Why hasn't President Obama been able to accomplish more in his first year in office? It really comes down to one simple fact: A few Senate Democrats behave more like Republicans.
Take the public option: overwhelmingly popular among the public, and passed months ago in the House. But then, thwack, it ran into a brick wall in the Senate, when a handful of obstructionist conservative Democrats threatened a filibuster.1
It's happened over and over again. The President's plan to avert millions of looming foreclosures sailed through the House, but then, thwack, it hit the wall.2 Same thing with his new agency to protect consumers from greedy Wall Street banks: thwack, into the wall.3
Well, suddenly we have a chance to tear down that wall! One of the worst Democratic Senators, Blanche Lincoln from Arkansas, is now facing a very serious primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter.
In less than 24 hours since his campaign announcement, grassroots progressives from across the country have already raised over $600,000 for Halter. If we can hit $1 million this week, we'll have a great shot of replacing Sen. Lincoln—and we'll send shock waves through the rest of the conservative Democrats in Congress. |
