Would you like to be a delegate to the Washington State Democrats State Convention?
Would you like to have input to the state party platform?
If so, come to the Pacific County Democratic Convention, 10AM Saturday, April 10, 2010, Pacific County Courthouse, 300 Memorial Dr. South Bend, Washington. Come be part of the Democratic process in Pacific County. For info call John Adams, Chair, 360-665-0102.
By Tony Lystra / The Daily News | Posted: Monday, March 22, 2010 11:00 pm
Even after President Barack Obama signs off on Congress’s health care reform bill Tuesday, it appears the debate over the legislation will rage on in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. Those close to the race to replace retiring Democratic Congressman Brian Baird this fall said the issue could play a key role in this year’s campaign. Republicans are expected to continue dismissing the reform bill as a failure and demonize Democrats for passing it, they said. Democrats, emboldened by a long-shot victory, will try to convince voters of the bill’s benefits.
“We’re proud of the bill and we’re going to campaign on it,” Dwight Pelz, the chairman of the Washington State Democratic Party, told The Daily News on Monday. “We welcome Republicans to run against it.” Most candidates said they wanted to focus mostly on job creation in a district where unemployment rates are hovering near 15 percent. Still, Republican candidates said health care is central to the country’s economic problems and that the Democratic bill won’t solve those problems.
Jaime Herrera, the 18th District state legislator running for Baird’s seat, called Baird’s vote in favor of the bill a “great disappointment” and said the bill is “disastrous.”
David Castillo, a 3rd District Republican candidate from Olympia, said the legislation is “a dangerous step away from personal responsibility and self-reliance.” “I will work to repeal this thing when I get elected,” he said in an interview Monday. Castillo also said he intends to replace the bill with one employing “free-market, capitalist solutions.” National polls show that 51 percent of voters oppose the bill, with 42 percent saying they support it. Castillo said he isn’t sure whether that opposition will hurt Democrats running for the 3rd District seat, but “we’re certainly going to talk about it.”
Yet, 53,000 people in the 3rd District don’t have health insurance, Pelz said. About 12,500 of those, he said, are barred from coverage because they have existing ailments — a practice that will be banned under the new legislation. Pelz said the bill, which expands coverage to 32 million people, will become increasingly popular as voters realize the financial security it brings them.
“If you like Social Security and you like Medicare, you’re going to like the bill that passed last night,” he said.
Democratic candidates to replace Baird also lined up to praise the bill. Denny Heck of Olympia, a former state legislator endorsed by Baird earlier this month, said in a statement that the bill, although imperfect, is “a strong step forward to address this major challenge to our economy.”
“I supported this effort with the sober understanding that significantly more work will be needed in the area of cost containment,” Heck’s statement said. “However, doing nothing was simply not an option.”
State Sen. Craig Pridemore, a Vancouver Democrat, released a statement applauding the bill’s passage. Pridemore also accused Heck of taking a vague stance on reform in the weeks leading up to the vote. “We need clear, straightforward and honest leadership on critical issues,” Pridemore said.
State Republican Party representatives did not immediately respond to an inquiry Monday. However, the National Republican Congressional Committee issued a statement Sunday saying “Baird’s decision to back a bill that fails to lower the cost of health care will likely come at a steep political cost in November for his hand-picked successor, Denny Heck.”
By John Adams
After months of political infighting, verbal sparring, and down and dirty dealings with the Republicans in Congress, on Sunday the House passed the Senate version of the healthcare reform bill, paving the way for some much needed ‘fine tuning” via the reconciliation process. This maneuver is being used to bypass a Republican minority which has determined to filibuster any legislation, allowing for changes to be made with a simple majority of 51 votes. We should be happy that some much needed reform is on the verge of being put into place, reform that will help millions of Americans. All of the Democratic Reps in our delegation voted yes on this bill, including our own Brian Baird.
But now comes the revelation that our Republican Attorney General, Rob McKenna, will join with a number of other states Attorneys General to sue the federal government to prevent the bill from becoming law. Our Governor Chris Gregoire, has come out forcefully against this lawsuit, as has state party chair Dwight Pelz. But, we need more. We need to flood the Attorney General’s office with calls of protest. And, there’s more yet. Mr. McKenna has his eyes cast on the Governor’s mansion, and that cannot be allowed to happen. This is the ultimate insult to the will of the voters of this state and to our representatives who are sent to Washington DC to do our work. It’s time to get working to return Mr. McKenna to the private sector and put a Democrat in the office of Attorney General.
At the time that Social Security and Medicare were passed, they were looked upon by many as the beginning of a socialist trend that would take down the government, but have come to be regarded as vital to ensuring the security of generations of Americans as they retire. We will come to see universal healthcare in that same light. History will be kind to those who accomplished this great task, and harsh on those who opposed it.
Washington, D.C.— Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03) will vote to support historic health care legislation. See his statement on his website.
Up to two scholarships, in the range of $250 – $500, will be awarded to Pacific County high school graduates entering college this coming fall by the Pacific County Democrats.Home-schooled graduates are also encouraged to apply.
Applicants will be evaluated on four weighted qualifications: Academic achievement (types of classes as well as overall grade point average); political, school and community activism (leadership and participation); financial need; and relationship to, or sponsorship by, a Pacific County Democrat club member.
Scholarships will be paid at the completion of the first term of school, following reception of an official college transcript showing satisfactory completion, and must be used within one academic year unless an extension is requested and approved.
Application packets are available through the scholarship advisor at all county high schools and the same information can as well be found on the website www.pacificcountydemocrats.com. Application packets should be mailed to the supplied address and must be postmarked no later than May 1, 2010.
For additional information contact Pacific County Democrats pcd@pondhouse.com or call 360-665-0102
John Adams, Chair, Pacific County Democrats was given the “2010 Pacific County Democrat of the Year” award at the recent 85th Annual Pacific County Democrat Crab Feed in South Bend, WA. Presenting the award to John was Pat Donnelly recipient of the 2009 award. “He’s always there, Pat said, “at every meeting, in every parade. He’s the face of the Pacific County Democrats and an excellent Chair.”
Congratulations John!!!
A fundraising reception with Denny Heck will be held at the home of Bob Hamilton and Karen Snyder, 3711 Pioneer Road, Long Beach, WA on Monday, March 22nd, 5:30-7PM.
See flyer for details.
WHAT: PACIFIC COUNTY DEMOCRATS
WHERE: Seaview Transit Center
2750 Pacific Way
Seaview, WA
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact John Adams,
Chair, Pacific County Democrats 665-0102
We now have a webpage featuring candidates running for U.S. Representative for the 3rd District. We will be posting information about the candidates, and links to their own sites, on this page. Click here to take a peek.
