News Al Gore wins the Nobel, campaign draft calling Chicago Tribune\The Swamp 12 October 07 Al Gore is now a Nobel laureate. But will he be a presidential candidate, too? Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize today for his efforts in highlighting the global warming issue and put himself back into the presidential picture if he is so inclined. Britain and Iraq: Goodbye and good luck The Economist 09 October 07 British forces may have gone into Iraq shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers, but Gordon Brown’s plan to withdraw half the remaining troops in Iraq by next spring suggests that Britain is now turning its back to its ally. The British prime minister told parliament on Monday October 8th that he intended to reduce British forces progressively from around 5,500 last month, when Britain pulled out its last forces from the centre of the city of Basra, to 2,500 (plus 500 in Kuwait) some time next spring. Clinton passes Obama in fundraising Chicago Tribune 02 October 07 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton raised $27 million during the most recent fundraising quarter, out-raising rival Barack Obama and demonstrating surging momentum among Democratic donors. For the first time this year, Clinton was more successful in recruiting new donors to her campaign than Obama, attracting 100,000 new donors during the last three months versus 93,000 new donors for the Obama campaign.
Issues & Opportunities National Debt: Iraq: Issue statement with links to opinions and a poll. Health Care: A "positive issue" such as purpose/use for Children's Memorial area Tax Reform: Senator Obama has co-sponsored the Working Family Child Assitance Act along with Senators Snowe and Lincoln, to adjust the income requirement for the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit. This will put more money in the pockets of more working families with children, who are struggling to make ends meet. Government Accountability: Senator Obama worked closely with Senator Coburn, to draft and ultimately pass the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. President Bush signed this measure into law in September of 2006. This bill will bring transparency to Federal spending by creating a user-friendly website to search all government contracts, grants, earmarks, and loans, thereby opening up Federal financial transactions to public scrutiny. Energy: Seniors: Crime: Homeland Security: Education:
Opinions Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball The Latest California Trend: Changing the Electoral Vote 11 October 2007 It would not be surprising if the most important single primary in 2008 is the California state primary on June 3. If a controversial Republican-sponsored proposition to change the distribution of California electoral votes gets onto the June state primary ballot is successful, it would ensure the party's nominee 20 or so electoral votes from California next fall, even if the GOP candidate loses the state for the fifth straight election. And if the 2008 election is as close as the last two been have been, that could be enough to keep the White House in Republican hands.
Events The National Constitutional Convention October 19, 2007 in Washington, D.C. A national event hosted by the UVA Center for Politics To further explore the idea of constitutional reform. The event is free and open to the public. Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer will moderate the program, and participants include former Vice Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro, former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, Democratic campaign strategist Donna Brazille, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, and many, many others. Please contact Vanessa Freeman at vfreeman@virginia.edu or 434-243-3535.
Representatives Identify all of your state and national elected representatives with an address search Senator: Dick Durbin durbin.senate.gov 312-353-4952 or 202-224-2152 Senator: Barack Obama obama.senate.gov 312-886-3506 or 202-224-2854 Representative: Danny Davis, 7th District www.house.gov/davis 773-533-7520 or 202-225-5006
