John McCain's campaign has directed $175,000 to the firm of a Republican operative accused of massive voter registration fraud in several states.

According to campaign finance records, a joint committee of the McCain-Palin campaign, the RNC and the the California Republican Party, made a $175,000 payment to the group Lincoln Strategy in June for purposes of "registering voters." The managing partner of that firm is Nathan Sproul, a renowned GOP operative who has been investigated on multiple occasions for suppressing Democratic voter turnout, throwing away registration forms and even, once, spearheading efforts to get Ralph Nader on ballots so as to hinder the Democratic ticket.

More from the Sproul file:

Indeed, Sproul's history is filled with allegations of political misdeeds. During the 2004 election, Sproul & Associates (the former name of Lincoln Strategy) was accused of attempting to destroy forms collected by Democratic voters in Nevada. That same year in Oregon, Sproul & Associates allegedly instructed canvassers to only accept Republican registration forms in addition to destroying those turned in by Democrats.

In Minnesota, meanwhile, Sproul's firm was accused of actually firing workers who brought back Democratic registration forms, while other canvassers were allegedly paid "$13 an hour, with the $3 bonus for every Bush, undecided or Ralph Nader voter registration." Similar problems related to Sproul & Associates popped up in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

I carry the people of West Virginia with me every day in my fight for good jobs, health care, veterans and our national security. And tonight, we’re all proud to stand with two patriots with the judgment and courage to face down the threats of the 21st century: The next vice president, Joe Biden and the next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

As chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I have learned a lot about the nature and identity of our enemies. I have seen the intelligence up close. And I can tell you that the threats we face are real and growing. Make no mistake: Our adversaries are determined, malicious and seek the most destructive weapons possible. We are threatened by loose nuclear weapons, terrorist sleeper cells, suicide bombers, cyber-attacks and bioterrorism. And our strength is profoundly undermined by our reliance on unstable regimes for foreign oil.

The grim reality is that eight years of ineffective leadership in the White House has compromised our national security and made America more vulnerable. I have seen the failures of Bush/Cheney up close. We cannot afford even one more day of ideological decision-making, politicizing intelligence, bungling diplomacy and obsolete thinking. And we cannot afford to keep sending our troops to fight tour after tour of duty in Iraq while we are distracted from the fight against al-Qaida.

Our military is amazing and unmatched. Our courageous men and women in uniform will always prevail on the battlefield. But they deserve a commander-in-chief who will give them a clear mission. We need a smart, tough, 21st century approach to national security.

Our next president will inherit a long list of challenges: war in Iraq and Afghanistan, global confrontation with al-Qaida, the re-emergence of a belligerent Russia and the wholly unacceptable nuclear ambitions of Iran. And I ask you, shouldn’t we have captured Osama bin Laden by now?

The American people deserve a leader who can forge strategic alliances where America leads, and others follow. Barack Obama is that leader. We need a leader who will re-establish America as an energy superpower by pursuing every resource at our disposal: alternative fuels, drilling and our most abundant domestic resource, tomorrow’s clean coal.

And it is time for Americans to have a leader who will tell them the truth about the challenges we face and trust them to rise together to clear any hurdle, fight any enemy and win any battle. Barack Obama is that leader.

We need a leader who sees the world as it is and will be, not as it was several decades ago. We need a leader who will finally end the war in Iraq responsibly, so we can focus on the threats of the 21st century. Barack Obama is that leader.

In the Senate, I have worked closely with Barack Obama. And I can tell you that this man, at this moment, is exactly the strong steady hand that America needs. He understands the use of force to defeat terror. He understands the role of a strong military with up-to-date weapons and intelligence. And he will command our armed forces the right way, and win.

And Barack Obama also understands that our nation is strongest abroad when we are strongest here at home. He understands that when our democracy thrives, our economy booms and our homeland is secure. America is unstoppable.

John McCain has served this country with honor. But his refusal to change course even in the face of the failed policies of Bush-Cheney is reckless and will not keep us safe. John McCain views the world through Cold War glasses. He does not see the complexity of counterterrorism in a new century.

Barack Obama’s vision is clear. Barack Obama understands that no challenge is without a solution because we are America. We are the toughest, hardest-working people in the world. We are a nation of problem solvers and with Barack Obama as our president, we will prevail.

Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America.

Our goal is to simply keep our country strong and our economy vibrant, state by state. In West Virginia, state leadership has produced a record number of new jobs, low unemployment and fewer taxes. We’ve reduced the size of state government and tackled our debts. Now, the time has come for Washington to follow our example and bridge partisan divides to bring America the change it needs. The states of our union can’t afford any more of the same old gridlock that currently reigns in Washington.

What we need from Washington is a realistic energy policy, as well as healthcare for every working person. We need a commitment to fixing our roads and bridges and a renewed education system that prepares our workforce to compete globally. Together, we can turn the page on November 4th by voting for the one candidate who can bring us the change we need: Barack Obama.

Now, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I like to say that I am a child of privilege. My grandparents were Italian and Czechoslovakian immigrants whose search for a better life led them to the small West Virginia coal mining towns of Farmington and Rachel. They understood that life in America was a privilege. In exchange for that privilege, they believed they had a responsibility to give something back. They taught me the importance not only of hard work, but also of having compassion for all people. The example they set, along with the unconditional love of my family and the strong support of my community, enabled me to attend college, run a successful business and launch a career in public service.

I am very proud to represent the great state of West Virginia and, most importantly, its people. West Virginians value hard work, patriotism and faith in God. They have faced adversity with courage, and they help each other in challenging times. They do the heavy lifting in the economy. They mine the coal, make the steel, and work the assembly lines that make our industries tick. Their experience and knowledge has earned each of them a Ph.D. in life. They can shake your hand, look you in the eye, and touch your heart.

And let me tell you something: They can’t afford four more years like the last eight. They need, and deserve, better from Washington. They need a president who puts their best interests first. They need a president who will tackle the major issues, balance our nation’s budget, and help struggling middle class families regain their footing. They need a president who will re-establish our country’s reputation in the world community. They need a president who will restore the promise of economic opportunity that is every American’s birthright. They need change, and they need Barack Obama as president!

Together, we can move from recession to resurgence. Together, we can stop running from our domestic problems and start sprinting toward solutions. We can raise our expectations of Washington and demand that they tackle the tough challenges, just as our nation’s governors do every day.

My fellow Americans, we need a new leader for new times. Barack Obama is the only candidate in this race who has captured our nation’s hopes for the kind of change we so desperately need. Let’s do what’s right for America and elect Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

MCCAIN WANTS TO GIVE $1.2 BILLION IN TAX BREAKS TO EXXON DESPITE HUGE PROFITS

Exxon Mobil Posted a Record $11.68 Billion in Earnings in the 2nd Quarter. "Exxon Mobil Corp. posted second-quarter earnings of $11.68 billion, once again topping its own record for the biggest three-month profit ever by a U.S. corporation… Exxon's second-quarter net income was 14% higher than the $10.26 billion it earned in the same quarter last year." [Los Angeles Times, 8/1/08]

McCain's Corporate Tax Cut Would Save Exxon Mobil $1.2 Billion. According to the Center For American Progress' Analysis, Exxon/Mobil would save as much as $1.2 Billion under McCain's corporate tax cut. "The centerpiece of Sen. McCain's plan to stimulate the economy -- actually, the whole plan)-- is large tax cuts for corporations. It would deliver $3.8 billion in tax cuts to the five largest American oil companies, according to an analysis released today by the Center for American Progress Action Fund." [Work Room, Thinkprogress.org, 3/27/2008]

EXXON'S PAC AND EMPLOYEES GAVE ALMOST $55,000 TO McCAIN

McCain Received Almost $55,000 in Contributions from Exxon Employees and Exxon's PAC. McCain received $54,336 in contributions from Exxon Mobil employees and its PAC. [Political Moneyline, Accessed: 8/5/08]

McCain Staffer-Turned Lobbyist-Turned McCain Senate Chief of Staff Mark Buse Lobbied for Exxon. In early 2008, McCain hired as his Senate chief of staff Mark Buse, who had served as McCain's staff director on the Commerce Committee "in the late 1990s and early 2000s," and who was until fall 2007 "a lobbyist for ML Strategies." From 2006 until 2007, Buse lobbied the federal government on behalf of Exxon Mobil, earning his firm $560,000 in lobbying fees from the oil giant. Buse lobbied on issues pertaining to renewable fuels, the energy savings act, climate stewardship act, climate change, cap & trade, and S.3711, the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act. [ML Strategies/Exxon Lobbying Disclosures, Senate Office of Public Records; Washington Post, 2/22/08]

Donatelli Lobbied on Behalf of Exxon in 1999. Donatelli lobbied for Exxon in 1999 on "educational efforts pursuant to merger activities." At the time Exxon was in the middle of an $82 billion merger with Mobil Exxon paid his firm $780,000 in lobbying fees for the year. [Exxon Lobbying Disclosures, Senate Office of Public Records]

It is most certain that Rep. Capito will speak of the vast opportunities that are opening up for the new graduates, but guess what won't be in that speech: Rep. Capito three times voted for the Republican budget for fiscal year 2006 that included the largest cut ever for student loan programs at $12.7 billion.

State parties will publish their delegate selection rules and clearly explain how to participate in the summer of 2007.

West Virginia Democratic Party
717 Lee Street, Suite 214
Charleston, WV 25301
304-342-8121
304-342-8122 (fax)

District-Level Delegates: 18
At-Large Delegates: 7
Pledged Party Leader & Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates: 3
Unpledged Delegates: 11
TOTAL Number of Delegates: 39

Alternates: 5

TOTAL DELEGATION SIZE: 44

System type: Primary

State convention page: None available.
State plan: Plan Available (PDF)
State filing form: Not available online. Please contact the state party to receive a copy.

** This information is prepared by the DNC's Office of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection and may be subject to change. For more information, please call 202-863-8000.

Yesterday was a wonderful day for Mountain State Democrats! In our state there are two days that ring more patriotic than others: Independence Day and June 20th, West Virginia Day.

Tucked among the hills in North Central West Virginia, Democrats held a number of house parties to celebrate our two favorite things: West Virginia and Senator Robert C. Byrd. Senator Byrd – a patriot himself – joined via phone from the nation’s Capitol to share in fellowship with his constituents while continuing to serve the best interests of the great people of West Virginia.

Senator Byrd’s re-election campaign is on the forefront of the Democratic Party’s 50-State Strategy. Precinct by precinct, neighborhood by neighborhood, and even hill by hill, Democrats throughout the state are working to organize on his behalf so that hollow remarks from a challenger, not only don’t ring true, but don’t ring at all.

West Virginia is poised to re-elect Senator Byrd this election year. And it will be because he knows the people – his fellow West Virginians – and strives daily to shape policy to fit their needs. Byrd’s patriotism, his values, and his common sense approach to finding solutions to our state’s and nation’s problems mean so much to so many in this state.

On West Virginia Day, we pause to remember our state’s rich history. Yet, we also focus on our future – a future that includes another term to the U.S. Senate for Robert C. Byrd.

Last month I was doing a precinct training session in Keyser, West Virginia, and we were discussing how to organize and to do read a voter file, etc... I then mentioned the April 29th Canvass. People started raising their hands to start participating, and we ended up with 12 confirmed canvasses in Mineral County, a county with just under 30,000 residents where Bush carried 69% of the vote in 2004. After that day though, more and more canvasses popped up and though it was not all recorded on the DNC website, we have just around 18 now going in this small county.

This is such a good feeling. You can already feel not only just what is going on in Mineral County or the Eastern Panhandle, but across the state of West Virginia, we are going to 'Make it Blue' in '06 and '08. Organizing our precincts and strengthening our local parties has been our main objective in the Eastern Panhandle, but we face many challenging races ahead. We must re-elect Sen. Robert C. Byrd and Congressman Alan Mollohan. We must unseat Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito. We must send back our Democratic lawmakers to Charleston, and we must be unified as Democrats. Already the volunteers and activist throughout the Eastern Panhandle who have gone through trainings and signed up for the canvasses agree on our new vision for America. We all agree it's time for change.

Everyone who we've spoken with thus far, Democrat, Republican, Independent all agree we need a new direction. County-by-County, Precinct-by-Precinct, Neighbor-by-Neighbor, we are going to change the direction of the Eastern Panhandle and West Virginia. Keep watching us and stay tuned, the best is yet to come. LET'S MAKE IT BLUE!!!!

Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney issued the following statement:

"Having sunk to new lows in the polls, the Republican Party has now sunk to new lows in their dangerously incompetent and unaccountable leadership. Lacking a clear plan for success and ignoring the facts on the ground, it seems the Bush Administration wants to close their eyes to the truth and pass the buck in Iraq.

"Sadly, this new strategy is nothing new. The American people are already keenly aware that the President squandered record surpluses and passed the buck on reducing the national debt, that the President and Republicans in Congress have passed the buck on ending the Republican culture of corruption, and that the Republican Congress has passed the buck on holding the Bush Administration accountable. Let's hope he doesn't pass the buck catching Osama Bin Laden.

"Our troops, their families and the American people deserve better, not more of the same failed Republican leadership. It's time for the Administration to stop the rosy rhetoric and start making it clear to the Iraqis that they must take responsibility for their future. Democrats have a bolder vision for a secure America based on honest leadership and real security that will move our country in a different direction across the board, from Iraq, to the economy, to either capture or kill Osama Bin Laden."

Bush Said Decisions About Troops Leaving Iraq Would Be Made By "Future Presidents." Asked if a day would come when there would be no more American forces in Iraq, Bush said, "That, of course, is an objective. And that will be decided by future presidents and future governments of Iraq." [Bush Press Conference, 3/21/06]

President Bush Passes The Buck on the Debt. President Bush inherited a government that had begun to pay down a portion of the debt by running four consecutive years of surplus. By next fall, when Bush completes his fifth full fiscal year, federal spending is projected to approach $2.6 trillion, up more than $700 billion from when he started. The national debt has grown 50 percent during Bush's presidency. But, in recent remarks on the debt, Bush did not mention his role in the spending increases, stating simply that "One of the most important steps we need to take to keep this economy strong is to restrain federal spending in Washington. Here's our view: It's important for the Congress to set priorities. Under the current system Congress can slip spending provisions into large bills where they never get debated and never get discussed. As a result, too many bills passed by Congress include unnecessary spending." [Sacramento Bee, 10/23/05; Knight Ridder, 3/16/06; Speech by the President 3/6/06]

President Bush Passes the Buck on Ethics Reform. According to the AP, "within days of the breaking of the worst lobbying scandal in decades, congressional leaders pledged swift and bold reform. That hasn't happened." The President's response to the myriad of ethics scandals surrounding the GOP was simply that he "look[ed] forward to working with Congress on ethics reform." [Speech by the President, 2/1/06; AP, 3/13/06]
]]> http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/03/passing_the_buc.php http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/03/passing_the_buc.php Iraq Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:42:39 -0500 The first set of primaries are but a week away. It almost makes me feel as I did as a boy when the "Boys of Summer" took the field for the first time each year. Being a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, I am used to hearing the phrase, "hope springs eteranla." With election season nipping at our heels, these numbers begin to take on new meaning. Unless otherwise indicated, all polls are conducted by Rasmussen Reprts, 500 respondents, have an MoE of +/- 4.5%, and applicable trend lines in parentheses.

Oregon Governor
Ted Kulongoski (D): 51%
Kevin Mannix (R): 36%

Ted Kulongoski (D): 47%
Ron Saxton (R): 33%

Ted Kulongoski (D): 48%
Jason Atkinson (R): 36%

This is terrific news, as the incumbent governor has struggled somewhat in some of the 50 state polling on governor popularity across the country.

Alabama Governor
Bob Riley (R): 53%
Lucy Baxley (D): 37%

Roy Moore (R): 44%
Lucy Baxley (D): 46%

Illinois Governor
Rod Blagojevich (D): 42% (37)
Judy Baar Topinka (R): 36% (48)

Rod Blagojevich (D): 49% (43)
Jim Oberweis (R): 37% (39)

Rod Blagojevich (D): 47% (40)
Ron Gidwitz (R): 33% (40)

As you can see by the HUGE gains Governor Blagojevich has made over the past few weeks, I'm guessing that something was seriously amiss with the last set of numbers Rasmussen released on this race. Of couse, it could have something to do with a biting Republican primary.

West Virginia U.S. Senate
Robert Byrd (D): 58%
John Raese (R): 32%

Robert Byrd (D): 60%
Hiram Lewis (R): 29%

Robert Byrd (D): 61%
Zane Lawhorn (R): 28%

This ... is terrific news. For months we heard from Senator Elizabeth Dole that West Virginia would be a state with a bullseye on it in 2006. But, much like the poor job she did recruiting in multiple states across the country (See Nebraska/Florida), the GOP is left-with third teir candidates that potentially make this race close only because of their ability to self-finance. Doesn't matter, Senator Byrd is extemely popular and looks to be well on his way to a walk in November.

Colorado Governor
Bill Ritter (D): 40%
Bob Beauprez (R): 33%

Bill Ritter (D) 41%
Marc Holtzman (R): 28%

Gary Lidstrom (D): 36%
Bob Beauprez (R): 37%

Gary Lidstrom (D): 35%
Marc Holtzman (R): 33%

I saved the best for last on this set of numbers. Now that Mayor Hickenlooper (D) has decided to sit out the race, the numbers for the Democratic candidates have surged. I say the best for last because Beauprez is absolutely shameless and insufferable. It was only earlier this month he was parading around the campaign trail in full military flight regalia despite requesting, and receiving, three deferments during the Vietnam war. What's worse, Beauprez has the worst voting record in Congress on military issues according to the Disabled American Veterans.

The New York Times ran a nice piece late last week providing a decent snapshot of where we stand as of right now in gubernatorial contests across the country.

At a time when considerable political attention is focused on the Democrats' uphill struggle to recapture Congress, leaders of both parties say Democrats appear to be in a much stronger position on another pivotal battlefield this November, the contests for governors.

Democrats have a strong chance to pick up a number of seats held by Republicans while keeping seats even in states that President Bush won in 2004, potentially allowing Democrats to put their view of government on display across a bigger swath of the country and strengthening their position for the 2008 presidential race, party officials said.

Among the states that could flip to the Democratic column are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Nevada and Ohio, all general election battlegrounds carried by Mr. Bush, as well as New York and perhaps California.

Play Ball!

Today we join Americans all over the country in sending our thoughts and prayers out to the brave families and loved ones of the twelve coal miners who perished in the Sago coal mine in Tallmansville, West Virginia. Our hearts go out to this community which has suffered a tragic loss after a harrowing experience. The one blessing in this tragedy has been the rescue of a single miner.

Through it all, West Virginians have showed a tremendous sense of support and community. It is this same sense of community and togetherness that will help West Virginians through these tragic events.

How terribly tragic. Like so many Americans, when I finally laid my head to rest yesterday evening, I did so under the impression that all but one of the miners had miraculously survived. As I said my evening prayers, I let my thoughts drift to that one family whose loved one didn't make it, unable to even begin to comprehend what they were feeling at that moment. And then we all woke up together to the terrible news, that in fact only one had survived. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of loved ones lost in West Virginia.

Meanwhile, Senator Hillary Clinton finds her name in nearly every piece of direct mail and web ad the GOP produces, yet they can't find anyone to run against her. And it's a problem mirrored in state after state across the country. It's obviously not a good time to be a Republican. From a DSCC release:

WVA: Despite Pleas from NRSC, Capito Said NO to WV Senate Bid. This week, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito announced she will not challenge Sen. Robert Byrd next year, “dealing a major blow” to Republican recruitment efforts in West Virginia. Political analyst Larry Sabato said after Capito’s announcement, “The Republicans do not have another good option in West Virginia.” [Roll Call, 10/3/05; Charleston Gazette, 10/4/05]

- Capito Was Just the First of Many to Say They Wouldn’t Challenge Byrd. In October Secretary of State Betty Ireland announced that she would not challenge Senator Byrd in 2006. In November, former University of West Virginia basketball coach, Gale Catlett, declined to enter the race. Finally, just two days ago, West Virginia Republican Party Chairman, Robin Capehart, declined to challenge Senator Byrd. [Associated Press, 10/27/05; Associated Press, 11/11/05; Register-Herald, 12/6/05]

ND: Despite Personal Visit from Rove, Hoeven Said NO to Conrad Challenge. Last week, Governor John Hoeven announced he will not challenge Kent Conrad in 2006, “depriving Republicans of someone they considered their strongest candidate against the Democratic incumbent.” Just days earlier, Karl Rove visited North Dakota and met with Hoeven, and the Washington Times reported, “The White House has promised to give Mr. Hoeven its fullest support if he runs.” [AP, 9/30/05; Washington Times, 9/29/05]

VT: Despite Urging from Dole and White House, Vermont Governor Said NO to Senate Bid. In April, Senator Jim Jeffords announced that he would not be running for re-election. Immediately, Governor Jim Douglas was widely labeled as the strongest potential Republican candidate for the Senate seat, with one local paper noting that Douglas “is expected to face intense pressure from Republicans in Washington to enter the Senate race.” Douglas spoke to NRSC Chair Sen. Elizabeth Dole and to at least one White House official before announcing that he would not run for the Senate. [NPR, 4/20/05; AP, 4/20/05, 4/29/05; Burlington Free Press, 4/21/05]

MI: Despite Pleas From Bush, Michigan Rep. Miller Said NO to Senate Bid. Last December, President Bush publicly urged Congresswoman Candice Miller, telling her Chief of Staff, “You need to tell her she needs to run for the Senate,” before calling the Congresswoman personally. Described as “the party's top choice,” Miller announced in January that she would not run for Senate. As one Detroit columnist noted, “Top Republicans with safe jobs looked at this, and shook their heads. No, thank you.” [Detroit News, 12/9/04; AP, 1/11/05; Detroit Metro Times, Lessenberry column, 8/24/05]

FL: Despite Repeated Attempts, At Least Four Recruited Candidates Have Said NO to Florida Senate Bid. Since last November, Florida Republicans have been urged unsuccessfully to enter the 2006 Senate race, including Governor Jeb Bush. Even after Katherine Harris announced her candidacy for the seat, the White House and NRSC continued to speak to Republicans about getting into the race, with a huge focus on Florida House Speaker Allan Bense and former Congressman Joe Scarborough, both of whom subsequently decided not to enter the Senate race. [Jupiter Courier, 11/24/04; Gainesville Sun, 8/4/05; Pensacola News Journal, 8/17/05, 8/21/05]

WA: Despite Visit from Dole, Rossi Said NO to Washington Senate Bid. Labeled “Republicans' brightest star,” 2004 candidate for Governor Dino Rossi announced in July that he would not challenge Senator Maria Cantwell in 2006. The AP reported that Rossi’s decision process froze the field in place until he told the salivating national party that he was declining their call to duty. Polls had showed Rossi as the strongest Republican candidate. Rossi’s announcement came just one week after Sen. Elizabeth Dole was in Washington, personally urging Rossi to enter the race. [AP, 7/21/05; Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7/26/05]

NE: Despite National Pleas, List of Prominent Republicans Saying NO to Nelson Challenge Keeps Growing. Republicans have failed to recruit a top-tier challenger for Senator Ben Nelson in Nebraska. When pressed to change his decision to run for reelection and instead challenge Nelson, Governor Dave Heineman said “that on a scale of zero to 100 his interest in the Senate race is ‘minus-1000 and dropping.’” Heineman joined former Governor and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, Rep. Tom Osborne, and NE Attorney General Jon Bruning as prominent Nebraska Republicans who have declined to challenge Nelson. Most recently, when the White House asked former Senator Dave Karnes to run for his old job, he too said no. [Roll Call, 5/10/05; Roll Call, 3/9/05; Omaha World-Herald, 8/2/05]

NY: Giuliani and Pataki Both Refused to Challenge Clinton. In New York, Republicans failed to draw a top-tier challenger to Sen. Hillary Clinton when Governor George Pataki and former New York City Mayor Rudi Giuliani both declined to run for the Senate. [AP, 4/18/05; Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 8/3/05]

WI: Despite Calls from State GOP Chair, Potential Wisconsin Candidate Said NO to Kohl Challenge. This week, it was reported that Waukesha County Executive Dan Finley will not run for Senate in Wisconsin against Sen. Herb Kohl. Apparently, the State Republican Party had already started polling, in conjunction with Finley, for an upcoming Senate bid, but, instead, Finley chose to take a job at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Finley’s announcement reportedly “blindsided Republican heavyweights.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Spivak & Bice column, 10/4/05]

EVEN REPUBLICANS ADMIT NRSC RECRUITING IS WEAK. “Nationally, overall, their recruiting has not been as strong as it was in 2002 and 2004…they have missed a lot of chances in recruitment,” Republican pollster David Johnson said of the NRSC. [The Hill, 10/4/05]

Washington, DC-- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement on the yesterday's Democratic victories in West Virginia and across the country:

"The resounding victories last night by Democratic candidates across the country sent a powerful message that when Democrats stand up for what we believe in, we win. They showed that the values and priorities of the Democratic Party are the values and priorities of the American people.

"Yesterday, in West Virginia voters elected Police Chief Bob Newell as the next mayor of Parkersburg, one of West Virginia's largest cities. Newell handily defeated his Republican challenger even while being heavily outspent in an area that Bush carried by 62% in 2004.

"Last night, the voters also stood up against the politics of hate and divisiveness, and voted for strong Democratic candidates who offered true leadership for their states and communities. These candidates showed exactly what our party is going to do to stand up and win in 2006."

Democratic Governors across the nation have stepped up to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Learn how West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin has responded below.

8/31: Governor Joe Manchin strongly encouraged West Virginians to take part in the relief effort and make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

8/31: Governor Manchin coordinated an effort with the National Guard Bureau to send two companies of engineers to the Gulf Coast. Four Air National Guard planes were put on standby.

9/1: Governor Manchin worked with the EPA and suppliers to ensure gas supplies and eliminate any price gouging.

9/2: Governor Manchin assigned Jim Spears, the Secretary of Military Affairs and Public Safety to work with homeland security officals in the Gulf Coast states to formulate a plan to find housing for the thousands of displaced hurricane victims.

9/3: West Virginia, Marshall and Wheeling Jesuit followed Manchin's call to open up their doors to displaced Gulf Coast college students.

9/3: Two West Virginia National Guard engineering companies were sent to the Gulf Coast.

9/3: Governor Blanco and Perry have accepted Governor Manchin's offer to help relocate up to 3,000 displaced Louisiana residents. At 11:30 am, six West Virginia Air National Guard C-130's left West Virginia to pick up 500 Louisiana residents who eventually made their way to Camp Dawson for temporary housing.

9/4: The West Virginia National Guard sent 300 soldiers and airmen to New Orleans.

Shelly Moore Capito supports Bush’s deep cuts to vital services in W.V.

The Republican Congress and President Bush are slashing away at funding for important programs in next year’s budget. Congresswoman Capito has voted in favor of the budget cuts. In West Virginia, over the next 5 years, those cuts would mean:

• $79 million less for K-12 schools
  
• $42 million less for Vocational education
  
• $72 million less for economic development grants
  
• Increased medical costs for over 10,000 veterans
  
• $25 million less for Head Start

Read more about how Capito's Cuts are hurting West Virginians...