Yesterday, Georgia Democrats voted in their Senate primary election. Bushie-turned-Obamaniac Vernon Jones came out on top with 40.3% of the vote. Jones’ closest competitor, former Georgia assemblyman Jim Martin, managed to bring in 34.3%. The two will face-off in an August 5 runoff election. Vietnam vet Josh Lanier, the only Dem in the primary battle to come out in favor of Net Neutrality, finished in fifth place with 4.1%.
The latest on Dem Senate challengers and Net Neutrality:
Democratic Senate candidates (non-incumbent), campaign contributions from Cable/Telecom PACs, expressed positions on net neturality and candidate contacts:
“Favors” denotes position expressed supporting net neutrality. Follow the links to see them yourself.
“Uncommitted” denotes no expressed position supporting or opposing net neutrality.
* – Georgia Democratic primary runoff to be held on August 5.
** – Tennessee Democratic primary election to be held on August 7.
*** – Wyoming Democratic primary election to be held on August 19.
Check out the extended entry for official statements on NN received from candidates Kleeb, Merkley, Noriega and the cousins Udall!
UPDATE #1: Andrew Rice gets a word in edgewise–below the fold.
UPDATE #2 (7/18): Welcome aboard, Ronnie Musgrove!
“I know firsthand the critical role an open internet plays in our modern democratic process. An open internet encourages the kind of innovation and free speech that fueled the rise of our information economy. We must preserve that level playing field in order to ensure that every American, and our rural communities especially, have access to what has quickly become an indispensable tool for everyday life.
The internet is to the 21st century what electricity was to my grandparents in rural Nebraska in the 1940s and 1950s. It is critical that we support policies that further expand opportunities rather than eliminate access. “Net neutrality” is an important component of our American tradition of information exchange.”
Official statement from Jeff Merkley (OR):
“In this age of the Internet, as information is becoming increasingly valuable, we cannot allow major telecommunications corporations to dictate the rules for access. If the cable and phone companies had their way, they’d set up a tiered system that allowed them to discriminate against competitors and charge more for different types of information.
I support Net Neutrality. We need to preserve open Internet access for citizens, schools, and small businesses. Innovators and entrepreneurs from all over the world have built an amazing communication network over the last decade. We can’t let a few corporations impose artificial barriers to this wealth of information.
I’ve followed the work of Senator Ron Wyden on this issue and I agree with him that we need to keep the Internet free of discriminatory fees. When I’m elected to the Senate I will work to protect an open Internet for all Americans.”
Official Statement from Rick Noriega (TX):
“Net Neutrality is critical component of maintaining American entrepreneurship, free speech and democracy. Texans and Americans are increasingly reliant on the Internet and it is important that we have a level playing field where each citizen has equal access to information.”
Official statement from Andrew Rice (OK):
When I am U.S. Senator, I will support legislation similar to the Freedom Preservation Act, which aims to keep the Internet open and free for everyone, not just subscribers to large cable and phone companies. I am like millions of American who rely upon an open Internet on a daily basis. I will work to preserve broadband access for the general public so that all users have equal access to high speed Internet and are not dependent on commercial gatekeepers.
Official statement from Al Franken (MN):
Al strongly supports net neutrality (it’s one of the many subjects he discussed on his radio show), and will vote to protect it in the Senate. He believes that it’s essential to preserving the free flow of information and keeping this last great marketplace of ideas open. We can’t allow that to be tainted by telecomm companies that think they can make a few bucks restricting or encouraging access to certain content.
Official statement from Mark Udall (CO):
Congressman Udall believes telecommunications laws must support a competitive market that provides the most options to consumers at an affordable price. He also wants to protect the freedom of the Internet by ensuring network neutrality. In fact, he has voted to ensure that Internet providers do not block or degrade legal content on the Internet. In 2006, Congress considered reforms to telecommunications law that contained much needed updates to the last major reform in 1996. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) proposed an amendment to that legislation in support of net neutrality. Congressman Udall voted for the Markey amendment but, unfortunately, it was not adopted. The underlying legislation, which Congressman Udall voted for with some reservations, passed the House but was stymied in the Senate. Congressman Udall continues to support network neutrality.
Official statement from Tom Udall (NM):
“Although I supported passage of the COPE Act, that does not discount my belief that the principles of network neutrality should be passed into law. In fact, Reps. Inslee and Boucher — original cosponsors of the net neutrality amendment — also voted in favor of the COPE Act’s final passage.
You may be interested to know that several pieces of legislation, which I support, have been introduced and narrowly focus on network neutrality. These pieces of legislation have been referred to various committees, where they are being considered. This issue is far from dead, and rest assured that I will continue to keep you informed as the fight for network neutrality continues in Congress.”
Official statement from Jeanne Shaheen (NH):
“I support net neutrality and its promise of equal access to the information that is so vital to our lives on the internet.
The internet’s role in our daily lives has grown exponentially in the last dozen years. It has created opportunities that we could not even imagine before: children, in their homes and classrooms, can study the universe as if they were visiting in a NASA telescope, families can read about medical advances as if they are sitting in the best medical libraries, and small businesses can find suppliers and buyers across the country and compete with larger corporations.
On the internet we choose what we read, unmediated by the preferences of governments or businesses. I support our equal access to this information and will continue to do so when I am in the US Senate representing the people of New Hampshire.”
Official statement from Ronnie Musgrove (MS)
“In such a short time, the internet has developed into a key tool for our free society. It has driven economic development, enabled innovation, stimulated political discussion and provided new forums for the exercise of our First Amendment right of free speech. Net Neutrality is vital to keeping the internet free and open, and protecting access to its information for all Mississippians and Americans.”
Official statement from Kay Hagan (NC)
“I support net neutrality because it speaks to the values central to our American Democracy – free speech and equal opportunity. With an open internet we can ensure communities throughout the state of North Carolina and the nation receive equal access to the internet as well as the information contained there, to help ensure our country can compete on a global level.”
Official statement from Mark Begich (Alaska)
“Net Neutrality has allowed the Internet to drive economic innovation, democratic participation, and free speech online. I will protect and preserve net neutrality’s level playing field, so that all Alaskans — and all Americans — can experience the vast social and economic benefits of an open Internet connection.”
“Discriminatory pricing would turn the open internet into a toll road that serves only those companies that can afford the price. Access to the internet is no longer a luxury; it’s a lifeline for many Alaskans.”
“I will work to see that Congress adopts public policies that will protect net neutrality, preserve an open Internet and spur the growth of Alaska’s economy.”
