It's quiet in here... too quiet...

[JeffR]

Half the group is sifting through their achives for path pix. The other half is out shooting some. That's my theory.:tinfoilhat:

[Blue_In_AK]

1. BOO!!

Actually, I've been over in GD arguing with somebody about contributing to the DCCC. I said I wouldn't contribute to the DCCC until they contributed to Alaska's candidate, and then he was like, waaah, the DCCC only took in $86 million this cycle, 200 candidates are running, are you saying we should have given $430,000 to each challenger, and I was saying, hell, we would have been happy for $100,000 -- or even less. We got nada. Millions to some candidates, zilch to others. Bah - those guys leave a bad taste in my mouth.

<<rant off>>

[regnaD kciN]

2. So, are you saying...

...that you're considering an entry, to be titled The Path to a Democratic Congressional Majority, that depicts Rahm Emmanuel getting kicked out the DCCC door? (That would be rather surreal!) ;-)

[Blue_In_AK]

4. It would be, wouldn't it?

Do you think I'm out of line to be pissed off about this? I just think if they're going to call themselves the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, they should support ALL Democratic Congressional campaigns, especially when some of us are asking for so little.

Read this mealy-mouthed reply I got from them when I called them on it.

"Thank you for writing us regarding the upcoming election in Alaska. As the official campaign arm of the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Democratic Congressional Campaign committee is committed to supporting Democratic House candidates at every step of the way through this critical election year.

In the end, we feel that the number one priority is bringing as many seats as possible over to our side of the aisle, and we will be allocating our resources in the best possible way to ensure a Democratic majority come November. Many spending decisions will be made in the final weeks of the campaign. Again, thank you for your interest and dedication to these elections. We very much appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

DCCC Action Team"


Bah...

[regnaD kciN]

6. No, you're not out of line...

I think there's little question that the DCCC's refusal to provide sufficient funding to Francine Busby ruined a golden opportunity for a pickup in CA-50 earlier this year.

IMHO, the DCCC as currently constituted is less concerned with gaining a Democratic majority than making sure that the current Party hierarchy (which, not coincidentally, is in charge of the DCCC) keeps their entrenched positions. They don't want anything to do with a 50-state strategy when spending too much on challengers (especially -- gad! -- netroots candidates) might prevent them from producing warchests for those already "inside the Beltway" large enough to keep their own seats safe. The fact that Emmanuel seems to spend most of his time either criticizing his own party (a la the DLC) or feuding with Howard Dean over Democratic campaign priorities only reinforces my opinion. :grr:

[JeffR]

3. Dang, Blue. You skeered the hell outta me

Re the DCCC: after majorities are obtained in November, it's time for fixing the damned party not only from the grassroots, but from the organizational hierarchy down. Dammit, the work never ends, huh?

Hope to have some signatures on your petition by this weekend. We're fortunate here in that our circle of friends includes a number of fellow Americans, and - surprise! - they're all liberals.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I know Diane will really appreciate it.

The momentum is continuing to build here. She is getting supportive letters to the editor almost every day. The campaign got enough contributions to rent an RV and put big signs on both sides and made a trip up to Fairbanks and surrounding areas to talk to as many people as they can. And she's been able to fly out to some of the outlying towns, which is good. As a Native Alaskan she can pick up a lot of support in the villages if she can just get out there. She is continuing to get more support from the Republicans, which I find really encouraging. It will be a miracle if we pull this off against Don Young's millions (undoubtedly ill-gotten gains) -- but you just gotta believe.

Don Young is corrupt and he's stupid and everybody knows it. Diane Benson is everything he isn't.

Keep spreading the word.

[bvar22]

7. I've refused to send money to the DCCC.

I witnessed the DCCC interfering in a local Primary in Minnesota.
They squashed the campaign of a local progressive who had been working his ass off for two years, and through sweat and shoe leather had built good grassroots support. Most of the Progressive political Activists (Minnesota DU, Wellstone Group) knew who this man was and supported him. He didn't have a HUGE warchest, but momentum was building.

The DCCC came to town with their DEEP Corporate pockets and installed a beltway approved Democratic Challenger in the Primary and essentially forced the Progressive candidate out of the race.

Since then, I have sent contribution DIRECTLY to Progressive Candidates.
The DCCC has NO BUSINESS interfering in LOCAL Primaries.

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. DEFINITELY not primaries,

but once the people have spoken, I think it's the DCCC's responsibility to throw a little cash to all the duly nominated candidates. Here we are probably the most expensive House district in the country to campaign in, and they haven't given us one thin dime. It just makes me sick when we have such a great candidate finally, someone who's really giving old Don a run for his money, and they want to keep calling this a "noncompetitive" race. I'm just praying Diane wins so we can rub it in the faces of not only Don Young but the DCCC as well.

If she loses, I lay it right at the national Democratic party's feet.

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. Life has been busy here

Am hoping to get pics this next week for Pathways. Meanwhile, this last week+ has been pretty much non-stop, and am in for at least two more weeks of keeping up with the changes and family happenings.

Now...when can I get that nap....:boring:

[Eurobabe]

10. I hear crickets chirping....in here and a couple of my other fav groups

Pets and Travel. WhereTF is everybody??

[Maestro]

11. I've definitely been out shooting, but

not much is worth posting. I haven't had much luck lately. The aperture/shutter time/iso/light combination has not been nice to me the past few weeks. Oh and I do have the occasional arguement in GD. :)

[Touchdown]

12. I'm busy walking the streets.

No, actually I think they call it canvasing.:evilgrin:

We're trying to get Colorado to have a Dem sweep. They got me busy every weekend until Election Day. District 7 (Had lunch with Ed Perlmutter Saturday, talked about Foley) is where I'm focusing on, getting people signed up for mail in ballots (We got a Repug SOS, and she's pulling shit this year). Colorado Springs, believe it or not is in play. Previously, no Dem could ever hope to get elected there. Musgrave (the gay marriage pod born evil demon) is on the ropes, with Angie Paccioni even up with her 44 to 44. Our Gubernatorial candidate is 17 points ahead of the Repug. He's got it in the bag, no matter how many dirty tricks the Repug tries. Pug's name is Bob Beauprez (Both ways Bob). I know it's stupid and evil of me, but I tell people that I'd never vote for "a man with a sissy french name"... it's amazing how many people go "Yeah, I know what you mean." :scared:

SO I haven't been taking too many pics lately, and I haven't uploaded any of my Yellowstone shots to the net yet. I should've brought my camera to the BBQ last Saturday, but I didn't think about it. I need one of those little Coolpix pocket cameras so I don't have an excuse.:D

[Blue_In_AK]

13. Good luck on your campaigning...

I've been hard at work here, too. We've got a fundraiser tonight, as a matter of fact. BIG uphill battle here, but so many of us are sick and tired of our U.S. representation. I'm not usually a big praying-type person, but I do find myself offering a silent one up now and then. O8)