I discontinued my donations to the DNC when they refused to pass healthcare reform before their vacation some time back. I said I wouldn't donate until they passed it.
Well, if things go through tonight, I have to put some bucks where my mouth is. But I think we need to have a clear plan here. Today the Dems have finally done some good, though slower than we want and not as good a bill as we want. Join me in following a Progressive Plan.
We need to accomplish the following based on today's vote.
- In honor of Healthcare Reform passing, we need to donate to the DNC and/or sign up to volunteer for our local party. It will send a huge message if in the day or two after passing this bill they receive a big influx of money and volunteers.
- Support the challenge to Stupak and Pitts. It is disgusting that they tried to sacrifice the reproductive health and freedom of women over healthcare reform. There are two good women challenging Stupak and Pitts, both of whom have been endorsed by the National Organization of Women. Connie Saltonstall is challenging Stupak in the primary. Lois Herr is challenging Pitts in the general. Women who want to exert their political muscle, and ANYONE who wants to support women's rights, have to target these two races. You can donate to Connie Saltonstall and to Lois Herr through Healthcare4America.
To volunteer for Connie Saltonstall in Michigan, email: info@conniesaltonstall.com
To volunteer for Lois Herr in Pennsylvania, go here.
These should be top tier races for us right now.
- Target a couple more obstructionist Dems in primaries. Bill Halter's primary challenge of obstructionist Blanche Lincoln has received a great deal of attention, and well it should. I would like to offer another challenge. Regina Thomas is challenging perpetual obstructionist John Barrow in Georgia. Both Blanche and Barrow have been embarrassments for years. From what I can tell both Bill Halter and Regina Thomas are excellent people who would do a good job representing their constituents in Congress. You can donated to Bill Halter and Regina Thomas through Healthcare4America.
You can volunteer for Bill Halter in Arkansas by going here.
You can volunteer for Regina Thomas in Georgia by going here.
- Support Healthcare champions. Particularly those who are likely to be seriously targeted by Republicans. The obvious top choices are Al Franken and Alan Grayson. Please suggest others in the comments.
Al Franken won't be up for re-election for awhile. So I suggest donating to his Midwest Values PAC, which helps both him and candidates he wants to highlight. I would also suggest supporting Barbara Boxer's PAC for Change. She used the theme "Change" before Obama did!
Alan Grayson has been a real powerful voice in opposing obstructionist Republican talking points. Showing that such a strong progressive voice can raise cash as well will show Democrats everywhere that progressive values are winning values. You can donate to Alan Grayson's campaign through Healthcare4America. You can volunteer for Alan Grayson by going here.
- Finally, let's focus on some key Senate races. In particular we need to push for Jennifer Brunner for Ohio and Robin Carnahan in Missouri. Jennifer Brunner has been a kick ass (even award winning) secretary of state in Ohio, ensuring fair elections in 2008 in a state that was a byword for corruption. She cleaned up Ohio amazingly...she would be excellent in the Senate. Robin Carnahan is running against the horribly corrupt Republican Roy Blunt. Winning these two seats would go a long way to shutting up obstructionist Republicans. You can donated to Jennifer Brunner and Robin Carnahan through Healthcare4America.
You can volunteer for Jennifer Brunner in Ohio by going here.
You can volunteer for Robin Carnahan in Missouri by going here.
The best thing to do when you win a fight (particularly when that win was a somewhat weak one) is to come out fighting even harder right away. Let's get busy. Are you with me?