CD09: Peters hits ActBlue's top 10 donation list

by: Eric B.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 18:11:36 PM EDT

With donations totalling $135,805.99, Gary Peters hit number nine on ActBlue's second quarter fund raising list.

Top candidates for the quarter on ActBlue by dollars raised include Senate candidates Rick Noriega of Texas, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Mark Warner of Virginia, and Scott Kleeb of Nebraska; Congressional candidates Dan Seals of Illinois, Chellie Pingree of the Maine, Joseph Sestak, Jr., of Pennsylvania, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Gary Peters of Michigan; and presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama.

The above was copied and pasted from an e-mail. According to the same e-mail, the results will be officially posted on the ActBlue blog some time this week.

CD07, CD09: Knollenberg, Walberg vote against drilling

by: Eric B.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 11:35:11 AM EDT

When Tim Walberg has been shouting "Drill! ... Drill! ... DRILL!," little did we know that it was highly conditional.  He, and Joe Knollenberg (another guy whose chief strategy to bring down gas prices is to explore and drill for oil that won't hit the market for a decade, two decades at peak production), among other Republican representatives from Michigan, voted against requiring oil companies who want additional oil and gas leases on public property to put up or shut up.  Here is the text of the act.  Please note that the legislation would oil companies to relinquish their leases, if they just don't think the place would pay off.

In short, what the act says is that if you hold oil and gas leases on public land, you either need to be developing them or show some kind of plan for developing them, or else you can't have new public land leases.  This means Tim Walberg and Joe Knollenberg (not to mention other Republicans in less competitive districts) want to lease out public property to people who already hold leases on land where there is potentially a lot of oil, but who aren't doing anything with it.

Det News. Dems battle to woo leery Veterans

by: bfealk

Mon Jun 09, 2008 at 05:50:20 AM EDT

Dems battle to woo leery veterans Party works to shake off lingering anti-war image with more focus on military issues. Deb Price / The Detroit News WASHINGTON --

Army veteran Chuck Griffiths grew up in a Democratic household, but feels the party "abandoned" him decades ago and hasn't won back his trust on military issues. "The anti-war activists were outside the Democratic Party in '68 and running the party by '72," said Griffiths of Westland. "It's anti-military, by and large. If they really want to appeal to people like me, they need to put more guys like (Vietnam War veteran and Virginia Sen.) Jim Webb in leadership positions and not as window dressing." His view isn't hard to find around VFW halls and other gathering spots of veterans. Pollsters and military analysts say vets tend to be more conservative -- and more Republican -- than other voters. But Democrats, in a national trend demonstrated in Michigan, are increasingly trying to woo the Chuck Griffiths of America. The party is running challengers with Persian Gulf-era military experience, such as Gary Peters, who is trying to oust eight-term Republican Rep. Joe Knollenberg in Oakland County and has a "Veterans for Gary Peters" group ready to knock on doors for him.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the sotry 

CD09: Peters to introduce Obama?

by: Eric B.

Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 12:03:05 PM EDT

Buried at the bottom of a preview story on today's visit to Oakland County by Barack Obama at Michigan Messenger:

We've also been told that Democratic congressional candidate Gary Peters, running in the MI-09 district which includes part of Oakland County, will introduce Sen. Obama today at the event.

...

Bring Wes Clark to Michigan

by: Eric B.

Tue May 27, 2008 at 14:56:29 PM EDT

Wes Clark is going to a Congressional District to work, side-by-side with a Democrat running for Congress, on a community service project.  Michigan has both of its top-tier campaigns in the running.  Vote here.

Neither Michigan district is currently listed in the top five, but results are reportedly tight.  Voting ends Friday.

I voted for Gary Peters.  I voted for him because I think he probably needs the help a Wes Clark visit might mean more than Mark Schauer does.  Also, the e-mail alert I got on this specifically mentioned Peters' name, which I interpret to mean that maybe he's closer to breaking into the top five.

LSJ blog: CD07: lean challenger; CD09: Toss-up

by: Eric B.

Thu May 15, 2008 at 15:26:45 PM EDT

The Lansing State Journal is the first place I've seen to call the race for the 7th as leaning for the challenger, and the 9th as a toss-up.

Recent races out of state seem to suggest that there will be yet another Democratic wave this November - bad news for two GOP incumbents. And primary challengers are making the race more interesting for two Detroit Dems.

...

Wrong again, as usual

by: Eric B.

Wed May 14, 2008 at 14:00:00 PM EDT

From Right Michigan:

Reports out of Mount Pleasant indicate the school's Human Resources Department has finalized a policy that would require professors to pick between Congress and campus.

Under the new policy, which comes some three weeks after classes ended, Peters will be required to resign by June 5 -- 60 days before the Democratic primary on August 5 -- if he wants to challenge Congressman Joe Knollenberg.

Headline from The Conservative Dossier (Joe Sylvester!):

Dennis Lennox defeated Gary Peters; now lets see if Joe Knollenberg is up for the challenge

Is it true? Sadly, No. From Gongwer:

Despite assertions by his opponents, U.S. House candidate Gary Peters, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-Bloomfield Hills) in a race that will be the most-watched this fall, is not being forced to resign his teaching post or take a leave of absence during the campaign, Central Michigan University officials said.

Students Against Gary Peters, a group that has pushed to have Mr. Peters fired from his CMU post since he announced his candidacy last fall, argued that a new policy would require Mr. Peters to leave his post 60 days before the election.

But CMU spokesperson Steve Smith said the university is still operating under a 1955 policy on conflicts between campaigning and working on campus.

That policy is under review to make some changes, including making it more gender neutral. Neither the current policy nor the proposed amendments would require Mr. Peters to step down unless he is elected to a post that would not allow him to fulfill his job duties, Mr. Smith said. The current policy leaves the decision of a leave of absence or resignation to the employee and his or her supervisor.

CD09: Gary Peters live chat

by: Eric B.

Fri May 09, 2008 at 12:00:00 PM EDT

It's very appropriate that today we welcome Gary Peters, the Democratic candidate for Michigan's 9th Congressional District, for a live chat here at Michigan Liberal.  If you haven't heard the news, the Cook Report released its latest yesterday, shifting the 9th from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican."  That means, as of now, things are going Peters' way in the race, and it's important to continue the necessary momentum to continue shifting it.

Although Knollenberg is a stronger incumbent than, say, Tim Walberg, Peters has some important things going for him.  The first is the general shift in the district's demographics, making it an increasingly Democratic district.  The second is represented by Peters' endorsement of the League of Conservation Voters, and the inclusion of Knollenberg on the LCV's Dirty Dozen.  The LCV, you see, had to come up with a new list because in 2006, a number of its ranks were thinned through the election process, many based on active support from environmental groups.  In this race, at this time when being Green is swiftly becoming synonymous with making green, that could prove decisive.

Peters will be with us from 12:30 until generally 1:30, and we start taking questions now from anyone who can't stick around.  If, after getting to know him a little better, you feel so inclined, here's his Act Blue page. 

Friday Coffee Talk

by: BZP

Fri May 09, 2008 at 07:14:58 AM EDT

Happy Friday! Enjoy your cup-o-links...

• Conservative Media: Smoking ban passes Senate. The Comm Guru has more info on yesterday's big news out of the Senate.
• Skubick: Banning Cells and Text Messaging. Skubick explains why he thinks a ban on cell phone use while driving won't happen anytime soon (remember, it took ten years to get to this point with the smoking ban).
• House Dems: House Dems Blast Senate for Stalling on Ethics Reforms. "As state lawmakers, we should be held to the highest ethical standards," said Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit). "The people of Michigan refuse to tolerate a culture of corruption. An overwhelming majority of the House respects our residents and responded over a year ago by strengthening our ethics policies. Its now time for the Senate to take action."

• BFM: United Solar Ovonic Announces Another Expansion. "Alternative energy is creating jobs, and Uni-Solar is living proof."

• Michigan Messenger: Bonior Endorses Obama. Todd Spencer on yesterday's news from the former Edwards campaign manager and Michigan congressman.
• Walberg Watch: Roll Call, Cook: MI-07 Is A Toss-Up. Fitzy has a follow-up on the story Eric wrote about yesterday.
• DetNews: House approves $15B foreclosure aid. Speaking of CD07 and CD09, yesterday Walberg voted against a House bill to send states $15 billion to buy and fix up foreclosed properties; Knollenberg voted yes. The bill passed 239-188.

CD07: Toss up; CD09: Shift from Likely Republican to lean Republican

by: Eric B.

Thu May 08, 2008 at 22:31:09 PM EDT

The Cook Political Report moves Michigan's two biggest races in favor of the two Democrats.  The 7th District goes from "Lean Republican" to "Toss up," and the 9th goes from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican."

For Mark Schauer, this means the second bit of ratification in the last couple of days.  It was Roll Call who most lately called the race a toss up.  Without mentioning anything, this really represents a Schauer advantage, since it means moving things in his direction.

As such could be said for Gary Peters, challenging Joe Knollenberg in the 9th.  The remarkable thing in the 9th is that Knollenberg enjoys a fund raising advantage over his opponent.

You can show Peters a little extra love tomorrow by showing up between noon and 1:30 p.m. to meet Peters in a live chat with MichLib's readers. 

CD09: Gary Peters live chat!

by: Eric B.

Mon May 05, 2008 at 12:00:00 PM EDT

I'm pleased to announce that 9th District Congressional candidate Gary Peters will be with us this Friday today for a live chat from 12:30-1:30 p.m.  As is the custom for these things, I'll throw up a diary at noon to give people who maybe can't make it for that hour a chance to leave a question.

Update! ... The live chat diary will go live at noon so anyone who can't be present while Peters is with us has the opportunity to leave a question and read the answer later.

Peters: Let's revisit NAFTA

by: Eric B.

Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 23:07:30 PM EDT

Gary Peters tells the AFL-CIO that he wants to revisit NAFTA.

Peters said trade deals such as NAFTA and the Central American Free Trade Agreement need to be revisited to include improved labor standards and environmental protections.

...

Right Michigan vs. Joe Knollenberg

by: Eric B.

Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 00:45:00 AM EDT

Here is Nick from Right Michigan, yesterday:

... You think if General Motors received a hundred million bucks in the form of a MEGA tax credit they'd find a way to keep those shifts in Flint and Pontiac?  The State would basically be buying every truck that came off the line for a while but whatever... details.  If the purpose of those big fancy decisions is to "create" or "retain" jobs, as if that, not creating a positive "environment" is the State's role, then the ends justify the means, right?

Wrong.  You'd have State government propping up one struggling business so that it could continue to make products that fail in the marketplace.  ...

You can read the entire thing if you want, because it is a thing of beauty ... an unedited stream-of-senselessness that runs the gamut from taxation to DTE to the Democratic convention.  If written in tiny, scrawling handwriting in a loose-leaf notebook, you might mistake it as the beginnings of a manifesto found under the floorboards of a cabin in the north woods.

But, here is the Joe Knollenberg, in the Detroit News, today:

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg proposed spending more than $1.2 billion over five years to aid domestic automakers as they spend billions to comply with new fuel economy standards.

Right, I look forward to the inevitable contortions that explain this away, requiring the kind of mental twisting that'd make Bikram Choudhury look as inflexible as a butter knife.

CD07, CD09: Schauer, Peters among the most financially competitive

by: Eric B.

Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 08:36:49 AM EDT

We've been hearing for a couple of months now about Mark Schauer's fund raising successes, and we've been likewise been hearing about Joe Knollenberg's weaknesses in holding his own district.  Swing State Project gives us a look at how the two races stand up financially, and both make it into their top races nationwide.

Being an incumbent is supposed to give you two distinct advantages over a challenger.  It's supposed to mean that you have a party machine available to get out the vote.  It also means that you're supposed to be able to tap into already developed sources of cash.

We already know that Walberg has problems in-district with local parties (a couple of months ago, they were talking possible coup in the primary).  In terms of money, however, Swing State has given Schauer a 148 percent competitiveness rating owing to his cash advantage of $150,000. He's also rated sixth on the list.

Peters comes in 30th with a 48 percent competitive rating.  It's not unreasonable to expect Knollenberg to maintain this kind of lead through the rest of the race.  He is the incumbent and he also appears to not have the strained relations with his party.  Further, he is also said to have hit fund raising harder and earlier than Walberg, keeping an eye on 2006, when he was nearly upset.  I wonder, too, how Peters' numbers will look after the next filing.  This last filing represents a period when it appeared that the nomination would actually come to a vote in January, before Nancy Skinner pulled out. 

CD07: Tim Walberg vs. clean elections (also CD09, Joe Knollenberg)

by: Eric B.

Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 07:03:25 AM EDT

(hat tip ... here)

I was watching Countdown last night and Olbermann got to his nightly bit about Bush administration scandals.  One of last nights was the recent vote in the House against a bill requiring paper trail backups to ensure swift accurate recounts.  Apparently, the first go-around, all the Republicans on the appropriate committee voted in favor of it.  Then, President Breaks Everything He Touches comes out against, and ... voila! ... bill fails.  Some of that blame can be shared by Tim Walberg and Joe Knollenberg, both of whom joined the majority of their party mates in voting "no" (along with most of Michigan's Republicans). Shockingly, this legislative accomplishment is not explained anywhere on either's Web site.

The quesetion that comes to mind isn't just why these guys would vote against what should be a no-brainer when it comes to clean elections, but why they'd continue to do what such an unpopular president says they ought to do, despite his powerfully poor opinion polling and in an election year.  This, I think, says as much about their judgment as does the vote itself. 

FEC report analysis: RealClearPolitics

by: Eric B.

Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 15:21:36 PM EDT

There aren't any surprises in this post at RealClearPolitics, except for this little nugget about Joe Knollenberg:

Knollenberg will be better financed than his colleague Walberg, though; after March, he had $1.33 million cash on hand after raising $1.85 million so far, more than he spent during the entire 2004 campaign.

The blog includes both the 7th and 9th among races it's keeping an eye on.

Act Blue for the Earth: Gary Peters

by: Eric B.

Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 00:16:40 AM EDT

I know nothing about this blog except that the blogroll is a Who's Who list in climate change blogging.  But, it did include Gary Peters, candidate for Michigan's 9th Congressional seat, among his Energy Dumb to Energy Smart list.

On that account, the blog is dead on.  You can usually sort out the shitheads from the people who have a clue pretty quickly when it comes to climate change, and Gary Peters has a pretty good grasp of the issue and how to address is. 

League of Conservation Voters endorses Peters

by: Eric B.

Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 13:13:14 PM EDT

It's not any surprise that the League of Conservation Voters today gave Gary Peters its endorsement.  Not because it's a hopelessly liberal organization, but because a few months ago, the LCV named Joe Knollenberg to its Dirty Dozen list.  He was, in fact, named to the list at the same time as Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe (inhofe, probably the worst in Congress, was the first to be named ... Knollenberg the second), which would be enough to shame any normal person.  Occasionally, Knollenberg pops off about global warming.  Here are a few pertinent things to keep in mind, from the LCV's press release.

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.

...

Rothenberg Political Report: CD07, CD09 lean Republican

by: Eric B.

Sun Apr 20, 2008 at 11:06:57 AM EDT

Joe Knollenberg: Screw the sick; Carter met with terra-rists!

by: Eric B.

Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 15:40:12 PM EDT

Quick, which dirty commie pinko hippie said this:

Disarmament with mutual honor and confidence is a continuing imperative.  Together, we must learn to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose.

If you said the five-star general who planned and carried out the invasion of Normandy, and later as president said that he'd use force to prevent the dirty Reds from taking over the Middle East, you'd be right.  But, those were perhaps naive days, what with generals talking about peace plans and rebuilding Europe with American money and what not.  Talking, especially to people you call enemies, is treason, which explains:

With the highly publicized meetings of late between Jimmy Carter and the terrorist group Hamas, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) is pushing legislation that would prohibit the federal government from giving money to the Carter Center here in Atlanta.

I mean, this is just downright embarrassing.  You can think that talks with Hamas will ultimately not be fruitful, but punishing a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for trying to promote peace (not to mention playing a big role in the historic talks between Begin and Sadat that got both of them the same prize)?  The name of the bill? The Coordinated American Response to Extreme Radicals Act (CARTER Act).  It's a slap in the face to an ex-president and an insult to the idea of respectful disagreement.

But, naturally, Knollenberg's legislation wouldn't actually hurt Carter, but rather those who benefit from Carter's work, which is really all of humanity.  That means Joe Knollenberg wants to punish all of humanity because Jimmy Carter is going to a part of the world where he's had success finding peace where it'd proven elusive for the previous four decade, and try to help people compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purposes.

Ike must be rolling over in his grave at the idiocy rampant in what used to be his party.