Friday, October 17, 2008

Ending the Iraq war: Update on Anti-war Candidates

FORWARD

While the economy has taken center stage in the final weeks of the 2008 campaign, Iraq remains a critical issue as well -- the war costs billions of dollars each month, and costs American and Iraqi lives, limbs, and health as well.

The "Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq" -- http://www.responsibleplan.com -- was developed by congressional candidates Darcy Burner, Donna Edwards, and others as a campaign platform and legislative agenda. The plan seeks both to end the war in Iraq, and prevent failures like it in the future; it calls for

* Ending U.S. military action in Iraq
* Using U.S. diplomatic power
* Addressing humanitarian concerns
* Restoring our Constitution
* Restoring our military
* Restoring independence to the media
* Creating a new, U.S.-centered energy policy

...with specific legislative proposals for each goal. Consider contributing to the "Responsible Plan" candidates campaigns here:

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

Here's a quick rundown on how some of these candidates are doing.

* Donna Edwards (MD-04): an incumbent by now, and a prohibitive favorite in November -- no Republican has received more than 25% of the vote in this district since 1994.
* Eric Massa (NY-29): Up 51-44, (10/7/08, SurveyUSA)
* Tom Perriello (VA-05): Down 42-55 (10/7/08, SurveyUSA); has gained 12 points in 2 months
* Chellie Pingree (ME-01): Up 44-33 (10/2/08, PolitickerME); 22% undecided!
* Jared Polis (CO-02): “heavy favorite” (9/10/08, PolitickerCO)
* George Fearing (WA-04): no recent poll information
* Larry Byrnes (FL-14): out earlier this summer.
* Stephen Harrison (NY-13): no recent poll information; one can not give money to this campaign via ActBlue
* Sam Bennett (PA-15): can’t find recent poll information
* Darcy Burner (WA-08): Up 49-44 (10/14/08, DCCC); had been down 44-54 (9/9/08, SUSA).

Obviously, all of them deserve our help and many are in close races. To help with a non-tax-deductible donation, go to the Responsible Plan ActBlue web site:

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

...and give to any or all of them.

No comments: