In a speech yesterday in Nevada, President Obama succinctly laid out what the election in November 2010 is about:
"This is a choice between the policies that led us into the mess or the policies that are leading us out of the mess," Obama said. "It's a choice between falling backward and moving forward."
HuffPo: Obama Defines Elections: Party That Caused Economic Meltdown vs. Party That's Fixing It
That is really the choice we face. Forward, even if it is not fast enough for many of us, or backward. We cannot afford the damage Republicans will do to America if they win a house of Congress.
Yesterday, President Obama raised $500,000 for Robin Carnahan, who is running against the Republican "K-Street" Roy Blunt for the seat of Republican Senator Bond who is retiring:
"We are moving in the right direction, and I know that Robin Carnahan gets it — she's going to help us keep on moving in the right direction," Obama said at a fundraiser that drew about 750 people to the Folly Theater.
At another point in his half-hour speech, Obama praised Carnahan as being cut from the same Missouri mold of "no-nonsense, independent leaders" that produced President Harry Truman."
Obama stumps for Robin Carnahan in KC
Some people here have been caught up in a long-term fight over Barack Obama. I'm all in favor of free speech and it's okay to criticize this President on policies adopted by the adminstration or, even, on leadership issues. I imagine those fights will go on. But in the midst of those battles, which I believe lead nowhere when they devolve into flame wars and personal emnity, I hope some folks will donate and volunteer to elect Democrats and prevent a Republican takeover. Yes, it can get worse. I've seen it many times in my lifetime.
I voted for Nader in 2000, and, although it did not affect the election (Bush won my state by more than the Nader vote), I learned that it can get worse, much worse. For all of Clinton's triangulation, he was far better than Bush.
One way to prevent a Republican Congresss is to prevent a takeover of the Senate. In August a few of us plan to do a series of diaries about Red to Blue Senate seats. For every senate seat we switch, we can setoff a Republican victory in a place like North Dakota or Arkansas (where Lincoln is headed to what looks like a sure defeat, and I will shed no tears).
More on Red to Blue Senate seats next month .
Here are a six Red to Blue Senate candidates I support that I think have a chance to win. (the list is not complete, there may be others who also belong there)
Please donate and volunteer for these candiates if you can. It can make a difference for the better in some people's lives, and perhaps your own.
- Missouri. Robin Carnahan running for seat of retired Republican Senator Kit Bond
Donate Here: Robin Carnahan for Senate
Have you heard? Not only is my likely opponent, Congressman Blunt, raking in money from Washington lobbyists, Big Oil and Wall Street interests... just this week he turned to the man who helped drive our economy off the cliff—Karl Rove—to help him raise more money!
Robin Carnahan is Missouri’s Secretary of State. She was first elected to the office in 2004 and re-elected in 2008 earning more votes than any candidate for any statewide office in Missouri history.
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Today, in addition to her duties as Secretary of State, Carnahan continues to manage her family’s 900-acre farm and cattle operation near Rolla. She is also an avid runner (having completed five marathons) and an instrument-rated pilot.
About Robin Carnahan
Her father was a two term governor, elected posthumously to the senate, defeating John "I love to torture and am afraid of breasts" Ashcroft. Her mother served two years of that term. Her brother is a congressman in the St. Louis area.
- Kentucky. Jack Conway running for Republican nut Jim Bunning's seat against Rand "I don't like civil rights" Paul.
In November 2007, voters elected Jack Conway as the 49th Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Jack Conway for Senate
Donate Here: Jack Conway for Senate
- North Carolina. Elaine Marshall is running against current Republican Senator Burr.
We all know that we need a change in Washington. That's what many of us in North Carolina voted for in 2008. But there are some politicians like Senator Richard Burr, who are part of the problem in Washington, supporting special interests instead of the people they are supposed to represent. We need new leaders with a new perspective.
As Secretary of State, I've taken on special interests – and won. From cutting through red tape for business start-ups to leading the fight for tougher lobbying laws, I earned my reputation as a reformer by listening to people and helping them achieve their goals. In the U. S. Senate, I’ll continue to stand up for the people of North Carolina and stand up to the narrow interests who put profits before people.
Elaine Marshall is North Carolina’s Secretary of State. She made history by being the first woman elected to statewide executive office in 1997, when she defeated legendary NASCAR driver Richard Petty, who, less than a year earlier, had been considered virtually unbeatable.
NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall: Why I'm a Democrat in 2008
Elaine Marshall: Guts
Donate Here (hit contribution): Elaine Marshall
- Ohio. Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher running against former Bush trade offical Rob Portman for retiring Republican Senator Voinivich's seat.
Donate Here (hit contribute) Lee Fisher
Fixing Washington to generate Ohio jobs
- Iowa. Roxanne Conlin running against current senator "Death Panels" Grassley.
Donate Here:Roxanne Conlin for Seante (Iowa)
As an Assistant Attorney General for Iowa, Roxanne fought public corruption and wrote the first law of its kind protecting rape victims. When an Iowa teacher was fired for being pregnant, Roxanne took this case to the state's Supreme Court and made the practice of firing pregnant women illegal. Then, as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, she worked hand in hand with law enforcement, staring down death threats, leading major drug busts and cracking down on violent crime.
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With each new milestone - serving as United States Attorney in Iowa, earning the Democratic nomination for Governor of Iowa, being elected as the first woman President of the American Association for Justice, and selected as one of the first women in the Inner Circle of Advocates - Roxanne leaves behind a trail of shattered glass. Through it all, she still sees the world through the eyes of the courageous, everyday Iowan who refuses to give up in the face of overwhelming odds.
About Roxanne Conlin
- New Hampshire. Congressman Paul Hodes running for the seat of retiring Republican Judd Gregg.
While George Bush was turning his back on middle-class families and running our country into the ground with his reckless economic policies, Paul Hodes ran for Congress. Sick of seeing Washington do nothing but talk while Americans were suffering, Paul promised to be an independent voice for New Hampshire. For four years, he has stood up and delivered on that promise.
Paul Hodes on Investing in New Hampshire's Future
Paul Hodes
Many Democratic Party officeholders are far from perfect and we still need to reclaim the Party. That means primaries. I don't regret giving money in Arkansas to Bill Halter to try to defeat Blanche Lincoln. But now we are looking to the general election. It's time to unify.
Each one of these will be a big upgrade to the Republican currently holding the seat.
I sincerely agree with the President that this is choice of moving forward, (even if some steps are just baby steps, the direction is generally good), or moving backward to what created the Great Class Stratification and the Great Recession:
"This is a choice between the policies that led us into the mess or the policies that are leading us out of the mess," Obama said. "It's a choice between falling backward and moving forward."