Saturday, September 22, 2012

Protest and Media Event During Romney's S.D. Visit


WHO / WHAT: 
Democratic National Committee Member Jess Durfee will speak at a media event Saturday as Mitt Romney arrives in San Diego for a $1,000-a-head fundraiser at Doug Manchester's Grand Del Mar Resort in Carmel Valley. A sign-waving "47% Welcome Committee" will greet Romney and his guests on their way to the gated hotel.

WHEN: 
Saturday, Sept. 22 -- media event at 12:30 p.m.; protest from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: 
Carmel Country Road just south of the Ted Williams Freeway (56) -- map

WHY: 

After a week of criticism for his remarks dismissing half of the country as lacking personal responsibility -- implicitly including students, veterans, seniors, the unemployed, and average wage-earners -- the Republican presidential nominee is touching down in San Diego for another fundraiser with his wealthy supporters. Democrats are continuing to challenge the Romney-Ryan agenda to dismantle Medicare, Social Security, and the healthcare benefits that President Obama has established for millions of Americans.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Peters Campaign Launches Second TV Ad of the General Election: “Another Day”




Ad Sets the Record Straight on Pension History 


San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign launched its second television ad of the general election campaign this week; it sets the record straight about Peters’ work to end the City of San Diego’s 30-year practice of underfunding its pension fund for City workers.

The ad, called “Another Day,” features quotes from San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders acknowledging Peters as a partner in “bringing meaningful reform to the City’s pension system,” including his role in negotiating a plan that “helps taxpayers save almost $23 million annually.”

“This ad helps set the record straight,” said Peters’ Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “Scott Peters was not on the City Council that started the practice of underfunding the pension fund, but he was President of the City Council that stopped the practice.

“Scott worked to fix the pension problem in San Diego and helped set the City on a path toward financial reform,” she said. “Brian Bilbray chooses to focus on a pension vote that occurred a decade ago to distract from his record in Washington today,” she added.

The ad compares Peters’ record of reform to Washington on Bilbray’s watch: “Trillions added to the national debt. While Bilbray receives two taxpayer-funded pensions, and votes himself perks, pay raises and taxpayer-funded health care – for life. Congressman Bilbray – what’s wrong with Washington.”

Despite the barrage of half-truths being pumped out of the Bilbray campaign, Peters has repeatedly acknowledged it was a mistake to vote to continue the City’s 30-year-old practice of underfunding the City’s pension fund. The practice that began in the 1980s under then-Mayor Pete Wilson; Peters’ vote occurred in 2002. He then worked to correct it by bringing in outside auditors, adopting their recommendations, and making it illegal to underfund the pension in the future.

Based on these and other reforms, a Securities and Exchange Commission monitor ultimately said that the practices established in San Diego under Peters’ leadership were “a model that others can look to,” and that the SEC would look to “encourage other municipalities to similarly move in the direction San Diego has led.

And a recent article published in U-T San Diego about other California cities forced into bankruptcy, pointed out that the reforms instituted while Peters was City Council President helped San Diego avoid the same course.

For the background and facts about San Diego’s pension fund history, please check out http://truthaboutpensions.

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March Against Wal-Mart To Be San Diego's Largest Ever



“We Deserve Better” March and Rally in San Diego:

A Thousand March for Change at Wal-Mart

Local Residents, Faith Leaders, and Workers Call on Wal-Mart to Stop Stampeding into San Diego’s Historic Farmer’s Market and to Bring Good Jobs to Our Communities

San Diego — Community members, faith leaders, and workers are gearing up for the city’s largest ever rally and march against Wal-Mart to call on the retail giant to meet with community stakeholders if it wants to open new stores in the city.

“We’ve seen how this company mistreats its employees and how it bulldozes over residents in a community,” said Genoveva Aguilar of Casa de Vecinos Organizados. “We don’t need Wal-Mart to come into our city, bringing poor paying jobs and destroying our cultural history.” Earlier in the spring, Wal-Mart surprised local residents and neighbors when the company partially demolished the iconic Farmer’s Market building in Sherman Heights without public notice or hearings. The permitting process that allowed the demolition is also currently facing audit over questionable political donations to city officials.

The march in San Diego is one of hundreds of marches and rallies calling for change that have been happening nationwide. Last week, Wal-Mart contracted warehouse workers in the Inland Empire and outside of Chicago went on strike in protest of unsafe working conditions and unfair labor practices.

The Saturday march will begin at Golden Hill Community Park and end at the Sherman Heights Farmers Market.

EVENT:           
Wal-Mart retail associates, warehouse workers, and community leaders will share concerns of poor working conditions and unanswered calls to meet with Wal-Mart at rally

LOCATION:     
March begins at 2590 Golden Hill Dr., San Diego, CA 92102
March ends at Sherman Heights Farmer’s Market, 21st St./Imperial Ave.

DATE/TIME:   
Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

SPEAKERS:      
Including: Congressman Bob Filner, Assemblymember Ben Hueso, San Diego Unified School Board Member Richard Barrera, San Diego Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez, UFCW Local 135 President Mickey Kasparian, Father Robert Fambrini, and Father Tommie Jennings

VISUALS:         
More than 1,000 marchers expected, with giant signs, musicians, marchers to participate in the largest rally ever against Wal-Mart in San Diego history

CONTACT:      
Patrick Pierce, 619-807-0850
Jorge Amaro, 202-412-4998

You can follow the march and rally on Twitter with the hashtag #stopwalmart

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Prominent Republican Businessman/Philanthropist Malin Burnham Endorses Scott Peters for Congress



San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign today very proudly announces the endorsement of prominent businessman and philanthropist Malin Burnham. Burnham, a Republican is backing Peters over Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray because he, like many other prominent local leaders, believes Peters will be a better advocate for the greater San Diego region.

“I’m happy to give Scott my endorsement because I believe he can do more for the greater San Diego community by, among other means, bringing our five Congressional delegates together to work for our common good,” said Burnham.

The announcement of Burnham’s endorsement, just two days after the campaign announced the backing of independent Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher shows the growing momentum behind the Peters campaign.

“I have enormous respect for Malin and gratitude for all he’s done and continues to do for San Diego,” said Peters.  “His endorsement is a great honor. I’m proud and grateful for his support and I look forward to building on the terrific momentum we’ve achieved this week.”

Burnham is Chairman of John Burnham & Company Insurance and Burnham Real Estate, though his reach into the greater San Diego community is far deeper. He’s served as a board member of several corporations, has chaired nine major non-profits, and founded 14 different organizations, including the Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, the Burnham Moores Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego, and more recently, the Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement at the San Diego Foundation. He is also a world-class sailor who at age 17 he became the youngest skipper to win a World Championship. (Biography is attached.)

Burnham is the latest in a growing list of Republican business and community leaders who are backing Peters over Republican Bilbray. Other Republicans for Scott are (partial list):

Phil Blair, President/CEO Manpower San Diego and former chairman of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce;

Jeff Bowman, Former Fire Chief, City of San Diego;

Craig Irving, President, The Irving Group and former chairman, Downtown San Diego Partnership;

Ted Roth, President, Roth Capital Partners and former chairman, Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce (Democrat); and

Tom Wornham, Retired Executive Vice President, Wells Fargo & Company and former chairman, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Voter registration in the new 52nd Congressional District breaks down about 1/3 Republican, 1/3 Democrat, and 1/3 Decline to State (DTS) or independent. Peters is the only candidate in the race who has shown an ability to reach beyond his own political party and appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Brian Bilbray Tries to Divert Attention from His Record in Washington.. Again



San Diego -- In response to a news release issued by Brian Bilbray today, the Scott Peters for Congress campaign issued the following statement:

“Mr. Bilbray’s sad response to our great news is to focus on a vote that happened a decade ago to distract from his failed leadership in Washington today,” said Peters Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar.

“Scott has stated repeatedly that his vote to continue the city’s 30-year bad habit was a mistake he regrets. The difference is Scott worked to fix the problem and San Diego is now considered a model for pension reform,” she said.

“Compare this to Mr. Bilbray who oversaw our nation’s credit downgrade for the first time in America’s history. His failure to act means the potential loss of 30,000 military-related jobs,” she added. “Mr. Bilbray should apologize to these families who have no idea how they’re going to weather this looming crisis.”

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Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher Endorses Scott Peters for Congress



“Peters is smart, capable, has the right experience for the job.” ~ Nathan Fletcher

San Diego – Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who made national headlines this year when he became an independent after being a life-long Republican, today endorsed Scott Peters for Congress over Republican Brian Bilbray. Peters is running to unseat Bilbray in California’s newly re-drawn 52nd Congressional District.

Fletcher’s endorsement could have a tremendous impact in a race in which 1/3 of the voters are registered as Decline to State (DTS) or independent.

“Scott Peters is smart, capable, has the right experience, is in it for the right reasons, and he’s a good man,” said Fletcher. “Congressional dysfunction is at an all time high because of hyper partisanship. We need a leader like Scott who cares more about results than rhetoric.”

Fletcher went on to say, “If you backed me for Mayor because you want leaders who put people ahead of party politics, then I urge you to vote for Scott Peters, too.”

Peters said he was honored to have Fletcher’s endorsement. He thanked Fletcher for his service to our region, our nation, and for his confidence in Scott’s campaign.

“Nathan represents a new generation of leadership for our region,” said Peters. “He captured the imagination and respect of people from across the U.S. when he made his bold move to independence; he set a new course that will greatly influence politics in our region.”

“I’m honored to have his friendship, and his support,” he added.

Voter registration in the new 52nd Congressional District breaks down about 1/3

 Republican, 1/3 Democrat, and 1/3 Decline to State (DTS) or independent. It will be

impossible for either candidate to win with support only from voters within their party. For this reason, today’s endorsement by Assemblyman Fletcher could have a tremendous impact on this race.

Peters is endorsed by every high profile Democrat in the region, and also by high profile Republicans and business leaders, including three former chairmen of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Independent former State Sen. Lucy Killea is also backing Peters over Bilbray.

Today’s announcement illustrates the tremendous support Peters has from across the political spectrum – Democrats, Republicans and independents. The incumbent has yet to demonstrate the same type of broad political appeal with endorsements from any high profile leaders from outside of his own political party.

The race between Bilbray and Peters has garnered significant national attention because of the extremely competitive challenge Peters has waged against the 12-year, entrenched incumbent. The highly regarded Rothenberg Political Report recently upgraded the race’s rating from “Lean Republican” based on Bilbray’s long-time incumbency, to “Pure Toss Up,” based on the strength of Peters’ candidacy.

For more information, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Monday, September 17, 2012

One of San Diego’s Most High Profile Electeds To Announce Endorsement of Scott Peters for Congress




WHEN:     
TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 11:30 a.m.

WHAT:      
One of San Diego’s most high-profile elected officials will join Peters to announce his endorsement of Scott Peters for Congress.      

In the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District, the electorate breaks down 1/3 Republican, 1/3 Democrat and 1/3 Decline to State or independent.  It will not be won by securing the vote of only Democrats or only Republicans.

*** This very important endorsement will demonstrate the across-the-board appeal and support Peters has in his campaign to unseat long-term incumbent Brian Bilbray. It will be a tremendous boost to the Peters campaign. 

WHERE:        
Scott Peters for Congress Campaign Headquarters
4715 Viewridge Ave., Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92123

“Nuns on the Bus” Brings Fair Budget Message to San Diego Stop




Faith, Community, Labor Leaders Provide Alternative to Devastating Romney-Ryan Budget


WHAT:           
The Romney-Ryan Budget would devastate services such as nutrition assistance, early childhood education and job training that provide pathways out of poverty for millions of families. On the heels of the successful “Nuns on the Bus” tour, faith leaders in San Diego will join together with labor and community groups to speak out against the deep federal budget cuts targeting poor and middle-class families proposed by Vice Presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and supported by Congressman Brian Bilbray and Mitt Romney.

EVENT:          
Speakers will present the “Faithful Budget,” which promotes comprehensive and compassionate budget principles that help lift the burden on the poor, rather than increasing it while shielding the wealthiest from any additional sacrifice. Instead of supporting further devastating cuts to vital programs like Medicare or Social Security, Congressman Bilbray will be called on to abandon his support of the Romney-Ryan Budget and to support the “Faithful Budget.”

When:     
Tuesday, September 18, 2012       
                        3:00 p.m.

WHERE:          
County Administration Center (bayside), 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101

CONTACT:    
 Patrick Pierce
619-807-0850 Cell
ppierce@unionyes.org

San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
3737 Camino del Rio South, #403, San Diego, CA 92108
619-228-8101 Office
www.unionyes.org
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The Truth on Rep. Bilbray’s Anti-Clean Energy Voting Record




WASHINGTON – The California League of Conservation Voters and national League of Conservation Voters today responded to the latest ad by Rep. Brian Bilbray, which attempts to mislead voters on his extreme anti-clean energy, anti-environmental voting record. Bilbray’s votes earned him a horrible 17% on LCV’s 2011National Environmental Scorecard.

“Unfortunately, Brian Bilbray isn’t the first candidate running for office in California to attempt to mislead voters about his environmental record,” said David Allgood, Political Director of the California League of Conservation Voters. “But promises to protect our environment must be backed up by performance, and Mr. Bilbray’s 17% voting record is clear proof he is not the right candidate for the job.”

“Rep. Bilbray has sided Republican leaders at every turn and his votes have helped make the current House of Representatives the most anti-environmental House in history. This ad was made possible by the $225,218 in campaign contributions he’s received from the oil and gas industry throughout his career – they’re standing up for Bilbray because he’s made a career out of standing up for them,” said Navin Nayak, LCV Senior Vice President for Campaigns.

Despite the claims made in the ad, Bilbray has a record of voting against clean energy legislation that protects the environment and creates jobs, while also voting against safeguards that protect the California waters he purports to cherish. Recent votes include:

·         Bilbray voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which included a 20 percent renewable energy standard; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which included the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history; and two other bills to extend critical tax incentives for renewable energy (the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act). [HR 2454, House Vote 277, 6/26/09; HR 1, House Vote 70, 2/13/09; HR 6049, House Vote 344, 5/21/08; HR 5351, House Vote 84, 2/27/08]

·         Bilbray has repeatedly voted to undermine clean water safeguards.  He even voted for HR 2018, a bill that would dismantle the Clean Water Act. [HR 2018,House Vote 573, 7/13/11; Moran Amdt to HR 2354, House Vote 540, 7/12/11; McKinley Amdt to HR 1, House Vote 135, 2/19/11]

The non-partisan LCV National Environmental Scorecard is a nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental and clean energy issues. For more information, visit http://www.lcv.org/scorecard.

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters, www.lcv.org, and the California League of Conservation Voters, www.ecovote.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.