Ed Fallon wrote a guest column in the Des Moines Register yesterday about Rod Blagojevich’s pay to play scandal in Illinois.
To learn that someone apparently would openly try to sell a U.S. Senate…
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From my inbox… Trying to follow Wall Street these days is like watching your kid learn to play tennis – balls and rackets are flying up and down, but you’re never quite sure where they’re going to…
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Tiffany Cox & Veelas of the Moonlit Forest Belly Dancing Troupe (family friendly) Mikiel Williams - New Orleans-style Jazz Musician BeJae Fleming - Blues Singer Exit 113 - 70s Hits, Blues, R & B and Rock Ed Fallon - Accordionist
APPRECIATION EXPRESSED
To . . . Ed Fallon for his progressive stand on issues, for running for the office of U.S. Congressman in Iowa’s Third District, for conducting a clean campaign based on issues, and for refusing donations from political action committees (PACs) and paid lobbyists.
To . . . campaign manager Lynn Heuss and all the Fallon for Congress staff and volunteers.
FREE-WILL DONATIONS ACCEPTED to help offset the campaign’s debt. Suggested donation is $50 (or more, if possible), but donations of any size are appreciated. PLEASE COME EVEN IF A DONATION IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME.
Dave Price at WHO is reporting that turnout is much higher than expected in Polk Co. and in Des Moines, where 70% of the excepted vote will come from.
Looks like the 3rd District is stirred up a bit about this Leonard Boswell-Ed Fallon race. Polk Co Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald says turnout may approach 2006’s level. Big deal, you might say? Well, it kind of is. In 2006 you’ll remember we had the 3-way Democratic primary between Fallon, Chet Culver and Mike Blouin.
Fallon won that primary in Polk Co. against 2 well funded candidates that had the support from party insiders.
Price says that where turnout is high at will tell which candidate is helped out. However, I don’t think people turnout in high numbers to support an incumbent with a big lead in the polls. People turnout in high numbers to vote for change and to vote against something, something like a congress with a crappy approval rating.
If you want to boil the Democratic primary race in the 3rd District down to one issue, it would be the Iraq War.
Ed Fallon has opposed the Iraq invasion from the start and has strongly opposed the war at every chance. When serving in the Iowa House, Rep. Fallon co-sponsored HR 17, along with 20 other Democrats, which called the President to not make a preemptive, unilateral attack against Iraq. Fallon had the judgement to know that invading Iraq would destablize the Middle East, hamper our efforts of bringing Osama bin Laden to justice, and would cost trillions of dollars and cause further federal budget deficits. Fallon has since signed on to the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.
Leonard Boswell, on the other hand, voted in favor of the war in Iraq and was a strong supporter of the Bush administration’s failed policy up until he learned that Fallon was going to run against him. Boswell began to support an end to the war in Iraq in December, after it was becoming clear that Fallon was preparing to challenge him.
On Tuesday, Democrats in Iowa’s 3rd District have a choice. They can vote for someone to represent them who has the judgement to make the tough decisions and wants to bring new energy to Congress or they can vote for someone who clings to the past and only changes when they are forced to do so.
Leonard Boswell is airing TV ads in the Des Moines market where he highlights his opposition to Bush on funding cuts to the college loan program and says he is a loyal Democrat.
That is commendable, but where was Boswell on the issues that really matter to Iowans?
Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats and supported Bush’s failed Iraq policy.
Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats to approve torture in the Military Commissions Act.
Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats to repeal the estate tax.
Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats to make it harder for people (and easier for corporations) to declare bankruptcy.
Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats and supported No Child Left Behind.
Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats and pushed to give Telecom companies immunity for illegal wiretapping Americans.
Boswell continues to support NAFTA-like free trade agreements.
Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats to give oil and gas companies $14 billion in tax breaks.
Sorry Rep. Boswell, but voting against the majority of Democrats in Congress on the issues that matter most to Iowans does not make you a loyal Democrat.
Candidate Forum for the Third Congressional District Democratic Primary
State Historical Society of Iowa 600 East Locust Street Des Moines 50319-0290 Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
The two candidates for Iowa’s Third District Congressional office, Representative Leonard Boswell and candidate Ed Fallon, have both been invited to appear together on stage for a “Question and Answer” forum.
About the Master of Ceremonies: Vern Naffier Vern Naffier is the Chairman of PCCI and Adjunct Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Grandview College.
About the Moderator: Mary Brubaker Mary Brubaker has been one of Des Moinesʼ most recognizable television and radio personalities over the past 40 years. She was KCCIʼs first female reporter and has hosted and produced various programs on KCCI television and WOI radio over the span of her career. She is an Alumna of Drake University and a community activist.
About Leonard Boswell Leonard Boswell is running for his seventh term as Iowaʼs 3rd district U.S. Congressional representative and is a former member of the Iowa Legislature.
About Ed Fallon Ed Fallon has served seven terms as a State Representative in the Iowa Legislature and ran for Governor in 2006.
Principal Sponsors: The Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa (PCCI) and Central Iowa Operation Democracy (CIOD).
Co-Sponsors: Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Iowa Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR), Iowa Chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), and Clarion Alliance.
This morning the Ed Fallon campaign announced support from some Jasper County leaders. Former State Rep. and County Supervisor Glen Jesse, Jasper County Democratic Chair Joe Brock, and Jasper County Democratic Vice Chair all announced their support for Fallon in 3rd District Democratic Primary.
Here’s the full press release from the Fallon Campaign…
Today, several members of the Jasper County Democratic Central Committee announced their endorsement of Ed Fallon for Congress. Jasper County leaders include former State Rep. and County Supervisor Glen Jesse and his wife Cheryl Jesse, Mitchellville; Joe Brock, Central Committee chair, Monroe; and vice chair, Dan Kelly, Newton. They’ll also host a cookout and meet-and-greet for Fallon on Friday, May 30th at 5:30 pm at the West Shelter House, Maytag Park in Newton. The public is invited.
Brock said, “The reason I’m behind Fallon is because he’s run a positive campaign based on issues and facts. He also accepted 11 debate invitations and believes voters deserve to see candidates face to face and hear how they differ on the issues.”
After Congressman Boswell declined 10 debate invitations, the Jasper County Democratic Central Committee sent a letter to Congressman Boswell asking him to accept a debate invitation. He did not.
Brock said, “We are facing some serious problems around the country, and Fallon has demonstrated the courage and leadership needed to begin tackling many of them. He’s shown it by refusing to take special interest or paid lobbyists’ contributions. He understands we need to end the power of big money in Washington. Ed also exhibited it when he authored a House Resolution in February, 2003, sponsored by 21 Democrats, which called on the President to not initiate the military strike against Iraq. Since then, Fallon has been committed to ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home.”
Former State Rep. Glen Jesse said, “I support Ed Fallon because of his genuine concern for the rights and well being of others. These are the traits I feel he shares with one of my political heroes, the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone. We commend Fallon for his commitment to the Democratic process and endorse him for the Third Congressional District.”
Ed Fallon has raised over $72,000 the past 6 weeks and has over $28,000 cash on hand for the final 2 weeks of the primary on June 3rd. Fallon has raised over $244,000 for the primary without taking any money from lobbyists or PAC’s.
The Fallon campaign released this video last week. When I read that it was a rap video, I thought it was going to be corny, but it is actually pretty good.
This video highlights where Ed Fallon stands on economic issues and shows how Boswell has sided with big money interests over the interests of the people he supposedly represents.
