McConnell More Vulnerable Than Ever
Shawn Dixon February 14th, 2008
I just want to take a little time today and reflect on the great hand that the Kentucky grassroots is being dealt this election cycle. While I’m the first to admit that beating Mitch McConnell this fall will be a challenge, the grassroots has a real opportunity to cash-in on a trifecta of opportunities the presidential primaries and your hard work have given us.
By now it’s clear that John McCain will be the Republican nominee for president this fall. It is also clear, that no matter who the Democratic nominee is, his or her candidacy will be a historic one that will unite the base like never before. And, most importantly, the Kentucky grassroots is working harder and smarter and making more of an impact than ever before. These three things are a lethal combination for Mitch McConnell’s candidacy in the November elections.
Come with me as we examine the triple-play that will usher McConnell out the door this fall.
(1) McCain versus McConnell Republicans
John McCain at the top of the Republican ticket this is terrible news for Mitch McConnell. In short, John McCain Republicans simply are not Mitch McConnell Republicans. McConnell represents the far right wing of the Republican party. That wing is not going to show up to the polls in November to pull the lever for John McCain. I don’t have to belabor the point because you need only listen for five minutes to any conservative talk radio show to know that the McConnell wing of the party is planning on staying home on Election Day out of protest.
Moreover, John McCain Republicans aren’t afraid to vote cross party in the election. The McCain wing of the party has an independent streak and is more committed to ideas than to the party. Again, bad news for McConnell. Everyone but the extreme right realizes that McConnell simply doesn’t represent Kentuckians and consistently fights against the best interest of those in our state in favor of big corporations.
(2) Energized Democratic Base
The Democratic base is energized like never before. Almost every caucus and primary that has been held to date has seen dramatic increases in Democratic voter turnout. Democrats are excited about both of the candidates left at the top of our ticket. And, no matter which one prevails, he or she will drive out the base this fall in record numbers.
While some people may be skeptical of the difference the strong base will make and point to recent polling that show Obama down by a wide margin to McCain in Kentucky, I would argue that doesn’t matter. First, if he is the nominee Obama will certainly close that gap significantly. Secondly, as long as our base comes out the Democrat at the top of the does not have to win Kentucky in order for us to beat McConnell. In short, our base will turn out, the McConnell base will not and the independent McCain voters will break in our favor.
(3 and Most Importantly) The Kentucky Grassroots/Netroots
The Kentucky grassroots and netroots are stronger than ever before. We stand on the brink of an important opportunity to usher in a changing of the old Kentucky guard. But, in order to do that we have to stand up, pick our candidate and fight like hell. Any less is a concession to McConnell and his corrupt, immoral leadership.
The grassroots of Kentucky has shown its power, and the best is yet to come. To date, The Nation ran a cover story on the grassroots power in Kentucky, the grassroots elected John Yarmuth, one of the most progressive Democrats in the country, to Congress and Mitch McConnell mentions the very visible grassroots movement (and its opposition to him) in every pathetic fundraising letter he sends out.
Next Steps!
The stars are lining up in our favor, folks. McConnell is raising insane amounts of money this cycle because he’s more aware than anyone of the trouble he’s in. Now, more than ever, it’s important that we look at our options and choose the fourth peg of our strategy: a strong, progressive Democratic candidate.
I mentioned yesterday that I like what Greg Fischer is saying and the strong network of support he is building across the state. I think he would be a great opponent and fighter who could make the most of this opportunity against McConnell. I hope you’ll give all the Democrats a good look and get behind one. The opportunity for new leadership for Kentucky is very real.
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What a sorry voting record “Mitch” McConnell has on labor issues:
2007 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 8 percent in 2007.
2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 13 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 12 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 20 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors 50 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 19 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 12 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 8 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 25 percent in 2005-2006.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 7 percent in 2005.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 0 percent in 2005.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 2005.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 0 percent in 2005.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 0 percent in 2005.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors 100 percent in 2005.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 0 percent in 2005.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 0 percent in 2005.
2005 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 7 percent in 2005.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 8 percent in 2004.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Postal Workers Union 8 percent in 2004.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Communications Workers of America 0 percent in 2004.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 17 percent in 2004.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 0 percent in 2004.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 0 percent in 2004.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 0 percent in 2004.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 0 percent in 2004.
2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Workplace Fairness 0 percent in 2004.
2003-2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 0 percent in 2003-2004.
2003-2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 2003-2004.
2003-2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Int 23 percent in 2003-2004.
2003-2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 7 percent in 2003-2004.
2003-2004 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the National Association for the Self-Employed 100 percent in 2003-2004.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 0 percent in 2003.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 2003.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Communications Workers of America 0 percent in 2003.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 0 percent in 2003.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 14 percent in 2003.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 9 percent in 2003.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 8 percent in 2003.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 0 percent in 2003.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 17 percent in 2003.Those who supported or provided other assistance in connection with a UAW organizing drive are given an extra 10% bonus.
2003 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Workplace Fairness 0 percent in 2003.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 23 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 0 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 13 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Communications Workers of America 0 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 0 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 50 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association 50 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 10 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 0 percent in 2002.
2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 8 percent in 2002.
2001-2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Postal Workers Union 0 percent in 2001-2002.
2001-2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 17 percent in 2001-2002.
2001-2002 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the National Association for the Self-Employed 100 percent in 2001-2002.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 6 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Benefits Council 71 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 7 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 12 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 40 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 0 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 0 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 0 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Food & Commercial Workers 0 percent in 2001.
2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 0 percent in 2000.
2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 8 percent in 2000.
2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 2000.
2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Communications Workers of America 0 percent in 2000.
2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 0 percent in 2000.
2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters 0 percent in 2000.
2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 0 percent in 2000.
2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 0 percent in 2000.
1999-2000 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Association of Fire Fighters 0 percent in 1999-2000.
1999 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 0 percent in 1999.
1999 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 9 percent in 1999.
1999 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 1999.
1999 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Communications Workers of America 0 percent in 1999.
1999 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 0 percent in 1999.
1999 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 0 percent in 1999.
1999 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 0 percent in 1999.
1998 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 10 percent in 1998.
1998 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 1998.
1998 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Communications Workers of America 0 percent in 1998.
1998 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 0 percent in 1998.
1998 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 20 percent in 1998.
1998 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 0 percent in 1998.
1997-1998 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters 0 percent in 1997-1998.
1997 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 0 percent in 1997.
1997 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 17 percent in 1997.
1997 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 1997.
1997 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Communications Workers of America 0 percent in 1997.
1997 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 0 percent in 1997.
1997 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Food & Commercial Workers 0 percent in 1997.
1996 On the votes that the American Federation of Government Employees considered to be the most important in 1996 , Senator McConnell voted their preferred position 15 percent of the time.
1996 On the votes that the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees considered to be the most important in 1996 , Senator McConnell voted their preferred position 14 percent of the time.
1996 On the votes that the Communications Workers of America considered to be the most important in 1996 , Senator McConnell voted their preferred position 75 percent of the time.
1996 On the votes that the United Auto Workers considered to be the most important in 1996 , Senator McConnell voted their preferred position 11 percent of the time.
1996 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the United Food & Commercial Workers 46 percent in 1996.
1995-1996 On the votes that the International Association of Fire Fighters considered to be the most important in 1995-1996 , Senator McConnell voted their preferred position 17 percent of the time.
1995 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 0 percent in 1995.
1995 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters 0 percent in 1995.
1995 Senator McConnell supported the interests of the Transportation Communications Union 20 percent in 1995.
1995 On the votes that the United Food & Commercial Workers considered to be the most important in 1995 , Senator McConnell voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.
1994 On the votes that the United Food & Commercial Workers considered to be the most important in 1994 , Senator McConnell voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.
1993 On the votes that the United Food & Commercial Workers considered to be the most important in 1993 , Senator McConnell voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.
The grassroots did not elect John Yarmuth. John’s name I.D. and personal wealth got him elected. Don’t get me wrong– I love John. But let’s be honest. The grassroots didn’t get him elected. Nor did the netroots. It also helped that a swarm of Republicans tired of Northup’s negative campaign tactics and a couple thousand of them voted for John.
Nice sentiments to have here re: electing a Democrat, Shawn, but I’m afraid you’re a bit disconnected from what’s really happening in Kentucky. Fischer a progressive with a strong network? What? Just wondering what you’re seeing that I’m not, because I’m here on the ground and am around these people every day.
It’s admirable to be optimistic but it’s also important to be realistic.
Jacob,
I really appreciate your contribution to the dialogue.
John Yarmuth’s win wasn’t one dimensional. Money helped, but to say that the grassroots and blogoshphere had nothing to do with it is insulting to those who worked for the cause and put Yarmuth into office.
Also, if you look to the post, I didn’t call Fischer progressive. From what I’ve heard from him, he is progressive and working hard to build a statewide campaign. I said “I like what Greg Fischer is saying.” I look forward to hearing more from him.
That said, none of what you’ve said discounts the central premise of my argument: McConnell is vulnerable. I for one want to take advantage of that. I hope we can work together to make that possible.
I didn’t pay much attention to the Senate race until Lunsford filed, and did not seek information about candidates other than him and Horne until this week. Since Horne’s withdrawal, I have spent significant time researching candidates online, had phone conversations about the primary with more than a dozen Democratic friends, and traded e-mails with twice as many people interested in nominating a strong progressive to challenge McConnell.
While I won’t pretend that all of these folks have jumped on the Fischer team (though I now have), I was happy to find that most of my activist friends were already giving Fischer a serious look. And, since I had not been engaged in the race earlier, I was surprised to learn that many liberals, moderates, and progressives whom I respect were on board with Fischer even before Horne withdrew.
This Saturday evening, Fischer will attend the Fayette County Dems annual fundraiser — see http://www.fayettedemocrats.org …. I expect that many of us will have detailed impressions to share after we meet him in person and see him interact with a wide range of local activists.
The blogosphere was basically non-existent in Kentucky when John was elected. Compared to what it is today, anyway. So. That didn’t have much to do with it. At the time very few people read Sonka or Nickolas. But times have changed.
Again, as someone actually inside the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and as someone who was involved in the election in 2006… on the ground… seeing it every day at Louisville-Jefferson County Democratic Party Headquarters… I’m not sure what grassroots you’re talking about. Sure, people helped and walked for John. But there was no movement like there was for Horne. The only people who volunteered to do anything in KY-03 during the 2006 general election were people who fought hard for Amy Shir, Ann Shake, Neville Blakemore and couple others.
P.S. Not trying to pick a fight. Just saying. I was there. It was disappointing to watch. Only on election night did tons of people show up. When all throughout the general it was mostly John’s paid staff who worked themselves to death. A few people would walk here and there. But it wasn’t a movement. Just a typical campaign.
I’m not in Kentucky because I’m in law school. That doesn’t make me “out of touch.” I was born in rural Western Kentucky, went to school at the University of Kentucky and still do grassroots organizing in Kentucky. In fact, I helped bring a presidential candidate to my to my town last fall. That only happened because the grassroots and netroots were able to tap into people’s desire for change. I’m well aware of what’s going on in my back yard. I really am not interested in the politics of tearing each other down.
That said, your whole argument is that one part of one sentence of my entire post is debatable. Yarmuth’s 2006 win is not what this post was about.
I think Mitch McConnell is vulnerable this fall and that we have a historic opportunity in front of us. I think Andrew Horne was a great candidate. With or without Horne in the race Kentuckians still suffer from higher poverty rates, higher unemployment rates and make less money than our counterparts across the country. My hope for the future of Kentucky didn’t die when Andrew Horne bowed out.
I hope we can work together to utilize that strong movement that you saw for Horne and direct it towards change for Kentucky.
Shawn - not attacking your credibility as a Kentuckian. Just that, well, I know you’re not here on the ground and think it’s important to recognize that not everything is puppies and rainbows in the Bluegrass. I’m well aware that you helped push Edwards to come to Kentucky. And I’m aware that you have done some good things. That’s all fine and dandy. I’m merely attacking your argument.
We all must be realistic in addition to being optimistic.
We all think McConnell is vulnerable. But beatable? The Bergmann-Schumer machine is pretty tight, sure. But there’s more personal/business/political baggage there than Mitch McConnell has created for himself in all of his years as Chief Obstructionist & Chinese Pork Broker.
The reality is Greg Fischer has 4% name i.d. according to both a Lunsford-sponsored poll and a DSCC-sponsored poll. There’s no way the man can raise his name i.d. to the level necessary for victory in the primary (enough to compete with Bruce). That’d take more money than Bruce spent in his previous two failed runs for office combined. So that leaves us with Bruce Lunsford winning the primary. And what do you think will happen in the general election? What’s the reality there? Definitely not a rosy picture.
It’s important for the progressive community to work together. But only if there’s a serious and legitimate opportunity to affect positive change. Neither Bruce Lunsford nor Greg Fischer are progressive. Nothing about them. They’re not in touch with the everyday Ketuckian. And ‘being in touch’ isn’t just something you can develop during the course of a campaign. Let’s get real.
Jacob, as someone who has lived in Kentucky her whole life, and who vows never to live north of the Ohio or west of the Mississippi, I respectfully disagree with:
Yarmuth, Horne, and Moore all had a significant amount of grassroots support though, as Shawn mentioned, Yarmuth’s success was multi-faceted. Granted, I’ve only been voting for about ten years, but I’d never seen such enthusiasm about a race from regular ole people than KY3 in 2006.
Re: Jennifers comments on Fisher
“I was surprised to learn that many liberals, moderates, and progressives whom I respect were on board with Fischer even before Horne withdrew.”
Who? No one knows him. The only support he has are the Browns and the people he pays. Every event I have seen him at he has been alone other than his son.
the first time I joined a union (local 665) was in 72 word of mouth used to be the way you heard about a candidate . I can remember the meeting that were held ,the word would spread,Jim and I were talking about Gregg back in January, if you look at his youtubes you can see that.the only thing I’ve heard on Lunsford has been the negatives, does he have any positives!!!
Terri - This isn’t an attack either, but I’m still not sure what you think was grassroots about John.
Jimmy Moore had a core of about 10-15 people in the primary. I got to know Jimmy quite well during that race and we’ve been friends ever since. He befriended Andrew Horne during the primary and we all spent tons of time together. Beyond his wife and a few friends who can’t legally vote in the United States, Jimmy had a crew that could fit in a minivan at any given time.
John Yarmuth had so few people helping (beyond Dr & Mrs Adams) in the primary that his paid staffers, mostly Dan Borsch and Ben Basil, were always the folks to hold visibility rallies or to show up at public events. In the general election he ended up having 20 or so unpaid regulars. There’s no question he had a great deal of support, but it was a typical campaign. Nothing exceptional. Otherwise he would have beaten Anne by more than a couple percent. (I’m not trying to discount the people who worked hard for him, just feel being a little realistic is a good idea now and then.)
The real grassroots effort was on the part of the local Party. People streamed in by the dozens throughout the general election. Day in and day out. But not for any particular candidate. People weren’t clamoring for John. They wanted to help Democrats in general.
I think people are confusing the buzz candidates create for grassroots support.
On the flip side, some real grassroots support will be seen this go round. John Yarmuth will literally have hundreds of people walking for him on a daily basis. I hear from his staffers that they can already barely cope with the interest in his campaign. It’ll be Andrew Horne’s 2006 campaign on steroids. It will be bigger than Beshear’s paid team of walkers x10. Mark my words.
I can remember this youtube that ran oct of 06
had over 14k views
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BxxUuWJqg0&feature=related
John, I do not represent Fischer, much less people who have supported him without posting their names online — it is not my place to publicize other individuals’ candidate preferences.
Like the rest of us, you probably interact with a limited subset of state activists. To the best of my knowledge, you and I have never met or communicated, and I am a non-Brown, non-Fischer payee who has been active in the Kentucky grassroots since the 1980s (and even hung out at the Lexington McGovern for President campaign office as a kid in 1972). Please keep an open mind about the levels of awareness and opinions of people whom you don’t know, but with whom you share civic goals (as far as I can tell).
Jennifer– I think what John Lowe is getting at is the 4% name I.D. Fischer has, according to two separate polls from the DSCC and Bruce Lunsford.
This fact is true: Fischer’s only supporters until recently have been Christy and Owsley and a few of their moneyed friends. That’s spot-on. He shows up to events with his son, George, talks to a few people without committing to positions and then leaves. He’s done it for the past three months. His campaign is showing the same sort of slack in enthusaism, as they’re having difficulty hiring staff (thanks to the DSCC).
The end is nigh for that campaign’s success as far as Democratic leadership and powers that be are concerned.
Sometimes reality isn’t fun or pretty. I get it. But people were saying the same great, wonderful things about your brother’s candidacy for governor this time last year. He had such huge, major grassroots support from people stretching back to methuselah and then blam - he had like 6% name i.d. after dropping out of the race. (And that was after spending a million dollars.) So one would hope that you, especially, would recognize when something is a lost cause.
Fischer seems like a decent guy but I guess I am just pissed. If you want to blame someone for Horne being forced out - look at Fischers supporters, the Browns, they were able to freeze John Yarmuth’s support and the Louisville money. I guess Horne should have spent his time figuring out how to be a member of the right Country Club instead of serving his country.
It is hard to see someone like that as a “grassroots candidate.”
Yeah, just like those grassroots-netroots carried Howard Dean to victory back in 2004!
Oh wait….
That’s right… no one listens to “netroots” except the far left-wing that has always been voting Democrat anyway!
You’re the “christian-coalition” of the Democratic party. The “believers” of the party doctrine that gets thrown a bone every-now-and-then but doesn’t really matter a bit and can/will/have been taken for granted all these years!
Hooray! You’re ultimately meaningless as you blindly follow your party banner anyway!
Old Mcpain can’t stay away from the land deal I see
state co-chair for Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign Rep. Renzi indicted on corruption charges
Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:30pm
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Renzi of Arizona, a state co-chair for Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign, was indicted on corruption charges stemming from land deals in his state, Justice Department officials said on Friday.
http://tinyurl.com/2vjnxs
http://votevets.org./
· McCain supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 20 percent.
· Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a grade of D.
· McCain sponsored or co-sponsored 18 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association.
· Clinton supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 80 percent.
· Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Clinton a grade of A-.
· Clinton sponsored or co-sponsored 41 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association in 2006.
· Obama supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 80 percent.
· Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Obama a grade of B+.
· Obama sponsored or co-sponsored 12 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association.
These are not minor issues. These are issues of utmost importance to veterans. And you can see that both Democratic candidates outpaced McCain by a long shot in nearly every category.
Check out these news articles about the I-75 Bridge at Covington/Cincinnati. It is obvious that we need a new Senator!
http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080223/NEWS0103/802230357
http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080223/NEWS0103/802230339
JWB Visalia KY