Week of October 6, 2007

Is it too early for 2008 voter mobilization? Not by a long shot!

WOMEN VOTE!, EMILY's List's voter mobilization program, is well under way for the 2008 election. It was key in Niki Tsongas's primary election in Massachusetts's fifth congressional district, where we conducted a targeted mail campaign communicating to women voters about issues such as health care and the importance of voting in this special election. Tsongas won her primary, and EMILY's List will deploy WOMEN VOTE! as needed to ensure victory in the general election on Oct. 16.

WOMEN VOTE! has successfully elected women up and down the ticket, and there's no doubt it will be key in helping presidential contender Hillary Clinton win in early primary states. Three phases make WOMEN VOTE! a success:

  • Targeting helps us enhance voter files and identify key pockets of support.
  • Research allows us to identify key groups of women voters and the issues that matter most to them.
  • Voter communication lets us reach out to millions of women with targeted mailings, personal phone calls, and face-to-face visits.

Since women make up nearly 60 percent of the primary electorate, it's clear how important it is to get women voters behind Hillary. When women vote, women win!

EMILY's List endorses Jeanne Shaheen

EMILY's List is proud to announce our endorsement of Jeanne Shaheen, running for the U.S. Senate. Former three-term New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen entered the race for one of New Hampshire's U.S. Senate seats, currently held by GOPer John Sununu. Shaheen was encouraged by over a thousand Granite Staters to enter the race and kick the vulnerable Bush loyalist to the curb. Shaheen's record of expanding access to quality public kindergarten, extending health care coverage to uninsured children, and protecting reproductive rights give her a strong shot at defeating her GOP opponent.

EMILY's List endorses Jill Long Thompson

Jill Long Thompson has a long record serving Indiana, including representing northeast Indiana in the U.S. House, serving as U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, and CEO and senior fellow at the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy. She will face a grueling campaign and an incumbent, Gov. Mitch Daniels, or as Bush likes to call him, "My man Mitch," with the full backing of the GOP establishment. But first she needs to win the primary against a wealthy political donor hand-picked by Indianapolis insiders. While governor, she hopes to work across party lines to reinvest in Indiana's economy, education system, and job training.

Tsongas continues strong drive to election day finish line

Niki Tsongas has had quite a busy few weeks -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared at a fundraiser, President Bill Clinton campaigned with her, and she engaged in a heated debate hosted by the League of Women Voters at Andover High School in Massachusetts's fifth district, where she reinforced that she is the most qualified candidate to represent the district.

Unsurprisingly, Tsongas's pro-Iraq war Republican opponent Jim Ogonowski continues to attack Tsongas to try in a last-ditch attempt to chip away at her lead. Last week, his campaign sent a press release attacking Tsongas and claiming she is trying to "scare people into voting for her." He again attempted to mask his support for Bush's failed policies at the debate, but seemed to fall short in his scheme. When asked about Iraq, Ogonowski defaulted to the Republican go-to response, and said he would keep U.S. troops in Iraq until the country was "safe and secure." Ogonowski's pro-war stance was unmasked even more so when Tsongas called for an immediate change of course in Iraq, saying, "I'm running because we need change, and we need change now, and nowhere is this more evident than in the war in Iraq."

With the Oct. 16 special election just 10 days away, the race to fill the seat will come down to the wire. Party members on both sides in Washington are paying close attention to the race, which the independent Cook Political Report recently rated as "leans" Democratic, a change from its previous prediction that the race was "solid" Democratic.

"Left" and "right," Hillary's new health care plan gains support

Last month, Hillary Clinton unveiled her American Health Choices Plan, which ensures that all Americans receive quality, affordable health care. The plan is unique not only in that it provides insurance for all Americans, but also in that it proposes to do so through a plan that can be practically implemented. The plan is so practical that even conservatives have begrudgingly conceded that it has its strong points.

Clinton has made her plan both viable and affordable by creating new coverage options, reforming the insurance industry, limiting coverage costs to a percentage of income, and opening the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to all Americans -- ensuring that anyone can access the same excellent health care as members of Congress. The plan is also affordable for businesses. Small businesses that provide high quality health insurance will not have to worry about new costs because they will receive a significant tax credit. And, although the plan leaves private insurance options intact, it is innovative and also allows for a public insurance option.

Clinton's American Health Choices Plan will help all Americans, but it will especially make a difference for women. Clinton's health plan ensures that every woman will be able to choose from a wide variety of plans at an affordable cost regardless of employment or marital status.

Look out for a new and improved Insider News

Insider News is getting a makeover and we're looking for your ideas. We are hard at work on a new and improved layout, with special updates from our executive director, key race updates from our political director, and more! But, don't worry, there's one thing that won't change -- the quality stories and insider scoop that you look forward to each month! If you have any suggestions, we would love to hear from you. Email us by Oct. 21 at information@emilyslist.org.