"Live Chat " Blue America PAC endorses Connie Saltonstall, Progressive Challenger To Bart Stupak
(John Amato: Please donate to Connie at Blue America's 2010 act blue page here.)
From the 2008 Democratic Party Platform:
"The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.”
Considering that “strong and unequivocal” support it’s almost impossible to believe that a comprehensive health care reform bill passed with all Democratic votes and signed by a Democratic president would end up restricting access to abortion, isn’t it? Indeed, one would have assumed that any such bill would require coverage for abortion for all Americans. And yet, in one of the most naked acts of political opportunism we’ve seen in quite some time, a small minority of anti-choice Democrats in the congress have managed to force the pro-choice majority to make it difficult for women to obtain access to abortion coverage even if they pay for it with their own money. And no one is more responsible for this than the congressional representative from Michigan’s first district, Bart Stupak.
From the moment the administration announced that they were going ahead with health care reform this year, the anti-choice groups geared up prepared to stage a phony hissy fit the moment the details of any bill were announced. In what turns out to have been a useless compromise, pro-choice Democrats agreed to keep the status quo of the Hyde Amendment, (something that they had been fighting since its inception more than 30 years ago.) But that wasn’t good enough for Congressman Stupak who insisted on attaching his own amendment which further restricted access to abortion. With the generous help of the Republicans (who voted against the final House bill anyway) he got it passed. And that set the stage for Ben Nelson to run the same game in the Senate leading us to a ridiculous game of chicken in which Bart Stupak and his dwindling band of anti-choice zealots are what stands between America and the most ambitious plan to reform the health care system in decades. He simply doesn’t care about anything but his own narrow agenda.
One of his constituents, Connie Saltonstall, was appalled. She couldn’t believe that her congressman would actually vote against health care reform based upon the lie that the Nelson Amendment would force everyone to pay for abortions. She had personally heard him promise months ago that regardless of what happened with his amendment he would vote for health care reform, and now he said he was willing to let the bill die rather than budge from his dishonest and inexplicable position. She waited to see if anyone would step up to challenge this man and when no one did, she decided that she had no choice but to do it herself.
She says:
“Michigan and the First District are facing enormous challenges and we cannot afford to sacrifice solutions for individual agendas. Stupak is co-chair of the Pro-Life Caucus and is putting their interests above those of his district. No federal funds have been used for abortions since 1977, and that provision will stay in effect without his amendment. In my opinion, Bart Stupak has shown that he is willing to block important legislation to support his own agenda at the expense of those he was elected to represent.”
I had the opportunity to meet Ms Saltonstall last week and I was very impressed. She is a person of obvious intelligence, experience and personal charm. Just as important for Blue America, she is a stalwart progressive who knows what she believes and isn’t afraid to speak truth to power. And yes, she is a pro-choice woman who believes that everyone has a right to their religious beliefs but that no one has a right to deny the constitutional rights of others. She’s the real deal.
I asked her at some point in our chat how she could deal with the awful pressures and influences of national politics and she replied with a powerful comment. She told me that she had lost a beloved child some years back --- and once the worst has happened to you, nothing ever frightens you again.
I believed her absolutely. Those Villagers aren’t going to scare her one bit.
Blue America is proud to endorse Connie Saltonstall for the Democratic nomination in Michigan's 1st congressional district. Like the National Organization for Women and Democracy for America, which have likewise endorsed her in recent days, we believe that she represents the most important values of the Democratic party. If you'd care to donate to her campaign you can do so here.
Please help me welcome Connie Saltonstall to Blue America for her first online chat with the national netroots.
Connie I’m so glad you could join us today. It was a great pleasure meeting you last week in New York and I’m so happy to introduce you to a lot of people I can assure you are thrilled to see you enter this race.
I’m wondering if you could give us an idea about what the Democratic party folks in the district think about Bart Stupak becoming the face of obstruction of health care reform? Do they see him as a man of principle or a stubborn ideologue?
Thank you all for joining us today and a special thank you to Howie, Digby and John for arranging this event. I am truly honored to have the endorsement of Blue America, and I am deeply gratified by the enthusiasm and support that my campaign is receiving. As to the question, I have heard from Democrats all over the 1st district who are outraged by Stupak’s grandstanding over the healthcare bill. They are upset because he promised to support healthcare and now is promising to vote against healthcare reform. He has stated it was about his principles, and then said it wasn’t about his views, but about his constituents. He says it’s about federal funding for abortion, but there hasn’t been any federal funding for abortion for over 30 years. They feel he is putting his own agenda ahead of theirs. The sentiment of many Dems is “I have voted for Bart in every election and I will never vote for him again.” So what is he? A man of principle or stubborn ideologue? I think his principles are confused and his behavior is that of a stubborn ideologue.
Thanks so much for joining us on C&L. We're very excited that you stepped up for the rights of women everywhere.
Thank you. I am really impressed with the national and local support the campaign has been receiving.
Connie, I second Digby's welcome! We're so proud of how courageous you are to take on such an onerous task. And congratulations on the NOW endorsement! I want to ask a question about that C Street cult, The Family. Do people in northern Michigan know about that? Are they aware their congressman is part of that scene?
I am aware of the connection and I know others are as well, but I can't tell you how many are.
After Rep. Stupak's grandstand, it's refreshing to see a smart, capable woman challenge him for that seat. I'm grateful you're picking up the baton.
What, if anything, do you make of the rift between the nuns and bishops over health care reform?
Readers love these chats Connie because they show that a candidate is not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and jump right in.
This is a great forum to connect with people and share my views. Thank you
I'm a Beltway resident, so I won't get to vote for you.
But I will certainly be cheering you on. Go get 'im, Connie.
A HUGE thanks to Howie, Digby and John for all they do, but especially for bringing you into the fight.
Taylor Marsh
http://www.taylormarsh.com
Thanks Taylor. And right back at you.
Thanks for dropping by.
I hope you find the issues that people want to hear about that Stupak won't address and you can use as leverage against him. Be Bold.
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
The people of Michigan are among the most ravaged in the country by this horrible recession which was caused by the riverboat gambling mentality on Wall Street. What are you hearing from your constituents about financial system reform? Are they being seduced by this right wing populist propaganda that places the entire blame on the government?
Thank you for stepping up.
I know that your committment to choice and health care inspired you to take this challenge on. What are some of the other issues that are important to you?
Creating new jobs is a huge priority and developing clean energy and investing in our infrasture is a great way to accomplish that. As a former teacher I believe we must insure excellence in education. The financial crisis requires reinstating regulations.
to Connie's cause here.
We've raised over 10k so far on both our pages and that tells us how offended working class families are at Stupak's disingenuous stand.
Those generous contributions are very much appreciated!
1st District Dems are also offended by Stupak's actions. One voter said "I have voted for Stupak at every election, and I will never vote for him again." This statement reflects the feelings of a great many people in our District.
Hi Connie,
What did you think of his announcement to vote for the bill?
Didn't Kucinich say it all this morning? I agree this is not a perfect bill, but it is better to have something than nothing. But I want to be perfectly clear...I believe in universal health care...it is a right, not a privilege or luxury. When I get to Congress, I will continue the fight for better healthcare, and I believe a single payer system is the most efficient and cost effective plan for delivering health care to everyone.
Didn't I tell you she was the real deal?
Thank you!
I believe in universal health care...it is a right, not a privilege or luxury.
Amen, sister.
Taylor Marsh
http://www.taylormarsh.com
Despite the fact that all the Michigan Democrats voted for it, Bart Stupak says he voted against the Great Lakes Compact because it wasn’t progressive enough. This seems to be a pattern with him. Is anyone buying that he’s a real Democrat anymore when he’s constantly coming up with weird reasons for not voting for Democratic legislation?
Many are suggesting that he run as a Republican. His inconsistency and contradictions are very troubling, and I think that is a big reason that he is losing support.
I support you 100%!
When Stupak first mounted his regressive anti-choice agenda in the HCR battle last year, a "Yooper" blogger named Rayne, over at FireDogLake, told us that we were "Stuck with Stupak" and here is their assessment of the district in terms of any primary challengers:
"to primary Stupak means you will have to find a candidate who is everything Stupak is to his district. Somebody who is a Yooper, born or made, with the ability to represent the more Republican districts of lower northern Michigan, and the more Democratic constituents of the western upper peninsula. It means being strongly pro-union, pro-agriculture, pro-forestry, pro-gun — and unfortunately, pro-life. It also means being willing to commit to traveling the length and breadth of this district all the time and making personal appearances on a frequent basis. Yoopers do not trust what they cannot see; they want dependability, reliability, and only showing up when expected and needed will prove that out."
I'm curious as to how the district has reacted to your primary challenge and are you worried that most of the support for your candidacy might come from the pro-choice community at-large outside of your district?
I am encouraged by the support we have received from within the district and especially the Upper Pennisula. Your assessment might have been correct in ordinary times, but people are so offended by his behavior and willingness to sacrifice their healthcare that they will be more willing to accept someone that is not from the UP. They want a credible candidate and so far the response has been enthusiastic and accepting....even from the UP.
Here's Bart's latest ridiculous whine from his appearance on ... you guessed it ... Fox:
Guess what? His list of allies just got shorter:
huzzah...
It's nice to see Dems do what they're supposed to do. It's always bothered me that these anti-abortion Dems signed onto a pro-choice platform but aren't willing to stand by it.
That's the thing that kills me is that reproductive rights is a pillar of the Democratic platform. I have nothing against Democrats being personally anti-choice and keeping it to themselves when legislating, but once a Dem actively works to reverse the platform, not to mention hold something as monumentally important as HCR hostage to have anti-choice language to forced into law as Stupak and his gang is doing, they are essentially destroying the party and should be drummed out of it.
If the Democratic party is floating trial balloons to see how pro-choice it should actually be in order to pander to religious groups and position themselves more to the right on the pro-choice/anti-choice spectrum, we need to tell them loud and clear that regression is not an option.
Or, maybe the Dems would like to alter the current wording of the platform to reflect a more anti-choice position and send a clearer signal to women, and pro-choice men like me, that we are now free to leave the party in droves.
One of Bart's serious problems is that people no longer trust him. He said at his fall fundraising dinner that even though he was offering his pro-life amendment, he would still support healthcare. Following passage, he then stated that he would take down healthcare if he didn't get his language. He changed his story, and the more he talks, the more they distrust him. People also feel he is doing this for his own personal power play and they are offended.
I grew up in Yooperland. The voters have never really had a chance to vote for a pro-choice candidate in Mi-1st. That used to be the case in northwest suburban Chicago as well. When women challenged pro-life incumbents here, they did well if they were unabashedly pro-choice. Trying to kiss up to the bishops didn't work.
The Catholic Church used to have a lot of say about political candidates in MI-1st. That has changed in recent years because of several factors: 1) filling vacancies with priests imported from the south of India, combination of strange land, strange climate, and loneliness dooming the effort, 2) sex abuse scandals, 3) funding gravely impacted by competition from native Indian casinos.
Best of luck to you in your campaign.
And thank you to Howie, Digby, and John for responding with light speed to her announcement. It is so heartening to see a pro-choice woman challenging Stupak.
I live in California's 20th Congressional District, and so I won't be able to vote in your primary, but I did make a campaign contribution. My Representative, Jim Costa, appears to be one of the few people standing with Rep. Stupak and I am fuming over that. So it was a joy to donate to your campaign, and I just wish someone would primary Costa too.
I've never seen change without a fire
...is bragging about "saving seniors' Medicare" here. For 20 years I've lived here, and for 20 years I haven't been represented in Congress. I wish someone would knock that guy off his chair too.
Gallegly. Costa's stance on the matter is inexplicable to me. His record on choice and health care in general has been much better than it is right this moment.
I've never seen change without a fire
It's very hard to run a primary campaign. That's why it doesn't happen very often. And it's also why it's so great when brave citizens like Connie take up the challenge.
This is a big anti-incumbent year and everything's unstable. I've never been as optimistic about primary challenges as I am now.
It could happen folks. This isn't going to be a normal election year.
We're counting on that!
Michael Moore said on Maddow the other night that you are "terrific." Have you had a chance to speak with him at all about your commitment to improve this health care bill if you are elected? He certainly doesn't seem to be a fan of Stupak ...
Michael Moore is on a promotion tour for his DVD Capitalism, so I haven't been able to speak with him. However, Michael was a great supporter of my last campaign and he is well aware of my positions. He is committed to defeating Stupak.
Connie!
I live in CA-13, but have cheered you on from the moment I heard you stood up to fight yet another rich white man who is against a woman's legal right -- choice.
Where can someone go to sign up to volunteer (virtually and in-person) in support of your efforts?
What kinds of help (besides the obvious -- donations) does your campaign need, immediately and in the future?
Your right to earn billions of dollars does not trump my right to drink pure water and breathe clean air.
We are in the process of setting up our campaign structure. Within 2 weeks our website should be more complete and will have the information about support and volunteering. Thanks for your support!
Connie, I see that your website is still pretty basic. I'll bet there are people who are reading this who could help you get more information on there about how to help you and what you believe. Do you have a web person, or do you still need that kind of help?
At least this incident has managed to uncover a Republinazi infiltrator among the Democratic Party. Now we need to work to remove this right wing domestic Republican and replace him with a reall Democrat.
I'm committed to defeating him, and because of his actions, I really believe it is possible.
Please do. Please do get him removed since he's obviously working for a small special interest minority and isn't concerned with the vast majority of the people in his State -- or concerned for the health and welfare of the people in the rest of the country, for that matter.
Great seeing someone with courage stand up to these fake Democrats that commit Republicanism and expect to not have to pay the consequences.
Now all you need is a web site. }:-} I see that http://www.conniesaltonstall.com/ is available and will be turned over to your campaign once one of your staffers contact the current domain owner, then you can get serious in kicking Stupac ass!
If you were elected would you join the progressive caucus and work to build a progressive bloc in the house to check the Blue Dogs?
Absolutely and with pleasure!
DFA is running a Stupak vs. Saltonstall primary right now!
Here is the link http://www.primariesmatter.com/elections/mich......
Let's all vote today!
and has been from the beginning of that poll. Stupak isn't getting any love.
The nation has had it with Stupac's antics. To be fair, I suppose, he is a career politician so it should not be any surprise that he favors special interests that hand him money over the health and welfare of the actual citizens of the country. That's something that's pandemic across all career politicians, and Stupac isn't even the worse, ironically enough.
Great seeing someone step up and get committed to stepping in and replacing Stupac with courage and conviction, someone who won't bow to the extremist minority.
'Course 15, 20 years from now, Connie S. will be a career politician and we'll have to find someone who will replace her. LOL!
They were forced to migrate down to Muskegon from Gladstone in the early '40s for jobs. Seems to me that the the economy has been an issue in the U.P. for the better part of a century. What are your proposals to create jobs in the district?
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Renewable energy is a great way to create new jobs. We also need to invest in infrastructure. The fact that Mich has water and so many states do not means we have a great natural resource. It will be more valuable than oil. I am not suggesting that we sell it, just that it's a place where it is available.
Thanks so much, Connie, for challenging Bart Stupak and coming here today and meeting with your Blue America supporters. We are proud to endorse you.
And thanks to all of you who participated today. You can check back here or at Howie's place or mine to see how Connie's campaign is progressing. We'll be keeping a close eye on it.
And don't forget to chip in a couple of bucks for Connie if you can spare it. This is a big one.
And don't forget to chip in a couple of bucks for Connie if you can spare it. This is a big one.
Oh man, and how. I don't have much but I can certainly contribute $20 to the effort. Wish it would be $20 million.
One problem will be that Republicans are going to flood Stupac with campaign funding now that Stupac's colors (red, the color of treason, LOL) have been waved in front of the nation's eyes.
Lifetime score by issue:
He's voting with the republicans almost 34% of the time and against important Dem legislation.
Thanks again for this opportunity, and I will be a REAL Democrat!
they will sandbag you....
I have to disagree with you on this one, John.
No sense in letting Mr. Stupak have that station and their viewers to himself.
Sounds to me like Connie can handle anything coming at her. She should take them on if asked. I'd be watching.
Taylor Marsh
http://www.taylormarsh.com
Ha! FOX "News" would walk away with bleeding orifices, I suspect, if Ms. Saltonstall was invited to come and kick their asses for them, however far better to show up on The Daily Show or the Colbert Report than practically anywhere else.
Hell, more people acquire knowledge of current events better on The Daily Show than any actual legitimate news source, and the famous Colbert Bump is an amusingly legitimate, actual phenomena.
And thanks for taking on an incumbent like Bart Stupak...
I passed along this chat to the MOMocrats, who I also blog with. They'll be very excited about you. :)
Where is Saltonstall's campaign web site?
She said they're working on a more robust version. http://www.conniesaltonstall.com/
She mentioned they are working on a better one. Hope they have some young internet whizzes helping to optimize web presence. Really had to search hard to find it:
http://conniesaltonstall.com/index.html
If you can help - contact the office, I suppose.
EMAIL: info@conniesaltonstall.com
Connie Saltonstall 2010 Campaign Office
11362 Boyne City Rd
Charlevoix MI, 49720
Your right to earn billions of dollars does not trump my right to drink pure water and breathe clean air.
He's hoping to a brighter tomorrow.
Thanks Connie, John, digby, et al. :) I am looking forward to seeing Connie put an end to Stupak's regressive agenda and a big August Progressive win in MI-1! :)
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