Patrick Murphy, the Democratic challenger in the 8th District will be on ABC World News tonight at 6:30. He'll be on in a short segment giving a Democratic response to Bush's Iraq War speech. Mike Fitzpatrick, the ultra-conservative incumbent Republican, will also be on with the Republican response. We'll be having a watching party tonight in the district at 6:30 PM or you can watch at home. I'll keep you updated where.

http://www.Murphy06.com

Levittown, PA--October 28, 2005--Patrick Murphy, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and candidate for the United States Congress, today issued the following statement in response to the indictment of Lewis Libby, Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff:

"As a soldier, an attorney, and an American, I am disgusted that Vice President Cheney's most trusted aide saw fit to put partisan politics ahead of our national security.  Lewis Libby's actions not only put in jeopardy Ms. Plame's life and that of other CIA agents, but also compromised intelligence gathering efforts.

"This is one more example of the culture of cronyism, corruption, incompetence and cover up that has come to define the Republican Party. As the prosecutor noted in the indictment, this action by the Bush White House may have seriously damaged the CIA's ability to protect our nation from foreign threats. This damage to covert operations may threaten our troops in the field and the security of Americans here at home."

The Tom Delay scandal apparently isn't giving enough heat to incumbent Republicans yet, or perhaps its a sign of who's cajones are held most tightly. Not enough of them are giving back Delay's dirty contributions. Case in point, see this Press Release from PA's 8th District:

PRESS RELEASE
Levittown, PA--October 17, 2005--With quarterly reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission now available to the public, one question is on the mind of 8th District voters--"Why is Mike Fitzpatrick still holding on to Tom DeLay's tainted money?"

Federal Elections Commission records show that Fitzpatrick has received $15,000 from the DeLay controlled Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (ARMPAC) since 2004.  DeLay has been indicted in Texas for money laundering and accepting illegal contributions to one of his "leadership PACs." He has been stripped of his leadership post in the House of Representatives because of the indictment, and faces life in prison if convicted.

Several Republicans who were beneficiaries of DeLay's contributions have either returned his tainted money or donated the contributions to a worthy cause--including Jeb Bradley of New Hampshire; Heather Wilson of New Mexico; and Kenny Hulshof of Missouri--yet Mike Fitzpatrick, who votes with DeLay 95% of the time, has refused to distance himself from the ethically challenged Texan.

"We were all hoping that Mike Fitzpatrick would do the right thing and remove the stink of dirty politics from Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District," said Josh Nanberg, campaign manager for Patrick Murphy. "Sadly, it appears from Mike's disclosure report that he has decided to stand by his man rather than standing up for integrity in Congress. As long as he keeps DeLay's money, a cloud of questionable ethics will hang over his campaign"

The Washington Post has a good story out today about Democratic Iraq War Vets -- particularly those in my home state of Pennsylvania -- are running for US House seats. The article features Patrick Murphy in the PA-08 (Bucks County http://www.murphy06.com), who is calling for an exit strategy, but also highlights the entry of Bryan Lentz in the the PA-07 (Delaware County http://www.lentzforcongress.com).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/04/AR2005100400074_pf.html

I hope that the DCCC is thinking strategically how we can best encourage MORE Patrick Murphy's and Bryan Lentz's to run ESPECIALLY in red districts that have been weakly contested in the past.

Howard Dean's plan to fight the Republicans in all 50 states, in every district, is working.

Last night, Paul Hackett - the Democratic candidate for the Ohio 2nd District special election - lost by a margin of 48 to 52 to the Republican candidate. Why is this noteable? Because in 30 years NO DEMOCRAT got more than 30% of the vote in this ultra-conservative district. Hackett closed massive 40 percentage point gap to 4 points. This result was simply IMPOSSIBLE according to the old party play-book.

How did Hackett achieve the impossible? Other than being a really great candidate, Hackett's campaign embraced citizen activism -- and the citizens TOOK ACTION! (Our sister organization, Democracy for Ohio, deserves no small amount of credit.)

Tonight, WE have the opportunity to change the course of our democracy -- to take responsibility for Pennsylvania and send Democrats to the US House. Five candidates will speak tonight that have the ability to unseat conservative incumbent Republicans.

Come to Meetup Tonight at Yards Brewery @ 7PM: GET INVOLVED NOW and MAKE AN INVESTMENT in our future.

http://dfa.meetup.com/109

Let's Take Our Country Back...together!

I took some time off of working to squash urge Democrats to run for PA Legislature so that I could make some phone calls for the Paul Hackett campaign in OH-2. Though I now live in Philly, I'm an Ohio girl through and through. The folks down in Cincinatti's exurbs are hurting for jobs, they are disgusted with the Coingate scandle -- and they are making the connection that its the Republicans fault.

So what did I hear today from Ohio-2?

"Does Paul Hackett support CAFTA? Perot was right about NAFTA, and I sure as hell don't want CAFTA!"

"All there is around here is Walmart jobs and McDonald's jobs: we need real jobs."

"I heard that Scarlett [Hackett's opponent] was taking plane trips -- I think she's part of that money scandle."

"Election? What election?"

"Paul Hackett who?"

Folks -- this election is ripe for a win for the good guy and southern Ohioans desperately need a voice that won't call for "mega farms" as jobs program!  I urge you to call the campaign now to phonebank -- or better yet travel to Ohio canvass. They need you.

And if you can't do either: donate $50 RIGHT NOW.

http://www.actblue.com/list/hackett

DFA Meetup is tonight around the world.
We plan on working to make Rick Santorum cry like a wimpering baby at ours:

http://dfa.meetup.com/109

We'll be planning a mock-Funeral March for Social Security that ends up on Rick Sanotrum's office, learning how to talk in public and private about Social Security with a Rockridge Institute professor, and amassing a giant crowd for Ed Rendell, Hilary Clinton, and Harry Reid coming to town.

Join us!

Press Release:
Drexel Democrats To Protest After Drexel University and Bennett S. LeBow College Of Business Decline To Offer Democratic Presence at Santorum Social Security Event.

It has come to the attention of the Drexel University College Democrats that Senator Rick Santorum will be speaking on the matter of Social Security reform as part of the Public Policy Forum of the Office of Government and Community Relations and the Guest Lecture Series of the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business. The event will take place at 10 AM, Tuesday, February 22nd, at Behrakis Grand Hall (32nd and Chestnut Streets).

Given the partisan nature of his platform and rhetoric, we feel that this forum will be lacking without a counter viewpoint. We believe that Senator Santorum will be using this academic forum as a guise for the Bush Administration's national tour to promote social security privatization. Given Senator Santorum's highly polemic rhetoric and close ties to the Bush Administration's agenda, we fear that he would use this opportunity to merely lobby the Social Security Reform bill, rather than to educate the Drexel community.

Because of these concerns, the Drexel Democrats have respectfully requested of the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business that an elected Democratic official or academic may be invited to the forum to address and correct partisan rhetoric. Surely, academic discourse would be elevated with multiple viewpoints, in order to allow for Drexel's students to think critically about issues pertaining to their future. Regrettably, Drexel University has refused to meet this request.

The Drexel Democrats believe that as this request has not be met, the organization has the right to and will organize against said event beginning at 9 AM on Tuesday, February 22nd, directly in front of Behrakis Grand Hall. The Drexel Democrats have requested information on the university's regulations on this matter, and will abide to and respect all regulations that the university may have regarding the right to organize and protest.
In addition to the Drexel Democrats, other local democrats groups and progressive grassroots organizations will be in attendance, including but not limited to the University of Pennsylvania Democrats, Philly For Change, and the Action Alliance of Senior Citizens.

More below fold...