The American two-party system is fracturing, as both sides are struggling with immense war debt, a crippled manufacturing base, and a Federal Reserve that is devaluating the currency in order to prop up financial institutions that gambled trillions and lost; their bets became our losses as they were “covered by the house”. Progressives have been decrying the centrist wishy-washiness of so many Democrats for years, and there was an outspoken expectation that once the Democrats were in power, new, more liberal parties could emerge to challenge the old-guard Democrats to veer left or be shown the door. The surprise is that the right beat them to it (and here's why that's fine...)

By Dave Lindorff

President Barack Obama was so obviously pleased to have five-term
Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announce that he was
switching party affiliation and joining the Democratic Party that the
president missed an opportunity to make sure that his new BFF in the
Senate was also a backer of the issues that Obama ran on in the
presidential campaign.

Indeed, while President Obama was quick to offer Sen. Specter his
backing and even to offer to help him with fund-raising in his quest
for re-election in 2010, he said nothing at all about any quid-pro-quo.

This is not only unfortunate. It is irresponsible.

Our first endorsed candidate of 2008, State Senator Regina Thomas (GA-12), gave incumbent Bush Democrat John Barrow a good scare in July's primary. Despite being outspent 40:1, Thomas won 24% of the vote. Better yet, Thomas promised to primary Barrow again in 2010, which might scare him into voting with Democrats instead of Republicans. You contributed over $25,000 to Thomas, and that money was very well spent!

Impeachment supporter Adam Sullivan challenged Jerrold Nadler in the Democratic primary in NY08, but was thrown off the ballot on a technicality. Today he endorsed Steve Harrison for Congress in NY13 over Mike McMahon, Rahm Emanuel's chosen candidate.

Guest blogged by Phil Munger:

In Alaska, the state tied most closely to corruption, two credible candidates have emerged to challenge the structural problems that led to so much unbridled fraud and naked venality. On the Right, current Governor Sarah Palin emerged two years ago, to challenge big oil's longtime dominance of the state's executive branch. On the Left, Diane Benson emerged around the same time to challenge both Alaska GOP Rep. Don Young for his seat in the U.S. Congress, and her own party, the Alaska Democrats.

In the next few weeks, we'll have the final round of Democcratic primaries for Congress. And Howie Klein is rightfully outraged that the DCCC is endorsing rank mediocrities instead of talented progressives, all of whom we endorsed on our Replace Bush Democrats Actblue page.

At Friday's impeachment hearing, Rep. Jerrold Nadler took impeachment a lot more seriously than he has until now. And there's a good reason - he escaped a primary challenge by the skin of his teeth.

Because of New York's strict ballot access laws, Nadler's pro-impeachment constituents had to organize a massive petition-gathering effort. Unfortunately candidate Adam Sullivan was tripped up by those strict laws, but Nadler seems to have gotten the message!

Sullivan Ends Primary Bid Against Nadler, Vows to Fight on Over Impeachment 

Mark has a master list of Dems who vote in primaries, for his
district, from Democratic HQ: this will target our efforts and make
sure we're not wasting our time, as we pound the pavement on behalf of
our progressive candidate for U.S. Congress, in our canvassing efforts
this week.

This is a grassroots campaign and we need you to step up. Call the
candidate 437-0129 or 406-9514 to volunteer your time and enthusiasm.

A radio interview online for Mark is also scheduled for Wednesday afternoon

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/epradio

There's a call in segment of the 30-minute programme (2:30 to 3:30
PM). The call in number will be 718-508-9410 on Wednesday afternoon.

Feel free to call in on the Wed aft and ask Mark some questions live on radio!

P.S Please forward this message to anyone you know who may be interested in supporting Manley for Congress.

-------- Original Message --------