Democrat Charlie Brown's been busy campaigning in northern California's 4th Congressional district this early summer.
His opponent... not so much.
Here's a photo diary for you to enjoy as we head towards the 4th of July.

0177


Charlie and Jan Brown at the American River Confluence Festival June 8 2008 in Auburn, CA , which celebrated the return of the river into its original channel. Charlie Brown said to get out there and enjoy the outdoor recreational opportunites we have...

Every year, cities and towns throughout the 4th District celebrate their unique communities with fairs, parades and picnics. The City of Rocklin (pop 50,920) is no different, and yesterday was the annual Rocklin Jubilee. Charlie Brown was riding along for the fun, and the crowds were excited to see their next Congressman. Pictures below the fold...

On Tuesday, Orange to Blue candidate Charlie Brown, running in a solid Republican district, came to Daily Kos to show us what a better Democrat looks like.

I flew missions that monitored electronic communications around the world—often with Soviet MIGs flying off my wing and hoping I’d make a wrong turn.  Our standing order was "if you even suspect you are collecting data on an American citizen, you are to cease immediately, flag the tape, and bring it to a supervisor."  We knew failure to comply would yield serious consequences—the kind that can end your career, or worse, land you in jail.

In short, professional, accurate intelligence collection guidelines were used to protect America "from all enemies, foreign and domestic," without also undermining the very freedoms we were protecting [...]

As an officer who was both involved in these programs and held personally accountable for my actions in the name of defending America, I have a problem with giving a few well-connected, well-healed companies who knowingly usurp the law a free pass.

Every day, less than 1% of our country puts on the uniform and dedicates themselves to the security and the freedom of every single American. They do so knowing that breaking the chain of command, or ignoring orders, comes with consequences---no matter how "patriotic" your intentions [...]

When I see our intelligence community being used for partisan political gain instead of for defending our nation, silence is not an option.

And when I see companies acting "in the interest of national security" held to a lower standard of accountability than the dedicated professionals charged with our nation’s defense, silence is not an option.

And to those few companies seeking immunity for breaking the law despite the best of intentions---might I offer a few comforting words on behalf of all who serve, and all who have borne the responsibilities of safeguarding our great nation...freedom isn’t free.

You can react to the House capitulation by throwing up your arms in disgust, taking your ball, and going home, or you can remember that this is a long-term battle, which in reality began just in 2002. There's a lot of dead weight in Congress -- both Republican and Democratic.

This year, we're focused on getting rid of many of those Republicans. The more Republicans we take out, the easier it will be to target Democrats in 2010. So for now, let's get rid of GOP dead weight, and we can do so in districts like CA-04, where good Democrats are running, eager and able to fight for strong progressive principles and for the Constitution.

You want more strong progressive pro-Constitution Democrats in Congress? Then chip in and help Charlie Brown finish the job he started in 2006.

On the web:
Orange to Blue ActBlue Page
Charlie Brown for Congress

Race tracker wiki: CA-04

(Spoiler Alert:  May see Democratic Congressional Candidate on offense)

One of our favorite Orange to Blue candidates, Charlie Brown (Retired USAF Lt. Col.), sent out an email yesterday to supporters taking to task Republican opponent (and perennial candidate here in California), Tom McClintock.  

It seems McClintock can't decide which side of the fence he's on -- on the critical issue of whether to campaign on the coat tails of current incumbent John Doolittle, retiring at the end of this term following some troubles with the FBI (such as raiding his home in connection with the Abramoff corruption investigation).

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.

We keep being told by the anti-constitution Democrats and those who defend their actions that shredding the Fourth Amendment is a necessary move in order to protect the Democratic Congressional majorities.

But there's a funny thing about that argument. Those Democrats actually on the front lines - those who are taking on incumbent Republicans or Republican-held seats - are among the most vocal opponents of the FISA surrender.

If these Democrats, those you'd logically expect to support the FISA compromise, are actually opposing it, and believe they can score points against their Republican opponents by doing so - then it blows out of the water any justification Pelosi had for agreeing to this, and should suggest that the contributions House Dems received from telecoms should be more prominently discussed.

For a good chunk of my 26 year Air Force career, I was directly involved in surveillance programs for the National Security Agency (NSA).

For decades, these programs have played a crucial role in protecting our country from its enemies and all who seek to undermine the constitutionally protected freedoms that so many brave service members have died defending—including several of my Air Force Academy classmates.

With less than 145 days to the November election, we are ramping up a ground operation unlike any the 4th District has ever seen---through which grassroots organizers and volunteers will personally relay Charlie's positive message to more than half a million voters between now and November 4.

172 charlie brown

Charlie Brown and citizens at the Downieville Mason Hall on Saturday, June 6, 2008, at a talk and give- and- take exchange.  
*
*

On the evening of June 3rd, 2008, a small group of dedicated individuals proved that anything is possible, looked conventional cynicism in the face, and saw it had no sway over them, and resolved to go on until they had created a new political reality in California's 4th Congressional district.  

0149 josh

The End of Primary Party was held in a newly renovated, homey yet hip looking brick building in the old downtown that now is a new small business, a restaurant and bar called the Urban. It was attended by ordinary people. There were no lobbyists, no TV cameras, no boom trucks, no Big Names making a spectacle. Yet there was an energy there.

Every State. Every race. Right here.

This is number 15 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 list of Oscar nominees.  Special attention paid to identifying and promoting the most important contests per state.

One of my inspirations for this series was a series by ultrageek, who tried to do one on all 435 House districts in 2006, but got overtaken by election night before getting to the biggest states.  That taught me to get at least some of the big states out of the way early, before I either burn out or run out of time.

And so, the time has come to do the most populous state of them all—CALIFORNIA!

I'm at the Urban Restaurant in old downtown Roseville, and we're having an "end of the Primary Party !"

Please come in and say Hello, and tell us how HAPPY you are that the primary process is over and we have a nominee for... CA-04 on the Democratic ticket, ret. USAF Lt Col. Charlie Brown.

And we have a Presidential Nominee also.  Please let's just kick back and relax and let our hair down (wow, that phrase just dated me) and think good things for the summer.  

Greetings, Fans of California's most beautiful northern district, the lovely mountains and valleys of CA- 04.  Hasn't this just been the longest primary season? Well, today the Charlie Brown for Congress campaign released some wonderful news.... he is already polling AHEAD of the two top running Republican candidates whom are trying to replace Abramoff encrusted John Doolittle !  http://www.dailykos.com/...

Tomorrow night, Tuesday, June the 3rd, Charlie Brown is having a Primary Celebration Party in downtown Roseville, from 8 to 11 pm, at the Basic Urban Kitchen and Bar.  You're all invited to come and watch election returns, relax, and have some munchies !  For those of you who can't attend in person, we will be liveblogging this event. I will update this diary later with the link for that.

Calitics.com has "huge news" out of CA-04, where new poll numbers show Fighting Dem Charlie Brown has got a big surprise waiting for the winner of tomorrow's Republican primary fight between Tom McClintock and Doug Ose.  Those two have poured $4 million in the hope of strolling into the general election in what was traditionally a Republican district - But no more!

Poll results below, along with news on the campaign's Saturday "Day of Action" and plus a plea for support for this great candidate....

Yesterday, Neil wrote a great diary reminding us just what Democratic Candidate Charlie Brown, running for northern  CA- 04 's congressional seat,  is all about.  Here's the link:    http://www.dailykos.com/...
          CA- 04, A DIFFERENT KIND OF CAMPAIGN  
I left a comment there, but just in case you missed it, I'll repeat,
We can't let these Republicans that don't even live in the district, Tom McClintock or Doug Ose, steal this election away from us, so there's ...
Another Day of Action Coming Up This Weekend !

2nd Day of Action
10am
Saturday, May 31
Sunday June 1

precinct walk and phone banking

Meet at Charlie Brown's  Roseville Headquarters
332 Lincoln Street (old but now nicely remodeled downtown)Roseville, CA   95678
link:
http://www.charliebrownforcongress.o...

As many of you know, back in 2006, first time candidate and Retired USAF Lt. Col. Charlie Brown came from obscurity to within less than 9,000 votes (or 3%) of victory in a district that had been electing Republicans by 30 point margins just two years before.

I worked on Charlie’s campaign in 2006, and I’m proud to be serving Charlie again in 2008. I didn’t come back because I enjoy the 16-hour days. I certainly didn’t come back because of the paychecks. I came back because there’s something different about a "typical day" on the Charlie Brown for Congress campaign---something that can’t be described in sound bytes or talking points...something so important, you want the world to experience it with you...

Earlier this month, I campaigned with my friend and brother, Retired USAF Lt. Col. Charlie Brown.  I was proud to be with him as he unveiled his first TV ad of the 2008 campaign.  

The room that morning was a story unto itself.  Veterans young and old, standing shoulder to shoulder to support a man who understands what it's like to put your life on the line for our country---a leader who understands what it means to make and keep a promise.  

Here in California’s 4th Congressional District, we have a clear choice between leadership and partisanship, solutions or more bickering. Charlie Brown has been at the forefront of leading the fight to restore integrity to the 4th CD, and a higher standard of leadership to Washington.