October 4, 2004

Dear Mr. President:

As professors of economics and business, we are concerned that U.S. economic policy has taken a dangerous turn under your stewardship. Nearly every major economic indicator has deteriorated since you took office in January 2001. Real GDP growth during your term is the lowest of any presidential term in recent memory. Total non-farm employment has contracted and the unemployment rate has increased. Bankruptcies are up sharply, as is our dependence on foreign capital to finance an exploding current account deficit. All three major stock indexes are lower now than at the time of your inauguration. The percentage of Americans in poverty has increased, real median income has declined, and income inequality has grown.

The data make clear that your policy of slashing taxes – primarily for those at the upper reaches of the income distribution – has not worked. The fiscal reversal that has taken place under your leadership is so extreme that it would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. The federal budget surplus of over $200 billion that we enjoyed in the year 2000 has disappeared, and we are now facing a massive annual deficit of over $400 billion. In fact, if transfers from the Social Security trust fund are excluded, the federal deficit is even worse – well in excess of a half a trillion dollars this year alone. Although some members of your administration have suggested that the mountain of new debt accumulated on your watch is mainly the consequence of 9-11 and the war on terror, budget experts know that this is simply false. Your economic policies have played a significant role in driving this fiscal collapse. And the economic proposals you have suggested for a potential second term – from diverting Social Security contributions into private accounts to making the recent tax cuts permanent – only promise to exacerbate the crisis by further narrowing the federal revenue base.

These sorts of deficits crowd out private investment and are politically addictive. They also place a heavy burden on monetary policy – and create additional pressure for higher interest rates – by stoking inflationary expectations. If your economic advisers are telling you that these deficits can be defeated through further reductions in tax rates, then you need new advisers. More robust economic growth could certainly help, but nearly every one of your administration’s economic forecasts – both before and after 9-11 – has proved overly optimistic. Expenditure cuts could be part of the answer, but your record so far has been one of increasing expenditures, not reducing them.

What is called for, we believe, is a dramatic reorientation of fiscal policy, including substantial reversals of your tax policy. Running a budget deficit in response to a short bout of recession is one thing. But running large structural deficits over a long period is something else entirely. We therefore urge you to consider the fiscal realities we now face and the substantial burden they are placing on our economy.

We also urge you to consider the distributional consequences of your policies. Under your administration, the income gap between the most affluent Americans and everyone else has widened. Although the latest data reveal that real household incomes have dropped across the board since you took office, low and middle income households have experienced steeper declines than upper income households. To be sure, the general phenomenon of mounting inequality preceded your administration, but it has continued (and, by some accounts, intensified) over the past three and a half years.

Some degree of inequality is inherent in any free market economy, creating positive incentives for economic and technological advancement. But when inequality becomes extreme, it can be socially corrosive and economically dysfunctional. Problems of this sort are visible throughout much of the developing world. At the moment, the most commonly accepted measure of inequality – the so-called Gini coefficient – is far higher in the United States than in any other developed country and is continuing to move upward. We don’t know where the breakpoint is for the U.S., but we would rather not find out. With all due respect, we believe your tax policy has exacerbated the problem of inequality in the United States, which has worrisome implications for the economy as a whole. We very much hope you will take this threat to our nation into account as you consider new fiscal approaches to address the nation’s most pressing economic problems.

Sensible and farsighted economic management requires true discipline, compassion, and courage – not just slogans. Given the tenuous state of the American economy, we believe that the time for an honest assessment of the problem and for genuine corrective action is now. Ignoring the fiscal crisis that has taken hold during your presidency may seem politically appealing in the short run, but we fear it could ultimately prove disastrous. From a policy standpoint, the clear message is that more of the same won’t work. The warning signs are already visible, and it is incumbent upon all of us to pay attention.

Respectfully submitted,

Francis Aguilar
Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Ramon J. Aldag
Glen A. Skillrud Family Chair in Business
School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Teresa M. Amabile
Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Kenneth R. Andrews
Ross Graham Walker Professor Management Controls, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

James E. Austin
Eliot I. Snider and Family Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Joseph L. Badaracco
John Shad Professor of Business Ethics
Harvard Business School

Lotte Bailyn
T Wilson (1953) Professor of Management
MIT Sloan School of Management

George P. Baker
Herman C. Krannert Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Louis B. Barnes
John D. Black Professor, Emeritus; Professor of Organizational Behavior, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

James N. Baron
Walter Kenneth Kilpatrick Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

Jean M. Bartunek
Robert A. and Evelyn J. Ferris Chair, Professor of Organization Studies
Carroll School of Management, Boston College

Yehuda Bassock
Professor
Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

Thomas A. Bausch
Professor
College of Business Administration, Marquette University

Max H. Bazerman
Jesse Isidor Straus Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Cynthia Beath
Professor Emeritus
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

Michael Beer
Cahners-Rabb Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Jack N. Behrman
Luther Hodges Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina

Norman A. Berg
MBA Class of 1958 Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Barbara Bird
Associate Professor of Management
Kogod School of Business, American University

John E. Bishop
Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Robert B. Bostrom
L. Edmund Rast Professor of Business
Terry College of Business, University of Georgia

Joseph L. Bower
Donald K. David Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Stephen P. Bradley
William Ziegler Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Arthur P. Brief
Lawrence Martin Professor of Business
Freeman School of Business, Tulane University

Phillip Bromiley
Curtis L. Carlson Chair in Strategic Management
Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota

Alfred D. Chandler
Isidor Straus Professor Business History, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Chao C. Chen
Professor
Rutgers Business School, Rutgers University

Charles J. Corbett
Associate Professor of Operations Management and Environmental Management
UCLA Anderson School of Management

Thomas G. Cummings
Professor
Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

Michael Cusumano
Sloan Management Review Distinguished Professor
MIT Sloan School of Management

Fariborz Damanpour
Professor
Rutgers Business School

Jose de la Torre
Dean, Chapman Graduate School of Business
Florida International University

John A. Deighton
Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Rohit Deshpande
Sebastian S. Kresge Professor of Marketing
Harvard Business School

Nancy DiTomaso
Professor
Rutgers Business School--Newark and New Brunswick

Jane E. Dutton
Professor
University of Michigan Business School

Amy Edmondson
Professor
Harvard Business School

Benjamin C. Esty
Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Ronald F. Fariña
Associate Professor
Daniels College of Business, University of Denver

James A. Fitzsimmons
William H. Seay Centennial Professor of Business
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

James W. Fredrickson
Tom E. Nelson, Jr. Regents Professor of Business
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

Sherwood C. Frey, Jr.
Ethyl Corporation Professor of Business Administration
Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia

Cynthia V. Fukami
Professor
Daniels College of Business, University of Denver

Pankaj Ghemawat
Jaime and Josefina Chua Tiampo Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Stephen M. Gilbert
Associate Professor
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

James R. Glenn, Jr.
Professor of Management
College of Business, San Francisco State University

Leslie E. Grayson
Isidore Horween Research Professor, Emeritus
Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia

Jerry R. Green
Daniel A. Wells Professor of Political Economy,
John Leverett Professor in the University
Harvard Business School

Leonard Greenhalgh
Professor of Management
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

Douglas T. Hall
Professor of Organizational Behavior
Boston University School of Management

Rebecca M. Henderson
Eastman Kodak LFM Professor
MIT Sloan School of Management

Linda A. Hill
Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Raymond Hogler
Professor of Management
College of Business, Colorado State University

Yasheng Huang
Associate Professor of International Management
MIT Sloan School of Management

Mariann Jelinek
The Richard C. Kraemer Professor of Business Strategy
School of Business, College of William & Mary

David B. Jemison
Foster Parker Centennial Professor of Management and Finance
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

John M. Jermier
Exide Professor of Sustainable Enterprise Research
College of Business, University of South Florida

Shulamit Kahn
Associate Professor
Boston University School of Management

Kate M. Kaiser
Associate Professor
College of Business, Marquette University

Rosabeth M. Kanter
Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Steven O. Kimbrough
Professor
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Stephen J. Kobrin
Wurster Professor of Multinational Management
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Thomas A. Kochan
George Maverick Bunker Professor of Work and Employment Relations
MIT Sloan School of Management

Nancy F. Koehn
James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Howard Kunreuther
Cecilia Yen Koo Professor of Decision Sciences and Public Policy
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Rajiv Lal
Stanley Roth, Sr. Professor of Retailing
Harvard Business School

Theresa Lant
Associate Professor of Management
Stern School of Business, New York University

Paul R. Lawrence
Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Organizational Behavior, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Carrie R. Leana
Professor of Business Administration and of Public and International Affairs
Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh

Dorothy A. Leonard
William J. Abernathy Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
Harvard Business School

Herman B. Leonard
Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Donald R. Lessard
Epoch Foundation Professor of International Management
MIT Sloan School of Management

Daniel A. Levinthal
Julian Aresty Professor of Management and Economics
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

E. Allan Lind
Thomas A. Finch Professor of Business Administration
Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

Richard M. Locke
Alvin J. Siteman Professor of Entrepreneurship and Political Science
MIT Sloan School of Management

George C. Lodge
Jaime and Josefina Chua Tiampo Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Jay W. Lorsch
Louis E. Kirstein Professor of Human Relations
Harvard Business School

Michael Magazine
Professor
College of Business, University of Cincinnati

Michael R. Manning
Professor of Management
College of Business Administration & Economics, New Mexico State University

Theodore R. Marmor
Professor of Public Policy and Management
Yale School of Management and Political Science Department

Joanne Martin
Merrill Professor of Organizational Behavior
Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

Thomas K. McCraw
Isidor Straus Professor of Business History
Harvard Business School

Anita M. McGahan
Professor and Everett W. Lord Distinguished Faculty Scholar
Boston University School of Management

Kathleen L. McGinn
Cahners-Rabb Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Robert P. McGowan
Professor
Daniels College of Business, University of Denver

Robert C. Merton
John and Natty McArthur University Professor
Harvard Business School

David M. Messick
Kaplan Professor of Ethics and Decision in Management
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Alan D. Meyer
Charles H. Lundquist Professor of Entrepreneurial Management
Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon

Marshall W. Meyer
Richard A. Sapp Professor, Professor of Management and Sociology
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Richard F. Meyer
Thomas D. Casserly, Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Ian Mitroff
Harold Quinton Distinguished Professor of Business Policy
Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

Cynthia A. Montgomery
Timken Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

David A. Moss
John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

J. Keith Murnighan
Harold H. Hines Jr. Distinguished Professor of Risk Management
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Steven Nahmias
Professor
Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University

Barry Nalebuff
Milton Steinbach Professor of Management
Yale School of Management

Das Narayandas
Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Paul Newman
Clark W. Thompson, Jr. Chair in Accounting
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

William Ocasio
John L. and Helen Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Management and Organizations
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Paul Osterman
NTU Professor of Human Resources and Management
MIT Sloan School of Management

Lynn S. Paine
John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Johannes M. Pennings
Marie and Joseph Melone Professor
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Margaret Peteraf
Associate Professor of Business Administration
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

Joel Podolny
Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management
Harvard Business School

John W. Pratt
William Ziegler Professor Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Drazen Prelec
Professor of Management Science
MIT Sloan School of Management

Keith G. Provan
Eller Professor of Public Administration & Policy
Eller College of Management, University of Arizona

Ronald E. Purser
Professor of Management
College of Business, San Francisco State University

Roy Radner
L. N. Stern School Professor of Business
Stern School of Business, New York University

Daniel Raff
Associate Professor of Management
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Howard Raiffa
Frank Plumpton Ramsey Professor Managerial Economics, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

V. Kasturi Rangan
Malcolm P. McNair Professor of Marketing
Harvard Business School

Stefan H. Robock
R. D. Calkins Professor of International Business, Emeritus
Graduate School of Business, Columbia University

David Rogers
Professor Emeritus of Management and Sociology
Stern School of Business, New York University

John W. Rosenblum
Dean Emeritus
Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia

Lori Rosenkopf
Associate Professor of Management
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Walter J. Salmon
Stanley Roth, Sr. Professor of Retailing, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Carol Saunders
Professor of MIS
College of Business Administration, University of Central Florida

Melissa A. Schilling
Associate Professor
Stern School of Business, New York University

Arthur Schleifer, Jr.
James J. Hill Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Claudia B. Schoonhoven
Professor of Organization and Strategy
Graduate School of Management, University of California, Irvine

Bruce R. Scott
Paul Whiton Cherington Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Michael S. Scott-Morton
Jay W. Forester Professor of Management, Emeritus
MIT Sloan School of Management

James K. Sebenius
Gordon Donaldson Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Benson P. Shapiro
Malcolm P. McNair Professor of Marketing, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Roy D. Shapiro
Philip Caldwell Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

William F. Sharpe
STANCO 25 Professor of Finance, Emeritus
Stanford Business School

Alvin J. Silk
Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Harbir Singh
Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Jitendra V. Singh
Saul P. Steinberg Professor of Management
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Sim B. Sitkin
Associate Professor
Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

William B. Snavely
Professor of Management
Richard T. Farmer School of Business, Miami University

Olav Sorenson
Associate Professor
UCLA Anderson School of Management

Debora L. Spar
Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Richard Staelin
Edward and Rose Donnell Professor of Business Administration
Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

William H. Starbuck
ITT Professor of Creative Management
Stern School of Business, New York University

John Sterman
Jay W. Forester Professor of Management
MIT Sloan School of Management

Richard S. Tedlow
MBA class of 1949 Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Ramkrishnan V. Tenkasi
Professor of Organization Change
College of Business and Technology, Benedictine University

David A. Thomas
Naylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

William R. Torbert
Professor
Carroll School of Management, Boston College

Anne S. Tsui
Motorola Professor
W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University

Michael L. Tushman
Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Karl T. Ulrich
Professor of Operations and Information Management
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Garrett J. van Ryzin
Paul M. Montrone Professor of Private Enterprise
Graduate School of Business, Columbia University

N. Venkat Venkatraman
David J. McGrath Jr. Professor of Management
Boston University School of Management

Richard H. K. Vietor
Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management
Harvard Business School

Sandra Waddock
Professor of Management
Carroll School of Management, Boston College

Melanie Wallendorf
Eller Professor of Marketing
Eller College of Management, University of Arizona

Richard T. Watson
J. Rex Fuqua Distinguished Chair for Internet Strategy
Terry College of Business, University of Georgia

David Weil
Associate Professor of Economics
Boston University School of Management

Louis T. Wells
Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management
Harvard Business School

Patricia H. Werhane
Ruffin Professor of Business Ethics
Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia

Birger Wernerfelt
J. C. Penney Professor of Management Science
MIT Sloan School of Management

D. Eleanor Westney
Society of Sloan Fellows Chair in Management
MIT Sloan School of Management

James D. Westphal
Ed and Molly Smith Chair in Business Administration
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

Robert B. Wilson
Adams Distinguished Professor of Management, Emeritus
Stanford Business School

Sid Winter
Deloitte and Touche Professor of Management
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

JoAnne Yates
Sloan Distinguished Professor of Management
MIT Sloan School of Management

David B. Yoffie
Max and Doris Starr Professor of International Business Administration
Harvard Business School

Abraham Zaleznik
Konosuke Matsushita Professor of Leadership, Emeritus
Harvard Business School

Ray Zammuto
Professor of Management
Business School, University of Colorado at Denver

Paul H. Zipkin
The T. Austin Finch, Sr. Professor of Business
Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

The above tenured or emeritus professors have signed in their individual capacities. The letter represents the signers’ own views, not those of the institutions with which they are affiliated.

ACT has spent all year laying the groundwork for Democratic victories in federal, state and local elections.  But now, success lies in your hands.

Thousands of paid canvassers have prepared for the largest get-out-the-vote effort in history.  With your help, we've registered record numbers of new voters and met with millions of targeted voters at their doorsteps.  Now we need your help getting these voters to the polls. 

ACT needs over 25,000 volunteers on Election Day. Sign up today.

October is the month ACT was built for.  Here are just a few highlights from the month so far:

The Vote for Change Tour is underway.  The 37 show tour (presented by MoveOn PAC to benefit ACT) is introducing hundreds of thousands of music fans to ACT.  Monday's finale in Washington DC will be televised on Sundance Channel and webcast by Real Networks.  More info here.

Fighting back in Ohio!   Over 125,000 of you have signed our petition to Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell demanding that he accepts all voter registration forms.  Your outrage -- and the media attention it has fueled --forced him to back down.  Read the petition here.

Rental Vans.  We asked for your help funding the vans needed to transport volunteers and voters on Election Day.  Thousands of you responded contributing over $225,000.  $136.68 is the average daily cost of a rental van.  Donate today. 

Along with you there are over 225,000 ACTivists receiving this message today.  Each one of us has an important role to play in the weeks ahead.  Please make your Election Day plans today, recruit your friends, make contact with an ACT office and be prepared for the challenge of a lifetime. 

Together, we can do this... and we will win.

Sign up now to volunteer on Election Day.

With great appreciation,

Ellen Malcolm
President
America Coming Together

PS.  For over a year, ACT canvassers have been spreading the truth, door-to-door and face-to-face.  A new film, Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry is revealing the truth about John Kerry's heroic service in Vietnam.   Help support the truth.  Find a theater in your area now.

Whether John Kerry or George Bush sits in the White House for the next four years is up to us. The commitment you make throughout the final month of this campaign will decide this election.

You've helped get us to this point. You helped raise more than $16 million online for the Democratic Party in September -- an incredible new record. Now, we've got to raise $20 million during the final month of this campaign.

https://www.democrats.org/support/kerry.html

For one last time, we need your help to meet three October deadlines. Your actions during the next four weeks will mean the difference between victory or defeat for John Kerry, John Edwards, and Democrats down the ticket.

Our first critical deadline is just two days away at midnight on Friday, October 8 -- just hours after John Kerry and George Bush meet in their next debate. The money raised this week will guide critical decisions about the advertising aired in the crucial swing states.

Our goal this week is to raise an extra $5 million for vitally important ads. With that kind of support, the Democratic Party will use an aggressive ad campaign to build on the momentum stemming from the strong debate performances of John Kerry and John Edwards to help the entire ticket win this Novemeber 2.

Help us meet our goal:

https://www.democrats.org/support/kerry.html

Two other deadlines loom right around the corner. By midnight on October 15, the final decisions about priorities in swing states must be made, and on October 27, the online fundraising drive must be finished if the money we raise is going to do us any good. By that point, the Democratic Party must have all its money in hand as you and other loyal supporters help pour resources into the most extensive get-out-the-vote effort in our nation's history.

Time is short. The stakes are high. And your determination to help our candidates pull through to victory counts for everything. To win this election, the Democratic Party must make every decision based on strategy, not finances. It's four weeks of hard work or four more years of Bush and Cheney. It is that simple.

I want to end this message with the same words that we use to end our staff meetings here at headquarters.

Let's go win another day,

Mary Beth Cahill
Campaign Manager

We're on a roll. In last night's vice presidential debate, Dick Cheney was angry, misleading and petulant; Edwards took him on with warmth, clarity and the facts. CBS News reported this morning that Edwards "continued the Democratic ticket's winning streak," beating Cheney by 13 percentage points in a post-debate poll of uncommitted voters.^[1]

It's important work: the tens of thousands of letters MoveOn members wrote after the first presidential debate made a real impact on the post-debate environment. Our letter-to-the-editor tool makes it easy to find your local newspaper and submit a letter online -- it just takes a couple of minutes. Write a letter now at:

CHENEY'S MISLEAD: "I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11"

THE TRUTH: As the Washington Post reports today, Cheney has repeatedly insinuated and "strongly suggested" that Saddam Hussein was behind the attacks on September 11th.^[2] And in its fact check column today, the Boston Globe says "Cheney has consistently asserted strong prewar links between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda, even after the 9/11 Commission definitively concluded that there had not been a collaborative relationship between the two. In a radio interview in January 2004, Cheney said: 'I think there's overwhelming evidence that there was a connection between Al Qaeda and the Iraqi government.'"^[3]

On December 9, 2001, Cheney went on "Meet the Press" to perpetuate the now entirely debunked theory that one of the 9/11 hijackers met with an Iraqi official.^[4] He went back on a year ago to describe Iraq as part of ""the geographic base of the terrorists who have had us under assault for many years, but most especially on 9/11."^[5]

Most recently, Cheney has claimed that Iraq harbored the terrorist Abu Musab al Zarqawi, and said Zarqawi "is an al Qaeda associate who took refuge in Baghdad, found sanctuary and safe harbor there before we ever launched into Iraq."^[6] But yesterday, a report Cheney himself requested found that there is no conclusive evidence to support that claim. An administration official said, "The evidence is that Saddam never gave Zarqawi anything."^[7]

CHENEY'S MISLEAD: "900,000 small businesses will be hit" by the Kerry-Edwards plan to roll back tax cuts for people in the top income bracket.

THE TRUTH: As the Washington Post writes this morning: "This is misleading. Under Cheney's definition, a small business is any taxpayer who includes some income from a small business investment, partnership, limited liability corporation or trust. By that definition, every partner at a huge accounting firm or at the largest law firm would represent small businesses. According to IRS data, a tiny fraction of small business "S-corporations" earn enough profits to be in the top two tax brackets. Most are in the bottom two brackets."^[8]

CHENEY'S MISLEAD: "We have added 1.7 million jobs to the economy."

THE TRUTH: On November 2nd, George Bush will be the first president in 70 years to lose jobs. There will be about a million fewer jobs than there were when Bush took office -- and about 7 million fewer than Bush's own post-9/11 estimate. Cheney's using fuzzy math: 1.7 million jobs have been added, but millions more have been lost.^[9]

CHENEY'S MISLEAD: "The first time I ever met you was when you walked on the stage tonight."

THE TRUTH: This one-liner was one of Cheney's best zingers of the night, but even it isn't true: Cheney and Edwards have met in public at least twice. They met when Edwards escorted Elizabeth Dole to be sworn in by Cheney as Senator and at the National Prayer Breakfast. At the Breakfast, he even called Edwards out by name, starting his remarks with the words, "Thank you very much. Congressman Watts, Senator Edwards, friends from across America and distinguished visitors to our country from all over the world, Lynne and I are honored to be with you all this morning."^[10] You can actually watch video of the two of them shaking hands at www.democrats.org.

1. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/05/opinion/polls/main647648.shtml
2. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6188565/
3. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/debates/articles/2004/10/06/fact_checking_the_debate/
4. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6188565/
5. Same as 4, above.
6. http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0406/21/asb.00.html
7. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/9836114.htm
8. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6188565/
9. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/debates/articles/2004/10/06/fact_checking_the_debate/
10. http://blog.johnkerry.com/rapidresponse/archives/003153.html#003153

Dear Democratic Supporter,

You may not have heard of me — I'm not quite as well-known as the other people who may have written to you recently asking you to help elect Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives. My name's Duncan Black, though I'm more widely known by my internet pseudonym "Atrios." I operate a blog called "Eschaton," which can be found at http://atrios.blogspot.com, where I regularly write about politics and the media. The site also is a great community forum for discussion, activism, and fundraising activities, with more than four million visits last month alone.

People frequently ask me where they should be sending their donations with Election Day fast approaching. Whether they can give a little or a lot, they want to know that they're spending their money wisely and doing the most they are able to do to help end the era of Republican control in Washington.

What I tell them is that while there are many worthy candidates and organizations out there who are fighting as hard as they can to make sure that Democrats will be in charge again, there's only one organization that gets to hold a few ace cards up its sleeve:

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)

http://www.democraticaction.org/atrios/

Right now, both sides can pretty much see the cards the other side is holding. Poll results, fundraising totals, campaign spending — these things are all common knowledge. The Republicans see this information and allocate their resources accordingly. However, they don't know where and when the DCCC is going to pull out those ace cards. Things can change very fast in these races, and a surprise injection of a fairly modest amount of money into an important race at the right time can make all the difference. When opportunity knocks, the DCCC can be there.

Those ace cards cost money, however, and the other side is also playing this game. When they play one of their cards the DCCC needs to have resources at its disposal to fight back when the other side suddenly starts running attack ads against our candidates.

Every race matters, and every dollar counts. Right now it's absolutely vital that the DCCC can go head to head with the right wing spin machine and come out on top.

http://www.democraticaction.org/atrios/

Republican Dennis Hastert is the current Speaker of the House, but everyone knows that the man pulling his strings is Tom DeLay, someone who was just "publicly admonished" by the House Ethics Committee for trying to bribe another Congressman to obtain his support George W. Bush's horrible prescription drug plan for Medicare. It wasn't that long ago that Tom DeLay ludicrously claimed that he was unable to serve in the Vietnam War because, in the words of Houston Press reporter Tim Fleck:

"So many minority youths had volunteered for the well-paying military positions to escape poverty and the ghetto that there was literally no room for patriotic folks like himself."

At the time, DeLay was a relatively unknown member of Congress, and after he made those remarks a TV reporter who was present asked, "Who was that idiot?" That "idiot" is currently the most powerful man in the House of Representatives.

Please do what you can to help support the DCCC in its Campaign for a New Majority. Do what you can to help make sure that Nancy Pelosi will henceforth be referred to as Speaker Pelosi. With less than 27 days until the election, do what you can to help us take back the House and take back America!

http://www.democraticaction.org/atrios/

Sincerely yours,

Duncan Black ("Atrios")
http://atrios.blogspot.com/

P.S. I've set up a page on the Majority Makers site to raise money for the DCCC, and if you set up your own online headquarters on http://www.majoritymakers.com/ you'll be entered in a contest to win a trip to Democratic National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Check the site for more details.
http://www.majoritymakers.com/

Pelosi: 'John Edwards Is Clear Winner in Tonight's Debate'

Posted by jesselee
Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 11:44 PM

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on tonight's Vice Presidential debate in Cleveland:

"In a matter of five days and two debates, John Kerry and John Edwards have done what George Bush and Dick Cheney have not been able to do in four years: Provide a clear, concise plan to make us stronger at home and respected in the world.

"John Edwards tonight was the clear winner because he communicated to Americans that he shares their values and understands the challenges they face. He is a strong advocate for John Kerry and the Democratic vision for America.

"Vice President Cheney showed that he is completely out of touch with reality on Iraq and the economy, using disingenuous rhetoric meant to hide the Bush Administration's failed record in Iraq and at home.

"John Kerry and John Edwards offer hope for a fresh start in Iraq to finish the job and will fight to put the middle class first. It was clear tonight that they present the kind of hope and optimism that have always defined the American spirit. And they will provide the leadership we need to build a more secure and more prosperous America."

Cheney Silent on Federal Marriage Amendment

Refuses to Defend Bush's Divisive Politics

Washington, DC - During the vice-presidential debate tonight, Senator John Edwards discussed his and John Kerry's clear opposition to the divisive Federal Marriage Amendment endorsed by President George Bush saying, "There is absolutely no purpose in the law and in reality for this amendment. It's nothing but a political tool. And it's being used in an effort to divide this country on an issue that we should not be dividing America on."

Per debate rules, Vice President Dick Cheney was given 90 seconds to respond to Edward's charges that Bush's endorsement of the Federal Marriage Amendment was wrong. Cheney simply thanked Edwards for his earlier remarks toward Cheney's family, including his openly gay daughter, and then remained silent, refusing to defend Bush's decision, signaling a rift in the administration on this issue.

In response, Democratic National Committee Spokesperson Brian Richardson issued the following statement:

"When Bush's own vice president refuses to endorse a campaign of bigotry, it becomes clear that Bush is taking America in the wrong direction. Not only is the Federal Marriage Amendment dividing the country, it's dividing Bush's own administration."

Congressman Wamp, Senator Edwards, friends from across America, and distinguished visitors to our country from all over the world: Lynne and I are honored to be with you all this morning.

Thanks Atrios.

And then theres this, which should offer up photos at some point soon (and we all know how people need pictures for reality to sink in):

Senator Edwards Escorted Elizabeth Dole When She Was Sworn In As North Carolina's Other Senator.  Elizabeth Dole was sworn in as North Carolina's other senator on January 8, 2003.  Gannet News Service wrote:  "As per Senate tradition, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., escorted her."

Dole Took The Senate Oath Administered By Vice President Dick Cheney.  According to Gannet News Service: "[Dole] raised her right hand and took the oath administered by Vice President Dick Cheney, the Senate president."  [Gannet News Service, 1/8/03]

Why would Cheney make a lie so obviously easy to expose? It's almost pathological -- reality need not get in the way of a good zinger.

We're two for two. Tonight, in Cleveland, John Edwards showed real strength and conviction -- he was in command of the facts and in control of the debate and a powerful advocate for John Kerry. The American people saw John Edwards as somebody who is ready, if neccessary, to be president of the United States.

Dick Cheney is totally out of touch with reality in Iraq and totally out of touch with the struggles of the middle class. This is nothing new to a man with a lifetime record of protecting the powerful and well-connected. He came across as smug, arrogant, mean and defensive -- but his trademark distortions and scare tactics didn't work. John Edwards refused to let him play the politics of fear and forced Dick Cheney to confront his administration's record of failure.

Americans are tired of growls and scowls from our leaders, and John Edwards and John Kerry offer America hope and optimism.

The Bush-Cheney campaign is already trying to spin the debate. I am here in Cleveland, right now, working to make sure that doesn't happen. Tonight my job is going to be a lot easier than my Republican counterparts for three reasons. First, John Edwards is our candidate for vice president, second Dick Cheney is theirs, and third I know that you are going to join me in this critical fight.

Here is what you can do:

1) Vote in online polls

The Bush-Cheney campaign has asked their supporters to vote in online polls. Don't let them distort the polls like they distort their record.

CNN
http://www.cnn.com

MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com

ABC News
http://www.abcnews.com

CBS
http://www.cbsnews.com

Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com

Also check you local newspaper and TV station's websites for online polls.

2) Call into talk radio

http://volunteer.johnkerry.com/speakout

3) Write local newspapers

http://volunteer.johnkerry.com/speakout

John Edwards clearly won on stage tonight -- let's make sure he wins against unrelenting Republican spin.

Sincerely,

Joe Lockhart
Senior Advisor

"He voted against banning plastic weapons that can pass through medical detectors.

"He voted against 'Meals on Wheels' for Seniors.

"He voted against a holiday for Martin Luther King.

"He voted against a resolution calling for the release of Nelson Mandela."

Cheney couldn't respond, and didn't even try.