Healthcare reform and a woman's right to choose affect us all. Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak's attempts to hold healthcare reform hostage to his anti-choice agenda is a particularly horrible way to be an obstructionist. It is imperative that progressives and moderates all over the country show Bart and other obstructionist Dems that they had better get with the program of helping Americans or their seats won't be secure.

Connie Saltonstall is running a primary challenge against Bart Stupak (MI-1), co-sponsor of the anti-choice Pitts-Stupak amendment that would take away the right to choose from many women in America. Stupak is also part of the religious extremist cult surrounding the C-street group and has also supported the failed "abstinence only" sex-education programs that increase teen pregnancy rates. This is our chance to show Democrats who side too much with Republicans are vulnerable.

The progressive grassroots (including Daily Kos and my own small efforts) have already raised more than $60,000 for Connie Saltonstall in about a week. It isn't enough yet, but it is a great start. I predicted that once she started getting some real money for her challenge, she would start getting some good endorsements. Well, the first one came in already. The National Organization of Women has now endorsed Connie Saltonstall:

The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee is proud to announce our endorsement of Connie Saltonstall for Congress, representing Michigan's 1st District. Saltonstall is taking on reproductive rights foe and health care reform obstructer Rep. Bart Stupak in the state's Democratic primary this August.  read more »

As the returns filter in, it looks like Jose Peralta is trouncing Slasher Monserrate in the special election to fill Monserrate's State Senate seat after Monserrate got kicked out by his colleagues after he beat up his girlfriend.

Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate has always been something of a thuggish DINO. He really pissed people off by briefly switching to Republican to throw the State Senate back into paralysis out of some immature tantrum. I was disgusted by how NY State Democrats welcomed him back when his petty tantrum was over and he switched back to Democrat.

Then came the allegation, partly based on behavior caught on film, that he slashed his girlfriend's face with broken glass then brutally manhandled her to the hospital. Yes, we are talking about a State Senator here, not some common thug...or maybe he IS a common thug who happened to get to the State Senate. Here is footage of him manhandling his girlfriend...you tell me. Is this how YOU would handle your injured beloved?  read more »

Mike McMahon, who has threatened to sacrifice the health of Americans for the profits of Insurance Company executives, has just been sent a message from SEIU:

Mike McMahon: Why do you want Americans to die?

Let's review just why we need to get rid of Slasher Monserrate in the special election in Queens on March 16:

Here is video of Monserrate dragging his girlfriend outside after the slashing he claims was accidental. Is this how you would treat YOUR loved one after accidentally slashing her? From Albany Project:

More reminders here: The Facts on Hiram Monserrate

So for the sake of Queens, New York City, New York State and ALL of us, let's get rid of Slasher Monserrate in the March 16 Special Election

This comes from Democracy for NYC:

Tuesday, March 16, 2010, there will be a special election for State Senate, right here in NYC. Democracy for NYC is proud to announce that we have endorsed Assemblymember José Peralta. Here are the results of the endorsement vote:

74% José Peralta
26% No Endorsement
0% Hiram Monserrate

If you've heard about this race, it may seem like Peralta will win easily. But Monserrate has big name recognition in this district - he was the Senator until he was expelled by vote of the State Senate after a serious domestic violence offense. Peralta is a great candidate, but unknown to many in the district and it will take a lot of grassroots volunteers to make sure the voters know about this very important election.

Homophobic Flyer:
José Peralta is a strong supporter of marriage equality, and his opponent Hiram Monserrate voted against the marriage equality bill. As reported by Daily News reporter Liz Benjamin, the following homophobic flyer is being distributed by supporters of Hiram Monserrate at churches in the 13th Senate District:
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/03/anti-gay-rhetoric...  read more »