Every State. Every race. Right here.

This is number 33 in a planned series of 50 entries between now and November, looking at each of the 50 states in terms of every race on that state's ticket--Presidential, Gubernatorial, Senate, House, State legislatures--the whole assembly line. Special attention paid to identifying and promoting the most important contests per state.

Join me among the Great Lakes today as we take a look at the all-important midwestern Democratic stronghold of MICHIGAN.

I swear, Republican straw-man fearmongering will never cease to amaze me.

Republican Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan's 7th District, running a tight race against Democrat Mark Schauer, was the only member of the House Education Labor and Committee to vote against reauthorizing Head Start.

Considering there are 43 members of the committee, this is rather significant. So naturally, more than a few people were peeved:

This made the Walberg campaign sad, so they responded with their best defense: "we fear the Wiccans, and their lawsuits".

In other words, say a Baptist or a Catholic church wanted to continue to offer its Head Start program and a Muslim or "a Wiccan from a coven in Ann Arbor" wanted to apply for a job to teach there, now it couldn't discriminate based on religious grounds anymore, or vice versa.

He said he offered an amendment that would have made that change, but it didn't get any traction.

He said he doesn't oppose Head Start, but by keeping that provision in the bill, he said religious organizations might decide it's better to get rid of Head Start.

Walberg said he didn't initiate the efforts, but was contacted by people in his district that were concerned about this provision.

It would also open all of them to lawsuits, because the Wiccan, or the Catholic or the Muslim who wasn't hired, could say it was because of their religious beliefs, he said.

So basically, Walberg voted against Head Start because...he is afraid of the potential complications of Wiccans teaching in Catholic churches or something. Or their mean Wiccan lawsuits, anyway.

Of course.

Nearby, Rep. Joe Knollenberg has bigger things on his mind than Walberg does, bigger even than his difficult reelection race against Democrat Gary Peters.

Knollenberg is busy protecting our families from Asian invaders. Seriously.

Witness what happens when you do a Google blog search.

Now, when you actually click on Knollenberg's blog, of course, he's wiped all mentions of "Asian invaders". The title is now "Protecting our Families from Harmful Products".

Exactly the same thing, you know.

I don't know what he's trying to pull, but it sure looks ugly. As Swing State Project's James L. writes:

This sort of thing -- especially coming from a United States congressman -- is disgusting.

Indeed.

One has to wonder what the hell is wrong with these Michigan Republicans.

On the web:

Mark Schauer for Congress
Gary Peters for Congress

Today we’re excited to announce that our campaign raised more than $427,000 in the second quarter, which breaks the previous fundraising record we set earlier this year. Combined with the last three quarters when Sen. Schauer outraised incumbent Tim Walberg, we have brought in more than $1.33 million and have more than $928,000 cash on hand.

In this quarter alone, the campaign collected more than 1,100 total contributions, with more than 83 percent of individual contributions from donors in Michigan. With just over 100 days to go before the general election, we have now raised more than our opponent brought in during the entire 2006 election cycle.

Given what happened yesterday, I feel it's important I repost my earlier diary on who are the GOOD Democratic challengers when it comes to FISA.  I'll try to corral all their statements into this diary, so you can see who the "good guys" are.

First, let's start off with the current House and Senate members who voted against this bill.  (For the Senate, I'm only including those who voted against cloture yesterday for the bill.)  They do deserve credit, as it's their jobs on the line.

Follow me below the fold to see the dozens of Democratic challengers who are standing up for the Constitution, and are against this FISA bill and retroactive immunity.

In the last couple days, there have been several posts across the blogosphere citing what various candidates running for Congress have said on FISA and retroactive immunity for the telecoms.  But so far, it's been all over the map.  I'll try to corral all their statements into this diary, so you can see who the "good guys" are.

First, let's start off with the current House and Senate members who voted against this bill.  They do deserve credit, as it's their jobs on the line.

Follow me below the fold to see the dozens of Democratic challengers who are standing up for the Constitution, and are against this FISA bill and retroactive immunity.

It's been a while since my last House diary, and I just know you've been sitting there wondering "when will Nathaniel publish his next House roundup diary? I can't live without my fix, and he's just so...incisive...and brilliant...and downright Lincolnesque." (h/t to Stephen Colbert for that.)

Well, pine no more! As always, seats are ranked by flippability, but since House races are so numerous (at 435), I eventually switch to alphabetical order after the first 18 races. I figured 18 was a convenient number...and I also got lazy after writing about Alaska At Large.

Read below the fold, if you dare...

We had some exciting news to share today, and wanted to make sure folks saw this story from the Jackson Citizen Patriot...

-DavidNYC at Swing State Project has written a piece listing the incumbent Democratic Congressmen who have lost a reelection bid since 1996. There have only been 16 of them in toto, and eight of those were casualties of redistricting. Quite an impressive record for Democrats, and it gives us hope heading into this fall, when so many Democratic freshmen will be up for reelection.

-CQ Politics, taking a cue from Swing State Project, lists the lists the top 10 House challengers to incumbents in order of cash-on-hand. Not surprisingly, nine of them are Democrats:

Jim Himes, CT-04
Kay Barnes, MO-06
Darcy Burner, WA-08
Mark Schauer, MI-07
Dan Seals, IL-10
Judy Feder, VA-10
Michael Skelly, TX-07
Gary Peters, MI-09
Bob Lord, AZ-03

The lone Republican on the list is Sandy Treadwell in NY-20, challenging Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, and Treadwell only because he's a self-funder.

NV-03: State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus kicked off her candidacy for this D+1 seat today, as the previous candidate, Robert Daskas, suddenly dropped out last week. The DCCC seems excited about Titus' candidacy, and the district is certainly winnable. She starts about $1M behind Republican incumbent Jon Porter, but she has good fundraising contacts from her unsuccessful 2006 run for Governor, so we'll see if she can catch up.

NC-03: On several issues, Republican incumbent Walter Jones has slowly drifted away from much of his party in recent years, most notably in his opposition to the Iraq War. In fact, Jones was reportedly targeted by House Democrats to switch parties in early 2007. As such, Jones faces a primary challenge from unashamed right-winger Joe McLaughlin in his staunchly Republican district (R+15) district. With a week to go before the primary, Jones looks to be in good position to survive:

With less than a week until North Carolina’s primary, Joe McLaughlin (R) is still waiting for his ship to come in.

McLaughlin, an Onslow County commissioner, was tagged early this cycle as a potential GOP incumbent-slayer, in this case against Rep. Walter Jones Jr. (R-N.C.), a born-again Iraq War critic. But in the waning hours leading up until the Tar Heel State’s May 6 primary, an upset of Jones appears unlikely, and preliminary conclusions already are streaming in for the reasons why: fundraising, fundraising, fundraising.

Even McLaughlin’s campaign on Wednesday wasn’t glossing over the reality of empty cupboards.

"I’m not an idiot. When [Jones] has got three-quarters of a million dollars [and McLaughlin] has got a buck and a quarter, I would never commit that we’re going to go out there and beat him," McLaughlin spokesman Doug Raymond said. "But I bet my house that it’s going to be close."

Even the Club for Growth turned down McLaughlin for financial aid, which has to hurt.

MO-09: We've had a lot of fun with Brock Olivo in the past, and we'll continue to do so. But there's a much more serious and dangerous Republican candidate in the race: medical doctor, State Representative, and certified nutter Bob Onder, who is the perfect Republican one-trick pony: he's already learned how to use the Big Bad Liberals as a scarecrow in lieu of having actual policy proposals.

Here's the centerpiece of his economic platform:  

-Hold the line against Liberals in Washington who want to raise our taxes

And as for social issues:

As a father of six and a committed husband of 13 years, Dr. Onder is a family man first and foremost. He will stand up to Liberals who want to destroy marriage and cheapen the sanctity of human life.

I always like the guys who capitalize "Liberals". You know they're the really special ones.

Unlike Brock Olivo, Onder is actually a serious candidate, and currently the Republican frontrunner for the seat: he has raised over $370K so far, although he is $250,000 in debt. He's opposed by Democrats Steve Gaw and Judy Baker.

NY-13: Republican Rep. Vito Fossella was arrested for DUI last night (hat tip to ortcutt). This can't be good for him, not in a district with a slight Democratic lean, not when the DCCC has already targeted him for defeat. Democrats Domenic Recchia and Steve Harrison are vying for the right to face Fossella, though the filing date is not until July 17 and another candidate could step forward.

For those who missed Larry Kissell's diary yesterday, the DCCC has unveiled their second "Red to Blue" list for this cycle:

Kay Barnes (MO-06)
Anne Barth (WV-02)
Darcy Burner (WA-08)
Robert Daskas (NV-03)
Steve Driehaus (OH-01)
Jim Himes (CT-04)
Christine Jennings (FL-13)
Larry Kissell (NC-08)
Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24)
Eric Massa (NY-29)
Gary Peters (MI-09)
Mark Schauer (MI-07)
Dan Seals (IL-10)

Very nice to see at least three Blue Majority candidates on this list-Darcy Burner, Dan Seals and Eric Massa.

This is in addition to Charlie Brown in CA-04, Dan Maffei in NY-25, and Gary Trauner in WY-AL, who made the first wave of Red to Blue, as well as 2006 netroots candidate Larry Kissell.

That is quite a bit of overlap between netroots candidates and Red to Blue. It's hard to complain about that.

It's also nice to see that the DCCC is actively pursuing incumbents in fairly solidly Republican districts-Anne Barth in WV-02, Kay Barnes in MO-06, Suzanne Kosmas in FL-24. I think this demonstrates nicely their commitment to expanding the map, and being aggressive in districts we haven't contested as strongly in the past.

Furthermore, it's nice to see the DCCC going hard in Michigan, which many considered a missed opportunity in 2006. I still hope to see Mike Rogers and Thaddeus McCotter taken out some day, but you can't have everything.

So overall, a nice list. Good choices all around.

I'm still mad about this, though.

Barack Obama, more than Hillary Clinton, inspires people to volunteer their time and money, not only for his own campaign but for other democrats

Barack Obama, more than Hillary Clinton, makes republicans and conservative leaning people feel okay about voting for a democrat. This helped Bill Foster win in a heavily republican district.

Barack Obama, more than Hillary Clinton, is willing to help out fellow democrats ( he helped Foster not only by cutting a commercial but also by directing phonebanking towards him)

This is, and ought to be, Barack Obama's main selling point in convincing democrats, including superdelegates, to vote for him. A strategy consistent with this thought is below the fold.

Here's why Club for Growth favorite Tim Walberg needs Dick Cheney raising money for him today:

Last August, when Mark Schauer decided to run against Walberg, MI-07 instantly became a top-tier pickup opportunity for Democrats. Until Schauer announced, the Cook Political Report had the race listed likely Republican (PDF). With Schauer in, it moved to lean Republican (PDF).

Now, a Detroit News poll is showing why Republicans should be sweating over Schauer's candidacy: When voters are asked to choose between the candidates by name alone, Walberg retains a lead, 51%-40%. But when the question includes a brief candidate bio, the race is a dead heat, Walberg 48 - Schauer 49. That's far from the only number he should worry about:

The overwhelming top concern picked by voters -- 41 percent -- was "improving the nation's economy and providing jobs."

The poll found that 53 percent of voters didn't know Schauer. Among those who do, 19 percent view him favorably and 12 percent don't.

On Walberg, a fiscal and social conservative who sits on the House Agriculture Committee, 42 percent of voters have a favorable view, while 30 percent don't.

But voters were split when asked to "rate the job being done" by Walberg: 39 percent rated his performance as positive and 38 percent gave him negative marks.

Walberg's got Cheney. Schauer's got us. Michigan bloggers are stepping up to help counter Walberg's Cheney money, with a goal of 100 contributions to their ActBlue page, and they're nearly there. Let's make this one more lesson to Republicans that having Bush or Cheney do fundraisers in their districts is more pain than it's worth.

Are there nine more people who can spare about $9 apiece out there who wish to tell Dick Cheney what they think of him?

When those of us who run Michigan Liberal and Blogging for Michigan planned this week's fund raiser in anticipation of Dick Cheney's fund raising visit to Michigan's 7th Congressional District, we set a very modest goal -- 25 donors.  Now, with the support of the national netroots, we're at 91 donors and $2,915.  We'd like to round that off in both categories, with 100 donors and $3,000 for Mark Schauer, the state senator who can not only beat the embattled Walberg come November, but stands the best chance to hold onto the red-tinted seat into the future.

Donate here.

(From the diaries. Let's greet Dick Cheney's visit to this Michigan district with a few dollars to his opponent, great Democrat Mark Schauer -- kos)

Dick Cheney is coming to Michigan's 7th District Friday to help raise money for Tim Walberg, who isn't just one of the nation's weakest Congresscritters but also high on the list of Republicans to topple come November. He's done so poorly at raising money and has done so poorly in consolidating support behind him, that there's been loose talk in Republican circles of running someone against him in the August primary.

So, what are they getting in Dick Cheney?  A fund raising shot in the arm by someone with a 22 percent approval rating, which is a remarkable feat considering that we no longer hear Cheney's name in the news.

We at Michigan Liberal and Blogging for Michigan think there's no better way for people to show their support for Dick Cheney than by giving money to the guy who is running against the candidate Cheney is stumping for.

Mark Schauer is Michigan's Senate Minority Leader, and the race for the traditionally Republican-held 7th District is regularly touted as one of the most watched races in the nation. He's outraised Walberg in terms of money, is running an energetic campaign ... all while his opponent continues to do things like vote against Head Start and refusing to vote in favor of recognizing Ramadan. It's a race Democrats can easily win this year, and Schauer has solid progressive credentials. By showing how much you love Dick Cheney, you'd be helping extend the Democratic majority into what is currently considered a Republican district ... and Schauer is strong and popular enough that he could potentially hold onto it during the next campaign cycle.

Our goal is a modest 25 supporters, and we're halfway to it at 13.

Some of you may have heard of Mark Schauer, although if you live outside of Michigan (like me), chances are that if you have heard of him, you don’t know enough about him - because there is a lot of good things to know.

If you are looking to take a brief break from the Presidential candidate wars, you can hear thereisnospoon and I interview Mark today at 1PM Eastern/10AM Pacific on our BlogTalkRadio show.  

Mark’s website is here, and you can find out why he has a lot to offer the people of his district as a Congressman, what he plans to do differently in Washington as he is doing now in Michigan, the issues facing his district, and his other thoughts on how he will serve his constituents if you listen to him in his own words at 1PM Eastern today.

Two years ago, Tim Walberg was able to knock off moderate and popular Joe Schwarz in Michigan's 7th Congressional District Republican primary thanks in large part to a massive infusion of money from the Club for Growth.  Walberg went on to beat a massively underfunded turkey farmer named Sharon Renier in the general election, and has since developed a reputation for extremist politics in representing a fairly moderate southern Michigan district.

Last year, Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer threw his hat into the ring, and the race because a top-tier potential as a Democratic pick-up.  This week, the prospects of that look even brighter.

Here it is, after many months of absence, my House rankings (offense only this time). I know you've been holding your breath, so please forgive me for turning your face purple with anticipation.

Because of the many GOP open seats, vulnerable incumbents have gotten less coverage 'round these parts. But you can still spot some of them, especially as the list unfolds.

Let us start the bidding with:

1. California 4th - John Doolittle (R) supposedly running for 10th term

PVI: R+11
Outlook: Likely Democratic pickup

As long as the corrupt Doolittle is in the race, Democrat Charlie Brown is way up. At least, that's what the last poll said. But I think we learned in 2006 that corrupt Republicans like to bow out at the last minute. I expect Doolittle will do the same eventually.

Much much more below the fold...

Do you know Democratic Congressional Candidate Scott Killips??

You won't find his name on the wall in the post office, but you just might see it on billboards and yard signs in the coming months. Scott Killips is running against Pete Hoekstra in Michigan's 2nd Congressional District. Today he launched his website.

You might not live in the 2nd CD, but do you know your local Congresscritter? While our state is blessed to have a fantastic Democratic Congressional Caucus, we're also cursed with a couple Republicans thrown in here and there, like Hoekstra, Tim Walberg, Thad 'Momma's Boy' McCotter, Candice Miller, Fred Upton, Dave Camp, Vern Ehlers, Joe Knollenberg and my own critter, Mike Rogers.

We all want them out, and there's only way to go about it, get to work pounding the pavement, working on research, raising money, and blogging, blogging, blogging.

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. After much pressure from readers, this email newsletter is now going the blog route. I update the blog once a week focusing on both national issues and issues of interest to particular regions or states. In general, NYC, California, New Jersey, Virginia and the Midwest get special attention simply because those are the areas where I seem to have the most readers. However, these days I am too busy to give each region the attention I used to. As my readership on Daily Gotham and Culture Kitchen goes up, I have to spend more time on those sites. So this newsletter is fading a bit. I hope it is still usefull to you, though.

This week I am disucss the growning power of bloggers in NY State, STRONGLY urge all of you to fight global warming but helping plant trees worldwide, talk alot about Iraq and cowardly Chickenhawk Republicans, and discuss local elections in Michigan and Washington State. I also continue a new feature that started with an unexpectedly recommended Daily Kos.