Senator Jeff Merkley Understands Concerns about the Surge

I got this e-mail from Senator Merkley's office this evening about Obama's plan for the surge of American troops in Afghanistan. Jeff Merkley gets it. Read on:

“I appreciate that President Obama has taken the time to fully examine this issue and consider the available options. However, I’m not convinced the case has been made to add more than 30,000 new troops. Significant questions remain about our strategic goals in Afghanistan and the human and financial costs involved in achieving them.

He continues:

“I have a number of questions about whether the Administration’s goal in Afghanistan is realistic, and how that goal advances our national security. How will our strategy overcome Afghanistan’s history of decentralized power exercised by regional warlords, its systemic corruption, the insurgents’ ability to use the presence of a foreign force as a rallying point, the geography and topography of the country, and the Taliban’s easy access to explosives and funding? Does this strategy reduce or increase the number of extremists motivated to strike at our nation? What will prevent al Qaeda from finding other safe havens in other places from which to plot attacks against the U.S.? Are there other approaches that can meet our national security objectives?

And to ensure he will be asking for accountability:

“I look forward to discussing these questions with the Administration and learning not only the full details of their plan, but also reviewing how the sacrifice in lives and resources serves our national interest.”

Senate Merkley rocks. To repeat: he gets it.

All of the JRE supporters are likely to agree with Senator Merkley on this issue. I can't find one e-mail in which a JRE supporter can be supportive of the President unless he addresses the issues Jeff Merkley and Bernie Sanders raise in the Senate, or Dennis Kuchnich raises in the House.

Diversions from a public option for health care and the insipidness of insurance,

I don't like it. I bet those progressives don't either. And I think Obama is unwise to think to get Rethugs on this issue will buy him votes (or delays from fillibustering) on health care. I hope I am wrong, but so far, I've not been. Obama's inexperience in the Senate makes him appear naive.

And the Rethugs count on it.

Jeff Merkley Urges Health Care Reform

Oregon's Jeff Merkley, the most progressive Democrat we have in the Senate, took aim at colleagues who keep recycling the same old talking points. I'm proud of his courage especially as he is a freshman.

JRE always said we needed bold change. Jeff Merkley knows it and is willing to fight for the American people, not just those in his home state of Oregon.

Jeff Merkley is a Tonic for Working Families

Jeff Merkley of Oregon voted for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today. He's proud of his vote to help working families. From his press office today:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act invests billions in upgrading our nation’s transportation infrastructure, promoting the development and production of green energy, and repairing public buildings to immediately create or save jobs. The legislation will also cut taxes for 95 percent of workers and their families, including tax credits of $500 per worker or $1000 per family.

A third component of the bill provides vital funding for states to prevent state layoffs and ensure the continuation of important health, education and housing services. While this portion had been reduced under a compromise negotiated last week, Senator Merkley yesterday wrote to the chairs of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees urging them to restore much of the funding for states and school construction during negotiations with the House in order to help states stave off catastrophic service cuts or tax hikes.

“We can and should make improvements so that it is even more effective and provides more help to states to preserve jobs and services, and I’ll be working with leaders in the Senate to make that happen,” said Merkley. In his letter, Merkley also pushed to increase funding in the final bill for green energy initiatives.

Some Happiness for Fellow Bloggers

I've been catching up in reading some of the blogs on my BR, and I found out that Matt Stoller from Open Left is working in the House as a staffer.

Another blogger I knew from the Edwards campaign is now working for Jeff Merkley in DC. Awesome. I should be receiving some press releases from Merkley's office. Why is Merkley important to me? He was one of JRE's early supporters, and next to Barbara Boxer and Bernie Sanders, the most progressive Senator in the Senate today. He's big on expanding health care for all.

Both of the bloggers are young, lots of energy, and probably in charge of online communications of sorts. There's a need for them in 21st century government. They are our links to them, in order to narrow the Rootsgap that Matt Stoller spoke of a week ago.

That's all for now, folks.

More buzz l8tr...

Merci Dieu for Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley, Speaker of the House for Oregon and originally a JRE backer, won a US senate seat today against incumbent Gordon "I'm for Obama" Smith, a Rethug.

Merkley supports UHC and wants to be on the forefront of energy and environmental issues.

My pal Sarah Lane has been his online Communications Director since the summer, and had a blast working for him. Maybe she is DC bound?

Congrats to Jeff Merkley. Go get 'em!