WP: Democrats Challenge GOP on Ethics (nationalizing midterm elections)

[Pirate Smile]

Democrats Challenge GOP on Ethics
New Ads Target Six Republicans."

By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 6, 2005; Page A04

Democrats took their first formal step yesterday toward trying to nationalize next year's midterm House elections around the issue of ethics, buying ads in the local papers of six Republican lawmakers calling on them to "start working for us" instead of special interests.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is spending $36,000 on the ads -- a virtually meaningless sum, by itself -- but calls it the beginning of a campaign to fuel an anti-incumbent fever like the one that swept its party out in 1994.

"There's a question about the conduct and the culture that goes beyond the individuals," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), the committee's chairman. "The speaker's gavel is supposed to open the people's house, not the auction house."

Even White House officials have begun to fret about the large number of senior Republicans being tied to questionable travel and relationships with lobbyists. On Friday, federal agents raided the San Diego area home of Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, one of the ad targets. The search followed news reports that he had sold a house to a defense contractor, who immediately put it back up for sale and took a huge loss.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/05/AR2005070501410.html

[proud patriot]

1. the culture of corruption must end

:hi:

[mitchtv]

2. no sweat for the Pukes here in the Desert

we never get a nickle from the national

[Pirate Smile]

9. I believe the plan is to change that.

:)

[mitchtv]

11. So they say

I'm tired of good candidates having to run word of mouth campaigns, while millions of dollars leave CA. I am convinced we can take this district with the right Combo of money and charisma/name recognition.

[joeunderdog]

3. The Dems are catching on ...already?

Better late than never. You have to wonder why it wasn't an obvious tactic to engage voters' angst the way the Pukes have done for so long. Who likes to get ripped off? Who likes to think they have no say in the US of A? Appeal to the outraged. They're out there.

[mom cat]

4. DeLay, Taft, Rove, Cheney,etc. Looks like ethics could be a good

point...Throw the scoundrels out and all that. I think that we also need to run on what the real majority wants....We have the real majority on the issues that count.

[BlakeB]

5. Sounds like a...

pretty decent plan. Let's hope we take back some seats in 06.

[Sgent]

6. It was the overindulgence and ethics problems

that lost the D's the house in the first place. Most of those people are out, and I'm gladd to see the response.

[bklyncowgirl]

7. Good strategy.

Now pound it home.

Throw the bums out!

[ray of light]

8. If you're thinking of the 2006 elections

Then it's a great idea to become a community activist now. There are many ways to develop local groups and we need to make it easier for our neighbors who want to help us to find us.

Learn how to become an effective advocate and an effective grassroots organizer and let's begin the work today.

http://www.democracycellproject.net Please, please join now because it's not only about what Dean can do, it's about what WE CAN DO.

[Pirate Smile]

10. DNC just sent me a "Democratic Activist Profile" for me to fill out and

return.

I hope every registered Democrat in the entire country received this profile survey to fill out and check the box for what activities you are willing to do for the party.

It states:

Democratic Activist Profile for --my name---

Please check each box that applies to you and your potential future interests. Checking a box puts you under no obligation. It is just to give us a sense of people's interests. This information will not be shared with anyone other than the Democratic Party and its candidates

Activity

Volunteering time at a local
campaign or party headquarters.

Making phone calls from a
phone bank.

Organizing an event in my home.

Organizing an event in my
Community.

Going door-to-door in my
neighborhood.

Attending a Democratic
fundraising even.

It also requests a donation, of course, AND requests an e-mail address so they can send updates - they already have mine but hopefully they are just sending this to all Democrats.

It seems basic but they don't already have this information so it is definitely good news to see them actively trying to obtain it.

[ray of light]

13. I'm glad to know the DNC has kicked up action

But the Democracy Cell Project really works different in two ways. First it cares about democracy and getting moderate republicans and independants to help save us from the neocons!

Two, we try to talk to people directly in our community about our own local issues and agenda. In other words bottom-up instead of top-down.

[WhiteTara]

12. kick