DocumentDump.com ^ RWCS.com > Steal This Blog

Created: 10/22/2008 1:03:56 PM
Updated: 10/22/2008 9:59:09 PM
NEWS10.NET

Popularity: 3% [?]

[SOURCE: 10/26/08 01:27 PM - folsomtelegraph.com]

My father used to tell me that if you really want to know a politician, follow the money.

Tom McClintock is in trouble with the Federal Campaign Commission. McClintock just made a panic dump from of money his state 2010 campaign account to several “charities.” And McClintock’s campaign has been spending a lot of money which he is not admitting that he ever received. Despite repeated attempts by the Federal Elections Commission to find out how much it is and where it’s coming from, McClintock has stymied an explanation. Why? What is he hiding?

Follow the money.

On October 7, McClintock’s spokesperson, Bill George, claimed that Tom McClintock had given away $ 51,000 of his 2010 account for another gubernatorial run to “charity.” Those donations were made just before the Sept 30 deadline. Now that he’s broke, so Tom gets a big tax break for donating to “charities.” But those “charities” are staffed by campaign consultants who have been working to elect McClintock to Congress to replace John Doolittle. In fact, one of the charities is actually run by Doolittle and McClintock.

$20,000 was donated to Pastor John Stoos, a longtime McClintock chief consultant, political manager and spokesperson, under the guise of “Cherish California’s Children.” Charitable donations are used not for kids, but for McClintock campaign mailers and for picketing clinics (“Cherish” is an anti-abortion group).

Another $6,000 was “donated” by Tom McClintock to the Capitol Resource Institute, an “issues advocacy group” (lobbyists), directed by Karen England.

Surprise! Capitol Resource Institute board of directors includes John Doolittle and Tom McClintock.

In May, Ted Gaines made a “loan” of $3,600 to the “Friends of Dan Logue” account. Why the very well funded Dan Logue would need a loan from Gaines is a mystery, but this donation coincides with Tom McClintock starting his primary campaign tour. It is already known from examining his account that Dan Logue has made campaign appearances with Tom McClintock and paid the speaker’s fee and expenses of the Secure the Borders (Minutemen) group tour.

Ted Gaines made a donation to the Capitol Resource Institute (run by John Doolittle, Tom McClintock, Aanestad, Campbell and England). Gaines has also given $5000 to the “National Tax Limititation Foundation” (Lew Uhler, President).

Uhler is also a member of MOVE AMERICA FORWARD, which is currently doing the Swiftboating / hanging effigy ad targeting Charlie Brown. Follow the money.

In other words, Ted Gaines and John Doolittle are helping to pay for Tom McClintock’s campaign via donations to charities, religious organizations, Minutemen and others by using his state account. Then McClintock donates the donated money to organizations that are supporting his campaign by donating money back to him. Some of these are tax exempt “religious charities”. Still following the money? Good.

A Chevron PAC has contributed thousands to McClintock and the Oil and Gas industry has donated at least $19,000 to his federal accounts. But McClintock also has Oil and Gas industry donations on his state accounts, too. Coincidentally, Ted Gaines also has Chevron-Texaco donations on his state account. Gaines has also made many donations to “Save Our Kids,” which funded the initiative for Prop. 8, which brings us back to Pastor John Stoos.

Stoos started out as a aide to retired State Senator H.L. (Bill) Richardson, himself a former John Birch Society field organizer (and a radical religious right fruitcake before there was a radical religious right). Stoos also heads up the California chapter of Newt Gingrich’s Conservative Opportunity Society, which this year raised nearly $300,000 to help California elect social conservatives to the California legislature. Most recently, Pastor Stoos got himself into the tax-exempt religion business by having himself declared a pastor and the head of his own church, The Church of the King Sacramento.

Stoos is the former head of the California Gun Owners Lobby, and he frequently fills in for Sara DiVito Hardman, executive director of the California Christian Coalition. Stoos lost his position with the California Gun Owners Lobby a few years ago because of his viciously antisemitic attacks. But Stoos still is a radical Christian Reconstructionist and one of the most astute Republican political strategists in California. His credentials and connections read like a who’s who of the radical religious far right and extremist right-wing politics. Pastor Stoos is also the current vice president of the California Republican Assembly, the largest Republican volunteer organization in the state, with affiliates in 31 states.

Stoos’ position on religious minorities in the American theocracy he envisions is based on the beliefs of Christian Reconstructionism, which will reconstruct American government from a democratic republic, which Stoos’ mentor R. L. Rushdoony refers to as a “heresy,” into a biblical-style theocracy ruled by biblical laws. Only “godly” families would be permitted to continue to live in his American Christian society. All others would fall into one of the 18 categories of capital crimes, which would be dealt with by being stoned to death. In an article he wrote for the Chalcedon Report, a journal of the radical Christian Reconstructionist movement, Stoos actually called Reconstructionist Christian politicians “God’s Vice-Regents, those who believe in the Lordship of Christ and the Dominion Mandate…”

Both Ken Campbell and Stoos have been regularly blogging for McClintock. England has also routinely put out PR for McClintock. Both “charities” are pushing wedge issue propositions, like Prop. 8, in this election, even though Federal Law prohibits state campaign accounts from being used for federal elections. That’s why wedge issues involving sex are always dragged into the political arena; they allow tax exempt “non profit” political-religious organizations to collect and move money around while coercing as many voters of faith to the polls as possible for “their” politician or cause.

It’s getting to where every time some radical religious politician starts talking about somebody else’s sex life, I grab my wallet and start looking over their bookkeeping.

Follow the money. It never fails to show someone is stealing, lying and cheating others. Who do they think the rules are for?

Ted Gaines has made lots of donations to groups that are supporting McClintock via the Mormon Church and Prop 8. This is why they keep talking about the “gay marriage” and “teaching gay sex to kids” boogy-man. It’s a frightening distraction for which they accept large donations, launder money, lie, break the rules, misuse religion and flaunt their so-called family values to true people of faith.

LDS Church members in Utah and Arizona are giving millions of dollars to pass prop 8 in California. McClintock’ and Gaines realize this is a potential PR disaster for the LDS; a Utah-based church advocating taking away an existing civil right for minority citizens of California. It would be like the Pope funding a constitutional amendment to make birth control illegal in California. If you like gays or not, not every person of faith in California wants the Mormon Council of Elders in Salt Lake City telling Californians who they can marry. But McClintock and Gaines don’t seem to really care as long as the money keeps rolling in.

Amen.

Popularity: 3% [?]

[SOURCE: Charlie Brown For Congress @ Tue, Oct 21, 2008 at 2:50 PM]

Brown renews pledge not to robo-dial district 4 residents in waning days of CA 04 Campaign

Roseville: As the campaign for California’s 4^th Congressional District reaches the home stretch, Retired USAF Lt. Col. Charlie Brown has called on his opponent, Southern California State Senator Tom McClintock, to join him in pledging to refrain from the use of robo-dial phone calls in the final two weeks of the campaign:

“Campaigns are supposed to be about voters interacting with the candidates and making informed choices on the issues,” Brown said.  “Robo-Dial phone calls are a nuisance and a deceptive campaign tactic typical of negative campaigns that would rather attack a person’s character than offer detailed solutions.”

In 2006, Robo-Dial phone calls to Democrats were used extensively by John Doolittle and the Republican National Committee.  Brown’s campaign received hundreds of complaints about the calls, which residents thought had come from Brown since they would begin with the phrase “I’m calling with information about Charlie Brown…”  Similarly deceptive tactics were well documented in other campaigns across the country in 2006.

In an effort to avoid any confusion in 2008, Brown pledged this spring that he would not use robo-calls in the 2008 campaign.

Instead, Brown has held weekly town hall meetings across the district for each of the past 6 weeks, and will hold his seventh this Saturday in Grass Valley.  On 3 occasions, the Brown campaign has made use of “Telephone Town Hall Meeting” services, which involve auto-calling thousands of voters simultaneously for the purpose of inviting them to participate in a live conference call with the candidate.

“Whether by live phone call, a knock at the door, town hall meetings, or other events, we’re making every effort to personally engage all voters regardless of political affiliation in this campaign,” Brown said.  “This election is about the people of the 4^th Congressional District, and I’m running to be a Representative for everyone—not just people of one political party, or the people who are willing to come to a fundraiser.”

Brown has called on the campaign of Southern California State Senator Tom McClintock, who has already made wide use of robo-calls, to refrain from doing so during the final two weeks.

“I am calling on Tom McClintock to join me in a bi-partisan effort to conduct an above board campaign based on direct contact with voters—not deceptive and annoying robo-calls,” Brown added.  Equally, I want to let the people of district four know, that if you get a robo-dial phone call at your house, it will not be coming from Charlie Brown for Congress.”

A graduate of the US Air Force Academy, Retired Lt. Col. Charlie Brown spent 26 years in the Air Force, flying rescue helicopters, piloting reconnaissance missions around the world, and coordinating a variety of intelligence collection assets.  His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Sikorsky Winged S, 7 Air Medals, and 5 Meritorious Service Medals.  He is a candidate for Congress in California’s 4^th District.

PO Box 368, Roseville, CA 95661

(916) 782-7696;  E-mail:  info@brown4congress.org

www.charliebrownforcongress.org

Popularity: 2% [?]

by downwithtyranny
Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 12:20:11 PM PDT

When I left my job as a divisional president at TimeWarner it wasn’t exactly the same as just leaving any other job. I wasn’t especially eager to hold on to any ties with the corporation and I was looking forward to move on with my life. Except in one area: healthcare. You’ve probably read about how great the health insurance is for members of Congress, right? The health insurance for corporate CEOs is at least as good. And, like many Americans of my age– most?– a pre-existing condition would make it very difficult for me to get decent and affordable health insurance outside of TimeWarner’s system. So I stayed on, gratefully. But that isn’t an option anyone below president gets. After a few months, you’re on your own.

Our country should do better. McCain disagrees– fundamentally. And if President Obama is going to achieve anything along the lines of better healthcare, he’s going to need a Congress with members like Charlie Brown, not reactionaries like Tom McClintock who are in the pockets of Big Pharma and the Insurance Industry.

• downwithtyranny’s diary :: ::

If you’ve been a reader of any of the Blue America blogs, you probably know we first endorsed Charlie Brown in 2006. When we’ve talked about why we’re so enthusiastic about his race we’ve tended to talk more about the Iraq war and the extremism and corrupt practices of incumbent, John Doolittle, than about healthcare. But the federal charges against Doolittle and his wife, both of whom are likely to spend at least some years in prison, have made it impossible for Doolittle to run for re-election and he’s passed his baton on to another right-wing extremist, carpetbagger Tom McClintock.

McClintock doesn’t talk about health care issues in his campaign. And how could he? He’s received hundreds of thousands of dollars in “contributions” from Big Pharma and the insurance industry, has repeatedly voted against legislation aimed at prevention of disease and improving healthcare services to California women, children and seniors in the state legislature, and this year he authored legislation that would deny the legitimate health claims of millions of insured Californians. His record is an example of someone devoted to the special interests that fund him, not to the voters who have elected him to office. he’s been against improving access to healthcare for low income children and their families (AB 1126, 9/12/97), against routine coverage for children with cancer (AB 591, 5/25/99), against requiring insurers to cover checkups and vaccinations for children (AB 424, 6/3/85), against requiring insurers to cover annual cervical cancer tests for women (CA Senate Vote 9/12/01), and against prescription drug coverage for seniors  (AB 757, 6/4/99). And, yes, he even voted against giving patients the right to select their own doctors (AB 1124, 6/4/99); not what most voters are looking for in a new congressman.

What caught my attention, however, was a bill McClinton wrote and introduced this year, SB 1669. Actually, he gets credit for writing it but it was obviously written by the insurance company lobbyists who have helped fund his political career. Had McClintock’s bill passed it would have accomplished a dream insurance companies aspire to– making it easier to deny the health claims on the basis of pre-existing conditions. One of the reasons they love McClintock and  SB 1669 was because it would have extended the period that insurers could look back in your medical history from 12 months to… 10 years. That’s Republican healthcare and that’s what Tom Clintock is all about. Recent polling shows Charlie ahead of McClintock in this overwhelmingly Republican district (PVI- R+11). So how do they differ on healthcare?

Charlie, unlike McClintock, is a signatory to the Children’s Defense Council’s Pledge to fight for healthcare reform that ensures access to affordable healthcare coverage for every child and every pregnant woman in America. Over a million California children have no health insurance of any kind and the impact reverberates across society. Any teacher will tell you that healthy children perform far better in school and studies will tell you that one dollar spent on healthcare for children saves up to $16 in future healthcare costs. Charlie:

“Rising healthcare costs are hurting families and businesses across America. If we want to address the drain of growing healthcare costs on our economy and our family budgets, we have to focus on prevention. And we can do that by ensuring all children and pregnant women have access to affordable coverage which includes comprehensive benefits… Tom McClintock gets free healthcare, a free car, free gas, and tax free per diems he’s not entitled to, yet has voted to restrict the ability of Californians to see a doctor of their choice and fought against helping our most vulnerable citizens access meaningful healthcare coverage. His record of inaction has not only helped drive up the cost of healthcare for every Californian, it’s illustrative of a career politician hypocrite who would rather serve himself, than solve problems.”

Does that sum it up for you? It’s a reflection of the basic difference in healthcare perspectives between Obama and McCain– as well as between American working families and the insurance industry. But unless you or someone you love has come up against the solid wall called “pre-existing condition,” you may not understand the danger of right wing ideologues like Tom McClintock determining healthcare policy for our country. Charlie Brown does understand. “Tom McClintock’s idea of healthcare reform is writing a law that says if you have a medical problem, you can’t get healthcare coverage,” Brown said. “This misguided bill could have literally cost millions of Californians who have battled and overcome ailments ranging from diabetes, to mild cardiac conditions or cancer their lives.”

If you’d like to contribute to Charlie’s campaign– believe me, insurance companies will be giving all their donations to someone else– he’s on the Blue America ActBlue page. And, rest assured, there’s no one on that page who agrees with Tom McClintock’s views on healthcare. Nor, apprently, do the United Auto Workers. This ad isn’t running in California, so CA-04 voters won’t see it– but they should:

Popularity: 3% [?]

[SOURCE: Charlie Brown For Congress @ Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 1:20 PM]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 19, 2008

CONTACT: Todd Stenhouse, 916-397-1131, toddstenhouse@comcast.net

BROWN CHALLENGES McCLINTOCK TO FOUR DEBATES IN CA 04

Offering more than “empty partisan sound bytes,” Brown Proposes 3 Subject Specific, Moderated Panels/Town Hall Forums

Roseville: The Charlie Brown for Congress campaign today challenged Southern California State Senator Tom McClintock to a series of four debates in the race for the 4^th Congressional District.

“This is indeed a change election in CA 04,” Brown said.  “And the first change we are going to make is to open up the process so that every voter can compare and contrast the candidates who purport to represent them.  For 16 years, John Doolittle denied voters that opportunity.”

Under Brown’s proposal, the debates would occur weekly beginning on October 8th–each featuring a 90 minute, moderated panel or town-hall format, leveraging all forms of media (tv, radio, internet) to reach all corners of the 17,000 Square Mile 4^th District.

“This race is shaping up to be among the most closely watched in America this year,” said Brown Campaign Manager Todd Stenhouse.  “We are committed to partnering with community organizations and media outlets across the Sacramento, Chico, and Reno markets to ensure every voter is able to access every debate.”

Brown has proposed that the first three focus on specific policy areas—National Security, The Economy, and one on other Domestic Policy areas–including Education, Healthcare, Social Security, the Environment, and Local concerns.  Brown also calls for a longer debate in the 4^th District’s less densely populated northern counties, covering all policy areas.  Brown has offered to work with the McClintock camp in finalizing sponsors, moderators and panelists for each debate, with the full proposed schedule below:

Debate 1:  National Security, Week of October 8, 2008, Placer County, Moderated Panel/Townhall

Debate 2:  The Economy, Week of October 15, 2008, El Dorado County, Moderated Panel/Townhall

Debate 3:  Domestic Policy, Week of October 22, 2008, Nevada County, Moderated Panel/Townhall

Debate 4:  All Policy Areas, Week of October 29, 2008, North Counties Region, Moderated Panel/Townhall

“Too often, candidates skirt complex policy questions with empty, partisan sound bytes,” Brown said.  “That’s why so many of the problems we are facing in this election year aren’t new and it’s also why so many have gotten worse.”

“The stakes are too high in this election for more politics as usual,” Brown continued.  “That’s why we want to give ample time to each policy area, and why our first debate must cover the highest priority of the federal government—our nation’s security.”

After being limited to just one debate with John Doolittle in 2006, the Brown campaign added that both camps have already received several debate requests.  Brown’s proposal matches the total number of debates McClintock had with Lt. Gov. John Garamendi in 2006—his last campaign for statewide office.

“We realize that CA 04 is a much smaller pond than McClintock’s prior campaigns in Los Angeles and across the state of California.” Stenhouse said.    “On behalf of Charlie Brown and everyone who is proud to call this region their home, we hope McClintock will accept our offer.”

Retired Lt. Col. Charlie Brown spent 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, flying rescue helicopters at the end of the Vietnam War, piloting reconnaissance missions around the world, and coordinating a variety of intelligence collection assets.  His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Sikorsky Winged S, 7 Air Medals, and 5 Meritorious Service Medals.  Charlie’s wife Jan is also a veteran, and their son has served four rotations in Iraq with the Air Force.  A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Brown also owns a California teaching credential and served 8 years on the Professional Staff of the Roseville Police Department.  He is a candidate for Congress in California’s 4th District.

PO Box 368, Roseville, CA 95661

(916) 782-7696;  E-mail:  info@brown4congress.org

www.charliebrownforcongress.org

PAID FOR BY BROWN FORCONGRESS

Popularity: 3% [?]

[SOURCE: SacBee.com - Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, June 6, 2008 - Story appeared in EDITORIALS section, Page B6]

From the city of Sacramento to the rolling Sierra foothills, voters in the region signaled Tuesday that they are unhappy with the way things have been going. They want change.

A prime example was the hotly contested Republican primary in the 4th Congressional District to decide who will compete in the general election for the open congressional seat being vacated by retiring Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville.

In that race, state Sen. Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks handily defeated former Rep. Doug Ose of Granite Bay, 54 percent to 39 percent. Here McClintock appeared as the agent of change – leaving behind the tainted, spendthrift congressional politics of the last decade. Ose had served in Congress from 1998 to 2004. McClintock won despite Ose spending $4.6 million (close to $3 million of his own money) – the second highest spending for a congressional primary in U.S. history.
Click here to find out more!

McClintock sees this election “as a bellwether over the future direction of our party – and ultimately of our nation.” A well-known ideological warrior, McClintock’s consistent message has been one of limited government.

In the general election, McClintock faces Charlie Brown, the Democrat who came within 4 percentage points of unseating Doolittle in 2006. Brown has his own message of change: He sees this election as a choice “between a Southern California politician who wants control of the Republican Party, and a local leader who is taking action to unite all parties and solve problems for our country.”

The question for voters in the general election now may boil down to which of the two candidates best represents change – McClintock, who has been in the California Legislature for two decades, or Brown, a retired career Air Force officer who has never held elective office.

In this heavily Republican district, McClintock will start with a big advantage. But as the recent special election in an equally Republican district in Mississippi showed, all bets are off this year.

In another closely watched race, incumbent Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz finished second in a three-way race in District 5. Sixty-three percent of voters voted against Kranz, a well-known Republican and Doolittle protégé.

Kranz came in behind a total political newcomer, Jennifer Montgomery, who is a Democrat. The third-place finisher was a moderate Republican whose views closely match Montgomery’s. It’s not clear which candidate will pick up those voters in the fall.

Montgomery, a small business owner who has been a volunteer firefighter and active in the Sierra Business Council, ran a grass-roots campaign and spent far less than Kranz. As Montgomery said, “One-on-one is important to people.”

In that Placer district, the big issues for the fall will be growth, growth and growth. Voters will want to hear more about the proposed Forest Ranch development in Foresthill, Royal Gorge near Donner Summit and other developments. They’ll want to hear about the services that accompany growth – fire protection, transportation, wastewater treatment, drinking water and more.

The winds of change clearly are blowing. The general election will tell which candidates have been able to harness them.

Popularity: 2% [?]

[SOURCE: charlieforcongress.com -- E-Mail Alert @ Tue, May 27, 2008 at 12:34 PM]

Dear Voter,

One week from today, voters will go to the polls for the June 3^rd Primary.  And with so much at stake in this election, we’re not taking anything for granted—we’re taking action, and we need your help.

All this week, you can make a big difference for this campaign, for the fourth District, and for our country by taking the “4 for District Four” Challenge, and encouraging 4 friends to do the same.

1. Vote to Send General Wesley Clark to work for change here in CA 04
2. Sign the Petition–Urge President Bush to do right by American Veterans and sign the New GI Bill into law!
3. Contribute to the Campaign and help us reach our $100,000 Goal by June 3^rd.
4. Volunteer to Phone Bank or Walk Precincts on our May 31^st and June 1^st GOTV Days of Action!

Together, we are changing politics in America by making our campaign about taking action to solve problems right now.  In this same spirit, Democratswork.org has announced that former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and Retired General Wesley Clark will be joining a Congressional Candidate this summer to work on a community service project.  The District General Clark visits will be determined entirely by your votes—and voting takes just 30 seconds!  

Click Here to vote Now, And Help Charlie Bring General Clark Back to District Four.Last weekend, Americans came together to honor and remember all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe and free.  And last week, bi-partisan majorities in both houses of Congress came together to keep faith with a new generation of American Warriors—passing the “Post 9-11 Veterans Education Assistance Act,” also known as the New GI Bill.

As Charlie notes in his recent press release, the measure is needed to not only keep faith with veterans, but to strengthen our military and restore our economy.  We’re asking everyone to join Charlie in calling on President Bush to sign the measure.

Sign the Petition–Urge President Bush to Sign the New GI Bill into Law Here.

By June 3^rd, Doug Ose and Tom McClintock will have spent nearly $4 million attacking each other on tv, the radio, by mail and robo call.  Their bruising fight has reminded every voter in District Four what is wrong with politics as usual in Washington—and politicians who make attack ads instead of taking action to solve problems.

By helping us keep Charlie’s positive message of “patriotism before partisanship” on the air through June 3rd, you are helping to define the clear contrast that voters will face in November—no matter which career politician survives the GOP Primary.

Contribute $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or more to the Brown for Congress Media Fund!

Turning out a big June 3^rd vote FOR Charlie Brown will send the strongest message of all. So next weekend (May 31^st and June 1^st), we will be conducting our first “Get Out The Vote Days of Action.”  Starting at 10 am each day, we’ll be phone banking and precinct walking to encourage voters to go to the polls, and to stand with Charlie as he fights to get our country back on track.

CLICK HERE to volunteer for our GOTV Days of Action, May 31^st-June 1^st.

If you want to volunteer, but can’t make it next weekend, please sign up here and a member of our team will contact you about other upcoming volunteer opportunities.  We will be registering new voters, phone banking, and precinct walking every day until the election in November.  And you can give as much or as little time as you have available.

Remember, taking just four actions this week will go a long way towards getting things back on track here in the Fourth District, and across America.  Thank you in advance for your continued support.

And please stay tuned for another e-mail in the coming days about our “Election Night Party” on June 3^rd.

Sincerely,

Todd Stenhouse

Campaign Manager

P.S.:  Take the “Four for District Four” challenge, and make this a week of action—Vote to bring General Clark back to District 4, Ask President Bush to support the New GI Bill, Contribute to the Campaign so Charlie’s Ad Stays on The Air, and Volunteer for our “GOTV Days of Action.”

P.P.S.:  Forward this Urgent Message to FOUR Friends!

Popularity: 3% [?]

[SOURCE: Charlie Brown -- E-Mail Alert @ Wed, May 21, 2008 at 2:01 PM]

Dear Voter,

Earlier this month, I campaigned with my friend and brother, Retired USAF Lt. Col. Charlie Brown. I was proud to be with him as he unveiled his first TV ad of the 2008 campaign.

You can view the ad, entitled “Patriotism Before Partisanship,” here.

The room that morning was a story unto itself. Veterans young and old, standing shoulder to shoulder to support a man who understands what it’s like to put your life on the line for our country—a leader who understands what it means to make and keep a promise.

Charlie’s campaign has always been different. That’s why he’s donating 5% of every dollar he raises to help veteran service providers throughout the area. But he’s not just giving back, he’s giving hope to all who are looking for a higher standard of leadership in Washington.

We need Charlie in Congress. He’s been there for our country. Now I’m asking you to join me in being there for him.

Please take a moment and contribute to Charlie right now.

I put together a short web video during my visit so I can tell you personally, what this race and this candidate means to our country.

Visit Charlie’s website to check out my short web video, or you can watch it here on YouTube.

Charlie’s opponents are career politicians who have spent millions of dollars attacking one another. They’ve even attacked Charlie’s historic Veterans Charity Challenge program. Every dollar they spend on petty squabbling and empty sound bites is a reminder of why Washington is broken and why we need new leadership in Congress.

Take a minute right now, view Charlie’s new TV commercial and make a donation to his campaign. Make a commitment to creating a different kind of politics.

“Patriotism before Partisanship” is not just the mission of Charlie’s campaign-but the clear choice that confronts the people of District 4 in this election.

That’s why the nation’s largest organization for Independents, as well as the largest political group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have both endorsed Charlie’s candidacy.

And it’s why I am asking you to help today-to help Charlie raise the $100,000 he needs to spread his positive message across the 17,000 square miles of District Four before June 3rd.

I’ll be back to campaign with Charlie again. And when I do, with your help, I’ll be seeing this great TV commercial on the air.

Please Contribute Now.

Thanks in advance for your continued support.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Max Cleland

Captain, U.S. Army, Retired

P.S. Please stand strong with Charlie Brown right now, so he can stand strong for us in Washington. Contribute what you can to help keep Charlie’s ad on the air today.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Added: May 02, 2008
From: LtColBrown4Congress

On Monday, May 5th, Charlie’s first TV ad of the 2008 cycle will hit airwaves across California’s District Four.

It’s about a family that has dedicated their lives to defending America–a battle-tested candidate who leads by example–and a campaign that’s focused on solving problems and producing results. You can watch the ad, called “Patriotism before Partisanship” here.

Popularity: 2% [?]

[SOURCE: TheUnion.com]

District 4 hopefuls square off

Candidates tackle border, security, oil and spending

By Dave Moller, davem@theunion.com
» More from Dave Moller
12:01 a.m. PT May 8, 2008

Differences and similarities between the six people seeking to replace John Doolittle in the U.S. House of Representatives were revealed at a packed Nevada City candidates forum Wednesday night.

The League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County attracted Republican candidates Tom McClintock, Doug Ose, Suzanne Jones and Ted Terbolizard, all of whom are vying to win their party’s nomination in the June 3 primary.

Also present were John Wolfgram and Charlie Brown from the Democratic side, one of whom will face the GOP winner Nov. 4 for the District 4 congressional seat.

The candidates faced questions of spending priorities, national security, illegal immigration, energy policy, education, global warming and the war in Iraq. Some Republican candidates bemoaned failures of a previous Republican majority in Congress and what they called a shift in the party’s focus.

In opening statements, McClintock, a Republican from Southern California, called for prudent spending and “not grabbing for pork barrel earmarks.”

“The government is not our nanny,” McClintock said.

Former three-term congressman Ose started off by laying his claim to the region.

“I was born and raised in Northern California,” Ose said.

Ose, who is advocating strong defense, tax limitations and border security, said he sees “our nation is adrift.”

Brown noted he was the only candidate who had raised his family in the district.

More than 25 years in the Air Force taught Brown that “the foremost duty of government is to keep the country safe.”

Jones, an attorney, said she was upset with her party for deficit spending and shifting to the left. “I’m unhappy with the status quo,” she said.

Wolfgram, a political philosopher and writer from Foresthill, said the nation’s primary problem is “fundamental corruption in government.”

“We need to reduce power and bring accountability to government,” Wolfgram said.

Nevada County’s only entry, Terbolizard, said, “I had the shortest commute to get here.” He said the others “probably needed a map to get here.”

The candidates offered a variety of solutions to dealing with illegal immigration, security and energy concerns.

• McClintock: Illegal immigration is overwhelming the country and a federal fence is necessary. He said the U.S. needs to develop its oil reserves in Alaska and off the California coast, while exploring hydroelectric, coal and nuclear power.

• Brown: Secure borders are paramount and that electronic sensors could do the job, not the military. Alternative energies would get the economy rolling again and those who invest in it will lead that economy.

• Wolfgram: Securing the borders should be Mexico’s problem and advocated “signing a treaty” to stop drugs and illegal immigration. Reviving the country’s manufacturing base could produce “clean energy” to sell.

• Ose: The border fence should be extended along with more Border Patrol agents. The U.S. needs “a portfolio of sources” for energy, including hydroelectric, wind, nuclear and coal.

• Jones: The borders need to be secured because of the “threat of terrorism.” She advocated drilling for oil in U.S. reserves and building more refineries.

• Terbolizard: Immigrants should be treated like brothers and the borders should be kept open for free trade. He said government shouldn’t be involved in energy policy. “That should be (handled) by the private sector.”

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.

Six candidates are vying for their party’s nominations in the race for the 4th Congressional District of California. Campaign contribution numbers are from the Federal Election Commission, as of Wednesday.

n Charlie Brown. The Democrat and retired Air Force officer from Roseville almost beat Congressman John Doolittle in the 2006 election. His campaign has raised $952,000.

n Suzanne Jones. The Republican from Citrus Heights is running for office for the first time. She is an attorney. Her campaign, the latest to start, has raised no money.

n Tom McClintock. The Republican from Southern California has served 19 years in the state Legislature and has worked for taxpayers groups. He has raised almost $316,000.

n Doug Ose. The Republican from the Sacramento area is a former three-term U.S. congressman, a businessman and a developer. He has raised $2.3 million.

n Theodore “Ted” Terbolizard. The Republican from Cedar Ridge ran for governor in the 2003 recall. He is a businessman and Web designer with a rock ‘n’ roll band, and has raised almost $17,000.

n John Wolfgram. The Democrat from Foresthill is a political writer and a retired lawyer who filed late. He has raised no money.

- Dave Moller

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