Heroes and Villains

Written by: Levana L on Aug 27, 2010 12:31 PM EDT

Progressives have had to fight some tough fights over the past two years -- on Healthcare and the public option, Wall Street Reform, on Don't Ask Don't Tell and even on the Stimulus package which was crucial to beginning our economic recovery.

Sometimes, it's easy to get so focused on beating the Villains in those fights that we don't stand up enough for our Heroes. But if we're going to build a progressive majority -- one that fights for people and not for corporations -- then we have to deliver for our Heroes this November.

So, this year, we're going to do something different -- and DFA needs your help.

We're looking for the best progressive leaders, one each for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House, to grant the 2010 Progressive Hero endorsement. The winner earns the full-power of DFA's grassroots community who will work to deliver volunteers, money, and media to the winner's campaign.

We chose the nominees -- based on who fought for the public option and other progressive priorities -- but it's you who will choose the winner.

Vote right now for your Progressive Heroes

Building a progressive majority isn't just about Heroes; it's also about defeating the biggest obstacles to progressive change -- the Villains.

You know who these people are. Villains stand up for corporations and special interests against the American people. Villains call the choice of a public option a "government takeover of healthcare" and "socialized medicine." They call end-of-life counseling "pulling the plug on grandma" and "Death Panels." Villains yell "You Lie" when the President speaks the truth.

DFA is already committed to defeating Villains in every district in all 50 states, but it's time to take it up a notch. We've created a brand new kind of endorsement for the Worst of the Worst -- the 2010 Progressive Villain Anti-Endorsement.

The anti-endorsement brings a long-term investment from DFA into the "winners" district -- campaign training for activists on the ground, dedicated field staff to support local progressives, resources to increase Democratic voter registration and a commitment to defeat the Villain with a bold progressive Democrat.

And again, while we chose the nominees -- Republicans and Independents who block real reform -- it's you who will choose the winner.

Vote for your Villains right now

These are some of DFA's most powerful incumbent endorsements and the winners will be our highest priority incumbents for 2010.

Discuss

Work day Watercooler

Written by: DFA Community and you

DFA's home for a free form, open-ended discussion of what matters most to committed progressive activists.

This isn't about Ground Zero - This is about America

Written by: Arshad Hasan on Aug 19, 2010 2:52 PM EDT

Over the last week we've heard a lot from DFA members around the country asking for action to protect the rights of religious freedom for all Americans and I couldn't agree more.

I don't get upset much. I mean, I get ticked off at Republicans and Democrats (and at really bad customer service!), but that's why I work with you at DFA. Because when we get upset, we don't stew in it and hope it goes away. We do something about it.

The controversy around the building of a Muslim Community Center at 51 Park in New York City should upset all of us. It definitely upsets me. Shortly after the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks, much of this country came together. But there were a number of other, smaller tragedies occurring all over the country as a result of the attacks. People who "looked like terrorists" were victims of harassment, intimidation, and outright violence.

That includes me, and every member of my immediate family in different instances. My response was to protest the coming wars. My family did something different, though. They started going to Mosque. It did more than renew their faith -- it provided a sense of community and safety during a very dark time for us. But for the last nine years, at least, people have been trying to block the construction of mosques all over the country.

Now, let's be clear, the subject of the highest profile Muslim structure, 51 Park in New York City, will have a basketball court and a culinary school. Two floors will have a prayer room. The other eleven will host movie nights, performances, group dinners, etc -- it's basically a Muslim YMCA, open to everyone. These moderate Muslims are doing everything we could ask of them. They're trying to build a bridge in the communities they live in, trying to show the world that Muslims are cool and interesting and diverse, and proving that being a Muslim does not equal being a terrorist.

But they're being thrown under the bus by our elected leaders, egged on by some of the ugliest elements of the right-wing. Well-intentioned leaders of the Democratic Party are getting caught up in the fray as well, some of them seeking to find common ground with an implacable opposition. It's not helping.

This isn't just a Manhattan problem. Right now, there is opposition to mosques in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Southern California, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois, and dozens of other locations across our nation. Where would they move? If public pressure can be brought to bear to take down the most high-profile Muslim community center in liberal NYC, then these other places don't even have a chance, Ground Zero connection or not.

Frankly, this isn't about Ground Zero. This is about America. This is about freedom. This is about people and there seems to be no place that Muslim people can go without being harassed.

The harassment has to stop, and that starts with you and me.

I think most people agree that Muslims have the right to worship. But these efforts to harass Muslims are based in fear, prejudice, and ignorance. Removing a community center doesn't solve these problems. But talking about religious freedom -- really engaging people -- can open people's minds, and blunt the prejudice.

I pledge to do it myself.

I pledge today to stand up for religious freedom right now. We cannot wait another day to defend the rights of all Americans to worship if they want, where they want, and when they want. I will not wait for the conversation to come to me; I will start the conversation now. Please join me in making the pledge to fight for our universal American values of acceptance and respect for religious freedom.

I need you, in your community, to have those challenging conversations with people you know.

Take the pledge right now.

It's time to be pro-active in support of the values that define what we stand for and who we are as Americans. After you take the pledge, please follow up and share the conversations you've had. I think we'll all find them inspiring to share.

-Arshad

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director
Democracy for America

Discuss

Michele Bachmann and John Campbell

Written by: Levana L on Aug 10, 2010 3:12 PM EDT

From Gov. Dean:

When we started Democracy for America immediately after my run for President in 2004, one of our founding principles was to work for Democratic votes in every district in every state. As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, we called it the 50 State Strategy and I made it my mission to fully fund it and deliver results.

The strategy worked in 2006 and 2008. And it works in 2010. No district is safe for Republicans if Democrats stand up for what we believe, fight for our universal values, and ask every American for their vote.

So today, we're announcing our joint endorsement of two strong Democratic women who are working to win in tough Republican-held districts -- Minnesota's Tarryl Clark and California's Beth Krom.

Join me and support two progressive women working for change -- contribute $10 to each right now.

Tarryl Clark is running against a congresswoman who needs no introduction -- Republican Michele Bachmann.

Bachmann has become a leader of the far right for her outrageous statements. Calling global warming a "hoax," she said people needed to be "armed and dangerous" in their fight against energy reform. She spread some of the worst lies about healthcare reform including "death panels" and insisting it's a "government takeover."

She's even called for the investigation of members of Congress she considered "anti-American."

Rep. Michele Bachmann is preying on people's fears for her own political gain. Join me in supporting Democrat Tarryl Clark, a woman who will fight to create jobs in Minnesota and restore civility to our political discourse nationwide.

Contribute now to elect a progressive leader in Minnesota.

You already know Beth Krom -- She's the 2010 DFA Grassroots All-Star.

Beth is running against another friend of the far right -- John Campbell. A so-called "birther," Campbell doesn't believe President Obama was born in the United States and isn't eligible to be President.

This is the same sort of garbage that right-wing politicians across the country have been spewing ever since Barack Obama won the White House.

John Campbell's district is becoming more Democratic every year, making this Republican district a prime target we can win -- and Beth Krom is the woman to win it. As mayor, Beth made Irvine the safest, greenest big city in the country. She's a fighter and when she's in Washington she'll work to bring good jobs to the district. And I promise, she won't waste a minute wondering if President Obama was actually born here.

Contribute now to elect a real progressive in California.

In 2006, conventional wisdom said we were crazy to support Jon Tester and Jim Webb in Republican-held seats in Montana and Virginia. It was wrong and we won. In 2008, conventional wisdom said Alan Grayson couldn't win in Florida and Barack Obama couldn't win Indiana. It was wrong and we won.

Now, conventional wisdom says that Democrats are going to lose in November -- everywhere. It's wrong and we're going to prove it wrong again. Join me and elect two progressive Democrats in Republican-held districts.

When we work together, we're unstoppable. Thank you, Levana, for everything you do.

-Howard

Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
Founder, Democracy for America

Thanks, Gov. Dean, for all that you do!

Discuss

Republicans are at it again

Written by: Levana L on Aug 9, 2010 3:35 PM EDT

As Jim said in his email today:

“The Deficit Commission is the most dangerous threat Social Security has ever faced. Republicans stacked the bipartisan commission with right-wingers who've spent their careers trying to kill Social Security -- and Congress has promised to fast-track the Commission's recommendations.

These right-wingers are spreading the same myths they did during George Bush's privatization scheme, saying Social Security is in crisis, it's going bankrupt, and it's adding to the deficit.

They were lying then and they're lying now.

Social Security works and has worked for 75 years. Right now, the Social Security Trust Fund has a surplus of over $2.5 trillion. That surplus is projected to grow to $4.3 trillion by 2023.”

Social Security is a promise that we made with each other.  And, it’s up to our champions in Congress to keep that promise. The good news is that we have some stalwarts working to protect social security, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said it all in her speech at Netroots Nation: (from CBS News)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said unequivocally today that she is opposed to raising the retirement age, and that scaling back Social Security should not be a means of reducing the deficit.

"To change Social Security in order to balance the budget, they aren't the same thing in my view," the Democrat said today at the Netroots Nation conference in Las Vegas. "When you talk about reducing the deficit and Social Security, you're talking about apples and oranges."

Many members of Congress and candidates have already signed on to the promise to protect Social Security here on the Hands Off Social Security whip count site. We are proud to note that most of them are DFA endorsed candidates, including:  Alan Grayson, Roxanne Conlin, Jack Conway, Elaine Marshall, Anne McLane-Kuster, and David Segal.

This is what is at stake in this election in 2010. Are we going to keep our promise to each other with Social Security? Or, sell that promise to big banks on Wall Street? That’s the Republican vision for America, and that’s why we can’t let them win in November. Sign the petition today, and support DFA to win in 2010.

We say 'no' to any cuts in Social Security AND we say 'no' to Republicans taking control of Congress -- in fact, as Jim said, "To that, we say not just "no" but "Hell No!"

Discuss

Lead like Winners

Written by: Arshad Hasan on Aug 5, 2010 2:24 PM EDT

(Cross Posted from OpenLeft.)

We have had a quite a reaction to our email this week, “Democrats: Epic Fail.” Here are some of the emails from our members. About 25 to 1 positive responses, like this:

“I hope EVERY right-wing, corporatist Democrat in Congress loses. Since they're really Republicans, at least then we'll know where we stand and what we need to do to get REAL Democrats elected.”

“Our so called 60 seat majority in the Senate was an ILLUSION. At least 4 and up to 15 Senators are FAKE democrats.”

“I agree with you completely but if we lose the House I will slit my darn wrists if gd Boehner is Speaker, I'll definitely leave thus country and that I'm 100% serious about. ... What you're planning is something I totally agree with and will help any way I can. ...I'm active in working toward an end that will keep Progressives, strong and hardcore Progressives that will not step away from bills we need and helping those that require it.”

But some critiques, as well, like this:

“If Blanche Lincoln loses to a Republican, we've shot ourselves in the foot. We can congratulate ourselves on overthrowing a Wall Street Democrat, but what we're stuck with is a Wall Street Family values Republican. Yippee. Instead of someone who might be moved by our voices, we get someone who turns a deaf ear. Again I say, Yippee."

"Bless you for all your hard work, but this country is broken. The money continues to win big time, bigger every day. The middle class should pack up and leave, but there's not place to go.”

“I can't agree with you, I'm afraid. I, too, MUCH prefer progressive Democrats. But, even if we can't always count on the vote of the Blanche Lincolns of the world, we need every Democrat we can possibly elect -- and she's the only one running in that election.”

“Well, I love progressives too. I am one. But you're messing around with peoples’ lives . . . If republicans win they will absolutely repeal health care reform. They don't plan to pay one more tax dollar for ‘the likes of you and me.’”

There have also been a few blog posts that run the gamut:

Happy Nappy Head says,

“I'm seriously doing the research into contributing to some of these folks backed by the website, because I completely agree. Maybe we need to shake some shit up... Whatever the case, it's clear that the agenda in Washington right now is simple. It's "M.O.B.= Money Over Bitches.”

While, Karoli of Odd Time Signatures disagrees,

“From a purely political standpoint, one does not send a fundraising notice out to members based upon a REPUBLICAN failure and call it a failure on the part of Democrats. At least, not if one expects to maintain a coalition that will win and move toward progress.”

We listen to our members and we pay close attention the the netroots. But here, I respectfully disagree with Karoli and our other critics, for this reason: We have learned that we can’t let Democrats use Republican obstruction or false bi-partisanship as an excuse anymore. If we don’t call them out on it, they will continue to make the same mistake over and over again. I get it. The Republicans wanted a vote on their racist immigration amendment, and Democratic Leadership moved to prevent amendments, raising the threshold for passage. But what do we have now? Republicans have ammunition for their campaigns and we didn’t get an important bill that people really needed. Democrats couldn’t see that coming? What are they doing down there? Playing Farmville? Well, we’re losing the farm.

I’ve been told by members of Congress and their staff to settle down. I’ve been told that we don’t understand the legislative process.

Here’s what some of these folks in DC might not understand. Blaming Republicans for the failure to pass popular legislation might have worked when Dems were in the minority. But it doesn’t work with large majorities in both Houses and the Presidency. This is not the time to tell us to sit down, be quiet, never criticize, but just send the email that raises us lots of money.

With every cynical compromise or cave-in to the “Party of No” tactics, we lose another voter who gets fed up, another donor unwilling to part with their earnings. It’s time to start acting like winners. It’s time to lead. We don’t want Republicans to win. We want Democrats to lead.

That’s why we called out Democrats failure to make something happen that should have happened. We didn’t say it because we want to create controversy or stir the pot – the pot is already boiling over, and frankly we are just giving voice to something we have been hearing from our membership for months now. Our members don’t want to hear excuses, they want real results. Here’s the kicker, it’s not just our members. It’s every American. Americans want real progress.

Instead we get: Wah, Wah, the Republicans attached an amendment. Boo, hoo, it’s too hard to get to 60 votes in the Senate for a weak climate change bill. Woe is me, the insurance industry doesn’t want choice and competition. Democrats are in the majority! We worked our asses off to make sure of it! Now, we are told that we are not patient enough and that we don’t understand how to legislate. Really? Tell that to the 9/11 clean-up crews that now won’t get the healthcare they need because Democrats can’t figure out how to pass real reform even with huge majorities in Congress and a democrat in the White House. It seems that DC insiders forgot about the actual lives of the 9/11 clean-up crews. Most of the coverage was about the political wrangling and not about what their lives are like. In fact the DC chatter rarely even mentions any American who lives paycheck to paycheck after their savings was wiped out by Wall Street, or who have no access to good healthcare, or who are about to lose their homes to foreclosure.

The enthusiasm gap is not about progressives needing an attitude adjustment. The enthusiasm gap is about DC insiders making bad decisions that lead to failure or reward their cronies. How could we ever be enthusiastic about that? We are realists fully aware of the reality of people’s lives outside of the DC bubble. Listen, there’s enthusiasm and energy out there. Plenty of it. I saw it on the Halter campaign in Arkansas, the Sestak campaign in Pennsylvania, and the Marshall campaign in North Carolina. DFA candidates have competed in 21 Primary elections so far, and we’ve won 15. That’s a 71% win rate. Keep in mind that these are Primary elections. Keep in mind that we don’t shy away from difficult fights. We will keep fighting for the champions who stand up for our progressive values just as we have been doing all year.

And here’s the good news, the action item, and the path forward: There are good progressive Democrats out there. I look for fighters and truth-tellers. I’m not interested in who can be the most liberal, I’m interested in the people who can be standard-bearers. And I know it isn’t just me sitting up here in Vermont. We get a barrage of appeals and responses from our million-plus members, and we’re successful at what we do because we listen.

In just the last few months, DFA has already raised and donated over $350,000 to progressive Democrats like Alan Grayson and Elaine Marshall, both winners in Red states who have never been afraid to stand up and lead. We’re just getting started. We stand up for the Democrats who stand up for Americans. We will never stop demanding that all Democrats stand up. It’s not rocket science. When Democrats lead, we stand together and when we stand together, we win. All Americans like winners, even independents and Republicans.

If you want to help us get better Democrats elected this November, click here.

Discuss

Net Neutrality Made Us Who We Are

Written by: Levana L on Jul 12, 2010 9:02 AM EDT

Back in 2004, I didn’t really get involved with partisan politics. I always voted for Democrats, but I never lifted a finger to help any candidate because I had no faith that they would ever listen to me. I voted more out of a sense of duty than anything else. I knew that I had no influence over the Democratic Party because I didn’t give them any money, and they didn’t ask. It seemed like they took my vote for granted.

Then, something changed. I got an email from a friend about a small donor fundraiser in Philadelphia for a presidential candidate from Vermont named Howard Dean. She forwarded something from his web site about health care and there was a link where I could make a small donation online to go to the event. It was really easy and I was thrilled to be invited to an event with a presidential candidate. I thought, “Really? I can only give $25. He probably won’t actually be there since the donation is so small, but if he gets anywhere with this health care stuff, it will be worth it.” A week later, I met Howard Dean, got hooked on Blog for America, joined a Meetup, and the rest is history.

Founded by Gov. Dean after his Presidential campaign ended, Democracy for America exists now because of the free and open Internet. My experience was replicated thousands and thousands of times all over the country and we are still here today. Since then we have worked together for countless other progressive candidates from school board to the President. We are connected to each other through email, blogs, (and now with Facebook, Twitter) and in countless other ways that keep our connections alive because of freedom of access to the sites and content of our own choosing. The Internet is the only place left to run a grassroots campaign without corporate influence. And we should keep it that way.

That’s why DFA has been part of the community of advocates and organizations to protect Net Neutrality for a long time. We understand that the power of the Internet comes from its openness, and consequently, our power comes from our ability to communicate with our supporters on our own terms. The power of democracy has only been enhanced by the Internet. Imagine if we had to pay extra to Verizon or Comcast for access to our own membership. Now imagine if the message we wanted to send was about corporate influence over politics. I think we know how that story will end.

Unfortunately, some Democrats are on the wrong side of this issue, siding with the telecom giants, ATT, Verizon, and Comcast over customers (i.e. voters). Telecom big-brother tries to disguise their position to grab more control over the Internet for profit by saying that they care about Internet access in poor and rural communities, but don’t let them fool you. Anyone who has spent more than 5 minutes on the phone with customer service from any of these companies knows that they don’t care about us, and they certainly don’t care about poor and rural communities who can’t afford to pay what they intend to charge.

Recently, the telecom giants created a letter to the FCC opposing the FCC’s power to enforce Net Neutrality rules, the current existing rules that protect the free and open Internet, and 74 Democratic legislators signed on to it. This is really unfortunate, because either they don’t understand how critical this issue is to our Democracy – or they don’t care. Either way, the members of Democracy for America absolutely understand why free and open access to the Internet is essential to democracy because we live and breathe it every day. That’s why we signed on the Free Press letter to President Obama asking him to keep his promise to support the FCC and protect Net Neutrality. And, that’s why we hope you will sign on to our petition to show that we are 2 million strong for a free and open Internet – and forward it to all your friends. Because we can.

Discuss

DFA Endorsed Elaine Marshall Wins in North Carolina

Written by: Michael Langenmayr on Jun 23, 2010 5:14 PM EDT

Score one for Elaine Marshall and progressive grassroots politics nationwide on her overwhelming victory in the North Carolina Democratic primary yesterday.

With Democracy for America headlining the list of Marshall supporters as the first national group to endorse her, she claimed 60% of the vote and won handily despite her opponent, Cal Cunningham, receiving the backing of insider Washington Democrats.

Mike Nellis, Elaine Marshall's new media strategist, said, "Democracy for America is an important part of the coalition Elaine Marshall has built, and I know their support was critical to our victory in this runoff. DFA backed Elaine when so many wouldn't, and should be thanked for their commitment to electing grassroots progressives."

So thanks to our local DFA members going door to door, making phone calls, and giving progressive candidates the support they need to win, we can change the culture of Washington. By backing candidates who speak for the best interests of their constituents, we can return Washington to the voters and put "We, the People" back in charge.

But this is not over yet. November's crucial general election is still to come. After fighting hard to win yesterday's primary election, Marshall needs financial support to be able to defeat Republican Senator Richard Burr in November. Can you chip in $5, $10, or $15 today?

Sen. Burr has a proven track record of supporting Wall Street executives and oversized insurance, as well as denying Americans healthcare by calling for a repeal of the bill passed through reconciliation.

Elaine Marshall will need your help come November. This could be a critical Democratic pick up in the Senate. If you haven't given to Elaine Marshall yet, now is a good time to contribute and help bring progressive politics to Washington.

Following DFA's lead, MoveOn.org endorses Elaine Marshall for Senate in NC

Written by: Levana L on Jun 15, 2010 4:52 PM EDT

(Cross Posted from OpenLeft.)

It looks like MoveOn.org members are just as excited about Elaine Marshall as DFA and the rest of North Carolina. Over 70% of MoveOn.org's NC members supported Elaine in for the runoff on June 22. The vote will determine which candidate will run against incumbent Sen. Richard Burr (R).

Elaine Marshall's popularity in North Carolina reflects her deep roots in the community. Marshall was also endorsed by Durham mayor Bill Bell and Asheville mayor Terry Bellam.

Marshall's opponent, supported by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, has raised $1.2 million against Marshall's $775,003, but is still behind in the polls. It's not over yet though, and when they start spending that money on ads to attack Marshall, she will need your help.

Click here to pitch and make sure that Elaine Marshall keeps going strong.

This is Why Primaries Matter

Written by: Levana L on Jun 9, 2010 12:56 PM EDT

Ok, so we didn't get the result we wanted. Let there be no mistake -- we were in the race to win last night. However, are there any reasons to hold our heads high today? Yes. Without a doubt:

1. Bill Halter and his supporters ran a great race and came within striking distance of beating the corporate funded establishment. Two months ago no one in Washington thought we had a chance. Yet we forced this to a run-off and, in the end, the only way they could win was to bring in the biggest possible gun they had: one of the most popular politicians in Arkansas, former President and 6 term AR governor, Bill Clinton.
   
   
2. More Democrats participated in the vote yesterday than anyone expected. Getting progressive Democrats in Arkansas engaged and out to vote -- helping to give them a stronger voice at the polls -- is always a good thing.
   
   
3. Sen. Lincoln was forced to make the Financial Reform bill better -- and no one believes she would have even thought about that without this Primary challenge.

The purpose of Primaries is to have a public debate and let the voters decide the direction for the future. That's democracy with a small "d." We are proud to make these contests real and we are especially proud of the work that our members do to talk to voters about why these races are so important. Thank you for your work. And as usual . . .

This is not over. There's another run-off on June 22nd in NC with Elaine Marshall. We are in that one to win it too. You can chip in $5 for Elaine here today.

This won't be easy - A note from Arkansas

Written by: Levana L on Jun 6, 2010 3:50 PM EDT

A note from Arshad on the ground in Arkansas:

I'm here in Arkansas helping lead Bill Halter's Get-Out-The-Vote drive. So, I'm going to cut straight to the point.

Winning this won't be easy.

Blanche Lincoln has pulled out all the stops -- outspending by millions on T.V. -- and called in all her favors -- even convincing Bill Clinton to campaign down here and bash unions and progressives for supporting Bill Halter.

This won't be easy, but we will win this if you make calls to identified Bill Halter supporters in Arkansas and ask them to get out and vote right now.

Yes, I can make calls right now!
Yes, I can make calls tonight!
Yes, I can make calls tomorrow too!

These person-to-person phone calls are incredibly effective at motivating supporters to get out to vote.

Making the calls is rewarding. Instead of sitting around hoping we defeat Blanche Lincoln and hold corporate Democrats accountable for killing the public option and other important reforms, you can do something to make it happen. Trust me, it feels good. And don't worry, if you want some simple training before you make your calls, DFA National Field Organizer Matt Segal has got you covered. After you sign up, he'll train you on anything you'll need to know to get the job done.

Don't wait, sign up to call now.

After I asked for help on Friday, our community made 14,452 contacts together. That's no small number and DFA members came through delivering results when it counts. That's why I'm here in Arkansas running GOTV, I knew you'd be counting on me. And I know I can count on you now.

Early voting has started and Election Day is Tuesday. There is no time to lose.

This is our election to win.

-Arshad

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director
Democracy for America