Last Updated July 26th, 2010

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I don't know about you, but I still amazed bush won the 2004 Election Webmaster T. 11 5 2007

I voted, so I am able to say what I want about this election. Those who don't vote have no opinion.

OK everyone, as you know this site continues to morph and grow into a` information packet for the common man.

As I see it, we have to make a good choice come election day.

Therefore, I plan to post the Demi's and Repub's Email lit here.

I hope you enjoy, as you can look at how both parties behave.

I really don't care who is in charge, but it time for the people of America to sign more ballots and petitions!

That way the laws will change according to the will of the people and not political/religious agenda!

Enjoy the info! - Webmaster T.

Republican National Committee

Democratic National Committee

The Independent Party

Don't tell me about the next 4 years, show me what you've done with the last 4..?

Forget these polls, you go vote this year and we shall see a new president,  a new senate, and a new congress.

Legalize Drugs, Tax Drugs, free all non violent prisoners arrested for using or selling.

We will then have room for "all the violent" and "child molesters" for life, not 1 to 5 years...

If we charged 11% flat tax for all Americans poor to rich, then taxes would be fare.

If Dick Chaney  was not on the ticket, I 'ed vote for Bush.

How were the "Oil Prices" before we went into Iraq?

One debate without media interference, and we see the men for who they are.

Regardless of what you think, do not complain unless you vote or voted!!!

Dear Thomas,

Today the campaign released "Whatever It Takes," an ad featuring President Bush discussing his resolve to win the War on Terror.  The ad reminds us of our shared experience over the last four years, his steady leadership, and the serious and difficult decisions a President must make.

Because of the President's leadership, we have come through difficult times and stand together at an historic moment.  We can choose to take the fight to the terrorists where they live and plan, or we can pursue the politics of retreat and defeat advocated by our opponent.

We choose hope over fear, and we choose to confront those who wish to do us harm, rather than returning to a pre-September 11 worldview.

Dear MoveOn member,

They're doing it again. In Nevada, a Republican contractor has allegedly ripped up thousands of Democratic registration forms.(1) In Florida, Jeb Bush has purged tens of thousands of legitimate voters -- mostly black, mostly Democratic -- from the rolls because their names are similar to a felon's.(2) In Ohio, the Republican Secretary of State has been so uncooperative that a federal judge said that he "apparently seeks to accomplish the same result in Ohio in 2004 that occurred in Florida in 2000."(3)

But there's one big difference between the election of 2000 and the election of 2004: this time, a number of powerful, well-staffed groups will be aggressively responding to each and every instance of voter intimidation, suppression, and fraud. Messing with our right to vote is a felony, and with your help we'll make sure that anyone who does is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

We've put together a wallet-sized card that has all the numbers and information you need if someone tries to stop you from exercising your right to vote. You can download it now at:

http://cdn.moveonpac.org/content/pdfs/ep_card.pdf

In a great majority of polling places, of course, voting will be very efficient -- even fun. Poll workers will guide you through the process. They're non-partisan, and they are there to help.

But it's likely that some precincts will be targeted for vote suppression, and that's what we have to be on the look-out for. Since one key suppression tactic is slowing down the voting process, we have to be careful not to fall into that trap. Don't obstruct: just demand that whoever is giving you trouble step aside with you and let the voting continue.

But before we get into what you should do if things go wrong, here are a few pointers to help make sure your voting experience is a good one:

	Find your polling place ahead of time. Having this information ahead of time will help make sure that you can zip to the polls and back during that half-hour lunch break. You can locate your local polling place using your zip code at http://www.mypollingplace.com. In most cases, the site will tell you what kind of voting machines to expect and how they work. (By the way, if mypollingplace.com conflicts with information you've received from your county or state election officials, use the official information.)
	When in doubt, ASK. Poll workers are there to help you. They'll show you how to work the machines, and if you're at the wrong polling place, they should tell you how to get to the right one. Every polling place should also have a posted list of your voting rights, and instructions for filing a complaint if your rights have been violated.
	Know your rights. If you're an eligible voter, you have the following rights: If your name is not on the official voter list but you believe you are eligible to vote in that precinct, even if an election official challenges your vote, you have the right to cast a "provisional ballot." If you're in line when the polls close, you should stay in line because you're entitled to vote. In many states, your employer must allow you time to vote at some point during the day. You can't be fired for being late due to long polling lines. You have the right to vote without being intimidated by anyone. For your rights in your own state, check out this website: http://www.ourvote.com/
	Bring photo ID, preferably government-issued ID or a utility bill, phone bill, or paycheck with your name and current street address. If you're a new registrant, it may be required.
	Vote in the morning. In a great majority of polling places, everything will go smoothly, but by going early you can help prevent lines later in the day.
	A regular ballot is better than a provisional ballot. If your eligibility to vote is questioned, ask if you can cast a regular ballot by providing additional ID or by going to another polling place. Only cast a provisional ballot if there's no alternative available.

So, what if something does go wrong?

First, document it. If there are specific individuals involved who are challenging your right to vote, intimidating voters, or interfering with the process, try to get their names. Write down exactly what happened, including the time of day, descriptions of the people involved, and any other details you can remember.

Then, report it. There are lots of organizations that will be working to respond quickly to complaints of voter intimidation, suppression, and fraud. Here's who to call:

	MoveOn PAC: Go to http://www.moveonpac.org/. On election day, our website will host a form where you can post your problem and get help.
	Common Cause: Call 1-866-MYVOTE1. Common Cause has set up a hotline that you can call to report any problems you have voting. They'll document where problems are occuring, watch for wide-spread voter suppression, and provide real-time legal help to the hot spots.
	1-866-OUR-VOTE. This hotline has been set up by a coalition of nonpartisan groups to deal with the most serious problems on election day. They have hundreds of lawyers standing by to immediately respond to the most egregious problems. 1-866-OUR-VOTE is the "911" of voter suppression hotlines. Please don't call unless your problem is serious enough that you have to talk to a lawyer immediately.

Again, to download a wallet-sized card with all of this information that you can bring with you to the polls, go to:

http://cdn.moveonpac.org/content/pdfs/ep_card.pdf

As Bill Clinton said at a rally with John Kerry on Monday, "They're trying to scare the voters away from the polls. It worked so well in Florida, they seem to be trying it elsewhere." We're not going to let them get away with it. And with your help, we'll make sure that anyone who tries to stop people from exercising their right to vote ends up behind bars.

Thanks for everything,
--Adam, Eli, Hannah, James, Laura, and the whole MoveOn PAC Team
  October 27th, 2004

P.S.: If you have any questions, you can find your Secretary of State's office online at:
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm

Or try reaching their office by phone, at:
916-657-2166

Footnotes:
1. http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2421595&nav=168XRvNe
2. Greg Palast, Harper's Magazine, October 2004.
3. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/9992999.htm

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Here's one of the most powerful things you can do to win this election:

  Vote by Mail.

In an election where a handful of votes could make all the difference, voting by mail is the single best way to make sure your vote is counted. All you need to do is request an absentee ballot, and when it comes in the mail, fill it out and send it back. To order your ballot right now, click below for the form:

  http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/Outreach/absentee/links/GE_countyform_ballotapp2004.pdf

Then click here to find where to send it -- your county election office:

  http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm

Think voting by mail sounds kind of "ho-hum"? Think again:

	If you're concerned about touch-screen voting, voting by mail ensures that your ballot won't be lost on a computer, because you're putting it down on paper.
	Voting by mail frees up your time on Election Day. If anything comes up on November 2nd -- like sick kids, car trouble, or an intense workload -- it can't keep you from voting.
	You can use that precious time on November 2nd to multiply your impact, by helping other voters get to the polls.
	Mailed-in ballots are a huge asset for your candidates. They're often counted ahead of time, and it helps to start the day with thousands of votes "in the bank."
	Millions of new voters have registered this year, and some officials are already overwhelmed. Voting by mail will help minimize the bottleneck on Election Day, and keep you from being caught in long lines at the polls or other snafus.

This election is way too important to leave anything to chance. Click here now to order your mail-in absentee ballot:

  http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/Outreach/absentee/links/GE_countyform_ballotapp2004.pdf

Then click here to find where to send it -- your county election office:

  http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm

Be sure to sign and date the form before you mail it in.

Then watch for your absentee ballot, which should arrive in the mail shortly. If it doesn't, don't worry, you can still vote the usual way on November 2nd.

The 2000 election was decided by just 537 votes in Florida and just 366 in New Mexico. We've got to take every possible step to bank our votes this year.

Voting by mail will play a huge role in this election. According to yesterday's Washington Post, "absentee ballots are expected to account for as much as 20 percent of Florida votes, rising to an estimated 50 percent in New Mexico and Colorado and 70 percent in Washington state."

Get your mail-in absentee ballot today.

Thank you for your commitment to democracy.

Sincerely,

- Carrie, Joan, Lee, Marika, Noah, Peter, and Wes
  The MoveOn.org Team
  October 18th, 2004

P.S.: In California, there are no eligibility rules for voting by mail -- we checked. All you have to do is ask for a ballot. Do it today.

P.P.S.: If you have any questions, you can find your Secretary of State's office online at:

http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm

Or try reaching their office by phone, at:

916-657-2166

To:         Interested Parties
FR:         Matthew Dowd
Re:         State Of The Presidential Race

As the campaign enters its final days, President Bush has seized the momentum and is well-positioned to win re-election in a close race.  

Supporters should use the momentum to recruit two new George W. Bush supporters between now and Election Day.  In the next two weeks, let's each try to get two new people to vote for the President who we haven't touched yet -- two in two!

With this momentum in hand, the campaign will be spending the last two weeks on the offensive.  The President is doing increasingly well among voters deemed a part of the key swing group: the President is winning independent voters, he is doing better among women voters than 2000, and we have the opportunity to achieve historic gains among minority voters. 

As can be seen in the below chart, the President led Kerry by about 5 points prior to the debates, but the debates energized the Democratic base and closed the race to dead even.  Now, the President is on the upswing and leads Kerry by 4 points nationally, 49% to 45% -- almost identical to his position before the debates.



When Kerry adviser Tad Devine declared in Tempe that "we leave the debate with an advantage that is measurable," the Kerry campaign was dancing on the 50-yard line.  Now they'll be crying in their beer.   No challenger who trailed an incumbent president after the conclusion of the debates has ever gone on to win.    

Terrorism and Iraq remain key issues of the campaign, and President Bush continues to lead by double-digits on both of them.  In the recent Newsweek poll, terrorism was the top issue for 26% of voters (President Bush leads Kerry by 16 points on handling terrorism in the same poll) and Iraq was the top issue for 20% (President Bush leads Kerry by 10 points on handling Iraq). 

Yesterday's Gallup poll shows that John Kerry's favorability has remained stagnant through the debates.  Between Gallup's Sept. 15 and Oct. 16 polls, Kerry has remained at a net +7 favorability.  President Bush now has a net +11 favorability, at 55% favorable and 44% unfavorable.

In yet another sign of the President's momentum, the Kerry campaign pulled its advertising out of West Virginia on Friday, making it the latest in a string of their retreats from former "battleground" states.  In fact, the Kerry campaign and its allies have now conceded victory to the President by pulling out of Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia, after they combined to spend $36 million on ads in those states.

But Kerry and his allies aren't the only ones who are increasingly skeptical of their chances -- Americans also believe that President Bush will win re-election.  According to the recent ABC News poll, 56% of Americans believe that President Bush will win the election, compared to just 33% who think Kerry will win.

And the President's travel will reflect this movement.  In the next two weeks, 2/3 of the days will be spent in states Al Gore carried in 2000, as opposed to protecting states.  For example, the President will visit New Jersey today, a state that Gore won by 16 points, but recent public polls show to be competitive.  And in those states he will be visiting swing as well as high-growth areas with many new voters. 

Please do all you can in this "two voters in two weeks" program, and if we are successful, we will be celebrating on November 2nd.
 

Your Role in Reelecting Our Leader

1. Vote Early. You may be able to cast your vote now via an absentee ballot. State laws allow absentee ballots to be cast if you cannot vote on Election Day. Please refer to www.GeorgeWBush.com/VoteEarly  to determine whether you are eligible to cast an absentee ballot in your state. If you will not be able to vote on Election Day, and meet the criteria, I encourage you to take this chance and vote absentee.  In addition, in the next two weeks, get two new people to vote for the President who we haven't touched yet.

2. Volunteer for the President. Four years ago the President lost a commanding lead on the weekend before the election because the liberals orchestrated a massive get-out-the-vote operation; it nearly cost him the election.  Volunteer now for the Bush Team's vital phone banking and door-to-door efforts. Click on www.GeorgeWBush.com/72hour.

3. Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspapers. Call Talk Radio.

Dear MoveOn Member,

John Kerry and John Edwards are surging in the polls, and our campaign to take back our country has never been stronger. Now, thanks to their performance in the first two debates, we have a real shot not just at winning the White House, but at recapturing control of the Senate, and winning back key seats in the U.S. House.

After watching crucial votes like the Bush Administration's terrible Medicare Reform Bill pass by a margin of just five votes in the U.S. House, we know every seat we can wrestle from the control of the House Republican leadership is essential. We've got to seize the moment and ride this wave.

Five great Congressional candidates are poised to win their races. We can help put them over the top. Check them out and give what you can now, at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/04endorsed.html

Melissa Bean, a progressive businesswoman, has won nationwide support for her campaign to oust Phil Crane, one of the most entrenched and most conservative members of the House. In Congress since 1969, Crane has played a key part in President Bush's slashing of social programs though giant tax cuts for the very rich. Melissa Bean has a real chance to show Crane the door, with our help.

Patsy Keever is an outstanding candidate from North Carolina who worked for twenty-five years as a public school teacher and is now serving in her third term as a popular county commissioner. Her Republican opponent, Charles Taylor, votes with his party's right-wing leadership 96% of the time. Taylor has been implicated in a bank loan scandal, and has had his Congressional wages garnished because he failed to pay taxes. All this from one of the wealthiest members of Congress. Let's help Patsy Keever "clean House."

Allyson Schwartz and Joe Driscoll are both running strong campaigns for two open House seats in Pennsylvania. Open seats are rare but crucial pickup opportunities in this age of gerrymandering, and Schwartz and Driscoll are making the most of them.

Schwartz has been a long-time, key progressive leader in Pennsylvania, serving for fourteen years as a state senator. Driscoll has been a prominent community leader and business person in his district, the Lehigh Valley. Both of their Republican opponents support President Bush's war in Iraq, more tax cuts for the wealthy, and pretty much the whole right-wing agenda. Driscoll's opponent is also attacking him for seeking MoveOn's support. Let's show them we mean business.

Finally, Teresa Daly is a committed City Councilor who decided to run for Congress because her Republican Congressman and the Bush Administration were out of touch. Daly is running against John Kline, who gained his seat through an ugly and wildly distorted smear campaign two years ago. Since then, Kline's been one of Bush's staunchest supporters. Let's replace him with someone who will champion our values instead.

You can help support these 5 great candidates now, at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/04endorsed.html

Kerry's and Edwards' surge is creating "coattails" -- making it more likely that these 5 Democrats (and others) will win as well. It's a huge opportunity, and a crucial one for us to make the most of.

Thanks to Kerry and Edwards fighting hard, and our hard work, we have a real chance to win this election, but we've got to win back Congress as well -- we have to take back our democracy from Tom DeLay as well as from George Bush.

Together, we can do it. If we can raise at least $50,000 for each of these 5 candidates, that could mean an additional week of television, more grassroots ground troops for the final days, or several mailings to targeted voters across their districts.

Our support can make the difference in these key races.

Please give what you can, whether it's $10, $50, or $100, now:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/04endorsed.html

Thank you, again, for all you do.

Sincerely,

--Hannah Pingree
  MoveOn PAC
  October 7th, 2004

Authorized by:
Committee to Elect Patsy Keever
Melissa Bean for Congress
Allyson Schwartz for Congress
Daly for Congress
Driscoll for Congress
PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC
 

Domestic Issues Pushed to Front of Campaigns
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
John Kerry's aides are moving to shift the battle with President Bush to what they said was stronger ground - domestic policy.

Dear MoveOn member

The debate last night was a make-or-break moment in our campaign to win back the White House. Today the verdict is in: with confidence and conviction, Kerry made the case against Bush's disastrous foreign policy -- and Bush couldn't take the heat. Today's editorial by the Boston Globe sums it up: "Ladies and gentlemen, you wake today to a whole new presidential race. Last night, John Kerry won as clear a debate victory as we've seen since Ronald Reagan outdueled Jimmy Carter in 1980…The Democratic challenger seemed more serious and substantive, more knowledgeable and confident, than the man who holds the job."

It's become a truism that the post-debate spin matters as much as the debate itself. We've got a running start today -- the reaction last night nation-wide was overwhelmingly in John Kerry's favor. But it's critically important that we all get out there and help seal the deal.

Over the weekend, Americans will look to the letters-to-the-editor pages of their local newspapers to confirm their perceptions about the candidates and their performances. Please take a few minutes today to write a letter highlighting how Kerry confronted Bush with the truth and the way that it rattled and angered him. We've set up an online tool that highlights some key talking points and makes it easy to find your local newspaper.

To write a letter to the editor, go to:

http://www.moveonpac.org/lte/lte.html?lte_campaign_id=13

John Kerry's performance was very strong. But what sealed the deal for many commentators was how rattled Bush got when confronted with the truth about his policies. The Washington Post derided his "stammering and pausing," the New York Times said he was "scowling and grimacing" and "petulant," the Boston Globe noted his "sighing, clenching his teeth, rolling his eyes," the LA Times said he seemed "tired and annoyed," and CBS News described Bush as "scowling at times and looking away in apparent disgust at others." Mark Halperin of ABC News summed it up: George Bush was "remarkably angry-seeming."

Kerry has said before that George Bush lives in a "fantasy world of spin." Last night that fantasy world began to crumble. Bush appeared angry that anyone would dare to challenge his view of the facts. Faced with the reality of the mess he has created in Iraq, and challenged for repeatedly misleading the American people, he retreated, falling back on his trite slogans over and over and over.

One of the most compelling moments of the debate came when George Bush once again tried to connect Iraq and 9/11. But Kerry wouldn't let him do it, and Bush scowled at his powerful response. We've put together a great web video that captures this moment. Check it out now at:

http://www.moveonpac.org/

Even the conservative pundits gathered on Fox News had to admit that Kerry looked pretty good last night. Bill Kristol said, "I think Kerry did pretty well, and…we're going to have a real presidential race." And right-wing commentator Joe Scarborough conceded: "I don't see how anybody could look at this debate and not score this a very clear win, on points, for John Kerry."

And the voters agree. ABC News said, "John Kerry won the debate," pointing to a poll of independent voters who declared Kerry the winner, 45% to 36%. CBS News said, "John Kerry won the debate," and found Kerry up by 15 percentage points among uncommitted voters. Even Gallup, a polling firm which has consistently skewed Republican, found Kerry winning by 16 percentage points, with a whopping 46% of the viewers saying that the debate made their opinion of Kerry more favorable. On the web, clickers delivered a landslide: with over 250,000 votes cast on the CNN website, 77% of the viewers thought that Kerry won, as opposed to only 19% for Bush.

Kerry's win last night will transform the presidential race. As voters get to actually meet the man Karl Rove has demonized, they realize he presents a serious alternative to Bush's reckless policy of endless war. But it's up to us to seal the deal for our friends, family, neighbors, and communities, as these perceptions are forming. Please take a moment to write a letter to the editor today at:

http://www.moveonpac.org/lte/lte.html?lte_campaign_id=13

With a month to go, this race is turning around. Kerry is building momentum. The polls are narrowing. And on November 2nd, we're going to win this thing.

Thanks for everything you do,

--Adam, Eli, Hannah, James, Laura, and the whole MoveOn PAC Team
  Friday, Octobter 1st, 2004

P.S. Overnight, a group called Safer Together has put together a remarkable rapid-response ad featuring women watching the debate whose loved ones are in Iraq. The ad juxtaposes Bush saying "I see on the TV screens how hard it is, and we're making progress" with emotional comments from these women who feel the real impact of the war. You can watch it online at:
http://www.sistersspeakout.com/

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Dear Thomas,

Over the next few days, at the office, at your children's football or soccer games, and in your homes, people will be talking about last night's debate.  Here are some important facts to keep in mind as you're talking with friends and neighbors about the exchange.
 
President Bush spoke clearly and from the heart last night about the path forward - toward victory and security - in the War on Terror.  The President spoke candidly about the difficulties facing our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan as these countries prepare for their first free elections.  The terrorists will continue to fight these steps toward freedom because they fear the optimism and hope of democracy.  They fear the prospects for their ideology of hate in a free and democratic Middle East.

President Bush detailed a path forward in the War on Terror - a plan that will ensure that America fights the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan - not in America's cities.

John Kerry failed the one test he had to pass last night: he failed to close the credibility gap he has with the American people as his record of troubling contradiction and vacillation spiraled down to incoherence.

People have a clear choice between President Bush's clarity and strength to fight and win the War on Terror and John Kerry's attacks and reversals - born out of political calculation, not a vision for winning the War on Terror.  People saw for themselves last night where John Kerry would lead our military, our allies and the world in the War on Terror - down a bumpy road paved with indecision, vacillation and cynicism. John Kerry has a record of wavering in the face of real challenges.

Truth and optimism are not competing ideals.  The War on Terror is difficult - there will be good days and bad days, but the war is essential to our safety at home and victory is the only option.

Sincerely,

Ken Mehlman

Dear MoveOn member,

The war in Iraq is President Bush's signature failure. To reduce the damage the war has caused him, Bush and his campaign operatives have spent the last six months attacking and distorting John Kerry's position on Iraq. But yesterday, in a powerful speech in New York, Kerry set the record straight.

John Kerry laid out a plan to end Bush's irrational, deceptive and unilateral policy in Iraq, and pursue a policy of international cooperation to end the worsening insurgency and rebuild Iraq -- and bring our troops home. And Kerry made it clear that we would not be in Iraq today if he were president.

The action today is simple: if you like what you hear from Kerry in the speech below, pass this email on to your friends, neighbors, co-workers -- anyone who wants to hear from you on this issue. It's critical that progressives like us spread the word that John Kerry is fighting back on Iraq.

We've excerpted a few of the highlights, below. You can read the whole thing at:

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2004_0920.html

Here are the main points from Kerry's speech on Iraq yesterday:

• The war on Iraq was a mistake -- war was unnecessary because the inspections were working: "Today, President Bush tells us that he would do everything all over again, the same way. How can he possibly be serious? Is he really saying that if we knew there were no imminent threat, no weapons of mass destruction, no ties to Al Qaeda, the United States should have invaded Iraq? My answer is no -- because a commander in chief's first responsibility is to make a wise and responsible decision to keep America safe."
• Iraq distracted from the war on terror: "The president claims it is the centerpiece of his war on terror. In fact, Iraq was a profound diversion from that war and the battle against our greatest enemy, Osama bin Laden and the terrorists. Invading Iraq has created a crisis of historic proportions and, if we do not change course, there is the prospect of a war with no end in sight."
• President Bush misled us about the reasons for the war before it occurred: "He failed to tell the truth about the rationale for going to war. And he failed to tell the truth about the burden this war would impose on our soldiers and our citizens. By one count, the president offered 23 different rationales for this war."
• President Bush is still misleading people about Iraq, painting an optimistic picture directly contradicted by his own intelligence officials: "In June, the president declared, 'The Iraqi people have their country back.' Just last week, he told us: 'This country is headed toward democracy. Freedom is on the march.' But the Administration's own official intelligence estimate, given to the president last July, tells a very different story. According to press reports, the intelligence estimate totally contradicts what the president is saying to the American people."
• Bush went to war for ideological reasons and consistently misjudged the situation on the ground: "This president was in denial. He hitched his wagon to the ideologues who surround him, filtering out those who disagreed, including leaders of his own party and the uniformed military. The result is a long litany of misjudgments with terrible consequences. The administration told us we'd be greeted as liberators. They were wrong. They told us not to worry about looting or the sorry state of Iraq's infrastructure. They were wrong. They told us we had enough troops to provide security and stability, defeat the insurgents, guard the borders and secure the arms depots. They were wrong. They told us we could rely on exiles like Ahmed Chalabi to build political legitimacy. They were wrong. They told us we would quickly restore an Iraqi civil service to run the country and a police force and army to secure it. They were wrong. In Iraq, this administration has consistently over-promised and under-performed. This policy has been plagued by a lack of planning, an absence of candor, arrogance and outright incompetence. And the president has held no one accountable, including himself."
• John Kerry has a four-point plan to fix our Iraq policy:
   
  • "First, the president has to get the promised international support so our men and women in uniform don't have to go it alone. It is late; the president must respond by moving this week to gain and regain international support. The president should convene a summit meeting of the world's major powers and Iraq's neighbors, this week, in New York, where many leaders will attend the U.N. General Assembly. He should insist that they make good on that U.N. resolution. He should offer potential troop contributors specific, but critical roles, in training Iraqi security personnel and securing Iraq's borders. He should give other countries a stake in Iraq's future by encouraging them to help develop Iraq's oil resources and by letting them bid on contracts instead of locking them out of the reconstruction process."
  • "Second, the president must get serious about training Iraqi security forces. The president should urgently expand the security forces training program inside and outside Iraq. He should strengthen the vetting of recruits, double classroom training time, and require follow-on field training. He should recruit thousands of qualified trainers from our allies, especially those who have no troops in Iraq. He should press our NATO allies to open training centers in their countries. And he should stop misleading the American people with phony, inflated numbers."
  • "Third, the president must carry out a reconstruction plan that finally brings tangible benefits to the Iraqi people. One year ago, the administration asked for and received $18 billion to help the Iraqis and relieve the conditions that contribute to the insurgency. Today, less than a $1 billion of those funds have actually been spent. I said at the time that we had to rethink our policies and set standards of accountability. Now we're paying the price. Now, the president should look at the whole reconstruction package, draw up a list of high visibility, quick impact projects, and cut through the red tape. He should use more Iraqi contractors and workers, instead of big corporations like Halliburton. He should stop paying companies under investigation for fraud or corruption. And he should fire the civilians in the Pentagon responsible for mismanaging the reconstruction effort."
  • "Fourth, the president must take immediate, urgent, essential steps to guarantee the promised elections can be held next year. If the president would move in this direction, if he would bring in more help from other countries to provide resources and forces, train the Iraqis to provide their own security, develop a reconstruction plan that brings real benefits to the Iraqi people, and take the steps necessary to hold credible elections next year -- we could begin to withdraw U.S. forces starting next summer and realistically aim to bring all our troops home within the next four years."

Most people will see a second or two of the speech, if they see it at all. But by forwarding this email to your friends and family, you can help make sure people get a full picture of Kerry's position on Iraq -- in his own words. And you can read the whole speech at:

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2004_0920.html

Thanks for everything,

--Eli Pariser
  Executive Director, MoveOn PAC
  Tuesday, September 21st, 2004

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Dear Thomas,

This year's Presidential election will be the most critical of many of our lifetimes.  We're all playing a small part in making history and in paving the path for the future.  This week, we invite you to share your experiences and hear from someone who has unique access to our nation's leaders - up close and personal.

On Wednesday, September 15, Mrs. Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney and accomplished author, takes your questions and discusses the importance of choosing Vice President Cheney and President Bush to lead America for the next four years.

WHO: Mrs. Lynne Cheney

WHAT:  Live Chat on GeorgeWBush.com

WHERE:  Chat Center

WHEN: Wednesday, September 15, 5:30 - 6:30 pm EDT

SUBMIT QUESTIONS NOW!

Also this week, two Bush-Cheney '04 officials who direct several of the campaign's coalitions will host live discussions. 

• On Thursday, Sept. 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm EDT, Tiffany Watkins, who heads up the African Americans and Health Professionals for Bush Teams, will take your questions about how the campaign is reaching out to those groups and discusses why President Bush's support among those groups continues to grow.
   
• On Friday, Sept. 17 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm EDT, Mina Nguyen, who heads up the Small Business and Innovators for Bush Teams, will take your questions about the unique ways those groups are garnering support for Bush-Cheney and discusses a new opportunity for small business owners and employees to share their success stories. 

DON'T MISS IT!

Defending Kerry against Zell Miller and Dick Cheney

Week of September 7, 2004

In this newsletter:
HOT TOPICS: Corporate fascism, Defending the defenseless, the Hyperbolic President
CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS: Defending Kerry against Zell Miller and Dick Cheney's Criticisms
FEATURED POLL: Which criticisms, if any, of Kerry's national security are valid?
 

***
HOT TOPICS:
Current conversations
 

URGENT: American voters need to know - Donald Grbac
Is corporate fascism undermining democracy?

The Greater Cause, The Greater Sacrifice - CitizenM
Bush, the War on Terror, and Defending the defenseless

A review of some high points of the last four years - Twinkle
A critical look at the promises and accomplishments of the Bush Administration

Dear MoveOn member,

Last night, Senator Zell Miller, a Democrat, gave the Republican keynote address in New York. Miller's brazen prime-time betrayal is shocking. But this week, we're not getting mad. We're getting even.

The fact is, we don't need Democrats like Miller -- he's been selling us out in the Senate for years, voting with the right wing across the board. We can do better. Much better.

This year, we have a great chance to elect a slew of real progressive champions to the Senate -- people whose values and principles we can count on. One of them, Denise Majette, is running for Zell Miller's seat. Another, Betty Castor, just came off a landslide victory in a three-way primary in Florida with huge momentum.

Click here now to help Denise Majette, Betty Castor and other terrific women take back the Senate:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/04endorsed.html

It's probably no coincidence that four of the strongest progressives running for the U.S. Senate today are women, but it's cool.

Check them out:

Denise Majette is a bright, charismatic African-American Congresswoman from Atlanta, running for Zell Miller's U.S. Senate seat. Although she was not in Congress at the time of the original Iraq war resolution, Majette courageously opposed a second resolution on the Iraq war, voting against it and declaring, "I cannot in good conscience support such a deceptive resolution.² Majette has already made history in Georgia by becoming the first black woman to capture her party¹s nomination for U.S. Senate.

Betty Castor won a huge primary victory this past Tuesday in Florida's critical U.S. Senate race, in part because of recent support from MoveOn members. Any Senate race in Florida would be important, but Castor is a particularly appealing candidate. She's a former state Education Commissioner and university president who led reforms of Florida¹s poorest schools and expanded health insurance coverage to thousands more Florida kids. Betty Castor is a true progressive with real momentum on her side, and she needs our help now in her campaign against a well-funded Republican opponent.

Nancy Farmer is another terrific champion. She's running for the U.S. Senate in Missouri, a key battleground state. As the current state treasurer and formerly a state legislator, she has a great record of making fair and progressive tax policies. Nancy Farmer is one of the few candidates speaking out about the importance of repealing President Bush's enormous tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. She's running against U.S. Senator Kit Bond, who has accomplished little during his three terms in the Senate while voting with President Bush 98% of the time.

Finally, there is U.S. Senator Patty Murray of Washington State, who was once told early in her political career that she was just a "mom in tennis shoes." Instead of giving up she became determined and started her rapid rise in politics. In 1992 Murray won an amazing uphill battle to become one of just a handful of women in the U.S. Senate. Since then, she has been a leader on key issues from health care to education, and she courageously voted against the war in Iraq. Now she's in one of the toughest races of her career, against a right-wing White House ally. Patty Murray has more than earned our support.

These four women are exactly the kind of brave leaders who can help us take back the Senate and provide the strong voices needed to change the debate in Washington. Support them now, at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/04endorsed.html

All four of these candidates have made important and heroic decisions in their political careers, whether it was voting for the civil rights of gay people when the majority of citizens opposed them, standing up against a misguided war in Iraq, or fighting selflessly for their most vulnerable constituents. All four women have proven that they are not afraid to vote their conscience.

These candidates are already facing negative and false attacks from their Republican opponents. But with our support, they'll be able to fight back and share their positive visions for America and our future.

In just five minutes you can make a difference in each of these four races with a contribution. Whether you can give $25, $50, or $100, your money will have a tremendous impact.

Please give what you can now, at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/04endorsed.html

Zell Miller's betrayal is a reminder that we can't relax for a moment. We've got to do everything we can to take back America, by winning back both the White House and the Senate.

Thanks for all you do.

Sincerely,

-- Hannah, Eli, and the whole MoveOn PAC team
  Thursday, September 2, 2004

Authorized by:
Betty Castor for U.S. Senate
People for Patty Murray
Denise Majette for U.S. Senate
Nancy Farmer for U.S. Senate
PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC

In Palm Beach, Results of 2000 Still Stir a Fight
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
Although Democrats hold a solid majority in Palm Beach County, Fla., it is so big that even a small shift among its 700,000 voters could make a difference in November.

They Really Like me!

Dear Thomas,

We're sure that you have no doubt who we'll be voting for in November. But you should also know that we would be voting for our Dad in this election even if he had not raised us, loved us, tutored us, coached us, and even listened to a few excuses from us for late curfews. We have been privileged to know our President personally and we know he is the right person to lead our country - especially when there are so many important issues at stake.

Our Dad has qualities that are needed in a good President - loyalty, humor (embarrassing as it sometimes may be), compassion, and, most importantly, integrity. We're not the only ones who see it. In fact, our friends - from varying political backgrounds - are supporting our Dad in November. Not only because of his decisions to liberate the women of Afghanistan or bring freedom to the people of Iraq, but because during the last ten years they met a man whose title was Governor or President, but who was always happy to be known as "our Dad." He made everyone feel welcome and comfortable in our house (except for the occasional boyfriend) and our friends got to know him as a really good guy.

We know that when you get to know his record as President, you too will feel compelled to participate in this year's election - and hopefully get involved in the campaign, too. We know it can be hard to find time to think about politics. We just graduated from college and are perfectly aware that schoolwork, parties, and extra-curricular activities keep students busy, away from campaigns and voting booths. In the last election, less than half of 18- to 24-year-olds were registered to vote, and only 32% of them actually did vote. Sadly, many Americans our age did not take advantage of their right to vote.

We are asking you to get involved with this campaign not only because it is the most critical election of our lifetime, but also because we have the ability to positively change our future. Please encourage your friends to sign up on the campaign's web site (www.GeorgeWBush.com) and register to vote online. At the web site you'll also find a lot of information about how to get involved in our Dad's re-election campaign. It's an easy process, and it's the best way to have a say in this year's election.

Thanks for taking a few minutes to think about some big issues. This is a really important election, and we know that with your help our Dad will win in November. 
 

Jenna and Barbara Bush

All written word is "The Opinion" of Thomas A. unless otherwise noted...

1937 American Life