Recent News
Invitation to Oct. 7 Drinan Awards!
Aug 30, 2010
Father Robert F. Drinan
Please mark your calendars on October 7th for the Fifth Annual Father Robert F. Drinan National Peace and Human Rights Award being held in Washington DC.
The 2010 honorees are Bob King, president, United Automobile, Workers (UAW) and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, Massachusetts 3rd district.
The Drinan Award was established in 2006 in recognition of longtime member of Council for a Livable World’s Board of Directors, Father Robert F. Drinan. The award is annually presented to individuals who exemplify the late Father's commitment to peace and human justice.
Fifth Annual Father Robert F. Drinan National Peace and Human Rights Award
Chairman, David Bonior
Thursday, October 7, 2010
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Washington, DC
Host and ticket prices
$5,000 – Host
$2,500 – Sponsor
$1,000 – Patron
$500 – Friend
$100 – Individual ticket
Keep Sharron Angle of Nevada out of the Senate
Aug 25, 2010
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is in the closest race of his political career this fall – and it is very important to us to help him win.
He is up against Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle, who has very strange views on national security issues. Despite this, Angle has come from behind with support from the far right to defeat more mainstream Republican opponents.
If Angle wins, it will be major victory for the extreme wing of the Republican Party.
Support Harry Reid today; don’t let us lose this important seat to the Tea Party.
In addition to Republican nominee Sharron Angle, Nevada’s ballot currently includes four independents and a certified Tea Party candidate. Voters also have the option to choose “none of these candidates.”
Angle’s views are on the far, far-right. Before her new DC handlers changed it, Angle’s website included this statement about the United Nations: “The U.N. has been captured by the far left and has become ineffective and costly. The U.N. continually threatens U.S. sovereignty, with endless rhetoric and treaties and it has now become the “umpire” on fraudulent science, such as global warming. The United State needs to withdraw from the United Nations and work solely with America’s willing allies.”
Republicans Release List of House Targets
Aug 25, 2010
It's a target. Get it?
Republicans released a list of 41 House races where they will reserve television time for campaign commercials. House Minority Leader John Boehner (OH) subsequently promised that the NRCC will spend $50 million on the effort. REaders of my last post will quickly point out that this is far more the the $22 million the NRCC has in the bank. However, if the NRCC keeps fundraising at its current pace ($8.5 million in July) and takes out a line of credit, as it has in past elections, this figure may be within its grasp.
Complete list of targeted races after the jump.
Party Committees Release Fundraising Figures
Aug 25, 2010
Money Makes the World Go 'Round
The independent Republican and Democratic party committees released their July fund-raising numbers last week. This money will be used to help elect their candidates, primarily on television ads not coordinated with the individual campaigns. Here are their current cash-on-hand totals:
House
DCCC - $35,807,987
NRCC - $22,092,381
Senate
DSCC - $22,500,000
NRSC - $21,200,000
DNC - $10,855,684
RNC - $5,297,047
Dem. Total - $69,163,671
Rep. Total - $48,589,428
Money, it appears, is the one place where Democrats still enjoy an advantage over Republicans this cycle.
The Value of Unlikely Alliances; A Dan Rostenkowski Story
Aug 23, 2010
I recalled an untold story about Dan Rostenkowski that did not appear in his obituaries. It has lessons for why the Senate should agree to the New Start treaty. That story provides a rich example of building unlikely ad hoc alliances. It recognizes the importance of the military to advance peace and arms control efforts.
What reminded me of the Rostenkowski story was the picture in the obituaries of Rostenkowski sitting with Speaker Tip O'Neill. In 1971 O'Neill was beginning to lead an anti-Vietnam War effort. He was the first establishment House Democrat to step forward and lead the effort. O'Neill had agreed to lead a group of Democratic regulars who had previously been war supporters. O'Neill's credibility came from his opposing the war under President Johnson. The group hopefully would include Rostenkowski.
O'Neill wasn't going to ask him to join him. He wanted me to do that. I gulped. I didn't know Rostenkowski and he was no friend of institutional reform. which was my calling card. Nevertheless following the principle that you talk with everybody ,Rostenkowski agreed to give me five minutes.
My presentation was unpersuasive. Then Rostenkowski opened up. Like John Murtha on Iraq 35 years later, he had been talking with enlisted soldiers and officer who were not generals and were the future leadership of our military.. Their overwhelming view was that the Vietnam War was not working militarily and at the same time was harming the US Army as an institution. This galvainzed Rostenkowski's oppositon to the war. He would join O'Neill, and the others. My cohorts and I had to recognize how the war was weakening the strength and morale of our armed forces. That had to be part of our public argument.
Shift to New Start. Our current military stands firmly in support of New Start. Retired military officers can also play a strong support role by articulating the case for the New Start treaty from a military perspective and the harm that comes from the Senate not advising and consenting to New Start. The military here joins with its retired civilian promoters Secretary James Baker and Secretary James Schlessinger.
To those Senators who have so far not stepped up in support of New Start they should have to choose between the responsibility and prudence of our current and retired military officers or the recklessness of opposition to New Start. That is the legacy Dan Rostenkowski worked for. It is very much part of the Baker and Schlessinger DNA. It deserves being listened to.
Chris Cillizza - The expanding Senate playing field
Aug 21, 2010
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/the-line/-15-california-democratic-cont.html
As we sat down to rank which ten Senate races are most likely to flip party control on November 2, it became immediately clear that our Line wasn't big enough.
The simple truth is that over the past six to nine months, the Senate playing field has expanded to the point where there are now (at least) 15 races where a party switch is a real possibility -- if not a probability.
Most of that expansion has benefited Republicans, who have effectively taken advantage of a national playing field tilted in their favor to take previously non-competitive races like Washington and Wisconsin and put them on the target list.
Democrats have a few more opportunities as well -- most notably in Kentucky where ophthalmologist Rand Paul's (R) uneven campaign has created an opening for state Attorney General Jack Conway. (An independent poll released Thursday showed the two in a statistical dead heat.)
A Winner in Washington State
Aug 18, 2010
Last night, Suzan DelBene won the Democratic nomination in Washington State’s 8th Congressional District. Now, she needs your support to defeat Republican Rep. Dave Reichert in November. DelBene is strong supporter of progressive foreign policies, whereas Reichert has earned a 14% on the PeacePAC voting record over his three terms in office.
Contribute now to support Suzan DelBene in Washington State.
Council for a Livable World has endorsed Suzan DelBene for Congress because she is a quality candidate that can be elected the next Representative of the 8th Congressional District. This progressive Democrat supports President Obama’s vision of a nuclear weapons free world. She also opposed the invasion of Iraq and supports vigorous pursuit of a negotiated solution to the diplomatic stand-off with Iran.
DelBene faces a tough general election against Reichert, who had $1 million in his campaign account as of July. With your support, DelBene can run a competitive campaign and have a real chance to win this Congressional District seat for Democrats.
Reichert has served three terms, but this district has been growing steadily more Democratic. In 2000, just 33% of the state legislative seats in this district were held by Democrats. Today Democrats represent 70% of the legislative seats there. This trend puts DelBene in a strong position to defeat Congressman Reichert.
Remember that 100% of your contributions to candidates go directly to their campaigns; Council for a Livable world does not take a penny.
More details on the Nation Cruise you won’t want to miss!
Aug 16, 2010
Friday we sent you an email about an opportunity to benefit the Council, meet our military expert Lt. Gen. Robert Gard and network with like-minded progressives from across the country by attending The Nation Cruise this September 26 through October 3.
The cruise will depart New York at 4:45pm on Sunday, September 26. Below is an itinerary for the trip.
To learn more about the cruise schedule, click here.
The Nation Cruise is not only a vacation but a chance to engage with like-minded advocates for political causes and interact with interesting guest speakers such as Lt. Gen. Robert Gard.
Features of the cruise include:
- Moderated panel sessions featuring our esteemed guest speakers, along with plenty of passenger Q&A.
- Plenty of chances to meet and enjoy personal interaction with our special guest speakers.
- Exclusive Parties and Dining with our special guest speakers. You will dine with your fellow The Nation attendees, so that you have the chance to meet many of your fellow cruisers.
- A fully escorted cruise with shipboard activities and accommodations & all meals included in the ticket cost.
For more Event Highlights, visit The Nation Cruise website here.
We hope that you will participate in this unique opportunity to meet other progressives from across the nation and discuss their vision for a more livable world. Please contact Amber Cruz at acruz@clw.org or 202-543-4100 x2101 if you are interested in learning more about the cruise or want information on how to book your ticket.
Join Chairman Lt. Gen. Robert Gard on The Nation Cruise!
Aug 16, 2010
Distinguished Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Chairman, Lieutenant General Robert Gard, has been invited to speak about New START and nuclear weapons issues on Nation Magazine’s annual cruise this fall. The trip is an opportunity for progressive advocates from across the country to come together and discuss current political issues such as the significance of arms control and the elimination of nuclear weapons.
As co-sponsors of the event, Council for a Livable World, the Center’s sister organization, would like to extend an invitation for you to join General Gard on the cruise and participate in these important discussions.
Click here to visit their website and learn more about the Nation Cruise.
The cruise will take place September 26 – October 3, 2010, traveling from New York to Bermuda. Other guest speakers participating in the cruise include Amy Goodman, Host of Democracy Now!; Jim Hightower, Radio commentator, writer and author; Judy Collins, Special musical guest and author; as well as many of the magazine’s journalists and editors.
This is your chance to join some of the country’s greatest advocates for progressive causes in lively discussions about nuclear issues and many other important topics.
Proceeds from the bookings will also benefit Council for a Livable World. Book your ticket today!
We hope that you will participate in this unique opportunity to meet other progressives from across the nation and discuss their vision for a more livable world. Please contact Amber Cruz at acruz@clw.org or 202-543-4100 x2101 if you are interested in learning more about the cruise or want information on how to book your ticket.
Victory in Colorado Democratic Primary
Aug 12, 2010
Tuesday evening, Senator Michael Bennet (D) won a primary victory over his opponent, former state senate president Andrew Romanoff. Bennett, who was endorsed by Council for a Livable World, now faces a tough race against Republican Tea Party candidate Ken Buck.
Click here to support Sen. Michael Bennet in the fall campaign.
With 100% of the precincts counted, the results are:
Michael Bennet -- 54.2% and 183,521 votes
Andrew Romanoff -- 45.7% and 155,016 votes
Also Tuesday evening, Buck (R) upset the GOP establishment favorite, former lieutenant governor Jane Norton, by about 13,000 votes.
All the political experts call the general election contest a toss-up.
While many Democrats backed Romanoff, now is the time for progressives to get behind Bennet in the general election. Romanoff has pledged his full support for Bennet in this upcoming battle.
The Colorado Senate seat is important for progressive hopes in the next Congress.
Bennet supports the New START nuclear reductions treaty and will also vote for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
Contribute today to Bennet and keep Tea Party candidate Ken Buck out of the U.S. Senate.
