One issue that drives me more than any other is global warming. It is by no means my only issue. Foreign policy and economy also drive me, by when I see where we are headed down the global warming pathway, and I look at my kids and think about the future we will be leaving them, it breaks my heart.
Democrats don't always do what I want, but there is NO QUESTION that they do better when it comes to the economy than Repubs. That has been shown over and over (e.g. here). And though I currently live in one of the most corruption ridden Democratic districts in the country (Google "Vito Lopez" and "Corruption" for a taste), overall I find that Republicans are demonstrably FAR more corrupt than Democrats (though that could be damning Dems with faint praise).
But when it comes to global warming, or, for that matter, ANY science, Democrats follow the path of reason, more or less, while Republicans almost lockstep follow the path of denial. To me this is absolutely fundamental: Democrats at least recognize scientific reality while Republicans ROUTINELY take superstition and ideology over logic, reason and science.
To me Democrats represent on only hope, no matter how tenuous, to maintain a forward thinking, technology based, SUCCESSFUL future, while Republicans are deliberately heading us towards a new Dark Ages, certainly not the SAME as those after the fall of the Roman Empire, but nevertheless a period of decline, superstition, intolerance and fear.
So November MEANS something. It means trying to keep us on our current, albeit unsteady, course into the future, or veering once again down the Repub path away from reason and science, and towards a new Dark Ages.
Yeah...I do think it is that important and stark of a difference these days, something I didn't feel during the Nixon, Reagan and legitimately elected Bush years. Although the seeds of this apocalyptic, Dark Age Republican party were sewn during the Reagan years if not before, they came to fruition during the dubiously elected, Baby Bush era, and the Republican Party continues down that route despite the occasional efforts of some of their (all too few) more reasonable members.
With this in mind, I present my take on Congressional seats that we need to swing not just to swing Congress back to Dem, but also because these represent KEY districts for winning Senate seats, Governorships, and/or the Presidency itself.
Last time I offered this up I matched the first donation I got. I will do so again if I can. So please help us win one for reason.
P.S. for anyone who is sufficiently disillusioned with Democrats that they can't participate in this, please consider another strategy. Progressive Majority nurtures some of the best progressives in the country running for down ticket races like school board, judge, port authority, city council, etc. They do well for a progressive organization and they are the BEST way to shape the political landscape in the future. For those who prefer focusing on the best progressives in the country in down ticket races, please check out my Key Progressives diary. They are an amazing bunch.
Now on to Congress (I have added a few since last time I posted this)
Most of this is on my 2012 Act Blue Page that you can find here. Often I watch who gets the first few donations and try to match them, so if you want to get me donating to your favorite few candidates on the list, get the ball rolling.
CA-10: Astronaut Jose Hernandez For Congress
One of my favorite candidates this year is Jose Hernandez, running for the CA-10 Congressional District. This is a district that is considered a weak Repub hold and I have found fighting hard for those districts pay off the best for us both in terms of outright wins and in terms of forcing Republicans onto the defensive. I would love to see us push hard in this district.
Jose Hernandez is a former astronaut running for Congress against right wing extremist Jeff Denham. What more could you want??
Jose Hernandez has been endorsed by Democracy for America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, North Valley Labor Federation, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, SEIU California, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
IL-11: Scientist Bill Foster for Congress
Another one of my favorite candidates in 2012 is Bill Foster running for the IL-10 district. He leans a bit conservative for many here, but he is a kick ass scientist, so I have a soft spot for him. He is extremely smart and I really think we need someone like him in Congress these days. He is running against Teabagger Judy Biggert. I think this leans in our favor and we can pick up this seat if we don't ignore it.
Bill Foster is an excellent candidate who was an excellent Congressman until the 2010 Teabagger fiasco ousted him. Now he is running for a newly created seat in Illinois. A brilliant scientists and successful entrepreneur he brings much needed expertise to Congress...something that we desperately need. One of the smartest people in the running anywhere in America, he is very much a moderate running in a moderate district. A good fit.
NV-3: Firefighter John Oceguera for Congress
NV-3 is a critical swing district in a critical swing state, and this is a very weak Repub seat. In some ways this is one of the districts that could determine the outcome of this year's Senate and Presidency, so not only do we have a good candidate, but we need to fight hard for this district. John Oceguera has a shot at winning if we fight hard for it. He is a firefighter and paramedic, someone we definitely could use in Congress!
FL-9: Powerful Progressive Alan Grayson for Congress
This list would not be complete without Democracy for America endorsed Alan Grayson. So maybe I like more conservative leaning Dems like Bill Foster who also are smart and effective. But I also like progressive firebrands like Alan Grayson. Both of them have been in Congress and both were ousted in the Teabagger fiasco. Time to get both of them back.
Needless to say Grayson is kick ass. Needless to say this is a critical swing district in a critical swing state. Florida leans towards Romney in my mind, and we need to turn that around and THIS district is a key one for doing that. Alan Grayson is one of the most powerful progressive voices in America, and I think he has a real shot at defeating the Teabagger incumbent.
IA-4: Christine Vilsack for Congress:
This is one of the most critical races in 2012. A key swing district in a key swing state, this race also pits the excellent Christie Vilsack against Teabagger Steven King who is so mean spirited he even was one of only eleven Congressmen (all Republican) who voted against giving aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. This is a clear cut choice between Vilsack's effective and compassionate leadership and Steve King's disgusting racist extremism.
This is only a weak Repub hold. If we can FINALLY get rid of racist Steve King, that alone would make 2012 a great year!
NH-1 and NH-2: Two of America's Most Critical Districts: Carol Shea-Porter and Ann McLane Kuster for Congress
New Hampshire is a swing state for the Presidency, has a tight Governor's race, and has two tight House races, so in some ways these two districts are among the most key in the country.
Daily Kos is very familiar with both Porter and Kuster. Both are also endorsed by Democracy for America. It would be wonderful to get these two women in Congress.
Both races are very close.
CO-6: Swinging the Country: Joe Miklosi for Congress
This is another key swing district in a key swing state and another one that could determine the fate of the country. Joe Miklosi is the Democratic candidate in this district and has been endorsed by Democracy for America. This is considered a very weak hold by the GOP and very likely a pick up by Democrats if we fight hard. This seat is currently held by Mike Coffman (R).
CA-52: Professor Lori Saldana for Congress
Running against right winger Brian Bilbray. Lori Saldana is a former California State Assembly member from 2004 to 2010 and is currently a professor at San Diego State University.
CA-07: Doctor Ami Bera for Congress
A great candidate running against entrenched Republican incumbent Dan Lungren. Personally I have been hoping to defeat Lungren for a VERY long time. This year this is considered at best a weak Repub hold, so this could be our best chance ever to get rid of Lungren.
Ami Bera is a doctor and formerly former Chief Medical Officer for the County of Sacramento. He would be an excellent addition to Congress. Just like I love the idea of firefighters and scientists in Congress, a doctor would be nice too!
WI-7: Pushing Back in Wisconsin: Patrick Kreitlow for Congress
Patrick Kreitlow is the Democratic Candidate in this seat. This is yet another key swing district in a key swing state and really, it is about time we kick the Teabaggers out of Wisconsin. This seat is currently held by Sean Duffy (R). Wisconsin has been such a major battlefield this really is a seat we need to win. Let's show the Republicans that Wisconsin is going blue.
Patrick Kreitlow has been endorsed by the Intl. Association of Firefighters, Steelworkers Union, National Farmers Union, NARAL Pro-Choice America
Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFL-CIO, League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Sierra Club, United Auto Workers, WI Federation of Nurses, and WI Alliance for Retired American, among others.
OH-6: Charlie Wilson for Congress
One of the most critical districts in the country...the Presidency and the House could ride on this one district. It is considered a weak Repub hold but we can knock that out.
Charlie Wilson has been endorsed by International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Iron Workers (IPAL), Building and Construction Trades - AFL-CIO, International Association of Machinists, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Steel Workers and many others.
OH-16: Betty Sue Sutton for Congress
Another critical swing district in Ohio. It is considered a weak Repub hold but we can win if we try.
Betty Sue Sutton has been endorsed by Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters, Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council C.O.P.E., Tri-County Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Fraternal Order of Police, Districts 1 & 8, Coalition of Women Voters, North Shore AFL-CIO, and many others.
VA-2: Paul Hirschbiel for Congress
VA-2 is a key swing district in Virginia, a key swing state. Very business oriented, but that may be what we need to win this district. And his opponent is anti-choice, anti-women's rights, anti-gay, bigoted and has always spent hundreds of thousands of his own money to buy elections. We can do better. Paul Hirschbiel will give us better.
Please donate to one or more of these candidates through my 2012 Congress Act Blue Page! I will try to match the first donation or two. It is about damned time we kick the Teabaggers the HELL out of ANY position of responsibility because responsibility is NOT what they are all about.
I also want to add to the above House Races, the Democracy for America endorsed Senate races (not on my Act Blue Pages):
Elizabeth Warren (MA-Sen) (considered a weak Repub hold...let's flip this one!)
There's a movement in Massachusetts to elect Elizabeth and it's about more than taking back a Senate seat -- it's about electing someone who will get America working for regular folks again and hold big banks, insurance companies and Wall Street accountable for their actions.
Electing Elizabeth is a huge step towards getting Americans back to work and rebuilding the middle class.
Mazie Hirono (HI-Sen)
Mazie Hirono has spent much of her life serving the people of Hawaii as a state representative, lieutenant governor, and congresswoman, and now she is looking to continue her work in the Senate. Mazie’s efforts for her constituents are numerous and varied, from advocating for early childhood education programs to securing greater investment in alternative energy.
Throughout her years in politics, Mazie has been devoted to enacting progressive change, and she will continue to be a progressive champion in the Senate.
Tammy Baldwin (WI-Sen) (This is considered a possible Repub pick up...we HAVE to block them here!)
Tammy Baldwin is a fighter-- a bold progressive ready to stand up for the middle class in the U.S. Senate. After serving in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and Congress, Tammy understands that Governor Scott Walker and the Koch brothers don't represent Wisconsin or American values.
As the House's lead sponsor of the Buffett Rule, Tammy has proven her dedication to hard-working families-- not the privileged 1%. Join DFA in supporting Tammy as the tenacious voice that we need representing us in the U.S. Senate.
Martin Heinrich (NM-Sen)
Since Martin Heinrich decided to run for U.S. Senate in New Mexico, support has poured in from people all across the state and country. With a background in science and technology, Martin is the leader the Senate needs to tackle the problems we face today.
Martin is a proven advocate for progressive values in New Mexico, running a truly people-powered campaign to take this open Senate seat. DFA supported Martin when he was first elected to Congress, and is proud to do so again.
Kirsten Gillibrand (NY-Sen) (MY SENATOR...YAY!)
Kirsten Gillibrand is ready to work for New York. In her two years as a U.S. Senator, Kirsten helped lead the fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and has been a leader in the fight for government transparency.
Kirsten will be a strong progressive voice in the Senate for American folks who feel voiceless. Democracy for America is proud to endorse Kirsten for Senate.