Just a quick mention of this Bucks County Courier Times article yesterday noting that Patrick Murphy……held a congressional field hearing (Monday) to discuss ways to improve response to disasters at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center just outside Doylestown (PA), which attracted about 50 people.I presume that Friend is a resident; he is not identified in any other capacity.
The 11 people who testified covered a range of topics, from efforts after Hurricane Katrina to general disaster response to addressing floods along the Delaware River. Though the particular disasters differed, one theme was constant: Much more could be done, much faster and better, if information got to the right people at the right time.
“There is no coordination between federal and state governments and the private sector. It just doesn't exist,” Grover Friend said during a break in the hearing. “Americans are wonderful people. In times of disaster they want to help. The problem is knowing how to do it.”
Along with Murphy, state Reps. Dave Steil, R-31, and Scott Petri, R-178, attended part of the hearing.I don’t see how Patrick could do more to reach across to politicians “on the other side of the aisle” in these parts, and I believe that is understood by voters in this district (might have something to do with why no Repug has declared to run against him yet; I’m beginning to wonder if someone else besides Mikey will answer the call here).
And I haven’t said anything about Admiral Joe for awhile now – sorry about that – so…As I finish out my first year in office, I am asking for your support again before filing our end of the year fundraising report. To date, we've been able to deter an opponent from getting into the race against me due to the good work we've done with your support, including your response to my fundraising requests … thank you!And to help Patrick also, click here.
Please contribute now (here).
It's been a memorable first year.
• As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Education and Labor Committee, and Small Business Committee (Vice-Chairman), I have authored 5 pieces of Legislation out of my committees, which have passed the House and gone onto the Senate … the most of any freshman representative!
• With my 31 year military career in both operational commands and national security policy positions, I have been deeply involved in trying to end the "tragic misadventure" in Iraq and to safely redeploy our troops for America's overall security. It's been a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of our nation's debate on national security, restoring our liberties, and appearing on national shows as Meet The Press with Tim Russert (the only Freshman Congressman in the show's history to have appeared); This Week with George Stephanopoulos; Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer; Hardball with Chris Matthews; Late Night on PBS with Tavis Smiley; Fox News Live Weekend; and Fox & Friends. These appearances have been part of my effort to help move the debate towards the proper, comprehensive exit strategy.
Please contribute now (here).
Because of our success in my initial year, the Republicans will be running hard to re-claim this seat next year, and I would ask you - as this year ends - to help out this quarter by making a final contribution now for 2007. When we announce our financial results in early January, your contribution - coupled with what we have raised to date - will hopefully continue to deter the entry of a top-flight opponent because of the fundraising strength we've shown, and because of our 5,000 volunteer-base poised to help out in a Presidential-year election.
Please contribute now (here).
Thank you for what you've done in the past, and continue to do in supporting our campaign. I am very appreciative for all that you have done, and hope that I am living up to your expectations.
Warmly,
Joe Sestak
And speaking of money (as we often are, I admit), please read this post about the possibility of the FEC deciding that Act Blue donations don't qualify for matching public funds, and find out what we can do about that (a shot aimed right at the Edwards campaign, I hasten to add).
4 comments:
I was watching C-SPAN the other day and the House was debating fixing the AMT, Dems for repeal, Repugs against. I called Patrick Murphy's offices in Bristol and DC and suggested he do a guest opinion in the Courier on the AMT and what is going on. I suspect many in Bucks alerady got hit with it and many more are going to get hit with it
Yeah, the AMT thing concerns me. The NYT had a column today about the Blue Dog Democrats and how they're trying to stick to "pay-go" rules to offset the loss in revenue from fixing the AMT in the House, but the Senate wants to do that without increasing revenue and adding to the deficit. The problem is that the IRS needs to know what will happen PDQ so they can update their tax forms.
This is yet another issue where the Repugs are successfully playing their obstruction game. There would be howls all over the place if the House bill made it over to the Senate, since the Dems of course don't have the majority there to pass it and override the eventual veto from President Koo Koo Bananas. So it looks like the whole thing will stall in the House, unfortunately.
And I should also add that, with the notable exception of Patrick Murphy, I am decidedly unimpressed with the "Blue Dogs," many of whom capitulated on FISA and the Iraq Supplemental.
I think many of the Blue Dogs are the problem, we can do without many of them. Their only value to me, though its a gigantic value, is they give us the majority.
I'm very uncomfortable with the reputation the Dem congress has today, theya re perceived, rightfully so, as spineless and too cooperative with Bush. They seem to be afraid of a fight.
If this carries into the 08 elections this "perception" may cause them to lose at least the Senate and probably some House seats.
Today the Senate will vote on the Telecomm Act, Reid is putting the one Rockefeller and Bush want up as the bill, not the one put up by the Judiciary Committee. Reid is also ignoring Dodd's "hold" on the bill while he adheres to holds by Repug Tom Coburn. I tell you, they're flirting with losing Congress.
Atrios had a post today on the Reid/Dodd/Coburn thing...Reid's actions here are absolutely unconscionable.
I honestly can't figure out when the Dems are ever going to understand that the Repugs will NEVER stop pushing them around until they fight back. Didn't any of them ever spend their time in a school yard during recess, or did they all just hand over their milk money without a fight (dating myself slightly, I know).
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