Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

This week saw some more primaries and caucuses, and Obama and Clinton remain neck and neck. And Democratic turnout for the primaries and caucuses remains at record highs while Republican turnout remains very low, showing the difference in enthusiasm within the two parties. I remain convinced that both Clinton and Obama would be excellent Presidents. But I have to say that Clinton's campaign did two things that are extremely disappointing recently. First they photoshopped a picture of Obama to make him look darker in order to play on people's racism. There is no other reason to darken a person's skin but to play on racism, and this is a decidedly REPUBLICAN tactic, the EXACT tactic that was used by Karl Rove in the Tennessee Senate race in 2006. I lost considerable respect for Clinton for doing this. This was just plain wrong and I wish she would repudiate the tactic.

Second, Clinton herself implied that McCain would make a better President than Obama. Given that McCain is offering America nothing but warmed over, failed Bush policies, this is dead wrong.

I am sorry that Clinton is using these tactics. It is common in primaries for things to get nasty, but by playing on racism, she is lowering herself. By implying McCain might be better than Obama she is not only lying, but betraying the Democratic Party and using Nader-like tactcs. I want to maintain my respect for Clinton and be ready to support her enthusiastically if she wins the nomination. But when she uses these tactics, it severely disappoints me and alienates many Democrats.

In the end I hope we all come together behind either candidate. Among my readers are avid Obama supporters, avid Hillary supporters, as well as Edwards, Richardson and Kucinich supporters who still have to decide between Obama and Clinton. Our main goal should be defeating "Third Bush Term" McCain. Clinton and Obama are infinitely better than McCain, so they get my support. But if you are a Clinton supporter, I urge you to write her campaign and complain about these tactics.

As I write this, voting is taking place in a special election for the IL-14 Congressional seat. This was Dennis Hastert's seat, and it is neck and neck for Bill Foster and the Republican candidate. A win for Bill Foster would be a HUGE deal, replacing a corrupt Republican with a brilliant scientist and succesful businessman. I have no idea who will win, but I sure hope Foster wins. I think I have done all I can for Foster, so all I can do is just wait and see what happens.

Even more important than picking up House seats, and even arguably more important than winning the White House, is getting solid control over the Senate. Right now it really is about 50/50 conservative/progressive, taking Joe Lieberman and Dick Cheney's vote into account. We need to win at least one, and preferably several, seats in the Senate to decisively pull this nation to a more reasonable, pro-Constitution, pro-working class and middle clasee agenda. Here are the states where there is a consensus that Democrats have an even chance or better to win: Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Virginia, Minnisota, Oregon.

These are the most competitive races for Senate. There are other races that I really think we have a shot at, like North Carolina and Texas. But Alaska, Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Oregon are our best shots right now. I will go out on a limb here and suggest that each and every one of these states, as well as North Carolina, are swing states for the Presidential election as well, depending on which candidate we nominate (Clinton and Obama each have their strengths in the general). They aren't the ONLY swing states, but each  will be (I believe) critical for determining who wins the general election. Yes...even Alaska. I believe that is becoming a semi-blue, swing state, if we pay attention to it. So each and every one of these states is critical for the Senate AND the Presidency. If you click on any of the states above, you can donate to win the Senate and any close House races in that state, all of which will help win the Presidency. And if you live in those states, your involvement in campaigns, writing letters to the editor, and talking to friends and neighbors can help win those states.

And let's not forget, simply winning more seats for the Democrats isn't enough. We also need to challenge the old-style, capitulating Democratic mainstream to get more progressives into office. It isn't just MORE Democrats, it's also BETTER Democrats. That is why I focus on Progressive Majority candidates (see Arizona and Wisconsin Focus for these candidates) and why I have a Progressive Primaries Act Blue Site which deals with such primaries.

I apologize for the number of donation requests in this issue, but it is crunch time for fundraising. I try to provide alternative actions for people who can't donate. Donate, Volunteer, and/or Write Letters to the Editor. Those are the ways we will win both nationally and locally.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

McCAIN and the BUSH FAMILY: Maverick no longer

WISCONSIN DEMOCRATIC PARTY COMMENTS ON THE BUSH ENDORSEMENT OF McCAIN

THE FISA FIGHT AND CONGRESS

MOVEON.ORG TAKES ON McCAIN

RIGHT WING REPUBLICANS HATE RAPE VICTIMS

ARIZONA FOCUS: Rick Renzi Corruption, Progressive Candidates, Groups and Events

NY STATE FOCUS: Impeachment, Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Jerry McNerney, Charlie Brown, Groups and Events

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Blue Jersey Radio, Peace Rallies, Impeachment, Groups and Events

VIRGINIA: Impeachment, Groups and Events

TEXAS FOCUS: Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

ILLINOIS FOCUS: Groups and Events

ALASKA FOCUS: Diane Benson, Groups and Events

WISCONSIN FOCUS: Progressive Candidates, Groups and Events

GEORGIA FOCUS: Groups and Events

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Groups and Events

IOWA FOCUS: Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

FLORIDA FOCUS: Christine Jennings, Groups and Events

NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS: Groups and Events