Nag nag nag

This is Blue Majority candidate Darcy Burner's handywork, now in the Washington Post.

More than 40 Democratic House and Senate candidates have endorsed a document stating that "there is no military solution in Iraq" and calling for an end to the war and the removal of all U.S. troops from the country, though not according to any specific timeline.

The strategy document, titled "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq," [PDF] calls for using "diplomatic, political and economic means" to hasten an end to the conflict. As of this writing, it has been endorsed by four Democratic Senate candidates and 38 House hopefuls, a handful of whom touted the plan on a conference call with reporters today [...]

The plan was crafted without the input or endorsement of the House and Senate Democratic leadership. Burner said "this was not driven inside the Beltway" and complained that "people inside the Beltway don't seem to get how big an issue this is for voters" in the rest of the country.

Guys, this is what we're fighting for. None of the top party recruits have signed on to this plan. Of course not, those candidates are urged to be cautious and not be bold. So it's up to us to show that being tough, principled, and outspoken about strong progressive ideals is worth their while.

So far, the plan has been endorsed by Blue Majority candidates Darcy Burner (it's her plan, after all -- what a leader!), Donna Edwards, Eric Massa, Leslie Byrne, and Joe Garcia. I'm sure more will follow.

And aside from those candidates, a great many more Democrats in races all around the country have signed on.

Reward good behavior. Otherwise, the lobbyists and cautious guardians of the status quo win.

We're at 5,984 supporters. The goal is 6,500 by the end of the month (next Monday).

•  And if you're in L.A.

  you can come see Darcy on April 9!  Only $25 to see such a wonderful candidate, and the money goes to one of our best candidates this cycle.

  What's to lose, people?

  My blog. Come visit.

  by hekebolos on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:56:02 PM PDT

  •  yeah! you Angelenos *must* go

    Go see why we're so pumped about Darcy up here in Washington!

    You won't be disappointed...

    by N in Seattle on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:04:26 PM PDT

  •  And if you are in Ohio

    please consider shooting Bill O'Neill a little love:
    http://www.oneill08.com/

    Despite recovering (quickly) from a triple bypass operation a couple of weeks ago, Bill became the first Ohio candidate to sign on to the Responsible Plan, urged on by his many supporters including myself.

    Bill is a Vietnam veteran whose son recently served in Iraq. He understands what a waste this is.

    by anastasia p on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:07:10 PM PDT

•  Any reliable poll numbers on Burner's race? n/t

  by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:56:32 PM PDT

  •  Not that I've seen

    House races are rarely polled.

    by kos on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:57:39 PM PDT

  •  it's probably still tight

    She lost by about 2.5% last time, in an off-year election where the NRCC poured in millions of last-minute dollars to save Sheriff Hairspray with a slimy "she'll raise your taxes" and "she's a silly little girl" ad blitz.

    At the moment, Darcy has more COH than Reichert, and many of his backers are already maxed out.  This year, the NRCC can't possibly throw the kind of $$ into this race that they did in 2006.  And Darcy has a better and more responsive campaign team.

    All that said, it'll still be really difficult.  The Pierce County portion of the district -- about 30% of its population -- is especially difficult.  remember, this district has never elected a Democrat since its creation following the 1980 Census.  Once that string is broken, it'll be a long time before it switches back (if ever).

    by N in Seattle on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:15:37 PM PDT

  •  One poll from August '07

    For what it's worth, 21st Century Democrats polled on August 28, and Darcy led Reichert 44-39.

    by Goldy at HorsesAss on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 05:05:10 PM PDT

•  Awsome! n/t

  by XNeeOhCon on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:57:31 PM PDT

•  the plan

  has even gotten minor mentions on some of the cable shows. it was probably maddow but if it gets higher visibility it can only help.

  by Liberal Youth on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:57:41 PM PDT

•  It would be nice somewhere in all this

  talk about what to in Iraq, or what to do about Iraq, that the Congress would actually do something about why we are in Iraq.

  They just spent 7 minutes on MSNBC talking about whether fat bellies cause Alzheimer’s or just the poor living that causes fat bellies is what could cause Alzheimer’s.

  A school bus is on fire somewhere in America as well.

  by Tirge Caps on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:57:54 PM PDT

  •  i saw a crane

    has fallen through a freeway as well.

    by Liberal Youth on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:58:47 PM PDT

    •  They will use a bigger crane to get it off n/t

      by Tirge Caps on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:00:02 PM PDT

    •  Summer of the Crane! Summer of the Crane!

      Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the...er, anywhere.

      by LarsThorwald on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:00:20 PM PDT

      •  You should see

        the Dallas skyline. It's booming. Google cranes and downtown Dallas. It's ridiculous! Cranes, trains, and autmobiles.

        by ElizabethAM on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:21:16 PM PDT

•  the plan

  has also been endorsed by our own Ron Shepston in CA-42.

  My blog. Come visit.

  by hekebolos on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:58:15 PM PDT

  •  we should start calling it The Plan. n/t

    by Liberal Youth on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:00:18 PM PDT

•  Fundrasing

  BO called Ahmadinejad an "half baked dictator"!

  http://thepage.time.com/...

  "I think people understand the notion of talking to our enemies," Obama said. "If FDR can meet with Stalin and Nixon can meet with Mao and Kennedy can meet with Khrushchev and Reagan can meet with Gorbechav, then the notion that we can’t meet with some half-baked dictator is ridiculous."

  "I’m not worried about losing a propaganda war with Ahmadinejad," he said, "That guy opens his mouth and I think people see there are problems there."

  by Nath 4 BO on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:58:28 PM PDT

  •  Yes but BHO won't wait until Ahmadinejad

    is "fully baked" to talk to him

    by JML9999 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:06:17 PM PDT

•  Burner Is Hot!

  and on fire for the People.

  Burn, Baby, burn!

  by CW Wisconsin on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:58:43 PM PDT

•  Once more with feeling: I love Darcy Burner

  with the passion of a thousand poets.  

  I wrote a lot more, but deleted it in case I get banned for prurient salaciousness.    

  by LarsThorwald on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:59:12 PM PDT

•  Monday is payday...

  and BlueMajority contribution day.

  And Darcy gets another, separate donation as well for being such a leader.

  ~Doc~

  by EquationDoc on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:01:55 PM PDT

  •  Hope it continues

    after the election! We certainly need it.

    by margotb822 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:07:12 PM PDT

•  Reward the original signers

  I'm glad more and more candidates are signing on to this, (and the fact that we as citizens can too) but for fundraising purposes I think we should support those original ten who showed political courage to begin this:

  Darcy Burner, Donna Edwards (who's already won!), Eric Massa, Chellie Pingree, Tom Perriello, Jared Polis, George Fearing, Larry Byrnes, Steve Harrison, Sam Bennett.

  One suggestion may be to focus on the original signers who aren't already netroots focused (though I love Burner, Edwards, and Massa!). Through these other brave patriots some support!

  by JohnCos on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:02:14 PM PDT

•  Contact your congressmen!

  Inform their offices of this plan and your support for it.

  Bring it up at meet'n'greets with new 2008 candidates.

  Write an LTE about it. We have to be our own publicists.

  And, of course, sign your support for it at the website for The Responsible Plan  

  by labradog on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:03:44 PM PDT

•  A friend emailed me

  Dear Friend,

  I believe more strongly than ever that Americans intend to go to the polls this year and vote for candidates who are determined to bring real
  change to America.

  Working families are looking for leaders who will fight for their hopes and dreams.

  Those families have had the rug pulled out from under them. Tax cuts for the wealthy have weakened our social safety nets, leaving children and senior citizens to twist in the wind.

  That is why I am writing to you today and asking you to make a contribution to the Anne Barth for
  Congress campaign.

  You may not know Anne Barth personally yet, but she represents the best of West Virginia's time-honored values. She is a United Methodist minister's daughter, a working mother with two children in college, and she has lived and worked in West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District
  nearly all her life. She and her husband Nick are both dear friends of mine. Until recently Anne was my West Virginia State Director. Now Anne is running for Congress.

  Anne Barth is an extraordinary public servant. She has worked with me for 21 years to help build roads and bridges in the 2nd District,
  improve veterans care and benefits, shore up Medicare and Medicaid, protect Social Security from privatization and bring economic
  opportunity to the region. She knows first-hand how to get results for the people of West Virginia.

  That is why I am writing to you today and asking you to make a contribution to the Anne Barth for
  Congress campaign.

  This is a pivotal moment in our history together. We have an opportunity to end a decade of policies that have stroked the wealthy and strapped the worker. Working Americans need Anne Barth in Congress, and I need her in Washington to help me continue to fight to protect our Constitution, and to expand economic opportunity for all West
  Virginians.

  Anne Barth has new ideas to bring hope and opportunity to the 2nd District. She believes that more can be done to bring prosperity to the
  region. Anne understands the need for change, but she also understands West Virginia's traditional values and virtues. I am proud of her. Won't
  you help me help Anne by making a contribution today to Anne Barth for Congress.

  That is why I am writing to you today and asking you to make a contribution to the Anne Barth for
  Congress campaign.

  Your friend,

  U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd

  Our ActBue page.

  by Carnacki on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:04:57 PM PDT

•  Saved it to my laptop

  so I can read it on the plane, along with the Iraq NIE. I guess I should start with this so I can feel better about reading the exposed lies.

  by margotb822 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:06:22 PM PDT

•  I heart Darcy. n/t

  by Fight or Die on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:06:59 PM PDT

•  I can pick 'em

  I gave money to two of them...Donna Edwards and Eric Massa (near my district in NY)

  Money well spent!  Democrats with spines!

  by wry twinger on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:07:11 PM PDT

•  handiwork (n/t)

  by Brooke In Seattle on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:08:34 PM PDT

•  any recent polls on Burner vs Reichert?

  by lisastar on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:09:05 PM PDT

•  Gotta wait for a payday

  Just a sec, I'll check the link for credit cards...

  Is there a Blue Majority credit card?  Hmmmm...

  by paradox on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:09:22 PM PDT

  •  $50 to Darcy Burner

    Of course they take credit cards.

    by paradox on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:14:13 PM PDT

    •  ummm...

      Of course they take credit cards

      damn good thing!

      :-)

      Melissa
      oh yes we can!

      by mwjeepster on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:38:00 PM PDT

•  Does Dem NO NO mean YES YES on Iran/Iraq?

  Leadership nodded yes to Bush on Iran and Iraq. The holdout is Obama. If Obama utters the code words 'War on Islamofascism' or it's synonym 'War on radical Islam', he will signal his intention to stay there also.

  by exploring on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:10:21 PM PDT

•  Just contributed, again ... now at 6004!!

  Congratulations Markos and the entire dKos community!

  Peace,
  Bob

  by understandinglife on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:16:57 PM PDT

•  Done...

  ...and DONE!

  It's easy AND heartwarming!

  :-)

  Thank you!  Your contribution makes an essential difference.

  We appreciate your using ActBlue.

  by Science and Art on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:20:36 PM PDT

•  These people "get it." The DC crowd

  couldn't care less about the rest of the country.

  by LRT on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:22:09 PM PDT

•  She's going to be a force

  Look what she's accomplishing without even getting into office. I think she's really going to shake things up when she gets into the House.

  by baudelairien on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:24:10 PM PDT

•  The big lie, "End the war in Iraq"

  what a bunch of crapola... have any of you read Senator Obama's position on Iraq (as stated on his website)?

  I think many of you are going to be as disappointed in him as you are with the 109th Congress (you remember, the one that was put there with a "mandate")

  by underpressure on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:33:48 PM PDT

•  OK, everyone got $25.00

  I may starve (yeah, yeah) but at least I did my part!

  :-)

  Melissa
  oh yes we can!

  by mwjeepster on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:36:03 PM PDT

•  darcy for vp

  what a leader indeed!

  by tegrat on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 03:19:26 PM PDT

•  I donated this afternoon - yay! :) n/t

  by bethatrix on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 03:41:59 PM PDT

•  Darcy Burner is amazing

  We had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser for Darcy at a friend's house in Seattle the last time around.  She's bright, determined and refreshingly down-to-earth.  Glad to support her candidacy again!

  by CurlyQ on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 08:27:57 AM PDT