DCC to spend $1.1 million to defeat Knollenberg

This is really great news.

House Democrats set to spend $35 million on TV ads

By DAVID ESPO – 5 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have reserved millions of dollars worth of television advertising in 31 congressional races in all corners of the country, according to documentation that provides an early roadmap of the party's drive to strengthen its majority in the fall elections.

The list includes 19 seats currently in Republican hands, from Connecticut to Alaska, with two each in Ohio and New Mexico. It also reflects a determination on the part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to protect its own first-term incumbents in Kansas, New Hampshire, Florida and elsewhere.

In all, the documentation obtained by The Associated Press shows the DCCC has reserved nearly $35 million in advertising to begin in September and October.

Political parties and candidates frequently reserve advertising time in advance to obtain a lower price from television stations than might be available later. Final decisions on spending are normally made closer to the elections.

Democrats hold a 235-199 majority in the House, with one vacancy, and even Republicans concede they are unlikely to regain control in a political environment in which President Bush is unpopular and voters say they want change.

The GOP has lost special elections in recent months in three districts in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi long in their hands. A recent review commissioned by the party's leadership concluded that traditional Republican campaign themes no longer appear effective in swaying voters.

Additionally, the Democratic committee reported more than $47 million in the bank at the end of May. The Republican counterpart group had $6.7 million.

The Democratic advertising targets include Republican Reps. Don Young of Alaska, Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado, Chris Shays of Connecticut, Tom Feeney of Florida, Tim Wahlberg and Joe Knollenberg of Michigan, Robin Hayes of North Carolina, Jon Porter of Nevada and Steve Chabot of Ohio.

Click here for the rest of the story

Eccentric Covers 9th District Fund Raising

Dollars adding up quickly for 9th House candidates
By Greg Kowalski
Staff writer

In the race for the U.S. 9th House seat, Gary Peters may be winning the battle of the bucks, at least on the Democratic side of the ticket.

On Thursday, Peters announced he "has received more contributions to date than any previous candidate to take on Republican Joe Knollenberg."

Peters said he raised $183,414 last quarter for a total of $401,217.

"Whether it's people I meet at house parties and club meetings or the nearly 1,000 individuals that have contributed to our campaign, every day I see momentum building for our grass-roots campaign," Peters said in a prepared statement.

It isn't clear how much ahead that puts him against rival Democrat Nancy Skinner, who said a tally of donations hasn't been made yet. "I've been getting small donations from around the county," Skinner said. (Skinner ended the quarter with $6700 cash on hand.)

In 2006, when Skinner ran against Knollenberg, she raised a respectable $420,000 during the length of the campaign and came within 15,000 votes of beating the incumbent Knollenberg.

"I have not been out there in full force," Skinner said last week. But she did take comfort in that she placed first in the Democracy for Action Internet poll, which rated her as the leading progressive candidate among 98 Congressional races across the country in a preliminary count.

"Money alone isn't going to do it," Skinner said.

Perhaps. But Knollenberg came up with his own figures, which cannot be taken lightly. He has rased more than $1.4 million in 2007.

"The Knollenberg campaign raised the most money it has since 2002," a Knollenberg campaign statement stated. It was, he noted, "a particularly strong showing for a non-election year, during which time candidates typically raise fewer dollars."

Still, with the primary in August and the general election in November, the campaign money-raising season is still young.

Peters Raises Record Amount in Michigan's 9th

Peters raises record amount in Michigan's 9th

Oakland County, MI- Gary Peters continues to build overwhelming momentum in his bid for Congress in Michigan's 9th District. Peters has received more contributions to date than any previous candidate to take on Republican incumbent Joe Knollenberg and has garnered early key endorsements. Peters garnered support from almost 1000 individuals in the district including support from Republicans and Independents.

"Whether it's people I meet at house parties and club meetings or the nearly 1000 individuals that have contributed to our campaign, every day I see momentum building for our grassroots campaign. Our working families in Oakland County are fed-up with Washington and the direction of this country. Our message of change, fighting tooth and nail for jobs, and putting Oakland County first has really struck a chord."

Gary Peters is widely regarding for having a hands-on approach to solving local problems. He has a record of results and independence -- turning the lottery around, cutting taxes, holding the line on spending, and creating economic opportunity for the middle class.

In addition to his strong fundraising, Peters has received a flood of endorsements. Last week Peters received the full support and endorsement of the Michigan Association of Police Organizations, which represents over 14,000 police officers in Michigan. Peters has also recently received the endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers in Michigan as well as the Service Employees International Union, the fastest growing labor organization representing over 80,000 workers in Michigan. Peters has also received one of the earliest endorsements of the Michigan AFL-CIO which represents over 600,000 workers and 59 unions across the state.

Peters, who has been outspoken about our need for change in Oakland County, raised $183,414.00 last quarter, bringing the total funds raised of the campaign to $401,217, and has a cash on hand balance of $359,366. The Democrat who ran against Joe Knollenberg last cycle raised just under $24,000 in her end of the year filing in 2006. Peters has also exceeded David Fink, the top raising Democrat to challenge Knollenberg, who to date in Q4 of 2001 had amassed just under $370,000 thousand.

Howard Dean on beating Joe Knollenberg in 2008

Governor Howard Dean was in town on Sunday night for the 47th Annual Phil Hart Dinner and he spoke for a few minutes about how we can beat Joe Knollenberg in 2008.



We can do it.

No amount of money is going to help Joe this time

The story below appeared in today's Detroit News. But no amount of money is going to help Joe Knollenberg this time around. He's on the wrong side of every major issue, the war, SCHIP, warrantless wiretapping, Social Security, health care. His message is falling on deaf ears, except among the 24% of the country that still support the failed leadership of George W. Bush.

Detroit News

Friday, October 26, 2007
Decision 2008

GOP rep expected to face tough race
National campaign leader says voters are upset with incumbents, but he predicts Knollenberg will keep seat.
Charlie Cain / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
The head of the National Republican Congressional Committee conceded Thursday that veteran U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg of Bloomfield Hills faces a tough ride in his re-election bid next year, adding that voters are in an anti-Washington, anti-incumbent mood.

But U.S. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who heads the committee, believes Knollenberg will defeat his Democratic opponent, most likely Gary Peters, the former state lottery czar who is piling up cash and endorsements.

The battle in Oakland County figures to be the most hotly contested of Michigan's 15 congressional races.

"Michigan is going to be a very competitive state presidentially, as it has been the last couple of times," Cole said in a conference call with political reporters.

But he said Knollenberg, first elected in 1992, should prevail. "I don't see people at the end of the day defeating a guy who is that senior, that well prepared and that well respected."


Find this article at:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071026/POLITICS/710260360/1022/POLITICS

Marine Mom urges Congressman Knollenberg to Take Stand Against Endless War in Iraq

Americans Against Escalation in Iraq
http://NoIraqEscalation.org
For Immediate Release Contact: Debbie Jackson
08/12/2007 248 842 2503

Welcome for Returning Warrior at Troy Hooters

Marine Mom Urges Congressman Knollenberg Take Stand Against Endless War in Iraq
Troy, MI –Debbie Jackson does not know why, over four years after President Bush declared “mission accomplished” in Iraq, General Petraeus wants to keep our troops there for another decade. “So, the question our military moms, dads, wives, sons, daughters have of the government is: what is the mission there now? There is a difference between supporting our troops and supporting this war as it is now!” Last week, Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute recommended a draft to facilitate such a prolonged occupation and elected representatives, including Joe Knollenberg, the U.S. Congressman from Debbie’s area, have yet to lift a finger to thwart it. For now, Debbie is happy that her son is coming home and would like to make sure that he does not return to fight in someone else’s civil war. “On 8/26/07 @ 4:00pm we will welcome home our son, Brandon Jackson and other military service members from the 3/6 Lima Company returning from Iraq. We invite anyone interested to join us and celebrate their safe return. Welcome home, and let’s keep them home! “
Debbie will be hosting a welcome at the Troy Hooters at the intersection of Rochester Road and Big Beaver. Veterans and military families are invited. “We considered inviting Congressman Knollenberg to the event, but decided not to after we saw his grade of C from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. If he comes, he should be prepared to justify his dismal voting record on veterans’ issues.”

CLICK HERE TO RSVP



Representatives from the 9th District Chapter of Americans Against Escalation in Iraq will be present together with Joe NOllenberg, a giant puppet-head symbolizing the Congressman’s refusal to stand up for American troops, instead giving in to pressure from the administration. On August 28th, the group has invited Congressman Knollenberg for a Townhall meeting at Central High School in Pontiac to take a stand against the Iraq war. The Congressman’s office has yet to respond to the invitation.

Knollenberg prescription for health care deadly

In today's Oakland Press, Joe Knollenberg trots out the same old tired line about socialized medicine and "evil" trial lawyers. I issue a challenge to Joe Knollenberg, go with me to see Michael Moore's new documentary, Sicko, then say that universal, single-payer health care doesn't work and that private enterprise does it better. It is common knowledge that Medicare does work extremely efficiently and their administrative costs are 2-3%, compared to 25-30% for the private health insurance industry. Another problem with Joe's plan, there are 47 million uninsured people in the country and more joining the rolls every day. Over 50% of the bankruptcies in this country occur due to medical emergencies caused by medical bills of people who had insurance.

I will be interviewing Adrian Campbell on my community television show soon. Adrian is a 25-year old woman who contracted ovarian cancer and had to go to Canada to get treatment, because her health plan refused coverage, saying 22-year-olds (she was 22 when she was diagnosed) don't get ovarian cancer. Then, to make matters worse, because she was in the movie, she was fired by her employer.

If Joe Knollenberg thinks his plan to offer a tax credit to employers for offering a wellness program is the solution, I dare him to walk a mile in Adrian's shoes. Why don't you come on my show with Adrian, Joe, and tell her how well your plan for a tax credit for an employer wellness program will work for her? I dare you, Joe.

According to the web site National Priorities for the cost of what we have spent in the 9th Congressional District of Michigan in 2007 on the war in Iraq, we could have provided health care to 121,000 citizens.

According to the Institute of Medicine, "lack of health insurance causes roughly 18,000 unnecessary deaths every year in the United States. Although America leads the world in spending on health care, it is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not ensure that all citizens have coverage." Insuring America's Health: Principles and Recommendations, Institute of Medicine, January 2004.
http://www.iom.edu/?id=19175

Quit blowing smoke up our butts, Joe. Universal, single-payer health care does work and it's time for America to take care of its citizens instead of fighting an ill-conceived war that President Bush lied us into for profits from the Iraqi oil fields.

Bruce Fealk's interview on Fox 2 Detroit 8/10/2007

On Friday, August 10, 2007, Bruce Fealk was interviewed about his visits to Congressman Joe Knollenberg's home.

Chet Zarko, a regular commeter here is really a paid Republican operative

On Saturday in White Lake, Joe NOllenberg had his first encouter with Chet Zarko. Chet is a paid Republican consultant, apparently working for Joe Knollenberg. Chet had his video camera with him on Sunday and really wanted to know about the the giant head of Joe NOllenberg. Chet also worked on the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative petition campaign and which was actually successful, mostly due to the fact that petition gatherers were lying to petiton signers about what they were signing and the confusing name of the campaign, which actually was successful in denying the state from using race as a factor in college admissions and state employment. So, here is the video Chet shot of Joe NOllenberg chasing Joe down the road after the GOP picnic in White Lake on Saturday.

Joe NOllenberg launches campaign against Joe Knollenberg

Joe NOllenberg launched his campaign today in White Lake, but Joe Knollenberg never showed up.  Here's some video from the event.



The host of the party, who's aligned with Democrats on the issues, brought us some ice cream.

Joe votes against resting our troops

Every day Joe Knollenberg casts more votes that show how out of step he is with his constituents. Yesterday Joe voted against a bill that gives our soldiers serving in Iraq a one-to-one ratio between time served in Iraq and time spent at home before being redeployed.

How can Joe claim to support our troops, then vote against this common sense bill to give our troops a rest from their grueling tasks in Iraq. Way to go, Joe. Here's a link to a roll call of votes on this bill. Click here.

Giving Free Ice Cream to Joe and his neighbors

We went to Joe Knollenberg's neighborhood delivering free ice cream and to invite Joe to our Town Hall meeting on August 28 in Pontiac at Central High School at 7 p.m. Joe's wife, Sandie, was home but she wouldn't even open the door. Oh, well, we had lots of ice cream for everyone else.

Joe Knollenberg Thinks Embryos Should be Incinerated

Once again, Joe Knollenberg has voted AGAINST Stem Cell Research. [S.5., Roll Call Vote 443, June 7, 2007]

Fortunately, S.5, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, passed the house in spite of Knollenberg's vote.

The bill would allow for researchers to use embryonic stem cells from embryos that had been donated to in vitro fertilization clinics for fertility treatment, but weren't used and were going to be discarded anyway.

Here is the official summary of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007:

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo.

Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements:
(1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment;
(2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and
(3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements.

So, according to Joe Knollenberg, it is better to send the embryo to a medical waste incinerator rather than use it to advance medical treatments.

Joe Knollenberg is too extreme for Oakland County.

Knollenberg Votes NO on Pay raise for Troops

Joe Knollenberg says he "supports the troops".

We can expect to see ads for his next campaign on how he "supports the troops".

Joe Knollenberg says he "supports the troops", but his voting record says otherwise.

Joe Knollenberg consistently votes AGAINST our troops.

Knollenberg thinks he should make nearly $170,000/yr (plus a full pension and free health care for life), but he voted against giving the troops a 3.5% pay raise. [HR 2207, Rollcall 336, 5/10/07]

Why does Joe Knollenberg say he supports the troops and then votes against them every single time?

It is time for us to vote against Joe Knollenberg. Vote No On JOE!

Knollenberg Voted to Make Medicare MORE PROFITABLE For Insurance Companies

When Congress passed the Medicare prescription drug bill, they debated various provisions that would help make medication more affordable.

For example, they discussed allowing Seniors to import medicine from Canada where it is significantly less expensive. But, Knollenberg's current Chief of Staff, Trent Wisecup, was the lead lobbyist for the Pharmaceutical companies at the time and he led a campaign to keep Congress from allowing Seniors to import their medicines from Canada.

Joe Knollenberg voted to Stop Seniors from
Importing Less Expensive Medications.

Congress also discussed allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. Other government programs such as the Veteran's Administration and Medicaid negotiate drug prices. Such negotiations would have saved Seniors and taxpayers billions of dollars.

Joe Knollenberg Voted To
Prohibit Medicare From
Negotiating Lower Prices on Drugs.

As a result, the Medicare prescription drug program has become just another big profit machine for insurance companies. And insurance companies don't even try to hide the fact that Medicare can pay big profits.

An April 1, 2007 article in a magazine for insurance company executives starts out with the following paragraph:

Most Medicare Advantage and Part D sponsors share a common goal: make Medicare a more profitable line of business.

Yes. Insurance companies are now talking about how to maximize their profits from Medicare. This is obscene.

Joe Knollenberg is fighting to help insurance companies, not Seniors.

Bruce Fealk talks to MDP Chair Mark Brewer about Joe Knollenberg

Bruce Fealk, host of Michigan Progress asked Mark Brewer about Joe Knollenberg's campaign strategy, about 10 minutes into the show.