More and Better Democrats

by dday

Two very big Congressional primaries on the Democratic side are happening in the next few weeks, and the progressive movement should arguably be more concerned with them than the Presidential primary. The leverage that progressives can have in setting the national agenda is directly tied to their ability to punish those wayward Democrats who undermine core values and principles through their votes and their behavior.

In MD-04, Rep. Al Wynn is holding one corporate fundraiser after another in an effort to keep his seat against grassroots progressive Donna Edwards. The latest includes practically every telecom and cable interest in America, at a time when they’re all trying to get amnesty for breaking the law and spying on American citizens. Earlier he held one for energy lobbyists. Wynn’s constituency is clearly the kind of powerful interests that have attempted to buy government over the last couple decades. Donna Edwards represents a step back from the brink.

In IL-03, Mark Pera is challenging Bush Dog Dan Lipinski, and Pera schooled Lipinski in a recent debate.

Speaking on the issue of energy and the environment, Pera said he would never have voted for the 2005 Bush energy bills, which gave big oil and energy companies $22 billion in tax breaks and allowed for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

In the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary Lipinski said he voted against drilling in ANWR and has resisted pressure from the Bush Administration to pass legislation that included tax breaks for big oil.

Pera said Lipinski had misrepresented his record to the voting public.

“I can’t believe what I am hearing,” Pera said. “Congressman Lipinski voted to open up [ANWR] for drilling. Congressman Lipinski voted for $8 billion in tax cuts for big oil. Now that he has a challenger like me, he’s having an election year conversion.”

Lipinski later admitted to voting twice in 2005 for the Bush energy bill (HR 6) in 2005, calling both votes a “tough choice.”

The Pera-Lipinski primary is February 5. The Wynn-Edwards race is February 12. Both are crucial to the furthering of the progressive movement. You can donate to both of them at Blue America.

UPDATE: Let me add a third race, also in Illinois, the primary to compete in the open seat vacated by Denny Hastert. Union carpenter John Laesch is a progressive fighter, going up against the Rahm Emanuel-backed Bill Foster. You know what to do.

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