Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney (CA-11) to Deliver Democratic Radio Address

Press Release
Source: Office of Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi

Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney (CA-11) to Deliver Democratic Radio Address

Friday December 29, 5:51 pm ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney (CA-11), an incoming freshman, will deliver the Democratic Radio Address on Saturday. In his address, Congressman-elect McNerney discusses Democratic plans to break the link between lobbyists and legislation and the need for a new direction in Iraq.

WHO: Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney (CA-11)

WHAT: Weekly Democratic Radio Address

WHEN: Saturday, December 30, 2006 -- 11:06 a.m. (EST)

WHERE: Major radio networks, including AP, ABC, NPR, CBS Radio, CNN Radio,
C-SPAN, Armed Forces Radio Network, American Urban Radio Network,
Voice of America Radio Network, BBC Radio, CBC Radio, and
Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Below is a transcript of his remarks:

Embargoed until Saturday, December 30, 2006 at 11:06 a.m. EDT

"Good morning and Happy New Year. This is Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney of Pleasanton, California, a new Member in the 110th Congress.

"As we move into the New Year and the new Congress, I am excited about what we can achieve for the American people. In this election, the American people clearly called for change: change in the way we do business in Washington, change in the way that we shape our energy policy, and most importantly, a change of direction in Iraq.

"As our first responsibility in fulfilling the mandate of this critical election, House Democrats will restore integrity and civility in Washington in order to earn the public trust.

"We will ban gifts from lobbyists and lobbyist-funded travel, prohibit the use of corporate jets, and shut down the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street Lobbyists. We will restore the House tradition of allowing a reasonable 15-minute voting period to prevent extended votes, and we will require that Congress put away the credit card and operate under a pay-as-you- go common sense budget rules. We will hold Members of Congress accountable to the people who voted them into office, not lobbyists and special interests.

"Our heavy dependence on foreign oil is putting our economy, our climate, and our national security at great risk. We are actually funding the very terrorists around the world who are trying to harm us. It's our patriotic duty as citizens of this great nation to end our dependence on imported oil. Democrats will quickly and significantly reduce our consumption of foreign oil while creating jobs, prosperity, and a healthy environment with a new energy technology, including renewable energy and bio-fuels.

"Most of the technologies needed to reshape our energy future are already at hand; what has been lacking is the political will to develop and expand their use. Democrats have a vision of creating a new energy economy using good old-fashioned American ingenuity to achieve energy independence. New American jobs and a bright future will be the dividend.

"Democrats will also lead the way for a new direction in Iraq. My son was in the military when he convinced me to run for office, and we continue to keep our soldiers and their families in our prayers. But our troops need more than our well-wishes, and our veterans need more than lip service; we need a change in policy, as confirmed by the Iraq Study Group report released earlier this month.

"I share the concern of my Democratic colleagues that President Bush may use his same failed logic to increase our troop strength in Iraq by up to 30,000 soldiers. The incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, has said that an increase in troops at best won't change a thing, and at worst could exacerbate the situation even further in Iraq.

"The Iraqis need to understand that the responsibility for the future of that country is theirs. Beginning the redeployment of American forces would send that message. We must also improve the training of Iraq security forces by ensuring that Iraqi units are not infiltrated by either militia members or insurgents. The consequences of not doing so are unacceptable. In my district there is a Gold Star mom whose son was killed in Iraq by the very Iraqis he was training. He and his mom are always in my thoughts. We simply can not ask our young men and women to train Iraqis without doing everything possible to make certain that the people they are training are not attacking our troops.

"Our troops have done everything asked of them in Iraq with great courage. Particularly at this time of the year, when families gather to celebrate the holiday season, we need to remember the huge sacrifices being made by the brave men and women in our military, and give thanks for their service.

"Thank you for listening. I wish everyone the very best 2007 and pray that God blesses you and your families for this holiday season. This is Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney."

Source: Office of Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi

Coverage of Radio Address

CCTimes: Audio: McNerney delivers Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address

Jerry McNerney: What I said to America on the radio this morning...

AP: New Calif. congressman promises more integrity, civility in House

""In this election, the American people clearly called for change," Rep.-elect Jerry McNerney said in the Democrats' weekly radio address. "As our first responsibility in fulfilling the mandate of this critical election, House Democrats will restore integrity and civility in Washington in order to earn the public trust."

The effort to build that trust will include bans on gifts from lobbyists, lobbyist-funded travel and use of corporate jets, McNerney said.

The incoming congressman also promised "a new direction in Iraq" and said Democrats would resist any plan to deploy more U.S. troops there. "The Iraqis need to understand that the responsibility for the future of that country is theirs," he said.

McNerney also said Democrats would work to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil "while creating jobs, prosperity and a healthy environment with a new energy technology, including renewable energy and biofuels."" (source)

CCTimes: Somehow, McNerney always lands on his feet

2006: "The year Pombo fell"

The Record: The year Pombo fell

"2006 was unkind to former Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, who found himself pounded relentlessly by national environmentalists and Bay Area Democrats.

His enemies took any chink in the congressman's armor - a family vacation, a staff connection to a disgraced lobbyist, an internal budget memo - and pounced hard.

By the June primary, Pombo found himself with a formidable opponent in carpetbagger Pete McCloskey, a Democrat in Republican clothing. McCloskey, 79, moved to Lodi just to run against Pombo.

He survived that campaign only to face the improbable Jerry McNerney, a wind-energy expert based in Pleasanton, in the Nov. 7 general election.

After 14 years in the House of Representatives, the powerful Pombo fell." (source)

Tracy Press: Top stories of 2006

"Controversial Tracy Congressman Richard Pombo lost the fight for his seat in the 11th Congressional District, after 14 years in power saw him elevated to chair the powerful House Resources Committee. His electoral collapse began when fellow Republican Pete McCloskey challenged Pombo for the Republican nomination.

After Pombo won the June primary, both McCloskey and fellow Republican challenger Tom Benigno of Tracy threw their support behind Democratic challenger Jerry McNerney, a wind-energy consultant out of Pleasanton. Environmental groups also helped lead the campaign against Pombo.

The GOP did what it could to support the local congressman, including visits by President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. McNerney earned a visit for President Bill Clinton.

On Nov. 7, voters chose McNerney by a 52.3 percent to 47.7 percent margin. Just 43 percent of roughly 16,000 Tracy residents who voted sided with their hometown congressman." (source)

SMCountyTimes: Congress shift may benefit public land

"The open-space nonprofit, which paid a group of developers $30 million for the property four years ago, has been waiting just as long for Congress to appropriate the funds to buy the land and open it to the public. In spite of strong bipartisan support for the project, POST Executive Director Audrey Rust said Rep. Richard Pombo, the ousted Republican chairman of the powerful House Resources Committee, would not schedule a vote on the enabling legislation.

"Mr. Pombo didn't want any other federal land, period. In fact, what Mr. Pombo wanted to do was sell off federal lands," said Rust. "(Rep.) Nancy Pelosi is a big fan of this project, and since she'll be speaker of the house, we hope that will make a difference."" (source)


CCTimes: McNerney takes his new fame to work
Renown as Pombo vanquisher precedes the freshman Democrat

"When Rep.-elect Jerry McNerney strolled into the freshman orientation reception in a Washington, D.C., hotel earlier this month, heads turned.

And why not? Hes the most famous freshman in the upcoming 110th Congress.

McNerney even has a nickname, the dragon-slayer, in honor of his wildly unexpected triumph Nov. 7 over seven-term incumbent and powerful committee Chairman Republican Richard Pombo.

Someone walked up to me right away and said, Youre Jerry McNerney! They recognized me from my picture, said a slightly astounded McNerney. I thought, Wow, thats different.'" (source)

Grist: An environmental A to Z for 2006

"P is for Pombo, the Republican Rep. who worked to dismantle the Endangered Species Act, make deals with Jack Abramoff and Tom Delay, and sell off public lands -- and was dismissed from his conservative district by outraged voters." (source)

NYTimes: Pork No Longer Paves the Road to Re-election

"Until this year, Richard W. Pombo, the seven-term Republican congressman from the Central Valley, had never caused much fanfare about bringing home earmarks, the special local projects that circumvent the normal budgeting process. He was far better known for his work fighting environmental regulations.

All that changed in the closing months of this year’s surprisingly tight re-election campaign, when Mr. Pombo began trumpeting the money he had directed to his car-bound district — particularly $75 million for highway expansion, a gift for one of the most congested areas of California.

But it was not enough to persuade voters like Alex Aldenhuysen, a self-described independent, just out of the Navy and voting for the first time in two years. He said he was turned off by Mr. Pombo’s earmark talk. And in the end, Mr. Pombo lost his seat to a Democrat in one of the year’s most significant upsets." (source)

Alternet: Throw the Bums Out and Change Direction

"Jerry McNerney is a California alternative-energy entrepreneur, an engineer … and now a giant killer. With strong grassroots support from environmentalists and other progressives, McNerney had a stunning victory over Richard Pombo, the arrogant, corporate-hugging, antigovernment absolutist who was chair of the natural resources committee.

Vigorous antiestablishment campaigns like these have brought renewed progressive strength to Washington. More importantly, though, this year's campaigns have greatly strengthened our grassroots power, even in areas where our candidates didn't make it. We've added more and better-trained campaign activists, gained experience, spread the populist message where it has long been unheard, attracted new voters (including many who had dropped out or had considered themselves conservative), and created frameworks to sustain a continuing movement." (source)

McNerney/Pombo Race One of Top Stories of 2006 & You Are Time's Person of the Year

"McNerney beats Pombo in House race" is one of The Record's 26 "stories (that) hit home the hardest" in 2006 in San Joaquin County.

You can "VOTE for your favorite stories of the Year!'

&

You are Time's Person of the Year.

Progressive 11th News Round Up - Pombo Lost Tracy But Tracy Hasn't Lost Corruption

McNerney

Tracy Press: Tracy turns out for McNerney

"Fewer than three out of every 10 adults living in Tracy voted in the Nov. 7 election, with 8,915 of them voting for Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney and 6,779 voting for hometown incumbent Richard Pombo, according to newly released county election figures." (source)

ANG: McNerney expresses goal of BART extension to Tracy McNerney dreams of BART train to Tracy

"Incoming Congressman Jerry McNerney hasn't even taken his seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and he's already thinking big.

At a groundbreaking at Dublin City Hall on Friday for a $9 million Tri-Valley traffic management project, McNerney said he hoped to secure federal money for a Bay Area Rapid Transit extension down the middle of Interstate 580 — all the way to Tracy. " (source)


Record: McNerney helps unveil new SJ transit center

SFChron: 'Mr. Smith' home from Washington Congressman-elect already looking toward next run in '08

"The words were like gold to Jerry McNerney, the Democratic congressman-elect from Pleasanton who beat a powerful GOP incumbent and is back in his district briefly before he takes the oath of office.

"I'm not old enough to vote for you,'' Ryan Rubin, a 17-year-old Foothill High School student, told McNerney at a fundraiser Friday night in Pleasanton, "but I'll be old enough to vote for you in two years."

McNerney, who won by six percentage points, wants to hold on to his margin. But Rubin's remarks, made in a short receiving-line conversation, also served as a reminder of the pressure he'll face as a U.S. representative. " (source)

After Pombo

Human Events: Pombo Aide Moving Up in the House

"Soon-to-be House Minority Leader John Boehner (R.-Ohio) named Brian Kennedy his new spokesman today. Kennedy previously worked for defeated Rep. Richard Pombo (R.-Calif.) at the Resources Committee and before that served as a spokesman for Rep. George Radanovich (R.-Calif.).

Boehner had this to say about his new flack:

"As we work to earn the majority back, Republicans will need to effectively
communicate our positions on the most critical issues facing the American
public. Brian is a proven communications professional and I'm pleased he is
joining our team to help us achieve these goals."

Kennedy will take the place of popular spokesman Kevin Madden, who is heading to Gov. Mitt Romney's (still unofficial) presidential campaign." (source)

Hill: GOP drops late-hour effort to push Indian casino bill

LOE: Pombo Plays the Black Knight

AP: Incoming chairman pledges new agenda for House environment panel

"The incoming Democratic chairman of the House committee that writes environmental laws on Friday promised a new focus for the committee - starting with a new name.

Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia wants to change the Committee on Resources back to the Committee on Natural Resources, the name it had before Republicans took over the House in 1994. Democrats won a majority in November and will be in control when a new Congress convenes next month.

The name change is meant to reflect a departure from the industry-friendly policies of current Chairman Richard Pombo, R-Calif., who tried to increase oil and gas drilling, reduce protection of endangered species and privatize public lands.

Rahall's goal will be "not to engage in the wholesale destruction of pristine federal lands, sacrificing them on the altar of energy development," he told a press conference, but instead to "protect those resources which Americans cherish as places to recreate, hunt and fish."" (source)

LasVegas Sun: Mining industry worried about Democrat-controlled Congres

Hill: GOP drops late-hour effort to push Indian casino bill

More 11th CD News

Record: Conflict of interest question arises over Tracy mayor’s 2002 vote
Tracy Press: Ives once paid as consultant by several local businesses
Tri-Valley Herald: Tracy mayor may have violated state code and government regulations

Tri-Valley Herald: Records: Mayor failed to recuse - Documents show Ives took part in discussions on Tracy car dealership he served as consultant

"In what could be a violation of the state Fair Political Practice Commission regulations and California codes, Tracy Mayor Brent Ives failed to recuse himself from discussions in 2001 and 2002 involving a local car dealership to which he provided consulting services, according to city records.

In documents filed annually with the city — including Form 700, a statement of economic interests — Ives has declared his business, BHI Consulting, as part of his investments, income and assets, with him as the sole proprietor, since 1998.

In 2000 and 2001, Ives listed San Ramon-based Community Concepts Inc. as a company for which he provided human resources consulting services, according the documents. He also provided a manager-training session for Tracy Toyota in 2001.

But according to the minutes of Tracy City Council meetings in 2001-02, three issues involving Tracy Toyota appeared before the council, and Ives voted all three times." (source)

Record: Tracy council overruled
InsideBayArea: Ruling ruffles some council members
Record: Bilbrey bows out after 12 years as mayor of booming Tracy
Record: Appointments reshape councils
Tracy Press: Twelve apply for council seat

KCRA: McFall Sentenced In Corruption Scheme
Tri-Valley Herald: McFall receives 10 years in prison
Lodi News: 'McFall was clearly in the driver's seat'

Tri-Valley Herald: Lawrence Livermore's Site 300 wants to be home of National Bio and Agro-defense Facility
ANG: Weapons plan draws criticism despite trim at Livermore Lab
CBS13: Explosive Controversy Heats Up In Tracy

McNerney Appointed to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

For Immediate ReleaseDecember 12, 2006

Congressman-Elect Jerry McNerney Appointed to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

"Washington, D.C. - Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi announced today that the Democratic Steering Committee recommended Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney be appointed to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Congressman-elect McNerney will be joining Representative Ellen Tauscher from the neighboring 10th Congressional District on this committee.

"I look at this as a real opportunity to improve conditions in the district and to work with Congresswoman Tauscher on bringing some needed transportation projects to the region," said Congressman-elect McNerney. "The 11th District has some of the most congested highways in the state, and I want to work on alleviating those problems for the people of the region."

Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi remarked on the new committee assignments, "This distinguished group of Members will be instrumental in Democrats' efforts to take American in a New Direction .These Members will be a strong voice for all Americans, not just the privileged few."

The other freshman members appointed to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be:

· Congressman-elect Michael Arcuri of New York
· Congressman-elect Bruce Braley of Iowa
· Congressman-elect Chris Carney of Pennsylvania
· Congressman-elect John Hall of New York
· Congresswoman-elect Mazie Hirono of Hawaii
· Congressman-elect Steve Kagen of Wisconsin
· Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney of California
· Congressman-elect Harry Mitchell of Arizona
· Congressman-elect Heath Schuler of North Carolina
· Congressman-elect Zack Space of Ohio" (source: press release)

CQ & WaPo's Cillizza Weigh In On The Election

CQ: The Democratic Takeover Up Close: Defeated House Incumbents

California’s 11th (Democratic wind turbine company owner Jerry McNerney unseated Republican Rep. Richard W. Pombo, 53.2 percent to 46.8 percent)

"McNerney garnered just 40 percent of the vote in a 2004 challenge to Pombo, and began his rematch bid this year as a distinct underdog in this Republican-leaning district located largely in the state’s Central Valley. In fact, national Democratic recruiters favored another candidate, whom McNerney nonetheless defeated in the June 6 primary.

McNerney, though, drew heavily on the national Democratic theme of a Republican Party “culture of corruption.” He criticized past campaign donations Pombo received from lobbyist Abramoff and accused the incumbent of unethical relationships with developers as House Resources Committee chairman.

Pombo denied wrongdoing. And despite the tough political atmosphere for the GOP, Pombo did not back off his strongly conservative agenda and welcomed President Bush to the district for campaign events.

But McNerney gained critical support from environmentalist groups and the national Democratic Party, which boosted him to the only partisan turnover of a House seat in any of California’s 53 districts. The victory made McNerney one of five Democrats who won rematches with Republicans to whom they lost in 2004. — Rachel Kapochunas" (source)

Chris Cillizza (Washington Post/The Fix): The Line: A First Look at 2008 House Races

California's 11th District (D): "Jerry McNerney (D) wasn't supposed to win the Democratic primary this year, much less the general election. McNerney beat Steve Filson, who had the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, in the primary and took advantage of ethical questions surrounding Rep. Richard Pombo (R) to topple the incumbent 53 percent to 47 percent. With Pombo gone, it remains to be seen whether McNerney, who is to the ideological left of a district that gave Bush 54 percent of the vote in 2004, can prove his own mettle and win an election likely to be a referendum on his first two years in office. Pombo has not ruled out another bid. State Assemblymen Greg Aghazarian and Guy Houston are also mentioned on the Republican side." (source)

McNerney Vows To Visit Iraq

WashTimes: Freshman lawmakers vow Iraq visits

"I am anxious to get over there as soon as I can," said Rep.-elect Jerry McNerney, California Democrat. "Iraq is a critical issue that really needs to be resolved, and the more I know about it the more I'll be able to contribute to the solution." (source)