Beginning today, residents of nine states will be receiving automated calls featuring the voice of actress Kathleen Turner supporting the confirmation of Dawn Johnsen. The calls urge constituents to call targeted Senators to demand that they support Johnsen, President Obama's nominee to lead the Office of Legal Counsel.
"Enough is enough," said Turner. "Dawn Johnsen is eminently qualified for this position. She has the experience, the intellect, and the integrity to lead the OLC. Blocking Dawn Johnsen's nomination is nothing more than petty politics. It's shocking that Republican Senators would still place partisan interests above the wellbeing of the country."
The calls will be in Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Utah. In many of these states, Senators made earlier statements blasting the use of the filibuster on presidential nominees.
"Kathleen is a longtime board member of our affiliate People For the American Way Foundation, and I'm honored that she's working with us so closely on this," said Michael Keegan, President of People For the American Way. "Dawn Johnsen is an exceptionally qualified nominee for this position who has been pilloried for her principled defense of the rule of law. It's important that the Senate know that Americans want to clean up the mess that President Bush left behind."
The script of the message reads:
Hello, I'm Kathleen Turner calling on behalf of People For the American Way. I'm asking you to join me in urging the Senate to confirm Dawn Johnsen—that's D-A-W-N Johnsen—President Obama's choice to lead the Office of Legal Counsel.
George Bush used this office to provide the legal justifications for torture and illegal spying. Because of Dawn's courageous opposition to those policies, the Right Wing wants to block her confirmation. But we can't let them.
Dawn has the experience and integrity this position needs. Please, call your senators and tell them to confirm Dawn Johnsen.
Listen here:
You can read an op-ed from Turner supporting Johnsen here.
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Take Action!
- You can sign People For's petition supporting Dawn Johnsen here.