The global population will pass 7 billion within days. The worldwide oil supply is dwindling. We're already living in an atmosphere which has exceeded ideal carbon concentrations. The CO2 parts per billion are projected to rise exponentially in the decades to come, together with related environmental and human health impacts. And on Friday, San Diego is poised to commit the next 40 years to building more highways at the expense of desperately needed transit - unless they hear from us.
With no warning or fanfare, today's scheduled Oversight subcommittee hearing on the Financial Crisis Inquiry Committee was cancelled earlier this week. But a picture is beginning to emerge as to what went wrong for Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa and why the plug was pulled.
Peter Kadzick, an attorney for FCIC Chairman Phil Angelides, told TPM that Angelides arrived in D.C. on Sunday night for the Wednesday morning hearing but was told by an Issa staffer on Monday evening that "they had found some documents at the last minute that didn't fit the narrative."
And a devastating new report (pdf) from committee Democrats found that those documents didn't just not "fit the narrative," but outright refuted them. Ranking committee Democrat Elijah "Cummings's report, which is based on 400,000 internal Commission emails, memos and other documents, finds that Chairman Issa's allegations are largely unsubstantiated.
In contrast, the documents suggest that Republican Commissioners geared their efforts on the Commission toward helping House Republicans in their campaign to repeal the Dodd-Frank Act, rather than determining the facts that led to the economic crisis. The report also raises a host of new ethical questions about Republican Commissioners and staff, including evidence that they leaked confidential information to outside parties on multiple occasions."
If the hearing had been cancelled on Monday, it didn't slow Issa down Tuesday. Issa was on Twitter yesterday enthusiasticallypushing attacks on the FCIC's findings, specifically from Republican FCIC member Peter Wallison. But the report from committee Democrats highlights a number of credibility problems for Wallison and other FCIC Republicans who dissented from its findings and have fueled Issa's pursuit. As Media Matters breaks down:
Wallison repeatedly sent emails to his GOP colleagues on the committee urging that their dissents not "undermine the ability of the new House GOP to modify or repeal Dodd-Frank."
Despite claims to the contrary that Wallison made in congressional testimony, the FCIC extensively reviewed his position that the economic crisis was caused by government housing policies, with all eight other commissioners rejecting that view.
Wallison was criticized by the FCIC's general counsel after leaking confidential commission documents to a colleague at the American Enterprise Institute in violation of the commission's ethics policy.
Republican vice chairman Bill Thomas and his staff provided an economic and political consultant who works at Thomas' law firm -- which represents major banks -- with a wide array of internal documents, in violation of the commission's ethics policy.
Darrell Issa is back in hot water for using his powerful Congressional perch to help his personal investments. A new report out today from Think Progress finds that Issa was busy last year buying up Goldman Sachs High Yield Bonds worth up to $50,000 a pop while pressing strongly to thwart an SEC investigation into potential wrongdoing at Goldman Sachs:
Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) raised hell last year to stop the federal government from investigating Goldman Sachs regarding allegations that the company defrauded investors. In April 2010, shortly after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a civil suit against Goldman Sachs, Issa sent a letter to SEC Chairwoman Mary Schapiro demanding to know if there was "any sort of prearrangement, coordination, direction from, or advance notice" between the SEC and the Obama administration or congressional Democrats over the timing of the lawsuit.
Issa's investigation of the SEC's investigation into Goldman Sachs stoletheheadlines and reinforced Goldman Sachs' claim that they had done nothing wrong. Explaining his defense of Goldman Sachs, Issa said he was representing the views of ordinary Americans who are worried about the "growth of government and the growth of government wanting to become more complex, with more agencies and more control over our lives."
This sheds additional light on Iss's engagement in financial issues since taking over the Oversight Committee earlier this year, specifically reinforcing his strong resistance to any investigation or hearing that might reflect poorly on private financial institutions.
Issa has continued to bring heat on the SEC since taking over the Oversight Committee, targeting the Commission with one of the first subpoenas issued. The focus of his concern? Potential conflict of interest at the SEC arising from personal investments related to ongoing investigations. Of course.
Breaking yesterday through Twitter and evolving since, Congressman Bob Filner has apparently made an official public announcement that he'll be running for mayor of San Diego.
As campaign roll-outs go, it wasn't the most elegant beginning, and the legitimate process story continues to bubble up. A full launch can still be done in the future without losing significant impact, but in the meantime, the story and its continued unfolding underscores that the horserace has begun no matter what, and the vacuum will be filled.
While some will continue to hash through the reliability of information and the 'is he REALLY?' sideshow, what is clear is that Filner is now considered a part of the mayoral race; which means there's a Democrat in the race, which means that two sides are presumed in discussion of mayoral issues.
It's a big deal in San Diego, because we haven't had two full-strength sides engaged in a city-wide debate in a number of years. It didn't happen during last year's Prop D campaign. It didn't happen in the 2008 mayoral race when Democrats failed to field a viable candidate. The 2004 mayoral race turned into the fluke three-way race between Republicans Dick Murphy and Ron Roberts and last-minute write-in Democrat Donna Frye. You would have to go back more than a decade for the last time we've had a legitimate campaign addressing the comprehensive future of the city in which both major parties were seriously engaged.
Filner's entry into the discussion addresses that, because he has the experience and personal campaign infrastructure to overcome existing deficiencies that have hamstrung previous efforts at a full-scale, two-sided debate about the issues that face this city.
And that means that this isn't just a referendum anymore on Republican candidates. Not on Councilmember Carl DeMaio's extreme views, or whether Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher has the clout to stand up to downtown developers. Nor is it just musing over whether District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis can indulge enough of her moderate tendencies to pick up establishment Democrats. It's a real debate.
Now we can have a stronger conversation about how pension reform doesn't have to be debilitating to be effective. About how we don't have to stop investing in the basic quality of life for our neighborhoods to put our fiscal house in order. That we can remain committed to smart development and addressing blight without handing over the keys of city hall to developers.
Looking forward a bit to the musical chairs, newly-elected State Senator Juan Vargas (40th) is expected to run for Filner's vacated seat (Vargas previously challenged Filner in the primary), and newly-elected Assemblymember Ben Hueso (79th) is expected to be among those aiming to succeed Vargas. So the fun will hardly be contained moving forward.
This weekend, Rancho Mirage will play host to what's often called the "Billionaire's Caucus," a regular top secret meeting hosted by the Koch Brothers, at which the wealthiest of the wealthy -- together with right wing media personalities, lawmakers, and even judges -- gather to plot their national political agenda. The meeting has taken on even greater importance in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2009 Citizens United decision, which effectively opened the door to unlimited corporate influence on U.S. elections.
We're all still reeling from the tragic events in Arizona over the weekend. In reaction, Cleve Jones sent the below message to Courage Campaign members condemning this violence and the dangerous rhetoric in our political discourse today.
With a new Congress comes new faces, or in this case familiar faces in new places. Rep. Darrell Issa from CA-49 officially took over the House Oversight Committee this week, and his to-do list is a mile long. I'm proudly working on the Courage Campaign project IssaExposed.com to set the record straight about Issa's record of extreme partisanism and shady dealings, plus hold him accountable during his tenure.
On Wednesday, Courage introduced Darrell Issa to our members with the email below the fold. Issa is gearing up for an unprecedented volume of investigations and hearings into every corner of the Obama Administration- just hoping something will stick. It's crucial, especially from here in California, that we do whatever we can to keep him in check.
I hope you'll check out this new project and help us spread the word about our work and the true Darrell Issa!
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Christine Cullinan
619-447-3246 / Christine@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Hunger Strike" Debate to Air on TV
Where: Cox Cable Channel 23 (Channel 18 in North County)
When : 9 p.m., Monday, October 25, 2010
Also available at: http://www.copswiki.org/Common... Produced by Citizens' Oversight Projects (COPS)
San Diego County, Calif. (Oct 22, 2010) - The "Hunger Strike Debate" can be seen in the San Diego County area on Cox cable television, channel 23 (channel 18 in north areas of the county) at 9:00 pm on Monday, October 25, 2010. The debate features Michael Benoit (L), incumbent Duncan D. Hunter (R), and Ray Lutz (D). The show is presented on the Public Access Channel and produced by Citizens' Oversight Projects.
The debate was sponsored by the East County Chamber of Commerce and held at the Cuyamaca College on October 15, 2010. Steve Hamann, Editor of The East County Herald moderated.
Lutz and Benoit conducted an eleven-day hunger strike to coerce reluctant Hunter to agree to a debate. The hunger strike garnered national attention including articles in Politico, Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, the L.A. Times, The Atlantic and numerous other regional publications, and proved to be too much to withstand any further display of reluctance by the Hunter campaign.
Approximately 200 people attended the debate and the video is about 82 minutes in length.
Michael Benoit and Ray Lutz conducted a series of debates in other areas of the county, including Alpine, Poway, Lakeside, and Kearny Mesa, but Hunter declined to appear at those events. Videos of other debates are also available at
http://www.VoteRayLutz.com/Deb...
Where: Cuyamaca College Communication Arts Theatre, Room B-117
Rancho San Diego; 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy
When : 7p.m. - 9p.m., Saturday, October 15
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
OCT 15 CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE FOLLOWS 11-DAY HUNGER STRIKE
San Diego County, Calif. (Oct 2, 2010) -
Congressman Duncan Duane Hunter has said he will finally step up to
debate his eager general election opponents on October 15, at a East
County Chamber of Commerce debate. The congressman refused to debate
his opponents until Democratic Candidate Raymond Lutz and Libertarian
Candidate Michael Benoit staged an 11-day "Hunger Strike for Democracy
back in August."
On the morning of August 19, just hours after Lutz appeared on CNN to
discuss the hunger strike, a representative from Congressman Hunter's
campaign hand delivered a debate acceptance notice to the Lutz office.
Though Lutz ended his hunger strike, which garnered him national
attention and a forthcoming article in The Nation magazine, his
"insurgent" campaign tactics have persisted. He has led marches,
protest and demonstrations, and founded a non-partisan national
organization, Debate For Democracy, to advocate for congressional
debates in every district.
And despite the lack of cooperation from the Hunter campaign, Lutz and
Benoit have continued their campaign to reach out to voters across the
expansive 52nd congressional district. They have already held debates
(inviting Congressman Hunter to each of them) in the communities of
Alpine, Ramona and Lakeside/Santee. They have upcoming debates
scheduled for Poway, Clairemont Mesa and Borrego Springs, though the
congressman has not confirmed attendance for any of these events.
"Hunter's reluctance to debate represents a disturbing trend," Ray
Lutz said. Earlier this month, Republican Congressman Darrell Issa
(CA-49) backed out of a commitment he made earlier this summer to
debate his Democratic Challenger Howard Katz.
However, not all debate trends are negative. While Hunter has made it
clear that he is not interested in allowing the voters of his district
to pose questions about his record and ideas, Republican
Representative Brian Bilbray (CA-51) has gone out of his way to
request more debates from his counterpart, Democratic Challenger
Francine Busby.
The October 15 debate, which will be moderated by a television anchor
and broadcast locally, is expected to be well attended. Audience
members will be encouraged to ask challenging questions, especially
with recent allegations of immorality in light of the Boehner Sex
scandal and controversial earmark requests.
Where: Cuyamaca College Communication Arts Theatre, Room B-117
Rancho San Diego; 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy
When : 7p.m. - 9p.m., Saturday, October 15
Ref: www.debatefordemocracy.org
For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
Hunger Strike candidate Lutz to confront Congressman Hunter
San Diego County, Calif. (Sept 7, 2010) -
Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz, who last month fasted 11 days to
earn a debate with Rep. Duncan Duane Hunter, will confront the
congressman again today at a Cajon Valley Republican Businesses
Women's event.
During their last exchange, at an Aug. 20 "Politics in Paradise"
candidates forum, presented by the East County Chamber of Commerce,
Congressman Hunter promised (on a televised segment) to respond to a
letter Lutz hand-delivered to him. He also promised that he had
scheduled several public town hall forums, and invited Lutz to attend
and make comment at them.
To date, there has been no response, and no public town halls have
been scheduled or taken place.
The legislative recess ends this week.
Candidate Lutz will confront Rep. Hunter on these broken promises
prior to today's event, and he invites to media to witness this
exchange.
Where: Downtown Cafe Patio, 182 E. Main Street, El Cajon
When : 5:00p.m.
For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit: www.VoteRayLutz.com
For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
NEWS RELEASE
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director 619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hunger Strike Day 11: Candidate Lutz claims victory, breaks fast today
Lutz announces new national organization to carry on efforts
San Diego County, Calif. (August 23, 2010) - After 11 days of fasting, Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz has announced that with the founding of a new national organization (Debate for Democracy) to carry on the fight for congressional debates, he will finally agree to eat something.
"Now that I know the fight for debates will continue, I feel it's time to have a bite," Lutz said.
Lutz, whose fast lasted longer than Gandhi's 1932 starvation, ate his first regular meal just after 2 p.m. on Monday, at Pat & Oscar's restaurant in El Cajon. He had been phasing himself back into nourishment with some vegetable broth and a bit of fruit over the weekend.
Lutz's new, non-partisan organization, DebateforDemocracy.org was founded after Lutz encountered other congressional challengers who faced incumbents who were also hesitant to engage in formal debates.
"I just made a few phone calls, and immediately realized this was a national problem," Lutz said. "Congressman Hunter isn't the only incumbent ducking debates. But he might be the only combat veteran afraid to face his opponent."
On DebateforDemocracy.org, citizens, candidates and incumbents alike are invited to sign a pledge to support debates in their districts and if they are candidates, to debate their opponents an adequate number of times in locations that ensure most of their constituents will have the opportunity to attend and present questions. Already there are Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Greens as who have taken the pledge. The organization will research options for promoting debates in every district in the country, using the bright shining light of public review, involving the creation of a Commission on Congressional Debates (CCD), or perhaps enhancing the role of the Federal Election Commission.
Rick Tubbs, Republican challenger in California's 7th Congressional District and a Debate for Democracy pledge-taker, said "Debates between candidates are the best way to inform the voters about where those trying to represent them stand on the issues. There is no big money involved, just the candidates standing on their own making their case to the voter."
"Election debates are a traditional part of the American process, they go all the way back to Lincoln," said Lutz. "It's an effective way to help voters see where there candidates stand on this issues - and that strengthens our republic."
The Lutz for Congress campaign would like to advise anyone who wants to "Hunger Strike" to lose weight to make sure they consult with their doctor and be very careful how they end the fast. Complete abstinence from food can be dangerous.
For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit:http://www.VoteRayLutz.com/
For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
MEDIA ADVISORY
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hunger Strike Day 8: Fasting Candidates to confront Hunter at Friday event
Candidates Lutz and Benoit lead demonstrations outside
"Politics in Paradise event"
San Diego County, Calif. (August 20, 2010) - Congressional Candidates Ray Lutz (Democratic) and Michael Benoit (Libertarian) will lead demonstrations at a candidate's forum tonight featuring Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, whom they are seeking to debate.
The two candidates have been fasting for 8 days, in effort to pressure Hunter to agree to a series of debates with them. Just yesterday, Hunter's campaign delivered an acceptance letter Lutz's office, agreeing to participate in one debate, scheduled for October 15.
Lutz and Benoit have continued their fasting, citing the fact that 65 percent of voters in June's primary election cast absentee ballots, with a high portion of them being returned within the first few days of receiving them. The vote-by-mail ballots will be distributed on October 4.
Tonight's rally will take place outside the Cuyamaca College Water Conservation Garden, between 5:30-6 p.m. Inside the event, Lutz will attempt to confront Hunter to change the date of the debate and to add at least three more debates prior to the distribution of vote-by-mail ballots.
For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit: www.VoteRayLutz.com
For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hunger Strike Day 7: Congressman Hunter succumbs to hunger strike pressure, delivers debate acceptance letter
Hunter's limited debate acceptance still inadequate, says Lutz; strike to continue
San Diego County, Calif. (August 19, 2010) - At 10:45 a.m. on Thursday morning, Hunter for Congress representative Wes Schermann hand-delivered a letter acknowledging acceptance of an Oct. 15 congressional debate invitation to Lutz for Congress's Main Street office in El Cajon.
Mr. Schermann and the letter were warmly received by Lutz Campaign Manager Brennan Purtzer.
"We appreciate receiving a response from the Hunter Campaign, but 58 percent of the electorate voted absentee in the primary - many of these voters turning them in on the first day," Lutz said. "Since absentee ballots are being distributed on Oct. 4, we scheduled our proposed debate series for August and September so it would not conflict with the legislative calendar."
The Hunter letter, arriving 72 days after Lutz won the California Democratic primary election in June, is the first communication Hunter's group has had with the Lutz campaign. It arrived only hours after Lutz was featured on a nationally televised live interview on CNN, and 17 days after Hunter's office received its first debate request from the Lutz campaign.
"This action shows that Hunter is feeling the pressure from the public about avoiding the debates," said Ray Lutz, Hunter's Democratic challenger to represent California's 52nd district. "Without the hunger strike, I doubt they would respond at all."
Lutz continued, "It's a step in the right direction. I hope Hunter can make it to the debate. This is what happened in my campaign for the 77th State Assembly District in 2008. My opponent backed out at the last minute, forcing the debate to be canceled, and it was too late to set one up at that point."
Lutz says he won't end his strike, which has garnered national media attention, including an interview with Kyra Phillips on CNN on Thursday morning. During Lutz's interview, he made the point that media outlets and voters alike were still confusing Duncan L. Hunter and Duncan D. Hunter. To accentuate Lutz's point, CNN mistakenly aired footage of Duncan Hunter Sr. while he made this remark.
"This is exactly why the voters everywhere in the district need to see this guy debate - they still don't know who they're voting for - he even uses nearly the same graphics on his signs that his father did," Lutz said. "If he only appears in one debate, that will obviously reduce his exposure to the voters and hide the truth: that he just isn't his father."
The debate Hunter has agreed to attend is to take place October 15 at Cuyamaca College, and is sponsored by the East County Chamber of Commerce, of which Hunter is a member.
Lutz asserts that the voters need to see at least three debates before the vote-by-mail ballots are distributed. "Hunter needs to agree to an honest series of debates before I'll agree to pick up my fork again."
For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit: www.VoteRayLutz.com
For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director 619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hunger Strike Day 5: Candidate Lutz's hunger strike joined by Libertarian candidate
Lutz campaign now accepting donations for San Diego Food Bank
San Diego County, Calif. (August 17, 2010) - At an El Cajon rally on Monday, Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz announced that he had been joined in his hunger strike by Libertarian Candidate Michael Benoit, both fasting until incumbent Rep. Duncan Duane Hunter agrees to debate them.
"I'm amazed at the overwhelming amount of support I'm getting from people across this country," Democratic Congressional Candidate Raymond Lutz said. "I'm not starving alone and that's nice."
Over the weekend, more than 28 people pledged to go at least a day without food in support of Lutz's cause, including Libertarian Candidate for California's 52nd Congressional seat, Michael Benoit, who joined Lutz's "Hunger strike for accountability."
"I welcome the solidarity offered by Mr. Benoit, who is a very nice person," Lutz said, before welcoming Benoit on stage to make a statement at the rally in El Cajon's Promenade Park.
In a speech before dozens of supporters, Lutz and Benoit vowed to continue their strikes until the Hunter campaign agrees to debate them.
"Until he agrees to come before the voters, he can expect that I will be holding press conferences every week to talk about each of the issues that aren't being debated," Lutz said. "Jobs, and energy policy, and of course, the issue that's been on my mind a lot lately - hunger. We've had 10.8 million meals served by the San Diego Food Bank in the last year - that's a lot of hungry people."
Lutz announced that from now through the end of the campaign, his office would be accepting and forwarding food donations to the San Diego Food Bank.
Lutz ended his press conference by publicly announcing a revised tentative schedule of five debates, planned during the congressional recess, throughout the massive 52nd congressional district.
"I could never imagine a candidate who has been in combat but is slow to engage in debate about the important issues affecting his constituents." He added, "These problems are effecting his constituents today, and what has he done to help them? He hasn't yet enacted any legislation at all, and his latest effort was a bill about getting cigarettes to soldiers." Lutz said, "We need to debate this now, while he is on his legislative break - not in October, after most of the mail-in ballots have already been sent in."
Lutz, 52, said he had already lost 14 pounds by his fifth day of fasting.
Revised Debate Schedule:
Raymond Lutz and Michael Benoit jointly invite Rep. Duncan Duane Hunter to participate in the following debates, tentatively scheduled for:
WED - AUG 25, 6:30pm Viejas tribal Facilities Viejas
MON - AUG 30, 6:30pm Grossmont College El Cajon (La Mesa Area)
THUR- SEPT 2, 6:30pm El Capitan High School Lakeside
MON - SEPT 6, 6:30pm Serra High School Tierrasanta
THUR- SEPT 9, 6:30pm Granite Hills High School El Cajon
For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit:http://www.VoteRayLutz.com
For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
BREAKING NEWS EVENT ADVISORY
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director 619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Strike Day 4: Starving candidate Lutz to make hunger strike-related announcement at Monday Press conference
San Diego County, Calif. (August 16, 2010) - Democratic Congressional Candidate Raymond Lutz will be holding a press conference at 3:30p.m. Monday, August 16, at the El Cajon Park Promenade. Candidate Lutz will be making a major announcement regarding his hunger strike, which will be in its fourth day.
Lutz is running against incumbent Duncan D. Hunter for California's 52nd congressional seat. He began his hunger strike on August 12, after Hunter's office failed to respond to Lutz's second formal debate invitation.
The strike has garnered national press, and raised the issue regarding the electorate's right to see their candidates confront each other.
Monday's press conference will feature comments from a special guest, the announcement of a revised proposal for debates in the 52nd district, a statement about the future of the Lutz campaign (should Hunter still refuse to participate in a series of debates), and the announcement of a new partnership between the Lutz campaign and a major community organization.
One additional note: In press statements the Hunter campaign has announced a probable agreement to participate in one debate vaguely discussed for October. We would like to clarify that the Lutz campaign has received no direct correspondence from the Hunter campaign regarding this or any other matter. We have received no response regarding any tentative October debate via in-person, telephone, written or electronic correspondence.
It should be noted that the absentee ballots are distributed to voters on October 4 making a mid-October debate too late to be of value to many mail-in voters.
Lutz commented, "If Hunter can't find the time or character for debate during his legislative recess what guarantee will I have that he would even show up for an October debate? Let's be clear here, Hunter benefits from not participating in a debate. It doesn't benefit anybody else, and certainly not the voters."
For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit:http://www.VoteRayLutz.com/
For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Candidate Lutz hosts hunger strike kickoff rally at El Cajon Promenade
Time: 5:30pm, August 13, 2010
Location: El Cajon Park Promenade, near the Lutz for Congress Campaign office at 165 E. Main, Suite B, El Cajon CA.
Media is invited.
San Diego County, Calif. (August 13, 2010) - "This is ground zero in our hunger war," said Raymond Lutz, congressional candidate for California's 52nd district, as he held up the new banner that would hang from his El Cajon "Isolation Booth." The banner, which reads "Hungry for accountability in Congress: It starts with Debate," also jabs his opponent, Rep. Duncan D. Hunter with the comment, "We're 'Hunting' for an opponent."
Lutz kicks off his hunger strike with a bang, as the El Cajon Park Promenade, which has been completely re-built, hosts its first concert performance for 2010, tonight at 5:30p.m.
"This strike is about all the issues that aren't being debated because of Hunter's ego," Lutz said. "For instance, what is Hunter's plan to help the 430,000 hungry people in San Diego at or near the poverty line? After 19 months in Congress, I'm still waiting to hear word one about them."
Lutz will be at his self-described "food isolation booth," equipped with a cot for him to lounge on, with petitions available for supporters to both pledge to go without food for a day and donate the cost of a day's food to Lutz's campaign.
In an earlier statement, Lutz had pledged, "Until Hunter steps up to the plate to debate, I'll be stepping away from the dinner plate." The candidate, known for standing up against Blackwater in small communities throughout San Diego county, has pledged to sit in his public isolation booth many days throughout the hunger strike.
"Our democracy is broken, we keep electing unqualified incumbents because the voters never see the candidates in honest debates around the district, in their own neighborhoods, and don't have an opportunity to compare them head-to-head," Lutz continued. "The only thing they have to go on, is party affiliation, 30-second negative ads, soundbites, and how big the signs are. Honestly, I'm not surprised Congress gives us poor results. This situation needs to be turned around, and with your help we can do it."
For more information or to donate to Ray Lutz for Congress, visit: http://www.VoteRayLutz.com For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Candidate Lutz announces hunger strike until Hunter agrees to debate
Series of eight debates previously announced canceled until Hunter comes out of hiding
San Diego County, Calif. (August 11, 2010) -
"Representative Hunter either has no respect for the voters of his district, or else is so terrified of engaging in an honest debate on the issues that he refuses to face his challengers," said Ray Lutz, the Democratic candidate challenging Rep. Duncan D. Hunter for California's 52nd congressional seat.
In two separate, hand-delivered letters, the Lutz campaign requested a series of eight debates, taking place in each community throughout the 52nd district. Delivery of the second letter was recorded on video, and was greeted with malice, verbal abuse and expulsion of the camera from the Hunter's office. Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit agreed to the series of debates without condition.
For the time being, all debates have been canceled.
"Until Hunter steps up to the plate, I'll be stepping away from the dinner plate," Lutz said. "Starting at sundown this Thursday, August 12, I will refuse to eat until he agrees to debate. I hope my sacrifice will make him realize the community expects him to take their issues seriously.
"Hunter obviously has no respect for the democratic process," Lutz said. "But, to be fair, his votes prove he has no respect for seniors, the unemployed, small business owners, tribal rape victims or anyone who has been stomped on by our healthcare system."
Jim Bates, former Congressman, County Supervisor, and San Diego City Council Member said, "Ray is a fighter. He's proving his dedication right now, like he proved it his fight against Blackwater and in working to keep local government honest. Ray's got my support."
Lutz worked to stop Blackwater in Potrero, Otay Mesa, and Southwestern College; to stop the Sunrise Powerlink, and to encourage citizens to expose waste, fraud and abuse by our governmental bodies with his "Citizens' Oversight Projects" (COPs) Program.
The "Hungry for Accountability in Congress - It starts with Debate" hunger strike will be formally kicked off at the grand opening of the Promenade Park in El Cajon, on Friday, August 13, adjacent to the Lutz for Congress 2010 campaign headquarters. Lutz will have fasted for 24 hours at that point.
For the duration of the strike, during many daytime hours, Lutz and sympathizers will sit in an isolation booth outside his office along the Promenade Park in El Cajon. Supporters are encouraged to sign up to take a few pounds off and engage in at least one day of hunger strike in support of Lutz's attempt to force sanity back into our democratic process.
Lutz will be blogging, twittering, and YouTube-ing during the strike to update supporters nationwide. Petitions are available at the hunger strike isolation booth and on-line for supporters regarding the debates, to Stop the Powerlink by throwing out the CPUC decision due to illegal lobbyist activity, and to reopen investigations into Duncan L. Hunter's connection to the Randy "Duke" Cunningham corruption scandal.
For more information or to donate to Ray Lutz for Congress, visit:
http://www.VoteRayLutz.com For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Candidate Lutz says Hunter bill creates black market for cigarettes
Rep. Hunter's bill specifically removes non-commercial shipping clause
San Diego County, Calif. (August 5, 2010) - "This isn't about disrespecting or denying the troops, this is a policy goof-up," said Democratic Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz. "Hunter's attempt is honorable but misguided. There's a better way to solve this problem that doesn't fund a black market that may support terrorists."
Lutz, 52, was responding to a bill introduced last week by freshman Republican Congressman Duncan D. Hunter. Lutz is campaigning for Hunter's 52nd Congressional District seat.
Hunter's bill (HR 6037) amends a Senate bill, known as "PACT-act," which went into effect June 17, 2010 (S.1147). The Hunter bill allows tobacco products to be shipped to soldiers serving in combat zones unconditionally, which Lutz says is overly-broad and creates the opportunity for abuse. The PACT-act currently allows up to ten shipments per month - a maximum of ten ounces per shipment - (totaling about 100 packs per month) shipped Express Mail only, for age verification purposes.
"Part of the goal of the act was to end illegal trafficking in cigarettes, which, along with the opium trade, is believed to be fueling the insurgency," Lutz said. "Lifting the weight, frequency and non-commercial requirements of PACT kicks opens the dangerous door it took Senator Kohl (D-Wis.) eight years to shut."
Lutz continued, "Many legislators complain that there are too many laws, too many loopholes and exemptions, but now, instead of simply getting the United States Postal Service to change their requirements, Congressman Hunter is actually writing legislation to exempt black market trade."
Lutz says the problem lies with the U.S. Postal Service's regulations and is not something we need to create new federal legislation to correct.
Postal regulations require that tobacco products be mailed using Express postage -- so that a signature is required when delivered -- to help ensure that the package is not delivered into the hands of children. However, Express Mail service does not deliver to the combat theaters of Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving combat soldiers unable to receive such shipments.
A legislative aid who worked on the original PACT-act, said the solution was simple: amend the U.S. Postal Service requirements to allow such care packages to be shipped as International Priority Mail with a signature option. Such an arrangement would satisfy PACT's goals, and would cost families less to ship.
Another Senate legislative aid said that the Pentagon, which has been strongly discouraging smoking among its servicemen for decades, hadn't expressed any concern over the PACT-act whatsoever. "Buying cigarettes over there is cheaper anyway," the aid said.
"A simple, non-legislative solution is available, yet Hunter's proposal opens the door for unbridled tobacco trafficking," Lutz said. "It makes you wonder why Hunter would provide a means for terrorists to raise money on tobacco along with opium and other drugs. Has he switched sides? That's what I want to know."
Rep. Hunter, a reserve Marine captain, has so far received at least $6,000 from tobacco-related PACs for his 2010 election campaign.
NEWS RELEASE
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Candidate Lutz challenges Congressman Hunter to series of debates
Debates scheduled for every locality in the district
San Diego County, Calif. (August 3, 2010) - "The people of East County deserve to compare their candidates' positions and intellects," said Raymond Lutz, the Democratic Candidate for U.S. Congress representing California's 52nd Congressional District.
On Monday, the Lutz campaign invited Republican Congressman Duncan D. Hunter and Libertarian Candidate Michel Benoit to participate in a series of eight debates. The events are scheduled throughout the district during the legislative holiday to accommodate Hunter's participation. The moderators and sponsors for these debates would be agreed upon by all campaigns. All media outlets are invited and encouraged to attend.
Benoit responded immediately, accepting unconditionally. Hunter's campaign had yet to respond within 24 hours of receiving the hand-delivered invitation.
"Hunter's been in office for 17 months, and we've yet to see him bring jobs or any resurgence to our economy - or even pass a single piece of legislation," Lutz said. "East County residents deserve to hear all candidates' positions on issues like the economy, healthcare, energy policy and national security."
"Agreeing to these debates is the least Hunter can do," Lutz said. "Many people didn't realize they weren't voting for Hunter's father in 2008. The fact is, he's just not his father, and these debates should help the public know who is actually running.
The proposed debate schedule is included below:
TENTATIVE DEBATE SCHEDULE
Thu, Aug. 12, 6:30 pm, Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre, La Mesa
Mon, Aug. 16, 6:30 pm, Borrego Springs High School, Borrego Springs
Thu, Aug. 19, 6:30 pm, Poway Performing Arts Center, Poway
Wed, Aug. 25, 6:30 pm, Viejas Tribal Facilities, Viejas/Alpine
Mon, Aug. 30, 6:30 pm, Ramona High School, Ramona
Thu, Sep. 2, 6:30 pm, El Capitan High School, Lakeside
Mon, Sep. 6, 6:30 pm, Serra High School, Tierrasanta area
Thu, Sep. 9, 6:30 pm, Granite Hills High School Gymnasium, El Cajon
This schedule has been proposed by the Lutz Campaign and may change.
Lutz for Congress 2010 Campaign
165 E. Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020
FEC# C00479477
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GASLAMP FUNDRAISER TO CAP WEEK OF ENDORSEMENTS FOR LUTZ CAMPAIGN
COUNCILWOMAN, CONGRESSMEN PAST AND PRESENT AGREE ON LUTZ
San Diego, Calif. (July 30, 2010) - "I really appreciate all this support from people who have seen my work," said Ray Lutz, a 52-year-old activist, engineer and educator running as a Democrat to replace freshman Congressman Duncan D. Hunter in East County's 52nd District. "Hunter follows in his father's footsteps, and represents the worst of Bush-era extremism. Join with me to return sanity to this seat."
Lutz is announcing endorsements from San Diego Congressman Bob Filner (CA-51) and former Congressman Jim Bates, who will be attending Lutz's fundraising event this Friday.
Endorsements have also arrived from San Diego Councilwoman Marti Emerald, who represents District 7 of San Diego City, and Community Advocate and County Supervisor Candidate Stephen Whitburn, also attending Friday's engagement.
Many other V.I.P.'s are expected at the event.
The fundraiser will take place today, July 30, 4-7pm, at the Tequila 100 Bar & Grill (756 5th Avenue) in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. The event is open to the public, with a suggested donation of $25 (though no one will be turned away).
