Blogswarm - Online Political News Magazine

From www.moveonpac.org:

Tonight's the big night. In the whole span of his campaign, this will be John Kerry's best opportunity to speak directly and without interruption to the American people. With the world watching, he will lay out his vision for the future of our country.

The last four years have been tough. We've lived through September 11th and two wars, at least one of which is still under way. We've watched with horror and outrage as President Bush and his administration have manipulated these events for political ends, rolling back civil liberties, alienating our closest allies, racking up an enormous debt at home and causing great instability abroad.

For four years, we have been a nation governed by fear.

Today, we're not asking you to sign a petition or make a phone call or give money. We're asking you to do something that you may not have done in a long time. We're asking you to hope. Because, as John Edwards said last night, "Hope is on the way."

When you watch John Kerry tonight, allow yourself to imagine a better future. Imagine an America which is respected throughout the world, and which strives to do right by all of the citizens of the world. Imagine living in a country where the values of community, respect, and empathy are held highest. Imagine having a President who, like President Roosevelt, believes that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

We'll have a lot of work to do on November 3rd when Kerry is our new President. But we'll wake up that morning able to dream big dreams for a country and a world that are once again headed in the right direction.

John Edwards said it far better than we could last night:

Tonight -- tonight, as we celebrate in this hall, somewhere in America, a mother sits at her kitchen table. She can't sleep because she's worried. She can't pay her bills. She's working hard trying to pay her rent, trying to feed her kids but she just can't catch up. Didn't used to be that way in her house. Her husband was called up in the Guard. Now he's been in Iraq for over a year. They thought he was going to come home last month, but now he's got to stay longer. She thinks she's alone. But tonight in this hall and in your homes, you know what? She's got a lot of friends. We want her to know that we hear her. It is time to bring opportunity and an equal chance to her door.

We're here to make America stronger at home so that she can get ahead. And we're here to make America respected in the world again so that we can bring him home and American soldiers don't have to fight this war in Iraq or this war on terrorism alone.

So when you return home some night, you might pass a mother on her way to work the late-shift. You tell her: Hope is on the way.

When your brother calls -- when your brother calls and says that he's spending his entire life at the office and he still can't get ahead, you tell him: Hope is on the way.

When your parents call and tell you their medicine's going through the roof, they can't keep up, you tell them: Hope is on the way.

And when your neighbor calls you and says her daughter's worked hard and she wants to go to college, you tell her: Hope is on the way.

And when your son or daughter who's serving this country heroically in Iraq calls, you tell them: Hope is on the way.

Superstar Illinois Senate candidate Barack Obama said it too, in his keynote speech Tuesday night:

In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope?

John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope. I'm not talking about blind optimism here-the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don't talk about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it.

No, I'm talking about something more substantial. It's the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker's son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too.

After the last four years, it's easy to feel cynical. It's easy to feel pessimistic and afraid for our country's future. But we will never make the country we want to make out of fear and anger alone. Hope is on the way, if we believe it so.

Sincerely,

--Eli Pariser
  MoveOn PAC
  July 29th, 2004

P.S. If you'd like to experience the big speech with friends and neighbors, you can still sign up for a Kerry house party. To find one in your neighborhood, go to:
https://volunteer.johnkerry.com/event/search/?MilesFrom=25&Zip=94108&TimeSpan=WholeCampaign

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

https://contribute.johnkerry.com/contribute.html?team=4580

What a remarkable day today is going to be. You and I are going to have the great pleasure of watching John Kerry stand before America and lay out his plans for leading our country in a new, more promising direction.

And then, we're going to have the awesome responsibility of carrying his vision of a stronger America to the White House.

Last night in my speech at the convention, I tried to make it clear how much is at stake in this election. I talked about the values you and I share, the principles we cherish, and the belief we have that our optimism and energy can not only carry us to victory in November, but -- far more importantly -- carry America forward over the next four years.

At the heart of our campaign, there are literally millions of people who are pouring their hearts and souls into winning this election. If ever there were a day for you to give voice to the depth of this support for John Kerry, this is it.

This is John Kerry's big day. But it's your big day too. I urge you to use it to make a strong personal statement of your support for John Kerry. Attend a house party tonight. Ask your friends to sign up on JohnKerry.com. Commit to registering a friend to vote. Make a contribution. How you participate is up to you. But whatever you do, don't sit on the sidelines.

There are only 14 weeks until November 2 -- the day America chooses between Kerry-Edwards and Bush-Cheney. We've got to make every one of those days count. But most important right now, we've got to make this day count. Today is the day that John Kerry sets forth his vision for America's future -- and the day we need you and others like you all across America to help spread that vision.

That's the path to victory in November and to a stronger America. Let's start our journey together right now.

Sincerely,

John Edwards

 

What a remarkable day today is going to be. You and I are going to have the great pleasure of watching John Kerry stand before America and lay out his plans for leading our country in a new, more promising direction.

And then, we're going to have the awesome responsibility of carrying his vision of a stronger America to the White House.

To get him there, John Kerry needs a strong, united Democratic Party behind him. That's why I'm asking you to make as generous a gift as possible right now to the Democratic Party, which is fighting side by side with us to help elect John Kerry and Democrats.

Click here to contribute now.

Last night in my speech at the convention, I tried to make it clear how much is at stake in this election. I talked about the values you and I share, the principles we cherish, and the belief we have that our optimism and energy can not only carry us to victory in November, but -- far more importantly -- carry America forward over the next four years.

At the heart of our campaign, there are literally millions of people who are pouring their hearts and souls into winning this election. If ever there were a day for you to give voice to the depth of this support for John Kerry and the Democratic Party, this is it.

This is John Kerry's big day. But it's your big day too. I urge you to use it to make a strong personal statement of your support to help elect John Kerry and Democrats.

Click here to contribute now.

Attend a house party tonight. Forward this email to your friends. Commit to registering a friend to vote. Make a contribution. How you participate is up to you. But whatever you do, don't sit on the sidelines.

There are only 14 weeks until November 2 -- the day America chooses between Kerry-Edwards and Bush-Cheney. We've got to make every one of those days count. But most important right now, we've got to make this day count. Today is the day that John Kerry sets forth his vision for America's future -- and the day we need you and others like you all across America to help spread that vision.

That's the path to victory in November and to a stronger America. Let's start our journey together right now.

Sincerely,

John Edwards

Become an eCaptain today.

As an eCaptain, you'll create your personal ePrecinct: a list of online friends, family members, neighbors — anyone you think would be interested in the Democratic message or who cares about the issues you care about.

Your ePrecinct can be as big as you want: recruit 10 people or 1,000 people.

Once you've created your ePrecinct, we'll send you inside information from the Democratic Party on candidates, issues, elections, and more that you can pass along to your list — with just one click. You send what you want to your ePrecinct.

Many of us have learned about John Kerry's positions and his life story in sound bites, often warped and distorted by a viciously effective Republican attack machine. But we've looked extensively at John Kerry's record, and talked to people who've worked with him, and we've come away convinced that John Kerry is a strong, courageous and progressive leader -- someone we can be proud of as the nominee for President.

And that's why there's something we want you to see.

This fall, award-winning filmmaker George Butler will release Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry, a biographical film featuring never-before-seen footage of John Kerry as a young man. For us, watching this footage transformed our understanding of who John Kerry is and what he's about. You will never forget Kerry's riveting and inspiring testimony to the Senate as the 27-year-old leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, or his crewmates' descriptions of his selfless acts under fire.

We've put together a "Kerry Kit," with a DVD featuring a 15-minute pre-release excerpt of this film, as well as Kerry's recent speech to Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition, all the MoveOn PAC ads, and lots of other materials. And to get it out there, we're giving away the first 100,000 Kerry Kits totally free - one per member.

They're going to go fast. You can check out a video clip of the film and then order yours now for free at:

https://www.kerrykit.com/

If you're sure that Bush needs to go, but still have questions about John Kerry, we invite you to check this out and make up your own mind. And if you believe John Kerry is the right man for the job, but are looking for tools to convince others, this kit will be invaluable.

You can send a Kerry Kit to your friends and family at cost - we want to make sure as many people as possible get the real skinny on John Kerry's record of leadership.

In a recent speech, John Edwards said:

"If you have any question about what John Kerry's made of, about his leadership ability, about his strength and his courage, just spend three minutes, three minutes with the men who served with him 30 years ago who still stand by his side. They saw up close when their lives were at risk that this man is a leader, that he has courage, determination, and he would never leave any American behind."

The film's footage offers these three minutes and then some. Kerry crewmates Del Sandusky and James Rassman vividly describe Kerry's courage under fire in Vietnam. Later, we see Kerry's extraordinary and powerful Senate testimony as the 27-year-old leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War. And the materials that come along with the kit demonstrate that these same qualities, commitment and determination to speak truth to power have characterized John Kerry's actions throughout his long career of public service.

The Kerry Kit also features:

• Jesse Jackson's rousing introduction of Kerry, and Kerry's strong speech to the Rainbow Coalition earlier this year.
• Fact sheets that contrast Kerry's record with President Bush's, and show how he's been rated by progressive groups.
• Articles that go into more depth on Kerry's record, including his leadership exposing the Iran-Contra scandal and his extraordinary record of environmental protection.
• Kerry-Edwards stickers.
• And, as a special bonus, all of MoveOn PAC's TV advertisements to date.

Since the kits cost a fair amount to produce, we're only able to offer the first 100,000 for free. You can get yours now at:

https://www.kerrykit.com/

Sincerely,

--Eli Pariser
  MoveOn PAC
  July 28th, 2004

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Probably for the first time, Blog Swarm is using web ads to kick-start a google bomb.  The target is Alaska Senator Lisa "Nepotism Poster Kid" Murkowski.

The first round is running on Blogshares right now.  But the ads will only kick-start the campaign.  To make it happen, use your blog to remind Alaska's voters that Lisa Murkowski only has her seat in the senate because her daddy gave it to her.

Add three words: Nepotism Poster Kid to your site with a link to Lisa Murkowski's campaign site (her name dot com) and you can join the Blog Swarm and help Democrats win the U.S. Senate.

On behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, land of Lincoln, let me express my deep gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let's face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant.

But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place: America, which stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor he signed up for duty, joined Patton's army and marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised their baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the GI Bill, bought a house through FHA, and moved west in search of opportunity.

And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter, a common dream, born of two continents. My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed," believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren't rich, because in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential. They are both passed away now. Yet, I know that, on this night, they look down on me with pride.

I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents' dreams live on in my precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible. Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago, "We hold these truths to he self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night and know they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hiring somebody's son. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will he counted — or at least, most of the time.

This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations. And fellow Americans — Democrats, Republicans, Independents — I say to you tonight: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that's moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour. More to do for the father I met who was losing his job and choking back tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits he counted on. More to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn't have the money to go to college.

Don't get me wrong. The people I meet in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks, they don't expect government to solve all their problems. They know they have to work hard to get ahead and they want to. Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don't want their tax money wasted by a welfare agency or the Pentagon (news - web sites). Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can't teach kids to learn. They know that parents have to parent, that children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. No, people don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.

In this election, we offer that choice. Our party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. That man is John Kerry (news - web sites). John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and sacrifice, because they've defined his life. From his heroic service in Vietnam to his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he has devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we've seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. His values and his record affirm what is best in us.

John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. So instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he'll offer them to companies creating jobs here at home. John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields. John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us. And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option, but it should never he the first option.

A while back, I met a young man named Shamus at the VFW Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid, six-two or six-three, clear-eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he'd joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq (news - web sites) the following week. As I listened to him explain why he'd enlisted, his absolute faith in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all any of us might hope for in a child. But then I asked myself: Are we serving Shamus as well as he was serving us? I thought of more than 900 service men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, who will not be returning to their hometowns. I thought of families I had met who were struggling to get by without a loved one's full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or with nerves shattered, but who still lacked long-term health benefits because they were reservists. When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.

Now let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure. John Kerry believes in America. And he knows it's not enough for just some of us to prosper. For alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga.

A belief that we are connected as one people. If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It's that fundamental belief — I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper — that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus unum." Out of many, one.

Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America — there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope? John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards (news - web sites) calls on us to hope. I'm not talking about blind optimism here — the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don't talk about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. No, I'm talking about something more substantial. It's the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker's son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. The audacity of hope!

In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation; the belief in things not seen; the belief that there are better days ahead. I believe we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity. I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair. I believe that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us. America!

Tonight, if you feel the same energy I do, the same urgency I do, the same passion I do, the same hopefulness I do — if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as president, and John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come. Thank you and God bless you.

Thank you. I am honored to share the podium with my Senator, though I think I should be introducing her. I’m proud of her and so grateful to the people of New York that the best public servant in our family is still on the job and grateful to all of you, especially my friends from Arkansas, for the chance you gave us to serve our country in the White House.

I am also honored to share this night with President Carter, who has inspired the world with his work for peace, democracy, and human rights. And with Al Gore, my friend and partner for eight years, who played such a large role in building the prosperity and progress that brought America into the 21st century, who showed incredible grace and patriotism under pressure, and who is the living embodiment that every vote counts—and  must be counted in every state in America.

Tonight I speak as a citizen, returning to the role I have played for most of my life as a foot soldier in the fight for our future, as we nominate a true New England patriot for president. The state that gave us John Adams and John Kennedy has now given us John Kerry, a good man, a great senator, a visionary leader. We are constantly told America is deeply divided. But all Americans value freedom, faith, and family. We all honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world.

We all want good jobs, good schools, health care, safe streets, a clean environment. We all want our children to grow up in a secure America leading the world toward a peaceful future. Our differences are in how we can best achieve these things, in a time of unprecedented change. Therefore, we Democrats will bring the American people a positive campaign, arguing not who’s good and who’s bad, but what is the best way to build the safe, prosperous world our children deserve.

The 21st century is marked by serious security threats, serious economic challenges, and serious problems like global warming and the AIDS epidemic. But it is also full of enormous opportunities—to create millions of high paying jobs in clean energy, and biotechnology; to restore the manufacturing base and reap the benefits of the global economy through our diversity and our commitment to decent labor and environmental standards everywhere; and to create a world where we can celebrate our religious and racial differences, because our common humanity matters more.

To build that kind of world we must make the right choices; and we must have a president who will lead the way. Democrats and Republicans have very different and honestly held ideas on that choices we should make, rooted in fundamentally different views of how we should meet our common challenges at home and how we should play our role in the world. Democrats want to build an America of shared responsibilities and shared opportunities and more global cooperation, acting alone only when we must.

We think the role of government is to give people the tools and conditions to make the most of their lives. Republicans believe in an America run by the right people, their people, in a world in which we act unilaterally when we can, and cooperate when we have to.

They think the role of government is to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of those who embrace their political, economic, and social views, leaving ordinary citizens to fend for themselves on matters like health care and retirement security. Since most Americans are not that far to the right, they have to portray us Democrats as unacceptable, lacking in strength and values. In other words, they need a divided America. But Americans long to be united. After 9/11, we all wanted to be one nation, strong in the fight against terror. The president had a great opportunity to bring us together under his slogan of compassionate conservatism and to unite the world in common cause against terror.

Instead, he and his congressional allies made a very different choice: to use the moment of unity to push America too far to the right and to walk away from our allies, not only in attacking Iraq before the weapons inspectors finished their jobs, but in withdrawing American support for the Climate Change Treaty, the International Court for war criminals, the ABM treaty, and even the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Now they are working to develop two new nuclear weapons which they say we might use first. At home, the President and the Republican Congress have made equally fateful choices indeed. For the first time ever when America was on a war footing, there were two huge tax cuts, nearly half of which went to the top one percent. I’m in that group now for the first time in my life.

When I was in office, the Republicans were pretty mean to me. When I left and made money, I became part of the most important group in the world to them. At first I thought I should send them a thank you note—until I realized they were sending you the bill.

They protected my tax cuts while:

·         Withholding promised funding for the Leave No Child Behind Act, leaving over 2 million children behind

·         Cutting 140,000 unemployed workers out of job training

·         100,000 working families out of child care assistance

·         300,000 poor children out of after school programs

·         Raising out of pocket healthcare costs to veterans

·         Weakening or reversing important environmental advances for clean air and the preservation of our forests.

Everyone had to sacrifice except the wealthiest Americans, who wanted to do their part but were asked only to expend the energy necessary to open the envelopes containing our tax cuts. If you agree with these choices, you should vote to return them to the White House and Congress. If not, take a look at John Kerry, John Edwards and the Democrats.

In this year’s budget, the White House wants to cut off federal funding for 88,000 uniformed police, including more than 700 on the New York City police force who put their lives on the line on 9/11. As gang violence is rising and we look for terrorists in our midst, Congress and the President are also about to allow the ten-year-old ban on assault weapons to expire. Our crime policy was to put more police on the streets and take assault weapons off the streets. It brought eight years of declining crime and violence. Their policy is the reverse, they’re taking police off the streets and putting assault weapons back on the streets. If you agree with their choices, vote to continue them. If not, join John Kerry, John Edwards and the Democrats in making America safer, smarter, and stronger.

On Homeland Security, Democrats tried to double the number of containers at ports and airports checked for Weapons of Mass Destruction.  The one billion dollar cost would have been paid for by reducing the tax cut of 200,000 millionaires by five thousand dollars each. Almost all 200,000 of us would have been glad to pay 5,000 dollars to make the nearly 300 million Americans safer—but the measure failed because the White House and the Republican leadership in the House decided my tax cut was more important- If you agree with that choice, re-elect them.  If not, give John Kerry and John Edwards a chance. 

These policies have turned the projected 5.8 trillion dollar surplus we left—enough to pay for the baby boomers retirement—into a projected debt of nearly 5 trillion dollars, with a 400 plus billion dollar deficit this year and for years to come.  How do they pay for it? First by taking the monthly surplus in Social Security payments and endorsing the checks of working people over to me to cover my tax cut. But it’s not enough. They are borrowing the rest from foreign governments, mostly Japan and China. Sure, they’re competing with us for good jobs but how can we enforce our trade laws against our bankers? If you think it’s good policy to pay for my tax cut with the Social Security checks of working men and women, and borrowed money from China, vote for them.  If not, John Kerry’s your man. 

We Americans must choose for President one of two strong men who both love our country, but who have very different worldviews: Democrats favor shared responsibility, shared opportunity, and more global cooperation. Republicans favor concentrated wealth and power, leaving people to fend for themselves and more unilateral action. I think we’re right for two reasons: First, America works better when all people have a chance to live their dreams.  Second, we live in an interdependent world in which we can’t kill, jail, or occupy all our potential adversaries, so we have to both fight terror and build a world with more partners and fewer terrorists.  We tried it their way for twelve years, our way for eight, and then their way for four more. 

By the only test that matters, whether people were better off when we finished than when we started, our way works better—it produced over 22 million good jobs, rising incomes, and 100 times as many people moving out of poverty into the middle class.  It produced more health care, the largest increase in college aid in 50 years, record home ownership, a cleaner environment, three surpluses in a row, a modernized defense force, strong efforts against terror, and an America respected as a world leader for peace, security and prosperity.

More importantly, we have great new champions in John Kerry and John Edwards.  Two good men with wonderful wives—Teresa a generous and wise woman who understands the world we are trying to shape. And Elizabeth, a lawyer and mother who understands the lives we are all trying to lift. Here is what I know about John Kerry. During the Vietnam War, many young men—including the current president, the vice president and me—could have gone to Vietnam but didn’t. John Kerry came from a privileged background and could have avoided it too.  Instead he said, send me.

When they sent those swift-boats up the river in Vietnam, and told them their job was to draw hostile fire—to show the American flag and bait the enemy to come out and fight—John Kerry said, send me.  When it was time to heal the wounds of war and normalize relations with Vietnam—and to demand an accounting of the POWs and MIAs we lost there—John Kerry said, send me. 

When we needed someone to push the cause of inner-city kids struggling to avoid a life of crime, or to bring the benefits of high technology to ordinary Americans, or to clean the environment in a way that creates jobs, or to give small businesses a better chance to make it, John Kerry said send me. 

Tonight my friends, I ask you to join me for the next 100 days in telling John Kerry’s story and promoting his plans.  Let every person in this hall and all across America say to him what he has always said to America: Send Me. The bravery that the men who fought by his side saw in battle I’ve seen in the political arena. When I was President, John Kerry showed courage and conviction on crime, on welfare reform, on balancing the budget at a time when those priorities were not exactly a way to win a popularity contest in our party. 

He took tough positions on tough problems. John Kerry knows who he is and where he’s going. He has the experience, the character, the ideas and the values to be a great President.  In a time of change he has two other important qualities:  his insatiable curiosity to understand the forces shaping our lives, and a willingness to hear the views even of those who disagree with him. Therefore his choices will be full of both conviction and common sense. 

He proved that when he picked a tremendous partner in John Edwards. Everybody talks about John Edwards’ energy, intellect, and charisma. The important thing is how he has used his talents to improve the lives of people who—like John himself—had to work hard for all they’ve got. He has always championed the cause of people too often left out or left behind. And that’s what he’ll do as our Vice President. 

Their opponents will tell you to be afraid of John Kerry and John Edwards, because they won’t stand up to the terrorists—don’t you believe it.  Strength and wisdom are not conflicting values—they go hand in hand. John Kerry has both. His first priority will be keeping America safe.  Remember the scripture: Be Not Afraid.

John Kerry and John Edwards, have good ideas:

·         To make this economy work again for middle-class Americans;

·         To restore fiscal responsibility;

·         To save Social Security; to make healthcare more affordable and college more available;

·         To free us from dependence on foreign oil and create new jobs in clean energy;

·         To rally the world to win the war on terror and to make more friends and fewer terrorists.

At every turning point in our history we the people have chosen unity over division, heeding our founders’ call to America’s eternal mission: to form a more perfect union, to widen the circle of opportunity, deepen the reach of freedom, and strengthen the bonds of community.

It happened because we made the right choices.  In the early days of the republic, America was at a crossroads much like it is today, deeply divided over whether or not to build a real nation with a national economy, and a national legal system. We chose a more perfect union. 

In the Civil War, America was at a crossroads, divided over whether to save the union and end slavery—we chose a more perfect union.  In the 1960s, America was at a crossroads, divided again over civil rights and women’s rights.  Again, we chose a more perfect union. As I said in 1992, we’re all in this together; we have an obligation both to work hard and to help our fellow citizens, both to fight terror and to build a world with more cooperation and less terror. Now again, it is time to choose.

Since we’re all in the same boat, let us chose as the captain of our ship a brave good man who knows how to steer a vessel though troubled waters to the calm seas and clear skies of our more perfect union.  We know our mission. Let us join as one and say in a loud, clear voice: Send John Kerry. 

The convention has been an amazing experience so far, filled with straight talk and truly interesting people. (Not to mention the incredible celebrations). Everyone is very energized, united, and committed to putting Democrats in the White House and in the majority in both Houses of Congress this November.

For "behind the scenes" reports on the fight for control of Congress, and how it is playing out at the convention this week, visit our blog, "The Stakeholder".

http://blog.dccc.org

We arrived in Boston, already thrilled by the results of last week's webathon and Majority Makers contest! We surpassed our goal of $1 million and raised $1,027,635! Thanks to EVERYONE who participated -- we couldn't have done it without you. The five winners from last week's Majority Makers Convention Contest are all in Boston now -- look for their blog posts at the DCCC Blog, The Stakeholder, throughout the week:

http://blog.dccc.org

In other exciting news, our Campaign for a New Majority has unveiled a brand new website. It's the place to go for all the resources and information you need to help win a Democratic majority in Congress this November:

http://speakerpelosi.com

Why SpeakerPelosi.com? Because when we are in the majority, Nancy Pelosi, the current Democratic Minority Leader, will become Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House -- a strong voice for Democrats, and the first female Speaker of the House in our nation's history.

We need your help -- visit SpeakerPelosi.com today and contribute as much as you can, volunteer to help the weekend before the election or set up your own Majority Makers Headquarters and invite some friends to give. Every person and every penny makes a difference this year. Join us today in the fight to win Congress and the White House for the Democrats.

http://speakerpelosi.com

Keep watching SpeakerPelosi.com for convention news and be sure to take one action today to help the Democrats win in November!

Sincerely,

Steve Olson
Online Operations
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

P.S. DCCC Chair Matsui addressed the convention on Tuesday afternoon and Democratic Leader Pelosi will speak at 7:30 PM on Thursday, the final night of the convention. Speech transcripts and streaming video can be found here:

http://speakerpelosi.com

From the Party:

In this issue...

• LIVE Gavel-to-Gavel Coverage Starts Now!
• Tonight: Live Interactive Video Interviews
• Video Highlights from Last Night's Program
• Updated Transcripts, Events, & Press Releases

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LIVE Gavel-to-Gavel Coverage Starts Now!

Tune in tonight from 4-11pm ET to watch live coverage of the 2004 Democratic National Convention . Tonight's speakers include:

• Tom Daschle, U.S. Senator from South Dakota
• Howard Dean, Former Governor of Vermont
• Richard Gephardt, U.S. Representative from Missouri
• Chris Heinz, Stepson of John Kerry
• Teresa Heinz Kerry, Wife of John Kerry
• Ted Kennedy, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
• Carol Moseley-Braun, Former U.S. Senator from Illinois
• And more...

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Tonight: Live Interactive Video Interviews

Join our live, interactive interviews with DNC speakers and delegates tonight, from 7-10pm ET! Tune in to our live video stream and send in your questions for some of the highest-profile members of the Democratic party. Tonight's guests will include Convention CEO Rod O'Connor, who will be online to answer your questions. To view these “Off-the-Podium Chats” just click here  – and to send in questions, hit the “Questions/Comments” button!

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Video Highlights from Last Night's Program

Visit our web site to view archived videos from Monday night's program, including:

• President Bill Clinton
• President Jimmy Carter
• Vice President Al Gore

Full addresses and highlights are available in QuickTime, Windows Media, and MP3 audio format, complete with versions for both dial-up and broadband connections.

Continue to check the site for updated videos throughout the week.

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Updated Transcripts, Events, & Press Releases

We are now featuring updated transcripts of speeches, a calendar of daily public events, and press releases from each day on the web site.

Transcripts  are updated throughout the evening, as speakers deliver their remarks.

Calendars are available for both each day's podium schedule and public events. The podium schedule will be available every morning and public events are updated later in the afternoon.

http://bostondparty.com