Jerry McNerney's website

You did it again!

I would like to invite you to talk with Jerry on Saturday. But first, I have some wonderful news to tell you.

On Monday, your votes helped Jerry McNerney win Senator John Kerry's national "March Madness" campaign competition. Because of you, Senator Kerry sent over 3 million people an email today asking them to support Jerry.

Tonight, you did it again. We asked you to "Hit a Home Run for Jerry" by raising $300,000 before the Federal Election Commission's March 31st midnight deadline. And, just a few minutes ago, you hit it out of the park-- a full 24 hours before the deadline.   

Please don't stop now. If our community is going to fight back against Karl Rove's placement of Jerry on his political hit list, the smear web site that Rove's Republicans launched against Jerry on Thursday, and the 100,000 emails they are spamming to voters in our district, we need your help to finish the FEC quarter strong:

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/fightback

I just talked with the Congressman and he told me that he wanted you to know how grateful he is to you. Time and time again, you have demonstrated your incredible enthusiasm and generosity for him. In our phone call, Jerry was truly humbled and amazed at the depth of your commitment.

If you would like to talk with Jerry as well, you have two great opportunities on Saturday. You can meet with the Congressman either online or in-person and ask him the questions that concern you the most about the future of our country and the world.

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JERRY LIVE-BLOGS ON FIREDOGLAKE.COM SATURDAY (1-3 pm PST)

The first opportunity is a special one for the netroots. Jerry will be live-blogging on firedoglake.com's "Blue America" from 1-3 p.m. PST (4-6 p.m. EST) on Saturday (March 31).

You don't blog? Doesn't matter. You can still log in and post questions to the Congressman as he answers them as fast as his fingers can type. Although you don't have to contribute to post a question, this is a blog-raiser so please consider contributing to Jerry McNerney at Blue America's special ActBlue page:

http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica08

Jerry was just added to this special ActBlue page a few days ago, and of the five excellent candidates listed, he's got a lot of ground to make up (in 2006, Blue America's netroots activists raised over $25,000 for Jerry). By the end of Saturday, we want Jerry to be the top netroots candidate, in terms of both total donors and total dollars raised.

Whether you are able to live-blog with Jerry on firedoglake.com or not, you can still help Jerry move up the Blue America donor standings by contributing any amount right now at:

http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica08

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TALK WITH JERRY AT SATURDAY NIGHT'S ICE CREAM SOCIAL

You can also talk with the Congressman in-person at "Jerry's Ice Cream Social" in Dublin from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday night. At this special event, Jerry will talk about his first 84 days in Congress and what you can do to help him move America in a new direction.

Even though Jerry has been criss-crossing the district and the country, many of you have not talked with him since he was elected in November. Jerry is looking forward to seeing you again and sharing some ice cream, so don't miss it!

The Ice Cream Social will be held on the 2nd floor of our campaign headquarters at 6250 Village Parkway in Dublin. 

Please RSVP by sending an email to "RSVP@JerryMcNerney.org" or call 925-833-0643.

Although campaign contributions are not required to attend the Ice Cream Social, contributions will be accepted at the event just in time for Saturday's midnight FEC deadline.

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Thank you again for winning the Kerry competition, breaking the $300,000 Bat, and taking the time to talk with Jerry on Saturday.

Remember, without your people power, none of this would be possible.

Eden James
Online Content Director
McNerney for Congress

P.S. If you can't make the Ice Cream Social or the live-blogging session on Saturday, please consider making a contribution before the clock strikes midnight!

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/fightback

Come to Jerry's Ice Cream Social on Saturday in Dublin!

Congressman Jerry McNerney just left a special phone message on the voicemails of his many supporters inside and outside the 11th Congressional District.

In that message, the Congressman invited his supporters to attend "Jerry's Ice Cream Social" on Saturday, March 31, from 6-8 p.m. at our campaign headquarters in Dublin.

At Jerry's Ice Cream Social, the Congressman will talk about what he's doing in Congress to serve you and what you can do to continue our grassroots momentum.

The Ice Cream Social will be held on the 2nd floor of our headquarters at 6250 Village Parkway in Dublin.

Click here for a map.

Please RSVP by sending an email to "RSVP@JerryMcNerney.org" or call 925-833-0643.

Although contributions are not required to attend this special event, contributions to McNerney for Congress will be accepted at the Ice Cream Social just in time for Saturday's critical Federal Election Commission deadline at midnight.

When They Attack, We Fight Back

It’s only March, 2007. But it might as well be November, 2008.

Yesterday, our campaign got hit with a one-two punch. First, a scandalous House hearing unearthed a secret document from a deputy of Karl Rove revealing that the GOP “architect” is targeting me as #3 on his political hit list.

Then, the National Republican Congressional Committee carried out Rove’s hit yesterday with “The Real Jerry McNerney” -– launching a slick Swift Boat-style web site that smears my record of service to you in Congress. The NRCC plans to promote this deception site by spamming voters in our district with over 100,000 e-mails.

Make no mistake. I will respond to this malicious assault on my character and my record. But, I can’t fight back without your help. To stop the right-wing political hacks plotting to kill our movement before it changes Washington, I need your support today -– before this Saturday’s critical Federal Election Commission campaign finance reporting deadline.

Can you show Karl Rove and the NRCC today that every single time they attack, you will fight back?

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/fightback

You knew -- after we soundly defeated Richard Pombo – that the Republicans would stop at nothing to regain their power and take this important seat back. But did you know their character assassination would start the day I was sworn into Congress?

That’s right. On January 4, my first day in office, thousands of voters across our district received outrageous mailers from the NRCC attacking me. They haven't let up since then. And now, 19 months before the election, the GOP is ramping up its smear machine to a whole new level.

Just like Speaker Pelosi did when she told President Bush yesterday to “stop with the threats because there’s a new Congress in town,” we need to show Karl Rove and the NRCC that every time they attack, you will fight back.

Please make your contribution count now, before the urgent March 31st FEC deadline:

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/fightback

Together, we have built a community of citizens determined to take their government back. You supported me with your time and money -- to stop the lies and cure the culture of corruption infesting Washington. I promised that I would vote for real ethics reform in Congress. I delivered on my promise, but our fight continues.

Now, with your timely financial help, we can show Karl Rove and his NRCC cronies that their continued intimidation tactics will only fuel our campaign to change Washington.

On Tuesday, we set a crucial campaign goal of raising $300,000 for this election cycle by the widely-watched FEC quarterly reporting deadline – 11:59 p.m. this Saturday, March 31. And, with less than 70 hours left to go, we still need to raise $35,000.

If we are going to make this important goal, we need you to dig deep right now. Please consider contributing $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, or any amount up to $2,300 – the federal maximum:

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/fightback

This is it. We have less than three days left to make a statement to the pundits and the press that we will have the resources to fight back against the distortions deceptively crafted by Karl Rove’s hatchet men in the bowels of the Beltway.

I know you can do it, just like you did in 2006. And just like you did earlier this week when you helped me win Senator John Kerry’s “March Madness” competition.

Once again, thank you for speaking truth to power and taking this campaign into your own hands.

P.S. Curious if we will be able to make our goal by midnight on Saturday? Just like you did with "The Boot" last year, you can watch your contributions added in real-time by refreshing our dynamic Bat on the front page of JerryMcNerney.org.

McNerney: Forging a New Direction in Iraq

Congressman Jerry McNerney released the following statement after voting for the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, which passed the House by a vote of 218-212:

“The Iraq war has now carried on for more than four years.  While there have been moments of hope in Iraq , they have been overshadowed by a deteriorating situation and an increase in violence and chaos.

“Our troops have performed admirably. But now, our men and women in uniform find themselves amidst a religious civil war.  If they stay, they will continue to oversee the killing.  Many American troops will be wounded or killed in the process.  However, if our troops pull out too quickly, chaos and violence will surely follow, perhaps engulfing neighboring states.

“There is no question that this is a difficult situation with no clear options. But I believe our plan is the most responsible course we can take.  It moves our efforts in a new direction that protects our troops and honors our veterans.  It uses the leverage we have available to make Iraqis responsible for Iraq , and it refocuses efforts on Afghanistan and the war on the terror.

“Our plan was developed only after discussions with military and foreign policy experts, and considering the Iraq Study Group Report’s recommendations, the Pentagon’s standards on combat readiness, and the growing needs of returning veterans and their families.

“Our plan establishes responsible benchmarks and a reasonable redeployment timeline over 12 to 18 months – which I have consistently called for.

“The plan ensures that our veterans and their families are treated with the respect they’ve earned when they return home, by increasing funding for veterans’ health care – including specifically addressing post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, the hallmark injuries of this conflict.

“It is time for a new direction in Iraq .  This reasoned plan accomplishes just that.”

Today, Senate Democrats rejected an attempt by Republicans to strip the Senate spending bill of a withdrawal date. The vote was razor-thin:

The Senate defeated an attempt to erase an American troop withdrawal date from an Iraq spending bill this afternoon after an emotional debate about the powers of the presidency and Congress and the well-being of front-line soldiers.

By a vote of 50 to 48, the Senate allowed a withdrawal date of March 31, 2008, to remain in the $122 billion bill, which has yet to be acted upon. The majority defeated an amendment offered by Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee, that would have removed the date.

The March 31, 2008, date is nonbinding, so the spending bill emerging from the Senate differs markedly from the version narrowly passed by the House last week that demanded a withdrawal by Sept. 1, 2008. Moreover, the margins in both chambers were far too narrow to override a veto promised by President Bush.

But this afternoon’s vote, like the one last week in the House, reflect the power of the new Democratic majority in Congress, and the Democrats’ determination to press their case against Mr. Bush’s conduct of the Iraq war.

To read the rest of this New York Times article, click here.

Veterans share similar experiences in Pleasanton

The Contra Costa Times covered Congressman Jerry McNerney's second Listening Tour session with veterans and military families on Saturday -- this time in Pleasanton.

And the veterans there were just as concerned about access to the Livermore VA nursing home, which the Veterans Affairs administration is considering closing:

One option would be to move outpatient, nursing home and other services to San Joaquin County. Pleasanton resident Eugene Walls told McNerney that many Tri-Valley veterans, many of whom are elderly, object to such a move because it would require them to travel farther for care.

"It would put a hardship on me," the 62-year-old veteran said. "I'm still fairly young, but I don't get around so well."

McNerney replied that he is opposed to moving services out of the Tri-Valley area. "In fact, I think we need to expand the Livermore VA facility," McNerney said. "There's no reason we can't have a facility here and in the (San Joaquin) Valley."

In an interview after the forum, the freshman congressman said he would use his position on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs to fight for the Livermore facility.

"I'm going to make it clear to the VA that it's unacceptable to close the facility," McNerney said. "They should listen. Congress controls the money."

One thing is clear -- veterans in both the western and eastern portions of the district feel strongly that VA facilities should serve both areas. After listening to impassioned comments from veteran after veteran in both Stockton and Pleasanton, Congressman McNerney intends to do everything in his power to make sure the needs of these veterans are met.

You can read the rest of Dogen Hannah's article here.

Stockton Record: "McNerney Talks Health Care with Concerned Vets"

The Stockton Record covered Congressman Jerry McNerney's Listening Tour for veterans and military families in Stockton on Saturday.

Perhaps the hottest topic was the prospect of opening a new VA facility in San Joaquin County:

At issue locally is whether the federal government will build a regional medical clinic in French Camp or refurbish the one in Livermore. McNerney, a Pleasanton Democrat, says with the new national focus on veterans' health care they might be able to do both.

"The Walter Reed thing did help us in that regard," said McNerney, referring to the scandalous conditions recently uncovered at parts of the Walter Reed medical center outside of Washington.

"The public is demanding that the veterans be taken care of," he said. "The money's there now, so I think you'll see some change on the horizon."

You can read the rest of Hank Shaw's article here.

March Madness: Time to "Get Out The Vote"!

I have some good news and some bad news for you.

Yesterday, I asked you to vote for me in Senator John Kerry's "March Madness" online competition, similar to the NCAA Final Four.

If you haven't voted yet, please take just a few seconds to vote right now:

http://www.johnkerry.com/action/marchmadness/

This isn't just any competition -- if we win this, Senator Kerry will ask his 3 million supporters to support my campaign financially before the crucial March 31st Federal Election Commission deadline.

The good news is that you have already submitted thousands of votes. The bad news is that, if we are going to win, we will need many more votes from people you know -- but I may not know. We need you to help this campaign go "viral."

The first step was easy. It took less than a minute to vote. Now, just like you did in 2006 when we defeated Richard Pombo, I need you to Get Out The Vote -- the votes of your friends, family and neighbors:

http://join.jerrymcnerney.org/tellmyfriends

At that page, you will find the text of a message that you can send to your friends about why you are voting for Jerry McNerney in the March Madness competition. It only takes a few clicks to tell your friends about my leadership on the Iraq War, global warming, health care, and the deplorable treatment of our veterans.

http://join.jerrymcnerney.org/tellmyfriends

As you know, we're going to face fierce competition in 2008 as the Republicans do everything they can to take back this important seat. They've already sent baseless mailers to voters attacking me. Now they are planning a major voter registration drive in the district.

We need to win "March Madness" so we can provide the early funds necessary to hire campaign staff and put volunteer boots on the ground as soon as possible.

That’s why I need you to tell your friends to vote for me in John Kerry’s congressional competition today. Can you take just a minute to let them know right now?

http://join.jerrymcnerney.org/tellmyfriends

Please don't just stop there. You can take this competition to a whole new level. Take just a few more minutes to do any one or more of the following actions:

1. Forward this email message to your friends.
2. Call your family.
3. Text-message everyone in your cell phone.

That's what you did to defeat Richard Pombo in 2006 and that's what it will take to win now.

And, again, if you haven't voted, please vote as soon as possible:

http://www.johnkerry.com/action/marchmadness/

Thank you for everything you do!

P.S. To win this competition, we need you to vote now and spread the word as soon as possible. Votes are already being cast and the deadline is Sunday at 9 p.m. PST!

VOTE: http://www.johnkerry.com/action/marchmadness/

SPREAD THE WORD: http://join.jerrymcnerney.org/tellmyfriends

IMPORTANT: although the directions at JohnKerry.com ask you to vote for two candidates, you will increase our chances of victory if you vote for just ONE candidate.

McNerney announces Listening Tour events for veterans and military families

Congressman Jerry McNerney has announced that two listening tour events will be held with veterans and military families in Stockton and Pleasanton on Saturday, March 24.

“I want to hear directly from veterans and military families about the kinds of issues they face in getting the help, treatment and benefits they deserve,” Rep. McNerney said.  “As we in Congress consider legislation affecting veterans and their loved ones, it’s important to me to actually talk to the people that would be affected.”

Details of the two listening tour events are below:

Pleasanton
Saturday, March 24
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Pleasanton Library
400 Old Bernal Ave.
Pleasanton, CA 94566

Stockton
Saturday, March 24
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Cesar Chavez Central Library
605 N. El Dorado St.
Stockton, CA 95202

March Madness: I need your vote today!

I need your help urgently.

Senator John Kerry has just launched an online Congressional competition today called “March Madness”. Similar to the NCAA Final Four, eight candidates are competing and the stakes are huge. If we win this, Senator Kerry will ask his 3 million supporters to support my campaign financially before the crucial March 31st Federal Election Commission deadline.

We can win with your help! Please take just a few seconds to vote right now:

http://www.johnkerry.com/action/marchmadness/

IMPORTANT: although the directions ask you to vote for two candidates, you will increase our chances of victory if you vote for just ONE candidate.

I can’t emphasize enough how important this online opportunity is for our ongoing campaign for change.  Your netroots and grassroots activism planted the seeds of our victory over Richard Pombo in 2006 when we won three online congressional competitions in June –- five months before the general election. As many of you know from voting in those competitions, the money we raised in June made it possible to hire staff immediately and put volunteer boots on the ground early that led to our historic victory in November.

Your participation in these competitions made my service in Congress possible. And I am working hard for you every day on the pivotal issues facing our country. The War in Iraq. Global warming and energy independence. Health care. Treating our veterans with dignity and respect. Creating good jobs.

However, if we are going to build this bridge to the future together, I need your help today. Can you vote for our campaign right now?

http://www.johnkerry.com/action/marchmadness/

As you know, from my first day in office, the National Republican Congressional Committee has launched an all-out assault. And they don’t even have a candidate yet. Still smarting over your defeat of Richard Pombo, the Republicans want this important seat back and they will stop at nothing to win.

We need to show the Republicans in Washington that we’re not going to sit on the sidelines while they launch baseless attacks from their command-and-control center inside the beltway. We’re going to go on offense. Right now.

Senator Kerry’s “March Madness” congressional competition is an excellent opportunity to go on offense. Help me show them that we’re in it to win it:

http://www.johnkerry.com/action/marchmadness/

Your vote is just the first step and it only takes a few seconds. Tomorrow, I'll let you know about the second bite-sized action you can do to help me take this online competition to a whole new level. Please watch your email in-box for my message.

Thank you for everything that you are doing!

P.S. To win this competition, we need you to vote as soon as possible.  Votes are already being cast and the deadline is Sunday at 9 p.m. PST!

VOTE: http://www.johnkerry.com/action/marchmadness/

IMPORTANT: although the directions ask you to vote for two candidates, you will increase our chances of victory if you vote for just ONE candidate.

Manteca Bulletin: "McNerney Vows to Secure Road Money"

As the Manteca Bulletin reports, Congressman Jerry McNerney understands that channeling highway funds to San Joaquin County can bring much-needed new jobs to employment centers served by these transportation projects:

He views it as a way to create economic opportunity for a region that he describes as “the new Appalachia” in reference to the historically poverty stricken region in the East.
McNerney noted the San Joaquin Valley as a whole leads the nation in two of three key indicators of poverty — high infant mortality, hunger, and low education. Per capita income is lower in the eight-county San Joaquin Valley and public assistance is higher as well than in the 68-county Appalachia region based on a 365-page Capital Research Service study issued in 2005.

“Right now, California receives 90 cents on every dollar it sends to Washington, D.C.,” McNerney said minutes after congratulating San Joaquin County leaders for landing $282.4 million in state bond money to widen Highway 99 from Manteca to central Stockton from four to six lanes. “The Democrats in California are working with Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi to change that.”

McNerney concurred that many out-of-state leaders have the impression that all of California is wealthy. McNerney promised to work as a member of the powerful House Transportation Commission to work with Manteca and San Joaquin County leaders to secure federal assistance for interchanges at McKinley Avenue and the Highway 120 Bypass as well as a new Austin Road/Highway 99 interchange.

Both interchanges will access new employment centers — 850 acres at Austin Road and several hundred acres at McKinley Avenue. The job creation is expected to provide a mixture needed to reduce commuting over the Altamont Pass to higher paying Bay Area jobs as well as provide jobs for the unemployed in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

For more on how enhancing Highway 99 can improve quality of life in Manteca and surrounding communities, read the Manteca Bulletin article here.