Rep.-elect Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, was selected to deliver the Democratic radio address today. It’s the traditional response to President Bush’s weekly radio address.

McNerney focuses on the Democrats’ 100-hour agenda, incluing Iraq, energy policy and ethics.

The selection of McNerney to make the statement on behalf of the Democratic Party reflect party leaders’ efforts to provide him and other Democratic freshman opportunities for media exposure. McNerney is expected to face a very tough re-election fight in 2008 as Republicans move to retake his and other seats they lost in the mid-term elections.

Despite the Democrats’ intentions, few stations air the Democratic Party’s response.

So, we’ve posted the audio file here

Or read the text of his message below:

“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.”

Come Tuesday morning, you’ll find me in the security line at the airport waiting to board a flight to Washington, D.C., where I will have the opportunity to cover the first week of the 110th Congress.

The Contra Costa Times doesn’t customarily send me to Washington but this year, we have a rare event: A new congressman.

Rep.-elect Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, triumphed in November over Richard Pombo, a Republican from Tracy who held the seat for seven terms before losing in a nationwide, anti-GOP sweep.

McNerney’s first week in Congress will be a whirlwind for him and his family. His wife, Mary’ grown children, Michael, Windy and Greg; and several of his siblings — including twin brother John — will be with him to celebrate.

He’ll get the key Wednesday to his Washington, D.C., office at 312 Cannon Building.

On Thursday, he’ll take the oath of office and cast his first vote, which is expected to be on the House rules package. It spells out the House rules of engagement and will include ethics reforms, such as a ban on flying on corporate jets.

But the oath of office is more than just ceremonial event.

It marks McNerney’s official entry into Congress. Until he takes the oath, he can’t take any official actions. That includes seemingly minor but important things such as turning on the phones in his offices and obtaining official e-mail addresses. His core staff isn’t officially on the clock until he utters those words, either, although they’ve been working hard for days to prepare.

After the swearing-in on the floor of the House, McNerney will fly around the Capitol to a series of receptions and an opportunity for photos during a mock swearing-in with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco. (As you might imagine, Pelosi is under heavy demand for photos as the nation’s first woman Speaker of the House and the highest-ranking woman in U.S. government.)

In the evening, he and his family will attend one of the many events held for Pelosi, a concert-fundraiser sponsored by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee at the National Building Museum. The entertainment features Carole King, Wyclef Jean and Mickey Hart.

Watch my blog starting Tuesday for updates on the events in the Capitol.

An El Cerrito reader expressed angst in a note to my on-line Q&A last night about the failure of the El Cerrito Plaza shopping center (see his note at the bottom) to fly its American flag at half-mast as a sign of respect to former President Gerald Ford, who died this week.

President Bush, of course, immediately ordered flags to be flown at half-mast but he has legal jurisdiction only over flags at federal buildings. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered flags lowered at the Capitol.

But like most of us, I thought all organizations that fly American flags observe the death of an American president.

That’s not the case.

I did some driving around on my way to work this morning between my home in Martinez and Walnut Creek and out of the six flagpoles I saw with flags, only one flew at half-mast. (Kudos to the Countrywood Shopping Center on Bancroft Ave. in Walnut Creek.)

My own employer’s flagpole was still empty at 10 a.m. and no word yet on whether it will fly at half-mast.

Is it a sign of disrespect, as Sgt. F of El Cerrito asks? Is it laziness? Is it apathy? Is the person responsible for putting up the flag on vacation during the holidays? It could be one or all of these scenarios.

Let’s hope everyone observes the official day of mourning on Jan. 2, 2007, and shows the proper respect for the country’s top office.

Here’s what Sgt. F of El Cerrito sent me this morning:

Recently our country suffered the loss of President Ford.

SGT F, El Cerrito, CA 12/28/06

P.S. For the complete etiquette on how to display the American flag, visit www.usflag.org.

The death of former President Gerald Ford reminded several readers of his visit to Walnut Creek on May 25, 1976, during his presidential primary campaign against then-Gov. Ronald Reagan.

Jason Beziz of Lafayette found this link to photo on the Ford Library and Museum web site taken during the event.

Ford’s comments during that event can be found on-line at the American Presidency Project. Beziz notes that a plaque about Ford’s appearance and his dedication of an American bicentennial bell remains in the Liberty Bell Plaza at the northwest corner of Mt. Diablo and Broadway streets.

Former Martinez councilman Tim Farley has fond memories of that day. He was just 16 years old, the proud possessor of a new driver’s license.

“I remember driving to Walnut Creek to see (Ford),” Farley wrote in an e-mail. “The drive itself was memorable as it was my first solo trip ‘All the way to Walnut Creek.’ ”

If you attended that Ford rally and especially if you are pictured in the photo, I would love to hear from you. Use the comment feature on the blog or e-mail me at lvorderbrueggen@cctimes.com

Rep.-elect Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, officially announced his staff hires in both his District 11 and Washington, D.C. offices. Strong and qualified staff is considered vital for any member of Congress but freshmen, in particular, need smart and well-connected personnel in order to promote their policies and help their constituents.

Erich Pfuehler, the recent California director of Clean Water Action and former chief of staff to Rep. David Bonior, D-Michigan (D-MI) will be his chief of staff located in the district. Pfuehler helped lead the environmentalists’ voter registration drive in San Joaquin County leading up to the mid-term elections.

Angela Kouters, a political staffer at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and former aide to Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-South Carolina, will serve as his Washington chief of staff.

Additionally, Nick Holder will be joining the staff as legislative director after having served for several years as a senior legislative assistant to Rep. Tim Bishop, D-New York.

Andy Stone will become the congressman’s communication director. Most recently, Stone has worked as a communications strategist at M + R Strategic Services consulting on California Treasurer Phil Angelides’ recent campaign for governor.

Angel Picon will work as McNerney’s regional district director in Stockton.

Also joining the staff in Washington, D.C. are Tobin Dietrich, Teresa Frison and Andreas Mueller serving respectively as legislative assistant, scheduler and legislative aide, and staff assistant.

Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, has selected Erich Pfuehler, the California director of Clean Water Action, as his new district chief of staff. He officially assumes his new duties on Jan. 4 after McNerney takes the oath of office in Washington, D.C.

Clean Water Action was among the many environmental groups that used their clout and resources in the past year and a half to help McNerney beat seven-term incumbent Rep. Richard Pombo, a Tracy Republican they considered one of the nation’s biggest environmental enemies.

Pfuelher helped organize the voter registration drive in San Joaquin County.

But he is no stranger to Congress. Pfuelher worked for former Rep. David Bonior, D-Mich., in the 1990s.

The choice of Pfuelher is also a strong sign that environmentalists, who listed the removal of Pombo as their top goal, intend to help McNerney stay in office.

Pundits consider McNerney highly vulnerable in the 2008 election because the GOP holds a 6-percentage-point party registration lead. Then again, these are some of the same people who said McNerney couldn’t win in the first place.

Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, has been named chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata made the announcement a few minutes ago in an e-mail press release.

The full release follows:

PERATA ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE CHAIRS

(SACRAMENTO) - Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) today announced the following committee chairs.

* Agriculture- Senator Abel Maldonado
* Appropriations- Senator Tom Torlakson
* Banking, Finance, Insurance- Senator Mike Machado
* Budget- Senator Denise Ducheny
Sub 1 on Education- Senator Jack Scott
Sub 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy- Senator Alan Lowenthal
Sub 3 on Health and Human Services- Senator Elaine Alquist
Sub 4 on State Administration, General Government, Judicial and Transportation- Senator Mike Machado
* Business, Professions and Economic Development- Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas
* Education- Senator Jack Scott
* Elections, Reapportionment, and Constitutional Amendments- Senator Ron Calderon
* Energy, Utilities and Communications- Senator Christine Kehoe
* Environmental Quality- Senator Joe Simitian
* Ethics- Senator Alan Lowenthal
* Government Organization- Senator Dean Florez
* Health- Senator Sheila Kuehl
* Human Services- Senator Elaine Alquist
* Judiciary- Senator Ellen Corbett
* Labor and Industrial Relations- Senator Carole Migden
* Local Government- Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod
* Natural Resources and Water- Senator Darrell Steinberg
* Public Employment and Retirement- Senator Pat Wiggins
* Revenue and Taxation- Senator Jenny Oropeza
* Rules- Senator Don Perata
o Democratic Members of Rules Committee: Gilbert Cedillo, Alex Padilla
* Transportation and Housing- Senator Alan Lowenthal
* Veterans Affairs- Senator Mark Wyland

Esteemed Sacramento Bee columnist Steve Weigand has written a charming poem fashioned after “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Don’t miss it!

Here’s a teaser:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the Senate,
Not a solon was stirring, no one was in it.
Their wallets were hung by the rostrum with care,
In hopes that contributors soon would be there.

Assemblymen were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of chairmanships danced in their heads.
And wearing just jeans and his gator-skin boots,
Arnold was flexing — remembering his roots.

The Contra Costa Republican Party unanimously elected Tom Del Beccaro on Monday night to his third consecutive term as chairman.

The vote comes after Del Beccaro struggled with internal dissent that led to the resignation of two members and one alternate to the party’s executive committee. One member later rescinded her resignation and has returned to the board.

There was talk among several members of the party about challenging Del Beccaro but he ran unopposed.

All the current board members ran unopposed, as well. Eugene Kreps will again serve as first vice chairman. Jo Anne Erickson, who had resigned, will serve as second vice chairwoman. Michelle Cloyne returns as secretary.

Darcy Linn, a former congressional candidate who ran against Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo, in November, was nominated to serve as treasurer and will be sworn in next year. She will replace former treasurer Kris Hunt who resigned in November because she felt Del Beccaro put herself and party at risk by failing to obtain mandatory workers compensation insurance for the committee’s only employee.

Del Beccaro is also running for vice president of the state Republican Party, which meets in February in Sacramento to select its party leaders.

The liberal Daily Kos web site has put the moderate Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo, under scrutiny in a lengthy exchange. Read it here.

The issue involves the removal of pictures from her web site of President George Bush and independent Rep. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

Liberals have never been a big fan of the moderate Tauscher, who was a Wall Street stockbroker before she ousted conservative Republican Bill Baker in 1996. But several commenters suggest that Tauscher may find herself facing down a liberal opponent in the 2008 primary. Any names out there?