MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The 2012 Presidential race is heating up with President Obama having embarked on a three day bus tour of the Midwest and the Iowa straw poll solidifying the leading contenders in the Republican Presidential primary race.
While many of our efforts and national attention will be on President Obama’s re-election there are also some extremely competitive races in the Senate, like Senator Claire McCaskill’s (D-MO) whose race is one of three Senate races that will likely determine control of the Senate. It is possible Republicans may take control of the Senate as a result of these races, however, we are working hard to build a network of funding and support here in the Bay Area for many worthy Democrats across the country up for re-election.
Stay tuned, because we have some major events coming up that we hope you will join us for, like the Obama Speaker Series and a reception with Senator Cantwell (D-WA). These are excellent opportunities to engage with our nation’s leaders and join the dialogue on local and national political issues.
If you have any questions as to how you can get involved, please give us a call at (415) 692-3556. Also, please be sure to visit us on Facebook. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at an event very soon.
Best regards,
————————-
Marjan Philhour
Executive Director, Bay Area Democrats
381 Bush St., Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-692-3556
Obama Speaker Series
The Obama campaign has committed to host small events in the Bay Area with Senior White House and Presidential campaign advisers on average of once per month between now and the end of February 2012. Once a supporter gives the $2,500 primary and $2,500 general election donation, they may attend every one of these events at no cost. Our goal is to give generous supporters an opportunity to interact directly with the key decision-makers who surround the President on a daily basis.
Additionally, Speakers Series members will receive a complimentary ticket to each Presidential event in Northern California where the ticket price is $5,000 or less. This will ensure that supporters do not need to decide between seeing Barack and talking to his closest advisers.
The first Speakers Series event will be a small San Francisco lunch with Valerie Jarrett on September 15. We are confident that we will have additional events in September. Please contact us at 415-692-3556 for additional information.
Lunch with Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)
On Monday, August 15, Bay Area Democrats members had the opportunity to have lunch with Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). Senator Coons’ victory in Delaware was one of the few bright spots for Democrats in 2010. The Senator discussed the need for patent law reform in order to help companies like Google and others in Silicon Valley that are strained by antiquated patent laws not suited for the digital age. The Senator further discussed what we could expect when patent reform is debated in the Senate in the coming weeks. Senator Coons then discussed how the Tea Party is shifting Republicans to the extreme right and not accepting compromise as the Founding Fathers envisioned for America. If you were unable to attend we hope you will join us the next time Senator Coons visits the Bay Area.
Cocktail Reception with Ambassador Ron Kirk
On Wednesday, August 17, Bay Area Democrats met with United States Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk. Ambassador Kirk was also formerly the Mayor of Dallas and a one time Senate candidate. He discussed with those in attendance the importance of trade to the economy as well as some of the highlights of current trade negotiations with Latin American Countries. The event provided Bay Area Democrats members a great opportunity to speak directly with a key member of the Administration and was an excellent preview of what Bay Area Democrats members can expect from the Obama Speaker series.
Senate Spotlight – Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Claire McCaskill was elected to the Senate in 2006 winning by a mere 2% during one of the best election cycles for Democrats. Senator McCaskill is the first female Senator ever elected in Missouri and as a Senator she has been a strong advocate for Democratic causes. Senator McCaskill fought hard against the Pentagon’s unchecked spending habits as well as openly calling on the Republicans to explain why they were against raising the deficit even though they racked up the debt with two wars and ill advised tax cuts. Senator McCaskill stood with the President to reform healthcare and repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell despite strong and occasionally violent opposition by the Missouri Tea Party.
Due to her narrow victory in 2006, a deeply divided electorate in Missouri, and her support for the President’s major policies, Republicans have made Senator McCasskill one of their top targets. With still over a year to go, outside groups like the Karl Rove backed American Crossroads, have already started spending hundreds of thousands of dollars blanketing the Missouri airwaves with attack ads. Analysts are predicting that Karl Rove’s attack ads are only a small fraction of what is to come in Missouri as tens of millions of dollars are expected to be spent attacking the senior Senator from Missouri.
The two Republican challengers competing in the Republican primary are Representative Todd Akin and former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Both challengers have serious problems; Steelman’s campaign is going through several campaign staff shakeups and a lack of money, while Rep. Akin is currently taking heat for his public comments that “At the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God”.
Public Policy Polling has Senator McCaskill’s approval rating holding steady at 46% despite the wave of attacks. Senator McCaskill’s disapproval rating has barely increased at a time when incumbent politicians disapproval ratings are sky rocketing across the nation. Senator McCaskill is also leading in head to head polls against both of her potential Republican challengers with a 1% lead of Rep. Akin and a 3% lead over Steelman.
Every polling firm has this race rated as a toss-up and Missouri is considered to be one of three states along with Montana and Virginia that will determine who controls the Senate. Given the stakes, Missouri will likely be the toughest Senate fight of 2012.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Reception with Senator Maria Cantwell
Date: August 29
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Menlo Park
Address Provided Upon RSVP.
Lunch with Valerie Jarrett
Date: September 15
Call (415) 692-3556 for further details.
For more information on upcoming events, please contact Bay Area Democrats at (415) 692-3556.
