It's shocking. Yesterday, I learned that the same unit at AIG that helped lead the entire financial industry off the cliff will be paid $100 million in bonuses.
Worse still is the fact that Joe Wilson went out of his way to protect those bonuses. The only reason AIG functions today is because they were bailed out by taxpayers in 2008--a bailout that you and I funded with our tax dollars and that Joe Wilson supported.
When taxpayers asked for greater accountability to make sure our money was being used to increase lending to consumers and businesses, Joe Wilson stood with the Wall Street bankers and overpaid CEO's and voted no.
Join me in signing my Main Street, not Wall Street petition. Let's demand that Washington politicians like Joe Wilson stop protecting corporate bonuses and start focusing on the citizens of the 2nd District of South Carolina.
Joe Wilson's votes for Wall Street are just another example of the misplaced priorities of both Congressman Wilson and Washington, DC. Instead of giving high-rolling financial executives unwarranted bonuses, Congressman Wilson's priority should have been providing small-business loans to his own district in South Carolina.
Will you join me? Let's start taking care of the middle class.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching a new radio ad campaign against U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, slamming the South Carolina Republican for supporting TARP in 2008 but voting against the Democrats' financial regulatory reform bill last week.
The 60-second radio spot, which will begin airing on Wednesday across the Second District, accuses Wilson of putting the interests of big Wall Street firms above the needs of his constituents:
"October 2008, the last months of the Bush presidency. The big banks and financial institutions almost collapsed, putting our entire economy at risk. Remember? We all know we should never let this happen again. That's why what our Congressman Joe Wilson did last week is so disturbing." a male narrator says.
"Congressman Wilson voted to let Wall Street continue the same risky practices that crippled retirement accounts and left taxpayers on the hook for $700 billion dollars," the ad continues. "And he voted to allow the big banks to pay high rolling executives unchecked compensation and bonuses. Maybe the $55,000 dollars that financial special interests have given to Congressman Wilson mattered more to him than protecting taxpayers and consumers.
"Doesn't that just make you mad? Call Joe Wilson, tell him to stop standing up for the big banks and to start standing up for us."
According to CQ Politics, Wilson is one of only five House Republicans the DCCC plans to target this week with radio ads -- a reassuring sign to S.C. Democrats that the national party remains interested in helping Rob Miller put up a strong fight against 'Old Yeller' in 2010.
In the Opinion pages of today's The State, you'll find Cindi Ross Scoppe's op-ed lamenting the ongoing aftermath of Joe Wilson's 'You lie!' outburst before the President and a joint session of Congress. Scoppe takes on what has become an all-too-familiar refrain from Columbia and Washington--the money, the politics, and the status quo that we have come to expect from politicians.
Who could have predicted just 48 hours ago that two little words -- "You Lie!" -- could shake up South Carolina's Second Congressional District race overnight?
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson trails challenger Rob Miller 44-43 in the wake of his shouting out 'you lie' during President Obama's speech to Congress on Wednesday night. Wilson defeated Miller 54-46 in the 2008 election.
62% of voters in his district say they disapprove of Wilson's actions while just 29% think they were ok. While there is consensus on that, respondents were pretty divided about whether the substance of his comment- that Obama was lying- is correct. 42% say they think the President was lying while 46% believe he was not.
Wilson's approval rating comes in at 41%, with 47% of voters disapproving of his job performance. He gets good marks from 68% of Republicans, 38% of independents, and 11% of Democrats.
"In a matter of seconds Joe Wilson turned himself from a safe incumbent into one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the country for 2010," said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.
Overall 49% of voters say that Wednesday's incident made them less likely to vote for Wilson in the future while 35% said it made them more likely to do so.
Obama's approval rating is 50% in the district, pretty good given his nine point loss there last fall. Mark Sanford's is 31% and 51% of voters think he should resign.
Joe Wilson's Democratic challenger has now surpassed the three-quarters of a million dollars mark. As of noon today this evening, Rob Miller has raked in over $775,000 $1,000,000 in campaign contributions and picked up more than 21,000 25,000 new donors since Wilson's "You Lie!" outburst Wednesday night.
Thanks to his opponent Joe Wilson’s now infamous “You lie!” outburst during the President’s congressional address last night, the Beaufort Democrat has raised more than HALF A MILLION DOLLARS online in less than 24 hours.
That’s a lot of dough, people -- especially for the usually low-profile Second District race, which CQ Politics currently rates “Leans Republican.”
It’s also a vast improvement over Miller’s second quarter cash on hand total of just $48,974 and is likely to make Rep. Wilson ($211,604 COH) begin to sweat his 2010 rematch.
Thus far, the bulk of Miller’s mounting e-donations have come courtesy of Daily Kos, which put out multiple calls for Netroots supporters to contribute to Wilson’s Dem challenger on ActBlue. As of 6 p.m. today, Miller has amassed a gobsmacking 13,000 contributors from across the country.
So how are Joe Wilson and SC Republicans responding to this blue tidal wave of donations now pouring into Rob Miller’s campaign war chest?
This afternoon SC GOP consulting firm Richard Quinn and Associates (RQA), which represents the Congressman, launched an “I’m With Joe Wilson” t-shirt campaign and began pushing a “Back Joe Wilson” fundraising effort on Twitter and via email. Similarly, fellow RQA client Lindsey Graham told Fox News today he’d work to make sure that Wilson was re-elected next year, implying that the U.S. Senator would be willing to dole out some of his $2.7 million in campaign funds to aid his old friend. Not too shabby. (Update: Wilson also has hired GOP new media guru David All to handle his online crisis PR.)
On the national front, Fox New’s Sean Hannity has launched his own fundraising drive to help Wilson continue his fight against evil “Obamacare.” Redstate also is calling on the Rightroots to defend the GOP incumbent against the onslaught of shifty liberals hellbent on "destroy[ing] Joe Wilson." Um, okay…
Anyway, looking forward at the SC-02 race, two questions spring to mind: one, how much will this new infusion of cash help Rob Miller close in on Joe Wilson in 2010? Second, given the national prominence this race has received in the last 24 hours, will more Democratic or Republican challengers emerge to take on Wilson next year?
"Representative Wilson's behavior tonight exemplifies everything that is wrong in Washington," Democrat Rob Miller said in a statement provided to CNN.
"Instead of engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our Commander-in-Chief, Joe Wilson should be working towards a bipartisan solution that makes quality, affordable health care available to each and every South Carolinian.
"He owes both the President and the people of this district an apology for his embarrassing behavior during tonight's speech."
Wilson apologized to the president after the speech, calling his comments "inappropriate and regrettable."
Miller, a 13-year veteran of the Marine Corps, gave Wilson the toughest re-election challenge of his career last year in one of the country's most conservative congressional districts. Miller lost by eight points, and decided to challenge Wilson again next year.
National Democrats are also looking for a win: Wilson is on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's 2010 hit list.
Rob Miller - who has already begun raising funds for 2010 - today made it official that he's taking on incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson in the Second Congressional District.
The Iraq War veteran ran the most competitive race for Democrats in years in one of the most Republican districts in the country, garnering 46% of the vote.
“It’s time to deliver fiscally responsible solutions that strengthen our economy and create opportunities for South Carolina families,” said Miller in his announcement.
In March, Miller contributed a moving post on IJ describing his "moment of reckoning" and challenging Wilson to provide real leadership in Washington:
In November, 2004, during Operation Al Fajir, my company came under heavy fire in the city of Al Fallujah. We were being mortared, and a shell exploded right next to a fellow Marine. I remember watching him launch into the air. His gear scattered all over the street. The blast was so close, I felt sure the Marine was not going to make it.
A few minutes later, however, that Marine miraculously picked himself up, collected his weapons and gear, and pushed on into the fight. That moment is still with me every day. People talk about service and commitment, and that's great. It's one thing to affix that idea to your car with a bumper sticker or magnet, but it's another thing altogether to see it dramatically in front of you. I swore that if I survived that day, that battle and that war, I would dedicate my life to my son, my family, and my fellow warriors to insure that the dedication and grit I witnessed are not only remembered but carried on in the affairs of civilian life back home.
Moments of reckoning, such as this one, happen in life.
In today's announcement, Miller called for economic leadership.
“South Carolinians are facing tough challenges. We need a Representative who will be part of the solution in Congress. I will put partisanship aside and work to bring good jobs to South Carolina and stand up for our veterans and military families,” said Miller.
“For too long, Congressman Wilson has been part of the problem in Washington. Instead of saying ‘no’ to creating good jobs in South Carolina, we need to invest in our future. In Congress, I will fight for policies that create jobs, support small businesses, and reign in out-of-control spending,” said Miller.
Miller is a father, small business owner, and Iraq War veteran who was born and raised in the Palmetto State. Rob joined the Marine Corps at age 20, served at Parris Island, led combat troops in Iraq, was promoted to Captain, and was decorated for valor. Rob and his wife, Shane, live in Beaufort with their son, Robert, Jr.
In November, 2004, during Operation Al Fajir, my company came under heavy fire in the city of Al Fallujah. We were being mortared, and a shell exploded right next to a fellow Marine. I remember watching him launch into the air. His gear scattered all over the street. The blast was so close, I felt sure the Marine was not going to make it.
A few minutes later, however, that Marine miraculously picked himself up, collected his weapons and gear, and pushed on into the fight. That moment is still with me every day. People talk about service and commitment, and that's great. It's one thing to affix that idea to your car with a bumper sticker or magnet, but it's another thing altogether to see it dramatically in front of you. I swore that if I survived that day, that battle and that war, I would dedicate my life to my son, my family, and my fellow warriors to insure that the dedication and grit I witnessed are not only remembered but carried on in the affairs of civilian life back home. Moments of reckoning, such as this one, happen in life.
Congressman Joe Wilson is still recovering from his own moment of clarity last November. Accustomed to crushing his opponents by 22 points in a district he has always felt was overwhelmingly Republican, Wilson ran against me last November for the Second Congressional District of South Carolina and won. But this time, he only got 54% of the vote.
Rob Miller, who ran the most competitive race for a Democrat in South Carolina's Second Congressional District in decades, has launched a 2010 rematch with a fundraising appeal to past supporters.
"Together, during the 2008 campaign, we did what seemed impossible. We made South Carolina’s 2nd District competitive at a time when people said it couldn’t be done," Miller said in an email to supporters. "So, I don’t view the results as a loss, but instead as a first step towards winning back the district."
Miller got 46 percent of the vote against incumbent Joe Wilson in one of the most Republican districts in the entire country.
"Because of your support, we gave Joe Wilson a race he wasn’t expecting in 2008," Miller said. "And I believe that together, we can win in 2010."
In his email, Miller says he is working to address the housing crisis in the state:
"As I prepare for the next steps, I am enjoying working for South Carolina, finding ways to privately fund affordable housing in the poorest areas of our state. As you are well aware, these hard economic times have placed many families in dire need of help and opportunities to stay in housing that allows them to prosper. I am a firm believer in the importance of good quality housing for families and believe we can break out of the traditional mold to provide quality housing in a way that reinforces community and family ties."
Miller ended his email with a request for donations to retire his 2008 debt and begin the 2010 campaign:
"Your generosity is essential so that I can retire the remaining debt from my last campaign and look forward to 2010. I know that during these hard economic times, you may be facing some tough financial choices. But together, we have an opportunity to effect real change for South Carolina and for our nation."
Miller is a solid candidate who deserves progressive support, and it is encouraging to see him beginning his 2010 campaign early. You can contribute to his campaign here.
No one is saying this for attribution - and certainly no one is producing actual numbers - but South Carolina politicos are buzzing this afternoon that Obama is "within low single digits" in the state.
More important, though, is that if Obama is getting that kind of momentum in South Carolina, he may be providing a tailwind to Rob Miller and Linda Ketner.
If you want real change in South Carolina, call a county Campaign for Change office and volunteer to drive people to the polls, make phone calls, stand on a street corner and wave a sign. It's all about GOTV now, and my God, I believe it: YES WE CAN!
It's smack-down time in South Carolina's Second Congressional District race as Democratic challenger Rob Miller has just released a tough new ad pounding Republican incumbent Joe Wilson for his votes against several veterans' benefit bills.
The scathing 30 second spot hits the Congressman for voting "11 times against health care for veterans" and for his vote "against a combat bonus for our troops."
Miller's new ad ends with the message:
We can do better. Rob Miller, a decorated Iraq veteran, will fight for those who fought for us.
The ad will begin airing across the Second District Tuesday and is also currently up on Miller's campaign website -- embedded beside the list of veterans' health care bills that Congressman Wilson voted against. The list of bills from the website is below the jump.
Among today's must-read picks for all you political junkies, Roll Call examines the potential impact of an expected surge in minority voters this year in both the First and Second Congressional District races:
Unexpectedly strong Democratic fundraising and likely record African-American turnout for presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has Reps. Henry Brown (R) and Joe Wilson (R) protecting their political careers along coastal South Carolina a week out from Election Day.
"We're seeing a lot of people active for the presidential race [and] the minority vote is a little stronger," than previous years, Wilson spokesman Preston Grisham said Monday. "It's going to be slightly closer" than previous election cycles.
Also worth noting, the article ends with South Carolina's GOP Chairman Katon Dawson calling on Brown and Wilson to turn up the heat on their Democratic opponents ASAP:
South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson said Wilson and especially Brown should go negative from now until Election Day.
Still, Dawson said Brown should avoid "the politics of personal destruction" but added "as long as they're true, on the record and factual, then it's fair to give that to the voters. The ones who lose are the ones who didn't draw contrasts."
The latest South Carolina Second Congressional District poll results from Research 2000:
Rob Miller (D): 35
Joe Wilson (R-inc): 47 (10/20-22, MoE: ±4.9%)
In breaking down the latest SC-02 numbers, Daily Kos explains why Democrats have good reason to be hopeful:
Like the SC-01 numbers, these are really very impressive for a race that was barely on anyone's radar all year.
In fact, the numbers here may be even more stunning, as the Democratic candidate, Iraq War veteran Rob Miller, has not enjoyed the considerable resources that the independently wealthy Linda Ketner has. Miller has been a pretty good fundraiser for an outsider candidate, and is by all accounts a highly impressive candidate in person, but very few people in the country gave SC-02 a chance at being competitive here.
The numbers here break down a lot like SC-01, and that's good news for Miller. The Democrat gets 27% of the white vote, slightly better than Obama's 24%.
35% of blacks are currently undecided in a district where 27% of registered voters (24% of the sample) are black. If those undecided black voters do end up siding with Miller, it could be worth another 5-8 points for him, putting Miller solidly in striking distance of the incumbent, Joe Wilson.
Similar to Linda Ketner's numbers, the whopping 35% of undecided African-American voters means that if these voters come home to the Democratic nominee as expected, Miller is likely to gain another 7-8 points on the GOP incumbent between now and Election Day.
And with the Republican incumbent still unable to break 50% in this R+8.9 District less than 2 weeks out from the election, the SC-02 race promises to be a nail-biter for both sides on Election Night.
There's great news today for South Carolina congressional candidates Rob Miller and Linda Ketner.
After Ketner and Miller received national recognition from the DCCC this week, CQ Politics revised its ratings of the SC-01 and SC-02 races - indicating that the publication now believes both Democratic contenders have "stronger chances" of beating their Republican opponents this fall:
• South Carolina's 1st District (New Rating: Leans Republican. Old Rating: Safe Republican) Few races better illustrate the Democrats' aggressive effort to put longtime Republican congressional strongholds into play by recruiting enterprising challengers. Democrats for years effectively ceded South Carolina's 1st District, which takes in part of Charleston then hugs the coast to the North Carolina border. Henry E. Brown Jr. , the four-term Republican incumbent, won with 60 percent in 2006 and didn't even draw a Democratic challenger in 2004. But this year, the Democrats nominated businesswoman Linda Ketner, who is said to be running a well-disciplined campaign - aided by a stunning fundraising advantage.
Ketner reported raising $1.6 million through Sept. 30, nearly doubling the $861,000 Brown raised by the same date. Although $700,000 of Ketner's receipts came from loans she made to her own campaign, she nonetheless outraised Brown among individual contributors by $829,000 to $551,000.
Brown's campaign for re-election this time is complicated by Obama's appeal at the top of the Democratic ticket to African-American voters, most of whom are Democrats and who make up about a fifth of the district's electorate. Referring to incumbent Brown, Lee Bandy, a longtime political reporter for South Carolina's The State newspaper, said, "If blacks turn out in the numbers we think they're going to turn out, I think Henry could really be in trouble."
And in the SC-02:
• South Carolina's 2nd District (New Rating: Republican Favored. Old Rating: Safe Republican) The race in the 2nd District, in a swath of central and south South Carolina that hasn't seen a competitive House contest in years, truly came out of nowhere. But Republican Rep. Joe Wilson , who is seeking a fourth full term, is getting a tougher than usual challenge from Democrat Rob Miller, an Iraq War veteran, whom DCCC officials added to their "Emerging Races" roster, a precursor to the Red to Blue program.
Though Wilson piled up $951,000 in receipts through Sept. 30, Miller raised a total of $497,000 that was respectable for a long-shot incumbent facing stiff partisan odds in his district. Here, too, the Obama factor could come into play, as more than a quarter of the district's residents are black. Whites make up a minority of the population in four of the district's 10 counties.
