(cross-posted at Daily Kos)

Many of you probably read the statement from George Allen today explaining that he recently learned of his Jewish heritage from a Forward article:

"The notion peddled by the Webb campaign that I am somehow embarrassed by my heritage is equally offensive, and also absurd. I was raised as a Christian and my mother was raised as a Christian.  And I embrace and take great pride in every aspect of my diverse heritage, including my Lumbroso family line's Jewish heritage, which I learned about from a recent magazine article and my mother confirmed."  

However, it appears that this may very well be a lie. As Ryan Lizza documented before, longtime Charlottesville columnist Bob Gibson said that when he previously wrote of George Allen's Jewish roots, it was the only time George Allen wanted a correction from him in 27 years of covering Allen's races:

http://www.tnr.com/...

George Allen should be proud of his Jewish heritage. What is he trying to hide from?

After successful Netroots collaborations on StopJohnBolton.com and StopJohnRoberts.com (where we were able to launch an online 30 second TV ad that was scripted by bloggers and netroots activists), we have implemented many of the ideas that you sent us in our new website:

www.SamuelAlito.com

The idea voiced by many of you was to try a unique petition angle to pressure the four Senators who call themselves "pro-choice Republicans" to vote NO on Samuel Alito. As with many of you, I am appalled that a "pro-choice Republican" could even consider voting in support of Samuel Alito. This is the same judge who wrote in a 1985 memo that "the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion."

Please help Lincoln Chafee remember the rights of the people who elected him from Rhode Island, where 63 percent of citizens are pro-choice and just 32 percent oppose choice. Put the heat on Arlen Specter from Pennsylvania where 51 percent are pro-choice and just 44 percent oppose choice. Remind Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe that 63 percent of people in Rhode Island are pro-choice and just 32 percent oppose choice.

I thought I'd pass along a press release from the National Network to End Domestic Violence on the Violence Against Women Act. I was planning on volunteering much of my time to work towards helping get it passed but was glad to see that Joe Biden was able to push through the Senate with a unanimous vote yesterday!

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=54535

not sure why we havent seen many stories in the news on such an important piece of legislation?

I thought many of you would be interested in this column from The Guardian on progressives in Utah. A nice spotlight on the Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and his success there. I know this has been discussed here before, but with Orrin Hatch being challenged from the right in the Republican primary, what is the status of further recruiting of a Democratic candidate?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1583319,00.html

A noble cause to target the Senate as well as Roberts. By the way, unless it falls through, starting on September 6th, I am going to be in D.C. liveblogging the hearings for People for the American Way. MyDD will be the place to be for the Roberts hearings. Sign up to receive MyDD via Bloglines to follow it. And hey, there are a lot of elections coming up, so even if you don't plan to follow the hearings closely, sign up anyway. --Chris

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone here for your help in producing this new ad opposing the nomination of John Roberts. The script was developed off suggestions and ideas from feedback from bloggers and netroots activists. We wanted to produce an ad that could be shown in red and blue states and put pressure on Senators around the country to oppose Roberts's confirmation. For those of you who have not yet seen the ad, please feel free to view it at
www.StopJohnRoberts.com