Blue Majority Page: Call for Nominations

As you know, this week - the final week of the first fundraising quarter - Blue Majority is pushing to reach a total of 6,500 donations. We're getting there - following on the heels of our endorsement of Barack Obama, we've now moved past 5,800 donors. That means we need about 700 more, so if you haven't given yet, please do. Donations of all sizes are welcome.

There's also another way you can contribute. We'd like to solicit nominations for new candidates to add to the page. To be clear, this isn't a vote - we won't simply pick the people who get talked about the most. Rather, we want to get a sense of who our communities like, and why. We also don't have a specific timetable for adding new names, but we hope to choose some soon.

As a guide, here are some of the criteria we like to look at - some of these are old, and some are new:

Is the candidate running against a Republican incumbent or for a GOP-held open seat? (This is close to being an absolute requirement.)

Does the candidate embody the kinds of progressive values you'd ideally like to see in Congress?

Is the race not a top-tier affair? (Our dollars can go further in races which, so far, have received less attention and institutional backing.)

Has the local blogosphere embraced the candidate - and vice versa?

Does he or she pass the partisanship litmus test?

Is the Republican an easy target? (Think back to Tom DeLay.)

How blue is the district or state?

Please submit your ideas in comments - and again, please be sure to donate before the end of the quarter.

•  Michigan

  Democrats Mark Schauer and Gary Peters are both running against easy and vulnerable targets in marginal districts in Michigan.  They both embody Progressive values and both pass the litmus test.  They both ought to be added.

  by MenhentheDem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:13:52 PM PDT

  •  It would be great to throw our support

    behind a Michigan candidate, too, given the primary fiasco.

    by scardanelli on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:59:09 PM PDT

  •  Dennis Shulman as well

    Dennis Shulman is also running an incredibly strong grassroots campaign in New Jersey to defeat right wing extremist Scott Garrett.  He is already getting strong Netroots support and you can read his FireDogLake chat with Howie Klein here:

    http://firedoglake.com/...

    Shulman recently got several major endorsements including The Teamsters, New York Governor David Paterson, General Wesley Clark, and an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, featured on Swing State Project and Daily Kos:

    http://www.dailykos.com/...

    Check out his website at http://www.ShulmanforCongress.com

    by aaronforamerica on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:10:33 PM PDT

    •  Yes to Dennis Shulman (NJ-5)

      In addition to aaronforamerica's comments, I'd point that Shulman is running against republican Scott Garrett, an extreme ideologue (e.g, pro-life, pro-war, anti-stem cell research, anti-SCHIP, favors teacher-led prayer in schools, opposes repealing tax cuts for the wealthy, favors making the Patriot Act permanent, love his guns, and so on and so for forth) that is way out of touch with what is a moderately conservative district. Consistent with these positions, Garrett has (of course) been given the highest possible rating by the American Conservative Union.

      Truly, Garrett is an easy target who has been winning year-after-election-year by progressively smaller margins (59% to 38%, 58% to 41%, 55% to 44%).

      He's also gaining support from the local blogosphere.

      Moreover, Shulman is a man with integrity who is really inspiring people in the district with his truly unorthodox campaign (for my own personal take on the man, check out this diary). In my estimation, Shulman most definitely passes the partisan litmus test and is a candidate that can swing this district

      by Daniel Goldstein on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 07:29:53 AM PDT

•  Scott Kleeb

  We've got a primary on May 13 - and a primary opponent who was very nearly a Bush administration appointee.

  There's a couple of other great candidates in Nebraska as well, but we'll settle for Kleeb at the moment.

  by ptmflbcs on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:14:52 PM PDT

  •  I second that!

    by NYBri on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:15:40 PM PDT

    •  Web Site

      Scott's Web Site

      by NYBri on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:17:38 PM PDT

      •  Hey there Brian!

        How's the Powers campaign going?

        by Timroff on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 06:53:19 PM PDT

    •  I third it

      Go Scott!

      by Mike Nellis on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:20:19 PM PDT

      •  I'll fourth it

        if there is anything like that...

        by Sven at My Silver State on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:27:38 PM PDT

        •  Fifth!

          It's winnable, and Kleeb is exactly what we mean when we talk about 'better Dems.'

          by scardanelli on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:06:59 PM PDT

  •  Who's cuter?

    Kleeb or Martin Heinrich?

    (For the record, I think they both should be on there.)

    by Land of Enchantment on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:49:51 PM PDT

    •  Bringing Sexy (Back) to Congress

      There used to be sexy men in Congress. Remember Bobby Kennedy? And progressive, too.

      Anyway, I figured it was time to bring sexy male Democrats to Congress. There's even a facebook group. Right now it includes Martin Heinrich, Andrew Rice, Scott Kleeb and Jim Neal. And I nominate all of them for a Blue Majority Endorsement.

      by Sven at My Silver State on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:07:33 PM PDT

      •  Eliminating Jean "Scrunchie" Schmidt

        would definitely improve the female sexy quotient of Congress to say nothing of the intellegence level.

        http://www.wulsinforcongress.com/

         I don't know if you'd call Dr. Vic "sexy" exactly; she's more sweet-looking. But she definitely is more attractive -- to say nothing of more intelligent and way better on ALL our issues -- than Scrunchie.

        by anastasia p on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:47:44 PM PDT

      •  Second: Jim Neal for NC Senate!

        He's been endorsed by Act Blue, but Jim Neal can use all the support he can get if he's going to beat Schumer's DLC semi-Dem Kay Hagan for NC's Senate nom.  We really, really, really to oust Liddy Dole, and I don't think there's enough difference between Hagan and Dole to make the case.  Jim Neal, on the other hand, is a true progressive, who has it together on Iraq, health care, FISA, the environment, and the economy.  

        And for pure, unvarnished irony, I would also just really love to send an openly gay man to fill the Senate seat that Jesse Helms held for so long.  I know that last one's not a great reason, but at least I'm honest.

        Neal and Hagan are having their only debate tomorrow (Friday) night - deets on his homepage, linked above.  If you'd like to know more about Jim, there's lots of link love in my last diary (I don't do many, so it's something like a month old).  Pam's House Blend continues to provide great coverage of Jim Neal's run.

        by thisniss on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 09:44:45 PM PDT

        •  Another reason to add Jim Neal: NC Primary

          YIPES!!!  North Carolina Presidential Primary insanity!  Now that we're moving more and more into crazyland with the presidential primary contest, it seems like local races are getting shafted.  The North Carolina primary wasn't supposed to be "important" on a national level in the way that it is now looking like it might (or, more likely, will) become.  With the increased attention and turnout that the Presidential race will generate, there will be less "air in the room" for the senate race - fewer volunteers, less money, less attention paid all around to this race, since Obama/Clinton seems to be the only "important" vote on the ballot.  

          This all benefits Kay Hagan, because she currently holds a state office and has more "name recognition," as well as the support of the NC Dem machinery and the weight of Schumer's blessing behind her.  

          Neal is the outsider, who has been making his case through grassroots and netroots campaigning.  He has made a "100 County" strategy the center of his plan:  adapting the Dean ideal to North Carolina, Neal is visiting every county in the state to make his case personally to the voters.  Neal's netroots approach is also pretty good (far better than any other NC candidate I've seen), and he consistently impresses me by stressing his desire to be the "senator for all North Carolinians, not just those who vote for me."

          I really think Jim Neal could go all the way against Dole.  North Carolina is a strange state with a real chance of voting strongly Dem this fall (just over half our congressional delegation is blue now, as is most of our local government).  But we need more support and a greater push on the national level.  

          The party leadership keeps thinking that the way to "blue" NC is to run centrist DINOs, and they keep losing here.  The truth is that their approach might work in a couple of "swing" districts, but for the most part NC will always prove the adage "Given a choice between a Republican and a Republican, voters will pick the Republican every time."  Given the choice between a Republican and a progressive Democrat, though, there are more than enough North Carolinians who will vote Dem to turn this purple state blue.

          by thisniss on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:15:57 PM PDT

        •  Neal endorsement

          gah, I was really tired when I made my first post, and meant to write that he had been endorsed by Blue America PAC (Firedoglake, DownWithTyranny, and Crooks & Liars) - another Act Blue group.

          needs sleep.

          by thisniss on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:30:25 AM PDT

          •  I vote for Jim Neal.

            He's a Democrat who is unafraid to be a Democrat in a historic election.

            by Sam Spencer for County Commissioner on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 05:03:32 AM PDT

    •  Land of Enchantment

      Anne Barth - WV-02
      
      
      

      by Carnacki on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 06:52:16 PM PDT

      •  Carnacki

        by Land of Enchantment on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 06:59:01 PM PDT

•  The rest of the Miami 3

  All of them, as a block.  Martinez and Garcia against their relative Diaz-Balarts, and Taddeo against Ros-Lehtien.  I know Garcia is already on the list, but let's go for the Trifecta.

  Also, how about Josh Zeitz in NJ-04?

  by JR on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:14:55 PM PDT

•  Jim Himes, CT-4

  Rep. Chris "20 visits to Iraq and ain't learned a damn thing" Shays is the only Republican House member left in New England. Candidate Jim Himes meets every criteria except the "not top tier" criteria (the DCCC has the seat targeted) but for the purposes of regional balance I think it's a good bet. See MyLeftNutmeg for more on Jim Himes.

  by joejoejoe on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:14:55 PM PDT

  •  Yeah I couldn't agree more. The last red seat

    in Connecticut and New England.

    ~Doc~

    by EquationDoc on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:43:26 PM PDT

    •  Yeah, and it is really frustrating

      I did some volunteering on the campaign of Dianne Farrel (who ran against Shays the last two times) and was frustrated that she essentially ran the same campaign twice (I'm agains the war, Shays isn't), despite the fact that Shays has no qualms about appearing to see the light just before an election and then changing his mind back right after it.  Himes seems to be running the right kind of campaign and I look forward to spending the summer working/volunteering for the campaign once I get home from school.
      This race is winnable, its already been tagged as a DCCC "Red to Blue" and BlueMajority should be helping rid New England of that last red spot...

      by CTRice on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:08:06 PM PDT

      •  I have to see how my schedule goes over the

        summer but I would also like to go knock on doors for him.

        ~Doc~

        by EquationDoc on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 12:03:46 PM PDT

  •  you beat me to it

    but he is young and engaging, and the local netroots love him: just look at MLN

    by leaveonlyfootprints on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:34:44 PM PDT

•  Betsy Markey!

  She's running against Marilyn Musgrave!

  http://www.betsymarkey.com/

  I wanted this seat so bad last cycle, and Betsy might be the candidate to do it this go around. She's been raising money, and Marilyn is being ignored by her party. We have a real chance to pick this seat up.

  by Phish Food on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:15:33 PM PDT

  •  Yes, go, Betsy!

    My #1 target race outside of Ohio. Let's see if we can get the voters to ignore Marilyn "Gay marriage the biggest threat to America" Musgrave, as well, a true embarassment to congress and the country. I'm sure she'll think a massive gay conspiracy ousted her but that's OK. She's already delusional.

    by anastasia p on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:44:12 PM PDT

  •  Markey is everything we want

    (read: she's the exact opposite of Marilyn Musgrave)

    Betsy wouldn't call Tom DeLay "a great leader," or do this

    She's a great candidate in a moderate district in north central Colorado. Betsy's fundraising is going well, and she has strong support within the state, but she hasn't had great national support - yet.

    This is a prime seat for us - the Musgrave is already afraid the Republicans might leave her hanging. Blue Majority would do wonders!

    Colorado can be a great state for us this year!

    by enemynews on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 10:00:59 AM PDT

•  I'd suggest Jeff Merkley

  ...who's running for Senate in Oregon, but he's probably going to be a top-tier candidate.

  by maxomai on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:16:15 PM PDT

  •  If anyone

    from Oregon it should be Steve Novick (in my opinion).  He seems to be more liberal and a Rasmussen poll shows him doing better than Merkely

    by MenhentheDem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:18:18 PM PDT

    •  Maybe

      Thing is, Merkely is the one who's been working his ass off to put the Democrats in power in the Oregon State Legislature. Which, in turn, made everything from the rainy day fund to civil unions possible.

      by maxomai on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:25:04 PM PDT

      •  Novick did that first

        it's possble you didn't know, but Novick did the same thing for the state Senate, in 97-98.
        I have to agree Steve is more progressive on a number of issues, has better poll numbers, is close to a million dollars raised (amazing for the non-DSCC candidate), and stuck his neck out for the party when no one else showed the sack to run against Gordon Smith.

        And now that the race looks even, Merkley has been poll testing attacks calling Novick a tax and spend Communist, almost literally. I don't like that.

        by torridjoe on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:45:29 PM PDT

      •  Novick is a great, great candidate

        Aside from his remarkable personal biography (born without a left arm or fibula bones; enrolled at the U of Oregon at age 14; enrolled at Harvard Law School at age 18 and graduated at age 21; lead counsel for USDOJ on Love Canal case) ... as if that werent enough ...

        He's as smart as a whip and very, very clever and quick on his feet, an ace in debates. He has a great wry wit and connects well with people. He's also got two of the greatest TV spots ever, and more on their way from Russ Feingold's ad guys.

        Spot #1 - "To Tell The Truth"
        Spot #2 - "A Beer With Steve"

        He's also more progressive than Merkley and less conventional, which makes me feel he is far more likely to be able to beat Smith.

        by vard on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:07:33 PM PDT

    •  Another for Novick

      He's for lifting the regressive Social Security tax cap, for equalizing tax rates between wage earners and those who make their income on capital gains, for Net Neutrality, for getting us out of Iraq and has a detailed plan for addressing poverty.

      by maloney on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:27:43 PM PDT

  •  I love the Oregon Senate race

    But maybe we should wait until the primary's over and see whether Merkley or Novick is the nominee.  Either would be well worthy of our support.

    by AdmiralNaismith on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:11:50 PM PDT

    •  Indeed

      Merkley has a small number of extremely loud pot-banging supporters in the netroots.  Novick's support seems to run deep as well.

      Any diary here that mentions the OR Senate race is evidence enough of that.  And it should also be clear that at least the Merkley crowd are not too proud to throw pies.  

      Best steer clear of this race until June.  It's too late for netroots dollars to influence the primary, and money given now will go to our primary.

      This sort of polling is not the sort of thing we want our money spent on.

      by nepolon on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 09:13:56 PM PDT

•  Well you've already got my guy Charlie Brown...

  and some money from me (or Mr. Cat...) this week.

  Keep nagging!!!

  by SallyCat on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:16:39 PM PDT

  •  Thanks Sally! n/t

    by DarkSyde on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:24:26 PM PDT

  •  Made a big contribution to Charlie today

    But I didn't do it through the Blue Majority page. I actually got a fund-raising call from Charlie, and didn't really pay attention to which ACTBLUE page I was using.

    by Aeolus on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:39:43 PM PDT

•  Jon Powers in NY-26

  Definitely...a GREAT chance to pick up a seat by an Iraq War Vet.

  Powers For Congress

  by NYBri on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:16:56 PM PDT

  •  I second this

    enthusiastically. Jon is committed to a grassroots campaign, and he is backed by the NY blogosphere. But he could use netroots help, esp. now that "Crzy Jack Davis" has jumped in again with an explicit strategy of trying to spend Jon into the ground.

    by Historical Pessimist on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:28:33 PM PDT

  •  I concur this is an important one...

    by DemMarineVet on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:29:58 PM PDT

•  You've already got both candidates from IL

  that come immediately to mind: Bill Foster (though as an incumbent of sorts, maybe he doesn't qualify) and Dan Seals.

  -dms

  by dmsilev on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:19:44 PM PDT

  •  Sorry, I missed this comment...

    ...or I would've replied with my suggestion (which is now below).

    by thesill on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:41:56 PM PDT

•  Coach Roy Carter NC-05

  Roy Carter is going up against Virginia Foxx, the most Bush-like critter in Congress.

  Coach Carter's diary 4000th Death as we Enter 6th Year of War. appeared this past Monday.

  In 2006, Kossacks rallied to the cause of Larry Kissell, who came almost 300 votes to taking down Robin Hayes.

  Roy Carter is the North Carolina candidate we should show the same sort of support for.

  by TarheelDem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:21:02 PM PDT

  •  Harry Taylor and Larry Kissell in NC

    Harry Taylor is running against Rebpublican Sue Myrick in the 9th District. You may remember Harry from when he stood up in a Bush friendly audience and told him he was ashamed of him.
    

    Larry Kissell is the NC-08 district running against Republican Robin Hayes. He lost in 2006 by less than 400 votes. He's well known on DKos.

    by DJShay on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:54:28 PM PDT

    •  Kissell should be top-tier this year

      He's already on Red-to-Blue.  Last cycle, he got a grand total of $31 (in the form of an in-kind contribution) from DCCC.  This time, I think they'll go to bat for him--you don't pass up a candidate who managed to come so close last time with almost no help from DC.

      by JR on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:17:15 PM PDT

      •  Kissell for sure - he's a great choice (nt)

        by thisniss on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 09:47:00 PM PDT

    •  Harry Taylor

      Harry is a progressive running for 9th district in Charlotte.  He is a great choice to replace Sue Myrick.  He will vote to get our troops out of Iraq, support health care, environmental concerns (yes global warming is real and we have greatly contributed to it) and education.  

      by farfel on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:03:15 AM PDT

      •  Harry Taylor for Blue Majority

        second for Harry he is an inspiring progressive leader.

        by forgore on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 07:21:02 AM PDT

•  How about

  Dr. Victoria Wulsin (Dem Ohio)  vs incumbent Rep Jean Schmidt.

  This seems like a very good cause to me!

  by doctorgirl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:21:27 PM PDT

  •  Amen!

    Dr. Victoria Wulsin has a great chance of knocking off Mean Jean Schmidt.  She's already outraised her this quarter... with the help of the Blue Majority Page, we could expand that financial lead.  

    by oaksmarts on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:28:44 PM PDT

    •  Here's her website

      For those interested in her positions.

      www.wulsinforcongress.com

      by oaksmarts on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:29:23 PM PDT

      •  clickable here

        http://wulsinforcongress.com

        by eeff on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:41:01 PM PDT

  •  Amen

    I kicked some cash to Dr. Wulsin in 2006 and I'll gladly do so again in 2008. Mean Jean's gotta go.

    by PerfectStormer on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:57:17 PM PDT

    •  My #2 priority race

      after Bill O'Neill in Oh-14.  Dr. Vic has sensible, people -friendly positions that have wide appeal; Scrunchie Schmidt is a particularly embarassing Bush rubber stamp.

      by anastasia p on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:52:39 PM PDT

  •  While you're talking about Ohio

    I'd like to also offer Bill O'Neill, who is running against Steven LaTourette in OH-14 (Northeast Ohio)

    A progressive's progressive, O'Neill is a founding member of the Northeast Ohio chapter of DFA, a decorated Vietnam Vet, he's a registered nurse, a single father of three, and has worked as a journalist, pediatric emergency nurse and as a Judge on Ohio's 11th District Court of Appeals

    by Timroff on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 06:35:42 PM PDT

•  Gilda Reed in LA-1

  Does candidate 'distance himself' from the party and/or its leaders, or is he proud to be a Democrat?

  Proud Democrat, Proud Louisianan.

  Does he talk like a bureaucrat or like a regular person?

  Gilda is a college professor and holds a PhD in psychology, and can communicate with everyone across the educational, class, and racial spectra.

  Does she make it clear that she opposes Bush and the Republicans?

  Crystal clear, whether she's talking to Republicans or Democrats.  No one questions where she stands.  She has also endorsed the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq, though her name has not been posted yet.

  Does she back down when the corporate press/media or Republican pundits attack him, or does she stand by her words?

  Never.  And the press haven't really found much to disagree with her on - they're choosing to ignore her instead, which is why she needs our help with fundraising for media buys.

  Does he sleepwalk through the campaign, or does he act like he wants to win?

  Gilda's doing this one handshake at a time.  I've never seen someone work so hard at this.

  Is the candidate running against a Republican incumbent or for a GOP-held open seat?

  Gilda is running for the seat formerly held by Bobby Jindal, David Vitter, and Bob Livingston.  It's an open seat right now, since Jindal's election to governor.

  Does the candidate embody the kinds of progressive values you'd ideally like to see in Congress?

  Gilda isn't in this to hop from seat to seat.  She isn't in it to pad her resume or bank account.  She is honestly doing this to represent every single resident of Louisiana's 1st district.  I live in the 2nd, but she would be my go-to representative.  I can't think of anyone I'd rather see representing Louisiana in the halls of Congress.

  Is the race not a top-tier affair?

  Nope.  She needs our help.

  Has the local blogosphere embraced the candidate - and vice versa?

  Gilda is active here on DailyKos, and blograisers have been held for her.  She is a big believer in the netroots.

  We Need Reed!  For More Info... Check out her website.

  by alpelican on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:24:12 PM PDT

  •  Now

    THAT's an answer!

    by DarkSyde on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:26:05 PM PDT

    •  i do what i can! :-) nt

      by alpelican on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:28:19 PM PDT

    •  DarkSyde, alpelican is....

      really something!  This answer took a lot of time.

      by gildareed on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:34:36 PM PDT

  •  Gilda is a fantastic candidate.

    As she herself says, she's a fighter who really cares about the people in LA-01.

    All of the candidates folks have mentioned in comments are worthy, but none are more deserving of our help than Gilda.

    by slksfca on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:15:03 PM PDT

    •  totally

      With Gilda, there is an absolute guarantee that every dollar donated will help her fight for progressive values and the residents of LA-1.  I have no doubts whatsoever.

      Gilda beat polio and raised seven children, two of whom are special needs kids that she adopted!!  Then decided to get her PhD!  She will not stop for anything, she is not afraid of Bush/Rove and will never, never, roll over for Republicans.

      Louisiana needs great representatives now more than ever.  Honestly, look at our congressional delegation!  It's pathetic!  Kossacks, help your brothers and sisters by helping us elect Gilda!

      by alpelican on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:53:17 PM PDT

    •  slksfca

      The thing that keeps me going despite the naysayers is the seared image of the busboy who gave me a wrinkled $5 bill from his pocket and told me, "Ma'am, fight for me."  

      by gildareed on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:18:08 PM PDT

  •  Oh, I looooooove Gilda!

    I love her spirit, her energy, her people-friendly positions. I have no idea what her chances are as I know this has been a very Republican district but I know the entire region is very volatile right now. Gilda would be a fabulous addition to congress, especially representing this district which is desperately in need of fighters like her.

    by anastasia p on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 08:00:19 PM PDT

    •  the district

      has been fairly republican in the past, but since Katrina, there have been so many shifts in population in the area that it's volatile now.  A little money to get Gilda's message out could go a long way.

      The seat has been used for a lot of ambitious politicians who didn't care at all for the people in the district.  Gilda's commitment, fire, passion, all that - plus the fact that she doesn't want to seat jump - is a message that a lot of people will resonate with.

      And I know I said this before, but Louisiana needs some fighters in its delegation.  Mary Landrieu can only do so much without risking her seat.  We need more fighters and truth-tellers who aren't beholden to anyone except their constituents, especially after the storms.

      by alpelican on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 08:14:08 PM PDT

      •  You are right about Mary, alpelican.

        She has nothing to gain backing me publicly and much to lose if I do not get elected.  
        I do not plan to play these political games as my "career" is not worth much.

        by gildareed on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:32:10 PM PDT

    •  anastasia p

      Thank you for your vote of confidence.  I will defy anyone, including my party, if my district's needs are interfered with.  We have hurricane recovery and wetlands restoration topmost plus getting out of Iraq, broad access to affordable health care, and much, much more!  A freshman minority party representative who is a partisan, right-wing extremist and a seat-hopper with a political agenda will get NOTHING done for our district.

      by gildareed on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:27:05 PM PDT

  •  Thank you, alpelican!

    What a loyal supporter you are!  This took so much time and I am very grateful.  You are tops!

    by gildareed on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:14:54 PM PDT

•  MN-3 -- Ashwin Madia

  Chance to take a long-held R seat in a suburban area turning purpler by the day. Ash is an Iraq vet and has been beating Terri Bonoff in caucuses across the district by running a great grassroots campaign.

  by canoeist on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:26:16 PM PDT

  •  Tell us more.

    That's an open seat thanks to the retirement of Ramstad (R). Do we know anything about the Republican challenger? What's Madia's background other than than the military (though that's a great start, I think)?

    by scardanelli on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:11:38 PM PDT

    •  Ashwin Madia has a great story

      His parents came to America with $19 in their pocket and set out for the American dream. After High School he went to the University of MN Law, then enlisted in the Marine Corps to give back. He did leagal work for the Marines as well. After that he worked on intelluctual property rights, pro-bono work for victims of domestic violence and so on.

      Great candidate all the way, I cant do justice.

      http://madiaforcongress.com/...

      This is an open seat in a swing district.

      by Demrock6 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:40:40 AM PDT

  •  Madia is the Obama of Minnesota

    And his primary opponent Bonoff is the Clinton.  Hope and positive message from someone with a real progressive agenda, versus party-insider and divisive tactics from someone who, it's true, also has a real progressive agenda.  The difference, like in the presidential primary, is not so much the issues as embracing ground-up politics for progressive causes.

    This open seat could and should easily swing to the Democrats.

    Another MN challenger to consider is Steve Sarvi.  Let's pick up at least two MN districts this time and end forever the myth that Minnesota is purpling, not bright blue.

    by Ho Ho on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:46:58 AM PDT

•  Russ Warner in David Dreier's ...

  ...California 26 district is my nomination. (Disclosure: I am a low-level volunteer for the campaign and have contributed money). Dreier is a DCCC target for 2008 and has some vulnerabilities, but will certainly be hard to beat.

  by Meteor Blades on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:26:56 PM PDT

  •  I Pledged to help oust Dreier

    I am with you Meteor Blades. I live in his district and just contacted the Campaign HQ today to help out. I am noticing Warner's signs in my area, Monrovia, which has leaned heavily Republican in the past, so I think there's hope.

    by clairejoseph on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:41:40 PM PDT

•  AZ-01

  I don't know any of the Democratic primary candidates here, but this is an open seat currently held by the GOP (by Rick Renzi, recently ranked as the least powerful member of Congress) that should absolutely be in the blue column. The district has an ever-so-slight registration edge toward Democrats, but is blue collar in ethos.

  by pine on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:31:56 PM PDT

  •  Ann Kirkpatrick

    by MenhentheDem on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:33:47 PM PDT

•  What about Ron Shepston, CA-42?

  He's a kossack (CanYouBeAngryAndStillDream), his running mate is scandal-ridden (Gary Miller), he's signed on to Darcy Burner's Responsible Plan to End the War....

  by asimbagirl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:32:14 PM PDT

  •  d'oh.

    opponent, not running mate. I'm not an idiot, I just play one on tv. :)

    by asimbagirl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:35:00 PM PDT

  •  Yes -- althought "running mate" may not be

    the term either he or Miller would prefer!  ;7)

    In addition to Ron, and in the same vicinity, you can find Debbie Cook (running against Crazy Dana Rohrabacher in CA-46), Bill Hedrick (running against Corrupt Ken Calvert in CA-44), and Steve Young in CA-48, all of whom have had active supporters on the site.  We have a great set of candidates in the area this year.

    by Seneca Doane on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:40:46 PM PDT

    •  We've also got Robert Hamilton

      Running against my congress-critter, Darrell Issa in the 49th...

      Though his campaign is just getting started.

      by asimbagirl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:00:01 PM PDT

  •  I was looking for this comment. [RON SHEPSTON!]

    Ron Shepston for Congress

    Is the candidate running against a Republican incumbent or for a GOP-held open seat? (This is close to being an absolute requirement.)

    Yep. Running against a GOP incumbent.

    Does the candidate embody the kinds of progressive values you'd ideally like to see in Congress?

    Yes: Line by line on issue by issue. (He's a Fighting Dem too.)

    Is the race not a top-tier affair? (Our dollars can go further in races which, so far, have received less attention and institutional backing.)

    It's not "top-tier" and I don't expect the DCCC to show up with much support.

    Has the local blogosphere embraced the candidate - and vice versa?

    It would be hard to embrace the blogsphere any more than he has. I'm not certain it's even possible.

    Does he or she pass the partisanship litmus test?

    If he criticizes Democrats for not being hard-line enough against Republicans, does he still count as a partisan?

    Is the Republican an easy target? (Think back to Tom DeLay.)

    I don't think so, but it's not my district. Ask him: he's been on the ground campaigning for months.

    How blue is the district or state?

    Blue State, Red District. But that was according to the old math where  young, low income, and people of color don't vote.

    Who knows what happens with Obama at the head of the ticket and a vibrant ground game?

    by opendna on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 08:26:13 PM PDT

•  Colleen Callahan, IL-18

  Colleen was the agribusiness reporter on local TV and radio for years. She's running against 26-year-old Republican Aaron Schock to fill the vacancy left by Ray LaHood's seat. It's been a Republican district for a very long time, and Schock is no Dan Oberweis, but I think this is a real opportunity for a pickup a la Bill Foster.

  by Grebby on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:35:37 PM PDT

•  Larry Kisseell NC-08

  Larry had the closest race in 2006 !

  He's working hard in his district campaigning & still working his job as a teacher !

  I've already gave a little to Barack yesterday

  Go Larry

  by eeff on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:36:09 PM PDT

•  Okay I'm in for $60.01

  Big 10-4 on helping turn Red to Blue and I hear you calling today.. Time to act people and getting crunch time..   Here's to having a Blue Congress welcome Obama in Jan 09'.. Yes. We. Can!

  by ebbinflo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:36:13 PM PDT

  •  Just kicked in also. n/t

    by skod on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:26:02 PM PDT

    •  whoo-hoo!

      excellent feeling.. less Republicans please.. kudos  :)

      by ebbinflo on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:45:03 PM PDT

•  Question Re Blue Majority contribution

  I'm already maxed out in my contributions to Obama, how will you handle that if I contribute to Blue Majority again (now that Obama is on the list)?

  by bmozaffari on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:37:23 PM PDT

  •  it's fine

    by Matt Stoller on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:33:21 PM PDT

    •  Huh... never knew you were here too!

      I'm used to reading you over at OpenLeft :)

      by bmozaffari on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 08:10:59 PM PDT

    •  Just realized/remembered you can fine-tune it

      So I set the amount for Obama to zero and doubled Al Franken's share.

      by bmozaffari on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 08:14:37 PM PDT

•  What about the Udall brothers?

  I think they both are running terrific, top tier campaigns worth donating to.  If our majority in the Senate is going to expand, it starts with the Udall brothers.  

  Full Disclosure: I've talked to Tom's campaign a bit about internet related matters.  

  by turnnoblindeye on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:37:42 PM PDT

  •  Nit: s/b Udall cousins

    But, yeah, they're both good candidates to turn the seats of retiring Republicans blue.  Though they are perhaps top tier enough so others should have this spot?  Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely supporting Udall here in NM...

    by Land of Enchantment on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:53:49 PM PDT

•  The Cowgirl Candidate

  Jill Derby, the cowgirl candidate, is back. Read what mcjoan had to say about her run in 2006.

  She lost her race in open seat Republican northern Nevada (NV-02 covers all of Nevada except for most of Clark County) in 2006 by a very close margin 45-50. Dean Heller in the meantime has been a ridiculous bush rubber stamp and the Nevada blogosphere has been working on keeping track of his atrocities at Helluva Heller.

  Derby has led the Nevada State Democratic Party into the caucuses which have been more succesful than inititally thought with record turnout. The caucus led to more registered Democrats and re-energizing Dems in northern and rural Nevada which may help put Derby over the top this year, especially since Obama won heavily in Northern Nevada and his coattails may really help her. When she announced her re-run against Heller she immediately resigned as party chair.

  Oh, and she has also endorsed the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.

  by Sven at My Silver State on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:38:48 PM PDT

  •  more on jill

    Jill Derby made her campaign announcement this year at a green architecture firm in Reno. Here's an excerpt of her announcement speech:

    You know, on Election Night in 2006, when I called Dean to congratulate him, he said that he would be independent and put Nevada first. And I said that I would hold his feet to the fire. Well, I have and he hasn't. Dean has not kept his word .

       * Rather than be independent, he put the profits of drug companies ahead of making prescription drugs affordable for Nevada's seniors.
       * Rather than push for new solutions to the quagmire in Iraq, he has been in lockstep with the Bush Administration.
       * Rather than be independent and put Nevada first, he has put Big Oil first, giving corporate welfare to Oil companies making record profits, while Nevadans struggle with record prices at the pump.
       * Rather than be independent and put Nevada's children first, he chose tax breaks for the wealthy and voted against check ups for kids.
       * Rather than be independent, he has voted over 90% of the time towing the line of the Bush administration and his Party.

    Dean has demonstrated that he's more of the same in Washington - not an independent voice that puts Nevada first. Sadly, Dean Heller has let Nevada down.

    I'm a Democrat, and I know there are a lot of Northern Nevadans who aren't. But unlike Dean, I have always put Nevada first and I always will. Now I'm sure that over the course of this campaign, Dean will spend a lot of time highlighting the fact that I'm a Democrat, and hoping that's all you'll ever know about me. Like many in politics these days, he hopes voters will simply follow the party line and not question anything else, especially his record. But, I would like to ask a simple question, one more important than political parties or campaign tactics. The question is, ‘Are you satisfied?' After giving him two years to get it right in Congress, it's time to ask that question. Are you satisfied?

    Furthermore, her campaign team is headed by Greg Richardson, who ran "Americans Against the Escalation in Iraq" in Nevada. I guess him running this campaign can be seen in the fact that she has already endorsed the "Responsible Plan to end the war in Iraq".

    by Sven at My Silver State on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:57:50 PM PDT

  •  She lost by 5 points...

    This is a great pickup opportunity.  This district should never elect a dem but she came within 5 points last time...  THIS DISTRICT IS SOOOO SOOOO RED..  But we can do it

    by DemMarineVet on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:32:29 PM PDT

    •  it may be read

      but it is slowly becoming bluer.

      by Sven at My Silver State on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:35:51 AM PDT

•  ron shepston, CA-42

  definitely netroots, a legally challenged incumbent, and an off-the-radar district.

  My blog. Come visit.

  by hekebolos on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:39:34 PM PDT

•  Scott Kleeb NE-SEN. n/t

  by msstaley on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:41:06 PM PDT

•  Tom Wyka

  NJ-11   http://www.tomwyka.com/

  Blogs at Blue Jersey - for example this recent post
  http://www.bluejersey.com/...

  Has signed onto Bruner's "Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq" already.  Finished in the top 10 of DFA's Grass Roots All Stars.

  Has been working his kiester off for a full cycle already running against Rodney Frelinghuysen,

  Won every precinct his campaign canvassed last cycle and has been actively working the entire district for months already this cycle.

  But it's not just about him - my brother tells me this story (details from memory, I'll add a comment update if I got anything wrong)
  Sent one of his best volunteers from last cycle to DFA training on his dime a year ago - guy comes back so fired up he puts his name into the ring for local mayor - just so the local gooper mayor will have an opponent and they'll have a campaign to try some ideas on.  Puts volunteers from Wyka's campaign to work, along with the training knowledge Wyka sent him for - and he WINS.
  So Tom loses one of his best and brightest - becuase a mayoral seat in NJ turned Blue.

  it's not just about Tom - it's about turning NJ Blue and taking our country back - at every level.  Hugely supportive of the local Democratic offices, candidates,  and volunteers. This is the kind of leadership we need in Washington.

  Full Disclosure, my brother volunteers for him. The enthusiasm he has has me fired up in Kansas.  Needs to be on the Blue Majority page.

  by its simple IF you ignore the complexity on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:42:27 PM PDT

  •  One Correction

    It was Camp Wellstone, not DFA, that was the training the volunteer was sent to (although others, including my brother, have been sent to DFA events).

    by its simple IF you ignore the complexity on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:59:54 AM PDT

•  Andrew Rice- OK

  A proud progressive challenging a lunatic.
  James Inhofe denounces environmentalists as Nazis and insists that global warming is a hoax.

  by makeitstop on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:46:05 PM PDT

  •  Whereas Rice has the endorsement...

    ... of several environmental groups and a plan to help Oklahoma invest in green energy.

    by droogie6655321 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 04:55:04 PM PDT

    •  OT

      I hope the newly-expanded droogie family is doing well, and that Mrs. D is recovering apace. :-)

      by BlueMama on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:24:42 PM PDT

      •  She's good

        She just read Xander "The Poky Little Puppy."

        by droogie6655321 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:26:27 PM PDT

  •  I'll second adding Andrew t