continue to lie in their television ads.

Here's what's fiction and what's fact:

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8

http://noonprop8.com/campaign_updates?id=0001

Donate

Click Herre:http://www.noonprop8.com/page/?id=0052

Sign up to receive more information on Prop 8

http://eqfed.org/equalityforall/join.tcl

Last chance: Limited Edition Obama car magnet, Make an Obama Pumpkin Display

Tommy News — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:23:58 EDT

Last chance: Limited Edition Obama car magnet, Make an Obama Pumpkin Display
Be sure to get an Obama Yard sign for your lawn and a Rally sign for your window too! Get a campaign button and wear it proudly. Make an Obama pumpkin display for your porch or yard! Yes you can! Yes we can! -Tommy - Hide quoted text -Please Visit these links: Obama Store:http://store.barackobama.com/Yes we Carve:www.yeswecarve.com Make a blog and an on-line personal headquarters www.mybarackobama.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Plouffe, BarackObama.com <info@barackobama.com>
Date: Oct 17, 2008 11:11 AM
Subject: Last chance: Limited Edition car magnet

Now that Barack won the final debate, there's only one milestone remaining in this campaign -- Election Day.

But it's going to take a lot of work to make sure all of our supporters get to the polls. You can help support our get out the vote efforts right now.

Make a donation of $10 or more and you'll receive a limited edition Obama-Biden car magnet:

You can also receive an Obama-Biden T-shirt with a donation of $30 or more.

Our get out the vote effort will determine the outcome of this election.

Every day, our team carefully reviews the resources we have available and makes crucial decisions about where we can be most competitive.

We're maintaining hundreds of offices across the country, employing thousands of organizers, and printing literature with local voting information for every community we canvass.

Make a donation right now to receive your car magnet and help our campaign succeed:

https://donate.barackobama.com/milestone-magnet

Thank you for your support,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Paid for by Obama for America

The leaves are turning, the weather's getting cold and the World Series is almost upon us. It's officially fall and supporters are using the new season to find creative ways to show their support.

A new grassroots site, YesWeCarve.com, provides supporters with stencils to download and make their very own "Barack O'Lantern". Carving parties are forming across the country and carvers are sharing their photos online.

And supporters in North Carolina sent us these pictures of their freshly carved Obama pumpkins.

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

The Final Debate on Long Island

Tommy News — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:23:37 EDT

The Final Debate on Long Island: McCain attacked Obama strongly in the beginning of the debate, but then he stumbled over his words,, his arguments faded, weakened, and became repetitive. Barack Obama defended himself successfully, orated and argued clearly, made a powerful case for what he is the better candidate, His closing statement was spot on. Obama Won the Debate. Lets help him win the election. -Tommy
Candidates Clash Over Character and Policy Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Barack Obama and John McCain during their final presidential debate at Hofstra University on Wednesday. More Photos >

By JIM RUTENBERG

Published: October 15, 2008

Senator John McCain used the final debate of the presidential election on Wednesday night to raise persistent and pointed questions about Senator Barack Obama's character, judgment and policy prescriptions in a session that was by far the most spirited and combative of their encounters this fall.

Skip to next paragraph MultimediaInteractive Feature The Third Presidential Debate Slide Show One Last Time Together

At times showing anger and at others a methodical determination to make all his points, Mr. McCain pressed his Democratic rival on taxes, spending, the tone of the campaign and his association with the former Weather Underground leader William Ayers, using nearly every argument at his disposal in an effort to alter the course of a contest that has increasingly gone Mr. Obama's way.

But Mr. Obama maintained a placid and at times bemused demeanor — if at times appearing to work at it — as he parried the attacks and pressed his consistent line that Mr. McCain would represent a continuation of President Bush's unpopular policies, especially on the economy.

That set the backdrop for one of the sharpest exchanges of the evening, when, in response to Mr. Obama's statement that Mr. McCain had repeatedly supported Mr. Bush's economic policies, Mr. McCain fairly leaped out of his chair to say: "Senator Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago."

Acknowledging Mr. McCain had his differences with Mr. Bush, Mr. Obama replied, "The fact of the matter is that if I occasionally mistake your policies for George Bush's policies, it's because on the core economic issues that matter to the American people — on tax policy, on energy policy, on spending priorities — you have been a vigorous supporter of President Bush."

The debate touched on a wide variety of issues, including abortion, judicial appointments, trade and climate change as well as the economy, with the candidates often making clear the deep differences between them.

But it also put on display the two very different temperaments of the candidates with less than three weeks until Election Day. The lasting image of the night could be the split screen of Mr. Obama, doing his best to maintain his unflappable demeanor under a sometimes withering attack, and Mr. McCain looking coiled, occasionally breathing deeply, apparently in an expression of impatience.

Sitting side by side with only the host, Bob Schieffer of CBS News, between them on the stage at Hofstra University, Mr. McCain made clear from the start that he was going to follow the prescriptions of many of his supporters — among them his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska — and try to put Mr. Obama on the defensive and shake him from his steady debate style.

Seizing on an encounter in Ohio this week with a voter — Joe Wurzelbacher, a plumber — who told Mr. Obama that he feared that his tax policies would punish him as a small-business owner, Mr. McCain pressed his attack on Mr. Obama as a tax-and-spend liberal. Mr. Obama's plan would raise taxes on filers earning more than $250,000 a year, a category that includes some small businesses, but would cut taxes on households earning less than $200,000 a year.

Seeking to suggest that Mr. Obama would hurt the economy and many entrepreneurs, Mr. McCain said, "The whole premise behind Senator Obama's plans are class warfare — let's spread the wealth around," repeating a phrase Mr. Obama had used to Mr. Wurzelbacher in explaining the rationale for his upper-income tax increase.

"Why would you want to do that — anyone, anyone in America — when we have such a tough time, when these small-business people like Joe the Plumber are going to create jobs unless you take that money from him and spread the wealth around," Mr. McCain said.

The plumber came up directly or indirectly 24 times during the debate, an Everyman symbol of the divide between the candidates on how best to address the economy.

As he has done in previous encounters, Mr. Obama looked into the camera and repeated his plan: "Now, the conversation I had with Joe the Plumber, what I essentially said to him was, five years ago, when you weren't in the position to buy your business, you needed a tax cut then. And what I want to do is to make sure that the plumber, the nurse, the firefighter, the teacher, the young entrepreneur who doesn't yet have money, I want to give them a tax break now."

Coming on a day that the Dow Jones average had one of its worst drops in history, Mr. Schieffer tried something other moderators had failed to do this fall: get the two candidates to enumerate which proposals they would specifically have to postpone or cut in the face of an economic environment that has changed drastically since they first drew up their plans.

Neither man went very far, though Mr. McCain perhaps offered a more detailed list. Repeating his pledge of an across-the-board spending cut, he said, "Well, one of them would be the marketing assistance program. Another one would be a number of subsidies for ethanol."

Skip to next paragraph MultimediaInteractive Feature The Third Presidential Debate Slide Show

Mr. Obama, for his part, specifically cited the "$15 billion a year on subsidies to insurance companies," a component of the Medicare program. But, he said more generally, "we need to eliminate a whole host of programs that don't work, and I want to go through the federal budget line by line, page by page. Programs that don't work, we should cut."

Still, though the winner of this election will inherit the most sweeping federal intervention in financial markets in at least three generations, the debate, while not short of policy discussions, was at least as much about the styles of the two men as they engaged one another.

In the days before the debate, Mr. Obama had appeared to have goaded Mr. McCain, saying in an interview with ABC News that he did not know why Mr. McCain had not personally made an issue of Mr. Obama's association with Mr. Ayers, with whom he worked with on two nonprofit boards, in their last debate considering that Mr. McCain's campaign had done so repeatedly in recent weeks.

And there was some degree of anticipation over whether Mr. McCain would do so this time. He did, though only after a bit of prompting from Mr. Schieffer, who, in a question about the tone of the campaign directed at both men, asked Mr. McCain specifically, "Your running mate said he palled around with terrorists."

Mr. McCain initially did not address that point directly.

But as Mr. Schieffer seemed prepared to move to another topic, Mr. McCain returned to Mr. Ayers on his own. Mr. McCain seemed most agitated in that moment, saying: "I don't care about an old, washed-up terrorist. But as Senator Clinton said in her debates with you, we need to know the full extent of that relationship. We need to know the full extent of Senator Obama's relationship with Acorn, who is now on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy."

He was referring to a community activist group that focuses on housing issues and has been running voter registration efforts in many states that have drawn accusations of fraud.

Mr. Obama's aides said during the day that he was preparing for the Ayers question.

"Bill Ayers is a professor of education in Chicago. Forty years ago, when I was 8 years old, he engaged in despicable acts with a radical domestic group. I have roundly condemned those acts," Mr. Obama said. "Ten years ago, he served and I served on a board that was funded by one of Ronald Reagan's former ambassadors and close friends, Mr. Annenberg."

On Acorn, Mr. Obama said, "Apparently what they have done is they were paying people to go out and register folks. And apparently some of the people who were out there didn't really register people, they just filled out a bunch of names. Had nothing to do with us. We were not involved."

Speaking of his involvement with the group, he said, "The only involvement I've had with Acorn was I represented them alongside the U.S. Justice Department in making Illinois implement a motor voter law that helped people register at D.M.V.'s." Mr. Obama's campaign made some payments to an affiliate of Acorn.

Mr. Obama said sternly as Mr. McCain bristled, "And I think the fact that this has become such an important part of your campaign, Senator McCain, says more about your campaign than it says about me."

More:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16debate.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&th&emc=th
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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Obama Pumpkins: Do this at your home!

Tommy News — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:22:26 EDT

The leaves are turning, the weather's getting cold and the World Series is almost upon us. It's officially fall and supporters are using the new season to find creative ways to show their support.

And supporters in North Carolina sent us these pictures of their freshly carved Obama pumpkins.

Fight McCain and Palin's Latest Lies with 'Pinocchio Politics'

Tommy News — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:33:52 EDT

Fight McCain and Palin's Latest Lies with 'Pinocchio Politics'

- Hide quoted text -

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Long Island, NY prepares for final presidental Debate Wednesday: Eisenhower Park Rally, Debate Watching Parties, Hofstra University Spruces Up Campus, Media arrives.. There is a free outdoor pre-debate Obama-Biden rally and concert in Eisenhower Park from

Tommy News — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:56:22 EDT

Long Island, NY prepares for final presidental Debate Wednesday: Eisenhower Park Rally, Debate Watching Parties, Hofstra University Spruces Up Campus, Media arrives.. There is a free outdoor pre-debate Obama-Biden rally and concert in Eisenhower Park from 3 PM to 7 PM. The debate will be televised live at 9 PM Eastern on most major networks. - Hide quoted text - U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (L) and Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) embrace after their presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee October 7, 2008Hofstra University prepares for final presidential debateFrom the massive to the mundane, Hofstra has spent millions getting ready for its national close-up

McClatchy newspapers
guardian.co.uk,
Monday October 13 2008 20.46 BST
Article history

Jorge Sanz paints a piece of the set at the site of the final presidential debate Barack Obama and John McCain at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters

After investing $3.5m in construction and planning, Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York found out there was something missing from its preparations for this week's third and final presidential debate. Water glasses. "We actually had to give the campaigns the exact water glass the candidates will be using during the debate," said Hofstra president Stuart Rabinowitz. "So they know the heft of it, I guess."

From the massive to the mundane, Hofstra has spent the last year getting ready for its close-up, re-tooling its David S Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex into the venue for a debate that will be watched by millions on television worldwide. "There are people cleaning and painting everywhere," said student Melissa Barnshaw, 17, of South Brunswick, New Jersey "And there's so much security. But it's not that inconvenient - I mean, it's not like this happens every day."

Construction crews have laid tens of thousands feet of cable and carpet, and installed thousands of phone lines and hundreds of flat-screen televisions. A television stand-up platform was built outside the Mack sports complex, where the debate will be held. Inside the arena, the university had to install equipment to reduce the noise from its air-conditioning system, after a sound crew from the Commission on Presidential Debates determined it ran too loudly.

Special vents were cut above the spot where each candidate will stand during the debate, to improve air flow so they won't perspire as Richard Nixon infamously did during the first-ever televised presidential debate in 1960. "They're still asking and we're still doing," Rabinowitz said on Friday of the debate preparations. "Whatever they want, we do."

Although Hofstra has played host to four former presidents, including Bill Clinton in 2005, officials say those events don't rival the work involved in preparing for the debate. "You can't compare anything we've ever done to this," said Melissa Connolly, Hofstra's vice president for university relations. "Absolutely nothing compares to this level of attention."

More than 3,000 media are credentialed to cover the debate. MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews will broadcast live from campus on Wednesday. Some parking lots will be closed to house television satellite trucks, Wednesday classes are cancelled, and parking will be limited to students and faculty with valid passes. Shuttles will run from four area hotels and Mitchel Field.

Resident students are being asked to Host a Commuter student on Tuesday night, to reduce traffic on Wednesday from commuter students eager to visit campus on debate day. Campus security officers are working 12-hour shifts, instead of their normal eight-hour shifts, and athletic schedules have been rearranged so most teams are playing away games.

"I knew this would be a major event," Rabinowitz said, "but until you're living through it, you really have no concept of how many media are here, the excitement for the students - how big it really is."

More:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/13/hofstra-debate-barack-obama-john-mccainOutdoor pre-debate Obama Rally and Concert, 3 PM-7 PM Wednesday at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, Long Island Pre Debate Rally for Obama at Eisenhower Park East Meadow NY- Wed@ 3pm!! Hope to see you there!

Rally/Concert to Support Obama for President

The Last Presidential Debate is being held at Hofstra University

Musical Performers:

Francis Dunnery
Push Play
Barefoot Truth
Ryan Star

Arlon Bennett -- Jaik Miller Band -- Jeff Roberson and LIFE
John Hampson -- John Getzler -- Katy Pfaff -- Melissa Reyes(More to be announced)
Event is supported by:

"YES WE CAN! LI"
Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi -- Suffolk County Majority Leader Jon Cooper
Amalgamated Transit Union;CSEA Region 1; CWA District 1; DC 9 Painters; 1199SEIU, UHE
Long Island Federation of Labor AFL-CIO; Long Island Progressive Coalition; Long Island Sierra Club
Nassau County Democratic Committee; National Jewish Democratic Council (NY Chapter);
NY State Democratic Committee; NY State Young Democrats; New York Democratic Lawyers Council; Pakistani-American Democratic Club of NY; RWDSU Local 338; SEIU Local 32BJ;
Suffolk County Democratic Committee Chairman Rich Schaffer; TWU Local 252
Wednesday, October 15th

3:00-7:00pm

Eisenhower Park, East Meadow

Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre (Parking areas 6 and 6A)
For more information go to www.yeswecanlongisland.com
Source:http://www.rhythmism.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73437

October 15 Presidential Debate Rally on Long Island is Official!

There will be a major rally and concert at Eisenhower Park on October 15, the date of the third and final presidential debate - at Hofstra. The support of Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper (Chairperson of the Long Island Obama Campaign) and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi has enabled this long-planned event to become a reality. Bring friends, neighbors, and family!!

Let's show the world that Long Island is Obama-Biden Country!! Wednesday, October 15th3 pm to 7pmEisenhower Park in East Meadow at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre
(Parking areas 6 and 6A) This event is free and is supported by CSEA Region 1CWA District 1 DC 9 Painters LI Federation of Labor AFL-CIO LI Progressive Coalition N.C. Democratic Committee N.C. County Exec. Tom Suozzi SEIU Local 32BJ TWU Local 252 "YES WE CAN! LI"
Nassau County Executive Tom SuozziSuffolk County Majority Leader Jon CooperCSEA Region 1; CWA District 1; DC 9 Painters; 1199SEIU, UHE
Long Island Federation of Labor AFL-CIO;
Long Island Progressive Coalition;
Nassau County Democratic Committee; National Jewish Democratic Council (NY Chapter);
NY State Democratic Committee; NY State Young Democrats;
Pakistani-American Democratic Club of NY; SEIU Local 32BJ; RWDSU Local 338;
Suffolk County Democratic Committee Chairman Rich Schaffer;
TWU Local 252 & other Long Island Barack Obama supporters

Musical Performers
Arlon Bennett--Barefoot Truth--Francis Dunnery--Jaik Miller Band
Jeff Roberson and LIFE--Katy Pfaffl--Push PlayMore:http://www.yeswecanlongisland.com/LocalNews.htmlHofstra Preps for Historic Presidential Debate on October 15, 2008Arena takes shape as debate hall, Media Center created for candidates, campaigns and thousands of journalistsHofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra's David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex is being transformed into a debate hall for the third and final 2008 presidential debate on October 15, 2008.The work at the arena is part of the elaborate preparations by Hofstra required to host this historic event. The presidential debates are presented by the non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates. The debate at Hofstra is sponsored locally by the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency and The John D. Miller Fund at the Long Island Community Foundation. The Hofstra debate, which will focus on economic policy and domestic issues, will be moderated by Bob Schieffer, CBS News chief Washington correspondent and "Face the Nation" host.Hofstra crews are busy preparing the arena as well as the adjacent Physical Fitness Center, which will serve as the Media Center for thousands of journalists from across the country and around the world who will cover the debate. Hofstra employees and student volunteers will staff the Media Center and other locations across campus. The debate itself is produced and sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that controls all aspects of debate production.Source:http://www.yeswecanlongisland.com/LocalNews.htmlDirections to Eisenhower Park:Eisenhower Park
Hempstead Turnpike
East Meadow, NY 11554Northern State Parkway to Meadowbrook Parkway Exit M5 (RT 24 Hempstead Turnpike)

Go east on Hempstead Turnpike to the first traffic light Merrick Avenue, Borrelli's restaurant on the right side.

Make a left turn and go down about 1/2 mile park entrance on your right.

Follow the signs to parking field #6.

There also is an entrance to the park on Hempstead Turnpike

Directions to Hofstra University:http://www.hofstra.edu/About/InfoCenter/info_hofdirect.htmlCampus Map to Mack Sports Complex:http://www.hofstra.edu/About/InfoCenter/info_intmap.htmlDebate Tickets Ticket Statement

Hofstra University is very pleased to host the third and final presidential debate of the 2008 presidential campaign on October 15. The debate itself is produced and sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that controls all aspects of debate production.

Ticket availability for the debate itself will be extremely limited. In debates produced by the CPD in prior presidential elections, at most a few hundred tickets were made available to the host university in the days immediately prior to the debate. The campaigns control a significant portion of the tickets.

Virtually all of tickets allocated to Hofstra University from the Commission on Presidential Debates will be distributed to current students in the days before the debate, as recommended by the CPD and consistent with past practices of debate hosts.

Read About the Student Ticket Lottery

Tickets will not be available through the CPD or Hofstra University personnel and tickets are not available through any other means at this point in time.

Other Options to Watch the Debate
Attend a DebateWatch Event | Watch OnlineDebate-watching parties around Long IslandBY TIMOTHY ROBERTSON | Special to Newsday October 14, 2008

This time around, debate-watching parties have a bit of local flavor. With Barack Obama and John McCain ready to duke it out tomorrow at Hofstra, a few places on Long Island are hosting parties and bringing in big names to celebrate.

Whether you are a Republican, a Democrat or undecided, there is certainly a place for you to watch the final presidential debate. And if you want ringside seats, well, that's an option too - if you're willing to battle traffic.

FOR ELEPHANTS

Republican Assembly Campaign Committee

WHERE Copperfields Ale House

729 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Bethpage

WHEN 7:30-11 p.m.

PHONE 518-462-2606

WEB nyracc.com

ADMISSION $50-$250

This event certainly will be a red event, unless Democrats want to contribute to the New York Republican Party.

Party-goers will watch the debate on five plasma televisions, munch on finger food and mingle with high-ranking New York Republicans. The guest list includes: Rep. Peter King, State GOP Chairman Joseph Mondello, State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long, former Sen. Al D'Amato and many local Republican state assembly members.

"Quite frankly, it's a chance to cheer on the Republican team and cheer on Sen. McCain," says Josh Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee.

FOR DONKEYS

Brian Foley Campaign Committee

WHERE Comalapa Restaurant

85 Timberline Dr., Brentwood

WHEN 8 p.m.-closing

PHONE 917-337-7746

WEB barackobama.com (click "Find Events")

ADMISSION Free

This event is open to anyone on the political spectrum, says Jason Ortiz, a Brian Foley campaign staffer, but most in this Democrat-heavy community will be supporting Barack Obama. Besides Foley, who's running for the State Assembly, Ortiz says other community leaders are expected at this Salvadoran restaurant.

"People should come out because it would give them a sense of how much support there is in the community for Barack Obama. The message of change has resonated in the community," he says.

IN THE THICK OF IT ALL

Hofstra University Educate '08

WHERE Hofstra's Monroe Lecture Center

California Ave., Hempstead

WHEN 8 p.m.

PHONE 516-463-6600

WEB hofstra.edu/educate08

ADMISSION Free; preregister

If debate viewers want to say they were at Hofstra University at the same time the future president was, this may be the only opportunity. Though tickets to the debate itself are hard to come by, Hofstra will host expert panelists before the debate to discuss the issues and explain how to interpret the debate, followed by a viewing. Those who want to stay to talk about what they saw can join discussion groups. Parking for this event will be at Mitchel Field near Nassau Community College, and a shuttle bus will take people to the site.

for more

Come thirsty, leave political

WHERE Garden City Hotel's Rein Bar and Bistro, 45 Seventh St., Garden City

WHEN Now to Election Day for specialty cocktails; specialty menu through Saturday

PHONE 516-747-3000

WEB gardencityhotel.com

The Garden City Hotel may not be hosting an official event on the night of the debate, but it's featuring cleverly named cocktails and a "Stars and Stripes" $34.95 prix fixe menu in the week leading up to the historic event. Among the offerings, according to its Web site: "McCain's Baby Back Ribs," "Biden's Chicken Pot Pie" and "Campaign Bus Homemade Doughnuts."

For thirsty and politically inclined diners, the restaurant will offer drinks including Blue Party and Maverick martinis, the Obama Slamma' and an Alaska Cocktail until Election Day.

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/exploreli/ny-exmain5881544oct14,0,819897.story?page=2

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Help Defeat California Proposition 8: Vote No on 8, Vote No on Hate!

Tommy News — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:29:22 EDT

Help Defeat California Proposition 8: Vote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! Vote No on Prop 8 - Equality for All
California Proposition 8 is a California ballot initiative that would make same-sex marriage in California illegal. This discriminatory initiative is on the statewide California ballot this November 4th.Civil rights matters should not be placed on the ballot, but unfortunately this is on the ballot, and we must work to defeat it. This discriminatory measure affects people nationwide. not just in California, but only Californians can vote on it. Gay people deserve the same EQUAL rights as everyone else. Anything less is discrimination.As long as the government makes laws about and codifies civil marriage, all people must be included in those laws equally. Churches are then free to bless those unions or not. There are plenty of Progressive and tolerant churches that will. Please think about this: How does someone else's marriage affect yours? It does NOT! Vote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! Go here to learn more about California Proposition 8 and donate to help fight it:http://noonprop8.com/homeVote No on 8, Vote No on Hate! We need your help and we need it now. Please pass this message on! Here are the facts:Vote No on Prop 8 - Equality for AllWhat Is Prop 8?

The following information will be included in the November ballot materials.

Ballot Title and Summary

Proposition 8:

ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

On August 8, 2008 Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley ruled that the Attorney General's Title and Summary of Proposition 8 is accurate.

Samuel and Julia Thoron

Ballot Argument

Why Vote No on Prop 8?

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, we should guarantee the same fundamental rights to every Californian. Vote No on 8.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, it's wrong to eliminate the fundamental rights of fellow Californians – and hurt our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. THAT'S WRONG.

Proponents of Prop 8 continue to lie in their television ads.

Here's what's fiction and what's fact:

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8

http://noonprop8.com/campaign_updates?id=0001

Donate

Click Herre:http://www.noonprop8.com/page/?id=0052

Sign up to receive more information on Prop 8

http://eqfed.org/equalityforall/join.tcl

Click Here to help:Vote No on Prop 8 - Equality for All

What Troopergate Tells Us About a (God Forbid) Palin Vice Presidency

Tommy News — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:54:42 EDT

What Troopergate Tells Us About a (God Forbid) Palin Vice Presidency By Don Davis

"YES, IS THIS THE U.S. MARSHAL'S SERVICE? … VICE PRESIDENT PALIN HERE. DID YOU KNOW THAT PRESIDENT McCAIN WAS ABUSIVE TOWARD HIS FIRST WIFE AFTER HE RETURNED FROM VIETNAM? Lets find a way to get him fired now, dontcha know, we gotta bring him down so I can take over an perform my tasks from God and from Todd."

Governor Sarah Palin found guilty of Abuse of Power, breaking State Law, violating Executive Ethics Act, could face censure and impeachment in Troopergate decision.

Tommy News — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:11:51 EDT

Governor Sarah Palin found guilty of Abuse of Power, breaking State Law, violating Executive Ethics Act, could face censure and impeachment in Troopergate decision. First dude Todd Palin was also found guilty.The McCain-Bush campaign has twisted the decision around, falsely claiming Palin's purity and innocence, McCain attempted to quash the investigation and tried hold off a decision until after the Presidential election. -T

Panel: Palin abused power

Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday.

Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report to a bipartisan panel that looked into the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.

POLITICS BLOG: More on the investigators' findingsDOCUMENTS: Todd Palin had top access to wife's staff

The inquiry looked into her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, who said he lost his job because he resisted pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce and custody battle with the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

Monegan's firing was lawful, the report found, but Palin let the family grudge influence her decision-making — even if it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed.

"I feel vindicated," Monegan said. "It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I'm not totally out in left field."

Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Lawmakers don't have the authority to sanction her for such a violation, and they gave no indication they would take any action against her.

Under Alaska law, it is up to the state's Personnel Board — which is conducting its own investigation into the matter — to decide whether Palin violated state law and, if so, must refer it to the Senate president for disciplinary action. Violations also carry a possible fine of up to $5,000.

Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein disagreed with Branchflower's conclusions. "In order to violate the ethics law, there has to be some personal gain, usually financial. Mr. Branchflower has failed to identify any financial gain," he said.

Palin and McCain's supporters had hoped the inquiry's finding would be delayed until after the presidential election to spare her any embarrassment and to put aside an enduring distraction as she campaigns as McCain's running mate in an uphill contest against Democrat Barack Obama.

After a court fight to block the report failed, the panel of lawmakers voted to release it — though not without dissension. The panel did not vote on whether to endorse its findings.

"I think there are some problems in this report," said Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens, a member of the panel. "I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye."

The state paid Branchflower, a retired state prosecutor, $100,000 to prepare the nearly 300-page report. He interviewed or accepted affidavits from about two dozen people in the eight-week investigation.

"Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact," McCain campaign spokesman Meg Stapleton said.

The Legislature could vote next year to censure Palin, but committee members appeared divided over the report and Democratic state Sen. Kim Elton, the committee's chairman, gave no indication that would happen.

Stapleton also dismissed the report as "a partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters." The inquiry has been dogged by such criticism since Democrat Hollis French, who oversaw the investigation, predicted an "October surprise" for the McCain campaign.

Elton rejected the accusation of partisanship.

"When we began investigating this, we had no idea that Sarah Palin would be a part of the national ticket," said Elton, an Obama supporter.

The report notes a few instances in which Palin pressed the case against trooper Mike Wooten, but it was her husband, Todd, who led the charge. Todd Palin had extraordinary access to the governor's office and her closest advisers and he used that access to try to get Wooten fired.

Gov. Palin knowingly "permitted Todd to use the governor's office and the resources of the governor's office, including access to state employees, to continue to contact subordinate state employees in an effort to find some way to get Trooper Wooten fired," Branchflower's report reads.

Wooten had been in hot water before Palin became governor over allegations that he illegally shot a moose, drank beer in a patrol car and used a Taser on his stepson. The Palins said they feared for their family's safety after Wooten made threats against them.

In proceedings revealed by the report, former Alaska State Trooper Col. Julia Grimes told investigators that Sarah Palin called her in late 2005 to discuss why Wooten hadn't been fired, and Grimes told her the inquiry was confidential by law.

"Her questions were how can a trooper who behaves this way still be working," Grimes said. "I asked her to please trust me, that because I can't tell her details I would ask her to please trust me that I would take the appropriate action if and when I knew what the findings were. ... I couldn't have another conversation with her about it because, again, it's protected by law."

Grimes said Todd Palin also contacted her by telephone in late 2005 to discuss the confidential investigation of Wooten.

Wooten's disciplinary case was settled in September 2006 — months before Palin was elected governor — and he was allowed to continue working as a trooper.

After Palin's election, her new public safety commissioner, Monegan, said he was summoned to the governor's office to meet Todd Palin, who said Wooten's punishment had been merely a "slap on the wrist." Monegan said he understood the Palins wanted Wooten fired. "I had this kind of ominous feeling that I may not be long for this job if I didn't somehow respond accordingly," Monegan told the investigator.

For months afterward, Todd Palin filed complaints about Wooten, saying he was seen riding a snowmobile after he had filed a worker's compensation claim and was seen dropping off his children at school in his patrol car.

Monegan said Wooten's doctor had authorized the snowmobile trip and his supervisor had approved his use of the patrol car. Monegan said Alaska's attorney general later called him to inquire about Wooten, and Monegan told him they shouldn't be discussing the subject.

"This was an issue that apparently wasn't going to go away, that there were certainly frustrations," Monegan said. "To say that (Sarah Palin) was focused on this I think would be accurate."More:http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-10-palin-ethics-probe_N.htm?csp=34

Analysis: Pitbull Palin's vicious attacks on Obama may backfire on McCain

Tommy News — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:17:35 EDT

Analysis: Pitbull Palin's vicious attacks on Obama may backfire on McCain Pitbull Palin attacks with rabid swift boat smears and lies! Lets fight back and dig up more of her association with criminal Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, troopergate and other firings, hypocrisy, lies, inexperience and simple mind, and more of McCains corrupt Keating Five scandal, lobbyist friendships, cancer, age, and other health issues, and adulterous past with then mistress Cindy! Don't forget to associate them both with war criminals Bush and Cheney. -TommyAnalysis: Palin's words may backfire on McCain By DOUGLASS K. DANIEL, Associated Press Writer 25 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - By claiming that Democrat Barack Obama is "palling around with terrorists" and doesn't see the U.S. like other Americans, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin targeted key goals for a faltering campaign.

And though she may have scored a political hit each time, her attack was unsubstantiated and carried a racially tinged subtext that John McCain himself may come to regret.

First, Palin's attack shows that her energetic debate with rival Joe Biden may be just the beginning, not the end, of a sharpened role in the battle to win the presidency.

"Our opponent ... is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect, imperfect enough, that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country," Palin told a group of donors in Englewood, Colo. A deliberate attempt to smear Obama, McCain's ticket-mate echoed the line at three separate events Saturday.

"This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America," she said. "We see America as a force of good in this world. We see an America of exceptionalism."

Obama isn't above attacking McCain's character with loaded words, releasing an ad on Sunday that calls the Arizona Republican "erratic" — a hard-to miss suggestion that McCain's age, 71, might be an issue.

"Our financial system in turmoil," an announcer says in Obama's new ad. "And John McCain? Erratic in a crisis. Out of touch on the economy."

A harsh and plainly partisan judgment, certainly, but not on the level of suggesting that a fellow senator is un-American and even a friend of terrorists.

In her character attack, Palin questions Obama's association with William Ayers, a member of the Vietnam-era Weather Underground. Her reference was exaggerated at best if not outright false. No evidence shows they were "pals" or even close when they worked on community boards years ago and Ayers hosted a political event for Obama early in his career.

Obama, who was a child when the Weathermen were planting bombs, has denounced Ayers' radical views and actions.

With her criticism, Palin is taking on the running mate's traditional role of attacker, said Rich Galen, a Republican strategist.

"There appears to be a newfound sense of confidence in Sarah Palin as a candidate, given her performance the other night," Galen said. "I think that they are comfortable enough with her now that she's got the standing with the electorate to take off after Obama."

Second, Palin's incendiary charge draws media and voter attention away from the worsening economy. It also comes after McCain supported a pork-laden Wall Street bailout plan in spite of conservative anger and his own misgivings.

"It's a giant changing of the subject," said Jenny Backus, a Democratic strategist. "The problem is the messenger. If you want to start throwing fire bombs, you don't send out the fluffy bunny to do it. I think people don't take Sarah Palin seriously."

The larger purpose behind Palin's broadside is to reintroduce the question of Obama's associations. Millions of voters, many of them open to being swayed to one side or the other, are starting to pay attention to an election a month away.

For the McCain campaign, that makes Obama's ties to Ayers as well as convicted felon Antoin "Tony" Rezko and the controversial minister Jeremiah Wright ripe for renewed criticism. And Palin brings a fresh voice to the argument.

Effective character attacks have come earlier in campaigns. In June 1988, Republican George H.W. Bush criticized Democrat Michael Dukakis over the furlough granted to Willie Horton, a convicted murderer who then raped a woman and stabbed her companion. Related TV ads followed in September and October.

The Vietnam-era Swift Boat veterans who attacked Democrat John Kerry's war record started in the spring of 2004 and gained traction in late summer.

"The four weeks that are left are an eternity. There's plenty of time in the campaign," said Republican strategist Joe Gaylord. "I think it is a legitimate strategy to talk about Obama and to talk about his background and who he pals around with."

Palin's words avoid repulsing voters with overt racism. But is there another subtext for creating the false image of a black presidential nominee "palling around" with terrorists while assuring a predominantly white audience that he doesn't see their America?

In a post-Sept. 11 America, terrorists are envisioned as dark-skinned radical Muslims, not the homegrown anarchists of Ayers' day 40 years ago. With Obama a relative unknown when he began his campaign, the Internet hummed with false e-mails about ties to radical Islam of a foreign-born candidate.

Whether intended or not by the McCain campaign, portraying Obama as "not like us" is another potential appeal to racism. It suggests that the Hawaiian-born Christian is, at heart, un-American.

The fact is that when racism creeps into the discussion serves a purpose for McCain. As the fallout from Wright's sermons showed earlier this year, forcing Obama to abandon issues to talk about race leads to unresolved arguments about America's promise to treat all people equally.

John McCain occasionally says he looks back on decisions with regret. He has apologized for opposing a holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. He has apologized for refusing to call for the removal of a Confederate flag from South Carolina's Capitol.

When the 2008 campaign is over will McCain say he regrets appeals such as Palin's? ___

EDITOR'S NOTE — Douglass K. Daniel is a writer and editor with the Washington bureau of The Associated Press.

More:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081005/ap_on_el_pr/palin_s_words_analysis

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

TAKE ACTION: Get Voters Registered Now!

Tommy News — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:59:18 EDT

TAKE ACTION: Register to Vote and Pass This On. ROCK THE VOTE! Voter registration deadlines are approaching fast. We have very little time left to make this important voter registration drive succeed.This is one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. The economy is in big trouble, jobs are disappearing, people are losing their homes, two wars are raging, and the cost of living is soaring. Millions have no health care and global warming needs to be addressed. The way to get the change we need is to elect the right leaders. Every vote counts, and your vote and participation in this registration drive can make all the difference. It is your civic duty and your Constitutional right to vote, but you must be a registered voter. Registering to vote is easy. All you need to do is fill out a voter registration form and mail it to your local Board of Elections. Rock The Vote has made voter registation easy with a downloadable form and all the information you need. But you must act now, voter registration deadlines loom! Please register to vote and then pass this important message on to everyone in your address book. Click Here to download a voter registration form andRock The Vote! http://rockthevote.org/Dear Rock the Vote Friends,

Last year, Rock the Vote joined with Live Earth as its voter registration partner. On 7-7-07, millions of people worldwide experienced Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis. In doing so, they were making the commitment to take action against the climate crisis. Besides the hundreds of thousands of people attending the Live Earth concerts on seven continents, over 10,000 "Friends of Live Earth' in 195 countries participated in house parties to watch the event and at least ten million more people viewed the concerts online.

Don't be left behind! Join the millions of people across the world who have pledged to take action against the climate crisis.
Together, we will solve the climate crisis.

Remember to register to vote because you can't vote if you're not registered! Why is voting important when it comes to stopping the climate crisis? Well, here are some things to consider:

- The next U.S. president will inherit a country that makes up less than 5% of the world's population but produces nearly a quarter of the world's greenhouse gases.

- Legislation regarding environmental issues is crafted by the lawmakers YOU elect.

- Congress appropriates the funds for the development of clean renewable energy sources.

- The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the legal responsibility to regulate carbon emissions, will be appointed by the next president.

Register now at and tell your friends to register as well.

The future is now. We cannot wait. Together we will make a difference.

Get Ready Rock The Vote: Tuesday 11-4 is Election Day This November 4th is Election Day in The United States of America. It is your Constitutional right and your civic duty as an American to vote. Your vote matters, EACH and EVERY vote counts! This year's elections offer you some important opportunities to make your vote count! I urge you to get ready to vote Tuesday, November 4th. Voting is one of the most important things that you can do. The polls open early, and stay open late. The time to act is now. Get out and vote, don't miss your chance to make a difference! Tell your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to vote. Remind them that election day is November 4th. Offer to bring people to the polls or go with them. Pass this message on to everyone in your address book. Rock The Vote! Tuesday, November 4th http://www.rockthevote.com/home.html November 4th--Election Day 2008--is just around the corner. The bottom line is if you target and talk to people they will vote. Get Involved! Click Here to Rock The Vote:http://www.rockthevote.com/home.html

Our future and real change depends on you.Project Vote We cannot turn out voters who never made it onto the rolls to begin with. By the time Election Day 2009 comes around it will be too late; the time to act is now.

It turns out there are still a lot of people in Washington and our state capitals who are working to discourage Americans from voting.

And if it sounds sickeningly familiar, you are right. These are the same anti-American tactics that kept people from voting in the South during the Civil Rights movement. And it has to stop.

Tommy News wrote the Most Popular Article on OpEd News!

Tommy News — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:58:36 EDT

I wrote the Most Popular, Most Read Article on OpEd News!!!!!!Do I win the Pulitzer Prize and a pile of cash?-Tommy News

- Hide quoted text -On 10/3/08, Stephen Fox, Santa Fe Sun News Editor wrote:

Check it ourt and buzz it up here:Most Popular Articles in the Last Day http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/page_stats.php#110/1/2008Senate Slips Huge Pentagon War Funding Bill in Under The Radar. (by Tommy News) #210/2/2008Palin/Couric Interview Bombshell: Palin Unable To Name All Her Children's Names (by steve young) #310/2/2008The Palin Ploy – No Depth Behind the Wink (by Anthony Wade) #410/2/2008Progressive Dems Learn the Hard Way, There is Only One Party (by Anthony Wade) #510/2/2008VP Debate: One Gigantic Mistake by Sarah Palin ... Huge! (by James Brett)
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Senate-Slips-Huge-Pentagon-by-Tommy-News-080930-123.html
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My article was also published by The Huffington Post here:Will you please help me get it read? Please go to the Huffington Post , add your comment after the article, then click buzz it up near the top of the page, Click Here:http://tinyurl.com/3vuoghTogether, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Take Action: Rock The Vote!

Tommy News — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:31:12 EDT

It turns out there are still a lot of people in Washington and our state capitals who are working to discourage Americans from voting.

And if it sounds sickeningly familiar, you are right. These are the same anti-American tactics that kept people from voting in the South during the Civil Rights movement. And it has to stop.