Illinois Scandal Shows Need for Campaign Finance Reform

Ed Fallon wrote a guest column in the Des Moines Register yesterday about Rod Blagojevich's pay to play scandal in Illinois.

To learn that someone apparently would openly try to sell a U.S. Senate seat shocks and disgusts us.

Blagojevich is a menace and needs to go to the gated community where other Illinois governors before him have gone. But America's campaign-finance system is a far greater menace to democracy. If we can muster shock and disgust for Blagojevich, we should be utterly appalled at the pervasive role of money in politics.

Face it. What we call "elections" have become auctions. The auctioning of U.S. Senate seats occurs every six years - every two years for congressional and state legislative seats. Big donors, corporations and special interests "bid" on the candidate of their choice. In close races, the smart money bids on both candidates, and the one backed by the highest bidders usually wins.

We don't want to believe our elected officials can be bought. But as someone who served for 14 years in the Iowa House, I say with confidence that what big money wants, big money usually gets. Rank-and-file lawmakers may be well-intentioned but often are strong-armed by legislative leaders beholden to corporate donors and special interests. As a result, the most pressing challenges of our time - climate change, budgetary reform, health care, farm policy, to name a few - see practically no progress year after year.

So, while I hope the good people of Illinois fire Blagojevich and fire him soon, I have a more pressing hope that Americans across the country get fired up for campaign-finance reform. In Iowa, Senator-elect Pam Jochum is leading the charge on VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections). This bill would make it easier for rank-and-file lawmakers to stand up to party leaders, allow more citizens to run for office and give the public far greater access to the halls of power.

To learn move about the VOICE bill and clean elections visit this site put together by Iowa CCI.

Fallon to Guest Host Mickleson in the Morning on Thursdaay and Friday

From my inbox...

Trying to follow Wall Street these days is like watching your kid learn to play tennis – balls and rackets are flying up and down, but you're never quite sure where they're going to land. Home sales are down and foreclosures are up. Gas prices were way up; now they’re down, but who knows how long that will last. Food prices are climbing along with fears about what's in our food.

Happy Holidays!?!?

We’re not trying to play the Grinch, but it’s important to confront head-on the serious problems facing our country and our planet. While we’re all eager to see what Obama will do to address these challenges, there are steps we can each take on our own.

This Thursday and Friday, we’ll host The Jan Mickelson Show (Jan’s on vacation). Tune-in to WHO Radio (1040 AM) from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, we'll talk with guests and callers about the growth in local food production i n Iowa, the importance of knowing where our food comes from and the economic, environmental and health benefits of buying food from Iowa farmers.

Friday, as Iowans head to the malls and shopping centers, we'll discuss the necessity (and fun!) of supporting locally-owned businesses, along with the spiritual and economic value – to oneself, one’s family and one’s community – of living simply.

We hope you’ll tune-in from 9:00 until 11:30 both days. If you’d like to call-in to the show, dial (515) 284-1040 or (800) 469-4295. If you’re outside WHO’s listening range, you can stream us live at http://www.whoradio.com/main.html.

Thanks, and we hope you enjoy a truly happy, peaceful holiday weekend.

Lynn Heuss and Ed Fallon

PCCI is Throwing a Party for Ed Fallon in Des Moines on Wednesday Night

Got this email yesterday and thought I'd pass along the info...

COME JOIN ED FALLON AT AN APPRECIATION PARTY

When: Wednesday, July 9 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Raccoon River Park, Shelters A & B, 2500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines

FOOD AND DRINK PROVIDED (donated by PCCI)

Pork & boca sandwiches
Salads
Desserts
Lemonade & ice tea

ENTERTAINMENT

Tiffany Cox & Veelas of the Moonlit Forest Belly Dancing Troupe (family friendly)
Mikiel Williams - New Orleans-style Jazz Musician
BeJae Fleming - Blues Singer
Exit 113 - 70s Hits, Blues, R & B and Rock
Ed Fallon - Accordionist

APPRECIATION EXPRESSED

To . . . Ed Fallon for his progressive stand on issues, for running for the office of U.S. Congressman in Iowa's Third District, for conducting a clean campaign based on issues, and for refusing donations from political action committees (PACs) and paid lobbyists.

To . . . campaign manager Lynn Heuss and all the Fallon for Congress staff and volunteers.

FREE-WILL DONATIONS ACCEPTED to help offset the campaign's debt. Suggested donation is $50 (or more, if possible), but donations of any size are appreciated. PLEASE COME EVEN IF A DONATION IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME.

IA-03: Turnout High in Des Moines

Dave Price at WHO is reporting that turnout is much higher than expected in Polk Co. and in Des Moines, where 70% of the excepted vote will come from.

Looks like the 3rd District is stirred up a bit about this Leonard Boswell-Ed Fallon race. Polk Co Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald says turnout may approach 2006's level. Big deal, you might say? Well, it kind of is. In 2006 you'll remember we had the 3-way Democratic primary between Fallon, Chet Culver and Mike Blouin.

Fallon won that primary in Polk Co. against 2 well funded candidates that had the support from party insiders.

Price says that where turnout is high at will tell which candidate is helped out. However, I don't think people turnout in high numbers to support an incumbent with a big lead in the polls. People turnout in high numbers to vote for change and to vote against something, something like a congress with a crappy approval rating.

Fallon Stood Up Against Iraq Invasion, Boswell Did Not

If you want to boil the Democratic primary race in the 3rd District down to one issue, it would be the Iraq War.

Ed Fallon has opposed the Iraq invasion from the start and has strongly opposed the war at every chance. When serving in the Iowa House, Rep. Fallon co-sponsored HR 17, along with 20 other Democrats, which called the President to not make a preemptive, unilateral attack against Iraq. Fallon had the judgement to know that invading Iraq would destablize the Middle East, hamper our efforts of bringing Osama bin Laden to justice, and would cost trillions of dollars and cause further federal budget deficits. Fallon has since signed on to the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.

Leonard Boswell, on the other hand, voted in favor of the war in Iraq and was a strong supporter of the Bush administration's failed policy up until he learned that Fallon was going to run against him. Boswell began to support an end to the war in Iraq in December, after it was becoming clear that Fallon was preparing to challenge him.

In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Boswell still uses Bush's untruthful arguments for going to war in Iraq.


On Tuesday, Democrats in Iowa's 3rd District have a choice. They can vote for someone to represent them who has the judgement to make the tough decisions and wants to bring new energy to Congress or they can vote for someone who clings to the past and only changes when they are forced to do so.

Leonard Boswell is Hardly a Loyal Democrat When it Comes to the Issues that Matter Most

Leonard Boswell is airing TV ads in the Des Moines market where he highlights his opposition to Bush on funding cuts to the college loan program and says he is a loyal Democrat.

That is commendable, but where was Boswell on the issues that matter most to Iowans?

Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats and supported Bush's failed Iraq policy.

Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats to approve torture in the Military Commissions Act.

Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats to repeal the estate tax.

Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats to make it harder for people (and easier for corporations) to declare bankruptcy.

Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats and supported No Child Left Behind.

Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats and pushed to give Telecom companies immunity for illegal wiretapping Americans.

Boswell continues to support NAFTA-like free trade agreements.

Boswell voted against the majority of Democrats to give oil and gas companies $14 billion in tax breaks.

Sorry Rep. Boswell, but voting against the majority of Democrats in Congress on the issues that matter most to Iowans does not make you a loyal Democrat.

Support Ed Fallon in the 3rd District primary.

IA-03: Empty Chair Debate to be held Wednesday

Candidate Forum for the Third Congressional District Democratic Primary

State Historical Society of Iowa
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines 50319-0290
Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.

The two candidates for Iowa's Third District Congressional office, Representative Leonard Boswell and candidate Ed Fallon, have both been invited to appear together on stage for a “Question and Answer” forum.

About the Master of Ceremonies: Vern Naffier
Vern Naffier is the Chairman of PCCI and Adjunct Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Grandview College.

About the Moderator: Mary Brubaker
Mary Brubaker has been one of Des Moinesʼ most recognizable television and radio personalities over the past 40 years. She was KCCIʼs first female reporter and has hosted and produced various programs on KCCI television and WOI radio over the span of her career. She is an Alumna of Drake University and a community activist.

About Leonard Boswell
Leonard Boswell is running for his seventh term as Iowaʼs 3rd district U.S. Congressional representative and is a former member of the Iowa Legislature.

About Ed Fallon
Ed Fallon has served seven terms as a State Representative in the Iowa Legislature and ran for Governor in 2006.

Principal Sponsors:
The Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa (PCCI) and Central Iowa Operation Democracy (CIOD).

Co-Sponsors:
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Iowa Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR), Iowa Chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), and Clarion Alliance.

Fallon Gains Support in Jasper County

This morning the Ed Fallon campaign announced support from some Jasper County leaders. Former State Rep. and County Supervisor Glen Jesse, Jasper County Democratic Chair Joe Brock, and Jasper County Democratic Vice Chair Dan Kelly all announced their support for Fallon in 3rd District Democratic Primary.

Here's the full press release from the Fallon Campaign...

Today, several members of the Jasper County Democratic Central Committee announced their endorsement of Ed Fallon for Congress. Jasper County leaders include former State Rep. and County Supervisor Glen Jesse and his wife Cheryl Jesse, Mitchellville; Joe Brock, Central Committee chair, Monroe; and vice chair, Dan Kelly, Newton. They'll also host a cookout and meet-and-greet for Fallon on Friday, May 30th at 5:30 pm at the West Shelter House, Maytag Park in Newton. The public is invited.

Brock said, "The reason I'm behind Fallon is because he's run a positive campaign based on issues and facts. He also accepted 11 debate invitations and believes voters deserve to see candidates face to face and hear how they differ on the issues."

After Congressman Boswell declined 10 debate invitations, the Jasper County Democratic Central Committee sent a letter to Congressman Boswell asking him to accept a debate invitation. He did not.

Brock said, "We are facing some serious problems around the country, and Fallon has demonstrated the courage and leadership needed to begin tackling many of them. He's shown it by refusing to take special interest or paid lobbyists' contributions. He understands we need to end the power of big money in Washington. Ed also exhibited it when he authored a House Resolution in February, 2003, sponsored by 21 Democrats, which called on the President to not initiate the military strike against Iraq. Since then, Fallon has been committed to ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home."

Former State Rep. Glen Jesse said, "I support Ed Fallon because of his genuine concern for the rights and well being of others. These are the traits I feel he shares with one of my political heroes, the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone. We commend Fallon for his commitment to the Democratic process and endorse him for the Third Congressional District."

Fallon Raises $72,000 in 6 Weeks

Ed Fallon has raised over $72,000 the past 6 weeks and has over $28,000 cash on hand for the final 2 weeks of the primary on June 3rd. Fallon has raised over $244,000 for the primary without taking any money from lobbyists or PAC's.

Fallon's opponent, Leonard Boswell has received 74% of his contributions in 2007 from PAC's and lobbyists.

Fallon's Rap on the Economy

The Fallon campaign released this video last week. When I read that it was a rap video, I thought it was going to be corny, but it is actually pretty good.

This video highlights where Ed Fallon stands on economic issues and shows how Boswell has sided with big money interests over the interests of the people he supposedly represents.

Leonard Boswell Believed Him

Earlier this week, Leonard Boswell sent a mailer out once again criticizing Ed Fallon for backing Ralph Nader in 2000. Boswell attempts to link Fallon's support of Nader to the death of 4,000 Americans in Iraq, the poor economy, and government corruption.

The mailer read...

Ed Fallon believed him.
Fallon helped elect George Bush
by endorsing and actively
campaigning for Ralph Nader.

Now, Fallon claims he's a real Democrat we can trust.

With nearly 4,000 of our soldiers killed in Iraq, rampant corruption throughout our government, health care costs out of control and an economy in shambles, Ed Fallon's support for Ralph Nader is unforgivable.

Enough phony politics.

Say NO to ED FALLON.

With nearly 4,000 of our soldiers killed in Iraq, rampant corruption throughout our government, health care costs out of control and an economy in shambles, Ed Fallon's support for Ralph Nader is unforgivable.

In reality, Boswell's support of Bush's policies have much more to do with the death of 4,000 Americans in Iraq, the poor economy, and government corruption. Boswell has voted against the vast majority of Democrats and supported Bush numerous times.

Boswell has...

• voted for the Iraq War
• voted to approve torture in the Military Commissions Act
  
• voted to repeal the estate tax
  
• voted to make it harder for people (and easier for corporations) to declare bankruptcy
  
• voted for No Child Left Behind
  
• continued to support NAFTA-like free trade agreements
  
• voted to give oil and gas companies $14 billion in tax breaks
  
• 74% of his donations come from PAC's

Leonard Boswell believed George W. Bush. Boswell supported Bush on too many issues by voting for the Bush agenda, against the good judgement of the vast majority of Democrats.

Now Leonard Boswell says that he is a real Democrat we can trust. Enough with the phony politics driven by big money. Say NO to Leonard Boswell.

Why is Leonard Boswell Afraid to Debate Ed Fallon?

The Fallon campaign sent out this press release yesterday...

Fallon has received invitations to eight debates and has accepted them all. “Unfortunately,” Fallon said, “Boswell has declined debate invitations from WHO Radio, the League of Women Voters, and Women for a Stronger America. Some of these groups have issued multiple invitations since February and have yet to receive any response from the Boswell campaign.”

Is it because Boswell can't defend his vote for the Iraq War?

Is it because Boswell can't defend his vote in favor of repealing the estate tax?

Is it because Boswell can't defend his vote to the bankruptcy bill?

Is it because Boswell can't defend his vote to approve torture in the Military Commissions Act?

Is it because Boswell can't defend his vote for No Child Left Behind?

Is it because Boswell can't defend his continued support for NAFTA-like trade agreements?

Is it because Boswell can't defend the fact that 74% of his donations come from PAC's?

Is it because Boswell can't defend his vote to provide $14 billion in tax breaks and incentives for oil and gas companies?

Fallon Raises over $170,000 in the 1st Quarter

Ed Fallon announced that he raised $171,618.70 in the first quarter without taking a penny from PAC's or lobbyists.

At the end of the quarter, we had 2,082 contributors, who gave an average of $82.43. As of mid-February of this year, we had 1,652 donors, which was more than ten times the number of individual donors than Rep. Leonard Boswell had last year. We know he has been working very hard to increase the number of individual contributors, since 74 percent of his money came from PACs last year.

I could not find how much money Fallon has on hand, but it would seem that this total would be enough to be competitive in the primary.

IA-03: Campaigns of the Rich and Powerful

Ed Fallon responds in this online video to claims that Fallon has violated campaign finance laws by Bush Dog Democrat Leonard Boswell. Fallon is challenging Boswell in a primary in Iowa's 3rd district.

A misguided reporter from the popular Youtube show "Campaigns of the Rich and Powerful" steps into Team Fallon HQ to investigate the massive wealth of a grassroots campaign. Cuban cigars, Benjamin Franklins, caviar, and diamonds are paving the way for more progressive future... or not.

Fact: 100% of our funds come from people like you. That's right.

Fact: 0% of Team Fallon's funds ever are from paid lobbyists, or Political Action Committees with corporate ties and intentions. Nor have they ever been able to write a check to Ed Fallon in his 14 years as a State Rep or in his run for Governor in 2006. Instead Ed always self-imposed a cap on contributions, so that money can never be louder than voters.

Fact: 74% of Boswell's campaign money from 2007 came from lobbyists and PACs.

Fact: Of the 322 PAC contributions Boswell received last year, the largest percentage came from corporate PACs.

Boswell's Change of Heart

A week ago, I wrote about an upcoming vote on the FISA and telecom immunity, saying that it was a moment of truth for Leonard Boswell.

I thought I should update on how Boswell voted on the issue. After calling for telecom immunity in a January 28th letter to Nancy Pelosi, Boswell flipped on the issue and ended up voting against telecom immunity and siding with the majority of Democrats and against the Bush administration and corporate interests.

This marks the 3rd time that Boswell has flipped on an issue since rumors of Ed Fallon challenging him began last last year. In December, Boswell voted, for the first time, against a war funding bill that didn't include a date for withdrawal. Then in February, Boswell was a late sponsor to a bill that would seek to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney. Now, Boswell votes against immunity for telecom companies.

These are all great developments and I would like thank Rep. Boswell for voting with the majority of his Democratic colleagues and standing up for the wishes of his constituents.

This change of heart on the part of Boswell is the exact reason why a primary challenge is beneficial.

Boswell's Moment of Truth

At this very moment the House is voting on an updating FISA legislaton. At stake is immunity for telecom companies for participating in illegal wiretapping of American citizens. Bush and Republicans have been trying to strike up fear while defending retroactive immunity for telecom companies, while the other side is defending the rule of law and sticking up for the Constitution.

The way Leonard Boswell votes on this bill will be very telling. On January 28th, Boswell was one of 21 Blue Dog Democrats that wrote a letter to Nancy Pelosi urging her to include immunity for telecom companies. Adding to that, Boswell has received money from telecommunications PACs including $5,000 from AT&T.

However, the net roots has been putting pressure on these 21 Blue Dogs, and Boswell is in the middle of a tough primary race with Ed Fallon. Boswell has flipped on a number progressive issues since it came clear that Fallon would be challenging him. The question is if Boswell will flip again?

Where are Boswell and Fallon getting their money from?

Yesterday, Democracy for America issued a press release about Leonard Boswell. The line that stuck out to me was concerning who Boswell is raising his money from...

74% of his campaign contributions have come from the political action committees of companies like AT&T and Wal-Mart.

Meanwhile Ed Fallon is raising his money from small donations. As of February 21st,

his campaign has already received donations from 1,652 donors – over ten times the number of individual donors last year to his opponent, Rep. Leonard Boswell. As of today, the Fallon campaign has raised $122,444.95, which is an average of $74.18 per donor.

By simply looking at where the candidates are getting their money from you will see one candidate being funded by real voters while the other is being funded by corporate donors.

Will Boswell be Writing a check for $540,000?

Leonard Boswell's campaign wrote a letter to Ed Fallon's campaign asking that he return all money that was raised after Democracy for America sent an email asking its members to donate to the Fallon campaign.

"In light of your criticism of Leonard Boswell for accepting support from Political Action Committees (PACs), I was rather dismayed to see you accepting support and soliciting money for your candidacy from a PAC," wrote JoDee Winterhof, a senior adviser for the Boswell campaign.

Fallon countered back saying that he has never taken money from a PAC and never will...

"I've never taken contributions from lobbyists or PACs, and I won't in this campaign either," Fallon said. "We're pleased to receive the endorsement of DFA, which urged its individual members to make contributions to my campaign through ActBlue, an online clearinghouse for donations to Democratic candidates."

This entire situation is pretty funny considering that Boswell raised $730,00 in 2007 with $540,000 coming from PAC's.

There is a huge difference between Boswell accepting checks written directly by corporate PAC's and a PAC asking its individual members to donate to a campaign. Fallon's donations come from real people, not an accounting department. Since so much of Boswell's money is coming directly from a PAC, it draws questions to whom Boswell actually represents.

So suddenly the Boswell campaign now thinks it is wrong for a candidate to accept money from PAC's. I want to know if Boswell will be giving back the money he accepted from PAC's and if he's going to be writing a check for $540,000?

Fallon Opposes Telecom Immunity While Boswell Takes Their Money

Ed Fallon is in favor of tracking down terrorists. However, he isn't in favor of immunity for telecom comapanies who knowingly broke the law.

I am opposed to giving immunity to the telecom companies. This is an area where Boswell has repeatedly sided with Bush and against his fellow House Democrats, as when he voted for the Protect America Act and the reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act. I am critical of his record because I believe such legislation is too sweeping in granting new police powers to the government and, as a result, infringes on the civil rights and liberties of Americans.

Boswell on the other hand likes the telecom companies because they help fund his campaign. AT&T gave Boswell $5,000 in donations last year.

So how does Boswell repay these telecom companies? He writes a letter to Democratic leadership in the House saying that he will side with the Republicans and Bush and won't vote for telecom immunity.

Fallon Endorsed by Democracy for America

Democracy for America announced today that they will be endorsing Ed Fallon in the primary in Iowa's 3rd District.

Last Tuesday, our Primaries Matter campaign delivered results and helped lead Donna Edwards to a resounding 24-point victory over Bush-Democrat Al Wynn in MD-04.

Ed Fallon is the next DFA-List endorsement and he's taking on Bush-Democrat, Rep. Leonard Boswell in IA-03.

Contribute $20.08 right now and support a Democrat with the backbone to stand up for progressive values.

http://www.actblue.com/page/su...

Ed Fallon is a true progressive and he has a record of beating out-of-touch Democrats in Iowa. In 1992, he beat 10-year incumbent Gary Sherzan with 63% of the vote and became a State Representative. When the conservative party establishment tried to primary Ed out of the state legislature, Ed won again with 68% of the vote.

Now, with your help, Ed will beat Bush-Democrat Leonard Boswell. Here's a breakdown of some of the important differences between them.

As I wrote a couple weeks ago, national recognition from groups like DFA and national blogs can help level the playing field when it comes to fund raising. Boswell relies on corporate PAC's to give him money, Fallon will rely on small donations from Iowa and around the country.