Gary Peters's Notes
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Today the SEIU Michigan Council has endorsed Gary Peters, in his congressional campaign for Michigan's 9th district.
Gary has also received the earliest Congressional endorsement from the AFL-CIO, been endorsed by the Michigan Building Trades, American Federation of Teachers, and the local Operating Engineers, Communication Workers, and Pipefitters.
Peters was proud to accept the endorsement, saying "I’m extremely pleased and honored to get the support of the SEIU Michigan State Council. The SEIU believes, as I believe, that working families deserve a voice in Washington and that it is time for a change."
Michigan's 9th District is currently represented by Joe Knollenberg. Last year Knollenberg received a dismal 0% rating on labor issues in the AFSCME House Scorecard.
Getting the endorsement was a very thorough and unique process. Gary Peters and other candidates in Michigan's 9th filled out a questionnaire, met with SEIU members who filled out assessment forms, and took part in a "Walk a Day in My Shoes" event where the candidates worked side by side with an SEIU member.
Faville went on to highlight two of Gary Peters key beliefs that impressed SEIU members:
Ending the war in Iraq, and supporting children's health care.
“Our members firmly believe that Gary Peters is the best candidate to represent the citizens of Michigan’s 9th District,” said Phil Thompson, SEIU Michigan State Council president and executive vice president of SEIU Local 517M. “He has a proven record of standing by working families, particularly when it comes to providing access to quality and affordable health care.”
Gary has also received the earliest Congressional endorsement from the AFL-CIO, been endorsed by the Michigan Building Trades, American Federation of Teachers, and the local Operating Engineers, Communication Workers, and Pipefitters.
Peters was proud to accept the endorsement, saying "I’m extremely pleased and honored to get the support of the SEIU Michigan State Council. The SEIU believes, as I believe, that working families deserve a voice in Washington and that it is time for a change."
Michigan's 9th District is currently represented by Joe Knollenberg. Last year Knollenberg received a dismal 0% rating on labor issues in the AFSCME House Scorecard.
Getting the endorsement was a very thorough and unique process. Gary Peters and other candidates in Michigan's 9th filled out a questionnaire, met with SEIU members who filled out assessment forms, and took part in a "Walk a Day in My Shoes" event where the candidates worked side by side with an SEIU member.
Marge Faville, the secretary-treasurer of SEIU Healthcare Michigan and the Michigan State Council treasurer, said Peters understands the struggles that SEIU members face.
“Gary Peters understands our values and our concerns,” Faville said. “He spent a day side-by-side with a home care worker as part of our endorsement process, and we were very impressed with Gary’s passion and his grasp of the issues SEIU workers face.”
Faville went on to highlight two of Gary Peters key beliefs that impressed SEIU members:
Ending the war in Iraq, and supporting children's health care.
“Gary Peters wants to end the war, bring our troops home and make sure their children get the health care they need through an expansion of the S-CHIP program. Those two issues are extremely important to SEIU members, as they are to Michiganders as a whole. Our members are excited to support a candidate who shares their vision for a better Michigan and a stronger America.” SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Marge Faville
Greetings from Peters for Congress! We have been up to a whole lot, which I am excited to share with all of you.
Recently we surpassed $50,000 in donations via ActBlue! The contribution that put us over the top was only $50, and was made on November 8th. We are excited to see the support from the online community. ActBlue is a viral network?if you would like to support Gary's campaign, you can create your own personal fundraising page and direct your blog readers, friends, and family to contribute. We can track how much your own fundraising page is responsible for raising.
Even more exciting is the money being raised and friends being made within the district. We were graciously welcomed to the homes of two Peters Supporters for house parties this past weekend. At our campaign events page you can check to see if Gary will be coming to a location near you soon! If you'd like to host one, get in touch with the campaign- if you'll have us, Gary would love to meet you and your friends and talk about the race. I would especially like to thank our pals in Royal Oak's 25th precinct for the cupcakes!
Did you hear that the entire Michigan Democratic Delegation has united to throw a fund raiser for Gary Peters and Mark Schauer? You would've if you were on our email list- be sure to Stay Informed by signing up at PetersForCongress.com
No, the campaign isn't all just about money: last Wednesday Gary got a chance to speak to the Troy Democratic Club. He got to address the critical issues we are facing. He continued to call for withdrawing from Iraq immediately and safely. He called the lack of access to affordable healthcare unconscionable?a stark contrast from Joe Knollenberg, who has voted against insuring 10 million more children by expanding SCHIP. Gary spoke about protecting our environment the way only a former Sierra Club Environmentalist of the Year could, and he has the experience to hit the ground running on these issues. He talked about preserving the American dream and making sure that no generation will be worse off than their parents.
This Veterans Day weekend, I noticed a post by "Gold Star Mom Speaks Out" on HR 3043.
This bill passed both the House and the Senate, with broad bipartisan support. However the President is threatening a veto (...sound familiar?)
Joe Knollenberg voted against this bill, and against increased funding for our troops.
It's time to show our troops real support. As a former Lieutenant Commander and Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Gary Peters understands that we must equip the men and women of the armed forces with the proper tools for the job and support them when they come home.
Specifically, H.R. 3043 would provide:
* $231 million for Veterans' Employment and Training programs to assist returning veterans to find and train for good paying jobs.
* $23.6 million for the Homeless Veterans' Program. Currently 23% ofAmerica's homeless are military veterans.
* $10 million for those veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), for their rehabilitation, hospital care and long-term support. Thousands of returning National Guard soldiers rely on community-based systems of care that are not funded by the VA.
* $3.4 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. With Army suicides recently reaching a 26 year high, our returning veterans suffering from PTSD and depression have an urgent need to rely on this funding. This bill is currently being debated on the House floor.
-Gold Star Mom Speaks Out
This bill passed both the House and the Senate, with broad bipartisan support. However the President is threatening a veto (...sound familiar?)
Joe Knollenberg voted against this bill, and against increased funding for our troops.
It's time to show our troops real support. As a former Lieutenant Commander and Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Gary Peters understands that we must equip the men and women of the armed forces with the proper tools for the job and support them when they come home.
Peters for Congress is proud to announce that the entire Michigan Democratic delegation will be supporting a December fundraiser for Gary Peters and Mark Schauer. The event comes weeks before the next crucial campaign finance reporting deadline.
The unity of the entire delegation, lead by Senators Levin and Stabenow, sends a strong message. DCCC polling shows that Knollenberg’s job approval is at 33%. When voters are given Gary and Joe's positions on SCHIP, Gary pulls ahead to a 7 point lead. Clearly MI-09 is a serious opportunity to expand our majority in the House.
I am thrilled to see the men and women of our Democratic Delegation stepping up to support two proven progressives.
Want to join them in getting involved with the campaign?
Also, be sure to join our email list!
The unity of the entire delegation, lead by Senators Levin and Stabenow, sends a strong message. DCCC polling shows that Knollenberg’s job approval is at 33%. When voters are given Gary and Joe's positions on SCHIP, Gary pulls ahead to a 7 point lead. Clearly MI-09 is a serious opportunity to expand our majority in the House.
I am thrilled to see the men and women of our Democratic Delegation stepping up to support two proven progressives.
Want to join them in getting involved with the campaign?
- Learn more about the campaign at PetersForCongress.com
- Support Gary Peters on Facebook!
- Add the PetersForCongress Blog to your RSS reader!
- Subscribe to PetersForCongress on del.icio.us
- Hear from Gary on YouTube
- Contribute at ActBlue!
Also, be sure to join our email list!
Student Hounds Professor Seeking Office
Current polls on AOL.com show that a majority of respondents disagree with Dennis Lennox's tactics of stalking Gary with a camera, and over 60% it is fair to run for office while teaching.
Current polls on AOL.com show that a majority of respondents disagree with Dennis Lennox's tactics of stalking Gary with a camera, and over 60% it is fair to run for office while teaching.
Speaker Pelosi and the House of Representatives will not be giving up on our children.
The House plans to take up the SCHIP Bill, and continue to work to provide health insurance for 10 million of our nation's most vulnerable. The new version includes a clear definition of eligibility, to ensure that only those who are here legally- and have been so for at least 5 years- receive benefits. The bill addresses concerns from the previous legislation, including focusing coverage on poor children.
Joe Knollenberg has voted against providing this health insurance twice- standing by President Bush's veto. Show Joe Knollenberg that our nation's most vulnerable deserve insurance too.
Participate in the Little Red Wagon Coloring Campaign! Color a wagon with your child and mail it to Congressman Knollenberg's office.
The House plans to take up the SCHIP Bill, and continue to work to provide health insurance for 10 million of our nation's most vulnerable. The new version includes a clear definition of eligibility, to ensure that only those who are here legally- and have been so for at least 5 years- receive benefits. The bill addresses concerns from the previous legislation, including focusing coverage on poor children.
Joe Knollenberg has voted against providing this health insurance twice- standing by President Bush's veto. Show Joe Knollenberg that our nation's most vulnerable deserve insurance too.
Participate in the Little Red Wagon Coloring Campaign! Color a wagon with your child and mail it to Congressman Knollenberg's office.
Are you upset that Congressman Joe Knollenberg sided with President Bush by voting to eliminate children's health care coverage? Let's show Joe Knollenberg that our children deserve affordable health care too.
At the Peters for Congress website, we've made a Wagon Coloring Page that you and your kids can print out, color in, and mail to Joe Knollenberg.
A little red wagon is symbolic of American Childhood. Let's make sure our children have the childhood they deserve, by protecting health care for the children of working families.
Why are we doing this now?
Joe Knollenberg has a chance to vote again in support of this necessary program, supported by a vast majority of Governor's and even other Michigan Republicans like Fred Upton and Candice Miller. The bill, which passed the House 265-159, was vetoed by the President. However the House has scheduled an override vote, in an attempt to override the President's veto. The vote is expected to come this Thursday.
Let's urge Joe Knollenberg to support children's health care, not the President's veto!
Please go print out a wagon, color it, and mail it to Joe Knollenberg before Thursday.
At the Peters for Congress website, we've made a Wagon Coloring Page that you and your kids can print out, color in, and mail to Joe Knollenberg.
A little red wagon is symbolic of American Childhood. Let's make sure our children have the childhood they deserve, by protecting health care for the children of working families.
Why are we doing this now?
Joe Knollenberg has a chance to vote again in support of this necessary program, supported by a vast majority of Governor's and even other Michigan Republicans like Fred Upton and Candice Miller. The bill, which passed the House 265-159, was vetoed by the President. However the House has scheduled an override vote, in an attempt to override the President's veto. The vote is expected to come this Thursday.
Let's urge Joe Knollenberg to support children's health care, not the President's veto!
Please go print out a wagon, color it, and mail it to Joe Knollenberg before Thursday.
On Tuesday, the League of Conservation Voters named Joe Knollenberg to their "Dirty Dozen" list.
First the AFL-CIO made their "earliest endorsement" in support of Gary Peters, and now the League of Conservation Voters has named Knollenberg to the Dirty Dozen list the "earliest in a campaign cycle ever". Clearly the 9th District will be one of 2008's hottest races.
The League points out that Knollenberg seems to say one thing and do another when it comes to the environment.
From their press release:
The LCV goes on to point out that "Rep. Knollenberg has taken $642,388 from polluting energy interests."
Voting for corrupt polluters. Voting against environmental protections. A lifetime LCV score of just 7%. Blocking the EPA from educating the public on Global Warming.
The "bottom line" is that Joe Knollenberg is out of touch with 9th District voters on environmental issues.
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the independent political voice for the environment, announced that U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) are the first two members of its 2008 “Dirty Dozen” list. This is the earliest in a campaign cycle LCV has ever named members to the Dirty Dozen.
First the AFL-CIO made their "earliest endorsement" in support of Gary Peters, and now the League of Conservation Voters has named Knollenberg to the Dirty Dozen list the "earliest in a campaign cycle ever". Clearly the 9th District will be one of 2008's hottest races.
The League points out that Knollenberg seems to say one thing and do another when it comes to the environment.
From their press release:
Rep. Knollenberg has repeatedly voted for corporate polluters and against environmental protections, earning him a lifetime LCV score of only 7 percent. Rep. Knollenberg has strongly opposed all attempts to raise fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. In 1998 and 1999, Knollenberg attached a rider known as 'the Knollenberg amendment' to congressional budget appropriation bills to prevent government agencies from doing anything that would regulate global warming pollution, including forbidding the EPA from holding educational seminars about global warming. In August 2007, he voted against a provision that would increase the amount of renewable energy produced in the United States.
The LCV goes on to point out that "Rep. Knollenberg has taken $642,388 from polluting energy interests."
Voting for corrupt polluters. Voting against environmental protections. A lifetime LCV score of just 7%. Blocking the EPA from educating the public on Global Warming.
The "bottom line" is that Joe Knollenberg is out of touch with 9th District voters on environmental issues.
Today Peters for Congress is proud to announce raising over $217,000!
In just over six weeks our supporters have rallied behind Gary's message of change, and have come together to stand up to George Bush and Joe Knollenberg. "Politics as usual" has come to mean many things- but you guys know that we can work together to change that.
Over 430 of you have contributed to the campaign, including $41,564.26 raised on ActBlue. The average ActBlue donation was under $250!
I hope to continue meeting many of you at our grassroots house parties across the county. You've taken breaks from the beautiful Michigan summer to help bring about change since the campaign took off in August. Now with over $198,000 cash on hand we prepare to move forward!
In just over six weeks our supporters have rallied behind Gary's message of change, and have come together to stand up to George Bush and Joe Knollenberg. "Politics as usual" has come to mean many things- but you guys know that we can work together to change that.
Over 430 of you have contributed to the campaign, including $41,564.26 raised on ActBlue. The average ActBlue donation was under $250!
I hope to continue meeting many of you at our grassroots house parties across the county. You've taken breaks from the beautiful Michigan summer to help bring about change since the campaign took off in August. Now with over $198,000 cash on hand we prepare to move forward!
Yesterday, George Bush vetoed a bipartisan bill that would provide health insurance to over 10 million low income children. On September 25th, Joe Knollenberg voted against this legislation that would give children the health care they need.
Today, Gary Peters called on Joe Knollenberg to stand up to President Bush, and vote to override the veto in order to protect Michigan's children.
This is not a partisan issue. It is about providing necessary health care for children, and protecting our societies most vulnerable. SCHIP is supported by a vast majority of Governors and a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress. Republicans in Michigan voting for the bipartisan legislation include Representative Fred Upton (R-MI 6th), Representative Vernon Ehlers (R-MI 3rd), and Representative Candice Miller (R-MI 10th).
As Gary Peters calls on Knollenberg to change his vote, Democrats nationwide are raising awareness about SCHIP. The DCCC has begun radio ads and robo calls within many battleground districts, including Michigan's 9th.
The calls feature Lisa Matzenbach, a mother of a chronically ill child on SCHIP who lives in the 9th district. The text of the call is available at the Stakeholder.
The DCCC isn't the only group going on the offensive. According to Swing State Project, Knollenberg is the 2nd most vulnerable Republican to vote against SCHIP. The Hill also notes that Democrats are going on the offensive in protecting children's health care coverage. Michigan Liberal, MyDD, Talking Points Memo, and Swamp Politics also all criticize Knollenberg's decision to vote against the interest of Michigan's children.
Today, Gary Peters called on Joe Knollenberg to stand up to President Bush, and vote to override the veto in order to protect Michigan's children.
“This is about protecting the health care of Michigan's children. Even though Joe Knollenberg has previously voted the wrong way, he needs to understand the critical importance of this issue to his constituents and vote to override President Bush’s veto.”
-Gary Peters
This is not a partisan issue. It is about providing necessary health care for children, and protecting our societies most vulnerable. SCHIP is supported by a vast majority of Governors and a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress. Republicans in Michigan voting for the bipartisan legislation include Representative Fred Upton (R-MI 6th), Representative Vernon Ehlers (R-MI 3rd), and Representative Candice Miller (R-MI 10th).
As Gary Peters calls on Knollenberg to change his vote, Democrats nationwide are raising awareness about SCHIP. The DCCC has begun radio ads and robo calls within many battleground districts, including Michigan's 9th.
The calls feature Lisa Matzenbach, a mother of a chronically ill child on SCHIP who lives in the 9th district. The text of the call is available at the Stakeholder.
The DCCC isn't the only group going on the offensive. According to Swing State Project, Knollenberg is the 2nd most vulnerable Republican to vote against SCHIP. The Hill also notes that Democrats are going on the offensive in protecting children's health care coverage. Michigan Liberal, MyDD, Talking Points Memo, and Swamp Politics also all criticize Knollenberg's decision to vote against the interest of Michigan's children.