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"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices..." - Democrats.com

Written by: Richard Renner on Nov 17, 2008 9:41 PM EST

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices...Local and state offices have an enormous impact on our lives, and also produce our future national leaders..." - Democrats.com

CHALLENGE: ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT to raise $380! Help the only Democratic County Commissioner in Missaukee County (Michigan).

On Tuesday, November 4th, history was made in Missaukee County. I was fortunate enough to defeat a Republican incumbent for County Commissioner in the second most Republican county in the state of Michigan. However, as with many campaigns, I have debt to pay off, and several final expenses to pay. I need to raise $380 in 3 days. Can I count on you? Making a contribution is easier than ever. Just click on the link below, and make a secure, online contribution using PayPal...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=rrenner%40core%2ecom&item_name=Friends%20of%20Richard%20Renner&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY MID-MICHIGAN DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA (MMDfA)!
“Richard REALLY knows his stuff and has specific plans for improving his county.”

As I was quoted in our local daily, the Cadillac News, following my victory...

"The voters...have made a determination that the status quo is no longer acceptable, that we expect more accountability, greater openness, and transparency in county government."

Please, help me pay off my debt by raising $380 in 3 days. Just click on the link below, and make a secure, online contribution using PayPal...

Victory '10,

Richard Renner

Missaukee County Commissioner-elect

"...public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people...with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration."

- Margaret Chase Smith, U.S. Senator from Maine, 1949-1973

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Don't Let Calvert Steal This Election!

Written by: Denise on Nov 10, 2008 8:00 AM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Riverside, Blog For America, California for Democracy, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, Courage Campaign, Democracy for America - Orange County

Following is an update from Bill Hedrick on the vote count in his congressional race for CA-44:

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Ken Calvert is facing his most serious challenge of his 16-year Congressional career --- the race for the 44th Congressional District remains too close to call.

Earlier this week, Mr. Calvert declared victory and he did so before in excess of 200,000 uncounted vote-by-mail and provisional ballots had been tallied. GOP lawyers are descending upon registrars' offices in Orange and Riverside trying to influence the vote counting.

As was reported earlier this week in the Huffington Post,

Calvert's team has apparently been having private conversations with the registrar's office in Riverside County, which was the last county in California to report its election results. There were numerous reports from Democratic Party officials, voters and even a poll worker in Riverside County that voters were ‘forced to use provisional ballots’ or ‘denied ballots entirely’ on Tuesday.

Countywide, we understand there are still more 58,000 absentee and 48,000 provisional ballots remaining to be processed, as well as thousands of poll votes rejected by scanning machines that have yet to be counted. Our number one priority is to support a fair and accurate accounting to ensure every vote is counted and every voice is heard in this election.

I want to thank the leadership and staff of the Registrar of Voters in Riverside and Orange Counties who have been working around the clock since Tuesday, processing the uncounted ballots, and for their transparency in accurately reporting the results.

We need to allow the process to be completed. The margin is certain to go up and down over the next three weeks. The election in the 44th Congressional District is not over yet and won’t be until all the votes have been counted.

We have assembled a legal team to make sure the process is fair and that all valid ballots get counted. We have the best lawyer money can buy, but good lawyers are expensive.

Do not let Calvert steal this election. We don't need another Florida 2000 popping up here in Riverside County. We are making waves and even the national press has taken notice that the race for the 44th isn't over yet

I need your help today to fight back.

Please consider making a contribution to the Hedrick Ballot Fund right now to help pay our legal costs and make sure thousands of votes are counted.

http://actblue.com/page/ hedrickballotfund

As an individual you can contribute up to $2,300 toward our effort. Your previous contribution to the Hedrick for Congress Campaign does not count toward the limit. Even if you contributed the maximum amount to my 2008 campaign, you can still make a contribution to the Hedrick Ballot Fund.

http://actblue.com/page/ hedrickballotfund

Sincerely,

Bill Hedrick

Candidate for Congress 44th CD

Paid for and authorized by the Hedrick for Congress campaign | FEC# C00436758

Corporate contributions are prohibited and contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.
Please make checks out/send to Hedrick Ballot Fund|PO Box 2855|Corona, CA 92878

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Update on CA-44: This Race Isn't Over Yet

Written by: Denise on Nov 7, 2008 10:50 AM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Riverside, Blog For America, California for Democracy, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, Courage Campaign, Democracy for America - Orange County

Following is the latest update from Bill Hedrick, DFA-List candidate in California's 44th Congressional District. As you will see below the jump, the 2008 election is not over for us here, and we need your help to stand up to the GOP's dirty tricksters and win this congressional race. If you are a Vote by Mail voter in the CA-44, please verify the status of your ballot now:

http://www.election.co.riverside.ca.us/VBM/BallotStatusLookup/

If you have questions or concerns about the status of your ballot, please let the Registrar of Voter's Office know. ROV contact info:

http://www.election.co.riverside.ca.us/contactUs.asp

Bill needs volunteers to take shifts observing the ballot counting at both the Riverside County and Orange County Registrar of Voters Offices. If you can volunteer a few hours of your time, please call the Hedrick for Congress Campaign now to sign up for a shift:

Riverside Office: 9496 Magnolia Avenue, Suite 101 Phone: 951.689.1060

San Juan Capistrano: 31876 Del Obispo, Suite 2 Phone: 949.234.0020

Finally, please, please, please empty out your piggy banks, go through your couch cushions, raid your toll booth money, dig deep, deep, deep into your wallets and give what ever you can, give as much as you can to Bill's ballot fund. Ken Calvert has Dick Cheney to raise money for him. Bill Hedrick has you. Please be as generous as you can. Read the update from Bill below the jump:

Discuss

CA-44: Too Close to Call

Written by: Denise on Nov 6, 2008 9:35 AM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Riverside, Blog For America, California for Democracy, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, Courage Campaign, Democracy for America - Orange County

Following is last night's most recent update from DFA's own Bill Hedrick, candidate for Congress in California's 44th Congressional District, which is still too close to call. If you are a Riverside County resident of the 44th CD, you may check the status of your Vote by Mail ballot on this Riverside County Registrar of Voters website:

http://www.election.co.riverside.ca.us/VBM/BallotStatusLookup/

You may also get information on how to contact the Riverside County Registrar's office here:

http://www.election.co.riverside.ca.us/contactUs.asp

Bill pledges not to rest until all votes are counted. Please do the same. Make sure every Vote by Mail ballot submitted and every valid provisional ballot is counted. Bill is counting on us.

Denise

P.S. Attorneys cost bucks. Hit that big green button down below if you can toss Bill a few.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The only thing we know right now is that we don't know anything for sure. This race is still too close to call.

There are up to 100,000 ballots (provisional and late vote-by-mail) that have yet to be counted. That process will begin on Thursday.

The OC Register had earlier called this race for Calvert, but has since rescinded that claim and drawn the same conclusion we have - until every last vote has been counted, we will not know who has won.

As it stands now, with what has been counted, the results are:

Bill Hedrick 49%
Ken Calvert 51%

Calvert is about 4000 votes ahead of us at this point in time, but with tens of thousands of votes to count, the final result is still uncertain.

We will make an official statement on the outcome when every last vote has been counted.

If you voted on a provisional ballot (and apparently this happened a lot in Corona, Norco, and the east side of Riverside), or if you voted-by-mail, call the registrar's office and ask that every ballot be counted. We do not need a Florida-style controversy in Riverside County! We are consulting with attorneys to ensure the integrity of the voting (and counting!) process, and we will keep you posted. We have had--and will continue to have--observers in Riverside and Santa Ana as the ballot verification continues.

Thank you all for your unwavering support throughout this election. Win or lose, this race is incredibly tight--the most competitive challenge in Southern California. We hope we can count on your support for Hedrick for Congress 2010!

We will keep you posted as events unfold Thursday!

Bill Hedrick

Discuss

Election Day: My Day...and What I thought About.....

Written by: Mike Pouraryan on Nov 6, 2008 3:44 AM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for America - Orange County

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Source: http://www.outsiderviews.com, retrieved 11/5/2008

As I write this, Thursday has arrived. I am personally still coming to grips with the

historical nature of the election in the United States. I had been reading up on the analysis by all the pundits and the world reactions so far. The entire world seems to have embrace Senator Obama's election. From the reports I have seen, it appears that Senator Obama has hit the ground running. He got the job because he did run a superb campaign and did not lose his cool no matter what. But, as he begins to get ready, he sure has his work cut out for him. The market lost 5% on Wednesday alone. I am still trying to figure out why anyone would want this job.

I was out today on my on-going business commitments. I was amazed to see that folks ran out of newspapers to keep a memento of this election. I actually checked out all the newspaper stands and even the local starbucks. I did manage to pick up a copy of my local paper to keep it for posterity. But, Tuesday was the day I truly understood how significant the election was. For me, it started around 5:30 AM when I left to report to my first precinct. I was amazed as to the volunteers who were staffing the precinct. There was a chaplain from the local fire department, a student, a housewife and a retired gentleman. They all came together to do the right thing. They had gone out the night before to make sure everything was set up and ready to go. When I got there at 6:00 AM, voters were already then ready to go. My reaction was simple this: OMG!!! This was a tempo of things to come. At my second precinct, I again saw America. People were lining up and ready to go. I ran into a bit of snag. But, thanks to the team in place, we were able to resolve it with two minutes to spare. I then proceeded on to my third, fourth and fifth precincts checking on things and making sure everything was on track. As I continued to make the rounds of my precincts, I continued to be amazed by the folks who were showing up. The enthusiasm by all the poll workers uplifted my spirits. I will never forget when one of the volunteers ran to me with joy at reaching the 500th Vote. She had volunteered for that poll and that school for years. It was a long day. But it was a day to be proud of because I saw America at its' best.

I read reports on stuff going wrong. I had two machines that went down. I also had poll watchers keeping a watchful eye. I also had folks advocating for the position they were either for or against while adhering to the 100 ft boundary that was mandated by law. I had folks who had an Obama Sticker, a Republican Proud Shirt who walked in and were reminded to be nonpartisan. But, it was a great experience. But, of course, I was as interested in the elections despite my commitment of service to the Registrar of Voters. I started getting the first returns which pointed to an Obama Victory. I also heard Senator McCain very gracious concession speech. It was the Senator McCain I knew who fought the big spenders and who the patriot was. I also heard Senator Obama speak as well. He told the country and the world of the challenges ahead. He gave the world hope and promised that the world will overcome. I think he set the tone for what he is going to do.

The Democrats had a very good night on Tuesday. There were a lot of celebrations. As I have come to grips with the significance of what has happened, I am also quite mindful of the profound challenges that remain. The world economy is in shambles. We have two wars that do not seem to want to end. We have an Auto Industry that is about to die off. I read a report this morning that a potential death of the Auto Industry will cost 2.3 Million jobs. He will also have to deal with those of us who have begun to speak up and will support him when appropriate and will speak up when he is wrong. I take comfort in his stance on Afghanistan, for instance. I wrote about it earlier in my daily commentary whereby I saw how he understood the nature of the government and the need to have a change in strategy. I will be assessing who is going get the top appointments. I think this will set the tone on how he is going to govern.

The work begins. The experiment we all call America is about to enter a new era. America will renew yet again. All of us in America must do our part. I intend to do mine.

Discuss

A Brief Personal Reflection

Written by: Mike Pouraryan on Nov 2, 2008 12:17 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America - Orange County

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

I admit I was a late convert, because I began this campaign as a supporter of John Edwards. John Edwards spoke of the two Americas that we have come to know so well now. But, I was proud to have cast my vote for Senator Obama because I believe that he embraced the need to elevate the down and out. He reminded us that everyone matters--even Joe the Plumber!!! He has understood that this schism must be overcome for the sake of all. His story is America's Story. His vision is bold and energetic to help lift us all. We have profound challenges that we must band together to rebuild.

Many say it will be close. As I write this final brief reflection, I can't help but reflect what I could have done differently. I tried to step up, make the calls, contribute and to do my bit to "hopefully" contribute to this ever-growing community. For those who have not voted yet, I urge all to note that every vote does count. Don't forget to vote. Nothing but your future depends on it.

Discuss

The Taliban Threat

Written by: Mike Pouraryan on Oct 15, 2008 4:43 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America - Orange County

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Source: http://www.outsiderviews.com, retrieved October 15, 2008

There is a report on Al Jazeera English right now about defections hitting Afghan forces. It quotes an Afghan Police Commander named Sulieman Ameri who was apparently a Afghan Police Officers who defected with 16 of his officers. He used to patrol near the border with Iran. They are taking weapons that the West has given them and are turning the weapons against the very people that they received the training from.

I have repeatedly warned about this in my comments. Their influence is spreading. I regard it as a threat. If the Taliban truly live up to their puritan beliefs and practice Islam in the fashion that accepted the enlightened role of women, embraced the role of education and technology, then the west may have something to talk about. But, destroying cultural icons, relying on poppy cultivation and keeping women in servitude is simply not the way. But, the useless clown who is the so-called President of Afghanistan is increasingly ineffective. He is a heck of a sales guy, though. He can truly sell the bridge to no where. When the West wakes up to the realities on the ground is another issue. As I noted in my previous comments, the U.S. Defense Secretary noted that a political understanding will eventually have to be reached with the Taliban. The U.S. cannot truly sustain the committment as it stands. The U.S. must tend to pressing domestic concerns and rebuild an image that has been tattered. The Republicans seem not to understand that. That's why when the clown Karzai said that Sarah Palin asked the right questions, I noted that even if Sarah Palin may have asked the right questions, Palin was asking the wrong guy.

Discuss

Palin Protest - Orange County, CA 10/4/08

Written by: Bobbi Jo Chavarria on Sep 30, 2008 8:05 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Moreno Valley DFA, Redlands DFA, Take Back Red California, DFA-Link Organizers, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA Highland , DFA Campaign Academy Alumni, California for Democracy, DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, Democratic Club of Coarsegold, Courage Campaign, DFA Blog Network, DFA of Chowchilla, DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties , DFA of Stanislaus County, Blog For America, blog for America Test and Poll Group, Southern California for Democracy, Democracy for America - Orange County

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

From: <Felicitynf@aol.com>
Date: Sun, Sep 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Subject: Palin protest this Saturday, Oct. 4, 3:30 at Segerstrom Hall
To: OCProgressiveChristians@yahoogroups.com

Here is the most recent word regarding the Palin appearance in Orange County. People are asked to be there at 3:30. I am including the original invitation as an attachment.

Palin IS coming to OC for a fundraiser and has rescheduled for Saturday, 10/4.

Let's keep up the momentum, re-group, get our signs, and bring our voices ready to be heard!

Saturday, 10/4, 3:30, Town Center Dr. , Costa Mesa

We hope to have a significant turnout; we've been in contact w/ the CA Dem Party, Move-On, Code Pink, The Liberal OC, NB Women's Dem. Club, and other supportive organizations!

We're making headway in the polls, and need your support, for the rally, and by donating to the campaign!

Please forward to every liberal you know in S. CA and to any liberal groups you may be aware of to help get people out and support!

Event is as follows:

10/4 for protest/rally outside Palin's fundraiser at Segerstrom Hall, 3:30, Town Center Drive

Original invite available here: http://files.meetup.com/311075/10-4-08OCReceptionInvite1.pdf

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It's All About Stamps

Written by: Denise on Sep 30, 2008 2:53 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Riverside, Blog For America, California for Democracy, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, Courage Campaign, Democracy for America - Orange County, DFA-Link Organizers

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Tonight, just 24 hours to before the close of the September reporting period, there are campaign managers all over the country anxiously twiddling two pencils in their hands. One is black, stubby and dulled down to a nub. That is the pencil they've been using for days now to draw up their campaign budgets for the closing month of one of the most important election years in American history.

The other one is red, and razor sharp. That is the one they will use Wednesday morning to cut that budget to fit within whatever they have in the bank at midnight on September 30. In the end it's all about stamps.

http://www.actblue.com/page/dfr4hedrick

That's right, stamps. Because an army may march on its stomach, but a campaign runs on stamps. And at this stage in a campaign, it's all about reaching as many voters as possible as quickly as possible just as mail-in ballots arrive and get-out-the-vote efforts go into overdrive. And as Ryan Sandoval, Campaign Manager for Bill Hedrick for Congress told me a few days ago, every available dime they have will go into stamps.

Bill's small grassroots operation here in Riverside, California, is facing off against a well heeled Republican machine in the 44th Congressional District that straddles two counties and runs from the inland valleys to the Pacific Ocean. Bill's team of volunteers has worked tirelessly for over a year to turn this corner of the 50 states blue, holding house parties and fundraisers several times a week from Riverside to Capistrano, to the welcoming adulation of Democrats and Republicans alike.

http://www.actblue.com/page/dfr4hedrick

They are phone banking and door knocking their hearts out, sharing with voters Bill's commitment to ending the War on Iraq so we can turn our attention to America's serious economic crisis. And as today's stunning vote in the House of Representatives revealed, change cannot come to Congress too soon.

To get his message to the most voters possible in the final days of this election, Bill needs to send mail. And that means he needs stamps. Lots and lots of stamps. Bill Hedrick's opponent has Dick Cheney to raise money for him by the thousands from the drill-happy oil executives in San Clemente. Bill, on the other hand, depends on donations from people like me and you.

I just gave Bill Hedrick's campaign a donation to buy a couple of rolls of stamps. Won't you join me before midnight Tuesday in helping Bill buy a roll or two of stamps so Ryan can put away his red pencil?

http://www.actblue.com/page/dfr4hedrick

Discuss

Senator McCain's Suspension of His Campaign

Written by: Mike Pouraryan on Sep 24, 2008 4:33 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America - Orange County

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Source: http://www.outsiderviews.com, retrieved September 24, 2008

Senator McCain just came out with a statement suspending the Presidential Campaign.   In his comments, he notes that the campaign can wait because the economic crisis the country faces is historic.   Warren Buffett compared it to 9/11.    I believe it is.

I, along with many other observers, will see how this plays out.   President Bush is also about to speak to the country later on tonight.     Congressional hearings are going on. To their credit, the members of Congress are asknig the tough questions.   There are reports that there were conversations between Senators Obama and McCain on this.   Apparently Senator Obama suggested a joint statement on this.    Yet, Senator McCain came out with a statement to look "Presidential".    What Senator McCain has done is pure politics.    His notion of "country first" will not wash based on the move he made.   He did it during the convention and he is doing it again.

The right thing would have been for both Senators to have come out with a unified statement to underscore the nature of the calamity facing us.   Now, Senator Obama has to hedge his bets and it may seem as if he is "following" Senator McCain.    Senator McCain was wrong, in my view, to seize the moment to make a political statement.     Senator McCain is not President yet. He needs to remember that.

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Democracy for America group blog for Democracy for America - Orange County

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices..." - Democrats.com

Don't Let Calvert Steal This Election!

Update on CA-44: This Race Isn't Over Yet

Read more

CA-44: Too Close to Call

Election Day: My Day...and What I thought About.....

A Brief Personal Reflection

The Taliban Threat

Palin Protest - Orange County, CA 10/4/08

It's All About Stamps

Senator McCain's Suspension of His Campaign

Blog for America

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