We have a Bush Dog Congressman from Georga, John Barrow, who is facing a primary challenge from Regina Thomas, a State Senator. Barrow was endorsed by Obama the same day that the House voted for the passage of FISA. Barrow joined with the Republicans on this issue.

We have a choice of a better alternative in Thomas who is actually closer on the issues to Obama. So you can donate to her and take out your anger on Barack. By doing that you can do something constructive while at the same time not hurting our chances for a Democratic White House. I am all for a unified party in the fall, but this is our chance where we can get rid of someone who does not represent their constituents.

It's a clever idea to raise some more money right? The primary is a week from Tuesday and any bit you can give will help her in a primary where 70% of the voters could be African Americans and she definitely has a shot.

Donate here

Thanks

The Progressive Electorate

We continue to mourn the passing of one of the most ardent supporters of progressive ideas and values in Jesse Helms. Anyways, we really remember Jesse Helms for the most part for his race baiting, opposition to funding for the Arts, opposition to funding for AIDS and his challenges in the 1990's by Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gannt.

This is one of my earliest rememberances of electoral politics and the nastiness in political ads. I also remember being betrayed when world basketball superstar and businessman Michael Jordan failed to endorse the liberal Progressive Black Mayor of Charlotte over the icon of Republican Rural Values and Antagonistic Ideas in Jesse Helms. He simply said , "Republicans Wear Sneakers Too."

I was real interested to find out if anyone replayed this comment or if Jordan every issued an apology, etc. I found this article this morning regarding Jordan learning of the passing of Helms. click here to read

Jordan said,  

"What I said was true - Republicans buy sneakers. And usually full retail. But I've since realized that there are more important things than money, or market share or the Jordan brand."

Jordan was brought back on track when asked if he'd ever met the five-term Senator.

"A number of years back, I was in Raleigh at some function and I was introduced to the Senator. 'Hello Senator Helms, nice to meet you,' I say, offering my hand. He looks up at me, sizes up my hand, and smiles like he's addressing the help back at the plantation: 'Nice to meet you too, Fred.' I'm like, Fred, huh? No, it's Michael, Michael Jordan, the basketball player. He just goes, 'Nice to meet you Fred.' That's one crazy mother (muffled)."

Someone later told Jordan that Helms had a "humorous habit" of calling all black people "Fred."

"Yeah, humorous. Hilarious. It was then that I realized I made a mistake, I should have come out to support the brother. Let him know, if he runs again, give my office a call, we'll hit the campaign up with all the Air Jordans and Jordan brand apparel they need. On the house. It would be my honor to be the official sponsor - along with Gatorade and Hanes -- of Harvey Gantt's next campaign."

About a decade or two late. I reflect upon what might have been had Jordan supported Gannt. Would he have finally ended the career of this homophobic, racist bastion of the Republican Party in the South.

Just my reflections on the Jesse Helms/ Harvey Gannt election that may or may not have changed politics in this country.

Interesting to note that in 2008 we have several celebrities and sports personalities that get involved in the Presidential election.

We need to be able to embed videos and photos. Rick has a nice video today where he thanks the netroots. We

We have it up at The Progressive Electorate.

Also remember to donate to Rick in the $17.76 money bomb. as we must continue to keep Rick and Texas in play this cycle.

So Rick Noriega released his fundraising numbers for Q2 yesterday. Click here to read full release from campaign.

I think the campaign realizes this total was below National expectations by its headline and lead paragraph focusing on the total amount of donors and the on-line prowess.

To me 980k in Texas will hurt as it is such a big State to cover with so many different media markets. With so many other races that the DSCC can put focus into in terms of bang for the buck, I'm a little concerned with almost half the money coming in from ACT Blue donations.

That being said, we will need to do more and contribute more to make this race stay viable. There was good news last week with the lead in on-line fundraising and some close polling numbers.

As I was reminded earlier, we are still in this race and we should only offer constructive criticism and not just whine. So I have added Rick to my $17.76 money bomb. Please take the time and Donate. We are going to need to raise 750k on-line or more next quarter for Rick. It can be done and it will be done.

I've been assured that other efforts have been stepped up as well as reminded that Rick lost two weeks due to being on Active Duty.

Okay, I took the $17.76 added a couple threw back in Barack and just put Rick Noriega in the mix.

So help me and let's see what we can do. This is the first time I donated to Barack since he secured the nomination. I had been waiting and no better time than the 4th of July.

I threw Rick Noriega in the mix because of his patriotism and stance on veterans issues. We need a veteran in the Senate who will stand up for our veterans and not just provide lip service.

Donate here

I am stealing an idea I just saw to raise $1776 for Obama. I loved it. I want to carry this down to some candidates I am supporting because it is a briliant idea.

This is not only in honor of the birth of our country, but the birth of progressive ideas and progressive values.

Donate here to Darcy Burner

We need $17.76 for Darcy Burner who just lost her house to a fire. For every day she cannot campaign she must raise $5,000. Let's raise some more money because she is a netroots favorite and supports our issues. Look at that shirt she was wearing in protest of the war while her house was burning down.

Donate here to Regina Thomas


We need $17.76 for Regina Thomas who is fighting Bush Dog John Barrow and has less than two weeks until that primary. Bush Dog John Barrow who supported the telcom industry and not the people on FISA. Regina is the true Democrat in this race.




These are two candidates that are relying on the netroots to help them raise the money they need to be competitive. Please do what you can. If you cannot do $17.76 split it in half and do 8.88 in two installments. or 4 installments of 4.44.

The Progressive Electorate

As most of you already know, Darcy Burner - Runnng for WA-08, lost her home to a fire yesterday. While Darcy and her family are fine we need to support her more than ever right now and help her raise some money. Every day that we can help her out she can try and can handle family matters.

We need this seat. She is a great candidate and she really needs our support at this time.

If you have a couple dollars and can donate even if it is $5.00 please click here

I just read the reports from last night's debate and wanted to pass along the info that I received. This race does not need to get swept under the rug. It is very important that we take a look at why Regina Thomas would be better for this district. John Barrow has not only been a Bush Dog, but he has been generally ineffective as a Congressman over the past 4 years.

According to the AP story, which I found online at the Macon Telegraph, John Barrow was described as

 

Barrow refrained from attacking in kind, but defended himself as a congressman willing to work with Republicans and Democrats alike.

]"I genuinely believe that's what this country needs," said Barrow of Savannah. "And I know that's what the vast majority of the folks I represent want us to do in Washington."

But has John Barrow worked with his own party is the question. Does he look to the Republican Party for guidance on the war and FISA or does he look to the Democratic Party? We at the Progressive Electorate feel that John Barrow.

John Barrow has a million in the bank plus whatever he raised with the Obama endorsement. Regina Thomas might has raised what she has on-line primarily. 41k and change has come in on Act Blue. We can afford a few more dollars. This primary is on July 14.

Click here to donate a few more bucks. This race cannot be forgotten. I know it was hot the last few weeks, but the intensity has seemed to wane. Let's make sure that we give it a push the last two weeks.

I just read the reports from last night's debate and wanted to pass along the info that I received. This race does not need to get swept under the rug. It is very important that we take a look at why Regina Thomas would be better for this district. John Barrow has not only been a Bush Dog, but he has been generally ineffective as a Congressman over the past 4 years.

According to the AP story, which I found online at the Macon Telegraph, John Barrow was described as

 

Barrow refrained from attacking in kind, but defended himself as a congressman willing to work with Republicans and Democrats alike.

]"I genuinely believe that's what this country needs," said Barrow of Savannah. "And I know that's what the vast majority of the folks I represent want us to do in Washington."

But has John Barrow worked with his own party is the question. Does he look to the Republican Party for guidance on the war and FISA or does he look to the Democratic Party? We at the Progressive Electorate feel that John Barrow.

John Barrow has a million in the bank plus whatever he raised with the Obama endorsement. Regina Thomas might has raised what she has on-line primarily. 41k and change has come in on Act Blue. We can afford a few more dollars. This primary is on July 14.

Click here to donate a few more bucks. This race cannot be forgotten. I know it was hot the last few weeks, but the intensity has seemed to wane. Let's make sure that we give it a push the last two weeks.

We over here at the Progressive Electorate have started Two For Tuesdays in which we set a goal of raising $3200 in $2.00 donations. Every week we are asking for 100 people to donate 2 bucks. At the end of the cycle we will have raised at least $3200.

Rick Noriega is our lead candidate and he is setting all kinds of on-line records. Act Blue had a phenomenal day on Monday and we are asking to just add two bucks to make that even greater.

Give $2 to either Rick Noriega, Dan Seals, Josh Segall, Ronnie Musgrove, Larry Kissell, Daniel Johnson or Regina Thomas.

Donate here now. This week since we just started we need your help more than ever. I'm sure you can find one of these candidates to give $2.00

I just learned that my Senator Jeff Beauregard Sessions blocked the vote on the AIDS bill last week. Click here to read editorial.

Bush and a bipartisan majority wanted to use this as leverage at the G-8 summitt. Sessions and others claim the price tag was too high. Even after Sen. Coburn dropped his objections, Sessions blocked the bill.

This is a bill that is viewed as having a wide range of support. It also would encourage other countries to sign on and help.

Time and time again we are embarassed by this man. It doesn't matter what issue we are dealing with. A few weeks ago it was his vote against the GI Bill, then favored helping his big oil company buddies and now it is against adequate funding for AIDS prevention and treatment.

Fortunately we have a choice in November with Vivian Davis Figures. Please go to www.figures2008.com and read about her.

Then Click Here and Donate

In a sign of more bad news for Cornyn and evidence Noriega is charmed the Texas Medical Association backs off their previous endorsement of Big Bad John,

The Medical Association says  "

"

The Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) is outraged that you made the decision to follow the direction of the Bush administration and voted to protect health insurance companies at the expense of America's seniors, those with disabilities, and military families," El Paso physician Manuel Acosta, chairman of the political action committee, wrote in a letter to Mr. Cornyn.

For more on this issue click here

We have less than 24 hours until the end of this quarter's reporting deadline. We've almost reached our goal of $1500 at the Progressive Electorate for Better Senators for Veterans.

Give $10.01 or more and we will get there and go towards our new goal.

Click here to donate to Rick.