A Small Victory For Progressives
ALTERNET
by Steven Rosenfeld
 
Did Kucinich sell out as Amy Goodman suggested?  I don't think so.  Of course, it's immeasurably frustrating for progressives to campaign on big ideals and higher standards and be offered crumbs by the nominee.  But accepting crumbs from Kerry on withdrawing troops from Iraq in 2004 is better than being cast off by Clinton in 1992.  Take another look at that 2004 platform language. Admittedly, it's pretty vague.  "We pushed hard to get 'withdrawal' language, and they finally gave us 'reduction' language," the Kucinich website says.  To read more of this article, click here:  http://alternet.org/election04/19291/
 
PRESS RELEASE:  Insurgent Candidate Condemns Ballot Chellenge From Congress Member Carolyn Maloney
On July 15th, the JERESKI FOR CONGRESS campaign announced that we had obtained enough signatures to get on the ballot to challenge the Bush Agenda in New York City.  Four days later, we received word that our petitions were being challenged by people working closely with the Maloney campaigns.  Maloney recently expressed support for U.N. oversight of the U.S. presidential elections.  How ironic that she is trying to avoid a primary election in our own District.  We issued a press release the following day condemning this undemocratic challenge to our ballot access (see below).  The press has steered clear of informing people about this story.  That's why we need your help now more than ever.  We need donations from you and your contacts.  Even $25 each can raise significant amounts of funds, enough for us to overcome this challenge, get on the ballot and win.  That's why Maloney's scared of our challenge and why she's unleashed her election lawyers with these undemocratic tactics.  We need volunteers: to distribute literature, organize events, take on a coordinating role in the campaign.  We need to build our database of contacts to ensure that we turn out the vote on Primary Day, September 14th.  Send a monetary contribution today!

Friends of Robert Jereski
2 Tudor City Place, Apt. 9AS
New York, NY 10017

In peace and solidarity,
 
Campaign Management Team
Jereski for Congress Campaign

Press release issued on July 20th condemning ballot challenge ... For Immediate Release

Insurgent Candidate Condemns Ballot Challenge from Congress Member Carolyn Maloney From Florida to NYC, Democracy Under Threat

When: July 20th, 2004
Who: Robert Jereski for Congress
Contact: 212 973 1782 mutualaid@earthlink.net

Robert Jereski, candidate for Congress (Dem NY 14th District), condemned the challenges to his effort to get on the ballot in the September Democratic primary and offer voters a choice against the Bush Agenda.  Although the Jereski campaign filed almost twice the amount of signatures required to gain ballot access, a number of vague "General Objections" were filed at the Board of Elections yesterday afternoon. One hour before the challenges were filed, Representative Maloney's election lawyer was spotted on site.

"This is a blatant, and coordinated attempt to deny the voters of the 14th District a choice. I represent a challenge to the Bush Agenda that many people in our district are demanding elected officialdom stand up to." Jereski noted.

  Officials at the Board of Elections confirmed that six challenges were filed against Jereski before the deadline of midnight July 19th. The list of challengers included top Democrats aligned with the Kerry Presidential Campaign, Delegate David L. Cohen and New York State Democrat Committee Member Trudy L. Mason, as well as Heather K. Leifer, John Mills, Alexander Tisch, and Micah Kellner.  A Campaign spokeswomen noted the irony of Ms. Mason's involvement in this kind of crass machine politics. "Maloney's own Lexington Democratic club threw Mason off the ballot in an election for the City Council seat, Maloney vacated when she became a Congressperson 12 years ago." Mason, and many others, originally wouldn't support Maloney because of profound questions and denying voters a real contest in the City Council race was seen as petty revenge by most observers.

"I am especially disappointed that a Delegate for Senator Kerry would be involved in this attempt to avoid a primary in the 14th District. Just as I joined the call to count all votes in Florida, we ought to demand that those Democrats in our district demanding a contest in the 14th be heard. This is clearly coordinated by people very close to Representative Maloney. I call on Senator Kerry and her to allow the voters a choice, rescind the inappropriate challenges and engage me in three debates before the election." Jereski challenged. 

The Jereski campaign asserted that this was just one more hurdle to surpass as they engage in a vigorous outreach effort. "We will be on the ballot. When the voters learn about some of her shocking votes to enable the Bush Agenda, I am confident that they will vote for someone who better represents their interests." Jereski said.

For background information on Robert Jereski and his campaign to challenge the Bush agenda and represent the people of the 14th District in New York see: http://www.jereskiforcongress.com


[A delightful drawing of Sean Bean as Boromir from LOTRs "Return of the King" screen credits.  And shared with me by the ladies at BeanBuffs Yahoo Group.]

The Real Show
COMMON DREAMS
by Bill Moyers
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0723-16.htm

The Rep From Fahrenheit 9/11
THE NATION
by John Nichols
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0723-11.htm

The 9/11 Report: Bad News For Bush
THE NATION
by David Corn
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0723-10.htm