Yesterday, John McCain staged a photo-op on an oil rig partially owned by ExxonMobil to promote his Big-Oil-First energy plan.

This rig was a perfect metaphor for his plan, since it took 10 years to produce a single drop of oil.

That’s the same 10-year lag that non-partisan energy experts and scientists say it may take before McCain’s “Drill here! Now!” energy plan produces any new oil.

So why does McCain want an energy plan that puts Exxon first?

How about two million bucks in campaign contributions from Big Oil?

Check out the “Exxon John” video our team made to expose John McCain for being in the pocket of Big Oil:

Exxon John

For nearly 30 years, Exxon John has stood with Big Oil and voted against alternative energy.

Just months ago, John McCain was the only Senator who skipped a vote on an energy bill to channel $13 billion in tax breaks for Big Oil into alternative energy development. The bill came out one vote short — but Exxon John’s friends in Big Oil came out one vote ahead.

John McCain is still playing energy politics the way they’ve been played for decades in Washington. Well-connected lobbyists and special interests get everything they could want while hardworking families get left behind.

Let’s make sure the public knows John McCain really puts Big Oil first. Pass the Exxon John video on to your family and friends today:

http://www.democrats.org/exxonjohn

SC Notes for Change

Paint Your Neighborhood Blue The South Carolina Democratic Party wants to be a part of your neighborhood this fall. In a few weeks, the SCDP will launch its Neighborhood Headquarters program. This is a coordinated effort to make sure our message and our candidates have a presence in each community across the state. All that is required to become a Neighborhood HQ is a place to put a yard sign that says “Democratic Party Neighborhood Headquarters” and a small space to keep a limited supply of candidate signs and handouts for neighbors who may want them. To learn more about this program, click here. The Delegate Diaries The South Carolina Democratic Party is inviting all Democrats to join us at the 2008 Democratic National Convention via the internet. During this year’s convention, the SCDP will share information about our delegation through our Yellow Dog Blog and MySpace page. The SCDP will be joined in Denver by Democratic blogger Tim Kelly of Crack the Bell. The Party will also give Democrats a taste of convention life in the weeks before the convention. To read more about the SC Delegates and 2008 Convention, click here. SC Campaign for Change Update The SC Campaign for Change is moving full speed ahead in its effort to get Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama and Democratic candidates at every level elected in the fall. This month, Democratic county parties around the state will host receptions for volunteers and activists who want to get involved with the Campaign for Change. For more information about the Campaign for Change, click here. Or to find a Campaign for Change event in your area, click here. Spratt, Fowler: McCain Social Security Plan Bad for SC More than 70 years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act creating a program that has saved millions of retirees, surviving spouses and children, and disabled Americans from poverty. Today, more than 1.5 million South Carolinians receive social security benefits. However, Democratic leaders in the state believe this program is at risk under Social Security plans endorsed by President George Bush and Senator John McCain. To read more, click here.

August 7, 2008

State attorney general reviewing Howard Rich donations

By Dan Hoover
STAFF WRITER

Attorney General Henry McMaster says his office is reviewing written “complaints” about hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations to South Carolina legislative candidates from businesses linked to New York developer Howard Rich, who is promoting school vouchers.

“We’ve gotten some correspondence in the office and we are analyzing those questions for people who had written in that they have some concerns. As of this point, we have no position and nothing to report,” McMaster said. “As we do with all complaints, we try to respond to them,” he said, but the current inquiry has not risen to the level of investigation.

Rich could not be reached for comment. He has said in a videotaped interview with state GOP Chairman Katon Dawson that his donations were entirely in compliance with South Carolina law.

State law limits donations to $1,000 per candidate for each primary, runoff and general election.

The Greenville News has reported that Rich, through at least nine firms and several associates, contributed $40,000 to eight Upstate Republican candidates and $179,000 statewide to Republicans and a scattering of Democrats. A check of the New York Secretary of State’s Web site showed those firms’ records contain Rich’s name, that of his wife, Andrea, or his business address of 73 Spring St.

Fifteen other firms, with the same address and suite number, gave another $70,000 to Upstate candidates and $166,000 statewide, according to state Ethics Commission reports.

Also Thursday, John Crangle, head of South Carolina’s chapter of Common Cause, said the organization is considering a civil lawsuit against Rich that would seek a declaratory judgment on the legality of the donations. Crangle said the state board would review the issue at its September meeting. Common Cause seeks to limit the influence of money in politics.

McMaster declined to identify those making the complaints, but in June the Greenville chapter of the League of Women Voters released a letter asking him to “enforce our existing laws and investigate Mr. Rich and his numerous organizations, foundations and associations.”

In the letter, league president Jane Welch wrote that “we were very concerned recently to find information concerning… Rich … who according to the information I am enclosing, has contributed money to many candidates’ campaigns for the South Carolina House and Senate, and has also made a sizeable contribution to our governor, Mark Sanford.”

The information she sent consisted of Web sites and news articles outlining Rich’s donations.

Crangle also said he had spoken with at least one solicitor and several attorneys about reviewing the Rich-related donations. Crangle said he was told the only avenue would be through the statewide grand jury under McMaster’s office.

McMaster said that would be “highly premature.”

“We should deal in facts when it becomes time to deal in facts,” he said.

At issue, Crangle said, is Rich’s relationship to the firms and how each is constituted.

Speaking in general terms, McMaster said, “I presume the information is available somewhere.”

Again, speaking in general terms, he said there are a number of ways his office can obtain information, ranging from local authorities to the State Law Enforcement Division to “the most coercive way,” the statewide grand jury.

Although the grand jury’s reach ends at the state line, McMaster said federal grand juries and those of other states can be employed when necessary.

Five Great Videos, One Ticket to Denver – Cast Your Vote Today!

Greetings from Denver,

You may have noticed a change in the title of this newsletter – from the Mile High Monthly to the Mile High Update. Now that we’re in the home stretch, we’ll be bringing you more frequent reports on the latest Convention news. In just a few weeks, our Party will make history and nominate Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate to be the next President of the United States, and without question, the energy is building by the day.

We announced this week a Community Open House at the Pepsi Center to unveil our stage and podium design, and the 5,000 tickets were snapped up in less than 24 hours. Since we announced Wednesday our plan for community credentials for Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at INVESCO Field at Mile High, the Colorado Campaign for Change has received more than 80,000 requests to take part in the historic final night of the Convention. Those are just snapshots of what we’ve been experiencing — all indicators of the tremendous enthusiasm for our Party.

Whether here in Denver, or from afar, we want you to join us in this Convention experience. This is America’s Convention, and we’re proud to be making community credentials for the final night available to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Democrats Abroad, and the four territories. To connect with your local Campaign for Change office and get more information about community credentials in your home state, visit DemConvention.com. Community credentials are just one of many ways we’re “bringing down the walls” of the Convention hall with the goal of making the four-day event open and accessible to more people than ever before. Stay tuned for more exciting news in the days and weeks to come.

After receiving hundreds of submissions, we announced the finalists this week for our national online video contest with YouTube – asking the question “Why are you a Democrat in 2008?” Through noon ET on August 13, members of the YouTube community can view and vote on their favorite entry at http://youtube.com/demconvention. The video receiving the greatest number of votes will win the contest and be announced on August 14.

Representing varied areas of the country, the finalists are from Temple, Tex.; Traverse City, Mich.; Iowa City, Iowa; Atlanta, Ga.; and Dayton, Ohio. The videos were selected based on their creativity, originality and persuasiveness. Individuals appearing in these videos include an Iraq war veteran, college students, a first-time voter, and a young boy with a teddy bear.

The winner of the 2008 Convention video contest with YouTube will attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August and see his or her winning video played before thousands of delegates, elected officials and other Convention guests. YouTube will also send the winner on the campaign trail for a day, where as a member of the traveling press pool, he or she will record a video documenting the daily activities of the Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama.

Who do you want in Denver? Cast your vote today.

The Countdown Continues: Pepsi Center Progress

With just 17 days to go until the eyes of the world focus on Denver, construction crews at the Pepsi Center are working nearly 20 hours each day, inside and outside the arena, to prepare the stage and podium for opening gavel and the international spotlight. Hundreds of workers from dozens of companies are working on every level of the Pepsi Center and in each of the parking lots surrounding the building in this final construction phase.

While we plan to keep our stage and podium design under wraps until just before the Convention, we will continue to offer key progress reports here as the opening gavel approaches – so check back often.

Campaign for Change Update

The South Carolina Democratic Party and Barack Obama’s Campaign for Change invites you to the Georgetown County Campaign for Change Kickoff Join us for a gathering for special volunteers and activists! Saturday, August 9 10:00 – 11:30 AM Georgetown Public Library 405 Cleland Street Georgetown, SC For more information, contact Elizabeth Montgomery at  elizm4444@yahoo.com or 843-240-1764. See you Saturday!

Quote of the Week

“If Democrats expand their congressional majorities, prospects will be very good for consumers — and bad for oil companies.”
– Tyson Slocum
Director of the consumer group Public Citizen’s energy program

From 20,000 Feet: Strengthening Our Majority

The Los Angeles Times wrote last week, “As voters steam over gas prices, Republican congressional candidates are bracing for a gusher of ads from now until Election Day attacking their ties to oil companies” and “Democrats are taking aim.”

So who has the most to lose in November? “Amid the onslaught, the oil industry is increasingly worried about this year’s election. Oil executives could face a bigger Democratic majority in Congress and a Democrat in the White House, both set on repealing industry tax breaks and imposing a windfall profits tax.”

Just listen to what a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America had to say: “We’re bracing for the worst.”

Luckily for Big Oil, some Republican Senate candidates are making arguments on their behalf. Steve Pearce in New Mexico said, “At a time when we’re facing $4 gasoline, I think that you need people who’ve been in the energy industry to tell us what to do.”  With logic like that it’s no wonder he’s running more than 20 points behind.

And in case you missed it, click here to see the new website Bought By Big Oil, our latest effort to remind voters about the connections between oil company dollars and Republican policy.

Colorado: Pulling no punches

“Congressman Mark Udall came out swinging Monday against GOP challenger Bob Schaffer in the second of nearly a dozen planned debates in their U.S. Senate race,” according to the Pueblo Chieftain.

“Udall, a five-term congressman, repeatedly attacked Schaffer on his energy stance, calling the former congressman an oil executive who likes to see high gas prices.”

Udall: “There’s a clear contrast here. I’m clearly somebody who’s going to work across the board to drive down gas prices. Congressman Schaffer talks about the situation we’re in, but he doesn’t acknowledge that he played a key roll in getting us in this situation.”

Yet again, Schaffer’s shady dealings over Kurdish oil became a campaign issue. Udall “said he’s traveled to Iraq twice to visit U.S. troops, adding that Schaffer only went there once, and that was to cut an oil deal.”

According to the Chieftain, Schaffer “said he did help Aspect Energy negotiate an agreement with the Kurdish Regional Government over the objections of the U.S. State Department, which had a policy against such contracts. Udall said that contract could make it harder for the U.S. to leave Iraq gracefully because it could add more tensions to the region.”

Kentucky: Lunsford goes on the offense

“A week after U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell released his first television attack ad in his re-election campaign, Democrat Bruce Lunsford returned fire,” reported the Louisville Courier-Journal, “linking millions of dollars raised by McConnell to his votes in favor of the oil industry.”

The Lunsford ad “quotes editorials in The Courier-Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader that panned McConnell’s original ad and flashes the word ‘dishonest’ on the screen, a word that appeared in the Herald-Leader editorial. It then goes on the offensive against McConnell.”

Lunsford’s ad says, “McConnell raised $3 million from big oil while voting to give them billions in tax breaks. But he blames others for high gas prices, hoping voters can be fooled one more time.”

Click here to watch Democrat Bruce Lunsford’s latest campaign ad.

North Carolina: Dole Slipping

The Raleigh News & Observer notes that Elizabeth Dole’s “lead slips a bit” in the latest survey by Public Policy Polling. “Though Dole is ahead, she has lost a little ground compared with other recent polls” despite having gone up on the air by herself in the past few months.

The poll had Dole leading Kay Hagan by single digits – 49% to 40%.

Maine: Fly Fishing with Tom Allen

Click here to watch the latest installment of the DSCC’s Road to Victory video series.

Oklahoma: Steffanie’s Ad

The race in Oklahoma has always been a pick-up opportunity on the horizon for us.  Democratic State Senator Andrew Rice has been running a terrific campaign and is turning this into a competitive race.

Rice is known across the Sooner State for his commitment to ensuring that health insurance companies treat patients fairly.  In his latest TV ad, he highlights how he has been carrying on the legacy of teenage cancer patient Steffanie Collings and fighting to lower medical bills for families struggling to pay for cutting-edge clinical trials.

Click here to watch the latest TV ad from Oklahoma Democrat Andrew Rice.

Oregon: The latest DSCC ad

Thanks to the generous support of so many Democratic activists like you, the DSCC is already making the TV investments we’ll need to win in November.  Our latest spot is on the air in Oregon.

Click here to watch the DSCC’s latest ad exposing the real record of Republican incumbent Gordon Smith.  Make a contribution, and you’ll help us run ads like this one in battleground states across the country.

Representative Vida Miller

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

REP. MILLER HOSTS SENIOR CITIZENS TOWN HALL MEETING

August 5, 2008

Representative Vida Miller will host a Town Hall meeting for Senior Citizens, along with Lt. Governor Andre’ Bauer’s Office relating to issues on Medicare/Medicaid and Senior Fraud, Wednesday August 20^th at the Litchfield Branch of Coastal Carolina University, Room #109, 160 Willbrook Boulevard (behind the Hampton Inn in Litchfield) The session will  begin at 2:00pm. Staff from the Lt. Governor’s office will be on hand to assist and answer questions regarding these issues.

Rep. Miller urges anyone who has questions or problems regarding the Medicare/Medicaid programs to attend, as well as, those who have been affected by or want to learn how to avoid a scam.  “I appreciate the Lt. Governor’s efforts on behalf of our senior citizens. As our population ages, senior scams are a very serious issue that can be financially devastating. Also, Medicare/Medicaid options and qualifications can be difficult to work through at times.  Lt. Governor Andre’ Bauer’s creation of the Task Force on Senior Fraud and his oversight on the Office of Aging to inform and assist our community are commendable.”

Please bring any information or documentation you would like for staff to review. Miller urges those who have questions related to these issues to attend this informative meeting.

The public is invited to attend.

Recent Congressional Votes - Senate: College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 House: Paycheck Fairness Act House: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriation, FY 2009 Editor’s Note: The Senate and House are in recess until September 8.

Recent Senate Votes

College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 – Vote Agreed to (83-8, 1 Present, 8 Not Voting) The Senate passed this bill to address rising tuition costs and remove obstacles that make it more difficult for students to attend college. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO……send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Paycheck Fairness Act – Vote Passed (247-178, 9 Not Voting) The House passed this bill to increase penalties for pay discrimination and protect employees who share salary information. Rep. Henry Brown Jr. voted NO……send e-mail or see bio Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriation, FY 2009 – Vote Passed (409-4, 21 Not Voting) The House passed this $72.7 billion bill funding military construction and veteran care programs. Rep. Henry Brown Jr. voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

There is a lot of interest in how we solve the energy crisis we face today. And seeing that the Republicans think they have the cure for such a crisis makes me upset to my stomach. For instance, Congressman Henry Brown, who represents me, says he’s for an “all of the above” approach on finding ways to increase domestic energy production. I was one of those many people who wrote him expressing my concern about this very important situation we face.

However, the truth does come out about his “all of the above” approach.

Congressman Brown had the opportunity to again “risk” supporting environmentally responsible domestic energy production and failed. H.R. 6516, or the Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act of 2008 would have amended the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an expeditious environmentally responsible program of competitive leasing of oil and gas in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Congressman Brown voted no on this bill, which led to the failure to attain the necessary two-thirds margin needed to pass this bill that would have required energy companies to drill for oil and gas in areas where licenses have already been acquired.

The one place I did see where Congressman Brown stuck to his “all of the above” approach? He voted no with all of our S.C. Republican representatives.

Don’t be fooled by the talk. The Democratic-led Congress is doing all it can to solve this problem. It’s up to Republicans to live up to what they tell the voters of South Carolina and the United States of America.

This bill would provide for 13 more weeks on unemployment benefits to workers exhausting their regular unemployment compensation, In states with unemployment rates above 6 percent, it would provide an additional 13 weeks, for a total of 26. The extension would apply to anyone whose benefits are exhausted before January 2009, an estimated 3.5 million.

How does Henry Brown vote on this valuable bill to millions of people?

No.

That speaks volumes to me about how he feels about working people. There is a choice this November. That choice for change is – Linda Ketner.