Michael Livingston & John McCain

Michael who?

Michael Livingston is a professor tax law who's running as a Republic for congress in Pennsylvania's 2d district (Philadelphia west of Broad St.) The district is majority Black, and candidates like Michael are often characterized as "sacrificial lambs." However, Michael is campaigning like a lion, and he will do well in the race.

I have asked nearly all Republican congressional candidates in Pennsylvania to do the smart thing -- and the right thing -- which is to endorse completely the campaign of John McCain for President. That's not the conventional wisdom, but it's the intelligent thing to do in a state that McCain can carry. Yes, he will lose some urban areas, but Sen. McCain will carry nearly every non-urban county in the state, including my own Beaver County.

Michael's press release is below. I hope it serves as a model for every Republican congressional candidate in the country. He goes after McCain voters -- and after Hillary Supporters, who are legion in PA. Michael's web site is at: http://livingstonforcongress.com. Please go there and help in any way you can -- and send a copy of his release to your own congressional candidate.

JUNE 4, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Congressional candidate Michael Livingston today congratulated Barack Obama on his securing of the Democratic presidential nomination, but suggested the nomination created a clear choice between the parties in November.

"As their speeches last night indicated, Barack Obama is a fine orator and an inspiration to millions of Americans, especially in the younger generation,"Livingston explained. "By contrast, John McCain is a doer, who has devoted his life to real, effective reform at times when it was not popular. The choice, in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, could not be clearer.

"In congratulating Obama, Livingston suggested that his campaign, like McCain's,would target Clinton Democrats who may feel disenfranchised as a result of the party's rejection of their candidate. He noted that the district contained a substantial number of such voters, particularly in Cheltenham Township,Roxborough, and the Southwest Philadelphia area.

"Like Obama, Chaka Fattah [current 2d district Congressman] has been an eloquent advocate of social change, but has not always delivered the goods to his constituents. I intent to discuss practical issues like tax and education reform, crime, and improved veterans benefits, and leave the rhetoric to the other side. As any Eagles fan can tell you, people in Philadelphia are less interested in promises than results," he added.

Livingston opposes Fattah in the November election.

Note: This piece was originally posted on McCainNow, the main site on the Web for John McCain comments. I urge you to take a few seconds to join McCainNow. Also, please visit Michael Livingston's web site.

Republicans Can Win in Pennsylvania

Note: Someone asked me why I was leaving out Craig Williams, a fine GOP candidate for Congress in the 7th District (against Joe Sestak). I've had Craig's link up, and I'll begin discussing his race soon. In the meantime, I invite you to visit Craig's site at: http://craigwilliamsforcongress.com. Like so many Republicans in PA, Craig is in a tough race. If McCain does very well in PA, Craig has a great chance to win. In 2004, the Republican candidate won the district by 62,000 votes.

Note: John McCain's choice for a running-mate could very influence many races, including those in Pennsylvania. I strongly urge him to name Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska. I explain why she is the best choice on: http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com/ & http://camp2008victorya.blogspot.com/. Sarah, a life member of the NRA, is particulary attractive to PA voters.

Later today (Thursday), I'll post additional material on this blog, mainly about the education issue (see the column below). For Republican candidates like Hart, Gilhooley, Kats, and Manion to win, they need to get across the point that they know how to solve the nation's problems -- and their opponents (all incumbent Democrats) don't. If the incumbents had a clue on how to deal effectively with issues like education, crime, and health care, presumably they would have done so. They haven't, and thus they don't deserve re-election. (In the case of Michael Livingston, his chances of winning against Democrat Chaka Fattah are from all appearances slim, largely because of the racial make-up of his Philadelphia district. However, he's effectively begun a process that will lead to his getting many more votes -- in the tens of thousands -- than any other Republican ever has in the 2d. My estimate is that Michael might have more "secret supporters" than any candidate in the nation.) All these candidates I've highlighted truly deserve your support.

This weekend I'll discuss Livingston's recent press releases, which have implications for all Republican congressional candidates in PA. "If you build a small army of dedicated volunteers, you win. If you don't, well, there's always 2010 or 2012." By October of this year, I expect Hart, Gilhooley, Manion, and Kats all will have gone above 45% (the tipping point) in polls. If they do so, there's a good chance most (or all) of them will win.

Pennsylvania Congressional Candidates: Listen Up!

One of the main purposes of this blog is to have a continuing dialogue with the various Republican congressional candidates and their supporters. The key for Republicans confronting Democrat incumbents is to spend their scarce resources very wisely. Should candidates hire high-priced consultants? Only if those consultants are almost literally worth their weight in gold? Should the candidates spend large sums reserving TV time for commercials? Only if they've lost their minds.

As the election approaches, there will be hundreds of political ads -- especially for the presidential candidates -- airing. Left-wing special interest groups, such as the Democratic national committee, MoveOn.org and other entities will be airing nonstop "Hate McCain" ads. Viewers will be making liberal use of their TIVOs. Others will just engage in full-time channel switching.

Republican candidates need to create small armies of volunteers. Also, they need to start wearing out pairs of shoes going door-to-door and talking to small groups. Also, they need to do something many candidates hate: asking for modest ($50 or less) amounts of money, so they can keep their campaigns afloat.

In terms of appealing to voters, these Republican candidates need to make the point that they represent change. Voting to keep the same people in offices -- i.e., the Democrats -- represents not change but more of the same. They need to keep saying the following: "The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over again . . . and expecting different results."

I'm also strongly recommending that most Republican congressional candidates (although not all perhaps) need to explain why a vote for their opponent is a a vote AGAINST John McCain. The old concept that a candidate should not link himself or herself to any other candidate would be counter-productive this year. McCain is going to win MOST congressional districts by a wide margin.

Also, in most counties there is a great distaste for Obama, who has expressed contempt for most Pennsylvanians (in the "bitter" comments). The key is for the Republicans to say loudly and often that they support McCain -- while their opponent does not.

Candidates who have a good plan and carry it out rigorously should do very well. When anyone asks them, "How can I help?", they need to have something simple and effective to recommend.


This is an add-on to the column below. Pennsylvania Republican candidates facing off against incumbent Democrats must realize one important fact: their Democratic opponent are going to raise tons of money.

At this point, Allyson Schwartz apparently already has raised more than $2 million -- and it's only May! Schwartz is the wife of a super-wealthy cardiologist and a darling of Emily's List, Moveon.org and other radical groups who advocate an America that's nothing more than an oppressive nanny-state. Is Schwartz beatable (and add the names Holden, Altmire, and (Patrick) Murphy)? If Marina Kats (in the 13th district) can raise enough money to run a powerful volunteer-intensive campaign, Mrs. Schwartz could be beaten. In general, Schwartz backs an agenda that's deeply harmful to the people of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia.

The key to beating an entrenched Democrat is to run a different kind of campaign -- one that's extremely cost-effective. Enriching the Philadelphia area TV stations is not a cost-effective approach. There are in fact ways to run inexpensive campaigns that are very effective. I keep citing Christy Whitman's campaign against Bill Bradley in the 1990 U.S. Senate race in New Jersey. If Mrs. Whitman could get nearly 49% of the vote in a campaign in which she raised $900,000, then Marina Kats -- an extremely attractive candidate -- can perform a similar feat with $900,000.

Allyson Schwartz could become the first $5 million loser in the history of the House of Representatives. Schwartz is a terrible congresswoman. Marina Kats could be a great one. That's a very effective selling point.

I've given the candidates (and, in some cases) their staff members a way to contact Sharon Caliendo. She's a political consultant and activist in Oklahoma who works mainly in OK and TX. She has been associated with many winning campaigns. Her emphasis is on low-cost, high-impact politics, where candidates get a major bang for their buck. Neither she nor I are currently being paid anything by any candidate. That's not to say it will never happen, only that it's not happening now (by design), and that's fine with us. I will continue to support the candidates I've named right through November 4. Sharon's e-mail is SKCalien@aol.com.

One critical thing candidates need to do over the next many months is to collect as many addresses (particulary e-mail addresses) of supporters. Then, after the election, whether you win or lose, keep your e-mail lists -- and stay in touch (monthly or every other month perhaps) with your supporters. That will make the next campaign a lot easier than this one.

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning. It smells like victory." (Apocalypse Now)

I've never smelled napalm, and I hope I never do. However, I have experienced the scent of victory, and it always smells sweet.

About 10 days ago, I was talking to one of my candidates, and she confessed to occasionally being discouraged by Republicans who were fearful of going against her incumbent Democrat opponent. It's okay to be discouraged in campaigns, but it's essential to overcome the "down" feelings. The way you win is to act like a winner -- as Mrs. Clinton has done in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

I'm backing five Republicans, but they aren't -- or shouldn't be -- running primarily as Republicans. They should be campaigning as good people, which they are. They have to go up to people -- many thousands of people -- and say, "Look, I know how to represent the people of this district. I'm a better candidate than my opponent. I'm also a better person than he (or she) is."

The people who hear that message may still vote for (or worse, give money) to the Democrat. But they will feel a little guilty for doing so.

All the candidates I'm support will be outspent -- sometimes by three-or-four-to-1. But when candidates have millions of dollars they tend to throw a lot of it down political ratholes. In campaigns, the one who works the hardest usually wins (or at least comes close).

In June and July, I'm going to make a major effort to advertise this site to make more Pennsylvanians (and interested parties in other states) aware that it exists. In September and October (and November!), it's easy to get attention for discussions of races for federal offices. I want the Republican candidates endorsed on this site to know that I have genuine affection and respect for them. Whatever I can do to help them generate support -- including financial contributions -- I'll do. Winning is part of a process, and sometimes it doesn't occur as quickly as we'd like.

Ask my friend and political ally, Diana Irey, who ran so hard and well against John Murtha. I was involved in both of Newt Gingrich's first two campaigns for the House, in 1974 and 1976. Running against a deeply entrenched Democrat, he lost both times -- by identical percentages of 52% to 48%. In 1978, his earlier opponent, faced with Newt's relentlessness, retired, and Gingrich finally won the "prize." He would not be denied.

When Diana lost to Murtha in 2006, I was driving home and, although defeat is always bitter in some ways, my thought was of Diana and what a wonderful woman she was. There is a way to lose -- a graceful one -- that is almost (but not quite) as good as winning. Right now, Melissa Hart, Toni Gilhooley, Marina Kats, Mike Livingston, and Tom Manion all looks like winners to me. Keep your chins up -- and think "victory."

IRAQ: VITAL TO AMERICA'S FUTURE

Picture of would-be President Barack Obama and his "spiritual advisor" and honorary "uncle" Rev. Jeremiah Wright. All of us look forward to hearing much more "wit and wisdom" from Rev. Wright. "I could no more disown him that I could disown my own grandmother." (Barack Obama) Recently, Sen. Obama talked about his carrying "57 states," truly an amazing accomplishment.

As many of you know, I'm deeply involved in a growing national movement to reach out to people who support Sen. Clinton in the presidential primaries -- and get them to vote for John McCain in the general election. As many as 10 million Clinton supporters nationally say they will -- or might -- vote for McCain. If he gets most of those votes, he will win the election.

I'm also asking Pennsylvania congressional candidates to take the (admittedly unusual) step of strongly endorsing Sen. McCain and denouncing the disturbing comments Obama made about "bitter" Pennsylvanians. If you scroll down, you'll discover several analyses of the congressional races.

My view of Sen. Clinton is this: yes, I disagree with her on many (even most) issues. No, I don't regard her as "the Witch of Endor." In Pennsylvania, she impressed many of us -- however reluctant we might have been -- with her personal grit and the ferocity of her campaign. In short, in a street-fight I want her on my side. As for Obama, in said street-fight I want him to hold my coat (and Hillary's). I have an important column up today on my new -- and, to my amazement, popular! -- site: http://HillarySupportersforMcCain.blogspot.com ("Hatchets Hacking Away at Hillary"). Please visit and, if you'd like, let me know your thoughts. You can leave comments on the blog or write me at: TalkTop65@aol.com. There's also a lot of discussion of Hillary voters on the important new McCain site: http://mccainnow.com. Please check out "McCainNow."

Americans in every state, especially including Pennsylvania, are urging John McCain to choose as his running mate Gov. Sarah Heath Palin of Alaska. If you'd like to learn more about Sarah, please go to the following web site (run by Adam Brickley): http://palinforvp.blogspot.com/. God bless Sarah and her remarkable family. Thanks to Ethan of "MyMacainBlog" for creating this button.

A site you might truly enjoy -- and part of an important national movement -- is: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com/. Please visit (and return)

"I am in earnest; I will not equivocate; I will not excuse; I will not retreat a single inch; and I will be heard." -- William Lloyd Garrison

Note: I will be writing some more this weekend about the races between two Republicans, Melissa Hart and Toni Gilhooley, against two Democrats (Jason Altmire and Tim Holden). Then, I'll fall relatively (key word) silent on the congressional races for about a week or so. I'm also writing regularly on a great site: www.mccainnow.com. I hope everyone will go to mccainnow and register (painlessly) to participate in the discussions there. Finally, please check out the web sites for Melissa Hart, Toni Gilhooley, Tom Manion, Mike Livingston, and Marina Kats. They need your help! Even small donations ($25 or less) will be a boost for the campaigns.

Dr. Paul Kengor, distinguished political scientist at Grove City College and expert on Ronald Reagan and many other subjects, asked me about my appearance last night on Eric Dondero BlogTalkRadio show LIBERTARIAN POLITICS LIVElibertarian, Republican, Libertarian Party, libertari

Paul, you can find an archived version by by going to Eric Dondero's site (click above). It's available for at least a week on "Podcast." It was one of the most amazing experiences I've had in many years.

Dr. Murray Sabrin, candidate for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in NJ, is a nice man with great views on the economy, but he disagrees with McCain on Iraq. He cited poll numbers that showed 70% of NJ voters "want out" of Iraq. I told him that "70% of NJ voters are dead wrong on that."

Eric Dondero, talk show host and a Navy vet, and I attacked Sabrin's views rather ferociously. I told him (essentially) that if we flee Iraq and al Qaeda takes over in the MidEast the price of oil will be $250 a barrel and our economy and civil society will be destroyed.

I also said that the primary goal of Mideast extremists is "to kill Jews . . . and to destroy Israel." Dr. Sabrin is Jewish and his father was an officer in the Polish Army in WW II. I read a statement by Marina Kats (also a Jew and born in Russia), who's a Republican candidate for Allyson Schwartz's seat, where Marina says she'd like to get out of Iraq as soon as possible but only when it's "safe" to do so -- and serves our "national security" needs.

Eric and I both "accused" (not in a mean way) Dr. Sabrin, Obama, and others of wanting a "Fortress America," an approach that would only encourage terrorists and eventually result in more 9/11 disasters.

I asked Dr. Sabrin, "Don't you think John McCain knows -- more than any other American -- about the horrors and tragedies of war?' Dr. Sabrin pointed out that we hadn't yet captured Osama bin Laden. I said that was true -- and a black mark on U.S. intelligence, but that we had captured Khalid Sheik Muhammed (KSM), "the architect of 9/11."

I added there was some concern about the treatment of KSM, but I didn't give a hoot about what happened with him. I said, "If they boil him in oil, it's better than he deserves." I speculated that the ACLU was probably in Guantanamo seeing if KSM needed an additional pillow and extra copies of the Koran.

I mentioned with great respect the campaign of retired Marine Colonel Tom Manion (against Patrick Murphy). Col. Manion's son, Travis, a Naval Academy graduate, was killed in Iraq.Eric emphasized that there's a disconnect between war opponents and the soldiers who are serving in Iraq (and Afghanistan). Eric noted that the soldiers' job is, if necessary, "to die for their country." They don't want to die, but they are willing to pay that price.

I cited some wonderful young Marines I know (Adam and Matt) who have served several tours in garden spots that include Fallujah and that absolutely fall into the category described by Eric.

I called attention to Barack Obama's statement that if things went to Hades in a handbasket if we withdrew precipitously from Iraq, then President Obama might "reinvade." I pointed out that his irresponsible statement showed Obama was totally detached from the realities in the MidEast and was pandering to the extreme Left.

Near the end of the program I talked about the candidacies of John McCain and (congressional candidates) Melissa Hart, Toni Gilhooley, Michael Livingston, Tom Manion, and Marina Kats. I said that some of them might lose -- and in fact all of them might lose. But if they did, they would not be going "gentle into that good night," but rather go down with guns blazing. My support for them it total because they are absolutely outstanding human beings.

(I've added some phrases above for clarification. I haven't done justice to Eric's wonderful assertion of his own love for America and its servicemen and servicewomen. He said the VA, operating under very difficult circumstances, is doing a "wonderful" job treating American soldiers.)

On a past show, Eric Dondero, who has some unusual guests, had me on as a guest with a transvestite "libertarian" from Kansas. At one point on that show I promised that I would move to Kansas to vote for him (her?). Actually, I plan to stay in Ambridge.

Frankly, I was very proud to be on the show last night and to have a partner like Eric. I think we are both sick of the "fantasy debate" that usually goes on about the war in Iraq. People who oppose the war have a right to their opinions, but they must make every effort not to frame the debate in a way that endangers the lives of men and women defending this country.

100 Ways to Win Elections!

This week I'll be writing about two important Pennsylvania congressional races: Melissa Hart versus Jason Altmire (incumbent Democrat) in the 4th district (western PA) and Toni Gilhooley versus Tim Holden (incumbent Democrat) in the 17th district (Harrisburg area). Other races I'm focusing on are the ones involving Mike Livingston (Philadelphia w. of Broad St.) and Marina Kats (Montgomery County & Northeast Philadelphia). I'll also be posting more pictures like the remarkable one below.

Ray "Bubba" Sorensen and the magnificent "Rock of American Ages" that he painted. More about Bubba and more pictures of the rock in future columns. Please pass them on to friends and fellow McCain supporters. My dear friend Rhodann Elliott of Corpus Christi, Texas, sent me this picture and several others. I told Rhodann, a fellow flag-waver and with a son-in-law in Iraq, that individuals like Barack and Michelle cannot understand what America and the flag mean to people like us (and especially, to John McCain). As a poet said in another context, "It means not less than everything." As you see on the rock, "All give some, some give all."

IF YOU WD LIKE E-MAILED COPIES OF SORENSEN'S PICTURES, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT: TALKTOP65@AOL.COM. (THERE ARE 10)

Note: If you and your supporters take many of actions listed below, you'll be singing a happy tune on Election Eve, November 4. I hope every candidate, congressional and otherwise, and all their supporters put up a similar list up on your web site/blog. You might modify and shorten it, perhaps to "25 (or 50) ways you can help me [your candidate] win in November." Remember, however, that it makes sense to ask supporters to do a few things rather than many. (I'll write more about that in coming days.)

One important additional step candidates should take is to list and recommend the blogs of supporters -- including yours truly -- on the campaign web site. Another step is to get people to visit those web sites -- and urge them to contribute.

Note: If candidates need help adapting this list to their own situations, they should contact me at: TalkTop65@aol.com.

From Moms for McCain blog: http://moms4mccain.blogspot.com/Some days I wish I could personally fly to every McCain appearance, gas up the Straight Talk Express, and talk to every undecided voter in America. But I can't. The good news is there are PLENTY of ways to support McCain for those of us with limited funds and time.Here are some ideas, in random order, ranging from obvious to creative, easy to challenging! Report back which ideas worked!

1. Put a McCain bumper sticker on your car.
2. Put a McCain sign on your lawn (or in your apartment/dorm window or office/cubicle.)
3. Change your email signature to promote http://www.johnmccain.com/ or the Moms for McCain blog http://moms4mccain.blogspot.com/ (or insert your other favorite blog).
4. Change your voicemail message (may help avoid unwanted Obama supporter calls too!).
5. Support McCain on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/johnmccain.
6. Support McCain on Facebook
7. Join the John McCain 2008 Ning network (there is participation from campaign volunteer staff on this board too)
8. Participate in LinkedIn discussions with McCain folks.
9. Add a McCain widget to your webpage.
10. Invite 10 friends to join http://www.mccainnow.com/
11. Find the Google Group for your state for updates on local events, volunteering, etc. at http://www.mccaingooglegroups.com/
12. Leave pro-McCain comments at YouTube, official campaign videos are posted by http://www.johnmccain.com/.
13. Check out the McCain video channel at http://www.veoh.com/
14. Write letters to the editor of national and local papers http://www.johnmccain.com/ActionCenter/WriteNewspapers.aspx
15. Call in to radio shows: Michael Medved
16. Call in to radio shows: Laura Ingraham
17. Call in to radio shows: Rush Limbaugh
18. Call in to radio shows: Sean Hannity
19. Call in to radio shows: Dennis Prager
20. Call in to radio shows: Hugh Hewitt (side note: not always a huge fan of his, but I read his book on Blogging cover-to-cover during bath times and recommend it for novice bloggers.)
21. Call in to radio shows: Mike Gallagher
22. Call in to radio shows: Bill Bennett
23. Call into radio shows: Michelle Malkin
24. Join the John McCain Meetup group to meet other supporters online and in person!
25. Volunteer with your local Republican party - getting voters out to support McCain.
26. Share your convictions with people you trust, via e-mail, letter, or face-to-face. There's no substitute for 'straight talk!'
27. Ask your friends if they are registered to vote. If they're busy Moms, ask if they register absentee so they don't have to schlep out to vote (this is encouraged in Washington state, check with your local jurisdiction).
28. Doorbell for McCain prior to primaries and elections in your state (usually coordinated through local Republican Party).
29. Email a letter of support, including a link to http://www.johnmccain.com/ to anyone/everyone in your address book.
30. Make http://www.johnmccain.com/ your homepage so you're up to date on the campaign.
31. Vote for McCain in online polls. Here's one for this week.
32. Contact cable stations running false and offensive ads to complain.
33. PRAY for wisdom for McCain, his campaign staff and volunteers, and American voters.
34. Forward a blog post you like to 5 friends a day (if you feel like you're bugging people, pick different friends each day.)
35. Buy and read McCain's biography, Faith of Our Fathers.
36. Come to a McCain event.
37.
Thank Sela Ward for her support of McCain and Hope Village for Children, her charity serving children in Mississippi.38. Sign up to volunteer for the campaign in your state.
39. Join the CafeMom John McCain for President Group!
40. Digg pro-McCain articles.41. Support pro-McCain articles and blog posts at Delicious.
42. Find pro-McCain blogs at http://www.wonkosphere.com/.43. Share sites with good news about McCain, such as Citizens Against Government Waste.44. Support future first lady Cindy McCain's entrepreneurship by drinking Budweiser Beer!45. Register for http://www.mccainnow.com/ - a forum for McCain supporters.46. Wear a McCain lapel pin or button.
47. Buy a McCain coffee mug to drink in at your office. Those who don't care won't comment. May bring a few McCain supporters out of the closet (or their cubicles!)
48. Wear a McCain t-shirt to the gym.49. Carry a McCain water bottle (good for you, the environment, and the campaign!)
50. Post pro-McCain comments on CNN
51. Post pro-McCain comments on FoxNews
52. Post pro-McCain comments on MSNBC
53. Post pro-McCain comments on ABCNews
54. Post pro-McCain comments on CBSNews
55. Post pro-McCain comments on NBCNews
56. Post pro-McCain comments on Yahoo!
57. McCain key chain - every cashier, valet, carpool Mom will see it, only $5.00!
58. Wear your work badge (or, summer travelers, your ID/ticket) on a McCain lanyard.
59. Host a screening of 'Faith of My Fathers' DVD, based on McCain's biographical book about his captivity in Vietnam and the character that experience forged.
60. Wear a McCain baseball cap to kids' sports events and practices.
61. Treat baby to a McCain onesie! Who could resist an adorable, right-thinking cherub?!!?
62. Attend a local GOP meeting to network with fellow McCain supporters.
63. Shake hands with a veteran (or current soldier, sailor, airman) and tell them you're a McCain supporter who appreciates their service.
64. Tell friends about media appearances by John and Cindy McCain - lately they have each been on The View, David Letterman, Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
65. Create your own blog to support McCain. It's easy - I did it, you can too! Instructions at http://mccain08olc.blogspot.com/
66. Make a "Victory Jar" or "Freedom Fund", put in your loose change, and donate to the campaign once a month.
67. Find the McCain group for your religious affiliation - including Evangelicals for McCain, Catholics for McCain and more. See http://www.mv08.info/ for some listings (don't find one? Start one!)
68. Make a pro-McCain avatar (online picture identifier thingie) at http://www.meez.com/.
69. Add a pro-McCain button to your Yahoo homepage. http://news.yahoo.com/elections
70. Request McCain events at http://www.eventful.com/ .
71. Get up-to-the-minute messages from Twitter - John McCain 2008McCain News
72. Active Rain Group http://activerain.com/groups/JohnMcCain
73. Provide pro-McCain comments at http://www.huddlez.com/
74. Leave pro-McCain comments on http://www.blogher.com/
75. Leave pro-McCain comments at http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/
76. Leave pro-McCain comments at http://www.momsbuzz.com/
77. Put a McCain sticker up in your business.
78. Leave pro-McCain comments at http://www.youdecide2008.com/
79. Respond to editors of major magazines reporting on McCain: Time
80. Respond to editors of major magazines reporting on McCain: Newsweek
81. Respond to editors of major magazines reporting on McCain: US News & World Report
82. Include John McCain quotes as your 'quote of the day' or email signature.
83. Check out McCain-friendly forums at http://www.patriotscorner.com/forums/
84. Check out McCain-friendly forums at http://mccaintalk.com/
85. Check out McCain-friendly forums at http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/240445.html#6
86. "Buzz" up Yahoo! articles on McCain http://buzz.yahoo.com/
87. Post a sticker or pro-McCain flyer featuring the website at your supermarket, library, senior center, or other public bulletin board.
88. Leave pro-McCain comments on Politico http://www.politico.com/
89. Leave pro-McCain comments on Little Green Footballs http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/
90. Leave pro-McCain comments on Instapundit http://www.instapundit.com/
91. Leave pro-McCain comments on http://www.townhall.com/
92. Register for updates from http://www.gop.com/
93. Join a McCain group representing you:r ethnic group: Latino, African-American, etc.
94. Leave pro-McCain comments on http://www.eyeon08.com/.
95. Leave pro-McCain comments on AOL.96. Leave pro-McCain comments on MSN.
97. Leave pro-McCain comments on http://www.realclearpolitics.com/.
98. Treat your stickered car to a McCain license plate holder http://store.johnmccain.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=LCR3024
99. This Mother's Day, tell Dad you want your own Mom for McCain gear!!
Oh, and yes, #100: You can donate to the campaign!!

Republican Congressional candidates whose web sites you will like:

Melissa Hart -- http://peoplewithhart.com/
Toni Gilhooley -- http://gilhooleyforcongress.com/
Marina Kats -- http://katsforcongress.com/ (preliminary site)
Michael Livingston -- http://livingstonforcongress.com/.

Philadelphians: Read This Page

I have a new column on the Pennsylvania Republican candidates available at: http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com/. A revised version will appear here on Monday.


NOTE 2: ANY CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE OR SUPPORTER WHO WOULD LIKE TO USE ALL OR PART OF THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE IS WELCOME TO DO SO. JUST GIVE A LINK TO THE SITE:(HTTP:PENNSYLVANIAFORJOHNMCCAIN.BLOGSPOT.COM).




Rep. Chaka Fattah (born "Arthur Davenport"). Yes, now that you mention it, he does look a little like Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Voted the Congressman "Most Likely to Be Led Off in Leg-Irons" -- okay, I made that part up.


If you've never heard of Chaka Fattah (Shock-uh Fuh-tah), congressman from Pennsylvania's 2d district (city of Philadelphia west of Broad St.) you're like 99.9% of the American people. Lucky you. Lucky them.

In the minds of many people, including yours truly, Fattah represents everything that's wrong with America's big-city politics. He's ideologically hostile to just about every governmental or private action that would help the people of his district.


Fattah is a Democrat version of "Dr. No." If there's ever a good piece of legislation proposed -- say, repealing the death tax or curbing federal spending or extending the Patriot Act -- he votes against it.


The Sunday and Monday column will deal with the congressional race between Democrat Fattah and Republican challenger Michael Livingston.


Fattah is known as the congressman who wouldn't release his tax returns. Livingston, coincidentally, is a law professor at Rutgers-Camden and an expert on taxes. Perhaps Michael could volunteer to help Chaka with those pesky returns?


Governor Ed Rendell used to be Mayor of Philadelphia, and he ran for the state's highest office on the basis of what he called "The Philadelphia Miracle." Unfortunately, the "miracle" turned out to be Philly's role as a national leader in crime, unemployment, poverty, and general misery.


Like Rendell, Fattah, now in his seventh-term and apparently electable unto eternity, is no miracle worker. Philly's troubles continue -- and multiply.


In a district that's more than 60% Black and almost monolithically Democrat, it would be a true miracle if Michael won this year's election. It also would be the best thing that's happened in Philly since the Eagles drafted Donovan McNabb.

Congressman Fattah has been one of the cheerleaders for Mumia Abu-Jamal, who murdered Philadelphia policeman Daniel Faulkner. In a city with a murder rate that sometimes approaches that of Baghdad, Philadelphia really doesn't need politicians doing "huggy-bunny" with killers.

If you have an interest in Mumia Abu-Jamal and, especially, Daniel Faulkner, go to the "Justice for Police Officer Daniel Faulkner" web site. As you'll discover, Fattah didn't exactly cover himself with glory by jumping on Mumia Abu-Jamal's unsavory bandwagon.

(In his murder of Faulkner, Abu-Jamal and his brother, one William Cook, were found at the scene with an emptied gun. They insisted they didn't see who committed the murder -- hint, hint -- or see who did.)

But isn't Fattah extremely popular with his voters in his district, where he generally gets 88% of the vote? Not really. He's just a name on the Democrat ticket. The votes for him are more Pavlovian than reflective.

When Fattah decided to run for Mayor in the Democratic primary, he didn't win. In fact, he got only 15% of the vote, essentially in a tie for last place with Bob Brady, who happens to be the congressman from the other side of Philadelphia. Thus, few people like Fattah. They just vote for him out of habit.

Misery abounds. The poverty rate in the 2d district approaches 30%. It was approximately 30% when Fattah came into office, and it will be about 30% when he leaves. The occasional government handouts Fattah periodically doles out to his constituents don't do anything to deal with the district's fundamental problems.

Chaka Fattah has been on the government payroll for 30 years -- and counting. He has built up one heckuva pension, and he's married to a beautiful local TV anchor. What a country!

Republican Mike Livingston? Oh, he's just a guy who knows about taxes (and the need to keep them low) and economics. He's a person who believes strongly in economic development and personal freedom, both of them great medicine for what ails the district. He doesn't have any sympathy for "celebrity cop-killers" such as Abu-Jamal.


Does Mike Livingston have a chance of winning? To him, I'd say what I recently told another candidate: save any thoughts about winning or losing for, say, November 1. Get your message out the best you can, and then -- win or lose -- you'll have nothing to be ashamed about. Livingston and Philadelphia both have a chance to make a positive statement.

(This will be Sunday's column here. On my national blog on Sunday, I'll have another column.)