"The time has come that the American people know exactly what their Representatives are doing here in Washington. Are they feeding at the public trough, taking lobbyist-paid vacations, getting wined and dined by special interest groups?... the American people have a right to know."
-- U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, 11/16/95

The "Republican Revolution" that rode to Washington on the Contract with America in 1994, pledging to clean up politics, has become the most corrupt Congress in history. The Republican Party and the wealthiest, greediest special interests in the world have fused into one massive money machine -- with a cabal of crooked lobbyists like Jack Abramoff greasing the wheels.

Hello all - I apologize for my absence, much has happened since my last post.  Back then, people like Tom DeLay were talking about permanent Republican majorities.  Who would have ever thought that former Republican Leader Tom DeLay would have been indicted twice?  Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby would have been indicted and subsequently resigned from office?  And Bush's Supreme Court nominee would have gone down in flames?  The opportunity for change and for Democratic gains has never been better.  I know you have been following races around the country very closely, but I wanted to provide you some insight to our strategy here at the DCCC.  We cannot let Tom DeLay and the Republican Congress continue to derail and intimidate in their quest to subjugate the priorities of the American people to profits of a few.  

Their abuse of power is shocking, their open contempt for what we believe in is astounding, and their "political capital" is long since spent.  With only 15 seats to go, the DCCC is prepared for a tenacious fight in 2006. The failed economic policies and backwards priorities of President George W. Bush and House Republican Leader Tom DeLay have left the Republicans exposed and vulnerable - they had their shot, and they blew it.  We just need to make sure the country realizes that, and to do that we need to go district by district taking the nationalized message local  For that, we need your help.

From the diaries, a welcome to John Lapp's & the DCCC's response to the challenge to the DCCC to work with the netroots to contest all the Republicans in the House in 2004. There will also be a report from the ground of Ohio 2nd regarding the DCCC's role in the race; and on TomPaine.com, I've an article posted, More Hackett Jobs, that continues the dialogue, Jerome

I first want to thank Jerome Armstrong and Markos Moulitsas Zuniga for taking the time to come by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.  I truly enjoyed the opportunity to hear their views and discuss our vision for the 2006 cycle.  

Let me reiterate here, as stated in our meeting and on MyDD.com, I will keep my commitment.  On our website, by the end of the year, we will list every single Congressional District and those candidates who have the courage to file for Congress.  And we will do our best to update it on a timely basis when new candidates have filed, with the latest contact information so that the grassroots and netroots can get involved.