They've Raised the Stakes on the Debate-Watch Party w/ Bill

It looks like John Grisham will be joining Bill three lucky people at that debate-watch party. I didn't think it'd be possible for the evening to get more interesting but wow (!!!!) Bill Clinton and a famous author like Grisham!

From a recent email...

Hillary once told me that she reads my novels for relaxation. It's an honor to have her reading my books, but given that I write about suspense and high drama, I sure hope she meant it as a compliment.

Either way, she's a great friend, and I even finagled an invitation to sit with Bill to watch her in an upcoming debate. I hear you might be joining us.

With the upcoming FEC deadline, this is a pivotal moment in the campaign. I hear you just contributed in the last few days, but will you consider another donation before the midnight Sunday deadline?

Contribute before Sunday's FEC deadline:
DONATE HERE!

John Grisham

So go to the above link and kick in a few bucks if you can swing it.

Debate Watch with Bill Clinton

Hillary's team does it again. Having already invited campaigners to lunch, Bill Clinton is now offering to watch the debate with three lucky people and their guest. This is a great thing to do with the third fundraising quarter set to close on Sunday. According to an email I received today, subject "You, me, a TV, and a bowl of chips", Bill says "Hillary's campaign will pick three people -- each invited with a guest to watch one of the upcoming presidential debates with me. We'll sit down in front of a big TV with a big bowl of chips, watch the debate, and talk about the race. If you enter before the Sunday midnight deadline, you and a guest could be the ones to sit down with me to watch a presidential debate." I can't imagine a more fun way to watch a primary debate than with a former candidate and winner.

Here's a link for anyone interested in making a contribution:
https://contribute.hillaryclinton.com/watchwithbill.html?sc=1370&utm_source=1370&utm_medium=e&ta=

Hillary Stands Tall On MoveOn Vote in Senate

We’ve seen a lot of outrage over that vote in the Senate regarding the MoveOn ad – and rightly so. Hillary voted against that atrocity. She's been under TREMENDOUS pressure to go after MoveOn for their misguided ad, but has been laser-focused on keeping things on track regarding the real issues here. OUR TROOPS and this illegal war of Bush's.

From a USA Today article...

In the latest round of maneuvers over last week's MoveOn.org ad attacking Gen. David Petraeus, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chris Dodd today voted against a Senate resolution that condemned the ad and supported Petraeus. Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden, two other Democrats running for president, did not vote on the measure.

Only 25 senators voted against the symbolic resolution, which said Petraeus "deserves the full support of the Senate" and the Senate "strongly condemn(s) personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus and all members of the United States Armed Forces."

snip

Her vote triggered a sharp statement from Republican Mitt Romney:

"Hillary Clinton had a choice. She could stand with our troop commander in Iraq, or she could stand with the libelous left wing of her party. She chose the latter. The idea that she would be a credible commander-in-chief of our armed forces requires the willing suspension of disbelief."

(Emphasis mine)

She didn’t defend MoveOn’s misguided ad, but her vote against this bill in the Senate has brought the swift-boaters out in force against her for it. Even Giuliani’s attacking her on this, and has even created a freakin’ web-ad on her vote.

But she’s standing her ground dammit. She’s refused to be baited in to attacking the 70+% of Americans who want to END THIS WAR – people who support what MoveOn tried to do with that ad.

That takes some serious courage folks – courage I’m not seeing out of the other major candidates in this race.

I’d like to point out one other thing on this vote. Senator Obama was in the Senate that day (I think there was another measure by Boxer that he wanted to support with his vote) and yet he didn’t make it to the floor to cast his vote in this fight. You know I don’t like to point out negative things about our other great Dem. candidates, but I find it appalling that he purposely made a point of NOT being on the floor for the vote when 22 other Dems chickened out and bought in to Bush's "LOOK OVER THERE!" strategy.

Of all the major candidates out there... Hillary is the ONE PERSON who's stood tall when others go after the progressive community. The ONLY one. Obama refused to make his voice heard on this issue, and Edwards...?

CRICKETS

Hillary's shown (AGAIN!) that she can stand up to the right wing smear tactics and keep things focused on the real issues. First she went after O'Rielley over his attacks on dKos before the convention, and now she's stood her ground over this red herring of a vote over the MoveOn ad.

There've been two tests on this score so far (O’Rielley’s attacks and now this) and Hillary's passed both of them with flying colors. She's given us a glimpse of what 2008 will be like - the righties will be out in force to swift boat our nominee and she's shown us time and again she's the one who'll take the fight right to their doorstep every time they rear their ugly little head.

They push – she pushes back ten-fold. And that’s what we need in our candidate.

Hillary Seen as Tough and Smart

Cross-Posted on mydd and dailykos

In a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, a majority of Democrats associated Hillary with the words "tough" and "smart" over all of her Democratic primary counterparts. Indeed, a full 53% of Democrats associated "smart" with Hillary, Obama was the second most associated with "smart" at 23%. By association with "tough", Hillary was chosen by a whopping 67% of Democratic voters, Obama was the second most associated with "tough" by a paltry 14%.

As Hillary increasingly becomes the Party standard bearer this association is significant. In 2006, under the direction of Howard Dean, the Democratic National Party(DNC) began rolling out a new branding for the Democrats that emphasized smarts and toughness. At a April 2006 breakfast with the Christian Monitor, Dean had this to say about the election of 2008:
"One of our slogans is probably going to end up being 'tough and smart.' Because what the Republicans have done is tough and not very smart." Now say what you will about Howard Dean (personally, I'm a fan), I think he's been quite right about issues of branding and expanding the political market for the Party. I also think that he alone probably didn't develop the "tough and smart" theme. More likely it's the result of extensive research and plain old commonsense. Indeed, several Democrats in recent months has repeated this mantra. I think it bodes well for Hillary and, should she win the nomination, the Party(given Dean's prediction), that Hillary has already developed a strong perception among Democratic voters as being both tough and smart.

The Only Mom in the Race

This is really cute. According to a report by Fox News, Hillary will now be adding play groups to her campaign activities. Parents eager to hear Hillary speak on the trail will be able to drop their tots in play areas, staffed with volunteers, with plenty of toys and games. It probably did take a mom candidate to come up with this clever idea.

To view the report:
http://www.myfoxboston.com/myfox/pages/News/Politics/Detail?contentId=4417683&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.14.1

Hillary's Health Care Plan and Latino Persons

We all have read that Hillary Clinton has proposed her health plan. Time Magazine has observed that Hillary’s health plan “is just the sort of bill that may have a chance to work” and observed that the plan’s elements are “quite astute.”

The Clinton campaign is endeavoring to explain to different demographic groups in the United States what precisely they can expect to get out of the plan. The Clinton campaign issued a press release entitled, “Clinton Health Plan Will Provide Quality Health Care and Coverage for Millions of Hispanics.”

Because of my background, I thought I might take a crack at this topic.

Sort of simply put, I have a small company that conducts research in health education. We do this research with grants from various institutes within the National Institutes of Health. Though I am of German and Irish ancestry, I have a long history of interaction with Latino populations. I lived and worked in a Mexican orphanage in Tecate when I was young. I also worked with Latino gang youth in east Los Angeles and Latino children in central Los Angeles. I have done training and research for interventions with injected drug users in Puerto Rico, Texas, and California. And I have traveled extensively in Central and South America.

I think it’s important to note several things about Latinos in the United States. The Latino population, at more than 31 million persons, is now the largest minority group in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, their numbers are expected to reach more than 96 million in the next 50 years. It cannot be said to emphatically that there is immense variability within the Latino population; this variability reflects both country of origin and acculturation status. Some Latino Americans have families that have been here since before the American revolution. Some are arriving only just today. In the United States, two of five Latinos are foreign-born, and many born in the United States still adhere to customs from their ancestral country. But despite their immense diversity, Latinos often encounter similar challenges when they negotiate the dominant culture in the United States and the nation’s health care system. This is why it's important to talk about why Hillary's health care plan might affect this population.

The Clinton campaign observes that among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, Latinos have the highest rates of the uninsured:

1. At least 15.3 million uninsured Latinos lived in the United States.

2. About half of foreign-born Latino persons are uninsured.

3. Latinos are the least likely demographic population to have employer-sponsored coverage.

4. Regular sources of health care have diminished among Latin persons even as they have increased among every other ethnic and racial group.

This injustice, both immense and unfathomable in a country as wealthy as ours, has led to decreased quality of care for Latinos across many areas of health, increased incidence of diabetes, heightened risk for infection with HIV, substantial rates of obesity, low rates of immunization, low rates of doctor visits and prescription-taking, inadequate dental care, and other serious problems. This situation is a moral outrage.

Hillary’s plan will begin to address the situation. It will serve three groups of Latino persons:

1. For the millions of Latinos without health insurance, it will provide high quality health care coverage at a cost they can afford.

2. For the 17.9 million Latinos with employer-sponsored coverage, the plan will provide increased security, allowing them to pay less and receive higher quality coverage.

3. For the 9.6 million Latinos who participate in Medicaid, the plan will fill the gaps that mar the safety net to ensure they receive affordable, quality care.

Hillary’s plan will:

1. Make coverage affordable for Latino persons by providing a tax credit. This is notable because Latino household median income at $37,700 is almost 30 percent less than the household medium income of $52,423 for non-Hispanic whites.

2. Increase cultural and linguistic competence in the health care system with Federal funding for training of healthcare providers and the development of greater diversity in the workforce “through recruitment initiatives, scholarships and loan-forgiveness programs.”

3. Support small business through tax credits that expand access to employer health coverage. As Hillary’s campaign observes, 1.6 Latino persons in the United States own small business, and this number between 1997 and 2002 increased by 31 percent, so the proposal has significant import for this demographic group.

4. Provide better care for chronically ill persons. As I observed above, the population of Latinos in the United States disproportionately suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes and HIV disease. Hillary’s plan will fund case coordination and promote research into alternative treatments.

5. Expand coverage for dental and mental health care.

And in a proposal near and dear to my heart because of my own interest in issues related to preventive health:

Focus on Prevention – Only half of recommended clinical preventive services are provided to adults and less than half of adults had their doctors provide them advice on weight, nutrition, or exercise. Hispanics are particularly at risk for missing vital preventive care because in general they have less access to insurance and doctors visits.

Hillary’s campaign notes that 31 percent of Latino persons report they do not enjoy routine health care. To describe the import of this finding, the campaign observes, “Hypertension contributes to 35 percent of all heart disease and dramatically increases the risk of stroke, yet only one in three people with this condition know it, despite the availability of simple, proven screening tests. Along with guaranteeing access to insurance throughout the system, the American Health Choices Plan ensures coverage of preventive care services that are proven and effective.”

This is a plan that addresses not just the needs of the broad American populace but also the needs of many disparate demographic groups that make up this wonderful mosaic that is our country.

Mental Health Parity - Who's Got the Best Plan?

(crossposted on dailyKos)

All of us have had experience with health insurance, or lack of it, for regular procedures and common acute care situations. But what about mental health insurance? Over 90% of the population never use their mental health coverage, but for the 5 to 10% of the population with severe and persistent mental disorders, there are two tragedies- the tragedy of the illness, and the economic devastation these illnesses bring. Parents are sometimes forced to give up parental rights to get kids the care they need, because long-term care is only available for kids in state custody here in FL.

Many insurance plans treat mental illness as an afterthought, with annual and lifetime caps on benefits which deny services to those who need it most. Mental health parity is a concept which states that mental health care coverage should be equal to physical health care coverage, and it's still an unobtainable goal for many Americans. So, now that the three leading Democrats running for president all have their plans out, whose health care program will best help these desperate people? Barack Obama? John Edwards? Hillary Clinton?

Current Situation with Mental Health Parity

Many health insurance plans discriminate against people with mental illnesses by limiting mental health and substance abuse health care. Some of the ways this is done are by imposing lower day and visit limits, higher co-payments and deductibles, and lower annual and lifetime spending caps.

State laws are a hodgepodge of different definitions of mental health parity, and only about two-thirds of the states have passed any law at all. On the national level, Congress passed the Mental Health Parity Act in 1996, but that law is misnamed. It outlawed annual and lifetime dollar insurance limits for mental health care, but it also had all kinds of restrictions, such as only applying to companies with greater than 50 employees. Many employers and insurers violated the spirit of that law, however, by placing other restrictions on mental health benefits, such as limits on the number of covered outpatient office visits and number of days for inpatient care- say, 30 days maximum per year, combined outpatient and inpatient treatment. When your benefits max out, you "magically" get better and are discharged.

No progress has been made on closing these loopholes since the law was passed, despite broad bipartisan (verbal) support. President Bush was big on verbal support back in 2002, but has been mysteriously silent since then, finding other hobbies to occupy himself. Congress has re-upped the 1996 law using a series of one-year extensions, since there was no desire to thwart the president's foot-dragging when Republicans had power, and no improvement under the Democratic Congress in the last two years. Like the rest of health care, mental health parity was just one more ugly baby nobody wanted to adopt.

Barack Obama's Plan

Here is the most detailed version of Barack Obama's health care plan, from his website:

The plan will have the following features:

• Guaranteed eligibility. No American will be turned away because of illness or pre-existing conditions.
• Comprehensive benefits. The benefit package will be similar to that offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the program through which Members of Congress get their own health care. The new public plan will include coverage of all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care. Coverage will include disease management programs, self management training and care coordination for appropriate individuals.

Same old same old. "Essential" services are covered, just like insurance coverage today. No mention of mental health parity.

John Edwards' Plan

Here is the most detailed version of John Edwards' health care plan, from his website:

The U.S. government will help states and groups of states create regional Health Care Markets, non-profit purchasing pools that offer a choice of competing insurance plans. At least one plan would be a public program based upon Medicare. All plans will include comprehensive benefits, including full mental health benefits. Families and businesses could choose to supplement their coverage with additional benefits. The markets will be available to everyone who does not get comparable insurance from their jobs or a public program and to employers that choose to join rather than offer their own insurance plans.

A little better, but "full" benefits is still up to whomever's writing the policy. The part about "families and businesses could choose to supplement their coverage with additional benefits" isn't encouraging.

Hillary Clinton's Plan

Again, here is the most detailed version of Hillary Clinton's health care plan, from her website:

A Choice of Health Plan Options: Businesses, employees, and the uninsured will have the option of buying group insurance through a new Health Choices Menu. This Menu will give all Americans the same set of insurance options that their Member of Congress has. Without creating new bureaucracy, the Menu will be part of the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP), which includes numerous, high-quality private health insurance options. The Health Choices Menu will have the purchasing power of millions of Americans in securing high-quality and affordable insurance. States will also have the option of banding together to offer the same type of choices in a region of the country if they wish. The benefits will be as good as those offered to Members of Congress. Such coverage includes mental health parity, and many plans offer dental coverage. In addition, as a condition of doing business with the federal government, insurers must cover high priority preventive services that experts agree are proven and effective. This focus on prevention will improve health and lower costs in the long run.

Well, there you have it, folks. Hillary Clinton said the magic word- mental health parity. Her plan isn't "similar to" the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP), as Barack Obama would have it, it IS the FEHBP. It's not "based upon Medicare", as John Edwards proposes; it's the exact same plan the Congresscritters are so happy about.

When the evidence in these plans is examined, it's clear that Hillary Clinton, alone among the three leading candidates for the Democratic nomination, has made the commitment to provide adequate mental health care for the approximately 60 million Americans who need it. But plans are just paper, and whomever ends up with the nomination still has plenty of time to do the right thing and help these, the least powerful people in our society.

p.s. Hillary's plan is also the only one which mentions dental, too, albeit with the "many" qualifier attached.

Video of Hillary's Webcast Is Now Online

Quick note to let everyone know you can now get a look at last night's web-cast of Hillary talking about her new healthcare plan by clicking HERE.

You can also read her new plan by downloading this pdf file from her website.

Gallup Guru Thinks Hillary Is Pretty Certain To Get the Nod

Gallup Guru Thinks Hillary Is Pretty Certain To Get the Nod

Frank Newport from Gallup reports on USA Today’s blog the results from polling data he collected between September 14 and September 16. The results are these:

Hillary Clinton 47
Barack Obama 25
John Edwards 11
Bill Richardson 5
Joe Biden 3
Dennis Kucinich 2
Chris Dodd 1
Mike Gravel 1

Newport observes that Edwards has dropped to his lowest point in the polls since March when he was at 10 percent. It is perhaps notable that Hillary at 47 has more than Obama, Edwards, Richardson, Biden, and Kucinich combined (46%).

Newport suggests that Hillary’s nomination may be nearly inevitable unless she stumbles badly:

One of the biggest factors that could affect the race would be a major Hillary Clinton gaffe, or some type of Hillary implosion in Iowa or New Hampshire. But one would have to assign a fairly low probability at this point to the chances of any one other than Clinton ending up with the party nomination.

There has been a lot of comparisons with historical circumstances to suggest that Hillary’s lead is ephemeral, and we can anticipate, based on history, that she will fail in her quest. Newport provides a summary of recent parallels:

A Sept 13-15 1991 Gallup poll showed the following standings for the Democratic candidates:

Mario Cuomo 31%
Jesse Jackson 14%
Jerry Brown 11%
Tom Harkin 5%
Douglas Wilder 4%
Bob Kerrey 4%
Bill Clinton 3%

Well, what happened? The biggest change was the December 1991 decision by New York Governor Mario Cuomo not to run for his party’s nomination. That opened everything up. Bill Clinton went from 6% in a late October, early November Gallup poll (with Cuomo included) to 17% (just behind Jerry Brown) in a Jan 3-9 Gallup poll (with Cuomo not included).

Newport observes it is unlikely that Hillary will withdraw from the race. I concur. He also points to the 2004 race, a precedent frequently cited on political blogs elsewhere on the Net:

In 2003, by the way, while John Kerry was not technically the front runner in September, he was close. A Sept. 8-10 Gallup poll showed this:

Dick Gephardt 15%
Howard Dean 13%
Joe Lieberman 12%
John Kerry 11%

The trajectory of the 2004 Democratic race showed Wesley Clark charging a little in late September, then a major Dean surge late in the year, then the famous Dean implosion, and then Kerry running away with the nomination by late January.

But there was no prohibitive front runner who stayed in, as presumablyl will be the case for Hillary Clinton today.

The one bit of hope he holds out for the other candidates, at least as historical precedent, is 1976:

In the fall of 1975, Jimmy Carter had an amazing 1% of the vote in our Gallup polling, putting him behind at least 7 other Democratic candidates . . . . There was a new primary system in place that year, however, and Carter seemed to be most shrewdly aware of how to take advantage of it. He did well in early primaries, others faltered, and the rest is history.

I thought his analysis was quite interesting, and I thought people might like to know what Newport is thinking this morning.

Multipayer Universal Health Care

One of the most common assumptions on the U.S. left is that single payer government health systems are superior to the kind of hybrid public/private universal health care systems such as that proposed by Hillary this week. Here is a brief but exceptionally clear explanation of why that may not be true, based on an analysis of the strengths of multipayer universal health care and the requirements to make it successful. Among those requirements is a mandate for individual participation, which is included in Hillary's plan (but not Obama's).

Text of Hillary's Speech Regarding New Health Plan Now On Line

Quick post to let everyone know you can find the text of the speech Hillary gave yesterday regarding her new health plan. The campaign has it up at THIS SITE.

I'm still digesting her 10-page plan and the other info I've gotten on it over the last 2 days and will post further comments soon, but I thought others would want to check out her speech. It's a good one!-

CBS News Poll: Primary Voters Say Hillary Clinton Can Handle Health Care Better Than Rivals

Hillary just announced the last of three planks to her universal health plan mid-day today, and CBS already has a poll out showing that Democrats favor her plan over those of her rivals. You can see the article HERE It's amazing they pulled this together so quickly.

I found this bit most interesting - it puts to rest the old red herring that people toss out, claiming that she tried and failed once before...

Registered voters see Clinton's experience with a failed health care proposal as an asset rather than a liability. Sixty-six percent of all voters, and 77 percent on Democratic primary voters, say her past experience will help her to reform health care if she becomes president. Clinton was appointed by her husband, then-President Bill Clinton, to chair a commission on health care reform in 1993. Just 25 percent of all voters, and 15 percent of Democratic primary voters, say that experience will hurt her.

(emphasis mine)

The article goes on to say that a majority of people think the problems of the 90s were beyond Hillary's control, and that a majority are also unhappy with our current health care system.

Hillary's American Health Choices Plan

cross-posted on mydd and dailykos

Just moments ago, Hillary unveiled her health care plan to insure affordable, quality coverage to every american. According to the website, "Hillary's American Health Choices Plan covers all Americans and improves health care by lowering costs and improving quality. It speaks to American values, American families, and American jobs." To view her plan yourself:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/healthcareplan/?sc=8

The three driving forces of her health plan are affordability, availability and reliability:
Affordable: Unlike the current health system where insurance premiums send people into bankruptcy, the plan provides tax credits for working families to help them cover their costs. The tax credits will ensure that working families never have to pay more than a limited percentage of their income for health care.
Available: No discrimination. The insurance companies can't deny you coverage if you have a pre-existing condition.
Reliable: It's portable. If you change or lose your job, you keep your health care.
The principle of the plan is choice. If you like your coverage, keep it. Otherwise, choose from dozens of plans available to Congress, or buy into the public plan.
Hillary will help small businesses that want to offer coverage by extending tax credits.
Hillary will rein in insurance companies:"Insurance companies won't be able to deny you coverage or drop you because their computer model says you're not worth it. They will have to offer and renew coverage to anyone who applies and pays their premium. And like other things that you buy, they will have to compete for your business based on quality and price. Families will have the security of knowing that if they become ill or lose their jobs, they won't lose their coverage."
Hillary is committed to universal, quality coverage for every american. According to the website, she can "get it done".
UPDATE: Wait, there's more...New Choices for the Insured and Uninsured:The Same Choice of Health Plan Options that Members of Congress Receive: Americans can keep their existing coverage or access the same menu of quality private insurance options that their Members of Congress receive through a new Health Choices Menu, established without any new bureaucracy as part of the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP). In addition to the broad array of private options that Americans can choose from, they will be offered the choice of a public plan option similar to Medicare.
A Guarantee of Quality Coverage: The new array of choices offered in the Menu will provide benefits at least as good as the typical plan offered to Members of Congress, which includes mental health parity and usually dental coverage. Lower Premiums/Increase Security:Americans who are satisfied with the coverage they have today can keep it, while benefiting from lower premiums and higher quality.
Reducing Costs: By removing hidden taxes, stressing prevention and a focus on efficiency and modernization, the plan will improve quality and lower costs.
Strengthening Security: The plan ensures that job loss or family illnesses will never lead to a loss of coverage or exorbitant costs.
End to Unfair Health Insurance Discrimination: By creating a level-playing field of insurance rules across states and markets, the plan ensures that no American is denied coverage, refused renewal, unfairly priced out of the market, or forced to pay excessive insurance company premiums.
Promote Shared Responsibility:Insurance and Drug Companies: insurance companies will end discrimination based on pre-existing conditions or expectations of illness and ensure high value for every premium dollar; while drug companies will offer fair prices and accurate information.
Individuals: will be required to get and keep insurance in a system where insurance is affordable and accessible.
Providers: will work collaboratively with patients and businesses to deliver high-quality, affordable care.
Employers: will help financing the system; large employers will be expected to provide health insurance or contribute to the cost of coverage: small businesses will receive a tax credit to continue or begin to offer coverage.
Government: will ensure that health insurance is always affordable and never a crushing burden on any family and will implement reforms to improve quality and lower cost.
Ensure Affordable Coverage for All:Provide Tax Relief to Ensure Affordability: Working families will receive a refundable tax credit to help them afford high-quality health coverage.
Limit Premium Payments to a Percentage of Income: The refundable tax credit will be designed to prevent premiums from exceeding a percentage of family income, while maintaining consumer price consciousness in choosing health plans.
Create a New Small Business Tax Credit: To make it easier-not harder-for small businesses to create new jobs with health coverage, a new health care tax credit for small businesses will provide an incentive for job-based coverage.
Strengthen Medicaid and CHIP: The Plan will fix the holes in the safety net to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive affordable, quality care.
Launch a Retiree Health Legacy Initiative: A new tax credit for qualifying private and public retiree health plans will offset a significant portion of catastrophic expenditures, so long as savings are dedicated to workers and competitiveness.
Fiscally responsible Plan that Honors Priorities:Most Savings Come Through Lowering Spending Due to Quality and Modernization: Over half the savings come from the public savings generated from Senator Clinton’s broader agenda to modernize the heath systems and reduce wasteful health spending.
A Net Tax Cut for American Taxpayers: The plan offers tens of millions of Americans a new tax credit to make premiums affordable-which more than offsets the increased revenues from the Plan’s provisions to limit the employer tax exclusion for health care and discontinue portions of the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000. Thus, the plan provides a net tax cut for American taxpayers.
Making the Employer Tax Exclusion for Health Care Fairer: The plan protects the current exclusion from taxes of employer-provided health premiums, but limits the exclusion for the high-end portion of very generous plans for those making over $250,000.
UPDATE II: THE PDF
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/healthcareplan/americanhealthchoicesplan.pdf

Hillary racks up 5th Major Union Endorsement

Hillary Clinton has just received the endorsement of the Public Employees Federation (PEF). The PEF is a union representing 57,000 professional, scientific, and technical New York State state employees and a member of the AFL-CIO.

She now is the lead candidate in the number of union endorsements with 5 unions plus two locals for a total of approximately 1.25 million workers.

These include:

Public Employees Federation (57,000)
National Association of Letter Carriers (300,000)
Transportation Communications Union (65,000)
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (700,000)
United Transport Union (125,000)
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 (Michigan)
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 (New York)
Dolores Huerta (United Farm Workers Leader)

Here is the PEF endorsement letter:

PEF Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

ALBANY, NY (09/17/2007; 0909)(readMedia)-- The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), the state’s largest white-collar union and second-largest state-employee union, today announced its support of Hillary Clinton to become the next President of the United States.

“We were looking for a candidate who recognizes the quality services provided by our members and one who is committed to protecting the rights of employees, improving working conditions and benefits, and one who will strengthen the middle class,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “We have found that candidate in Hillary Clinton.

“Hillary Clinton has demonstrated her support for our members who work for agencies that depend on federal funding, including the Department of Labor. She has opposed attempts by the Bush Administration to cut funding to labor and human services programs.

“Hillary Clinton has also been an advocate to secure funding for medical monitoring as it relates to employees affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center,” Brynien said.

PEF’s Executive Board voted to support Hillary Clinton, as did an overwhelming number of PEF members who participated in an on-line poll that included presidential candidates from both parties.

“Our endorsement gives Hillary Clinton’s campaign access to thousands of volunteers across the state of New York who will work hard to get her elected,” Brynien said.

PEF is the state’s second-largest state-employee union, representing 57,000 professional, scientific and technical employees. For more information, contact Darcy Wells, PEF Director of Public Relations at (518)785-1900 ext. 277.

A Clinton-Clark ticket?

Cross-posted at DailyKos and MyDD

I supported Clark in 2004, and I support Clinton now, but I never thought much about a Clinton-Clark ticket. I've always assumed that Clinton would always go for someone who could help deliver a key state (e.g., Ted Strickland, Mark Warner, Jim Webb) or could help provide an historic multi-ethnic, multi-gender ticket (e.g., Barack Obama, Bill Richardson). But now, having just reviewed Wesley Clark's incredible impressive biography, I'm wondering if Clinton-Clark could be a good possibility.

First, any Democratic ticket is going to attacked for being soft on terror and anti-military. Having a well-known military leader like Clark could help offset that.

Second, since the Democratic party is very broad, Hillary wants to reach out to the center, but also appeal to the left. Clark's background will make him non-threatening, and indeed, attractive, to moderate voters. But he also has a great deal of support among the netroots.

He doesn't have any background as an elected official, but since Hillary is the consumate political insider, that shouldn't be much of a concern.

Clark would be the age of 64 at the inauguration, but that's a non-factor for now due to his excellent health and vitality. If Hillary won two terms, it may or may not make him too old to run after her, which could be an advantage of disadvantage in Hillary's eyes.

What do you think? If Hillary wins the nomination, is a Hillary-Clark ticket likely? Would you support it?

Hillary's Buddies Collect Signatures

Six of Hillary's former school friends from Park Ridge, Il., calling themselves "Friends of Hillary", are busily collecting ballot signatures for the presidential hopeful. Hillary has a reputation for staying close with her high school buddies. This crew "visited the White House when Bill Clinton was president and they have seen her at class reunions and fund-raisers. They had been itching to do something to help their fellow alum become the first female president." Even with one of Illinois favorite son's in the race, friend Judy Osgood is optimistic, saying "when she's on the ballot, I hope that people in Illinois remember where she came from and will take her as a serious candidate." Perhaps an indication of the team's ability to effectively promote Hillary, "though she said she's not yet sold on Clinton -- Suzanne Caliendo, 33, of Arlington Heights, a die-hard Republican while growing up in Park Ridge," signed the petition, and had this to say about Hillary, "It says a lot about her character that there's people who have known of her for a good chunk of time, and they're willing to say we're going to overlook maybe some things that were questionable during her husband's time period."

To read the full article about Friends of Hillary:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/559983,CST-NWS-clinton16.article

Hillary's Live WebCast on Tuesday Re Healthcare Initiative

From Hillary's campaign web-site comes this press release...

Clinton To Hold Live Webcast To Discuss Health Care Plan Tuesday Will Field Questions From Americans Across The Country Hillary Clinton will hold a live interactive webcast on Tuesday, September 18, to discuss her new health care plan that will provide affordable, quality coverage for all Americans. Clinton will outline her plan and answer live questions from across the country at 8 p.m. EDT at HillaryClinton.com.

Throughout the campaign, Clinton has engaged Americans in new and innovative ways. She launched her candidacy with an online announcement and held a series of live video webcasts with tens of thousands of voters. Since then, she has announced the winner of her campaign song contest in a wildly popular web video and posted HillCast web videos on a range of policy proposals. The campaign has also launched www.HillaryHub.com to serve as a central repository for news, blogs and videos about Hillary’s candidacy.

Wes Clark Endorses Hillary Clinton

Cross-posted on dailykos.com and mydd.com

Just got off a conference call. Clark has endorsed Senator Clinton. He said he wanted to help "America to choose the right leadership team". In discussing her Iraq policy, Clark described Clinton's policy as begin withdrawing forces now, diplomacy in the region, new approach in the region, no specific timeline as of yet, no permanent presence, common sense policies.

Taylor Marsh wndered how the troops would respond to a female Commander-in-Chief. Clark told her among other things "The troops will be very proud of her." Jerome Armstrong asked about Clark as a possible VP. Clark commented that he was "trying to get right focus on policy issues, and the right leadership team." Someone asked about other domestic issues that Clark appreciated in Ms.Clinton. Clark responded that she "see’s big picture." He said there is "urgent work to do in America". And, that we need the next president to "improve the lives of ordinary people". That Hillary Clinton was "the total package", "really has it", and "will be a great president".
This was a very strong endorsement. I asked Clark if he would be involved in the campaign. He said he hadn't gotten that far yet. Just wanted to make the endorsement "Now".

UPDATE From WesPac:
"Senator Hillary Clinton has earned the support of millions of Americans in her campaign for president -- and today I am pleased to count myself among them. The world has reached a critical point, and we need a leader in the White House with the courage, intelligence and humility to navigate through many troubling challenges to our security at home and abroad. I believe Senator Clinton is that leader, and I whole-heartedly endorse her for President of the United States. Senator Clinton and I share a worldview in which diplomacy is the best first-strike tool in our arsenal; in today's complicated global system, the United States should be making more friends than enemies."
Never before have so many Americans had our well-being so closely tied to world events. Our economic and national security has become more complicated than ever before, and we deserve a leader who draws on wisdom, compassion, intelligence and moral courage -- in short, we need Hillary Clinton. She is tough but fair, a rock-solid leader equal to the many weighty challenges ahead of us."

http://securingamerica.com/

Hillary as Point Guard

Hillary appeared at King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science in South Central Los Angeles with Magic Johnson to meet and take questions from area activists. Hillary was introduced as "the “point guard” in this faux basketball team on stage, Magic was the “center,” Villagarosa(LA Mayor) the “swing forward.”" Fielding questions concerning civil rights and discrimination, Hillary told the audience "anybody who tells you there is no longer discrimination in America is not living with their eyes open. This administration basically dismantled the civil rights division of the justice department.” One fun moment came when "one audience member took the microphone and told Sen. Clinton that she was “extremely attractive.” Clinton got a high-five from Magic after that comment."

Here's a link to the entire article describing today's events:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/09/hillary-and-mag.html

New Details Emerging on Hillary's UHC Plan

Hillary is set to unveil the third phase of her health care plan on Monday at a hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. This phase deals with accessibility. Hillary had this to say about the type of headline she hopes her plan will evoke, "Obviously, I hope the headline is that, you know, Hillary is back, and we're going to get it done." According to Bloomberg.com, Hillary's plan "will probably stake out the middle ground, appearing bolder than Senator Obama of Illinois and more pragmatic than former Senator Edwards of North Carolina."

Her initiatives will likely include at least the following:
-make coverage mandatory for everyone
-"put an end'' to the industry discrimination against consumers with pre-existing medical conditions

Clinton has said her plan will "dramatically rein in the influence of the insurance companies, because frankly I think that they have worked to the detriment of our economy and of our health-care system."

Earlier this year, Hillary proposed a plan to dramatically expand SCHIP. That proposal lead to current efforts by the Congress to expand SCHIP. Her plan would have included the following
-eligibility for those 25 years and younger, up to 400% above poverty

For more information on her SCHIP proposal and the changing roll in federally funded health coverage, here is a link to an article on this subject by Bob Novak:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/06/socialized_medicine_for_kids.html

Hillary Clinton Endorsements, Mid-September Update: Good News Keeps Getting Better

The last two weeks have been great for Hillary with a slough of new endorsements from elected Democratic and Progressive officials around the country from town mayors to senators bringing her number of endorsements to 345 sitting elected Democratic leaders. In addition she has the support of 4 major unions, 2 locals and a key union activist bringing her union total to around 1.2 million union members (active and retired); 19 key former elected officials, and 17 other persons of note.

Cross-posted on DKos, please go and rec' up.

Here are some highlights.

IOWA: Ruth Harkin, wife of Senator Tom Harkin and Former Governor Tom Vilsack and First Lady Christie Vilsack continue to campaign vigorously around the state for Hillary where she has the endorsement of 16 key Democratic leaders. Her poll numbers continue to improve in Iowa with most recent polls showing her consolidating a slim but growing lead over other candidates.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: With the support of 51 elected Democratic leaders (2nd only to her home state of New York), and a great team lad by State Senate President Sylvia Larsen and State House Majority Leader Mary Jane Wallner, Hillary is showing incredible strength in the polls in recent weeks.

ARIZONA: Last week 11 elected Democratic officials from the State Legislature led by State Senate Minority Leader Marsha Arzberger endorsed Hillary putting Arizona on the map for Hillary in a big way.

PENNSYLVANIA: Pennsylvania's number of endorsements for Hillary from key Democrats reached 17 with the addition of Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll and State Treasurer Robin L. Wiessmann.

FLORIDA added 6 new state legislators and 4 new mayors for a total of 22 endorsements of key Democratic Officials to the Florida Hillary team led by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and MARYLAND added 5 new state legislators and 1 new mayor, Ellen Moyer of Annapolis the state capitol for a total of 22 endorsements of key Democratic Officials.

UNION SUPPORT: Hillary continues to do well with the workers picking up the new endorsements of the National Association of Letter Carriers (300,000) and the Transportation Communications Union (65,000) bring her total union support base to around 1.2 million members.

In addition Hillary picked up the support of author John Grisham who is actively campaigning for her in Virginia and Black Entertainment Television founder, Robert Johnson.


FULL UPDATED HILLARY CLINTON ENDORSEMENT LIST

ARKANSAS
Senator Mark Pryor
Congressman Marion Berry
Congressman Mike Ross
Congressman Vic Snyder
Governor Mike Beebe
State Attorney General Dustin McDaniel
State Treasurer Martha Shoffner
State Secretary of State Charlie Daniels
State Auditor Jim Wood
Former President and Governor Bill Clinton
Former Senator Dale Bumpers
Former Senator David Pryor

ARIZONA
State Senate Minority Leader Marsha Arzberger
State Senate Minority Whip Rebecca Rios, Hayden
State Senator Paula Aboud, Tucson
State Senator Amanda Aguirre, Yuma
State Senator Ken Cheuvront, Phoenix
State Senator Richard Miranda, Phoenix
State Representative Martha Garcia, Phoenix
State Representative Linda Lopez, Tucson
State Representative Ben Miranda, Phoenix
State House Democratic Whip Pete Rios, Hayden
State Representative Lena Saradnik, Tucson

CALIFORNIA
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Congressman Tom Lantos
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher
Congresswoman Jane Harman
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano
Congresswoman Doris Matsui
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer
State Senator Christine Kehoe
State Senator Sheila Kuehl
State Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez
State Assemblymember Fiona Ma
State Assemblymember Sandré R. Swanson
State Assemblymember Mike Eng
State Assemblymember Edward Hernandez
State Assemblymember Lloyd Levine
State Assemblymember Sally Lieber
State Assemblymember Anna Caballero
State Assemblymember Jim Beall Jr.
State Assemblymember Charles Calderon
State Assemblymember Jose Solorio
State Assemblymember Juan Arambula, Fresno
Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom
Mayor of Sunnyvale Otto Lee
Mayor of Huntington Park Elba Guerrero
Mayor of Cerritos Laura Lee
Mayor of Lynwood Louis Byrd
Mayor of Alameda Beverly Johnson
Mayor of Baldwin Park Manuel Lozano
Mayor of Cupertino Kris Wang
Mayor of Dublin Janet Lockhart
Mayor of Redwood City Barbara Pierce,
Mayor of Pleasanton Jennifer Hosterman
Mayor of Reedley Ray Soleno
Mayor of Rohnert Park Vicki Vidak-Martinez,
Mayor of Commerce Robert Fierro
Mayor of Santa Ana Miguel Pulido
Mayor of Santa Paula Ray Luna
Mayor of Campbell Daniel Furtado
Former Governor Gray Davis

FLORIDA
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Congresswoman Corrine Brown
Congressman Kendrick Meek
State Senator Nan Rich
State Senator Arthenia Joyner
State Senator Ted Deutch
State Senator Gwen Margolis, Miami-Dade County
State Representative Terry L. Fields, Duval County
State Representative Martin David Kiar, Broward County
State Representative Scott Randolph, Orange County
State Representative Kelly Skidmore, Palm Beach and Broward Counties
State Representative Priscilla Taylor, Palm Beach County
Mayor of West Palm Beach Lois Frankel
Mayor of Riviera Beach Thomas Masters
Mayor of Pembroke Pines Frank Ortis
Mayor of Parkland Michael Udine
Mayor of Hallandale Beach, Joy F. Cooper
Mayor of Aventura, Susan Gottlieb
Mayor of Riviera Beach, Thomas A. Masters
Mayor of Margate, David McLean

HAWAII
Senator Daniel Inouye

ILLINOIS
State Representative Jack Franks

IOWA
State Senator Staci Appel (S-37) of Ackworth
State Senator Dennis Black (S-21) of Lynnville
State Senator Dick Dearden (S-34) of Des Moines
State Senator Bill Dotzler (S-11) of Waterloo
State Senator Gene Fraise (S-46) of Fort Madison
State Senator Wally Horn (S-17) of Cedar Rapids
State Senator Becky Schmitz (S-45) of Fairfield
State Senator Roger Stewart (S-13) of Preston
State Representative Paul Bell (H-41) of Newton
State Representative Mark Kuhn (H-14) of Charles City
State Representative Vicki Lensing (H-78) of Iowa City
State Representative Mary Mascher (H-77) of Iowa City
State Representative Roger Wendt (H-02) of Sioux City
State Representative Cindy Winckler (H-86) of Davenport
Mayor of Cedar Rapids Kay Halloran
Mayor of Charles City Jim Erb
Former Governor Tom Vilsack and First Lady Christie Vilsack
Ruth Harkin, wife of Senator Tom Harkin

MARYLAND
Senator Barbara Mikulski
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Governor Martin O'Malley
State Senate Assistant Deputy Majority Whip James Rosapepe,
State Senator Jennie Forehand
State Senator Rona Kramer, Montgomery County
State House of Delegates Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones
State House of Delegates Deputy Speaker Pro Tem Carolyn Howard
State Delegate C. Sue Hecht
State Delegate Sheila Hixson
State Delegate Benjamin Kramer
State Delegate Shane Pendergrass
State Delegate Ben Barnes, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties
State Delegate Jane Lawton, Montgomery County
State Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, Baltimore County
State Delegate Doyle Niemann, Prince George’s County
Mayor of Garrett Park Carolyn Shawaker
Mayor of Kensington Peter Fosselman
Mayor of Takoma Park Kathy Porter
Mayor of Colmar Manor Diana Fennell
Mayor of Brentwood Bettyjean Bailey-Schmiedigen
Mayor Somerset of Walter Behr
Mayor of Annapolis Ellen Moyer
Former U.S. Senator Joseph Tydings
Former Congressman Charles Thomas McMillen
Former Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

MASSACHUSETTS
Congressman Jim McGovern
Congressman Richard Neal
State Auditor Joe DeNucci
State Senate President Therese Murray
State Senator Edward Augustus
State Senator Steven Baddour
State Senator Harriette Chandler
State Senator Robert Creedon
State Senator Susan Fargo
State Senator Joan Menard
State Senator Richard Moore
State Senator Robert O'Leary
State Senator Marc Pacheco
State Senator Steven Panagiotakos
State Senator Pamela Resor
State Senator Karen Spilka
State Senator Susan Tucker
State Senator Robert Antonioni
State Senator Cynthia Stone Creem
State Senator Michael Morrissey
State Representative House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi
State Representative Christine Canavan
State Representative Anne Gobi
State Representative Kevin Honan
State Representative Michael Moran
State Representative Sarah Peake
State Representative Vincent Pedone
State Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein
State Representative Patricia Walrath
State Representative Ruth Balser
State Representative Daniel Bosley
State Representative Geraldine Creedon
State Representative Lida Harkins
State Representative Kay Khan
State Representative Pam Richardson
Mayor of Boston Thomas M. Menino.

MICHIGAN
State Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer, Battle Creek
State Senator Jim Barcia
State Senator Liz Brater, Ann Arbor
State Senator Gilda Jacobs, Oakland County
State Representative Robert Jones, Kalamazoo
Mayor of Lansing Virg Bernero
Former Governor Jim Blanchard and Janet Blanchard

MINNESOTA
State Senator Sandy Pappas
State Representative Nora Slawik
State Representative Sandra Peterson
Former US Senator Mark Dayton

MISSOURI
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II
Mayor of St. Louis Francis G. Slay
Former House of Representatives Majority Leader Richard Gephardt
Former State Secretary of State Rebecca Cook

NEVADA
State Treasurer Kate Marshall
State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus
State Assemblyman William Horne
Mayor of Lovelock, Lena Johnson
Former Congressman James Bilbray
Former Governor Bob Miller

NEW HAMPSHIRE
State Senate President Sylvia Larsen
State Senator Deb Reynolds
State Senator Betsi DeVries (Manchester)
State Senator Molly Kelly
State House Speaker Terie Norelli
State House Majority Leader Mary Jane Wallner
State House Assistant Majority Leader Bette Lasky (Nashua)
State Representative Susan Beauchesne (Allenstown),
State Representative Roger Berube (Somersworth),
State Representative Tom Fargo (Dover),
State Representative Anne Grassie (Rochester), and
State Representative Tom McGuirck (Hampton)
State Representative Peter Allen - Harrisville
State Representative Catriona Beck – Bennington
State Representative Bernie Benn - Hanover
State Representative Del Burridge - Keene
State Representative Jane Clemons - Nashua
State Representative David Cote - Nashua
State Representative Peter Cote - Nashua
State Representative James Cyr - Strafford
State Representative John DeJoie - Concord
State Representative Carole Estes - Manchester,
State Representative Carol Friedrich - Wentworth
State Representative Ray Gagnon - Claremont
State Representative Jill Hammond Shaffer - Peterborough
State Representative Roger Hebert - Manchester
State Representative Roland Hofemann - Dover
State Representative Doreen Howard - Newmarket
State Representative Jean Jeudy - Manchester,
State Representative Stephen Johnson - Manchester
State Representative Eleanor Kjellman - Henniker
State Representative Angie Kopka – Nashua
State Representative Rep. Gus Lerandeau - Keene
State Representative Rep. Melanie Levesque - Brookline
State Representative Rep. Tony Matarazzo - Nashua
State Representative Rep. Martha McLeod - Franconia
State Representative Rep. Ricia McMahon - North Sutton,
State Representative Rep. Ed Mears - Berlin
State Representative Rep. Lori Movsesian - Nashua
State Representative Rep. Mike Reuschel - Manchester
State Representative Rep. Deanna Rollo - Rollinsford
State Representative Rep. Mike Rollo - Rollinsford
State Representative Trinka Russell - Stratham
State Representative Joan Schulze - Nashua
State Representative Barbara Shaw - Manchester
State Representative Jim Splaine - Portsmouth
State Representative Mary Sysyn - Manchester
State Representative Hector Velez - Manchester
State Representative Janet Wall - Madbury
State Representative Deborah Wheeler - Northfield
State Representative Jane Wood - Laconia

NEW JERSEY
Senator Robert Menendez
Congressman Albio Sires
Congressman Bill Pascrell
Congressman Robert Andrews
Governor Jon Corzine
State Senator Joe Doria (also Mayor of Bayonne)
Mayor of Trenton, Doug Palmer
Mayor of Elizabeth, Christian Bollwage
Mayor of Buena Vista, Chuck Chiarello
Mayor of Highland Park, Meryl Frank
Mayor of Hamilton, Glen Gilmore
Mayor of Kearny, Alberto Santos
Mayor of Paterson, Joey Torres

NEW YORK
Senator Charles Schumer
Congressman Gary Ackerman
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke
Congressman Michael Arcuri
Congressman Tim Bishop
Congressman Joseph Crowley
Congressman Eliot Engel
Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand
Congressman John Hall
Congressman Brian Higgins
Congressman Maurice Hinchey
Congressman Steve Israel
Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy
Congressman Michael McNulty
Congressman Gregory Meeks
Congressman Jerrold Nadler
Congressman Frank Pallone
Congressman Charlie Rangel
Congressman Jose Serrano
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter
Congressman Edolphus Towns
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez
Congressman Anthony Weiner
Governor Elliot Spitzer
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
Mayor of Buffalo Byron Brown
Mayor of Syracuse Matt Driscoll
Mayor of Albany Jerry Jennings
Mayor of Rochester Robert Duffy
Mayor of Jamestown Sam Teresi
Mayor of Hempstead Wayne Hall
Mayor of Fulton Darryl Hayden
Mayor of Mount Vernon Ernie Davis
Mayor of New Rochelle Noam Bramson
Mayor of Oswego Randy Bateman
Mayor of Patchogue Paul Pontieri
Mayor of Canandaigua Ellen Polimeni
Mayor of Hornell Shawn Hogan
Mayor of Waterloo Ted Young
Mayor of Schenectady Brian Stratton
Mayor of Saratoga Springs Valerie Keehn
Mayor of Glens Falls LeRoy Akins
Mayor of Kingston James Sottile
Mayor of Poughkeepsie, Nancy Cozean
Mayor of Cohoes John McDonald
Mayor of Waterlivet Robert Carlson
Mayor of Green Island Ellen McNulty-Ryan
Mayor of Middletown Marlinda Duncanson
Mayor of Oneonta John Nader
Former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro
Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins

OHIO
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Mayor of Bedford Dan Pocek

OREGON
Congresswoman Darlene Hooley

PENNSYLVANIA
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz
Congressman Joe Sestak
Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll
State Treasurer Robin L. Wiessmann
State Senator Raphael J. Musto, Luzerne County
State Representative Thomas W. Blackwell, IV, Philadelphia County
State Representative Thomas R. Caltagirone, Berks County
State Representative Peter J. Daley, Fayette and Washington Counties
State Representative Frank Dermody, Allegheny County
State Representative Dan Frankel, Allegheny County
State Representative John T. Galloway, Bucks County
State Representative William F. Keller, Philadelphia County
State Representative Kathy Manderino, Montgomery & Philadelphia Cos
State Representative Barbara McIlvaine Smith, Chester County
State Representative Edward P. Wojnaroski, Sr., Cambria County
State Representative John T. Yudichak, Luzerne County
Mayor of Philadelphia John F. Street

RHODE ISLAND
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Congressman Jim Langevin
State Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis
State House Speaker Tempore Representative Charlene Lima
State Representative Elizabeth Dennigan
State Representative Amy Rice
State Representative Peter Wasylyk
State Representative Joseph McNamara
State Representative Grace Diaz
State Representative Edith Ajello
State Representative Patricia Serpa
Mayor of Providence David Cicilline

SOUTH CAROLINA
State Senator John Matthews (District 39)
State Senator Linda Short (District 17)
State Representative/Deputy Minority Leader Cathy Harvin
Mayor of Florence, Frank E. Willis
Former Governor Richard Riley

TEXAS
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Congressmen Henry Cuellar
Congressmen Ruben Hinojosa
Mayor of El Cenizo, Raul Reyes

VERMONT
State Senator Hinda Miller
State Senator Sara Branon Kittell
State Representative Donna Sweaney
State Representative Johannah Leddy Donovan
State Representative Kathleen C. Keenan
State Representative Bill Aswad
State Representative Steve Howard
State Representative Albert "Sonny" Audette
State Representative Daryl Pillsbury

VIRGINIA
State Senator Mamie Locke,
State Senator Louise Lucas
State Delegate Al Eisenberg
State Delegate Lionell Spruill, Sr.
State Delegate Johnny Joannou
Mayor of Portsmouth James Holley

WASHINGTON
Congressman Jay Inslee

WISCONSIN
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton

UNIONS
National Association of Letter Carriers (300,000)
Transportation Communications Union (65,000)
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (700,000)
United Transport Union (125,000)
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 (Michigan)
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 (New York)
Dolores Huerta (United Farm Workers Leader)

OTHERS
Madeleine Albright
Maya Angelou
Kenny Edmonds
Kim Gandy and National Organisation of Women (NOW)
John Grisham
Billie Jean King
Robert Johnson (Black Entertainment Television founder)
Magic Johnson
Quincy Jones
Madonna
Katharine McPhee
Ellen Malcolm (Emily’s List)
Rosie O'Donnell
Brett Ratner
Caroline Rhea (Comedian)
Anne Rice
Steven Spielberg

Websites for Campaign Headquarters in Various States

I thought I’d pass along a few links to Hillary’s campaign headquarters in some of the early states...

http://http://www.hillaryclinton.com/hq/newhampshire/
http://http://www.hillaryclinton.com/hq/iowa/
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/hq/california/
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/hq/southcarolina/

If you or anyone you know is interested in plugging in to the campaign in any of these states, then I’m guessing the above linked sites are the best place to start.

Lunch Date Announced...

Via email, Hillary tells us, "I'm sorry we can't have everyone over who wanted to come, but I'm delighted to announce the winner: Julie from Milford, Ohio will be coming over for lunch with a guest soon. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'll be sure to let you know what we talked about."

Congratulations, Julie! We can't wait to learn more about your lunch with Hillary and Bill.

To view a video of Ron Wood and Michelle Smith, the two winners of our One Million Strong contest, follow this link:

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/ronandmichelle

Letter Carriers Union to Endorse Hillary!!

The National Association of Letter Carriers plans to announce its presidentia