Kerry to launch nat'l drive to unseat 4 republic senators

[AnnInLa]

Exclusive: Kerry Launches National Fundraising Drive To Pressure GOP Senators On Iraq
By Greg Sargent | bio

Senator John Kerry is launching an early and unusual national fundraising drive designed to put pressure on four specific Republican Senators who are vulnerable in 2008 in hopes of undermining political support within the Senate for President Bush's Iraq positions, Kerry advisers tell Election Central.

The fellow Senators being targeted by Kerry are John Sununu, Norm Coleman, Susan Collins, and GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell. This afternoon, Kerry's PAC will send out an email to just under 3 million people on its list of supporters, and Kerry himself will publish later today a personal appeal for funds and an announcement of the campaign on the liberal Web sites Huffington Post and DailyKos.

"With President Bush taking a veto pen to our troops last night, Kerry feels it is even more urgent to grow our Senate majority in 2008 and force a change of course in Iraq," Kerry spokesperson Amy Brundage tells Election Central. "We can't wait around."

Kerry's fundraising drive will be done in cooperation with ActBlue, which has already set up Dem nominee funds in these and other states that are raising money that will ultimately be turned over to whomever the Dem nominee turns out to be in those contests. Money raised by Kerry will go into those coffers.

Kerry's PAC is also setting up email pages so that donors can send emails directly to the GOP Senators to let them know that they've already contributed money to efforts to oust them next year. "There needs to be daily, intense pressure and it needs to come from the grassroots up. There’s no more urgent priority," Brundage says of Kerry's pressure on his Senate colleagues. "It’s not personal, it’s policy.”

Interesting stuff. The email he's sending out is after the jump.

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/may/02/xxx

(copy of Kerry's email at link)

(this is something we can get behind, surely. just contribute a few bucks via actblue. Just imagine a filibuster-proof Dem Senate!!! Duers are always contributing $5 or $10 for flowers, lets do the same for this idea.)

[SteppingRazor]

1. McConnell's an interesting one...

I hadn't even considered him threatened, though rumors swirl of former sportscaster Phyllis George getting in the race.

I think Sununu and Coleman are definitely the most likely Dem pickups, if one doesn't count the open seat in Colorado.

However, instead of concentrating on Collins, I'd look at Gordon Smith.

As for the idea of a filibuster-free Senate in 2008, it's more or less an impossibility. We'd have to pickup nine seats.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Aaahhh... and then it won't matter what the jackass fuckwipe Connecticut electorate does...

... Happy days indeed, to be able to kiss those fuckwads goodbye.

[SteppingRazor]

7. To be fair, it was a close race, and a lot of that Connecticut electorate...

went for Lamont. Just sayin'.

I feel your pain, though. And, yes, if we can just pickup two or three seats, we can just bitchslap Joe Lieberman.

And, indeed, I think that's probably what we'll wind up with after the 2008 elections. I think we'll pickup Colorado, New Hampshire and Minnesota while losing Louisiana, for a total of two seats and an invitation to Joe to go cheney himself.

[BlooInBloo]

15. Most *didn't* go for Lamont. Hence the electorate, which is an *aggregate* is a jackass.

[bananarepublican]

60. Don't forget Gore won in 2000 and Kerry won in 2004! n/t

[JanusAscending]

62. I'm getting kind of tired of being called names

by those who criticize we, who worked and voted for Lamont. Your broad "stroke of the brush" is very offensive, and ignorant! Just because we live in Ct. doesn't give you cause to say this. Do Dem's hate all Texans because shrub is from there, or because that's where JFK was assassinated? Same thing, no?:spank:

[TayTay]

5. Never say never. Who knew we'd almost run the table in '06

Start it now. I like the idea of putting pressure on these Senators now. That's important for all the votes to be held this year, including more votes on the Iraq War and the funding.

Nice move by Sen. Kerry. More of this please.

[SteppingRazor]

22. Oh, I dunno. '06 went about as well as people expected.

most of the oddsmakers predicted how it went. From my blog the day before the election:

Just for the record, here's what everyone has said:

Guru_______________________Senate_______________House of Representatives
Congressional Quarterly_______48-48, 4 tossups_________212-199, 24 tossups
Cook Political Report__________49-49, 2 tossups_________223-197, 15 tossups
Electoral-vote.com____________51-49__________________241-193, 1 tossup
Stu Rothenberg______________51-49___________________223-196, 16 tossups
Larry Sabato_________________51-49___________________232-203
Doomed Generation___________50-50___________________227-208

http://blogs.southflorida.com/citylink_dansweeney/2006/11/political_gurus_final_predicti.html


Doomed Generation, for the record, is my blog. I stubbornly hung on to my 50-50 senate pprediction, even after the "macaca" moment, because I wanted so bdly to be right. You'd figure the poker player in me would have seen a losing hand and mucked it. Ah well.

[karynnj]

35. from your blog THE DAY BEFORE THE ELECTION

All those predictions were very close to the election.

This was not where CW was in spring 2006 - or even less so in Nov 2004.

You completely minimize all the work done by people like Dean, in a massive effort to build up the local parties. You ignore Dean trying to get people to run in races where we were thought to have no chance. You had Kerry giving the DNC money as soon as Dean was in place ($1m from his money and another almost $1 million raised from his list) and his funding and helping many candidates seen as marginal. Remember Emanuel complaining that money was wasted in places we couldn't win.

[SteppingRazor]

41. Easy, there. I'm not trying to minimize the work done by anyone.

The net result of the DNC Chair's efforts between Nov. '04 and Nov. '06 are incalculable. Also, I like rational conversations free of snark. Please.

Your point is certainly a valid one, though rather than Nov. '04, the previous election cycle, a proper comparison would be to this same point between the two elections. That'd be May '05. And, certainly, the upcoming elections were much more tentative then than in Nov. '06. I'm completely willing to grant that. But at the same time, Democratic wins were at least possible, if not probable. Bush's approval rating had sank below 50 percent by then, and Congress' rating was abysmal (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/23/bush.poll/). Only 40 percent favored Bush's Iraq policy. So, it's easy to go from there to the 2006 election results. I agree that these results were a bit greater than many predicted then, but they were within the realm of possibilities. Picking up nine senate seats in 2008 is not. My most wildly optimistic guess would be a Dem. pickup of six seats, and even that hovers on the thin line between fantasy and reality.

[karynnj]

52. Sorry for the snark

I agree that May '05 is more appropriate a timepoint for comparison. There were expected gains, but the question was whetehr it was possible to win the House. I really don't think anyone thought the Senate a possibility. Even the predictions 2 weeks ahead was that we would close the gap in the Senate, but not win it.

[SteppingRazor]

53. Absolutely correct. Until the macaca moment, a Democratic Senate seemed impossible..

And Allen's racism went on display in August 2006.

Certainly, something like that could happen again to get us to nine seats, but it'd have to be such a perfect storm. I addressed this below with Tesha, but I concede that we could pick up almost nine seats if, say, both Pat Roberts and John Warner retired and Kathleen Sebelius and Mark Warner, respectively, ran without much GOP opposition, and Pete Domenici got nailed by the USA scandal, and we pick up Ore., Minn., Maine, Colo. and NH, and one other seat somehow comes into play. AND we manage to defend all our own seats, up to and including Landrieu's in Louisiana, which will be extremely difficult to hold.

So, I suppose it's certainly possible to get nine seats. It's just, you know, really, really, really difficult. But, hey, shoot for the moon, right?

Also, no apologies needed. My demand for snark-free conversation was, after all, rather snarky :hi:

[karynnj]

54. i agree

Also, I think after the last 6 years, the republicans could oddly fight it as not being a good idea to have so much power in the hands of one party.

Having 60 Senators would make them more of a minority than we were before the election.

[Cha]

59. Ahhhhhhhh Yes..

"The Macaca Moment"!! And then we could smell the sweet whiff of Victory!

[karynnj]

11. Smith and Hagel are the two Republicans we already have

voting with us.

[SteppingRazor]

12. I appreciate that, but so what? This is politics.

Regardless of whether Smith votes with us on the war, he's one of the most vulnerable GOP senators. He's from a solidly blue state, his approval numbers are relatively low, and his Democratic replacement would vote "with us" a lot more often than he would.

[karynnj]

37. The point is that he is leveraging his ability to raise money against them

to see if he can shift them on Iraq.

he is not endorsing Smith.

[blm]

56. Yep - I remember Kerry went after Chaffee, too, because the senate majority was so important

and no GOP voted with Dems more than Chaffee.

It didn't matter that Kerry even LIKED Chaffee - he didn't want him in that seat.

[Mass]

19. Only on Iraq - On so many other points, they are typical GOPers.

[John Q. Citizen]

34. Only on a non-binding timetable for the war. What did we win? Nothing yet. The war

goes on same as before.

[karynnj]

39. The point is what can be done

The point is that there were only 13 Senators last summer willing to vote for a deadline. There were 48 in January and 51 now. I realize that the last bill was weaker.

This is just another source of pressure. Kerry was the first person out there pointing out that it wasn't 51 or 60 we needed but 67. Even then, we could enter a constitutional crisis.

The thing is - this momentum will make it politically impossible for whoever takes office in 2009 not to get out.

[John Q. Citizen]

51. We don't need to pass a deadline. We need to not pass a funding bill.

Doesn't require any votes.

[blm]

18. McConnell is one of the BFEE loyalists who tried to keep Kerry blocked on BCCI

efforts in the senate.

[SteppingRazor]

28. I'm not arguing that he doesn't deserve to get tossed out on his ear...

I'm arguing whether or not it's likely. That's all.

[blm]

29. Should be - McConnell can suffer staying as tight as he is to the Bushes -

I think it's called, "to the bitter end" heh.

[Mass]

20. Not Snowe, Collins.

[DeepBlueC]

23. Isn't Collins a moderate Republican?

I think she shows a lot more willingness to work with Dems than LOTS of others. Why her, I wonder? I had the impression that she was peeling away from Bush.

[SteppingRazor]

27. So's Snowe. Again, as I said about Smith above, so what?

No matter how much she's willing to "work with us," it goes without saying that her Democratic replacement would work with us even more.

[Horse with no Name]

31. It makes perfect sense.

The elected representatives reflect the electorate. Obviously she is moderate which means that the electorate would probably go with a progressive candidate.
It would never fly in Texas, but certainly in Maine it very well could.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

47. Read a good article somewhere...

didn't keep the link. But the logic was that targeting moderate Republicans makes more political sense than targeting the lunatic fringe. When the Republicans are reduced to being the party of Lott and Inhofe, we can truly say that they're far outside the mainstream. The Republicans can use Snow, Collins and Gordon to say to voters, "See, we're not a bunch of extremists. And two of us are chicks!" When we replace those three with Democrats (even moderately conservative ones), the moderate wing of the Republican Party ceases to exist.

[IronLionZion]

66. Yup, but it felt really good to destroy Santorum and Macaca

That was so satisfying. It's good to target the lunatic fringe in moderate states too. And it's important to target the ones we can beat.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

67. How could you NOT love kicking Santorum to the curb?

nt

[DeepBlueC]

50. Maine is cautious

Progressive I don't think will fly there. So if we pick a moderate Dem to go against her you will have moderate vs. moderate and known vs. unknown and I say Collins comes out on top. But no doubt Kerry's people have done enough research to indicate that she might be vulnerable and I am just going on my gut.

[SteppingRazor]

24. Whoops! Thank you!! I updated the post.

Got my female Republican senators from Maine mixed up there! :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

3. we can do act blue from the DU page too, maybe Skinner can add Kerry's page

with a DU link??

[frogcycle]

4. aside from unseating them in '08

this pressure just might influence behavior - and not just for these four

unlikely to actually change a critical vote, perhaps, but hell, aggressive, relentless, stifling pressure from every direction imagineable against every republican can't hurt!

[central scrutinizer]

6. Please add Gordon Smith to the list

He is a useless tool of the Bushco regime, who only said he was opposed to the war, after it was clear that the political winds had shifted against him. He was a Republic bully and hypocrite until last November and now he is all sweetness, light, and bipartisanship. Should be like shooting fish in a barrel if a competent candidate is drafted. Too bad Peter DeFazio bowed out of contention.

[TayTay]

13. It's early.

Give it some time. I think Sen. Kerry needs to focus on 4 names this far out in the cycle. But that doesn't mean that more can't be added later. It all depends on how the first request goes. If it goes well, add more names.

[karynnj]

21. Smith was with us on the Iraq bill

If you read what he is doing, he is trying to motivate Republicans to vote with us on Iraq OR we will attempt to replace them.

Kerry would like to move the Senate on Iraq. Three of the targets are Republican Senators in states that are blue. These are people who might be most subject to pressure - because they are not in line with their state.

This does show how seriously Kerry is putting himself out to do this - this will not make life easier for him in the Senate.

[Tyler Durden]

8. INOFE! PLEASE! MAKE IT 5!!!

I'm mailing Kerry that INOFE is one who really belongs on the list: a stupid and dangerous man.

[SteppingRazor]

10. But this list targets "vulnerable" Republicans.

Inhofe is in. There have been rumors that he might retire now that the GOP is out of power, but even if that happens, the GOP still picks up this seat — big-time heavy-hitters like former Gov. Frank Keating or even Gen. Tommy Franks are waiting in the wings.

[Tyler Durden]

30. I can DREAM, can't I?

Inofe should run afoul of an overheated, rabid polar bear.

[SteppingRazor]

36. Ha! Yes, no one's saying you can't think big.

:thumbsup:

[jsamuel]

9. Kerry has grown so much since 2004. He has really become a great asset

for the party, not being president.

[blm]

14. He was the greatest asset Clinton had to get elected in 92 - and the greatest asset to this nation's

real historic record the last 35 years.

If Dem PARTY had prepared and secured the election process and opposed Bush2 as doggedly as Kerry did the Bushboy and his father, then there would have been a Pres. Kerry in office today.

It's a shame all the work he does goes to benefit others with much lesser records of progressive achievments.

[LSK]

16. If we get 9 Senate seats, we are filibuster proof

Imagine the possibilities then!

[Tesha]

26. Nonsense. Look how many "defectors" we've had over the years.

Fillibuster-proof?

Nonsense. Look how many "defectors" we've had over the years.

"Oh, ahh cayn't fillibuster that one, no sir, I cayn't!"

Tesha

[SteppingRazor]

32. With a filibuster-proof majority, that would probably change...

sure, there'd be a few times when the GOP could get a crossover vote, but once that much power is concentrated in one party, the tendency would be to get things done.

That said, I think the possibility of us picking up nine seats in '08 is so remote as to not even be worth talking about.

[Tesha]

40. Impossible? I dunno.

> That said, I think the possibility of us picking up nine
> eats in '08 is so remote as to not even be worth talking about.

Impossible? I dunno. If things keep going the way they are,
here in New Hampshire, we'll almost certainly eject John
Sununu, Jr. And I can easily see Maine giving Susan Collins
the boot.

So who's working to unseat seven other Republicons?

Tesha

[SteppingRazor]

43. Oddly, I'm addressing this same thing above in this same thread

my most wildly optimistic guess gives the Dems a five-seat pickup — Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Oregon.

If Pat Roberts retires, Kansas could come into play, if Sebelius runs to minimal opposition.
If Domenici goes down in the USA scandal, New Mexico could come into play
If Warner retires, Virginia could come into play, especially if the other Warner runs.

Even still, that's eight seats, and a whole lot of variables involved. And this assumes we hold onto all our own seats, including in Louisiana, where Landrieu is extremely vulnerable.

I'm not saying I wouldn't like to see a filibuster-proof Senate — hell, I'd love it — I just don't think it's at all likely.

[LSK]

45. 21 GOP Senators up for re-election in 2008

Not impossible.

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/two_column_table/Class_II.htm

[SteppingRazor]

46. That assumes that even half of them are vulnerable, which they aren't.

See my response to Tesha, above.

[caligirl]

17. Donate then call the 4 targets and let them know.

[brentspeak]

25. Now that's action, for you

And these are moderate Republicans, too.

[zbdent]

33. Someone should also point out to Kerry & Co. that Ohio's

puke Voinovich is vulnerable ... mild-mannered, quiet Mike DeWine got "knocked of by ultra-liberal" Sherrod Brown ...

Just have to point out (in the red districts) that Voinovich spoke out against Bush on several occasions (but don't remind the red voters that, despite his bluster, he still bent over and received for Bush's policies ...0

[SteppingRazor]

48. I think he'll be vulnerable too. In 2010, when he runs for reelection.

Just sayin'. He's not up this time around, unless I'm very much mistaken.

[ProSense]

38. Awesome!

I'm sure Senator Kerry would welcome a 75 percent Democratic Senate majority. There has to be focus, and Senator Kerry alone can't focus on 14 or all 19 Repub seats. Given the group up for reelection, I think these four make good targets:

Lamar Alexander (TN)
Saxby Chambliss (GA)
Thad Cochran (MS)
Norm Coleman (MN)
Susan Collins (ME)
John Cornyn (TX)
Larry Craig (ID)
Elizabeth Dole (NC)
Pete Domenici (NM)-- embroiled in attorney firing scandal
Michael Enzi (WY)
Lindsey Graham (SC)
Jim Inhofe (OK)
Mitch McConnell (KY)
Pat Roberts (KS)
Jeff Sessions (AL)
Gordon Smith (OR) -- considered extremely vulnerable
Ted Stevens (AK) -- possibly retiring
John Sununu (NH)
John Warner (VA) -- ???

[TayTay]

42. So much depends on the how the War goes

It is unpopular everywhere in the country. This is a good start, as is focusing on this list on the basis of votes on the War.

[femrap]

44. Great idea! nt

[ProSense]

49. Fight the Veto by John Kerry

Posted at Daily Kos:

Fight the Veto

by John Kerry

I came here last week to ask you to join me in defending Harry Reid from the attacks of the right. And it’s important to do that because our party needs us to stick up for each other.

But it’s not enough to defend. I used to always say that I was tired of life in the minority in the Senate because I was tired of just stopping bad things from happening, I wanted to make things happen that reflected the hopes and aspirations of the people I cared about.

So now we have this Democratic Majority which a lot of folks fought and scrapped and gave their all to build – so I know I’m not alone here when I say: it’s time to go on offense—not just fight back but lead the fight for what’s important.

more

[loudsue]

55. Big K & R!! Keep us posted on this! I'll do ANYTHING to unseat repukes.

Send money, stuff envelopes, go door-to-door, write letters & e-mails. All of it.

I'm soooo glad Kerry is doing this. We need someone to lead the charge for a bunch of loonie repuke senators in the south & midwest, too.

:kick::kick::kick: & R

[YvonneCa]

57. This is real leadership...

...by a real leader. Thanks, Senator Kerry, for leading the way. We're still fighting with you !!! :)

[Cha]

58. This is how it's done!

I really do love Kerry! Thank you Senator..take the fight to the streets.

[MN ChimpH8R]

61. So glad to see little Normie Coleman on this list

Coleman is a disgrace to his seat which was formerly held by Paul Wellstone. This grease weasel is nothing but an opportunist with one principle in his entire slippery life: advance Norm Coleman by whatever means necessary. :puke: If Coleman discovered cannibals in his constituency he would promptly promise them missionaries for dinner - at least if KKKarl said it was OK.

[sampsonblk]

63. I am for this, 100%

nt

[BigBearJohn]

64. what a fucking BRILLIANT idea. Mayby he SHOULD run again.

[Jennicut]

65. We need to knock off another Rethug to make up for Loserman.

I apologize that he is from my state. I love Connecticut. Its a great state. But Loserman sucks.