Jr Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing)

by: lpackard

Mon Jan 23, 2006 at 14:59:25 PM EST

Biography:

Born and raised in Michigan, Senator Debbie Stabenow knows what matters to Michigan. She has become one of our state's most influential and accomplished leaders, leading the fight on jobs and manufacturing issues, and becoming the Senate's "go to" person on the issue of health care and prescription drugs.

Senator Stabenow believes that what is happening to Michigan's economy is threatening our entire middle class way-of-life. She is fighting for new laws to crack down on countries violating our trade laws, to protect our pensions and to reduce health care costs. She knows that we must invest in education and innovation to give our children opportunities to compete. With a level playing field, she knows Michigan can compete with any country in the world.

Senator Stabenow has already achieved important successes in the U.S. Senate, leading efforts to pass a $2 billion tax cut for manufacturers who create jobs in the U.S. rather than outsourcing jobs overseas; stopping the Bush Administration's effort to double prescription drug co-pays for 39,739 Michigan veterans; and authoring the first ever federal ban on drilling for oil and gas in our Great Lakes. To reduce our dependence on foreign oil, Senator Stabenow has successfully fought for tax incentives to develop alternative fuels, including ethanol from Michigan crops.

She has mobilized thousands of citizens in the fight to stop the dumping of Canadian trash in Michigan. Her law requiring that high-tech equipment be used to search Canadian trash trucks crossing Michigan's borders has resulted in trash trucks being regularly turned away. She fought to increase Michigan's fair share of funding for roads and bridges by $239 million, bringing 61,500 new jobs to the state.

From money for new hospital emergency rooms and community health centers, to allowing volunteer and part-time emergency responders to be reimbursed for homeland security training, to bringing home critical funding for jobs and transportation, she has gotten the job done for our communities. Senator Stabenow's leadership was recognized in 2005 by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs who both awarded her their 2005 Legislator of the Year award.

Senator Stabenow serves on the powerful Budget Committee; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; and the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.

As a State Legislator, Stabenow was acclaimed one of Michigan's most passionate advocates for children and an expert in family law and small business issues. Her influence as a State Legislator is evident throughout Michigan law - from Michigan's historic property tax cut and small business reforms, to nationally acclaimed legislation to protect children and families.

Born on April 29, 1950, Senator Stabenow grew up in the small town of Clare, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University, where she received her Bachelor's (1972) and Masters (1975) degrees. She worked with youth in the public schools before running for public office.

Debbie Stabenow made history in 2000 when she became the first woman from the State of Michigan elected to the United States Senate. Inspired to first run for office by the closing of a local nursing home, she was elected to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners in 1974 and was the youngest person and first woman to chair the Board (1977-78). She was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where she served for twelve years (1979-90) and rose in leadership, becoming the first woman to preside over the House. She served in the State Senate for four years (1991-94). Elected to Congress in 1996 representing Michigan's Eighth Congressional District, she won election to the U.S. Senate four years later.

Senator Stabenow's home is in Lansing where she resides with her husband, Tom Athans. She has two grown children, Todd and Michelle, and one stepdaughter, Gina. She is a lifelong United Methodist and a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
(from Senate website)

Past Election Results

by: lpackard

Mon Jan 23, 2006 at 22:42:25 PM EST

Primary challengers to Debbie Stabenow

by: Haleon

Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:33:58 AM EST

I've been investigating Debbie Stabenow's most recent vote on FISA in this diary, Stabenow's betrayal vis-a-vis FISA not as bad as thought.

In the comments of that diary, the user Poe suggested Kathleen Law as a possible primary opponent for Stabenow.

I'll admit I'm unfamiliar with her,so I'm doing some digging on her.

Stabenow's betrayal vis-a-vis FISA not as bad as thought (Updated)

by: Haleon

Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 14:40:33 PM EST

Not a popular title for a post, I'll be the first to admit. It's funny what a little research does...

When the FISA votes first came out, and I saw Senator Stabenow's name on the wrong side of the Telco immunity vote (wrong to me, anyway), I literally saw red.

I fired off a last email to her inbox, blasting her for action and betrayal, I posted comments to blogs (including here) and generally steamed.

Civil Liberties are a huge hot-button topic for me, and I've had a long-running (though intermittent) conversation with Senator Stabenow's office on the subject (mostly on what I perceived was her weak voting record on the subject).

Today, I saw a comment in this recommended diary Stabenow sold us out again where someone expressed doubt as to how badly the Senator voted in this case.

All fired-up, I set out to show a detailed list of the votes and how badly Stabenow voted on all of them, to prove her perfidy (details at bottom of this diary).

What I found was surprising... 

Thank You, Sen. Stabenow

by: LiberalLucy

Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 14:55:14 PM EDT

I had emailed Senator Stabenow's office about six months ago, urging her to continue to support stem cell research. My stake in this debate is a bit more selfish, as I've nearly died more times than I've care to count as a result of one of the most severe cases of Crohn's Disease ever seen by many of Michigan's doctors. In fact, for full disclosure, being so sick with Crohn's is what inspired my foray into blogging and politics in the first place. At last count, I've been hospitalized over 70 times and had 35 surgeries. Needless to say I'm lucky to be alive.

There is no known cause for Crohn's and no cure. Those of us with Crohn's are just stuck with it, subject to the medical profession's highly paid guessing. There are some who manage their disease through medicine and diet, and others like me, who must have major portions of their digestive tract removed and learn to adapt to life despite our permanent disability, as the government classifies us. Then there are others, too many, who die.

Living with Crohn's for almost 13 years now I know more about it than most doctors. I can tell you the latest medicines, treatments, theories, and the famous among us (including Dubya's younger brother) who suffer. I can also tell you that the only promising future for curing this incredibly destructive disease lies in stem cell research. My life's struggle in staying alive, staying active, and staying focused on the future and living the rest of my life with this disease also means fighting for a cure.

Stabenow can find redemption, maybe...

by: jtcaldwell

Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 22:49:10 PM EDT

Still time to listen to Stabenow interview on the Stephanie Miller Show

by: kjbas58

Sun Feb 25, 2007 at 13:15:09 PM EST

The show saves the highlights of the last show on the web site, but I don't know how long they keep it up. So hurry and listen to it. Stabenow, only one of the 23 lawmakers who had the foresight to vote against the Iraq resolution in 2002, talks about the current Iraq resolution against the U.S. escalation of the Iraq civil war occupation.

Sen. Stabenow to guest on Stephanie Miller Show

by: kjbas58

Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 15:37:36 PM EST

The show airs from 9 a.m. to noon, and for those who have never had the opportunity to listen to the show, it's three hours of hilarious comedy with liberal political commentary mixed in.

Unfortunately, if you are in your car the only station that carries the show is WLBY-1290 AM out of Ann Arbor, and it has a rather weak signal. However, you can go the show's web site and listen live.

Beckmann Plays "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," Again.

by: Hy Dudgeon

Fri Jan 26, 2007 at 17:10:21 PM EST

Today's column was a fine example of the "ready, fire, aim" variety of commentary that's become the specialty of the house at Cafe Beckmann.

Stabenow talks to Americablog.com.

by: quaker21

Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 22:42:17 PM EST

Worth a look, y'all!  Watch over at Americablog.com.

Senate Democrats and a weak ethics reform bill

by: jtcaldwell

Fri Jan 05, 2007 at 13:26:36 PM EST

What will Senator Stabenow do?? NOW?

by: Old Dood

Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 06:37:40 AM EST

He writes a point blank letter as to why he didn't vote for Debbie Stabenow.  I for one cannot blame him one bit.  We here have had a few diaries about her actions.  It was the catalyst for me and my wife getting involved here.  I am speaking about our son's diary here: http://www.michiganl....  This was the tinder that put a fire under my ass and Mrs Dood's derriere. ;)  (Also in Quaker21's diary is Sen. Stabenow's contact info if any of you want to ask her more directly.)

My qustion to all that may know Senator Stabenow professionaly.  What is she going to do now?  Is she going to rescind her vote on the torture bill?  In layman'sterms: "Is she going to become a Democrat again?" 

Fred Barton said it best: "Oh well, that is all water under the bridge now because, thanks to the Constitution, for which she has so little regard, and the voters, with whom she is unconcerned, Sen. Stabenow is safely ensconced in her Capitol Hill office for another six years. Maybe since her party is in the majority now, she can find her spine, and since real Democrats are historically the party of the working class, perhaps she won't have the opportunity to vote against the people who put her in office so often. One can only hope."

I urge you all here to go to the LSJ.com site and comment on Fred's letter.  Let's give our Senator somthing to read this morning.  As I said in my post over there today. "Sunday is a good day to reflect on your past deeds".

Stabenow Re-elected to Senate Leadership

by: Cordelia Lear

Tue Nov 14, 2006 at 17:49:09 PM EST

Congratulations Debbie!

Harry Reid, of Nevada, will be Senate Majority Leader.  Richard Durbin, of Illinois, will continue as Democratic Whip.  Charles Schumer, of New York, will remain campaign chair and take on the title of Vice-Chair of the caucus.

Stabenow declares victory!

by: matt

Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 22:28:44 PM EST

Update from Detroit

by: matt

Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 21:58:14 PM EST

"Kid" Bouchard: or, Repubs rock and roll down the sewerpipe

by: David Boyle

Mon Nov 06, 2006 at 22:31:10 PM EST

  I rarely agree with rabid anti-Muslim pundit Debbie Schussel: but she serves up some ugly (including photos) on Kid, uh, Mike Bouchard who had Kid Rock campaign for him lately, see Kid Rock Family Values?: Desperate GOP Candidate Pimps Drug & Ho Culture for Votes,

  "So, you're a tough law-and-order sheriff running for the U.S. Senate. ...
  What do you do? Well, if you're Mike Bouchard, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, you show what a phony you are on family values, crime, and everything else by sinking to inviting rapper Kid Rock to campaign for you. ...
  Crime: Rock/Ritchie has repeatedly told the world that he modeled himself after convicted, imprisoned Detroit drug kingpin "White Boy Rick" a/k/a Richard Wershe, Jr. ...
  Wershe....ordered the murder of countless people. Kid Rock glorifies Wershe in his lyrics and wrote a letter on his behalf to authorities in an attempt to get Wershe paroled. ...
  Drugs and Family Values: Kid Rock is an admitted former drug dealer, but he still speaks glowingly of doing drugs. ...
  (It's not like he had to be this way. He comes from a wealthy family. His father sold his lucrative Ford dealership for millions. The whole trailer park thing is an act.) He had to go to court to stop the circulation of a video of him and another rock star getting oral sex from groupies on tour. ...
  Ritchie--the self-proclaimed "Pimp of the Nation"--likes to give the one-finger salute in every publicity shot and toured the country in his "White Trash on Dope Tour." ...
  Call Mike Bouchard to the carpet on this one, and ask him why he's such a phony.

  You may be for family values and getting tough on criminals and drugs, but with Kid Rock headlining his campaign event, clearly Mike Bouchard doesn't share your values. ...
  BTW, Don't forget how Kid Rock disrespected the flag . . ."

  Well said, Debbie, at least this once.

  Listen to Debbie Schlussel--and vote for Debbie Stabenow!

Port Huron Times-Herald Endorses Stabenow

by: Zack from DetroitWonk.com

Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 12:10:55 PM EST

It is impossible to discuss Debbie Stabenow without first noting her determined effort to fight Canadian trash. With much of the stuff transported daily across the Blue Water Bridge at Port Huron, the U.S. senator’s commitment is greatly appreciated.

Stabenow led a petition campaign to compel the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the terms of a U.S.-Canadian treaty that allows U.S. officials to turn back Canadian trash trucks they suspect of containing hazardous materials. She has worked with Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., to require those trash trucks to undergo X-ray inspections at the border, and they both pressed President Bush to take steps to address Michigan’s plea to do something about the Canadian trash.

The only tangible result is an agreement Stabenow, Levin and U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, struck this summer with Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment to end the shipment of municipal solid waste into state landfills by 2010. The four-year phase out won’t end the trash problem, but it will reduce the influx — at least 350 trucks a day.

Canadian trash isn’t the only issue important to Michigan, of course. The state, and the Blue Water Area in particular, have an important voice in Stabenow, and that’s worth noting.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, a strong advocate of homeland security, was critical of the trash agreement. The daily influx of Canadian refuse poses a safety threat that soon will be lessened.

A former state lawmaker, Bouchard also knocks Stabenow for failing to author significant legislation. The charge is curious given her status as a freshman senator whose party is in the minority.

Stabenow has made health care her cause and asserted it is a right, not a privilege. She is pushing a legislative package to promote more computer and Internet use to reduce hospital record-keeping costs. Another bill would create a national insurance pool to help employers avoid high insurance premiums when workers are stricken with chronic illnesses. The final bill would allow Americans to buy cheaper Canadian prescription drugs.

The senator also advocates fair trade — particularly against the theft of American businesses’ intellectual property from China. She proposes a prosecutor’s office to defend and protect U.S. employers.

Stabenow also is pushing for finalization of the Blue Water Bridge Plaza expansion. The senator brought officials of the Michigan Department of Transportation, Customs and Border Patrol together to iron out their differences earlier this year.

Bouchard is a capable candidate, but Stabenow is the better choice. She has worked hard to serve Michigan. She has earned a second term.

Grebner's prediction: Granholm by 5

by: matt

Thu Nov 02, 2006 at 19:08:11 PM EST

Kid Rock to Campaign with Bouchard

by: Zack from DetroitWonk.com

Wed Nov 01, 2006 at 00:42:30 AM EST

Bouchard and Bush: BFF Part 2

by: BZP

Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 12:37:47 PM EST