As many of you may know, MoveOn.org has launched Project Red-Handed, a project of Operation Democracy, which is funded by MoveOn PAC. If you are as sick of online petitions as I am, you would probably be happy to hear - as I was - that MoveOn is investing in "offline" activism by funding recruitment and training operations to create local teams on the ground all over the country.
On Monday, August 14th, the MoveOn team from Louisville, in partnership with the Louisville DFA team, held their first action holding Anne Northup accountable for taking big special interest cash, and then voting for the interests of the big donors rather than the voters.
Why should you care about this little event? Follow me below the fold for details...
MoveOn.org has only targeted about 30 races nationwide for "special attention" during this cycle. The special attention consists of two parts:
1. The Red-Handed rallies, designed to garner media focus on the corruption of the incumbents, and act as a scarlet letter for Republican corporate "welfarists."
2. A massive phone-banking effort, where MoveOn members from around the nation call into the 30 targeted districts, identifying progressive voters and turning them out to vote.
This project will have a decisive impact. In the Busby race, the MoveOn phone-banking effort made a projected difference of about 3.8% in the voter turnout race. In the Lamont win, MoveOn members made over 70,000 calls into a race decided by only 10,000 votes.
With all that energy targeted at the Ohio River Valley, there could be a political insurrection in store for the region. MoveOn is targeting Anne Northup in KY-03, Mike Sodrel in IN-09, and Geoff Davis in KY-04. All of these races share the Louisville media market for all or part of the district. With MoveOn investing 10% of their efforts in this area, there is a huge opportunity for change.
Now, as to the specifics of the Northup Caught Red-Handed event - my press release (I organized the event, which was covered by the Courier Journal here):
MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION
PRESS RELEASE FOR: Monday, August 14, 2006
CONTACT: Mike Bailey
502-558-4026 (cell)
At Republican Donor Thornton's Gas Station, Local Residents Exposed Northup as "Caught Red Handed" Taking Big Oil Money, Doing Big Oil's Bidding
Red Foam Hands and "Caught Red-Handed" Signs Sent Clear Message:
As Gas Prices Rise, Rep. Northup Should Stand With Constituents & Stop Taking Campaign Money From Big Oil
Louisville - On Monday, August 14, residents of Louisville gathered outside the Thornton's gas station at 100 W. Broadway with red foam hands and signs to expose Rep. Northup as "caught red-handed" accepting campaign contributions from Big Oil companies and then doing their bidding as gas prices soar at the pump.
Big Oil companies have spent millions in campaign contributions to get Rep. Northup and other Republicans in Congress to hand over billions in taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil companies at a time of record profits. House Republicans have consistently rejected Democratic attempts to move toward energy independence and a national clean energy policy.
On May 11th, First Lady Laura Bush traveled to Kentucky for a Republican fundraiser. The event was held at the mansion of oil executive Matt Thornton, president & CEO of Thornton's Oil. It appears the oil and gas company titans know which politicians will vote in their favor, instead of in the interests of the people of Louisville.
Since 1990, Big Oil has given more than $190 million to members of Congress - 75% of which ($142,635,314) has gone to Republicans. Rep. Northup has personally accepted $288,077 from Big Oil during her career in Congress. She then voted for an energy bill that provides $8 billion in tax breaks to energy producers and billions more in direct federal aid, but does nothing to lower gas prices and gives short shrift to energy efficiency and renewable fuels.
To counter the influence of Big Oil money, and in an effort to educate voters and encourage them to hold Northup accountable for accepting Big Oil cash, Louisville residents waved giant, red foam hands and large signs that read, "Bought by Big Oil," and "Anne Northup Caught Red-Handed." The concerned citizens also handed out flyers and talked with fellow voters about Northup's Big Oil campaign contributions and corrupt Big Oil agenda.
For more information, contact Mike Bailey at 502-558-4026 or mbailey (at) changeforkentucky.com.
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