"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

	pacquiao -- Late Thursday night, the House of Representatives took a vote to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It's a huge moment. Repealing this law is common sense. It makes our military stronger and our country safer. It allows a group of heroes who have already fought for this country to continue do so without fear of being discharged, and offers a new opportunity for service to those who want it. As President Obama has said, "It's the right thing to do." As a Democrat, I'm proud that members of our party have been leaders in this fight. As an American, I'm anxious for the full Senate to take up the vote. But passage in the Senate is no sure thing. Republicans are planning to stand in the way of history. Sen. John McCain has said he'll do everything in his power to stop a vote. Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker has pledged to lead a filibuster. To ensure they don't succeed with this obstruction, we need to show that Americans in every state support repeal. Will you stand with the President to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? Sign now: http://my.democrats.org/RepealDADT Thanks, Governor Tim Kaine Chairman
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Make them own it

	pacquiao -- Last week, the Senate did something historic -- lawmakers passed legislation to reform Wall Street. The Washington Post said the bill represents "the most far-reaching overhaul of Wall Street regulations since the 1930s." As a law, it will bring an end to the practices that drove the global economy into recession, extend new financial protections to American families, and create a new foundation for prosperity in this country. It's change this country desperately needs, but after weeks of stalling, nearly every Republican opposed it. Now, we're going to make the GOP own this vote. We'll tell the story about how Republicans have locked arms with big banks in the name of killing reform in the fall election. We'll make the case in TV ads, direct mail, and the literature we use as we go door to door. But it will only be enough if you stand with us to help us get it done. Republicans can count on their Wall Street friends to stand with them this fall. Can we count on you? Donate $5 or more to help us show that the GOP is the party of Wall Street. Even as they delayed the vote on Wall Street reform, Republican senators were meeting with special interest lobbyists to ask for contributions. Given that, it's no surprise that the GOP is fighting to preserve the status quo. But at a time when so many Americans are suffering, they're making a particularly cynical political calculation. They're betting that they can muddy the issue, pull in plenty of special-interest cash, and not pay a price for doing the bidding of Wall Street. If we can tell this story clearly and forcefully, that won't be the case. The voters who support reform -- most of the country -- will know exactly where Republicans stand. And then, the GOP will suffer the consequences. But we need your help to tell that story. Please donate $5 or more today: http://my.democrats.org/OwnIt Thanks, Jen Jen O'Malley Dillon Executive Director Democratic National Committee
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They backed down

pacquiao -- On Thursday, the Senate passed historic Wall Street reform. This movement proved again that the strongest special interests, who for so long have called the shots in Washington, can be beat. When opponents in Congress tried to block the legislation altogether, you stood up -- and they backed down. When the lobbyists pushed for loopholes and exemptions just before a final vote, you did not relent -- and we fought them off. Your support brought us to this day -- and, because of that, we're poised to implement sensible reforms that will provide a stronger foundation for economic growth. Now, the House and Senate must iron out their differences before I can sign it into law. But the financial industry will not give up. They have already spent more than $1 million per member of Congress, lobbying on this issue. And in the coming days, they will go all in. This is their last shot to stall, weaken, or kill reform, and they are not accustomed to losing. But this movement has you -- and together, we have beaten the special interests before. Please donate $5 or more today to help counter the special interests' attacks and get strong Wall Street reform to my desk. Every American has a stake in this bill. If you have ever been treated unfairly by a credit card company, this reform works for you -- never again will Americans be duped by fine print or hidden fees. If you ever try to take out a home loan or student loan, this reform works for you -- putting an end to predatory and deceptive lending practices. And, if you or your small business relies on credit from community banks that are being punished for playing by the rules while their competitors do not, this reform works for you -- reining in the big banks and making sure all our lenders are subject to tough oversight. These reforms would put in place the strongest consumer financial protections in history. And, by helping safeguard our economy from recklessness on Wall Street, it would ensure that a crisis like the one that caused this recession never happens again. This is not a zero-sum game where Wall Street loses and Main Street wins. As we have learned, in today's economy, we are all connected. When the economy prospers, we all win. Senators of both parties recognize that fact, and that is why lawmakers stood up to the lobbyists and worked across the aisle to ensure that Wall Street reform passed. But this fight is not yet over. And it is up to us to overcome this final test and pass reform into law. When we do, the power of this movement to make change in Washington -- despite the best efforts of the special interests -- will no longer be up for debate. Please donate $5 or more today: http://my.democrats.org/HistoricReform Thank you, President Barack Obama

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A reason to smile

pacquiao -- This week, when the President first told me he'd chosen Elena Kagan to serve on the Supreme Court, I couldn't help but smile. I had a chance to interview many great candidates, but Elena stood out. I met her nearly 20 years ago, when she took a break from teaching to join my staff in the Senate. She helped us confirm Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and even then, it wasn't hard to picture a day when we'd be helping Elena prepare for confirmation hearings of her own. Since that time, I've followed her career, and today, I believe Elena Kagan is an inspired choice for the Supreme Court. Throughout her career, she's been a trailblazer, breaking glass ceilings in both academia and government. She's been a consensus-builder, earning praise for her work with Republicans in the Clinton White House and her support for the free exchange of ideas as the dean of Harvard Law. She's flat-out brilliant, easily one of the best legal minds I've ever met. But most importantly, she's also someone who understands that the application of the law holds real consequences for Americans in all walks of life. Now her nomination goes to the Senate. I've been through this process more than once, and I've learned that the success of any nomination is strongly influenced by the public response in the first few days. Will you stand with the President and me to support Elena Kagan? Sign on to help us show that the American people back her nomination. As a young attorney, Elena clerked for Justice Thurgood Marshall. She often calls him her hero. Now, she's following in his footsteps as the Solicitor General of the United States, the chief legal advocate for our government. If Justice Marshall were with us today, I'm sure he'd be proud of the clerk he used to call "Shorty." To see why, look no further than her role in the Citizens United case. It was a legal battle that most experts agreed would be impossible for the government to win. But as Solicitor General, Elena chose this as her first case. She recognized that rolling back bipartisan election law would allow special interests to dominate campaigns across the country and drown out the voice of the American people. Though she knew she'd probably lose, she chose to make it her fight all the same. That's character. That kind of decision defines Elena's career. With her resume, she's had no shortage of lucrative opportunities. But her parents were both public servants -- her mother a school teacher and her father a housing lawyer who fought for tenants' rights -- and she has always followed their example. Like her dad, she's used her legal knowledge to serve others, and like her mom, she's been an educator, working to pass her knowledge on to another generation. Now, it's time to bring that heartfelt, principled commitment to the Supreme Court. In these crucial early days, help us show that public support for this extraordinary nominee is overwhelming: http://my.democrats.org/SupportKagan Thank you, Vice President Joe Biden

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Elena Kagan

pacquiao -- Today, it is my great honor to nominate our Solicitor General, and my friend, Elena Kagan, to be the next justice of the United States Supreme Court. As I send my nomination to the Senate, I wanted to record a special message for you that I hope will help us launch a national discussion. Take a minute to watch this video, and then help me to introduce Elena to your friends and family by passing it on. Elena is widely regarded as one of the best legal minds of her generation -- earning praise from across the ideological spectrum throughout her career. Above all, she is a trailblazer. She wasn't just the first woman to serve as dean of Harvard Law School -- she was one of its most beloved and successful leaders, building a reputation for openness to other viewpoints and skill in working with others to build consensus. These were some of the many reasons why I selected her to be my Solicitor General, the nation's chief advocate -- the first woman to hold that post as well. Her work as Solicitor General has allowed me to see firsthand just why Elena is particularly well-suited to the Court: She has not only a keen understanding of the law, but also one that is rooted in a deep awareness of its impact on people's lives. Last year, she made that clear -- choosing the Citizens United case as her first to argue before the Supreme Court, defending bipartisan campaign finance reform against special interests seeking to spend unlimited money to influence our elections. Now, I look forward to the prospect of Elena taking her seat alongside Justice Ginsberg and Justice Sotomayor. For the first time, our nation's highest court would include three women, ensuring a Court that would be more inclusive, more representative, more reflective of us as a people than ever before. When Justice Stevens wrote me to announce his retirement, I knew that the Court would be losing a standard bearer. And I felt a responsibility to nominate an individual capable of being that same guiding force, a consistent voice of reason on the Court. I am certain I have made the right choice. As you learn more about Elena, I am confident you'll see what I do -- that she is a voice we need on the Supreme Court. Please watch the message -- and share it with others: http://my.democrats.org/kaganforjustice Thanks, President Barack Obama

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Job growth

	pacquiao -- I wanted to share some great news with you: Our economy added 290,000 jobs in April -- the most in four years. It's an encouraging sign that we're headed in the right direction. From the Recovery Act, to infrastructure investments, to incentives promoting hiring, President Obama and Democrats in Congress have not only stopped the American economy from getting worse, they're putting Americans back to work and contributing to three consecutive quarters of sustained economic growth. Unfortunately, Democrats had to enact these measures without the help of their Republican counterparts in Congress. And even now -- when the good news is apparent -- GOP leaders continue to peddle misleading messages about the economy. It's almost as if they want us to fail. There's a lot more to do, but we're on the right track, and this graph is one of the best ways to show it. Will you pass it along to everyone you know? Thanks, Governor Tim Kaine Chairman
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Should we add your name?

pacquiao -- Last week, a group of concerned lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent corporate cash from dominating our elections. Republican leaders immediately announced their opposition, but grassroots Democrats across the country are speaking out to demand these reforms. Now, President Obama has used his weekly address to make a strong case for reining in corporate influence on our elections and to raise the profile of this issue even more. As the fight for fair elections gains national attention, we're putting together an ad highlighting the names of everyone who signs our petition to demonstrate the massive support for change. Should we add your name? Click here to sign the petition: http://my.democrats.org/FairElectionsVideo Thanks, Jen Jen O'Malley Dillon Executive Director Democratic National Committee P.S. -- Don't miss Gov. Kaine's message from Saturday below. ---------------------Original Message--------------------- From: Tim Kaine Subject: Corporate Cash Friend -- Since President Obama took office, we've faced two opponents in every major fight we've had -- Republicans and special interests opposed to change. Whether it's Wall Street lobbyists, insurance companies, or the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Republicans always have a deep-pocketed ally ready to help them stand in the way of reform. If we do nothing, the 2010 election will be no different. After the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, which overturned years of hard-fought campaign finance law, corporate interests are more powerful than ever. They can now spend money attacking President Obama's agenda and his allies right up until Election Day. That's why it's so important to support the bipartisan legislation introduced this week to prevent corporate cash from drowning out the voice of the American people. As we've seen time and time again, it's easy for reform like this to get bogged down. But this is too crucial to wait. If we're going to get this done before the fall campaign season, we need to show now that the American people just won't tolerate elections dominated by free-spending special interests. Sign our petition in support of fair elections. We're planning an ad campaign featuring this petition, and we want your name to be part of it. The new bill would establish the toughest disclosure requirements for corporate campaign spending in history. It would prevent foreign-controlled corporations and government contractors from spending money on elections and prohibit political spending by companies that received government bailout money. If we can pass it soon, it will be the law of the land before November. But none of this will be easy. People say that money in politics is like water -- it finds every crack. But the Citizens United decision isn't a crack; it opens a breach in the foundation of fair elections in this country. Though special interests are now free to spend money on campaigns, we can still hold them accountable. We can make them stand by the ads they run, and we can shine a light on their involvement so that everyone knows who is trying to influence our elections and government. But we need your help to do it. Please sign our petition in support of fair elections: http://my.democrats.org/FairElectionsVideo Thanks, Governor Tim Kaine Chairman

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

Corporate cash

	pacquiao -- Since President Obama took office, we've faced two opponents in every major fight we've had -- Republicans and special interests opposed to change. Whether it's Wall Street lobbyists, insurance companies, or the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Republicans always have a deep-pocketed ally ready to help them stand in the way of reform. If we do nothing, the 2010 election will be no different. After the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, which overturned years of hard-fought campaign finance law, corporate interests are more powerful than ever. They can now spend money attacking President Obama's agenda and his allies right up until Election Day. That's why it's so important to support the bipartisan legislation introduced this week to prevent corporate cash from drowning out the voice of the American people. As we've seen time and time again, it's easy for reform like this to get bogged down. But this is too crucial to wait. If we're going to get this done before the fall campaign season, we need to show now that the American people just won't tolerate elections dominated by free-spending special interests. Sign our petition in support of fair elections. We're planning an ad campaign featuring this petition, and we want your name to be part of it. The new bill would establish the toughest disclosure requirements for corporate campaign spending in history. It would prevent foreign-controlled corporations and government contractors from spending money on elections and prohibit political spending by companies that received government bailout money. If we can pass it soon, it will be the law of the land before November. But none of this will be easy. People say that money in politics is like water -- it finds every crack. But the Citizens United decision isn't a crack; it opens a breach in the foundation of fair elections in this country. Though special interests are now free to spend money on campaigns, we can still hold them accountable. We can make them stand by the ads they run, and we can shine a light on their involvement so that everyone knows who is trying to influence our elections and government. But we need your help to do it. Please sign our petition in support of fair elections: http://my.democrats.org/SupportFairElections Thanks, Governor Tim Kaine Chairman
	Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.