Chellie's the 5th most active campaign on ActBlue this week!

From Lisa Prosienski, campaign manager--

We're thrilled to see that our campaign is one of the five most active campaigns in the nation on ActBlue -- thanks to all of Chellie's online supporters!

Ned Lamont's "Real Leaders on Iraq"

Ned Lamont has started a fundraising page on ActBlue highlighting four candidates he considers strong voices for ending the war in Iraq: presidential candidate Chris Dodd, senate candidate Tom Allen, Connecticut 4th Congressional District candidate Jim Himes, and Chellie Pingree. Here's what Ned says about Chellie:

"My friend Chellie Pingree is running for Congress in Tom Allen's seat in the first district in Maine, and she has demonstrated in this campaign that she will be able to follow in his footsteps. Like Tom, Chellie was leading on the war before it began, when she stood up and said clearly that this was the wrong war against the wrong enemy during her race for Senate five years ago. As president of Common Cause, she helped expose the no-bid contracts being awarded in Iraq to companies like Halliburton. And in her campaign, she's spoken out often and strongly against the war. Chellie has proven she has the experience and wisdom to be a great representative for the voters of Maine, and a real leader in Congress."

Kennebec Cty Dems candidates' forum

Chellie joined the other Democratic candidates for the 1st Congressional District in a forum held at Augusta City Hall. About 50 people attended the forum, which was moderated by David Offer, the recently retired former editor of the Kennebec Journal.

The audience posed many good questions about Iraq, campaign finance reform, environmental issues and other topics on most of our minds. One unusual question came toward the end of the forum from a man who is a Vietnam veteran. He wanted to know how the Democrats, in insisting on withdrawal from Iraq, can escape being tarred with the brush of "soft on terrorism" by the Republicans.

Chellie answered this with her own question. "Do you think the people of New Orleans feel safer with the current administration in charge?" She added, "I have family in Minnesota -- I know people who drove over that Minneapolis bridge every day. Do any of us feel safer knowing that the infrastructure of our country has been underfunded and ignored? There are many concerns about safety beyond the threat of terrorism. I think we can make a strong argument in response to that Republican claim."

Chellie is on "Out in Left Field"

Chellie appeared on Biddeford's local access cable show, "Out in Left Field," where she talked about her reasons for entering the race, and her previous records as majority leader in the Maine senate and president of Common Cause. You can see a clip from the show here.

One benefit of taping the show in Biddeford was a chance to get together with Rep. Paulette Beaudoin, invited Chellie to her house for coffee. Here's a photo of Paulette and Chellie in front of the Biddeford cable television studio.

Call for volunteers

As we near the end of the third quarter of 2007, momentum is picking up at the Pingree campaign office at 567 Congress Street. Stop by and check out our newly painted storefront display. (I'll post a photo as soon as I can take one.)

And if you have some time to spare in the next two weeks, sign up at our online Volunteer Center to help out with stuffing envelopes, making phone calls about upcoming events, or other general office tasks. Anything you can do to help will be most welcome!

Rep. Cynthia Dill hosts Chellie in Cape Elizabeth

Supporters and interested voters met with Chellie at the home of Rep. Cynthia Dill. "Click here to watch a slideshow of photos from the gathering.

Town Hall Forum on the Iraq War

Chellie was honored to attend Wednesday night's town hall at the Sanford-Springvale VFW. Here's a picture from the event -- Chellie is standing with Jim Bachelder, who is state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and organizer of the event.
The group had lots of good questions and, as Chellie said during her opening remarks, it was a great opportunity for her to hear from local veterans and families about the issues our troops and veterans are facing each day. Chellie made her support for troops and veterans clear while expressing her concerns about the need to end the war. She emphasized that supporting our troops must include taking good care of them once they return home.

Campaign Update

Notes from Lisa Prosienski, Campaign Manager--

It has been a busy summer!  Chellie has been traveling across the district throughout July and August.
 
Supporters held house parties for Chellie in Union, Cushing, York Village, Harpswell and Thomaston, and Chellie attended some of the great summer events all across the district, from lobster bakes and BBQs with the Lincoln, Knox, and Cumberland County Democrats and the annual Maine Democratic Party Muskie lobster bake, to visiting the Monmouth Fair with Representative Nancy Smith and attending Representative Dawn Hill's Cape Neddick barn dance and picnic. Chellie also participated in Labor Day events, taking part in the Southern Maine Labor Council's annual Labor Day breakfast in Portland and the Kennebec County Democrats Labor Day picnic in Winthrop. 

Chellie has been out talking to people and asking for their support, and the response has been great - Chellie's vision for our country, her common sense approach to creating change and her demonstrated ability to take on tough battles (and win!) continue to win over supporters.  You can see pictures of many of Chellie's travels around the district on our flickr website.  You can also see some video of Chellie's campaign stops on YouTube.
 
August also saw Chellie get the official endorsement and backing of EMILY's List, the nation's largest political action committee and financial resource for women running for elective office. Over the course of 22 years, EMILY's List has helped elect hundreds of pro-choice Democratic women to federal office, state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. Chellie is really proud of their early support for her candidacy.
 
Looking ahead, we have an exciting and eventful month ahead of us - Chellie's full campaign website is just about ready for primetime, so visit the website frequently for new features and updates. Chellie will travel to Washington DC for meetings and fundraising and she will participate in a number of meetings with local leaders from all across the district.  She will also be at the following events (and many more are in the works!) .  We hope you'll attend and help spread the word - call the campaign office at 207-773-0155 or visit this website for more information.
 
Sept. 13 - House party at the home of Representative Cynthia Dill, Cape Elizabeth
Sept. 20 - Kennebec County Democrats Candidate Night/Debate
Sept. 21 - Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Democrats Candidate Night
Sept. 23 - House party at the home of Allison and Lincoln Paine, Portland
Sept. 30 - Cumberland County Democrats Candidate Night/Debate

Chellie's campaign is building momentum and really starting to roll, but we need your help:

• Please sign up with the campaign today and encourage 10 people you know to do so as well by visiting.  Email and the website is one of the best ways for supporters to stay connected with the campaign.
• Please write a note or email about Chellie's candidacy and why you're a supporter to your circle of contacts.
• Please consider making a contribution.  Chellie is working hard to raise the resources necessary to mount a winning campaign, but there is a lot of competition for funds and Chellie's working towards an important deadline this month. You can hit the red "contribute" button at the top of the page to donate online.
• Please help us make contact with people in your area. Consider hosting a house party or gathering for Chellie.

Thanks for your support & please stay in touch - Lisa