Daily Kos

CA-04: Tuesday Fighting Dem: Charles Brown

by kos

Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:46:51 PM PDT

Tonight's installment of the Fighting Dems features Charles Brown, running in the California 4th Congressional District. The Fighting Dems series is meant to highlight men and women who worn the uniform and have chosen to run on the Democratic ticket. There's tons more on our side than theirs.

Brown is running in what must be one of the most beautiful districts in America -- running up the Sierra Nevadas from Tahoe all the way up to the Oregon border. The district is currently held by Rep. John Doolittle.

A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Brown served in every major conflict between Vietnam and the Gulf War:

As a rescue helicopter pilot based in Thailand at the end of the Vietnam War, I participated in the evacuation of Phnom Penh, and the Mayaguez incident. I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions in the Mayaquez incident.

After six years in helicopters, I transitioned to fixed wing reconnaissance aircraft, flying missions in support of operations in Panama, Grenada, Lebanon and other countries. Staff duties have included work with the SR-71, U-2, Army and Navy reconnaissance programs and satellites. While assigned to Beale Air Force Base, I was responsible for monitoring worldwide airborne reconnaissance. Two temporary duty assignments to Saudi Arabia after Desert Storm involved scheduling all airborne reconnaissance over southern Iraq.

The Sacramento for Democracy blog wrote a preview of the race:

Charlie Brown will take on Republican John Doolittle in one of the most conservative districts in Northern California. Lt. Colonel Brown is the Paul Hacket of California -- both are veterans who are against the war in Iraq. Paul nearly knocked out a Republican challenger in one of the most Republican districts in Ohio. The 4th district of California does not have as much Republican registration as does Hacket's district, but it does have 48.14% Republicans as of February 2005 and a large number of Decline to State, independent voters.

It seems that there may be a perfect storm in the works for Boss Doolittle who is number 6 in charge of the Republican House of Representatives. Boss Doolittle is a big contributor and Supporter of Tom Delay who has been twice indicted. Doolittle was one of Newt Gingrich's gang of six neocon extremist congressmen who hatched the contract with America. They have turned out to be among the most corrupt and Doolittle has broken that contract by not accepting term limits, voting for massive deficits and accepting banned political  favors.

The blog Democracy Cell Project also wrote about the race.

The segment will run at around 9:20 p.m. ET, though your local Air America affiliates may have it at different times. Sorry for the small advance notice, but I had internet access issues this afternoon.

Previous Fighting Dems:

Eric Massa (NY-29)
Dave Harris (TX-06)
Andrew Duck (MD-06)
Patrick Murphy (PA-08)
Paul Hackett (OH-Sen)
Bryan Lentz (PA-07)
David Ashe (VA-02)

You can get streams of these segments on Air America's Fighting Dems site. And there's a Fighting Dem ActBlue page, so show your support if you can.

  • ::

Tags: Fighting Dems, 2006 elections, CA-04, California, Charlie Brown (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

Permalink | 85 comments

  •  well, there's my answer. (none / 1)

    i was just wondering who this week's fighting dem might be.

    looks like another great choice.

    "after the Rapture, we get all their shit"

    It's time: the albany project.

    by lipris on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:48:39 PM PDT

    •  It's so nice... (4.00 / 4)

      ...to see so many current and ex-military personnel running for office as Democratic candidates.

      It's fairly obvious to see which party actually gives support to the troops, instead of merely giving lip service and practicing magnetic patriotism.

      by Explodingkitchen on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:51:48 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I know Charlie Brown.. (none / 0)

        He and his wife, Jan used to neutalize each other on election day. She was definitly his better half, she being life-long Dem and he being life-long Republican.

        But Charlie saw the light. He would have to tell his own story as to the turning point. I got to know Charlie early on after the first wave of swift-boating of Kerry at a hastily called news conference in Sacramento. When Charlie started to speak as the cameras were rolling, I said to myself, "Whoa, there is an impressive man!" That initial impression became enhanced when our Placer County Veterans for Kerry met at Charlie and Jan's home in Roseville.

        Charlie is a straight arrow, squeeky clean. He and Jan's son is a USAF pilot who has flown Iraq related missions out of Kuwait. The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree. Charlie himself is a graduate of the Air Force Academy.

        We are so glad to have Charlie as our candidate. Charlie, I am proud to know you.

        by Stagger Lee on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 08:59:22 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  Oh he's no clown, that Charlie Brown... (none / 1)

      by David Boyle on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:53:23 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  good grief, not that again! [nt] (4.00 / 3)

        surf putah, your friendly neighborhood central valley samizdat

        by wu ming on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:28:10 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Good Grief (none / 1)

        It would be awesome if he filmed all of his campain ads in a yellow shirt with a black jagged line, and of course he needs to constantly say good grief.

        by schwompa on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 08:04:05 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Good Grief - great anti-doolittle campaign (none / 1)

          slogan...And the fact that we elected a man named "Doolittle" tells you what we expected from the piece of shit to begin with (I used to live in CA-04)...though I didn't vote for doolittle myself.

          Here's how I see it used: Doolittle takes Abramoff moneys, Charlie says, "Good grief"...Doolittle tries to screw environmentalists by pushing the disliked Auburn Dam project, Charlie says,"Good grief"...Doolittle says we need to stay the course in Iraq with bush, Charlie says, "more Grief? I don't think so."

          Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

          by darthstar on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 09:48:04 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  Indeed, a great choice. (4.00 / 5)

      I had the privilege of meeting Charlie the other night at a DFA event.  A solid, solid man, who cares about his country deeply and will do a great job in Congress.

      Some factual tidbits about Charlie that I don't think have been mentioned here:
       - his son is currently serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.
       - his wife Jan (a very nice person) also served in the military
       - an avid outdoorsman, Charlie is a long-time member of the Sierra Club.

      Apparently, the Boss Doolittle machine is simply run amok up there...and I won't go on at length about how deep Doolittle is in the Abramoff as well as MZM/Wilkes scandals.  Doolittle is dirty, plain & simple, and needs to be retired.

      I'm going to help Charlie out in any way I can, including financially of course.  Anybody up for a house party in San Francisco?

      (Oh, and Charlie is now listed in the "Fighting Dems" section of the Who Served page on AWOLBush.com, and Doolittle -- of course -- is now listed with the rest of the chickenhawks.)

      by Will Easton on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:34:14 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I agree. (none / 0)

        Last Wednesday, the Sonoma County DFA meet-up provided an opportunity to meet Lt. Col. Brown, who addressed us and answered questions for about an hour and a half.  

        We're in a pretty "safe district" (although we're watching our back!) and want to leverage the resources of a fairly good-sized and active progressive community to help out specific candidates in a couple of districts with Republican congresscritters.

        Rep. Doolittle is bad news, even if he were clean as a whistle... NARAL & Planned Parenthood have given Doolittle a 0% rating. As has the Human Rights Campaign. And the Leadership Council on Civil Rights. And the National Education Association. And the League of Conservation Voters. And the Children's Defense Fund. And the American Medical Association. And the American Bar Association. And the National Breast Cancer Coalition. And the SEIU. And the CWA. And the Disabled American Veterans.

        But the ultra-right Family Research Council gave Doolittle a 92% rating. The Christian Coalition gave him 100%. Get the picture?

        Anyways, Lt. Col. Brown is a credible guy. He's a straight-shooter... it's clear he wasn't modifying his views to suit the Sonoma County crowd. He's possessed of a mix of progressive values, and also some views that we here on dKos would consider more "centrist".... and that's probably a good thing, given his district.  

        Fair enough... but what's important is that he's on our side in so many areas where it really counts:

        • He's against the Iraq war.
        • He is pro-choice and supports equal rights for all... and that includes gays.
        • He supports universal health care... and preserving Social Security by raising the income cap.
        • He wants to wean us off foreign oil through developing renewable energy.
        • He shares our concern about Diebold machines and election tampering.

        I know that he won the respect and support of most everyone in the room that night. We've got a formal endorsement process which we need to put him through, but I'm going to do what I can (as President of Sonoma County DFA) to get him endorsed by our organization, and thereby contribute whatever logistical and financial support we can. We've got a fairly high bar to meet for a formal endorsement, and if we can't get the full membership to back him, I'm likely to put together a committee of folks who will.  

        With a maverick like John McCain, who needs a toady?

        by Malacandra on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 10:21:53 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Tried to respond last night, (none / 0)

          but the system was not up.  So hope this is not too late for you to be checking responses.

          I heard Brown's interview on Air America, and was very impressed with his views.  Was also enthused by your assessment after meeting and listening to him speak in Santa Rosa.

          In checking with our congresswoman, Lynn Woolsey, she recommended we in this area lend our efforts to others in gaining important seats back--she mentioned Pombo's seat in particular.  Appears Doolittle's, Duncan's, and, certainly, Cunningham's district should be targeted for our attentions.  

          I get PDA, UFPJ, and GrassrootsWest.org notices, and I believe I get them from DFA also (too many to keep them all straight!).  If Brown gets DFA endorsement, please send a notice around the Santa Rosa area groups, and I'll be more than happy help out.

          by Cook on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 06:43:22 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

  •  Oregon (none / 1)

    not Oregan, though it's pronounced "OR-e-gun," not "or-e-GONN," the way easterners say it.

    by lorax on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:50:14 PM PDT

  •  House party for Charlie! (4.00 / 3)

    On January 24 at 2:00 PM at espresso's house!  Be there or be subject to many more horrible interminable years of Doolittle....  And be prepared to donate your time, money and energy--I am.  If you are in the area and want to join us, email me through my account user info.

    'spresso

    Evolution is so obsolete, gotta stamp your hands and clap your feet! Gotta dance like a monkey, dance like a monkey, child.

    by espresso on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:52:53 PM PDT

    •  and with Charlie! (4.00 / 2)

      He'll be there barring any unforseen events.....

      Evolution is so obsolete, gotta stamp your hands and clap your feet! Gotta dance like a monkey, dance like a monkey, child.

      by espresso on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:55:24 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  NorthState Needs Help! (none / 0)

      Espresso.....bless your hide! Sorry I cant make it form Redding, I have to work ($6.75hr). This is the most RED neck land I lived in since leaving the deep south. In 25 years I've yet to "learn my place". It is the land of have and have nots. Our Redding Medical Center was on 20/20 and 60 Min for months, for unnecessary heart surgery. If Charlie Brown can make it in the 4th,there may be hope for us in the future. Thank you for your help and effort.

      "Information withheld is opportunity denied"

      by Yestermorrow on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 08:14:19 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  DeLay & Doolittle... (none / 0)

    a great pair. at long last we have a chance of doing something more progressive. Go forward with Gusto !

    "There are no rules" Alberto Gonzales' Senate testimony regarding the midnight visit to sway John Ashcroft.

    by fedupinca on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:53:44 PM PDT

  •  Go Charles Brown! (4.00 / 2)

    John Doolittle is a Delay clone and a loudly trumpeting anti-gambling Mormon who takes casino money and continues to fight for the geologically unsafe Auburn Dam on the American River upstream of Sacramento.  Why the dam? Developer money and the building of really huge suburban areas east of Sacramento in his district. Doolittle loves those fatted calves. A Delay man all the way, he knows every Abramoff associate by name.

    A Dem veteran might just be the way to remove "Boss" Doolittle from his entrenched postion.

    Charlie Brown for Congress

    by Rolfyboy6 on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 05:56:30 PM PDT

    •  Bummer about his name, though... (none / 0)

      I honestly don't know if I could ever take a guy named Charlie Brown seriously.

      by Skyshadow on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:14:26 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Ah, but there's another Charles Brown (none / 1)

        to use as an emotional referrant.

        This is the great Charles Brown, singer and piano player extrordinaire. Author of "Driftin' Blues", "Dark Night", and  "Merry Christmas Baby" and a whole raft of hits. Charles had a fifty year carreer of great smooothness.

        "Merry Christmas baby, you sure did treat me nice
        Merry Christmas baby, you sure did treat me nice
        Gave me a diamond ring for Christmas
        Now I'm living in paradise

        Well I'm feelin' mighty fine, got good music on my radio
        Well I'm feelin' mighty fine, got good music on my radio
        Well I wanna kiss you baby,
        While you're standing 'neath the mistletoe

        Saintee came down the chimney
        'Bout half past three
        Left all these pretty presents
        That you see before me
        Merry Christmas pretty baby, you sure been good to me
        I haven't had a drink this morning
        But I'm all lit up like a Christmas tree"

        Charlie Brown for Congress

        by Rolfyboy6 on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:29:33 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  He can always (none / 0)

        use the nickname "Chuck".

        by TLS66 on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 07:51:48 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  You are right about the beauty (none / 1)

    my dads got property/house up above Susanville. I have been going up there for over 20 years. It is the most beautiful place on earty. If anyone hasn't been up to Lassen County..I highly suggest going...it is Amazing.

    It's Obamazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

    by Chamonix on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:06:52 PM PDT

    •  lassen county is gorgeous (4.00 / 3)

      and interesting politically. it voted down 74, 75, 76, and 77 in the special election. it would be great to see a dem representing the foothills.

      surf putah, your friendly neighborhood central valley samizdat

      by wu ming on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:27:15 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  having spent years up there (4.00 / 2)

        there are many, many people up there that DONT trust the government. It is very Americana..4th of July local parades, very Red, White, Blue. Cowboys, Rodeos...everyone owns a gun. Many have left the flatlands to raise their kids in a safer place. The economy/gas prices/oil prices...they are going to have some really high heating bills this winter. I think it used to be more Repub than it is now. Major Reagan Repubs..not so hot on Bush I have noticed lately. I am going up there during the holidays to snowmobile, can't wait. We used to go out, get lost, cut our own tree and bring it back pulling it with a rope behind the snowmobiles. Fishing in the summer is amazing too. I have hiked everywhere. Been in old mines. I hate it when people classify them all as rednecks and mountian people..they are so Not. The majority of them know the score.

        It's Obamazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

        by Chamonix on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:52:58 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  it strikes me as rather similar to OH-2 (none / 1)

          as libertarian "leave me the hell alone" as anything else. have you ever been to the T&A cafe in susanville? it's a great dive of a place. have you ever had some of that basque chorizo they sell up there?

          surf putah, your friendly neighborhood central valley samizdat

          by wu ming on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 07:25:55 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  yes and yes... (none / 0)

            however I do spend more time in Almanor and Chester. I remember when Susanville had only 1 stop light. I used to love to go to Westwood (Paul Bunyon days), but it is so depressing lately. They have been talking about building a Ski Resort for years now. It would really help the economy but I would hate to see the place become Tahoe. The drive from Susanville to Lassen Park is unbelievable. The views are incredible. Do you live up there?  

            It's Obamazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

            by Chamonix on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 08:51:02 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  nope (none / 0)

              but i worked up there one summer. is chester the town with the restaurant made out of blocks of wood, or is it the one-stoplight town with the mint green chinese restaurant? the area is pretty depressed, i wish there was some way to improve things without turning them into service industry seasonal tourist towns.

              surf putah, your friendly neighborhood central valley samizdat

              by wu ming on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 09:03:43 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  hilarious...Chester has the restaurant (none / 0)

                made out of Blocks of wood (VI)..A & W Rootbeer joint..1 street light along with 1 flashing cross-light. Fire dept. Donut shop..lots of boutique's now..Sporting good store. It has really grown a lot lately, even has a big SuperMarket now. Love Ayoobs Hardware/Sports/Bait place. Lots of mom and pop places. I do recall the Green Chinese place..just can't remember what town it's in? I see it, but can't place it. There is a chinese place there called Mings. I think the health dept. closed them down for a while...(bug in food). I love summer and winter up there. I really could retire and live there some day.

                It's Obamazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

                by Chamonix on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 09:25:18 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  maybe the chinese place (none / 0)

                  was in burney. it was a tiny little town, maybe a motel, safeway, and gas station. but the chinese restaurant was mint green.

                  surf putah, your friendly neighborhood central valley samizdat

                  by wu ming on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 09:29:03 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                  •  I think you are right.... (none / 0)

                    have you been to the Feather River...unbelievable..check out where I am going in about 6 weeks..heaven  dail up may take a while. DSL gets you right in. I go every year in Jan/Feb..best skiing in the World.

                    It's Obamazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

                    by Chamonix on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 09:44:56 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                    •  Spent my summers as a kid (none / 0)

                      at Bucks Lake - also absolutely beautiful - but do not tell anyone, especially Doolittle - he'll have it over developed. Quincy is starting to grow, more folks are moving there to retire. I love Sierra City and the drive along Hwy 89 in the Fall. They are widening the road between Quincy and Oroville. I am talking about the old stagecoach run, not Hwy 70. Twenty years ago it was an adventure to drive, because half of it was a dirt road.
                      It is really sad to see the over development of the foothills and gold rush country. I want to see more open spaces preserved.

                      by hiddengnostic on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 11:38:36 PM PDT

                      [ Parent ]

                      •  have you ever gone down (none / 0)

                        into the mines..seneca. Grass Valley..Spent a lot of time in Quincy and Portola...Dixie Valley is also beautiful..it's up a long winding road above beckworth cavern. The feather River is just amazing..and the train that goes through those mountians..Heaven.

                        It's Obamazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        by Chamonix on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 11:43:01 PM PDT

                        [ Parent ]

                        •  I understand they're expanding... (none / 1)

                          ..the underground tour at Empire Mine State Park (near Grass Valley).  Highly recommended.  Also, if you're into early examples of earth-rape, visit Malakoff Diggins, an infamous hydraulic mining site.  They were shut down by the courts in the late 1800s after tons of gravel washed down the Yuba River and contributed to chronic flooding in Marysville.

                          by Vagabond57 on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 09:17:00 AM PDT

                          [ Parent ]

  •  In the Florida-05 - Another Fighting Dem (none / 0)

    There is also Rick Penberthy.  His campaign manager contacted me yesterday to notify me about the campaign.  They are doing a lot of outreach to the blogging community.  I noticed he was also a 'Fighting Dem'.

    I must confess I haven't done much research on him.  But every candidate is worth a look!

    "Rick is a Vietnam-era veteran, and like many of District 5's finest, Rick volunteered to serve and protect his country's freedoms as a member of the United States Army. Rick later continued to secure the state of Florida by serving in the Florida Naval Reserves."
    - From the Rickforcongress.com website bio.

    Find out more about him via his website.

    by Tracy Joan on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:11:37 PM PDT

    •  Al Weed will be running in VA 5th (none / 0)

      Al Weed will be running against Virgil Goode in VA 5th. In 1960 Al entered Yale on a Naval ROTC scholarship. He left Yale in 1962 and enlisted in the US Army. By 1964, he was in the US Army's 8th Special Forces Group in Panama, working as a medical sergeant. He left Panama in 1965 for Viet Nam, where he spent a year.

      by Jim W on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 04:20:50 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Doolittle is also the guy Pete Dexter called (none / 1)

    a worthless piece of human garbage...

    Somebody should investigate Doolittle.  Busted by the fair political practices commission, avoided the draft by studying for the "ministry," vicious partisan hack...

    Mr. Brown should prepare to be swiftboated.

    -Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?-

    by Karnak the Magnificent on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:25:59 PM PDT

  •  for more dirt on doolittle (4.00 / 2)

    check out so long john, an anti-doolittle blog. (props to rolfyboy for the tip yesterday).

    surf putah, your friendly neighborhood central valley samizdat

    by wu ming on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:38:40 PM PDT

  •  Doolittle's a major player in the Abramoff scandal (4.00 / 2)

    He has not come to the surface yet because the first scandal waves have focused on Tribal Casinos and SunCruz. That will change.

    Doolittle's area of scandal expertise is with the Commonwealth of the North Marianas Islands (CNMI) and the DeLay/Abramoff efforts to protect the sweatshops and their Hong Kong owners from Congressional oversight and an extension of US labor, immigration and custom laws.

    It was Doolittle's Aide, Kevin Ring, who said as the Tribal scandal was breaking in the Washington Post:

    I know more than the article and the truth is worse.

    [See page 284-285 of the 11-2-05 Indian Affairs Committee document PDF dump.]

    Ring was in charge of the CNMI account for Abramoff.

    1999 was a pivotal year in the effort to extend US laws to CNMI. The effort was pushed back in the House. Doolittle led the charge--in part by attacking Clinton OIA officials who had the nerve to be upset by the sweatshops and worked with NGOs to try and stop them.

    The transcript of the September 16, 1999 hearing of the House Committee on Resources is simply amazing--especially if you are at all familiar with the sweatshop violations on CNMI.

    Don Young opens the hearing and then turns the gavel over to Doolittle. It is an Abramoff-choreographed event and happens at the same time that Ed Buckham and Mike Scanlon are traveling to CNMI to ensure that Ben Fitial is elected as Speaker of the CNMI House. He is. And the favors (pay-offs) start rolling in as new Federal dollars flow to various CNMI "improvement" projects (with budgets controlled in the islands). Doolittle's role as an appropriator of funds may have had a role in the improved CNMI cash flow of 2000-2005  

    And by 2001 Doolittle was going out of his way to help elect Ben Fitial CNMI Governor. And he was taking time to praise the sweatshop of Saipan, as in this  Pacific Magazine article of June 2001.

    But now the story is leaking out. Many of Jack's emails about CNMI are coming to the surface. And former Team Abramoff members like Ring are, most likely, cooperating with the Feds to try and save their skins. The indictment of Mike Scanlon highlights CNMI as an important area. I think it is safe to assume a number of folks are taking another look at Jack's work on CNMI, his Chinese clients and the Congressmen who helped protect their sweatshops.

    As the CNMI story breaks, I expect Doolittle to leapfrog Ney and Burns to an Abramoff scandal position just behind Tom DeLay.

    It should be a great year for a Fighting Dem like Charles Brown to take down one of our Nation's most corrupt public officials.

    Time to clean up DeLay's petri dish! Help CNMI guest workers find justice! Learn more at Unheard No More.

    by dengre on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:54:45 PM PDT

    •  Thank you Dengre (4.00 / 2)

      for all your good work. I will be vol. for Charles Brown too.
      I just listened to him on Air America and he did a great job.
      Markos was right, this is a district of awesome beauty! Doolittle has done so much to destroy it. He has a history of being very unethical (not just concerning Abramoff, etc...)but by running dirty campaigns ala the Rove technique.
      Last week the Sacramento Bee ran an editorial apologizing for being so slow to report on Doolittle and the Abramoff scandal. The articles are linked to in the comment section at the Dump Doolittle blog that Wu Ming cited.
      http://solongjohn.blogspot.com/

      by hiddengnostic on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 07:25:46 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Not even my district, but I just volunteered (none / 1)

    I am down in Sacramento but I am going to volunteer some time, some money, and will be hosting a house party when they are ready.

    ANYTHING to get rid of Dolittle and get a chance to impeach the chimp.

    Want to watch Republican economic theories in action? Look at Iraq.

    by Michaelpb on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:55:57 PM PDT

  •  WONDERFUL!!! Thank you so much Kos! (none / 1)

    Such an 'aw shucks' wonderful accent folksy FDR Democrat! Now there is a HERO! Someone whose seen it and has the good sense to oppose it!

    Thanks again Kos!

    by Tim the Democrat on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:59:02 PM PDT

  •  Doslittle (none / 1)

    Ha ha. That's got to be an unfortunate name for a politician.  

    I do not know what weapons World War III will be fought with. World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. -- Albert Einstein

    by elveta on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 06:59:02 PM PDT

  •  I've seen Charlie at two events... (4.00 / 2)

    and he is the real deal.

    Those of you in solidly Dem districts, we would be glad to have your help here in 4.

    I beleive the first step in restoring our country is to elect a Democratic majority to the House and Senate.  We then create a winter of discontent with a blizzard of subpoenas.  Spring and summer follow, sending the roaches back to their fetid crevices. Then the work of undoing the damage of ten years of neocon, doctrinaire, secretive, cronyist, self-entitled smug selfishness...

    by drydiggins on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 07:22:55 PM PDT

  •  4th District (none / 0)

    Certainly this cannot be a US House district.  Where are all the long fingers and toes and snake-ike apendages linking its body on the east side of California to a city on the coast, or south of LA?  In Eastern North Carolina we couldn't trust a district this compact.

    by orientalnc on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 07:45:24 PM PDT

    •  although redistricting is an incumbent protection (none / 0)

      racket here in SF, it helps that all of our Republicans, or even our "rugged individualist" Libertarians are compacted in certain areas.

      Having said that, other then the OC, and parts of the Central Valley... EVERYONE I know in CA, even people that traditionally vote Republican... hate Bush and the Culture of Corruption.

      -C.

      by Neutron on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 08:10:52 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  there's nobody north of roseville (none / 0)

      nice straight lines are easy when you've got low population density, and very few political differences for miles. check out CA-03, if you want funny twisting districts:

      it's like it's about to devour sacramento. pombo's S-curve 11th district is pretty gerrymandered too:

      surf putah, your friendly neighborhood central valley samizdat

      by wu ming on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 08:15:05 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  It almost as big as the whole state (none / 0)

      Many Eastern states would rattle around in the 4th district, it is a rather massive tract of land.

      Want to watch Republican economic theories in action? Look at Iraq.

      by Michaelpb on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 09:08:03 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  i gave $10.01 (none / 1)

    i had to give it to brown. he was 100% right on everything i heard on the majority report.

    $10.01 is my reward for any dem who knows what the f they're talking about.

    and brown gets it.

    U.S. blue collar vs. CEO income in 1992 was 1:80; in 1999 it was 1:475.

    by Lode Runner on Tue Dec 13, 2005 at 09:14:52 PM PDT

  •  about that 'incident' he mentions (none / 0)

    Capture and Release of SS Mayaguez by Khmer Rouge forces in May 1975

    An interesting read.

    "They're telling us something we don't understand"
    General Charles de Gaulle, Mai '68

    by subtropolis on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 12:06:20 AM PDT

  •  New Fighting Dem in TX-23 against Bonilla (none / 1)

    Rick Bolaños built up some name ID during the 2004 presidential race while accompanying U.S. Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards on the campaign trail.

    He and his three brothers made headlines last year as "The Band of Brothers" for having all served in the Vietnam War. He says that background gives him cachet when asked about the war in Iraq.

    Bolaños said Kerry, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia -- a Vietnam vet and triple amputee -- have indicated they will campaign for him.

    So have YOU checked your tire pressure?

    by George on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 03:36:56 AM PDT

  •  How Undemocratic... (1.66 / 3)

    How many of these DCCC recruited stuffed shirts have primary opponents? Real grassroots DEMOCRATIC primary opponents? And why aren't THEY linked?

    Do we know these veterans positions... on anything? Or are we just raising money for them blind?

    I've seen more than a few local blogs furious about this meddling in the grassroots, democratic process. I've also seen some of the seed money funnelled by the DCCC to some of these guys in spite of claims they take no sides in democratic primaries.

    They obviously do, meaning Air America, KOS and the DCCC are fundraising against real grassroots progressives in some races.

    Nice street cred. Real "people powered" politics.

    This recruited 'war dem' marketing strategy is cynical and demoralizing to local parties, not to mention actual grassroots candidates that couldn't hope to afford advertising on a blog like Daily Kos... especially when it's blindly fundraising against grassroots candidates before the primary.

    I hope each candidate included for national promotion will be reviewed and critiqued position by position before these endorsements. And they are endorsements. This is taking sides in a Democratic Primary.

    Local politics and the best candidate for the job be damned. We're making "frontrunners" out of thin air.

    No signature this cycle is as important as electing Larry Kissell to Congress.

    by RANT on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 04:44:15 AM PDT

    •  Great (none / 0)

      My first really snarky response was censored, sad cause it was pretty good.

      If you are concerned about candidates being supported by grass roots, what do you need money for?

      To reach out to all those who can only be reached by advertising?  But then, you just left the grass roots baby.

      Politics is a dirty cynical business because most people are too dumb to read past the headlines on an article, if we are lucky, they watch the evening news and get 30 second soundbites on what is "important".  

      Till THAT changes you are going to need savvy politicians, cynical campaign strategists, and the grass roots will often be playing 2nd fiddle to them.

      Want to watch Republican economic theories in action? Look at Iraq.

      by Michaelpb on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 08:04:37 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I'm not concerned... (none / 0)

        I'm griping. I'm disillusioned. And I'm pissed off.

        I'm sick of hearing how the DCCC, corporate blogs like this and corporate radio like Air America take no sides in democratic primaries when they obviously do.

        It's also obvious they're taking sides over a uniform, and not the issues. Or more likely just taking DCCC marching orders.

        So you're absolutely right. None of this 'war dem' marketing stuff is grassroots. It's Air America, Daily Kos and the DCCC versus the grassroots.

        That's too bad. I'd rather fight Republicans.

        No signature this cycle is as important as electing Larry Kissell to Congress.

        by RANT on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 03:22:19 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  What's the problem? (none / 0)

      Nobody has come CLOSE to beating Doolittle in this district in recent memory.  The hard part is even FINDING someone credible to make the run.  I'm happy that someone with Brown's background is interested.  If someone with local grass roots support wants to go for it too, more power to them, that's what primaries are for.

      by Vagabond57 on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 09:25:30 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  On the other coast here... (none / 0)

        Not even familiar with this race and wasn't referring to this fighting dem in particular.

        Though I do know of some horrible recruits among the "fighting dems" that are one dimensional cutouts and giant steps backwards on the issues.

        No signature this cycle is as important as electing Larry Kissell to Congress.

        by RANT on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 02:55:50 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  ASDF (none / 0)

      Although a little ranty, I think the poster does make some good points. I'm curious: how are these candidates selected? Are they found by local organizations? Are their stands on issues examined closely? Is their prior military service the main selection criteria?

      I have to admit that I'm somewhat uncomfortable about the whole fighting dem thing. Prior military service does not automatically make someone a better person. I'm worried that we are continuing down a path of fetishizing the military in this country. Is this creating a culture where those with prior military service are considered the better choice for political candidates? Is it wise to undercut the idea that the military is ultimately subservient to civilian leadership?

      thx,
      Eric

      by zericm on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 09:30:51 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Fair enough... (none / 0)

        However, I'm willing to bet that Brown, whatever his core values, will be more rational and progressive than John Doolittle ever thought of being.  And while I agree with you on the glorification of the military, I do think it's very important that the Democratic Party shed its image of being soft on defense.  Veterans who know war first hand are great allies when it comes to arguing that this was the wrong war at the wrong time for the wrong reasons against the wrong enemy.

        by Vagabond57 on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 10:01:45 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Master Degree (none / 0)

        Charlie Brown - is Educated, Put his children thru our public state college system (has real life experences) in management of: union, police, Credit union and Raising an Ordinary American Family.
        NOT - a privledged - private school type of family.

        Oh yeh SERVED his COUNTRY -
        never shirking or hiding -
        he went where needed and excelled in the Military!

        A bit more Qualified than Arnold!

        Kucinich "We know the State of the Union... It's a lie."

        by SkiBumLee on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 10:03:55 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Thanks zericm (none / 0)

        A little ranty is what I do, but thanks for seeing the point.

        I'm sure Brown is wonderful, but there are other's I've read about where the local parties are having a real problem with the token candidates, though for me it's just one "fighting dem" in particular being shoved down our throat that's really sticking in my craw.

        He's pro-life, and apparently nobody knew that before the DCCC funnelled about $8,500 seed money to him and Air America went batshit over the big gun on his website.

        So no. Nobody checked these guys out one bit. They have a uniform. They get a check.

        That's just so.... Republican, frankly.

        No signature this cycle is as important as electing Larry Kissell to Congress.

        by RANT on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 03:09:01 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Big Gun? (none / 0)

          Oh no a scary gun, run away...

          The Dem's idiotic and ill founded anti-gun stance will kill them in this district and many others.  These people often hunt for food, have guns just because, and in general don't want nobody messing with them.  Heck, the main reason most of them are registered Republican is BECAUSE of the Dems anti-gun stance.  

          As for being "progressive", if it means buying into every hairbrained idea ever launched at a coffee house, then the Dems are going to be outside looking in in 2008.  If "progressive" means a thoughtful look at both how things really are (jerome in Paris is a perfect example) and real ways to get to what could be, then sign me up, but otherwise, "oh help us god"!

          I don't think the DCCC is perfect, but at least they are starting to funnel money to local campaigns, I remember when you couldn't get them to even give you a call back.  I am all for grass roots, I have worked on unpopular candidates for years, I was in on the Clark campaign very early on, but I chose Clark not because he was perfect but because I thought he had a chance to win.  Picking candidates on the basis of you like ALL their positions, is suicidal for a race in a district this massive.  

          Want to watch Republican economic theories in action? Look at Iraq.

          by Michaelpb on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 04:43:51 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Yeah... (none / 0)

            I'm using 'progressive' as 'reality-based' ...not toe the line liberal or conservative. This is a southern district.

            I agree with you on guns completely (not really an issue down here as we all have them), but the 'pro-life' part is a little much for me to swallow speaking of this one candidate I have in mind. He's hiding it rather well while fundraising though.

            I also don't see how he can effectively disagree with the Republican incumbent one bit on the war in Iraq since he was integral to building the case against Saddam, in other words handing Bush his developing rationale.

            So what I'm seeing in my state is a recruited run by some DCCC marketing genius that thinks we need "Republican Light" to defeat "Republican Extra Strength." This in a heavily democratic district we keep losing ONLY because the DCCC won't stay out of it. Enough lawyers already. Really. Third time is not a charm. This is working class dem country. A lawyer in a marine uniform is still a lawyer here.

            Meanwhile, like you said, the only actual democrat in the race can't get his calls returned from the DCCC. It's mind bogglingly frustrating. They will screw this race to hell. Again.

            No signature this cycle is as important as electing Larry Kissell to Congress.

            by RANT on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 05:21:35 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

  •  This is my district.... (none / 0)

    ..and I'm happy to see a credible challenge to Doolittle.  My check is in the mail.  Let's hope Doolittle's name is in the headlines alongside of Abramoff's all the way to November.

    By the way, I understand Doolittle may have a primary challenge as well, from the Pete McCloskey-style Mayor of Auburn.

    And yes, it IS gorgeous up here in the foothills.

    by Vagabond57 on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 09:13:25 AM PDT

  •  I just gave Money (none / 0)

    Charlie Brown looks Great on Paper -
    I just gave the campaign $30 to start -
    Not even my district -
    I want to expand democracy in CA -
    Feel we need to TAKE more conservative districts in CA.

    Kucinich "We know the State of the Union... It's a lie."

    by SkiBumLee on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 09:55:24 AM PDT

  •  He's More Than a Good Man (none / 0)

    First, thanks to Kos for selecting Charlie to be a Fighting Dem. Any Democratic challenger in CA's 4th district will reply upon grassroots and netroots support for a shot at victory against the Republican machine. In fact, the only Democratic challenger to Doolittle that has even come close to beating him ran a complete grassroots campaign. This former candidate, Patricia Malberg has placed her support and endorsement behind Charlie.

    I find it a false assertion to assume that because a candidate has been selected to join this project of Kos and Air America that they are not grassroots candidates.

    We have a shot. Charlie's the right candidate at the right time.

    Thanks to everyone who has contributed and who have signed up to volunteer for the campaign that is going to shock the nation.

    "We need more than the rhetoric of change." - John Edwards

    by Defeat Doolittle on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 10:29:42 AM PDT

    •  Did you work in the last campaign? (none / 0)

      This is going to sound crazy, but my coworker was the Dem in CA-4 in the last race.

      by catfish on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 11:11:04 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I'm volunteering for Charlie's campaign (none / 0)

        No, I'm actually pretty new to the district. I moved back to California after living 16 years in a red state. Imagine my deep disappointment when I researched my congressional representative, John Doolittle. I had better representation back in the red state.

        I am volunteering for the Brown for Congress campaign.

        "We need more than the rhetoric of change." - John Edwards

        by Defeat Doolittle on Thu Dec 15, 2005 at 05:57:44 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  Fighting Dems rocks (none / 0)

    As far as "branding" goes, and that's a concept I'm still struggling to grasp, fighting Dems really tells a story and makes an emotional connection.

    I like the slow periodic release of more and more biographical information. Eventually I suppose we'll see a subtle logo with each installment, maybe small thumbnail headshots will accompany all candidates at the bottom of each diary, and once all candidates have been introduced, we'll continue to learn more about them.

    Love it!

    by catfish on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 11:08:53 AM PDT

  •  I heard the Air America segment (none / 0)

    ...last night. Wow! VERY impressive. I was driving home from Xmas shopping in Sacramento along I-80, having caught the interview a few minutes in, and was wondering what district this Charles Brown guy was running in. Everything he said was direct, to the point and straight up correct. Out of Iraq now. Universal Health Care. Etc. etc. Then, after Doolittle's name was mentioned I realized: Hey! That's MY district.

    I guess the bad news is that even though I consider myself in a fairly high percentile of politically awareness, I wasn't familiar with the Brown campaign. But the good news is that I am now, and Charles Brown spoke more forthrightly and made more sense in about ten minutes than pretty much any politican I've heard in years. I'll definitely be getting money and support his way immediately.

    Doolittle is a poster boy for everything that's wrong with Congress. He's up to his neck in the corruption trough, and it would truly be a service to our country if he were to be taken down in November. Brown seems to be exactly the kind of Democrat who can win in a district like this. Let's get it done!

    By the way Kos, nice of you to mention that this is the most beautiful Congressional district in America, but we try to keep that a secret up here...Shhhh!

         

    by lewisclark on Wed Dec 14, 2005 at 02:42:17 PM PDT

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