Join the "Healthcare NOT Warfare" campaign!
PDA 2006 Election Video
» 56K modem
» broadband
Stop Funding War Video
» All
formats
Click here for the Congressional Schedule
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 31, 2008
Washington, DC
After a month of criss-crossing the nation, Progressive Democrats of America's (PDA) national team has positioned itself in California and New York to focus on three Congressional races. Polls now show these races within the margin of error.
PDA, the Orange County Labor Council, and the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee are joining together to mobilize voters in Orange County, California--one of the most Republican areas in the country. PDA-endorsed, Healthcare NOT Warfare Candidate Debbie Cook, current Huntington Beach Mayor, is making a surprisingly strong challenge against long-term Republican incumbent Dana Rohrabacher in California's 46th District. Recent polling reveals this is one of the closest Congressional contests in the U.S.
Sunday, November 2nd at 11:30 a.m., PDA and allies will hold a "Progressive Unity/GOTV/Countdown to Victory Rally" at the Machinist Union District Lodge 725, 5402 Bolsa Ave. in Huntington Beach featuring Debbie Cook; Teamsters Secretary-Treasurer, Patrick D. Kelly (Local 952); PDA's Healthcare NOT Warfare National Campaign Co-Chair, Norman Solomon; Michael Lighty of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee; David Clennon, actor and activist (Syrianna and thirtysomething); and PDA National Director, Tim Carpenter. Volunteers will walk precincts in the area after the rally.
“Debbie Cook is connecting with voters in California's 46th Congressional District because Debbie is connecting with them on issues they care about: the economy, healthcare, sustainable energy and the environment. She is a proven leader who listens to the concerns of her constituents,” said PDA national director Tim Carpenter.
On behalf of Healthcare NOT Warfare candidate Eric Massa, PDA mobilized its members nation-wide to make get-out-the-vote phone calls into New York's 29th Congressional District. Massa earned the organization's endorsement in May, three month's after the launch of their Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign. Since then, PDA's Genesee Valley chapter has been organizing events, mobilizing volunteers, and helping the Massa effort. With the email sent to members yesterday, PDA hopes to mobilize a legion of volunteers to staff the phones in an effort to ensure the election of both Barack Obama and Eric Massa, along with other PDA-endorsed candidates.
Carpenter said, "PDA endorsed Eric Massa because as a veteran and cancer survivor, he personifies the principles of the Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign--cut wasteful military spending to meet human needs at home, beginning with guaranteed healthcare for all. Eric demonstrates the courage and strong leadership we need as we face economic crisis, largely caused by two costly wars, while 47 million Americans lack access to healthcare. Randy Kuhl clings to the failed politics of the past, blindly supporting Bush/Cheney policies. Voters in Rochester, Corning and the rest of the 29th District deserve better. They want change, and that's why they're supporting Eric Massa."
Massa has won endorsements from the media, labor and former military personnel including the New York State AFL-CIO and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Massa's former boss, General Wesley Clark is strongly backing his candidacy.
Dan Lungren is facing a serious challenge from PDA-endorsed Healthcare NOT Warfare candidate Dr. Bill Durston in California's Third Congressional District. A meet-up will take place this Saturday, November 1, in the Durston Campaign Headquarters at 4146 Sunrise Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA featuring Norman Solomon and Bill Durston with precinct walking to follow. Durston will also benefit from the national phone bank effort. Learn more about Durston's endorsement here:
http://pdamerica.org/articles/campaigns/2007-12-31-08-31-27-campaigns.php
For more information on PDA-endorsed candidates and other PDA efforts, please click here: http://pdamerica.org/articles/campaigns/index.php?eid=9
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laura Bonham, PDA Communications Coordinator
Phone: 435-336-2123
Tim Carpenter, Executive Director
Toll Free: 877-239-2093
