DCCC Unveils Unprecedented Fourth Wave of Red to Blue Candidates

[Rose Siding]

Jason Altmire (PA-04)
Charlie Brown (CA-04)
Francine Busby (CA-50)
Jack Davis (NY-26)
Jay Fawcett (CO-05)
Judy Feder (VA-10)
Peter Goldmark (WA-05)
Larry Grant (ID-01)
John Hall (NY-19)
Larry Kissell (NC-08)
Eric Massa (NY-29)
Jerry McNerney (CA-11)
Dave Mejias (NY-03)
Ellen Simon (AZ-01)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
Victoria Wulsin (OH-02)
John Yarmuth (KY-03)
...
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee unveiled, for the first time in committee history, a fourth wave of Democratic congressional candidates that have qualified for the competitive DCCC Red to Blue program. These 17 candidates join the other top Democratic candidates in the country already in the Red to Blue program and Emerging Races list. These latest additions join the other Democratic campaigns that have successfully surpassed demanding fundraising goals and have skillfully and consistently shown the families in their districts that they will fight for them when elected to Congress. The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications and strategic support......

The Red to Blue program is designed to provide financial and structural aid to the strongest Democratic candidates across the country. The program will introduce Democratic supporters to new, competitive campaigns in order to help expand the fundraising base for these campaigns.
...
Another feature of the Red to Blue Program is the Mentoring Program which pairs candidates with Members of Congress to aid them in their campaigns and help them meet deadlines along the way. Through the Mentoring Program, headed by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), candidates will receive help with fundraising and earning additional media coverage. Mentors will act as a liaison between campaigns and the DCCC and will also campaign in candidates’ districts.

The fourth wave of Red to Blue candidates will benefit 17 Democratic challengers. Fifty-six campaigns across the country qualified to be a part of the first three waves of Red to Blue and the Emerging Races list.

http://www.dccc.org/stakeholder/archives/005475.html#more

[MasonJar]

1. Glad to see my guy, John Yarmuth, on the list. Oh, to have an

iota of representation in D.C.

[Rose Siding]

2. Yeah, I like a lot of them -Kissell, Hall, Wulsun, Massa

They're all ahead or just need a little boost.

[NCarolinawoman]

3. Quality people. Most are not politicians.

This is great! Not just for Democrats, but great for the country! :patriot:

[Rose Siding]

4. When I see a civics teacher, or a social studies teacher in a race

I get weepy! -I'm so grateful. You just know that they are answering an important inner call. They KNOW how our govt was designed to work.

[SaveAmerica]

31. Larry Kissell is my man, he said almost those exact words at our

first meeting he attended. He told us he loves being a teacher but felt he had a calling to help his students on a broader scale. I am so glad he listened to that inner voice. I really feel he will represent us and am glad to see him added to this list. I love that he is on your list, too, how did you hear of him? The link in my sig is us working to get this awesome guy in the House of Representatives.

[IDemo]

5. Good to see Larry Grant (Idaho) on the list

The Club for Growth and the RNC have been funneling large amounts of money into Idaho for attack ads on Grant, one of these repeatedly calling him "liberal Larry Grant". Cheney is headed back here again next week for a Bill Sali pep rally.

During the 2006 legislative session retiring Idaho House Speaker Bruce Newcomb of Burley, a Republican, was quoted saying, "That idiot (Sali) is just an absolute idiot. He doesn’t have one ounce of empathy in his whole fricking body. And you can put that in the paper."

[niallmac]

7. It baffles me how anyone can take Sali seriously.

I am heartened by Grants inclusion in the DCCC program.

[IDemo]

30. Sali thinks he has the important stuff covered: God, guns, 'n gays

Not those liberal distractions like Iraq, the deficit, energy policy, global warming..

[Zambero]

35. Sali is getting desperate

His campaign is running an ad that claims Larry Grant will "Take God off our money!". O.K....

And it remains to be seen how the most unpopular V.P. in U.S. history will benefit the most unpopular Republican in the State with yet another Idaho visit.

The fact that the national GOP and extreme interest groups such as Club For Growth are compelled to channel money into what would ordinarily be considered a safe Republican seat is heartening in a way. Those are dollars that would ordinarily be spent somewhere else to defeat a competitive Democratic candidate. Media exposure doesn't help Sali one bit, since the more people see and hear of him the less they like. Larry Grant is leaving a far more favorable impression with District voters, and if Idaho Statesman letters to the editor are any indication (4:1 pro-Grant according to my tally so far), things are looking up. I have faith that Larry Grant's positive demeanor, intellect, and issues-that-matter approach will provide the margin of victory.

[FredStembottom]

6. Look out world! Tim Walz's career begins!

He is not in my Minnesota district...... but what a guy!

The real thing in Democrats! And a veteran to boot!

:party:

[Eric J in MN]

11. I've donated to Tim Walz and he's one of the candidates...

...I most want to win.

www.timwalz.org

I'm not in his district, either.

[Arger68]

28. He IS in my district!!

And I've definitely donated to him!:bounce: :party:

[Rose Siding]

8. Yarmuth's in a dead heat with a big money disadvantage-

...Polls have shown the race between Yarmuth and U.S. Rep. Anne Northup at a virtual dead heat.

But Yarmuth had only $169,530 in cash on hand as of Oct. 18, while Northup had more than five times that amount -- $893,859, according to finance reports that were due yesterday with the Federal Election Commission.
...
Yarmuth said support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "says exactly what we know and have known all along -- the race is winnable."

The support "will get him to the finish line. It's the last breath of air to overcome the financial advantage (Northup) may have on the ground," said Mike Ward, a Democratic political consultant who narrowly lost the seat to Northup 10 years ago.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061028/NEWS0106/610280380/1008/NEWS01

[blm]

9. The close race is where voting machines play a big factor.

.

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. No e-voting in any of the NY races on any of these lists

New York is still using old mechanical machines that date back generations. But our response has to be the same regardless, massive turn out and big lines at the polls. No one any longer believes that there is that kind of enthusiasm left in the electorate to vote to retain a Republican Congress.

[blm]

18. Yarmouth-Northup looks very close. Any DUers know how votes counted?

.

[stevietheman]

38. In KY-03, we vote with pencil on a sheet that's scanned...

I don't know the manufacturer of the scanning machines off-hand, but we've been using them since before 2000, and I've not heard of any issues with them.

[HockeyMom]

26. Could Peter King be finally going down?

YES. Not my district, but have fingers crossed.

[PennyK]

32. Well, that's MY district!

I am delighted to see that Dave has reached this level.
He'll be on TV tomorrow, 11 AM on ABC TV!!!!!
Go to his website to see Part 1 of his debate with King.

[Ediacara]

10. If Idaho-01 and Washington-05 are at risk for the GOP....

yowza...

[Johnyawl]

13. Unexpected good news!!

I haven't been following ID-01, but I have been watching Peter Goldmark in WA-05. He has done extremely well, and made this a competitive race, surprising the hell out of the republicans.

Washington State has 3 incumbant republican congressmen. TWO of those seats are now on the DCCC red to blue program. (WA-08, which is my district, and WA-05).

[Ediacara]

15. I grew up in WA-08

and it'll be nice to see it (finally) move to blue (after voting for Gore AND Kerry).

[Diane R]

22. They're at risk....Cheney is coming to IDAHO on Tuesday!

Can you believe that the VP needs to go to Idaho the week before the election to rally the party?

[Ediacara]

23. That cracks me up

and really, it destroys any thoughts of a Rovian master plan here. The GOP is in complete freefall and despite all the smiles from Rove and Bush, they're bracing for impact.

[Zambero]

36. That's a VERY good sign!

Cheney coming here will sway countless undecided voters.... to vote for Larry Grant!

[SaveElmer]

14. Watch out for Judy Feder...VA-10

My upset special for this election...

[JudyM]

37. Let's hope so. I'm doing some volunteering for her. She'd be a great

addition to Congress. Well-spoken, creative policy specialist from Georgetown U.

[Ediacara]

16. So I just did the math with the help of the NYT house calculator

the DCCC is shooting for 100+ seat advantage hoping to gain like have 270/165. Will they get there? Probably not, but I think we'll be sitting pretty at about 230+ seats.

[BeFree]

19. Can you detail the math...

...and the data? It could be useful... thanks.

on edit: spellink

[Ediacara]

21. I just used the list at the link on the OP

Putting all four waves as blue districts. Then plugged it into the NYT calculator and came up with:

this

[mcg]

17. Donations are being matched 3-to-1.

Republican Leaders Have Failed Us

In less than 15 days, just a mere few weeks, voters nationwide will cast their ballots for a new direction for America. The actions we take – or do not take -- will determine whether we win or lose. We simply cannot afford not to act. Make a secure online contribution today and it will be matched 3-to-1 by Democratic House Leadership for every dollar contributed online effectively giving you four times the impact.

https://www.dccc.org/contribute/default/?id=stakeholder

Considering this fourth wave I just donated again.

[flpoljunkie]

20. Thanks for the link and reminder of the 3-1 match. Donated again.

https://www.dccc.org/contribute/default/?id=stakeholder

[Diane R]

24. I'm glad Goldmark is on the list. He's a terrific candidate.

Peter Goldmark is running in Washington's 5th district against a one-term rep, Cathy McMorris. Cathy is 'cute'. But since the republicans redistricted Tom Foley's 5th district years ago to defeat a sitting Speaker of the House, the republicans have dominated this Eastern Wasington district. McMorris won easily in the rural parts of the district.

Well. Goldmark is a true rancher/wheat farmer. Very well known and respected by the good ol' boys at the Harvest Moon. In every Harvest Moon in the county. He wears a cowboy hat and boots. He has a very real shot at winning all of the reddest parts of this district. Plus, he has a Ph.D in MicroBiology and sterling Democratic credentials.

He was the perfect Democrat to run in this race. I hope he receives a lot of help from the Dems.

[Clarkie1]

25. Jerry Mcnerney's campaign is on fire! Pombo is going down! nt

[EFerrari]

41. Clarkie1 -- I'm trying to track shenanigans in that race so if

you hear of any - reg problems, voter harassment, machines that default to Pombo, whatEVER, I hope you'll pm me.

'Bye, Pombo!

[Monkeyman]

27. No More money to DCCC for me

Laesch is about to hit Hastert hard again but still no money from DCCC bring down the Speaker of the House will be huge bye bye DCCC

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

29. Go Fawcett!

Woot woot!

[xxqqqzme]

33. I wish the great candidate we have trying to

unseat dana whobacher was on that list, Jim Brandt is running a very smart campaign & has made tremendous inroads into this district in transition. He is one of the 'Fighting Dems' but just like other Democrats here in Orange County he is being ignored by the dccc.

Hey, Howard a little help here!

[Rose Siding]

44. Rahm Emmanuel chairs the DCCC

Howard Dean is the DNC chair. They've already borrowed 10 million (on top of previous contribs -12 mil, I think) for Rahm's committee.

[xxqqqzme]

45. I know that ! Between rahm & art torres

we haven't a snowballs chance in hell in Orange County even w/ all the voter fraud arrests and the intimidation letters.

[wyldwolf]

47. but we sure have much more that a snowball's chance in hell...

...in taking the House... because of Rahm Emanuel.

[blue neen]

34. Jason Altmire has a really good chance to win PA-04.

Jason has been campaigning hard and running some very effective ads.

Hart screwed up this week by having police officers called out to disperse senior citizens who were delivering donuts to her office. The seniors were protesting Medicare Part D, which Melissa Hart supported and voted for. These poor people were pointing out that they had fallen into the "donut hole" and SHE CALLS THE POLICE ON THEM! That's right Melissa, take out away their life-saving medications and their first amendment rights at the same time. Boy, she's a hell of a fighter for her constituents, isn't she? :eyes:

Go Jason!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2910380

[NBachers]

39. Voting is Right Now in Many States

Let's not forget that we can get people to the polls Right Now and make more room for those who vote on Tuesday. The election doesn't happen on one day- it's from now 'till Tuesday.

[Virginian]

40. We made it, we made it, we are on the list!!!

I was at a rally today to see Judy Feder speak. I first heard it there. This is great! The Old Dominion is getting bluer and bluer.
We also heard from Jim Moran, Andrew Hurst, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine and JIM WEBB!

Here is a link to the Daily Kos diary by HCC in VA:
http://www.dailykos.com/hotlist/add/2006/10/28/203735/40/displaystory//

Next year we need to add some bluing to the General Assembly and make life easier for Our Governor, Tim Kaine.

[LaPera]

42. Yes, Donate now & get out the vote...(every family friends & stangers)!

NOTHING is more important!

Give an hour to get out the vote to www.MoveOn.org and/or with your local Democratic HQ.

[peanutbrittle]

43. Clint Curtis? n/t

[Califooyah Operative]

46. Brown, Busby, McNerney!

Glad they all made it!

[mom cat]

48. It took long enough for Busby to make the list. Glad that she and all the

others made it. Go Francine, GO!

[brainshrub]

49. Let's see how many races the DCCC can lose!

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is a DCCC specialty.

[LouKYDem]

50. finally, it is good to see Yarmuth is getting his deserved respect!

Yarmuth is a great candidate and he has (and has had all along) a real chance of winning. I don't know why so many people have been ignoring him, maybe it is because these "expert analysts" see that Tony Miller lost big-time in 2004 (without even considering the fact that he was really not a good candidate and that Yarmuth is not only a good but an EXCELLENT candidate), but it is nice to see that the tide has been turning a bit over the past week. Hopefully it isn't too late.

[williesgirl]

51. Great, Judy Feder (VA) on list - I'm so sick of Frank Wolf