In the interest of electing "more AND BETTER Democrats," it would be a no-brainer to replace Rep. Al Wynn with Donna Edwards in Maryland
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Not all lobbying is dirty. I suppose as long as we have a more or less democratic government, with votes and rulings and decisions that can be swayed, there will be people who make it their business to sway away. It just gets dirty when special interests use their generously corporate-filled coffers to buy control of a portion of our system--in other words, a whole lot of the time. There's a reason why "K Street" has come to send a shiver through most of us on the progressive battlefronts.
Naturally the games lobbyists play are generally best conducted out of public view. But they're not exactly compulsive about their devotion to secrecy, as witness this post from Matt Stoller today on OpenLeft:
Obama and Edwards Lobbying Bashing:
Al Wynn Takes the Money
By Matt StollerI guess I see the reason that Edwards and Obama keep bashing lobbyists. Tomorrow, Al Wynn is having a fundraiser at the office of nuclear industry giant Entergy at 9am. Entergy is a huge Bush-Cheney backer, with former Republican Congressman and current pharma head (and Wynn donor) Billy Tauzin on its board.
The invitation, which you can see above, says in a large font 'Honoring Rep. Al Wynn, Committee on Energy and Commerce'. This Democratic primary is about change, and there's going to be a media event and protest outside Wynn's office tomorrow.
Tomorrow, I'm going out to 101 Constitution Ave right near the Capitol at 9am. While I can't get to New Hampshire, change is everywhere, even outside of lobbyist and energy company offices in DC.
Al Wynn's name will be familiar to regular DWT readers. His name usually comes up when we talk about the need to elect "more and better Democrats," most recently in connection with the mortgage crisis, where Wynn could as usual be found on the side of the moneyed interests--as his Democratic primary opponent, Donna Edwards, made clear.As Howie has pointed out frequently, Wynn depends on unwavering support from the House leadership--Speaker Pelosi, fellow Marylander Majority Leader Hoyer, and Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel--even though he's rarely around when the leadership is waging, or thinking about waging, one of its tough fights. Donna Edwards gave Wynn a scare in 2006, and would instantly upgrade the quality of the House Democratic caucus if she captured that seat this time around. She has long been one of DWT's and Blue America's most admired congressional candidates, and we urge everyone to pitch in and support her and all the Blue America '08 candidates.
Howie also points out frequently that it doesn't matter if all you can afford to give is a small amount; the power of our fund-raising is that the small contributions can add up to significant--not to mention much-needed--infusions of cash for people who won't get money from the corporate givers.
The goal, again, is more AND BETTER Democrats!
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Labels: Al Wynn, Culture of Corruption, Donna Edwards, K Street
posted by KenInNY @ 10:50 AM
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7 Comments:
We definitely need more and BETTER Democrats elected. I hope to see Donna Edwards elected and to see Nancy Skinner in MI-09 elected along with her (www.skinnerforcongress.com). Nancy gave 14-year incumbent Joe Knollenberg the scare of his life in '06 when she only lost to him by about 5% despite the fact that she was outspent 7 to 1. Nancy is the same kind of Democrat as Donna Edwards -- one with a backbone who will stand up to corporate interests and the establishment. She will fight for what's right and for the people she represents.
So does that also mean supporting Dr. Steven Porter in PA-03 who is now running as an Independent because he was so disgusted with the Democrats?
I'm far more interested in BETTER Democrats than in more Democrats. More sell-outs like Rahm Emanuel and Steny Hoyer we can do without.
And as for Steve Porter in PA-03, DWT endorsed him in 2006 and re-endorsed him this year. He's also a Blue America endorsee.
The most important races right now are primaries pitting progressive fighers like Donna Edwards, John Laesch, Mark Pera, Randi Scheuer, and Howard Shanker against Democratic party hacks and reactionaries. Randi was endorsed today by PDA in her battle against Republican-lite incumbent Melissa Bean.
That's great for Randi! I met her briefly in October when I went to Chicago on the Peace Train for a peace march.
The biggest concern with Porter in PA-03 is that I sincerely doubt he would win as an independent. Certainly, he is passonate about what he thinks is right, but if he gets 5% in the general election I would be very impressed. I say this for a couple of reasons. First, in Pennsylvania, you can go into the voting booth and choose the "party line" lever, which many folks do, especially seniors. Second, Porter could not win as a Democrat...even in 2006 he lost by 12 percentage points (54-42-4%). Because of this, folks are less likely to support him for a third time, especially if it looks like there is a Democrat who could defeat the incumbent Republican Rep. Phil English. Obvously, you can endorse whoever you wish, but there are currently 4 Democrats vying for the nomination at this time, including Kyle Foust, Kathy Dahlkemper, Mike Waltner, and Tom Myers. Surely one of them carries a more progressive tone and is worthy of endorsement, AND might have a shot at winning the general election. As I say, you can endorse who you wish, but I fear that it's a grave and tragic decision.
Besides, you yourself said, the goal is to elect more and better DEMOCRATS. Porter left the Democratic Party. If he couldn't win in PA-03 as a Democrat, there is no way that he would win as an independent.
Let's see who the Democrats nominate. If it's just another hack who will vote like a Republican... who cares. If it's Mike Waltner maybe Porter will reconsider.
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