archived: 24 - 30 Sep, 2006         Back                 Next

UPDATED: Sept 26, 2006

                        OFF AND RUNNING  

It has been an exceedingly quiet campaign.  Perhaps it is the calm before the storm.  The airwaves are not yet brimming with political advertisements; the public relations strategy of both Parties in North Carolina is still sheathed.  

TPJ has received reports that Democrats have just opened their media campaign in two very competitive Senate Districts.  Pete Bland in Senate District 2 and Julia Boseman have opened with television spots.  Both races are critical to control of the State Senate and it is obvious that th Democratic Party wants to be first out of the gate. 

Anticipate that the “ad wars” on a massive scale are just a few days away.  

                        AN N&O MIDDLE ROAD  

The Raleigh News & Observer tracks a safe course in criticizing Bush’s conduct of the war in Iraq.  After yesterday’s revelation of a National Intelligence Estimate debunking Bush’s claim that his war and occupation in Iraq had made America safer, the N&O could have expressed its views on the revelations.  The N&O chose the “safe ground” that Bush is not providing Americans by focusing on the fact that Bush is not providing adequate equipment for the conduct of the occupation: 

Bush administration efforts to fight the war in Iraq on a shoestring have put a serious crimp in military budgets. The military says it lacks money for even bare-bones necessities such as fuel and ammunition to adequately train units heading to combat. The Army alone says it is $500 million short in stateside operating funds.

 

Army bases have closed mess halls. Non-deployed units have been stripped of weapons and equipment so the gear can be sent overseas. Family support activities -- schools programs, child care and counseling -- have been reduced or eliminated at some bases. Even spare parts are in short supply.  . . .

 

Yes, there are harmless economies that can be squeezed out of almost any government budget. The military is no exception. But budgets too small to pay for real-life training and fundamental quality of life issues end up costing more in the long run.

 

War is terribly wasteful and frightfully expensive. A million-dollar piece of equipment can be turned into scrap metal with a $10 homemade bomb. Yet the Bush administration appears determined to mask the true cost of the war in Iraq by not asking Congress for enough money to get the job done.

 

The New York Times reports that senior officers in Washington are handing out cards explaining it will take $17 billion in extra spending over the next year merely to repair and replace tanks, trucks, radios and other gear wrecked or destroyed in the Iraq fighting. Then, the officers say, it will take $13 billion each year for the next five years to keep up with equipment needs.

 

And that is just for the full- time Army. Reserve and National Guard units returning home from active duty have been forced to leave much of their equipment behind.

 

The result of this financial and logistical sleight of hand is an under-equipped and under-staffed military asked to do too much, with too little, for too long. One report says today's active Army has less than 10,000 non-deployed and combat-ready soldiers trained and equipped to meet an unexpected crisis.

 

That is a deeply troubling scenario that should keep Washington planners awake at night. 

The editorial will be viewed favorably by those who want to continue to prosecute the war but to “really fight it.”  And, it will appease some progressives who savor any critique of the war by a North Carolina newspaper.  

The N&O fails miserably at framing the larger and more profound issues.  Trying to fight a war on the cheap is Republican ideological dogma.  It fits in pattern with VP Cheney’s claim that we would be greeted as “liberators,” and the administration’s claim that Iraqi oil revenue would largely pay the cost of rebuilding Iraq.   

Even following the revelations of the past week, the N&O has yet to address its views on critical and obvious issues: the Republican ideologues fabricated the reasons for war in Iraq, Bush and Rumsfeld were derelict in their failure to plan for pacification of the country, they failed to respond to changing developments on the ground when the burgeoning civil war emerged and continue to hold fast to their ideological dogma that the war can be won at a low cost.   

It is a shame that North Carolina’s leading newspaper fails to address the massive policy failure of a Republican that cannot see the truth beyond its own failed ideology.

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                         BURMA SHAVE  

Western North Carolina Democrats continue their Burma Shave roadside commercials selling the Democratic Party brand.  This is the message on roadsides that started shortly after September 1^st: 

With Medicare drug plans
My choice gives me chills.
Should I cut out the doctor,
food, rent, or my pills?
WNC Democrats
Promote health care for all 

Catchy!!  

Democrats are also circulating a number of “talking points” to their members in connection with each Burma Shave campaign.  For Medicare these are the points:  

DEMOCRATS: Helping everyday 

#1         Democrat secured $100 million in new funding for mental health services. This includes $29 million to replace federal cuts in community-based services, $14 million for the Mental Health Trust Fund and $14 million for local mental health and substance abuse services. [Session Law 2006-66] 

#2      Democrats created a special $3 million fund specifically to assist small rural hospitals left behind by federal cuts. Specific uses of the funds include infrastructure and emergency procedures, areas left needing by Bush Republicans proposed 2007 budget. [Session Law 2006-66] 

#3      Democrats committed an extra $27.4 million to help struggling counties pay for expenses surrounding Bush Republicans’ Medicare cuts. [Session Law 2006-66] 

#4      Democrats instituted a health insurance tax credit for small businesses. . [Session Law 2006-66] 

#5      Democrats won back $1.5 billion in VA health funding for our troops. The Bush administration tried to hide a shortfall in excess of $1 billion, until every single Democrat in the house stood-up and said otherwise. [Washington Post, 06/24/05] [housedmeocrats.org, accessed 08/22/06] 

            REPUBLICANS: Hurting our health 

#1      Bush Republicans kept the sign-up plan for prescription drug coverage so quiet, almost half- of all seniors were unaware of the registration deadline. They now must pay expensive fines. Worse yet, system errors have forced pharmacies to frequently turn-away beneficiaries. Funding is such a problem, 20 states have stepped in to help pay federal Medicare’s share. [New York Times, 1/18/06] 

#2      Republicans allow large corporations to use our tax-dollars as their employee health plan. By refusing to offer any real health coverage to the bulk of its employees, stores like WAL-MART are the biggest single employer of Medicaid users. This problem was only worsened by Bush Republicans’ irresponsible funding cuts. At current rates, Medicare will be insolvent within 12 years. [NC Policy Watch, 02/27/06] 

#3      Bush Republicans cut $35.9 billion in Medicare support from the FY2007 budget, forcing states and counties to pick-up the tab. Despite record needs and the looming explosion of baby-boomer retirees, Bush Republicans pushed record cuts. [Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2007] [whitehouse.org, accessed 08/22/06] 

#3      Last year, Bush Republicans’ tried to slip past a $1 billion dollar shortfall in VA Healthcare funding.  Democrats helped push through an emergency remedy, earning back $1.5 billion for the troops. Unfortunately, 30,000 veterans are still waiting on claims that have been pending for over 6 months. Also, veterans’ organizations agree that rates of veteran health needs leave the current budget up to $3 billion short. [Washington Post, 06/24/05] [housedmeocrats.org, accessed 08/22/06] 

#4      Bush Republicans snuck a “doughnut provision” into the prescription drug plan, forcing seniors to lose coverage in the middle of treatment.  “Under a standard plan during the first year, Medicare handles 75 percent of drug costs after a deductible until the bill reaches $2,250. It does not kick in again until those costs total $5,100.”  [Washington Post, 07/30/06] 

This is like going out for dinner, putting down enough money to cover your appetizer and drink, and then slipping out the bathroom window – leaving friends to cover your check. 

#5      Bush Republicans made a massive $133 million cut from the “Rural Health Safety Net.” Programs completely eliminated include Rural EMS, Health Education Training Centers, and Rural Access to Emergency Devices (this program is what ensures rural areas have access to emergency defibrillator services).  [Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2007] [whitehouse.org, accessed 08/22/06]                       

                        ANSWER THE CALL 

State Party Chairman Jerry Meek is asking local Democrats to get out the vote – so, start walking!  

_____                       

On Saturday, October 7th, the Democratic Party kicks off a month-long "Get Out the Vote" drive to push voters to the polls. 50 State Turnout: Every Voter Counts events will occur nationwide in the month leading up to the election to assure that registered Democratic voters in all 50 states turn out and vote on Election Day.

As part of this effort, we will be conducting a North Carolina Democratic Party Statewide Canvass on October 7th. We are encouraging all county parties, district parties, precinct chairs, activists, and candidates to knock on doors statewide that day. Face-to-face voter contact is the most effective way to meet people, exchange information, and talk about the Democratic Party and its candidates. As we get closer to Election Day, voter contact is essential.

The Democratic National Committee has set up an online tool to publicize your canvass. We want to have as many events as possible that day, so please consider organizing a canvass in your county or participating in one on October 7th. Even if you already have another event planned, please add it to the DNC calendar.

Get involved here: http://www.democrats.org/50stateturnout

The State Party has also established an online literature center so that you may print canvassing materials quickly and easily. We have included a Word template that you can customize to include local candidates: http://www.ncdp.org/litcenter

The Democratic Party’s 50-State Turnout is shaping up to be the broadest ground operation our party has had in decades, and the Democratic Party will reap the rewards for a generation. But we need your help!

The Republicans want to run North Carolina like they’re running Washington. We can’t let them!

On October 7th, the NCDP staff will be canvassing part of Wake County and I’ll be going door-to-door in Stanly County. You’re welcome to join us!

http://www.democrats.org/50stateturnout

If you really want change, your vote isn't going to be enough. You've got to get out there and organize. We can’t take this election for granted. Winning elections takes a unified effort from all Democrats. We cannot be successful without you.         

TAR HEEL DEM CELLAR