Victory Fund Needs New Leadership With A Coherent Strategic Vision

An OpEd by Peter Rosenstein in the current issue of the Washington Blade takes Beltway gay careerist organization, the Victory Fund, to task for the shortcomings that were demonstrated by their approach to the 2012 election cycle. Although they would like to claim credit for helping Tammy Baldwin win a Senate seat, they will be better remembered for their strategically flawed attempt to defeat a tried and true friend of the LGBT community, John Tierney, while working to replace him with a top GOP/Young Gun priority, Richard Tisei, a gay conservative, who only stopped voting against gay people when he finally came out of the closet. As Rosenstein noted, the Victory Fund is "more concerned with their percentage of winning candidates rather than building for the future. Many of our finest politicians lost their first campaigns and went on to have stellar political careers. First time potentially viable LGBT candidates need our support and most believe it is the Victory Fund’s mission to provide that support and encouragement." Victory Fund has an ugly history of refusing-- often with special cruelty-- to support LGBT grassroots candidates. Blue America watched the disappointment and heartbreak in several candidates made to jump through childish hoops only to be shunned by the insipid, power-crazed Victory Fund careerists. This past cycle we saw that in New Jersey with Ed Potosnak and in Michigan with Trevor Thomas. The Victory fund was too busy with Richard Tisei to help either of them.

As you might recall, Ed Potosnak, a science teacher and small business owner, ran a hard fought race in 2010 in a New Jersey Congressional district that President Obama carried in 2008. As a candidate for Congress who was openly gay, Ed made his case for support to the Victory Fund to no avail. Despite this lack of support, Ed was able to secure the nomination over the Democratic Party’s insider candidate in the primary. Ed then went on to mount an aggressive, grassroots, campaign against the freshman incumbent/teabagger Leonard Lance. Blue America supported Ed because of his commitment to keeping America competitive, creating jobs, ending cronyism and reforming elections, strengthening the middle class, and protecting the safety net. After an unsuccessful first bid, Ed reentered the race for the 2012 as an even stronger candidate in NJ’s most completive district. The second time around the DCCC added Ed’s race to their watch list, but the Victory Fund insisted on sitting on the sidelines. During the critical “off-year” Ed continued to campaign and raise money amassing more than $175,000 by year end, all without the help of the Victory Fund-- although, he did have some help from fellow LGBT progressives Barney Frank and Jared Polis. Ed ended his campaign this past January to lead the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, still dismayed that the Victory Fund refused to back him.

A recent congressional race in Michigan’s 3rd District is a prime example of where the Victory Fund has gone astray. Trevor Thomas, a gay man running in the primary asked for a Victory Fund endorsement early in his campaign. The Victory Fund turned him down suggesting that if he could raise $100,000 on his own and prove he was a viable candidate it would reconsider. Trevor did that and the Victory Fund turned him down again. A Victory Fund board member recently told me that the group decided not to endorse Thomas because they thought even if he could win his primary he couldn’t win the election. That board member also told me that the Victory Fund looked at the DCCC and saw that it wasn’t supporting Trevor in the primary but instead supported a self-funded candidate. [Let me mention that the self-funded candidate, Steve Pestka is a rapid anti-Choice fanatic and a really vile social conservative.]

Thomas raised a lot of money on his own in the primary. He received the endorsement of two current members of Congress early in his campaign. About a month before the primary, the DCCC realized that in the pre-primary reporting period his opponent raised a weak $4,000, while Thomas pulled in nearly $40,000 in less than 15 days without a single dollar coming from PACs. The DCCC then gave the green light for other sitting members of Congress to endorse, including Barney Frank. He received endorsements from two former members of Congress, including Patrick Murphy, the leader in repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Still, the Victory Fund wouldn’t endorse. Thomas found support from former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm; from the state’s former lieutenant governor who had just run for governor; a progressive PAC dedicated to veteran’s issues and Cecile Richards of National Planned Parenthood. The chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, Rep. Diana DeGette, along with Frank, started raising money for him. What he didn’t ever get was support from many big LGBT donors who told him they only contribute to candidates endorsed by the Victory Fund.

Trevor Thomas wasn’t an unknown quantity. He was deputy communications director at HRC and communications director for SLDN during the final fight for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The executive director of the SLDN was an active supporter and fundraiser for Thomas.

Thomas raised about $400,000 for his campaign and had an independent group backed by veterans chip in another $150,000. He got 45 percent of the vote against a competitor not particularly friendly to the LGBT community, who spent $700,000. If only Thomas had had the early support of the Victory Fund, he might have either kept his opponent out of the race or gone on TV earlier to get his message out. Democratic pollster Mark Mellman shared a poll early in the campaign with the Victory Fund showing if Thomas had the money to get his message out he could win big-- with one test showing a win by as much as 20 percent. Thomas’s story was compelling, including the fact that he was a product of the auto-industry, both his parents working the line for more than 30 years.

In Trevor’s case it wasn’t the mere $5,000 the Victory Fund gives to endorsed candidates but rather making people aware of his candidacy so they would give. While the Victory Fund wasn’t even interested in listing him on its website, National Planned Parenthood and a national veterans group, along with Jennifer Granholm, didn’t blink. They knew Thomas, knew his talents, but then so did the silent Victory Fund.

The time has come for the Victory Fund to take a look in the mirror and perhaps rethink their mission. The Victory Fund is based on ground broken by EMILY’s list whose name stands for Early Money Is Like Yeast. Early money is often primary money for an LGBT candidate. It allows them the chance to grow and get their message out. I fully understand having a set of criteria for an endorsement but it is clear that if Trevor Thomas didn’t qualify there is a problem with the current criteria. In Michigan it was EMILY’s List that stood early with Jennifer Granholm when others stood with her primary opponent in her race for governor. The source and power of EMILY’s List is clear; they stand loyal in oftentimes divided primaries, going up against the DCCC if needed and they fight like hell and win. That’s a lesson to be learned.

Maybe it’s time to develop another organization so LGBT candidates can get their names out to the broader community; a place where every “out” candidate can list themselves, their bios, their positions and an analysis of how they see themselves winning. If the Victory Fund doesn’t feel it necessary to review its current criteria maybe they shouldn’t be the only gatekeeper to funding for LGBT candidates. We need the Victory Fund but if they don’t feel this is their role then we also need an organization dedicated to building that bullpen of LGBT candidates who will become the leaders of the future.

Progressive Leadership Evolving

Trevor Thomas, Lee Rogers-- citizen grassroots rising stars outside the corrupt DC establishment

Blue America has been especially thankful this cycle that progressive champions-- particularly Raúl Grijalva and Alan Grayson-- have been lending a much-needed hand to progressive challengers all over the country. As co-chair of the Progressive Caucus and a proven fighter for working families, Grijalva's endorsement has become the gold standard for first-time candidates looking for credibility with national progressive donors. And now he's working towards institutionalizing this through the Progressive Caucus itself, which is expected to start endorsing candidates next week.

As for Grayson, there isn't another Democrat anywhere in the country who has been as generous in helping to raise money-- both for his old colleagues (like Dennis Kucinich, John Lewis, Jesse Jackson, Jr. etc) and for a wide range of progressive challengers. In the past this function has been attended to by corrupt careerists like Steny Hoyer, Joe Crowley, Wasserman-Schultz, etc. Grayson is setting an example for progressives to help each other.

And today something extraordinary happened. Michigan progressive activist, Trevor Thomas, sent a fund-raising letter to his own donor list, 130,000 people, thanking them for the support they gave his campaign and asking them to contribute to the campaign of Dr. Lee Rogers in California.

Trevor and Lee see eye to eye on the issues and both are committed young Democrats but there's something else that unites them as well. Trevor:

"Dr. Lee Rogers is up against extreme, Republican Congressman Buck McKeon who is also the chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. I'll never forget Buck because when I was working on the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' he did everything possible to stop our efforts, along with his notoriously anti-choice record on women's rights and his strong opposition to helping kids stay in the U.S. through the DREAM Act.

Please stand with Dr. Rogers-- an amazing progressive-- and offer your support today. Together, we can help Dr. Rogers win and turn the U.S. House blue.

Blue America has activated a special Trevor Thomas Backs Lee Rogers ActBlue page to collect contributions. Please consider helping out. Lee is an independent-minded Democrat who isn't beholden to the corrupt Beltway organizations. This will help allow him stick to his guns on important bills that come up in Congress, represent his constituents and help make him impervious to the blandishments of party bosses.

Two More Reasons For Progressives To Get Behind Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH)

Earlier we saw that Tuesday is primary-day for Dr. Syed Taj in MI-11. Of course that means it's primary day for all the candidates running in Michigan, including Blue America-endorsed Trevor Thomas, who's running against another pathetic anti-Choice shill, Steve Pestka. I was really impressed this week to see former (and future) Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) send out a fundraising letter to her own supporters for Trevor. Other than Alan Grayson, who has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for progressives this year, you almost never see candidates asking their own donors to give to other challengers-- and especially not in a tough primary. I love it! Here's what Carol had to say:

I'm writing to ask you to support a progressive candidate, Trevor Thomas, who is working to defeat an extreme Tea Party freshman in Michigan. Trevor is a strong progressive: pro-choice, committed to environmental protection, and fighting for opportunity for all, and next week he has a primary election against an anti-choice Democrat.

...I got to know Trevor when he helped out with my campaign, and when he worked for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network on the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' As a member of the Committee on Armed Services, I saw up close as Trevor personally worked with Republican and Democratic members of Congress to repeal DADT, helping to achieve a bipartisan victory for a progressive cause. We need more of that spirit in Washington.
 
Trevor has the passion and commitment our country needs in Congress. He spoke out publicly in favor of marriage equality in his local paper, the Grand Rapids Press, back in 2004. Before he ran for office, Trevor worked as a reporter for the local NBC news affiliate, and he worked for former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.

...All of the funds that Trevor raises this week go directly into funding voter contact between now and Primary Election Day, August 7. I hope you will offer him your support. Now is the time to make a difference-- help a progressive take the seat of a tea partier.
 
Thank you for helping my friend Trevor.

You can contribute to both Trevor and to Carol here on the Blue America page. And Carol, who is currently leading her own crazed teabagger opponent, Frank Guinta, has a pretty hard race of her own-- and like Trevor, one that isn't being supported by the DCCC or the Inside-the-Beltway corrupt Democratic Machine. That doesn't stop Carol for going right up in the face of well-honed Republican talking points... and taking them apart. This week, for example, she was pummeling Guinta and his deranged party for their denial of Climate Change science. Guest post:

Fix Congress To Fix Climate Change

-by Carol Shea-Porter

America and the world have had quite an awful time the past few years with wild weather-- drought, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wind, heat. Many people in our country have died in these natural disasters, and New Hampshire has had its share of trouble. While we use the word "natural,” most people now believe that these disasters are a result of global warming, also called climate change. However, there are still too many climate change deniers in Congress, and this is preventing the United States from moving forward, even as time is running out to slow down climate change.

After years of arguing about whether we were experiencing climate change as a result of our human activities, the evidence is pretty convincing to most scientists at this point. Most agree it is from burning fossil fuels. Seth Borenstein, an AP science writer, reported that Richard Muller, a "prominent physicist and skeptic of global warming," conducted a two-year study to see if the earth was heating up. While he did not study the cause, his conclusion was that the earth was rapidly heating up. This was huge news in the climate skeptic industry, whose ranks grow smaller every day.

Consider the evidence for just this summer. The heat has been tormenting people. American farmers are experiencing a drought disaster. There are wild storms across the country. Greenland has just experienced a huge ice melt. Christine Roberts of the New York Daily News wrote that, "The ice sheet that blankets Greenland has melted at an astonishing rate this summer, stunning NASA scientists and leaving many wondering what will happen next. Nearly 97% of Greenland's surface ice sheet thawed during a four day period in July-- more than it ever has in the last 30 years, NASA satellite data shows."

Extreme weather and climate change are tied together, and scientists have collected a lot of data to show this. Reuters environmental correspondent Alister Doyle just reported that "A study this month, for instance, showed that greenhouse gas emissions had raised the chances of the severe heat wave in Texas in 2011 and unusual heat in Britain in late 2011." Doyle says that evidence that we will continue to have severe weather where we live might help experts to plan for the costs associated with it, and to find ways to deal with climate change.

Maybe. But first, we need our policy makers-Congress-to finally acknowledge climate change and stop stalling on finding solutions. We have too many members who refuse to admit there is climate change, or that the federal government has a role to play in stopping it. For example, our Congressman in New Hampshire's First District, Frank Guinta, told the Raymond Tea Party that the federal government has no role to play in fixing global warming.

Congressman Guinta is not alone in trying to block any corrective action. The military has been very concerned about climate change and access to fuel, and is now using some biofuels. Some senators are fighting this on the grounds that it could cost more than traditional fuels. This is discouraging, because scientists tell us we need to act quickly now to change our dependence, and there is also a national security issue here. We must break our dependence on oil for environmental and security reasons, and we must do it now.

I believe there should be an Apollo-type program to address these issues, advance renewable energy, and slow down climate change. But our current Congress took 27 votes to block action to address climate change in 2011, and 94% of the Republican members voted to block any action. If Americans want to fix this climate change problem, they will first need to fix Congress in November.

Rape And Incest

Part of why Nevada Republican freak Sharron Angle lost in the 2010 Republican sweep was because she was so far to the right that even some mainstream conservatives couldn't bring themselves to vote for her and because she absolutely repulsed independents. One of her more memorable pronouncements on the campaign trail was that forcing a girl raped by her father to bear the child of that incident would be turning a lemon into lemonade. And while there is a certain segment of the Republican base that goes for that kind of thinking, most normal Americans are horrified by it. And, of course, this particular brand of patriarchal mental illness, isn't exclusively a Republican problem. In their abandonment of all pretense of having any principles at all, Democratic Party careerists like Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Steve Israel, under the guise of "We Are The Big Tent Party," are happy to welcome extreme anti-Choice crackpots who haven't found their way to the GOP yet.

Tuesday the National Association of Women joined former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Planned Parenthood, the Progressive Women's Alliance of West Michigan (and his mother) in endorsing Trevor Thomas in the congressional primary next week for Michigan seat to represent the area around Grand Rapids and Battle Creek (MI-03). Trevor is an extraordinary candidate-- which is why he was also endorsed by Blue America-- but I suspect that so many women have flocked to his banner at least in part because of his opponent, Steve Pestka. Pestka, who has a good deal of Establishment support, is a former state legislator who threw his lot in with the Republicans to vote to defund Planned Parenthood. His ugly brand of anti-Choice fanaticism may be OK for the Big Tent careerists but it is not OK with normal women. Like the worst of the Republican misanthropes, Pestka makes no exception for rape or incest in his heavy-handed interfering with a woman's right to Choice. This man shouldn't even be allowed into a Democratic Party meeting on a precinct level, let alone be the party's congressional nominee!

Aside from yesterday being the day that NOW endorsed Trevor Thomas, it also marked the day that the House Republicans-- eager to continue to not deal seriously with the economic mess they have forced the country into-- voted on another pointless anti-Choice bill, this one from GOP anti-Choice freak Trent Franks-- prefect for a kook like Pestka-- to ban all abortions in Washington, DC, including for victims of rape and incest. The bill needed a two-thirds majority to pass, but it failed 220-154, all but 8 Republicans voting for it, 6 who crossed the aisle and 2 who voted "present." The Republicans were joined by 17 of the worst anti-Choice Democrats:

Jason Altmire (Blue Dog/New Dem-PA), already defeated in his primary
Dan Boren (Blue Dog-OK), retiring
Jerry Costello (IL), retiring
Mark Critz (PA)
Henry Cuellar (Blue Dog-TX)
Joe Donnelly (Blue Dog-IN), hand-picked Democratic Senate candidate
Tim Holden (Blue Dog-PA), already defeated in his primary
Dale Kildee (MI), retiring
Larry Kissell (Blue Dog-NC)
Jim Langevin (RI)
Lipinski, Jr. (IL)
Jim Matheson (Blue Dog-UT)
Mike McIntyre (Blue Dog/New Dem-NC)
Collin Peterson (Blue Dog-MN)
Nick Rahall (WV)
Mike Ross (Blue Dog-AR), retiring
Heath Shuler (Blue Dog-NC), retiring

So of the 17 bad Dems, 8 have either been defeated already in primaries or are voluntarily leaving the House. Good riddance! The four names that are bolded are all priority candidates for the DCCC's Frontline program. Ironically, they'll get the bulk of whatever pro-Choice Democrats are tricked into donating to the DCCC this year-- which will rail against the Republicans who voted for this crazy bill but finance these 4 Democrats who voted along with them. This is called chutzpah. This is also what Debbie Wasserman Schultz calls her "Big Tent Party." I wonder if she would cut someone off at some point. What do you have to do to not be allowed into Wasserman Schultz's Big Tent? The Blue America PAC isn't as big tenty as Wasserman Schultz. Every single candidate we've endorsed backs women's right to Choice 100%. The idea of forcing a woman who was raped to bear her rapist's child is so disgusting that I can't imagine a tent that big-- although I can imagine a Florida congresswoman's ego being that big... not to mention her maniac desire to be Speaker!

There Are Still 7 Crucial Congressional Primaries Coming Up For Progressives

Progressives have had a mixed year in terms of primaries. We had four big losses-- Norman Solomon in California, Ilya Sheyman in Illinois, Cecil Bothwell in North Carolina and Eric Griego in New Mexico-- and five big wins-- David Gill in Illinois, Patsy Keever in North Carolina, Matt Cartwright in Pennsylvania, Beto O'Rourke in Texas, and Nate Shinagawa in New York. Here's the schedule for the key primaries still unfolding that we're watching:

Darcy Burner (WA-1)- August 7
Syed Taj (MI-11)- August 7
Trevor Thomas (MI-3)- August 7
Chris Donovan (CT-5)- August 14
Nick Ruiz (FL-7)- August 14
Matt Heinz (AZ-2)- August 28
Raúl Grijalva (AZ-3)- August 28

The 3 primaries in Washington and Michigan are two weeks from yesterday! And all three look good, though none are in the bag. Darcy Burner's main opponent in a 5-way race for a new district stretching from Seattle's technology-forward suburbs to the agricultural areas up towards the Canadian border, is a quintessential self-entitled one-percenter, Suzan DelBene. DelBene is the Mitt Romney of the Democratic congressional cycle-- a serial business failure in every way but one: she made lots of money for herself as she caused nothing but economic devastation around her. Everyone in America now knows that multimillionaire Mitt Romney is engulfed in a scandal because he didn't release his tax returns and refuses to disclose his assets and finances; multimillionaire Suzan DelBene similarly refused to file her 2011 financial disclosure despite the fact that federal law required it. If she's the nominee, the Republicans will have an easy time beating her because of that alone. Polling against the crazed GOP candidate has consistently shown that DelBene would lose to him and that only Darcy has a chance to keep the seat blue.

But DelBene and (especially) her husband are loaded and they're determined to buy the nomination. DelBene has put more of her own money into the race than any other Democrat anywhere in America... and is running over a million dollars in self-funded TV ads against Darcy right now. She's outspending the other 4 candidates combined 4 to 1! Because of her money she's the favorite of the Inside-the-Beltway corrupt Establishment and has been endorsed by the New Dems (basically, the Blue Dogs without the white KKK sheets). It must be driving her insane that Darcy has been ahead in every single public and private poll of the district's Democratic voters. The DCCC, slimy as always, has asked donors to keep out of the race-- in effect leaving DelBene and her self-funding with the overwhelming money advantage. Daily Kos' Orange to Blue PAC, Blue America, DFA and the PCCC have pitched in for Darcy.

Michigan also has it's primary 2 weeks from tomorrow and we have two hot races, although there are other important ones as well (including in MI-14 where two incumbents face off, progressive and underfunded Hansen Clarke vs right-of-center Gary Peters and in MI-13 where progressive icon John Conyers is battling to save his seat against 3 Democratic state legislators and a school board trustee). Michigan's 3rd district (Grand Rapids/Battle Creek) has a hot primary between a young and super-accomplished activist, Trevor Thomas, and a rich old hack, Steve Pestka, who, as a state legislator consistently voted with the Republicans against Choice and to defund Planned Parenthood. He doesn't even allow for an exception in his anti-Choice mania for women who have been raped or when there is incest involved! He's the worst of what the old-time Democratic Party is still trying to foist on voters. Although he has some corrupt institutional support, 74% of his money ($590,118) comes by way of writing checks to himself. He's heavily invested in Conoco Phillips, Exxon Mobil, Occidental Petroleum and Devon Energy which is currently planning a controversial fracking project in Michigan. Pestka has failing grades from the League of Conservation Voters. Trevor pointed out that it doesn't make sense to "say you're concerned about high gas prices, or tax loopholes, or our environment when you're personally holding investments in Exxon." Pestka's campaign stinks to high heaven and Amash would make mincemeat out of him in no time flat.


In terms of contributions from real voters, Thomas is beating him handily and polls show that if there's a big turnout Thomas will win the primary. A big turnout in a summer primary is never easy and we're asking for anyone who can afford it to send Trevor last minute contributions for his get-out-the-vote efforts.

We've also talked a bit about the contest in MI-11 where Thad McCotter's hasty resignation has opened up a Republican-held seat to the Democrats. Under the new boundaries Obama would have beaten McCain in this district 50-48%. Dr. Syed Taj is unlikely to ever get real chummy with Michele Bachmann, but he's a distinguished physician with fantastic ideas for how to improve ObamaCare. Dr. Taj is a strong across-the-board progressive champion and in the primary he's facing a bizarre sociopath, Bill Roberts, who brazenly calls himself a LaRouche activist and is obsessed with impeaching President Obama. (Yes, we're talking about a Democratic primary.) This is the header from his website:


The following week, the action shifts east and south, to Connecticut and Florida. Chris Donovan, Speaker of the Connecticut House is a real threat to the corrupt Beltway Establishment. He's the embodiment of everything they fear-- with a record of achievement to prove it. Donovan defines what it means to be a champion of regular American working families-- and he's running against two self-entitled careerist hacks who are eager to immerse themselves in the sewers of Washington. One is the son of a wealthy lobbyist and the other is a grotesque ConservaDem bolstered by EMILY's List who, thankfully, has never accomplished any of her goals-- all of which were to cut services to working families while giving tax breaks to her wealthy financial supporters.

Also on August 14 there are two big match-ups in FL-7, one between Republicans and one between Democrats. Oddly, both have teabaggers! On the GOP side, old time Republican hack, John Mica-- one of Boehner's stooges-- faces off against the Member of Congress considered the stupidest person on the Hill, teabagger Sandy Adams. On the Democratic side Blue America's first endorsee of the cycle, Nicholas Ruiz, is facing a strange Tea Party Democrat, Jason Kendall. Grassroots Democrats everywhere are looking for elected officials equal to the challenge of today's Republican Party, and, alas, Obama, Hoyer, Reid, Wasserman-Schultz and Israel just aren't going to cut it in this climate. There's a time for magnanimity, timidity and bipartisan statesmanship-- and there's a time for kicking their asses. It's time to kick their asses-- which is why people are so excited about Nick Ruiz. We've been in these circumstances before as a people, when we were faced with the debauchery of the early 20th century and the subsequent implosion, followed by FDR's appearance in the 1930s and that's why FDR and the progressives of that time had such a tremendous impact on our country. After Bush, for whatever reason, Obama and the conservative consensus that rules Congress, didn't rise to the occasion. This is the time when we need more tribunes for working families who won't hesitate in standing up for Americans values and progressive principles and will never sell out to the one percent. Nick Ruiz is the embodiment of that kind of candidate.

The two teabaggers are likely to lose their primaries and then it will be a tough contest in November between Mica, who the district is pretty sick of, and Nick Ruiz, the independent-minded progressive who will get to Congress owing nothing to the corrupt conservative Democratic Beltway hierarchy.

And that brings us to the end of August-- the 28th-- when Arizona moves front and center. Blue America has two candidates, both in the southern part of the state with districts that split Tucson-- incumbent Raúl Grijalva (AZ-3) and challenger (and state Rep) Dr. Matt Heinz (AZ-2). Raúl is the nexus of the progressive movement inside Congress... and the power of the one percent has arrayed against him again. This time-- knowing they probably can't beat him in a general election-- they're throwing their money behind a fake Democrat, a conservative shill Amanda Aguirre who's getting tons of PAC support from health insurance companies, corporate agriculture (BCBS and CropLife America) and Canadian mining operation, Rosemont Copper. And she's got George Braun, a Republican Party operative, running her campaign. Raul spends his time and energy working for us, not working the phones for campaign contributions, the way most incumbents do. If you can, please consider stepping up for him now. He's the only incumbent member of the House endorsed by Blue America this cycle. While stumping for him in Tucson, Jim Hightower reminded voters that "they're not coming after Raúl... they're coming after YOU!"

Corporate interests have been successful in getting conservatives elected as Democrats in Arizona and they certainly succeeded in the other Tuscon district, where Ron Barber got elected and immediately started voting with the GOP, first to gut all the environmental legislation ever passed and then to gut Eric Holder as part of Darrell Issa's deranged anti-Obama witch hunt. This isn't the kind of Democrat anyone needs and, luckily, a progressive state Rep., Matt Heinz, looks like he can beat Barber next month. During an interview with Piers Morgan, Barber said in response to the recent Colorado tragedy that “between now and the election, I really believe that very little is going to be said about major policy issues.” Barber can’t talk the talk or walk the walk. He will not tackle hard issues that require a strong advocate-- issues like gun control, the environment and equality. That's why Democrats and independents are so excited about Matt. All Barber can do is hope people think he's Gabby Giffords.

Trevor Thomas-- 2PAC, Madonna, Mr. Holland Opus... And A Real Jobs Plan For West Michigan

Were you inundated with requests for end-of-the-quarter contributions Friday and Saturday? I sure was. I had hundreds of e-mails from candidates and committees and most of them I just deleted unopened... hoping against hope someone would get the hint. One from the DCCC had an eerie Big Brother is Watching You feel and informed me my contribution was "pending." I'm glad that's over! But do you know what today is? The first day of the all important-- even determinative-- third quarter. As important as everyone said the last quarter was... this one really is. This is the one-- July, August, September-- in which candidates raise the money they need to compete in October or they fail in November. And for candidates with primaries coming up-- like Darcy Burner (August 7), Chris Donovan (August 14), Matt Barber (August 28) and Trevor Thomas (August 7), well... obviously it's do or die.

Wednesday is the 4th of July. The next day, this Thursday, we're going to pick one lucky Trevor Thomas contributor from this page to walk away with the Madonna platinum award plaque for Vogue. It's still not too late to jump in!

Meanwhile, though, we want to send out another thank you to a Trevor Thomas supporter. You might be wondering what that 2PAC video is doing at the top of the page. Those who have been following Blue America for a while will probably remember our old friend, Professor Fred Johnson, the Democratic candidate for Congress in Michigan's second CD in 2010. Fred, who just endorsed Trevor Thomas next door in the 3rd CD, is the author of Tupac Shakur-- The Life And Times Of An American Icon. He gave Blue America an autographed copy of the book to give away today. We'll pick one random Trevor Thomas donor from this page-- today only/any amount-- and send the signed book. In making the endorsement, this is what Dr. Johnson, who teaches history at Hope College in Holland, Michigan had to say:

"Trevor Thomas is running for Congress. Establishment insiders told him to wait. Skeptics said it was a waste of time. Trevor had the guts to listen to everyday people who want a congressman who’ll truly have their interests as his top priority. He knows the issues and he’s fighting for the middle class. He’s fighting for the 99%. I know courage, determination, and vision when I see it, and I endorse Trevor Thomas as he works to make sure that working families and people finally have a Congressman who’ll work for them."

And Fred Johnson does know courage, determination, and vision when he sees it. Before writing about Tupac and before becoming a professor, Fred served as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He joins another prominent military vet who endorsed Trevor this week, former Congressman Patrick Murphy, who worked closely with Trevor to successfully repeal the odious Don't Ask, Don't Tell legislation. Trevor has also been endorsed by former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm, former Michigan Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Congressional Progressive Caucus Vice Chair Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and former Kent County Republican Party chair Bob Eleveld, who has signed on as Trevor's campaign co-chairman.

As we explained last month, Trevor put out a comprehensive policy and jobs plan for West Michigan, the only candidate in the race taking the most important concern on the minds of voters seriously. I want to share a letter I got from an accomplished product of Grand Rapids, writer and film director Patrick Sheane Duncan. You probably know him as the guy who wrote Vietnam War Story, Courage Under Fire, and Souls On Fire but he also wrote and produced Mr. Holland's Opus in 1995, which starred Richard Dreyfuss and was described by Patrick as "a movie about chasing dreams and it's about what one person can do to impact the lives of others."

So why am I emailing you? Well I'm offering a signed script from the movie, but first I want to tell you about something happening in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I grew up in West Michigan as a teenager. In 1965, I enlisted and served a 15-month tour of duty in Vietnam in the US Army with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and attended Grand Valley, a local college, on the G.I. Bill. 

Trevor Thomas-- raised by two parents who worked the lines of General Motors for 34 years-- chose Grand Valley to take up journalism. He later went on to direct the national communications effort to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"-- a defining moment in our country for ending discrimination. Today he is running for Congress in Grand Rapids. And with a little help, he has a chance to turn President Jerry Ford's old Congressional seat blue. Former Governor Jennifer Granholm is standing with him.

But there's one major obstacle: He has been challenged in the Democratic Primary.

Trevor is pro-choice. His Democratic Primary opponent is not. Trevor has visited and supported the folks at Planned Parenthood, while his primary opponent voted to defund the organization. Trevor is taking out loans to cover personal costs. His primary opponent has holdings in the tens of millions.

And, yes, Trevor is gay, and the first to run in Michigan openly and honestly at the federal level.

This is an underdog story, but with your help we can put him over the top. Get involved now or donate $25, $50, or even $150, I'll give away a signed copy of the script to a lucky supporter.

-Pat Duncan

So you can still sign up for the Madonna platinum record here, the signed 2PAC book by Fred Johnson here or the Mr. Holland Opus signed script here.

Independence... From Inside-The-Beltway Corruption

There's an avatar of fierce progressive values in this photo

The first time I ran for office was at PS 197 in Brooklyn. I won by one vote and was elected Secretary of my class. My opponent cried and the teacher asked if we could become co-secretaries of the class. I happily agreed... handing Norm Coleman his first chance at public office. There were two other future U.S. Senators in my high school, James Madison, Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders. At the time, my political mentor was my grandfather, a dedicated Socialist, who taught me that the Republicans were the sworn enemies of working families and that Democrats were untrustworthy allies who were largely controlled by Southern racists and northern careerists without values. The Southern racists deserted for the GOP not long after... but the careerists-with-no-values problem still haunts the Democrats to this day, Democratic congressional leaders like Steny Hoyer, Steve Israel, Rahm Emanuel and Debbie Wasserman Schultz being just the most repulsive tip of a deadly Establishment iceberg.

Bernie Sanders' moved to Vermont after college and he was eventually elected mayor of Burlington as a Socialist, defeating a 6-term Democrat. He was reelected for 3 more terms and in his last term (1987) he beat a candidate that ran on both the Democratic and the Republican lines. The first time Bernie ran for Congress, he came in second, between a Republican and a Democrat. Two years later (1990) he beat the Republican incumbent, becoming the first Socialist to be elected to Congress in 60 years. When the Democrats ran some hack against him in 1996, Bernie won 55%, the Republican 33% and the Democrat 9%. He had an ambivalent relationship with the House Democratic leadership, although he represented core Democratic values far better than the Democratic leaders did and in 1992 has was a co-founder (and chairman) of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. When Bernie ran for the Senate in 1996, Schumer, then chair of the DSCC, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and DNC Chair Howard Dean all immediately endorsed him. (So did Illinois Senator Barack Obama.) He refused the Democratic nomination though, and won the general election against a Republican, 170,866 (65%) to 84,527 (32%). He won every county in the state and every township except tiny Granby, where 33 people voted, and Waterford, which was a 287-287 vote tie. He caucuses with the Democrats and is chairman of the Subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy of the Environment and Public Works Committee. He's the only member of the Senate endorsed for reelection by Blue America this cycle. He continues to sound more like a Democrat than most DC Democrats. Saturday he sent an e-mail to his supporters, for example, castigating the way Big Money has come to dominate and corrupt our political system:

In his famous speech at Gettysburg during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln talked about America as a country “of the people, by the people and for the people.” Today, as a result of Citizens United, we are rapidly moving toward a nation of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. Despite having the most unequal distribution of wealth and income of any major country on earth, millionaires and billionaires want more, more and more.
 
In recent weeks, multi-billionaires such as the Koch brothers and Sheldon Adelson have made it clear that, as a result of the Citizens United decision, they intend to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to buy this election for candidates who support the super-wealthy.
 
We must overturn Citizens United if we are serious about maintaining the foundations of American democracy. We need to pass the Disclose Act, which will come to the floor of the Senate in a few weeks, if we want to diminish the decision’s horrendous impacts.

...At a time when all Republicans and some Democrats are supporting cuts in Social Security, Bernie has a different approach. Raising the Social Security payroll tax cap on incomes above $250,000 would make Social Security strong for the next 75 years while affecting only 1.4 percent of the wealthiest workers in the United States. That’s what the Center for Economic and Policy Research concluded in an analysis of a bill Bernie introduced. “The report makes clear that if we simply asked the top 1.4 percent of Americans to pay their fair share into the Social Security Trust Fund, Social Security would be solvent for the next 75 years,” Bernie said.

Another Blue America candidate, Nick Ruiz in FL-7, agrees with Bernie, and would like to improve and upgrade Social Security even further; by lowering the retirement eligibility age to 55 and increasing the benefit payout by 20%. With so many people unemployed, and countless retirees living in poverty, Ruiz maintains that such an upgrade would create more opportunities of employment for workers, while increasing the quality of life for retirees. Ruiz's plan includes raising the tax cap like Bernie's plan, but also includes applying it to capital gains income and corporate executive bonus income that exceeds $500,000 per year. Now that's progressive! He ran in 2010 as a Green Party write-in candidate and this cycle he was the first candidate endorsed by Blue America. Don't look for him on any DCCC lists like Red-to-Blue... unless they have a list of candidates who are a threat to careerist hacks.

Angus King, a former governor of Maine, is no Socialist and no Bernie Sanders, but he's looking like he's going to be crowned senator, after the reign of Queen Olympia. But, like Bernie, he isn't interested in the nomination of either DC party. He's running as an independent and refuses to say which party he'll caucus with, although he's hinted it would likely be the Democrats. I'm guessing it'll likely be whichever party has the majority. But there are more Democratic candidates running for House seats who are very much like Bernie in several ways-- strong progressive values and strong distaste for the corruption and careerism of the DC Democratic leadership.

There was a time when everyone running wanted to get on the DCCC's Red-to-Blue list, a signal to donors that the DCCC was prioritizing a race. Now being on that list is a badge of shame and a reason to look at a candidate and wonder what's wrong. Almost all the Red-to-Blue candidates have, at best, a loose sense of ethics and a tendency in the direction of corporate fealty. Most progressives are uneasy accepting an embrace from the DCCC. One-- with impeccable progressive values-- told me, "I'm running to represent the people in my district, not a bunch of corporate whores in Washington, whichever political party they're from. When I look at the leadership coming up behind Nancy Pelosi I want to throw up. I wish I could run as an independent." I got an interesting memo last week from Bob Eleveld, the legendary former chairman of the Kent County Republican Party (that's Grand Rapids). He's co-chairing the Trevor Thomas election committee. The title is Democrat Trevor Thomas Best Positioned to Win in 3rd District. Let me share it with you:

My name is Bob Eleveld. I am an attorney in Grand Rapids, and I have been involved in the West Michigan community and in politics in the area over thirty years. As the former Chair of the Kent County Republican Party, I have supported a lot of winning campaigns over the years, and most of the time the winners have been Republicans like me. This year, something different is happening: I am supporting Trevor Thomas, a Democrat. I strongly believe that West Michigan needs to get Justin Amash out of office, and Trevor Thomas is the best positioned candidate to do that. Here’s why:

• First, I know from experience that Republicans and moderates are not going to vote for a candidate whose “strength” comes from union endorsements and the Democratic establishment.  Republicans and moderates will only vote for a Democrat who presents a new, different message that goes beyond the traditional constituencies. Trevor Thomas grew up in a union household, and he will be able to connect with the union rank-and-file on election day, but at the same time he is taking independent positions. When Trevor Thomas wins the Democratic primary without widespread interest group support, voters will know that he is not beholden to those interests, and they will appreciate that independence.

• Second, for a Democrat to win in West Michigan that Democrat must be able to appeal to voters across party lines and energize a committed base of voters. Trevor Thomas is a new kind of Democrat-- socially progressive and fiscally responsible-- who can appeal to people across the political spectrum. He is the only candidate in this election who has endorsements and support from Republicans and Democrats. That is important for a Democrat to be able to win in November.

• Third, Trevor Thomas is successfully appealing to women, something that no other candidate in this race is able to do genuinely. It is clear that the national debate will continue to focus on women’s issues. While both of Trevor Thomas’s opponents have taken distinctly anti-women positions in the past, Trevor Thomas has been adamantly pro-woman. Anecdotally, I can tell you that Republican women in West Michigan are hoping for a candidate they can back who will stand up for them. The poll numbers bear this out-- women are going to be a decisive voting bloc in November, and a candidate who cannot gain the enthusiastic support of women will have trouble winning in Michigan’s Third District. As the only candidate with a strong record on women’s issues, Trevor Thomas is the strongest option to defeat the incumbent by taking advantage of the current sentiment among women that cuts across party lines. This was validated by the endorsement of the Progressive Women's Alliance.

• Fourth, the 2010 congressional election showed that West Michigan voters are tired of professional politicians. That sentiment still exists today, but voters have quickly soured on the incumbent as well-- he has shown himself to be totally out of touch with our community, matching the out-of-touch of the professional politicians people are sick of. Amash cannot and will not be defeated by a professional politician who voters will see as more of the same. Trevor Thomas has never run for or held political office, and in the general election this year in particular that will be a significant advantage.

• Fifth, the only way for a Democrat to win here in West Michigan is to outwork the Republican opposition. Trevor Thomas is a Democrat who is able to go beyond party labels and present himself to voters as the real deal-- someone who has lived and breathed the West Michigan community his entire life, and who will fight for us in Congress. I have already seen Trevor Thomas’s work ethic and commitment firsthand-- I wouldn’t be surprised if he manages to meet every darn voter in the Third District before this is over. That spirit and drive is what it will take for any Democrat to win in this District, and Trevor Thomas is the only candidate who brings that energy to the race.

• Finally, I recognize that the Third District is different than it was two years ago-- redistricting has removed some of the most conservative areas, and added some more progressive areas. The result: a Tea Party Republican will have trouble holding on to the seat in the new Third District. This vulnerability creates an opportunity, but there will be no Democratic coronation to replace Justin Amash. To win, a Democrat will have to work hard to run a sharp, focused campaign, and will have to connect with voters. The answer is not to turn to the typical old-school Democrat running a typical campaign fueled by institutional Democratic Party endorsements-- even with redistricting, that type of candidate cannot and will not win. But Trevor Thomas is a Democrat who can appeal to Republicans and moderates, can win women, and has the energy and profile to win in the current environment here in West Michigan. All of that means that Trevor Thomas has the best opportunity to win.  

I want Justin Amash to be defeated in November, and that’s why I am supporting Trevor Thomas and serving as his Campaign Co-Chair. I hope you will join me.

There's something powerful going on outside the Beltway and it's a revulsion with the two party establishments and with the blatantly disgusting corruption party leadership is based on. Boehner, Cantor, Wasserman Schultz, Hoyer, Israel, Sessions... it's all about the cash and all about selling out on every conceivable level. Associating with these people is poison. Steny Hoyer worked hard to crush Matt Cartwright when he ran an insurgent campaign against the dean of the Pennsylvania delegation. Tim Holden. Hoyer and his most trusted lobbyist cronies were in the district trying to persuade influential Democrats to help them destroy Cartwright. Hoyer actually succeeded in what he was trying to accomplish but he forgot to factor in Democratic primary voters-- and they sent Holden packing, by a landslide. A few weeks later a similar scenario played out in El Paso, Texas, where independent-minded insurgent Democrat Beto O'Rourke routed another cog in the Democratic Machine, Silvestre Reyes.

Thank God, not many Blue America candidates have been endorsed by Red-to-Blue. They're fighting the good fight for progressive values and they're the ones most worthy of support. You can find them here... along with Trevor Thomas.

Donors From LGBT-land

Trevor Thomas with supporter Jennifer Granholm

Tuesday CNN reported that LGBT donors are opening their wallets and purses for President Obama. There's an attractive picture of Neil Patrick Harris, Suze Orman, Ricky Martin, Ellen DeGeneres, and Dustin Lance Black on the top of the report, "some of Obama's prominent LGBT supporters." Right on! I didn't vote for Obama that same day; I left the presidential primary ballot page for him blank. There were no other candidates on that page. If the only issue was gay rights, I probably would have voted for him. But it's not. As for donations... I gave big-- when he was an Illinois state Senator running for the U.S. Senate. But once I saw him in action nationally, the infatuation ended faster than it started. Neil Patrick Harris, Suze Orman, Ricky Martin, Ellen DeGeneres, and Dustin Lance Black are entitled to their own ways of looking at it and to their own decisions. I sure wish, though, that gay donors-- and gay political organizations-- would loosen up a little when it comes candidates from the LGBT community.

After President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage, a group organizing a fundraiser on his behalf suddenly had to find a bigger venue. The event, featuring the pop singer Pink, is one of two LGBT-organized fundraisers Obama is expected to attend on the West Coast on Wednesday.

A CNN analysis of President Obama's biggest fundraisers, known as bundlers, shows that at least 33-- or about one in every 16 bundlers-- is openly gay. Together, they have raised at least $8 million for the campaign between January and the end of March.

By contrast, in the same period, bundlers from the television, movie and music industry, some of whom attended a recent high-profile fundraiser hosted by actor George Clooney, raised $6.8 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

While campaign finance laws require donors to disclose their full names, addresses, occupations and employers, there is no box to check for sexual orientation. Nor does the law require candidates to release information about their bundlers. Under prodding from watchdog groups, presidential campaigns have released bundler data in past elections. Obama's campaign has released its list. Republican candidate Mitt Romney's campaign has not.

In CNN's analysis, only bundlers who have disclosed their orientation in past CNN reporting or in trusted LGBT publications were counted as gay. The Washington Post has reported that as many as one in six bundlers supporting Obama are gay. The Advocate Magazine estimates one in five.

Glancing down the names on the bundlers list released by the Obama campaign for the first quarter, it is easy to find people known for their work on behalf of the LGBT community.

Tim Gill, a software entrepreneur who runs a large Colorado-based foundation that backs gay rights projects, has already contributed $672,800 with his partner Scott Miller to the Obama for America campaign. Fred Eychaner, who owns the Chicago-based Newsweb Corp., has donated $1,220,550 so far.

He co-hosted a $35,800-per-person LGBT organized fundraiser for Obama in February. Kathy Levinson, the former president and CEO of the Menlo Park, California-based Etrade, gave $202,150. The LA Gay and Lesbian Center Women's Night named Levinson a "Community Role Model" in 2000. She was instrumental in raising money to stop the anti-same-sex marriage law in California.

Donations made after Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage May 9 won't be released until mid-June, when the campaign files its second-quarter reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Many LGBT bundlers have maintained a close relationship with the president throughout his first term. A state dinner in March was attended by bundlers Gill; Eychaner; Barry Karas, a former Human Rights Campaign board member; James (Wally) Brewster, senior vice president of General Growth Properties, a real estate investment trust that owns and operates shopping malls; Dana Perlman, a corporate lawyer who has served as co-chair of the Obama/DNC LGBT Leadership Council; Joseph Falk, a Miami mortgage broker and others.

...The LGBT community is such an important part of this president's re-election effort that the Obama for America campaign hosts a special section for it on its website. It includes a video discussing the president's support for LGBT issues narrated by actress Jane Lynch, who is openly gay. It also offers Obama merchandise like T-shirts and drink koozies to bring to Gay Pride events this summer.

The president has already attended several LGBT-organized fundraisers, including one in New York hosted by openly gay singer Ricky Martin, the Futuro Fund, and Obama for America LGBT Leadership Council.

Earlier today we took a look at the policy agenda that one of the country's only openly gay congressional candidates, Trevor Thomas, has just released. I'm sure I'm not the only gay person who contributed to Trevor's campaign against two virulent social conservatives, Democrat Steve Pestka and Republican Justin Amash. But big name or wealthy gay Democrats? I don't think so. And that's almost always the case. I remember how frustrating it was for another openly gay Democrat, Ed Potosnak (NJ) in 2010 and again for much of this cycle-- until he dropped out. He couldn't get any significant support from the LGBT community-- no seed money to get the bandwagon rolling. I've tried to help gay candidates with wealthy gays and national gay organizations. I always got the same answer: no. The LGBT organizations and rich donors want their "place at the table" and they get it by sticking with the Establishment and, generally speaking, backing Establishment candidates.

And what they tell gay insurgent candidates is basically this: "If you look like you're going to win, we'll jump on the bandwagon. Otherwise, don't bother us; we're too busy trying to make sure we get the cool invitations so we can act like we're players and keep our careers rolling." As for the big gay donors... isn't it so much cooler to be part of the "Obama team" than back some unknown gay person from some unknown House district somewhere? Gay or straight, you can contribute to Trevor Thomas' campaign-- before the DCCC or the insipid Victory Fund wakes up to it-- here at the Blue America ActBlue page.

Trevor Thomas (D-MI)... The Serious Candidate In The Race Others Will Have To Work Hard To Measure Up To

Later today we're going to take a look at why wealthy gay donors and DC-centric gay organizations like the Victory Fund don't champion young, gay political leaders from outside the Beltway sewer system. When I was thinking about it last night I had Trevor Thomas foremost, though not exclusively, in my mind. Today Thomas, who suffers in the eyes of "serious" Beltwayoids of being young-- he's 28 and seeks the nomination to run against deranged anti-Choice fanatic Justin Amash, age 32, who won his House seat when he was 29-- released one of the most details and comprehensive platforms I've ever seem from any congressional candidate anywhere. Of course, anyone who actually knows young Trevor would expect nothing less from him. I'm not sure how old his social conservative Democratic opponent, Steve Pestka, is, but he thinks like he's well into his eighties and, though running as a Democrat, he is also a deranged anti-Choice fanatic and worked to defund Planned Parenthood when he was in the state legislature. Trevor is from a couple of generations of new, pragmatic progressive leadership forward.

Bob Eleveld, a former Kent County Republican Party Chairman, is impressed. "It's clear," he said, "that Trevor's plan mirrors the values of Jerry Ford-- someone who was fiscally responsible and understood the challenges that face our community. Trevor Thomas has proven he is ready to take on Justin Amash and is best positioned to win among progressives, moderates, and Republicans." Keep that in mind as you read these ideas, most of which revolve around the need to reinvigorate west Michigan economically, both in the immediate term and in the long run. You can take a look at the whole thing with all the details here. What follows is a summary:

1. CREATE WEST MICHIGAN JOBS AND GROW THE ECONOMY

Trevor’s Plan: Deal with the National Debt and Create a Pro-Growth Environment

 -Deal with the National Debt Without Ideology Interfering
 -Simplify the Tax Code and Reduce Rates so that Everyone Pays Their Fair Share
 -Reduce the Corporate Tax Rate and Eliminate Loopholes
 -Connect Businesses and Employees with Available Resources and Tax Credits

Trevor’s Plan: Bolster Manufacturers and Level the Playing Field

 -Stand as a Partner with the Auto Industry and Communities Most Affected by the Recession
 -Eliminate Tax Breaks for Companies Sending Jobs Overseas
 -Crack Down on Currency Manipulation and Other Trade Practices that Hurt American Workers

Trevor’s Plan: Trust Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

 -Improve Access to Loans for Small Businesses
 -Unleash Venture Capital for Start-ups and Entrepreneurs

Trevor’s Plan: Fight for Michigan Workers

 -Extend the Payroll Tax Cut to Put More Money in People’s Pockets and Spur Growth
 -No Worker Left Behind
 -Protecting Workers’ Rights
 -Combat Wage Theft

Trevor’s Plan: Keep Our Agricultural Economy Growing

 -Ensure Families and Farmers Can Afford to Protect and Preserve their Land
 -Fight for Farmers in West Michigan

2. INVESTING IN A WEST MICHIGAN FOR TOMORROW

Trevor’s Plan: Invest in Our Infrastructure and People

 -Ensure Michigan Gets Its Fair Share of Federal Funding for Transportation
 -Support Our Public Servants in the Face of Budget Cuts

Trevor’s Plan: Protect Our Future

 -Fighting for Social Security, Adjusting Benefits for Folks Under Age 40
 -Support Citizens Preparing for Retirement Without Relying on the Government

Trevor’s Plan: Smart Investments in Education and Training

 -Protect Students from Sky-High Interest Rates on Student Loans
 -Close the Training Gap by Partnering with Community Colleges
 -Support Our Educators

Trevor’s Plan: Make Michigan a Clean Energy Leader

 -Encourage West Michigan’s Growth as the Lithium Battery Capital of the Nation
 -Invest in Michigan As a Leader in Wind Power
 -Eliminate Tax Subsidies for Big Oil

Trevor’s Plan: Protect our Environment and Conserve Natural Resources

 -Protect the Great Lakes: Combat Invasive Species
 -Regulation of Oil Pipelines to Protect our Natural Resources
 -Federal Support for Renewable Energy Sources
 -Call for Action on Carbon Pollution and Climate Change
 -Fight Against Fracking that Threatens Our Water Supply and Hurts Property Values

3. A MICHIGAN FOR US ALL

Trevor’s Plan: Health Comes First

 -Stand Up For Women’s Access to Health Care
 -Protect Medicare for our Seniors
 -Don’t Back Down on Affordable Health Care for Every American
 -The Next Generation of Outdoor Enthusiasts

Trevor’s Plan: Fairness and Opportunity

 -Join the Chamber of Commerce in Diversity and Inclusivity Initiatives
 -Allow Benefits for Domestic Partners
 -Connect Vulnerable Populations With Government Resources
 -Work to Put an End to Bullying
 -Enact the DREAM Act

Trevor’s Plan: Protect Individual Liberties

 -Fight to Keep the Internet Open to All
 -Protect Sportsmen’s Rights to Responsible Gun Ownership
 -Keep Federal Lands Open

Trevor’s Plan: Fight for Consumers

 -Level the Playing Field for Community Banks and Pay for the Big Bank Bailout
 -Bolster Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
 -Get Serious About Reducing Foreclosures
 -Combat Speculation that Drives Up Prices for Consumers
 -Protect Our Children from Harmful Substances

Trevor’s Plan: Good Government

 -Support Campaign Finance Reform
 -Transparency and Accountability As An Elected Official

4. AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE WORLD

Trevor’s Plan: Support our Allies, Use our Influence

 -Keep Iran Nuclear Free
 -Treat China as a Competitor
 -Support and Nurture our Alliance with the State of Israel

Trevor’s Plan: Smart Engagement with the World

 -Transition Power to the Citizens of Afghanistan
 -Keep our Commitments for Emergency AIDS Relief
 -Engage Diplomatically and Work With Our Allies in Key Conflict Areas

Trevor’s Plan: Security Starts at Home

 -Build a Foundation for Long-term Security with Smart Military Spending
 -Help Our Veterans Get Their Benefits Now
 -Strengthen Michigan’s Border Security

That's what a winning campaign looks like-- far more than a list of endorsements engineered by an out-of-touch, self-serving careerist-oriented DCCC. You can help Trevor win this one, here at the Blue America ActBlue page.

Me And Madonna

I was a punk rock guy. My KSAN radio show in San Francisco was the first commercial all-punk show on a commercial station anywhere in America. My partner from that show, Chris Knab, and I started one of the first all-punk indie labels in the country too, 415 Records. So it made some sense when Seymour Stein hired me to run his label, Sire Records. Seymour had signed the Ramones, the Dead Boys, Richard Hell, the Talking Heads, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Smiths, The Replacements, Madness, The Cure, Ministry, Throwing Muses, The Saints, The Undertones...It was a label dedicated to the music I loved. But, basically, all the profit came from another artist, Madonna. Back in San Francisco, I had a radio promo for my show that claimed it was the one place on the dial where you would be 100% safe from ever hearing a Madonna song. I wasn't a fan.

So, soon after I got to Sire as General Manager and vice president, Seymour called a meeting of the whole staff to divide up the responsibilities for all the artists. After hours of back and forth he finally said, "Look, ultimately, I'll take Madonna and The Cult and Howie's going to be responsible for everyone else." A few minutes later he changed his mind and said I'd have The Cult too.

A couple months later, he insisted I come with him to a Madonna concert. I refused; I was too busy working on breaking Depeche Mode. He offered me $200 in cash if I came with him to meet her backstage at a Madison Square Garden concert. I had always dreamed that one of "my" bands would play Madison Square Garden. It was the ultimate for me. He never coughed up the $200, but I went with him to the show. Backstage, Madonna was about as interested in me as I was in her, but something happened that shocked me. There was no press, no p.r. agents, just Madonna and a small handful of her people and me and Seymour. And some guy from an AIDS organization. It was still early in the AIDS story. I didn't know for sure what it was except that it was something shameful that was killing gay people. Madonna gave the guy her paycheck from that night's show, a million dollars. It never made it to the newspapers. It was just something she could afford to do and something she wanted to do.

I started listening to her music, something I had never done before. I found songs I liked. I even suggested that one of the cutting-edge German industrial bands I was working with, Bi-God 20, cover "Like A Prayer." I encouraged John Wesley Harding to do the same song. What a great tune! And whenever I appealed to the artists on our roster to help out with a song for a charity record, Madonna was usually first or one of the first. Of course Seymour still was the guy who coordinated all things Madonna and my involvement in her career was, at best, minimal. Generously, when Madonna's records went gold and platinum and multi-platinum, they included me on the list of people who were given award plaques.

I've long since retired from the music business and right now I'm trying to help a young candidate in Michigan, Trevor Thomas, win a congressional seat held by a Tea Party Republican, Justin Amash. The district is winnable for a Democrat and Amash is very vulnerable. Unfortunately, a very conservative Democratic establishment has its own candidate for that seat as well. Before Trevor can take on Amash, he has to beat a wealthy anti-Choice Democrat. "Anti-Choice Democrat?" They still exist? Not many, but Steve Pestka was in the state legislature and not only did he always vote against women's right to Choice, he even joined the Republicans to defund Planned Parenthood! Trevor, meanwhile, a former staffer for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has endorsed his campaign, was working tirelessly-- and successfully-- to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He is a staunch defender of equality under the law for all Americans and, of course, for women's health issues and women's choice.

What does that have to do with Madonna?

Well, a lot actually-- and not just that they're both proud Michiganders with hearts of gold. When Madonna's record "Vogue" sold two million copies the RIAA certified it double platinum and Warner Brothers issued an award disc. Very few were made and, of course, this wasn't something that was ever sold to anyone-- for any amount. I was given one, and after I met Trevor and we talked about what he'd like to accomplish in Congress, I offered to use it to help raise money for his campaign. That resulted in this ActBlue page, https://secure.actblue.com/page/madonna, which went public yesterday. Every person who makes a contribution through that page for Trevor's campaign will be entered in a random drawing to win that double platinum award for "Vogue" as a "thank you" from Blue America. Everyone has the same shot, whether you contribute one dollar or 1,000 dollars-- or even if you just send us a note to PO Box 27201, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Progressives almost never have the kind of money wealthy conservatives like Steve Pestka can use to try to buy congressional races-- let along the fortunes odious anti-democracy fanatics like the Koch brothers pour into politics. But progressives still manage to win House races, usually by motivating grassroots support. That's what Trevor is trying to do. He needs some money for that-- not a fortune but enough to be competitive. Please consider helping him, especially if you have anyone on your Christmas list who you think might enjoy the Madonna plaque. There's a picture of it on the ActBlue page. And in case you forgot:

In a blow underlining the rights of all Americans, the president completes his evolution on same-sex marriage

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years, as I talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf, and yet feel constrained, even now that 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is gone, because they're not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."

-- a clip posted by ABC News from the interview
with Robin Roberts on tomorrow's Good Morning America

by Ken

As I write, we don't have an embeddable clip yet, as ABC is saving its scoop for this evening's World News With Diane Sawyer and tonight's Nightline (which would certainly make sense if ABC had done something to earn the scoop beyond being selected by the White House). Well, no doubt within a matter of hours there will be clips all over the damned place, and I for one don't mind taking a moment to read the president's remark.

(Wasn't it just the other week that Andy Borowitz was joking about the potential disaster to the president's reelection campaign of his confounding habit of speaking in actual sentences? This one's a beaut!) [For the record, the Borowitz Report in question was "Obama's Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy (Could Imperial Reelection Hopes, Experts Say," from April 28.]

The ABC News post goes on to report:

The president stressed that this is a personal position, and that he still supports the concept of states' deciding the issue on their own. But he said he's confident that more Americans will grow comfortable with gays and lesbians getting married, citing his own daughters' comfort with the concept.

"It's interesting, some of this is also generational," the president continued. "You know when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same-sex equality or, you know, sexual orientation, that they believe in equality. They are much more comfortable with it. You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we're talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn't dawn on them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently. It doesn't make sense to them and, frankly, that's the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective."

There's a certain amount of bitterness in some LGBT circles that the president finally publicly completed his famous "evolution" on the issue of same-sex marriage just too late for any possible impact on the resounding North Carolina vote in favor of the literally hateful -- since it truly isn't about anything except hate -- Amendment One, banning even civil unions in the state.

However, the North Carolina vote was always a lost cause. This in no way lessens my admiration for the people who fought so valiantly to keep the margin as respectable as it finally was. But the president has done something concrete and surely more valuable: seized control of the news cycle on same-sex marriage from the self-shaming North Carolinians. Today when the subject of same-sex marriage comes up, it's not Amendment One people are talking about.


I ALWAYS HAVE A HARD TIME EXPLAINING HOW THIS
ISN'T JUST A "GAY" OR "GAY AND LESBIAN" OR "LGBT" ISSUE

It's an issue of basic human rights, the sort of thing that's supposed to be automatically guaranteed to all Americans. And the people who are most violently against it are also the people most violently against the rights of anyone who doesn't subscribe to their often-sociopathic orthodoxies. (For a laugh, or a cry, you might check out chapter and verse in RightWingWatch's post, "Religious Right Slams Obama for Backing Marriage Equality.")

UPDATE: WELL, D'OH! I may have a hard time explaining how this isn't just a "gay" or "gay and lesbian" or "LGBT" issue, but if I'd had the common sense simply to direct you to the "first comments" (immediately following!) from Blue America-endorsed congressional candidates Trevor Thomas, Eric Griego, Darcy Burner, and Norman Solomon, they do a pretty darned good job of explaining it from their wide variety of perspectives. Rather an impressive collection of thoughts, I think -- and a long way from your standard campaign boilerplate. I hope you'll read them all.


HOWIE HAS PASSED ALONG FIRST COMMENTS
FROM BLUE AMERICA-ENDORSED CANDIDATES

I'm sure more will be coming in, but these names will be especially familiar to DWT readers. (Remember, your contributions to help send these people -- and others like them -- to Congress are indispensable in counteracting those zillions of dollars in corporate and kook cash befouling the electoral process. Please check them out here.)

TREVOR THOMAS (who's openly gay)
Michigan's 3rd Congressional District

What the president said today is that equal rights truly means equal rights for all. I believe that's what it says in the Constitution, and it's certainly what I believe in my heart. Like President Ford, who also believed in equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans, we must continue to champion fairness and opportunity for everyone. Our young people still struggle with issues related to sexual orientation and many of them face bullying and harassment. I applaud the president for standing up for equal rights, and will work with the administration to make sure that America's freedoms are cherished and protected.

State Sen. ERIC GRIEGO
New Mexico's 1st Congressional District

President Obama just spoke out in support of full marriage equality for LGBT citizens. As a long-time supporter of marriage equality, l applaud his decision -- let's work to end all discrimination. Now it's time for Congress to do something about it. In Washington, I will be a part of making marriage equality a reality for all Americans.

In the State Senate, I worked to defeat the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). I also led the fight to pass the Domestic Partnership Bill, HB 603, because I believed it was the first step towards ending discrimination. In Congress, I will support the passage of the Employee Non-Discrimination Act and work to fully repeal DOMA. I will also work for full separation pay for service members who were honorably discharged but had their separation pay cut in half because of Don’t Ask, Don't Tell.

DARCY BURNER
Washington State's 1st Congressional District

I am thrilled that President Obama just announced his full support for marriage equality. When two consenting adults fall in love and want to get married, we should be wishing them their happily ever afters and throwing bird seed.

The next battle is here in Washington to defend the state's new marriage equality law on the ballot. Washington could be the first state to approve marriage equality by popular vote -- but we will see tremendous resistance. The same institutions we've seen fighting against women's access to birth control are fighting to dictate who may fall in love. But our decisions about our families are personal, and shouldn't be subject to the whims of politicians or anyone else.

I am committed to do my part. I have always stood firm in support of marriage equality. Government should treat everyone fairly. Send me to Congress, and I will fight not only to repeal the blatantly unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act so that all marriages are treated equally, but also to extend all federal benefits to every married couple in the country.

NORMAN SOLOMON
California's 2nd Congressional District

President Obama's endorsement of gay marriage is controversial nationwide. But new steps for human rights always are.

The first time I went on a picket line -- to integrate a whites-only apartment complex -- the concept of fair housing was controversial. That was in 1966.

Today, while some Democrats like to talk about reaching across the aisle, I advocate reaching toward the stars of our ideals.

That's how civil rights laws became reality. And that's how we can make marriage equality the law of the land.

For a long time, visitors to our campaign website have found this unequivocal statement: "All Americans should be accorded equal rights, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

And: "I support the right to marry for all consenting adults. The so-called Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed."

And: "I strongly support passage of an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination against gay, lesbian, and transgender workers."

If you send me to Congress, you can be sure I'll keep pushing the envelope -- with a steadfast and crystal-clear message inside -- on behalf of human rights for all.

THE DAY'S FUNNIEST (OR MOST INFURIATING) NOTE
COMES FROM CLUELESS LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS
(With honorable mention to the Unmentionable Willard Inc.)

The LCRs, you'll recall, are the organized Republicans who theoretically favor gay and lesbian rights. They're in high dudgeon today, denouncing the president for the timing of his announcement, with copious crocodile tears over the North Carolina vote:

That the president has chosen today, when LGBT Americans are mourning the passage of Amendment One, to finally speak up for marriage equality is offensive and callous," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "Log Cabin Republicans appreciate that President Obama has finally come in line with leaders like Vice President Dick Cheney on this issue, but LGBT Americans are right to be angry that this calculated announcement comes too late to be of any use to the people of North Carolina, or any of the other states that have addressed this issue on his watch. This administration has manipulated LGBT families for political gain as much as anybody, and after his campaign's ridiculous contortions to deny support for marriage equality this week he does not deserve praise for an announcement that comes a day late and a dollar short."

Apart from being idiotically wrong on the facts, R. Clarke shows truly stupefying chutzpah in blasting President Obama without devoting a whisper of consideration to the man R. Clarke and his fellow LCRs will presumably be supporting in the November presidential contest. That creature, the unspeakable Willard Inc., wasted getting on the record his opposition, not just to same-sex marriage, but to civil unions.

WILLARD SEZ: "This is a very tender and sensitive topic"

Is there a dumber life form on the planet? Or is he just the shiftiest?


WOULD YOU LIKE TO THANK THE PRESIDENT?

There are bound to be a bunch of online tributes, petitions, etc. Here's a way organized by ThinkProgress to thank the president for taking his stand.

#