Jerry McNerney's website

From Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney: "A Very Big Thank You" (and video from our victory party)

It's been an incredible whirlwind week since I was elected on November 7 as your Congressman-Elect in California's 11th Congressional District. Today, I'm spending my first full day in Washington, D.C., taking the first steps to being sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives in January.

I owe my election to you. When others said I would not be able to overcome an entrenched incumbent with millions of dollars, you believed otherwise. Without your steadfast support, winning would not have been possible.

Thank you.

Winning a Congressional seat is an incredible undertaking. It certainly takes money and lots of it. But anyone who thinks it’s all about money is sadly mistaken. What it really takes is heart, passion, commitment, and the accumulated intelligence of hundreds of supporters.

In our incredible victory, these ingredients created the people power that overcame a 2-to-1 disadvantage in fundraising, shocking the pundits and power-brokers. I may have initially stood up and decided enough was enough, but it was the tidal wave of people -- who decided to make a real difference and step up with time, energy, and love of country -- that created the real change. 

I was overwhelmed by what happened in the last six weeks of the campaign. We saw the wave building, week by week. We saw the tide coming in, day by day. More people every day working, walking, phoning, filing, delivering signs, mailing, recording data, and doing everything that needed to be done. In the final days of the campaign, it reached a crescendo that loudly resonated on Election Night.

It was truly a thing of beauty. It was awesome to see people of all kinds, all ages, all walks of life, coming out to make a real difference: People who chose to take action, no longer satisfied with the status quo. Whether you were able to volunteer or contribute your hard-earned dollars, you made this amazing victory possible.

Because of your volunteer and financial support, we had an organization in place capable of managing this incredible onslaught of people power. Spearheaded by intelligent and passionate citizens who dedicated months of their lives to our campaign for change, we, together, stood up and changed the direction of our beloved country.

I have no way to fully express my appreciation and honor for what you have done. But I asked our staff to work over the last few days to create a special victory video for those who could not be there on Election Night.

The video provides highlights of the speech I gave at our Victory Party, footage of our Get Out The Vote campaign across the district, and excerpts of volunteers talking about why they decided to join our campaign for change.

You can watch our 6-minute Victory Party Video by clicking here.

We have won an election. And now it's time to chart a new direction for the 11th Congressional District and America. In the coming weeks, I will be communicating with you about our agenda. Meanwhile, many wonderful ideas from the grassroots helped our people-powered campaign over the last few months. The campaign may be over but our dialogue is not. I would like to hear your ideas for how we can move our district and our great nation forward.

Please send your thoughts to "newideas@jerrymcnerney.org".

As your Congressman-Elect, I will do my absolute best to bring positive change, hope and optimism to our country. That’s my pledge to you for the work you have done.

Thank you for your support. Thank you for your trust. I look forward to being your voice in Congress.

P.S. I have received hundreds of emails and phone calls congratulating me on our victory. I wish I could share them all with you. However, you can share your thoughts with me and others. In the comments to this post, please tell me (and everyone) what this election means to you.

Where's your polling place? What about absentee ballots? Voting problems?

The final day is upon us. Jerry will be going to the polls at 9 a.m. to vote at Donlon Elementary School in Pleasanton.

As you go to the polls and cast your ballots for Jerry, there is one more thing you can do. You can be our extended eyes for the election in making sure that your vote, and every vote, cast for Jerry is counted for Jerry.

If you see anything happening at your polling place that does not seem right, appropriate or fair, call this number:

1-877-321-VOTE

For example, tell us about: problems with machines; paper record inaccuracies; poll worker meddling; voter intimidation; long lines, poll equipment tampering; and, breaches of security.

That phone number will connect you to the California Democratic Party and they will forward your call to us. Our lawyers can answer your questions and can respond to improper activity.

Again, that's 1-877-321-VOTE.

Need to find your polling place?

Many folks misplace their election guides (which include the polling place address). Or, they get confused when the poll location has moved from where it was on the last election.

Click here to access the California Democratic Party's polling-place lookup tool:

http://tinyurl.com/yh6f45

Just type in any California street address and zip code, and you will receive information about your polling place!

Still have your absentee ballot?

Absentee ballots that have NOT been mailed can be dropped off at ANY polling location on Election Day before 8 p.m -- a postmark does not count!

IMPORTANT: Do NOT mail your absentee ballot -- it is too late! Your absentee ballot must be received at a polling place no later than 8 p.m. today! Just take your absentee ballot to ANY polling place.

If you have lost your absentee ballot, you can turn in a provisional ballot to ANY polling place in your county.

Thank you for your time and spread the word far and wide!

Have a great election day!

Join Jerry at our Election Night Party! (w/ photos)

On Tuesday, the citizens of the 11th District will choose between a new direction for America or continued corruption and self-interest at the expense of our country's future.  Because of you, this race has become THE race the country is watching -- ground zero in the referendum on Richard Pombo and the Bush Administration.

Jerry McNerney rallying canvassers in Stockton

When I first met Jerry over two years ago, I knew right away that he was going to be part of the solution to what ails our country. What I saw was an ordinary man with extraordinary vision and courage. I saw a man that knew he had to do something -- at any personal expense -- to save our country and our planet. And I saw in him a quiet common sense that went far beyond slick politics. 

For two years, the McNerney campaign has been hard at work, non-stop, letting the people of the district know that Jerry will be a better representative in Congress. And now, with polls showing the race a dead heat, the momentum is on our side. It all comes down to this. . .

Team McNerney volunteers in Stockton do their best "Jerry McNerney"

For the last 48 hours, hundreds of volunteers have been knocking on doors in every area of the district, calling voters on the phone, sending emails and money and showing unending dedication to Jerry and his vision for the country.

Remember, we've only got one day left to win this incredible race.

If you want to know you did EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER to help Jerry defeat Richard Pombo, please consider taking a "Day Off for Democracy" by signing up to Get Out The Vote today, tonight and -- even more importantly -- on Election Day.

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/GOTV

To defeat Richard Pombo, we need your feet on the street!

And now, after all you've done for Jerry, we want to celebrate YOU and the campaign that YOU CREATED!

We hope you’ll join Jerry, his wife Mary and his children Michael, Greg and Windy and his entire staff to celebrate all of your hard work and to watch election returns at our McNerney for Congress Election Night Party. Festivities begin shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m.:

MCNERNEY FOR CONGRESS
ELECTION NIGHT PARTY

San Ramon Golf Club
9430 Fircrest Lane
San Ramon, CA 94583

Just 5 minutes from our Dublin HQ and 44 minutes from our Stockton HQ!

Click here for a map

Coming from Stockton? Victory Shuttles will leave from the Stockton HQ (4212 N. Pershing Ave) to the Election Night Party. Buses will load up at 8:30 & 9:00 p.m. and carry volunteers to the party at the San Ramon Golf Club. Rides return to Stockton at 12:30 and 1 a.m. Questions? Call Alyssa or Eric at the Stockton Office at 209-478-5961 or "rsvp@jerrymcnerney.org".
 

Thanks to all of you for your dedication to take back our country and elect Jerry to Congress!

See you on Tuesday night!

Vicki Cosgrove
Scheduler
McNerney for Congress

P.S. Every event we put on costs the campaign money. For a grassroots campaign that has stretched every dollar to win, we would appreciate any help you can provide. Of course, there is no required fee for entry, but we will be happy to accept any donations to help pay off the final expenses of our people-powered campaign for change.

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/contribute

Thank you!

Stem cell research advocate Michael J. Fox endorses McNerney for Congress

Today Michael J. Fox strongly endorsed Democratic congressional candidate Jerry McNerney. As a vocal proponent of medical research, Fox is supporting candidates who support all forms of stem cell research in races where their opponents simply do not.

"America is about hope, about promise, about always moving forward, and we deserve leaders who are willing to deliver that hope to their constituents," Fox stated.

"The idea of restricting one of the most promising areas of research is shortsighted. We have no way of knowing where the next break will emerge," Fox continued.

Stem cell research has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people living with diseases and disorders including cancer, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and even Parkinson's disease.

Fox is committed to electing to Congress individuals like Jerry McNerney who will support expanding the current policy on stem cell research. McNerney's opponent, Rep. Richard Pombo, voted to uphold President George W. Bush's veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in July 2006 and had previously voted against the legislation.

"I enthusiastically support and endorse Jerry McNerney for Congress. By supporting stem cell research, Jerry McNerney puts America on a path that speaks to who we are as a nation," Fox concluded.

For more information on Jerry's position on stem cell research, including clips from the McNerney for Congress stem cell research press conference last Monday, click here!

For more information on Jerry's position on stem cell research, including brief video clips from the McNerney for Congress stem cell research press conference last Monday, click here!

60 hours left. 5 actions you can take for Jerry

There are a mere 60 hours left until the polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Here are five things you can do right now to elect Jerry McNerney to Congress. Click the pics to take action...

1. WALK PRECINCTS FOR JERRY

2. PHONE BANK FOR JERRY

3. PHONE VOTERS FROM HOME FOR JERRY

4. CONTRIBUTE FOR JERRY

5. SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS FOR JERRY

Pick at least one action -- or as many as you can -- and take that action right now!

If you want to make a difference for Jerry, you've only got 60 hours left to do it...

The message? We can do better!

Getting Out The Vote this weekend?

Remember what President Clinton said so eloquently to 1,000 McNerney supporters on Wednesday:

"You've got a few days. And when you go to work tomorrow, when you walk down the street tomorrow, when you go to the grocery store, when you go anywhere, you look in the eyes of the people you meet ... and you tell them you don't care what your political party is, you don't care what they've done in the past. You're not mad at anybody. You just know we can do better."

We can do better.

That's the message.

Whether you're a voter or a volunteer, you know it's true.

We can do better.

Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, it's hard to argue.

We can do better.

Whether you live in Lodi or Morgan Hill, the same can be said for all Americans.

We can do better.

And we will!

Want to watch highlights from President Clinton's speech endorsing Jerry?

Enjoy!

Eden w/ McNerney for Congress

From Jerry: "A New Direction for America" (includes Clinton video highlights)

This is it.

Everything we've all worked for is now on the line. As Michael Fitzgerald reported in the Stockton Record today:

"Pombo and Jerry McNerney has become a hotly contested extravaganza of national importance. . . Bill Clinton touched down at Stockton's airport to rally for McNerney. Laura Bush is coming; Ben Affleck is coming; a tsunami of campaign ads is hitting. . . (in what) has become a key battlefield for control of Congress."    

Under white-hot heat from all sides, Richard Pombo is unleashing a new wave of personal attacks on me at the last minute to depress voter turnout. Pombo has raised $3.8 million -- almost twice as much as our campaign -- and he's spending it at the last minute to paint a distorted, ugly picture of me in the minds of voters.

We've got to respond, on the air and on the ground. I've talked with my campaign manager and my finance director and we've determined that it's going to take one more big push -- $200,000 by Election Day -- to overcome Pombo's $4 million fear-and-smear machine. Remember, our people-powered campaign was outspent 2-to-1 in the Democratic primary and still won. We can do it again, but we need your help. Just one more time.

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/contribute

Right now, our new TV ad -- "A New Direction for America" -- is playing across the 11th Congressional District on broadcast television. You can watch it on our web site by clicking on the "Multimedia" link.

Unlike cable TV, broadcast ad buys are very expensive. To get this ad on the television sets of even more voters, we need your help now.

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/contribute

Right now, our field organizers and volunteers are finalizing plans for our four-day Get Out The Vote campaign in seven different campaign hubs. From Stockton, Tracy, Morgan Hill, Dublin, Brentwood, Manteca and Lodi, staffers and volunteers are printing up voter lists, applying polling-place information to door-hangers, and stocking our phone banks with new phone lines.

To cover the enormous cost of running this major final push to Get Out The Vote, we need your help now.

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/contribute

Right now, our web site team is making sure that everything on our site is ready so that you can take direct action, sign up to Get Out The Vote easily, and provide voters with the information on the issues they need to make a decision.

In addition, our web team spent a sleepless last 48 hours working to promote the endorsement rally with President Clinton and provide video highlights for those folks who couldn't be at this incredible event. You can watch a 5-minute reel of clips from Wednesday night's inspiring rally right now by clicking here.

But, after watching those highlights, please remember to contribute to the cause. Producing this free public event cost our grassroots campaign a lot of money at the last-minute, and we need your help to cover the cost of hosting the President and 1,000 McNerney supporters on 24-hours notice:

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/contribute

There are four days left -- the most important four days of our two-year journey to unseat Richard Pombo and return honesty, integrity and accountability to Washington.

We've done everything we can to win and now we just need your help one more time to push our people-powered campaign over the top and into Washington.

Remember, when we get there, you will know that I will be beholden to you and you alone -- the people who have obliterated politics-as-usual with your small donations, shocking the pundits and power-brokers by fueling our grassroots campaign for change.

I do not have the words to express how much your support means to me. Without you, none of this would have ever been possible. From the bottom of my heart, thank you again for everything you have done to help this wonderful campaign go from write-in to winner.

This is it. Help us make history one more time.



p.s. As my campaign manager said the other day, we will need a massive volunteer effort to defeat Richard Pombo's last-minute avalanche of personal attacks. I will NOT be elected to Congress if you do not join me between now and Election Day talking with voters face-to-face on the ground and neighbor-to-neighbor on the phones. It's as simple as that.

Simply click the link below and you'll be sent to our "GOTV for Jerry" web page where you can find a variety of volunteer opportunities across the district. It's easy to sign up!

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/GOTV

President Clinton to 1,000 McNerney supporters: "The sun will be shining on Tuesday!" (w/ photos)

By all press accounts, President Bill Clinton hit a grand slam at last night's endorsement rally for Jerry McNerney, giving McNerney supporters a thrilling kick-off to our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) push over the final five days of the campaign.

Organized and promoted on extremely short notice, the 9 p.m. rally drew an astounding 1,725 pre-registrations via our web site only 12 hours after the original email invitation was released Wednesday morning.

Although November's first rainstorm dampened the final turnout to an estimated 1,000 McNerney supporters, the rain didn't dampen their spirits, as Hank Shaw reported in the Stockton Record:

Nearly 1,000 people waited in a drizzle that became a downpour to see Clinton cheer them on to help McNerney unseat the seven-term incumbent.

They used umbrellas. They used McNerney's signs - even cardboard boxes and plastic sheeting - anything to keep dry.

But none seemed to mind. They could feel victory within their grasp.

"I waited for two hours, and I don't mind waiting two more hours," said Joseph Garcia of Manteca.

"I just want to see Bill, and I want to see Jerry win."

The former president, who remains wildly popular with Democrats, whipped the soggy crowd on the tarmac into a froth, even though he was 90 minutes late for his 9 p.m. scheduled arrival.

"Thank you for waiting," Clinton said to the roaring crowd. "It may be raining tonight, but the sun will be shining on Tuesday."

According to Laura Kurtzman of the Associated Press:   

Clinton said late Wednesday night that voters should send Jerry McNerney to Congress because, as a wind engineer, he understands the technological innovations that could create a new wave of good jobs in alternative energy.

"We ought to have one person in the House who actually knows about it, who actually knows how to do it," Clinton said.

Lisa Vorderbrueggen's article in the Contra Costa Times highlighted Clinton's call to elect Jerry's "new energy" to Congress:

Clinton, wearing a dark suit jacket, blue shirt and red tie topped by his trademark shock of white hair, said it was time to elect an energy expert to Congress who will help wean the nation off its oil addiction.

McNerney, who has a doctoral degree in mathematics, has been a wind energy consultant.

"The thing I like best about sending Jerry McNerney to Congress is that he has the expertise to help us build a clean energy economy," Clinton said.

President Clinton understands that it's time to bring a new direction to Congress and to bring in experts who understand how to change the status quo in Washington on energy policy and other pivotal issues to America's future.

After President Clinton's exhilirating endorsement, are you as excited as we are about the potential to elect Jerry McNerney to Congress on Tuesday? Well, then it's time to clear your calendar this weekend and GOTV for Jerry! We've only got five days left to Get Out The Vote and return honesty and integrity to Washington.

To make sure McNerney voters turn in their ballots and get to the polls on November 7, we need you to knock on doors, distribute door-hangers and call voters right up to when the polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday! From Manteca to Morgan Hill and Stockton to Pleasanton, there are multiple opportunities to GOTV for Jerry from now to Election Day.

Please click here to sign up!

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/GOTV

Eden w/ McNerney for Congress

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[UPDATE]  Our web team spent a sleepless last 48 hours working to provide video highlights for those folks who couldn't be at this incredible event with President Clinton.

You can watch a 5-minute reel of clips from Wednesday night's inspiring rally right now by clicking here.

New poll released; Pombo's troubles mount as Republicans move to McNerney

As a result of the latest independent poll showing Jerry McNerney leading Richard Pombo 48-to-46  percent (Constituent Dynamics, conducted Oct. 24-26), the San Jose Mercury News reports that the "GOP has launched a rescue mission in the final weeks of the campaign to save" Richard Pombo.

No matter how much money the Washington wing of the party throws at Pombo, the grounded reality is that Republican voters in the district are deserting Pombo in droves. How else to explain the polling in a district with party registration that significantly favors a Republican incumbent?

As the Mercury News reports, the exodus from Pombo is real:

But Pombo is in trouble for other reasons as well. While much of the district is still rural, more retirees and suburbanites have moved in -- even to Tracy, Pombo's home.

Real estate office worker Alice English said she usually voted Democratic but the big change this year was her husband, a Republican, would not vote for Pombo "because of all the negative ads they're putting out.''

"We used to cancel each other's votes," she joked. "Not this year."

We've heard the same thing from many voters -- and Republicans specifically -- who are sick and tired of Richard Pombo's relentless and misleading attacks on Jerry McNerney. They keep asking a simple question: why won't Pombo run his campaign based on what he's actually done for voters in the district over the last 14 years?

Of course, the answer is obvious: Pombo's record is paltry, especially given that he is Chair of the House Resources Committee. So, instead of running on a positive campaign based on legislative accomplishments, Pombo spends his time avoiding the media while spending millions of dollars running distorted fear-and-smear attack ads against Jerry McNerney.

Meanwhile, Jerry McNerney is running on issues and talking about what he'll do once elected to Congress. One of Jerry's first priorities? Stem cell research. Click here for clips from Jerry's press conference on stem cell research earlier this week.

More from the Merc:

Bill Evans, 70, a retired Air Force bomber pilot who moved to Pleasanton four years ago, opposes the Iraq war and has helped organize veterans for McNerney, whom he calls "a straightforward man of integrity."

You can watch a brief clip of Lt. Col. Evans talking about his admiration for Jerry McNerney here.

Maybe most telling was the reaction of Debbie Bennett, a Republican retiree from Danville. She voted for Bush twice but said she is "very disappointed in the war,'' and might sit out this election.

Whether they are supporting Jerry McNerney or staying home in protest, Republicans from Manteca to Morgan Hill are deciding that it's time for a change. Enough is enough.

Are you a Republican who wants a new direction for America and the 11th Congressional District? Join other Republicans for McNerney here.

PLEASE COME TONIGHT: President Bill Clinton campaigns for Jerry McNerney in Stockton!

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This event is being organized on 24-hours notice. Please spread the word to increase turnout!

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Former President Bill Clinton will campaign with Jerry McNerney at a Get Out The Vote Rally on Wednesday in Stockton.

The Democratic nominee for Congress from California's 11th Congressional District, McNerney will introduce President Clinton at a Get Out The Vote Rally for Democratic candidates for local, state, and federal office.

McNerney's challenge to incumbent Republican Richard Pombo has recently emerged as one of the hottest Congressional races in the country. Pombo is a rubber stamp for George Bush's agenda who has been recognized as one of the most corrupt members of Congress. McNerney is a clean energy expert who will help take America in a new direction.

"Jerry McNerney has built a career as a clean energy expert and environmentalist. We need more people like him serving in our government, individuals willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard to reduce this country's dependence on foreign oil," said Clinton.

"As President I worked with Congress to seek more cost-efficient and environmentally sound methods of meeting America's ever-evolving energy needs, particularly as we faced increasing threats to our national security. If we are to meet those needs in 21st century and beyond, we should elect representatives with the ideas, integrity, and commitment of Jerry McNerney."

WHO:            
President Bill Clinton
Jerry McNerney, nominee for Congress from California's 11th Congressional District
Democratic candidates for local, state, and federal office 

WHAT:       
Public Endorsement and Democratic Get Out The Vote Rally

WHERE:
Stockton Jet Center
6364 South Lindbergh St.
Stockton, CA

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 1, 2006 
9:00 p.m. 

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HOW:
Individuals are strongly encouraged to pre-register at:

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/

Individuals who pre-register will be provided with an electronic ticket and VIP admission. 

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Please come to Stockton tonight to welcome President Clinton and support Jerry McNerney!

A.J. Carrillo
Campaign Manager
McNerney for Congress

P.S. Can't go to Stockton?

Please GOTV FOR JERRY this weekend:

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/GOTV

Can't GOTV FOR JERRY on the ground?

Call voters from home!

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/PhoneFromHome

Can't GOTV FOR JERRY or call voters from home?

Contribute -- we're only $10K away from "$2 Million for McNerney!"

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/contribute