John Penaloza's Blog

The Audacity of Hubris

Primary Colors — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:22:37 EDT

This week, so-called 'Blue Dog' democrats and centrist GOP members have been meeting secretly and at length to produce proposals meant to derail a central tenet of President Obama's health insurance reform plan, a strong public health insurance option. Available nationwide to anyone who chooses it, such a plan would be able to negotiate with health providers and drug companies on behalf of its members (American taxpayers) and pass on the savings in the form of affordable premiums. Recent surveys show that 73% of voters nationwide (77% Dem, 79% Ind, 63% Rep) support health reform that includes such an option while only 15% are estimated to support reform that does not. So why would middle-of-the-road Democrats and Republicans work so hard to undermine something that most of their constituents desire? Because the disconnect between the motivations of our congressional representatives and the interests of the voters they supposedly represent has never been greater. Healthcare lobbying groups have reportedly committed some $100 Million to be spent over just the next few weeks in an all-out assault on the Obama health care initiative. What percentage of that amount might be destined for the campaign funds of past recipients, many of them part of this GOP/Blue Dog alliance? I'd bet it's safe to guess that it's probably a similar portion of the funds that mortgage industry lobbies mobilized to defeat a measure that would have empowered bankruptcy judges to re-write the loans of millions of homeowners on the brink of foreclosure. The measure was widely seen as the 'teeth' in Obama administration measures to deal with the mortgage crisis, and they were conveniently pulled by the same cadre of legislators now collaborating in rare bi-partisan fashion against the physical welfare of their electors and the American people as a whole. Enough is enough. I just hope that as Democrats we have the guts to field strong primary opponents to the Blue Dogs that share the idealism of our President and not the self-centeredness of this faction so obviously gone astray.

Gas Price Fixes! 6 Federal Energy Policy measures we should offer

Primary Colors — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:59:14 EDT

Oh wow...finally a chance to cement some energy policy points to separate Democrats from Republicans come the fall...

As an economist and former energy-sector stringer for Dow Jones, I have a few ideas for measures that could really make a difference, and not just over the long term.

Oil companies have long popularized the fallacy that there are no possible short-term measures that could be applied to energy policy and that the 'markets must decide'. That's flat wrong.

Here are 6 short-term federal policy changes that can be made without so much as congressional approval, by the executive, (if it so desired), which would substantially pressure the current demand/supply equation in favor of short-, medium- and long-term oil price erosion:

1. Announce a permanent, $8,000-$10,000 Federal Tax 'Green Car' Rebate for consumers and businesses, (applicable to more than a single annual tax cycle so as to include low-income individuals) who purchase highly energy-efficient passenger transportation motor vehicles (better than 50 mpg average EPA gasoline-equivalent mileage). Toyota Priuses and maybe some Honda hybrid models qualify off the lot. Individual vehicle purchases would qualify for multiple rebates for each incremental 50 mpg of efficiency (so a Prius with an $11,000 after-market battery modification that gets over 120 mpg would qualify for a $16,000-$20,000 Federal Tax Rebate). Economies of scale and unimaginable levels of consumer demand would re-shape the American car market almost overnight and park much of the current gas-guzzling motor pool. Over 2-3 years you could see an aggregate drop in U.S gasoline demand (60% of U.S. crude oil demand, btw) of between 20-35%, which would continue to accelerate. Tax rebates for the purchase of human-powered all-weather transportation vehicles (like recumbant, enclosed bikes, trikes and quads) should also be developed and adopted.

How we could specifically target a Latino message via a TV Ad

Primary Colors — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:17:12 EST

It occurred to me that what's needed is some blunt talk on the issue of electability from the Obama campaign directly to the Latino demographic (which I'm actually a member of).

For instance, it could be done with a TV Ad to air on Spanish language stations (in Spanish, of course) depicting, say, a Latino father and his grown son (old enough to vote), having a discussion with each other about who they should vote for in the Democratic primaries.

They broach the topic of electability in a matter-of-fact fashion, with the father reminding the son of the good economy and policies of the Clinton years and how that would be good to return to.

The son replies by explaining to the father that if he votes for a Clinton the way he instinctively wants to vote and she becomes the nominee, Republican voters will be mobilized against her and she will be the weaker candidate against McCain. The son also mentions that many feel that it's time to turn the page and look to a united future of working together and an end to partisan divisions, etc. In the end, the son feels like it's important to vote for Obama to have the best possible chance of winning the White House.

Any thoughts?

Tell DNC Chair Howard Dean what you think about Billary's attempt to seat Michigan and Florida delegates!

Primary Colors — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:18:34 EST

Hi all,

If you'd like to share your thoughts with DNC Chairman Gov. Howard Dean, fill out this form at Democrats.org:

http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/chairman/

Thanks!

###########################################################################################################################

Senator Clinton's campaign has chosen to push to change the rules while the Democratic nominating process is already underway.

Her campaign is advocating for the seating of Michigan and Florida delegates after the Democratic National Committee stripped both states of their delegates in response to each state's decision to move up their primary date.

As Josh Marshall noted, it is inappropriate to "change the rules in midstream to favor one candidate or another." As Joe Gandelman points out, Hillary Clinton made that very argument months ago.

This campaign is concerned that Senator Clintons' attempt to seat delegates from states in which she and her opponents explicitly pledged to not campaign will have disastrous implications for the Democratic Party and the Democratic nomination process. As Ezra Klein warns, "This is the sort of decision that has the potential to tear the party apart."

As a result, we strongly urge Senator Clinton, in the interest of the Democratic Party and the millions of Americans who have a strong interest in avoiding a fractious, divisive Democratic National Convention, to abide by the rules set down months ago and explicitly agreed to by her campaign and abandon her push to have the Michigan and Florida delegates seated in the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Concerned Americans for a Fair Nomination Process

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MoveOn Members Endorse Obama!!!

Primary Colors — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:45:21 EST

Spread the love... :-)

from Eli Pariser, MoveOn.org Political Action <moveon-help@list.moveon.org>
date Feb 1, 2008 1:17 PM
subject MoveOn Members Endorse Obama
mailed-by list.moveon.org
signed-by moveon.org

Dear MoveOn member,

With hundreds of thousands of ballots cast across the country, for the first time in MoveOn's history, we've voted together to endorse a presidential candidate in the primary. That candidate is Barack Obama.

Vote results:

Obama: 197,444 70.4%

Clinton: 83,084 29.6%

Something big is clearly happening. A few weeks ago, MoveOn members we surveyed were split. But with John Edwards bowing out, progressives are coming together. Obama won over 70% of the vote yesterday, and he's moving up in polls nationwide.1 As comments poured in from MoveOn members across the country, the sense of hope was inspiring. Here's how Christine Y. in New Jersey put it:

"I've never felt so strongly about any one candidate in my entire life. He's truly an inspiration to all of us—especially the younger generation. I will stand by him 100% for as long as he's willing to stand up and fight for this country!"

What does MoveOn's endorsement mean? People-power. Together, we are 3.2 million Americans who care about our country and want change. Half of us live in states with primaries or caucuses this coming "Super Tuesday."

We know how to roll up our sleeves and win elections, and if we all pitch in together between now and Tuesday, we can help Sen. Obama win the biggest primary day in American history. Think about it: volunteering during the next four days could mean four years of a progressive president. Can you sign up right now to volunteer for Obama's campaign? Click here:

http://pol.moveon.org/volunteerforobama/?id=12015-5602768-H0gDmu&t=535

There are lots of ways to help. You can call voters from home, go door-to-door with others in your community, travel to "Super Tuesday" states, donate, put up a yard sign, volunteer in a campaign office, or join a local meetup. Senator Obama is running a grassroots campaign, and there's a role for everyone.

Many of us feel like change is within reach for the first time in years. Here's some more of what MoveOn members see in Obama:

"This country needs real, progressive transformation. Barack Obama is the candidate who gives us the best hope of uniting and inspiring the nation to move in that direction, while also restoring America's dignity and standing as a member of the global community."—James M., Connecticut

"While I'm impressed with Clinton and believe she would make a very good president, I'm actually MOVED by Obama. In the end, I believe if Obama is elected he has the potential to bring the country together behind him."—Patricia S., Wisconsin

"He was right on the biggest question of the era—opposing the war from the start."—Jacob S., Washington, D.C.

"I support Barack Obama for the same reasons I support MoveOn.org: the more people are inspired to get involved, the better the outcome for our country. Senator Obama has demonstrated a unique capacity to inspire participation and to make public service 'cool' again. He is also sound on all the issues that matter to me and my family."—Liz B., New York

"I live in a red state, and I see my conservative neighbors and friends showing a positive interest in Barack. They like him. They are ready to be swayed. And I see my Democratic friends and family members getting excited like never before...With Barack as our candidate, I am convinced that we can win in a landslide in 2008 and usher in a new era of progressive politics."—Desirina B., Georgia

To be clear, we won't always agree with all of Obama's positions. And MoveOn members said overwhelmingly that, regardless of who wins the Democratic nomination, we'll work hard to win the White House in 2008. Whatever happens in the primary, we'll push the Democratic nominee to campaign progressively and then we'll push them to fulfill their promises after they win.

The building of a progressive consensus around Senator Obama is tangible. Earlier this week, John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline Kennedy said Obama is the first presidential candidate to be as inspirational as her father.2 Yesterday, progressive magazine The Nation said that electing Obama is "a chance we can't pass up."3 And then DailyKos.com, the most widely read progressive blog, announced Obama won 76% in a reader poll this week.4

It's time to get to work electing a president who is inspiring a nation and is talking about big, progressive change. Click here to volunteer in these next crucial days:

http://pol.moveon.org/volunteerforobama/?id=12015-5602768-H0gDmu&t=536

This is just the beginning of a long road to victory in November. Thanks for all you do, and will do to change our country for the better in 2008.

–Eli, Wes, Joan, Justin, Adam G., Adam R., Ilyse, Karin, Nita, Noah, Marika, Laura, Peter, Anna, Matt, Daniel, Carrie, Tanya, and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
Friday, February 1st, 2008

P.S. As we were about to click "send" we received the following response from Senator Obama. We wanted to share it with you: "In just a few years, the members of MoveOn have once again demonstrated that real change comes not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up. From their principled opposition to the Iraq war—a war I also opposed from the start—to their strong support for a number of progressive causes, MoveOn shows what Americans can achieve when we come together in a grassroots movement for change. I thank them for their support and look forward to working with their members in the weeks and months ahead."

Sources:

1. "Race Tightening Between Obama and Clinton," The Nation, January 31, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3364&id=12015-5602768-H0gDmu&t=537

2. "A President Like My Father," Caroline Kennedy in the New York Times, January 27, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3360&id=12015-5602768-H0gDmu&t=538

3. "The Choice," Chris Hayes in The Nation, January 31, 2008
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080218/hayes

4. "2008: 1/30 results," DailyKos.com reader poll, January 30, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3361&id=12015-5602768-H0gDmu&t=539

Support our member-driven organization: MoveOn.org Political Action is entirely funded by our 3.2 million members. We have no corporate contributors, no foundation grants, no money from unions. Our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. If you'd like to support our work, you can give now at:

http://political.moveon.org/donate/email.html?id=12015-5602768-H0gDmu&t=540

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Contact the undecided 'Super Delegates' from your State!

Primary Colors — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:49:25 EST

Undecided Super Delegates, by State

(Please contact the undecided super delegate in your state, and urge him/her to support Obama before Super Tuesday. You can Google 'Office of <delegate's full name>' to get contact info):

FirstNm    LastNm    State    District
Bud    Cramer    AL    5
Blanche    Lincoln    AR    0
Gabi    Giffords    AZ    8
Harry    Mitchell    AZ    5
Howard    Berman    CA    28
Barbara    Boxer    CA    0
Lois    Capps    CA    23
Jim    Costa    CA    20
Susan    Davis    CA    53
Anna    Eshoo    CA    14
Sam    Farr    CA    17
Bob    Filner    CA    51
Mike    Honda    CA    15
Jerry    McNerney    CA    11
Nancy    Pelosi    CA    8
Pete    Stark    CA    13
Henry    Waxman    CA    30
Ken    Salazar    CO    0
John    Salazar    CO    3
Mark    Udall    CO    2
Joe    Courtney    CT    2
Rosa    DeLauro    CT    3
Chris    Dodd    CT    0
John    Larson    CT    1
Chris    Murphy    CT    5
Eleanor    Holmes Norton    DC    AL
Joe    Biden    DE    0
Tom    Carper    DE    0
Allen    Boyd    FL    2
Kathy    Castor    FL    11
Ron    Klein    FL    22
Tim    Mahoney    FL    16
Bill    Nelson    FL    0
John    Barrow    GA    12
Jim    Marshall    GA    8
Madeleine    Bordallo    GUAM    AL
Dan (Danny)    Akaka    HI    0
Mazie    Hirono    HI    2
Tom    Harkin    IA    0
Rahm    Emanuel    IL    5
Andre    Carson    IN    7
Joe    Donnelly    IN    2
Brad    Ellsworth    IN    8
Baron    Hill    IN    9
Pete    Visclosky    IN    1
Nancy    Boyda    KS    2
Dennis    Moore    KS    3
Ben    Chandler    KY    6
John    Yarmuth    KY    3
Bill    Jefferson    LA    2
Mary    Landrieu    LA    0
Charlie    Melancon    LA    3
Michael    Capuano    MA    8
Ed    Markey    MA    7
John    Olver    MA    1
John    Tierney    MA    6
Nikki    Tsongas    MA    5
Benjamin    Cardin    MD    0
Steny    Hoyer    MD    5
John    Sarbanes    MD    3
Chris    Van Hollen    MD    8
Tom    Allen    ME    1
John    Dingell    MI    15
Dale    Kildee    MI    5
Carolyn    Kilpatrick    MI    13
Carl    Levin    MI    0
Amy    Klobuchar    MN    0
Collin    Peterson    MN    7
Tim    Walz    MN    1
Ike    Skelton    MO    4
Gene    Taylor    MS    4
Max    Baucus    MT    0
Jon    Tester    MT    0
Byron    Dorgan    ND    0
Earl    Pomeroy    ND    AL
Rush    Holt    NJ    12
Frank    Lautenberg    NJ    0
Jeff    Bingaman    NM    0
Tom    Udall    NM    3
Harry    Reid    NV    0
Sherrod    Brown    OH    0
Marcy    Kaptur    OH    9
Dennis    Kucinich    OH    10
Tim    Ryan    OH    17
Zach    Space    OH    18
Betty    Sutton    OH    13
Charlie    Wilson    OH    6
Dan    Boren    OK    2
Earl    Blumenauer    OR    3
Peter    DeFazio    OR    4
David    Wu    OR    1
Ron    Wyden    OR    0
Jason    Altmire    PA    4
Bob    Brady    PA    1
Chris    Carney    PA    10
Bob    Casey    PA    0
Mike    Doyle    PA    14
Tim    Holden    PA    17
Paul    Kanjorski    PA    11
Jack    Murtha    PA    12
Patrick    Kennedy    RI    1
Jack    Reed    RI    0
Jim    Clyburn    SC    6
John    Spratt    SC    5
Steve    Cohen    TN    9
Lincoln    Davis    TN    4
Bart    Gordon    TN    6
John    Tanner    TN    8
Lloyd    Doggett    TX    25
Chet    Edwards    TX    17
Gene    Green    TX    29
Nick    Lampson    TX    22
Solomon    Ortiz    TX    27
Ciro    Rodriguez    TX    23
Jim    Matheson    UT    2
Jim    Webb    VA    0
Bernie    Sanders    VT    0
Brian    Baird    WA    3
Rick    Larsen    WA    2
Jim    McDermott    WA    7
Russ    Feingold    WI    0
Steve    Kagen    WI    8
Ron    Kind    WI    3
Herb    Kohl    WI    0
Robert    Byrd    WV    0
Alan    Mollohan    WV    1
Nick Joe    Rahall    WV    3
Jay    Rockefeller    WV    0

Contact Sen. John Edwards -- DROPPING OUT OF RACE

Primary Colors — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:39:53 EST

Now that John Edwards is ending his presidential campaign, please consider contacting the John Edwards Campaign Headquarters in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and ask the Senator to Endorse Barack Obama. They were quite receptive to mine and others' phone calls. Spread to your other contacts...

PHONE:    919-636-3131

FAX:          919-967-3644

WRITE:

John Edwards Campaign

410 Market Street, Suite 400

Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516

Vote Fraud Cost Obama NH?

Primary Colors — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:51:13 EST

Hi Everybody,

I'm just wondering how this story has been flying under the radar on all the major news media almost a week after the NH primaries...are most people aware of this yet?

The Kucinich-prompted recount should start by Jan 16th, but I think this needs to be known about before that. I find this to be a much more plausible explanation of the discrepancies between all of the polling prior to the voting and the 'actual results'.

2008 Democratic Primary for New Hampshire - Vote Count Summary
http://checkthevotes.com/primary_dem_New_Hampshire-summary

Vote Fraud Cost Obama N.H. (Jan 13, 2008)
http://blackstarnews.com/?c=119&a=4109

Diebold Voting Machine Failures Found Across State During New Hampshire Primary (Jan 13, 2008)
http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_dori_smi_080113_diebold_voting_machi.htm

New Hampshire to Recount Ballots in Light of Controversy (Jan 11, 2008)
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/new-hampshire-t.html

Kucinich claim spurs N.H. recount (Jan 12, 2008)
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1066072

Is this Fraud? (Jan 9, 2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV6qAGigGYY

Please post a reply if you know anything else on this.

Re-prohibit consumer prescription drug marketing

Primary Colors — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 10:35:54 EST

I'd like to see repeal of the 1993 FCC ruling that allowed direct-to-consumer marketing of prescription medication. One of the first legislative changes pushed by Republican lobbyists in the early days of New Gingrich's 'revolution', it was long sought by big Pharma but had always been considered as not in the public interest (as it is still considered and prohibited in nearly every country other than the U.S.). If you recall, prior to '93, prescription medications were (appropriately) marketed only to physicians via specialized medical journals. The advertising budget for a new drug was a very modest percentage of the cost of its introduction (under 5%) while R&D to develop a new, viable product (i.e., significantly better than available alternatives) still comprised the overwhelming majority of its cost (north of 50%).

Then two changes took place that affected pharmaceutical development in a massive way: legislation was passed allowing the patenting of 'designer' molecules used as active ingredients in drugs and the FCC eliminated it's restrictions on consumer marketing of pharmaceuticals.

These two changes combined to quickly shift the focus of the drug industry from being successful by developing new and innovative medications that were significantly better than what was already available on the market (and the R&D and basic science investments necessary for this) to a strategy of making molecular tweaks to existing medications to make them different enough to patent, gaining proprietary control over the 'new' ingredient, and then launch massive 'lifestyle' marketing campaigns to deceive consumers into believing that they needed a new name-brand offering for their condition/lifestyle (think the 'little purple pill'). this quickly devolved into patients thinking they know best about their drug treatment needs when commercials apply pressure to 'ask your doctor about' so and so medicine, backing physicians into a corner where they can lose patients if they don't write the prescription patients think they need.

There is actually analysis that points to the price difference between prescription medications in the U.S. and Canada being due solely to the fact that Canada never relaxed marketing restrictions on prescription medication, like the U.S. This has meant that the marketing component cost of selling any given drug in Canada is much lower than in the U.S. Combined with pricing guidelines that bar producers from charging exorbitant markups out of line with their costs, this sensible approach has meant that identical medications in Canada often cost a fraction of what they do in the U.S.

This situation is laid out in an excellent episode of PBS's FRONTLINE documentary series entitled 'The Other Drug War' (#2120).

Link

I know it'll be hard to get this particular genie back into the bottle, given entrenched interests in the Pharmaceutical, Advertising and Television industries, but it'll be a worthwhile, basic shift in the structure of our failed health care system, akin to adopting substantial campaign finance reform.

Unconventional fundraiser a chance to meet other Boston Obama supporters

Primary Colors — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:18:55 EST

Hi all,

I don't know about you, (though I suspect you may feel the same way), but I'm dying to meet other Obama supporters from the Boston area. As the start of his campaign provides a chance of a better future for the entire country, I want to celebrate that prospect with other like-minded neighbors (from the North Shore or beyond). To provide this opportunity, I am organizing what I think would be a great fund-raiser: the 'North Shore Supports Obama - Benefit Dance and Get-Together' in my town, Rockport, MA.

We'll have refreshments and a DJ (yours truly) mixing music, as well as space to dance with, mingle and meet other local progressives.

If you're interested, please check out this event and rsvp as soon as possible to help in event planning.

Hope to see you there!

John