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The Newsletter of the Silicon Valley Campaign for John Kerry
RACE FOR U.S. PRESIDENT IS NECK AND NECK
IT'S TIME TO GET INVOLVED!
John Kerry's Legislative Work: The Real Deal
"I ask you to judge me by my record," John Kerry said in his Nomination Acceptance Speech at the DNC Convention this July. George Bush has attacked John Kerry's long and distinguished public service career, but he cannot make a long record of concrete accomplishments just go away.
We the voters have the right and obligation to be informed about the records of the candidates who ask for our vote. "Results do matter, and the fact that George Bush's policies have resulted in record deficits, skyrocketing health costs, lower quality jobs, a military stretched thin, and an isolated nation, stand in stark contrast to John Kerry's plan to make America stronger at home and more respected in the world," says Phil Singer of the John Kerry Rapid Response Team.
Here are some highlights of John Kerry's 20-year record in the United States Senate.
Legislation Sponsorship by the Numbers
Senator John Kerry sponsored 57 bills/resolutions that passed the Senate in 20 years - an average of 2.9 per year. Dick Cheney (R), in his 11 years, sponsored 2 bills that passed - an average of 0.2 per year. And Bill Frist (R), the current Senate Majority Leader, sponsored 1 bill that passed in the last two years.
Where Has John Kerry Focused His Senatorial Efforts?
- AIDS: Reached across the aisle to co-sponsor legislation to combat the global scourge of AIDS.
- Crime: Overcame Republican objections to help pass the assault weapons ban and a bill to put 100K more cops on the streets.
- Environment: Wrote the first bill to reduce acid rain, and bills to defend the Arctic from drilling.
- Small Businesses: Wrote bills to assist reservists, women, economically disadvantaged people seeking to start a small business, and all small businesses in the wake of 9/11.
- Terrorism and Drug Trafficking: Wrote bills and portions of the Patriot Act that cut the legs out from under terrorists and drug traffickers by cutting off access to their money.
- Tobacco Companies: Instrumental in reaching a settlement to cease marketing to youths.
- Vietnam: Reached across the aisle to work with Sen. John McCain (R) to normalize relations with Vietnam and account for all of our POWs and MIAs.
A Very Close Election - Let's Roll Up Our Sleeves
The polls are scattered and the election "too close to call." Some show Kerry closing the post-convention gap, or ahead. Some show Bush still several points ahead.
Here is a quick summary:
- International Business Daily, September 7-12: Kerry 47%, Bush 47% (likely voters) - TIE
- Harris, September 9 and 13: Kerry 48 %, Bush 47% (likely voters) - Kerry +1%
- Rasmussen, September 13-15: Kerry 48%, Bush 49% (likely voters) - Bush +1%
- CNN/USAT/Gallup, September 13-15: Kerry 44%, Bush 52% (likely voters) - Bush + 8% (skewed towards Bush - see comments below)
- CBS News/New York Times, September 12-16: Kerry 42%, Bush 50% (registered voters) - Bush +8% (skewed towards Bush - see comments below)
What does all this mean? Opinion is still crystallizing, so it is hard to measure. Sampling techniques differ (some use phoning, others the Internet). Some polls measure so called "likely voters" (difficult to determine at this stage), and some measure registered voters.
And some polls have clear methodology problems—for example, both the CBS/New York Times and the CNN/USAT/Gallup polls clearly over-sample Republicans, so their reported 8-point lead for Bush is too high. In fact, we wouldn't even have reported it here, except that we thought we should set the record straight for our volunteers.
So it's hard to make much precise sense of the numbers, and we shouldn't try. It does appear that Bush is probably 2-4 points ahead right now. The bottom line is that it is close as we expected it to be, and well within range to change occupants of the White House on January 20th.
It is more important to keep the big picture in mind: Polls can only give us a rough snapshot of where we are now.
Where we are on November 2 is up to us!
We are in a very close race. Bush has a huge army of volunteers helping him. So does John Kerry.
Let's work harder!
Kerry Sets Bush Record Straight
John Kerry has been running a positive, forward-looking campaign, speaking to the key issues. However, when you are up against George Bush, that isn't enough—the Bush Campaign's record and attacks need to be straightened out in no uncertain terms. And John Kerry is the man to do it. Here are a few quotes from our guy on the campaign trail that you may have missed:
"He is W. Wrong choice. Wrong policy. Wrong direction." (Said repeatedly on the stump. Pick your issue - any issue!)
"Why would we expect George Bush to level with us about Iraq? He never has.'' (Quoted in the New York Times)
"I would not have done just one thing differently than the president on Iraq, I would have done everything differently than the president on Iraq. It's the wrong war, in the wrong place, at the wrong time." (Quoted in the New York Times)
"His is the excuse presidency: never wrong, never responsible, never to blame. President Bush's desk isn't where the buck stops - it's where the blame begins." (Interview with Don Imus)
"You deserve a president who will not play politics with national security, who will not ignore his own intelligence, while living in a fantasy world of spin, and who will give the American people the truth about the challenge our brave men and women face on the front lines." (Quoted in the New York Times)
And finally here's what the New York Times itself said when it decided it would no longer let Bush get away with his usual line about Kerry "voting against" a bill that he himself threatened to veto:
"He [Bush] said Kerry and Edwards later voted against money for the war, not mentioning that his own administration once threatened a veto of the funding measure or that Kerry had supported one version of the bill."
Help the Silicon Valley Swing State Initiative - Remember Florida and 527 Votes
Campaign volunteers on the ground in Ohio, Missouri, Arizona, and Nevada are very grateful for the help we have been giving them. We are expanding our Swing State Initiative and adding other states. Scores of Silicon Valley Kerry volunteers have been making thousands of calls from homes in the area. This work is vital. We help the key battleground states identify likely Kerry voters. They take it from there and make sure these likely voters get registered and to the polls.
We are in constant communication with the Kerry people on the ground in the Swing States. We help them with our phoning efforts as they request - if you are phoning for New Mexico, for example, you are an extension of the Kerry campaign in that state. That's how we can really help. (If you still doubt it, remember that Bush lost New Mexico by only 366 votes in 2000 - fewer than he "won" Florida by!)
We are also helping with letter-writing campaigns to undecided voters. If you want to help with personal letter writing, please indicate that when you RSVP.
We also know that many of you want to travel to Swing States and help directly—and we would like you to do so! We will try to steer you in the right direction. We'll have more information on traveling and the Swing State Initiative next week.
Please sign up to help.
Think what it would be like to wake up on the morning of November 3rd just a few votes short of a Kerry victory—and wish you had done more. It will be too late then.
NOW is the time to help!
Help Kerry Get His Message Out - Donate
John Kerry is a candidate we can be proud of—and he has substantially, and in record time, closed the campaign-funding gap. But the Bush Campaign has been fundraising for two years in preparation. The Bush Campaign has $100 million more than John Kerry has when you combine fundraising results from both the Kerry Campaign and the Democratic Party.
One hundred million dollars pays for a lot of ads and feet on the ground! And we need to get the word out to all those states that are close. We need to counter misleading statements and lies. We need to get John Kerry's positive agenda out.
Please donate: no amount is too small. $10. $25. $100. We have done very well with both small and large contributions. You can contribute directly to the DNC on the web. Any amount counts - help now if you can.
Help Get Out the California Vote - Walk Your Precinct
We need John Kerry to win by a comfortable margin in our own backyard. And we need other Democrats to win and help the new Kerry Administration. The Santa Clara County Democratic Party is organizing a great precinct walking campaign. Be a part of it!
Remember, November 3rd is too late - help now!
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Upcoming Events
Silicon Valley for Kerry
phone bank and letter-writing events:
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 6:00-9:00pm
Phone bank to Nevada
At the home of Geoff Bough
356 Covington Road, Los Altos, CA
EVERY SATURDAY
Sept. 18 – Oct. 30, 1:00-5:00pm
At the home of Geoff Bough
356 Covington Road, Los Altos, CA
EVERY SUNDAY
Sept. 19 – Oct. 31, 1:00-4:00pm
At the home of Lilija Tushinski
2564 Diericx Drive, Mt. View, CA
Other phone bank and letter-writing events:
Phonebanking by Republicans for Kerry
Republicans for Kerry are urgently needed to call this special list of undecided voters, but you don't have to be a Republican to join us. Snacks and scripts provided.
Sunday, Sept. 26 at 2:00pm
390 Lytton, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Cross street is Waverly
Click here to RSVP or email Nina at nhdp@sbcglobal.net
Debate parties:
The following debate-watching parties take place on Thursday, September 30. All events begin at 5:00pm, unless otherwise noted.
Almaden Debate and Action Potluck
Come watch the debate with your neighbors and then find out about all the activities we can do to affect the election in November. We can have an impact! Lets take ACTIONS to take our country back. We will have a list of "swing state actions" we can take together.
POTLUCK - Please bring some food/drinks to share with others. The food and drinks are always great and the people and discussions even better.
At the home of Atam Rao
6763 Elwood Rd, San Jose, CA
Click here to RSVP
First Presidential Debate
Listen to and discuss the first of the Presidential Debates. We’ll provide a light dinner (i.e. vegetarian and non-vegetarian dinner, but nothing fancy!) You provide the good company.
At the home of Amy Pearl
Los Altos Hills, CA
Click here to request an invitation
Kerry vs. Bush debate party
Come and watch the first Kerry/Bush debate on a 92" screen! I'll have some snacks - if you can think of something good to eat, feel free to bring it.
At the home of Chris Carde
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Near El Camino Real and Page Mill
Click here to request an invitation
Bush is out the door in 2004
Please bring whatever you would like. I'll have drinks and snacks.
225 Union Avenue #234
Campbell, CA 95008
Click here to RSVP
Presidential Debate Viewing Party
Kerry-Bush Debate will underscore the need for change and John Kerry is our only option.
At the home of Nancy Kempis
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Click here to request an invitation
Watch the debate together
I would love to open my home to those who feel so strongly that we must boot Bush and elect Kerry that it will difficult to watch the debate alone. Come over for snacks and let's watch and debate the debate together.
At the home of Kathleen Krenek
San Jose, CA 95112
Corner of 15th and Washington
Click here to request an invitation
We Don't Want Your Rich People Tax Cuts!
Pizza and Sodas and Cocktails if you're not driving. Humorous commentary encouraged. The Daily Show will follow the debate.
At the home of Nicholas Lefevre
1218 Glen Eyrie Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
Click here to RSVP
Bush is out the door in 2004
Please bring whatever you would like. I'll have drinks and snacks.
225 Union Avenue #234
Campbell, CA 95008
Click here to RSVP
Evergreen Park Debate Watch
Greg and I are excited to be hosting a Debate Watch party for John Kerry! Around our house, we *love* politics, and we're eager to see Bush get the Boot on Tuesday, November 2nd. If you share our sentiments, please join us and our Evergreen Park neighbors for some All-American fun! **Our house might get a little crowded, so come early for premium couch space. We'll try to set up an extra TV or two. **If you bring some food or drinks, you will get an *extra* enthusiastic welcome, as Greg and I are a little weak in that department -- as some of you know. **We will have help for the kids -- so go ahead and bring them!
At the home of Jennifer Zilliac
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Click here to request an invitation
Kerry Debate
All you Kerry supporters, come over and watch Kerry spell out why here is different from Bush and how he'll put this country back on track. Bring some beverage and your hospitality
At the home of Jesse Haro
82 Maro Drive, San Jose, CA
Click here to RSVP
Chili and Debate at Kris and Steve's
Hello All! Lets watch the train wreck that is Bush! Come on over, bring your kids if you need to (they can watch something less entertaining like Finding Nemo in the back room!) I will have Kerry "stuff" for give away and everything! Wear your most political and republican damning attire (I have some if you need to borrow some!). I will also make Skyline Chili, made famous from the lovely democratic and Bush-pandering city of my youth, Cincinnati, Ohio! Bring change, we are going to have a “liar, liar pants on fire” and a “Bush invokes God again” jar (kind of like a yuppie drinking game, which now that I think about it, may be the way to go!) So, let me know if you can come. It will be fun just to get together!
This event starts at 5:30pm
At the home of Kris Brockmann
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Click here to request an invitation
Fundraising events:
Blast Off to the White House BBQ
Count down to the election! Please join us for a blast-off to the White House BBQ.
Sponsor: $1000, Co-Host: $500, Advocate: $250,
Friend: $100, Supporter: $50, Guest: $25. Contribute online in advance or bring a check or credit card at the door.
Saturday, Oct. 2, 4:00pm
At the Daish Household
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Click here to request an invitation
Fine Art and Crafts Market
Don't miss this unique opportunity to find a treasure! A sale of fine art and crafts will be held at the Woman's Club in Palo Alto to raise funds for the Kerry-Edwards campaign. More than 50 artists and artisans will be featured. Join us for a special afternoon of art and crafts, wine, appetizers, and music. Be sure to bring family and friends. $20 donation to the Kerry-Edwards campaign. Checks and credits cards only; no cash.
Sunday, Oct. 3, 4:00-7:00pm
475 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto CA
Click here to RSVP
Artists For Kerry, Art For Change Auction Event
As impassioned members of the arts community, we are outraged by the level of destruction that has resulted from four years of the Bush Administration. This special evening of art, wine and musical entertainment is our way of raising funds to make the change this country desperately needs.
We invite you to participate by donating a piece of art work to this important event. Congreswoman Zoe Lofgren will serve as guest speaker along with over 50 local and national artists, all showing support for this important cause.
Tickets are $25 per person / $40 per couple. Silent auction 7:00-8:30 p.m. Live auction begins at 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 15, 6:30-10:00pm
Anno Domini Gallery
San Jose, CA 95125
RSVP by September 6 to Elizabeth Borelli at 831-462-1043 or elpell@pacbell.net
Click here to request an invitation
CLE Seminar for Lawyers: What Every Lawyer Should Know about Campaign Finance Law
A one-hour noontime seminar entitled presented by James Harrison and Karen Getman, of Remcho, Johansen & Purcell. designed to teach lawyers the nuts and bolts of federal and state campaign finance laws, and alert them to issues that might arise for themselves or their clients during election years.
Suggested minimum donation - $100 to DNC or Kerry GELAC Fund. Donations made by attendees in connection with the seminar may not be submitted for reimbursement from their employers, as this would be in violation of federal campaign laws. (This MCLE program is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the State Bar of California, the Democratic National Committee, or the John Kerry for President campaign. It has been organized by individuals who support John Kerry for President. Hosts: Gail Slocum and Christopher Tigno.)
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 12:00pm
Stanford Terrace Inn
at Stanford Avenue & El Camino Real
Stanford, CA 94306
Click here for more information
More Kerry & Democratic events:
Palo Alto Democratic Headquarters Official Kickoff
Meet your elected officials, candidates, and Democratic workers who are making the difference between winning and losing in November. After the opening celebration and after enjoying donuts and coffee, you are welcome to join the precinct walking effort that will be taking place.
Saturday, Sept. 18
Palo Alto Dem Headquarters
3898 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Your Voice, Your Vote, Your Future: Rally to Get Out the Vote
Music, political leaders and students speak out, comedy, art and information. A rally for young people and adults to speak out and to mobilize enthusiasm and volunteers to Get Out the Vote for Kerry and the Democrats. The committee is a multigenerational effort with middle, high school, college students and adults working together.
Friday, Oct. 15 at 5:30pm
Palo Alto City Hall Plaza
250 Hamilton Ave. at Ramona St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Click here to RSVP
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