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Democracy for America Endorses 2010 Progressive Heroes Barbara Boxer and Alan Grayson
Top Ten List Includes Progressive Democratic Fighters in House and Senate
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America, the people powered PAC, announced the winners of the DFA 2010 Progressive Hero endorsements - Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Alan Grayson.
The online vote asked the over one million members of DFA which incumbent Democrats deserved the full-force of DFA's nationwide volunteer network, raising tens of thousands of dollars, and providing volunteer boots on the ground working to deliver the win on Election Day.
The winners are listed here: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/heroes-and-villains
“DFA Members will stand up and fight for the bold champions who fight for them in Washington,” said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. “That’s why Alan Grayson and Barbara Boxer earned DFA's support. These Democrats don't back down when pressured by corporate lobbyists or attacked by Tea Party Republicans. There’s no ‘enthusiasm gap’ for Democrats who stand up and lead.”
The competition was held for both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House and only Democrats who stood up for inclusion of a public option in healthcare reform were eligible to win. Sen. Boxer and Rep. Grayson bested tough competition including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (7th place) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (2nd place).
The impressive top-ten list of our Heroes both in the Senate and House are diverse in their opinions, but all have shown bold leadership as fighters and truth-tellers. The Top-Ten lists are as follows:
SENATE
1. Barbara Boxer
2. Bernie Sanders
3. Al Franken
4. Russ Feingold
5. Sherrod Brown
6. Patty Murray
7. Harry Reid
8. Dick Durbin
9. Charles Schumer
10. Bill Nelson
HOUSE
1. Alan Grayson
2. Nancy Pelosi
3. Anthony Weiner
4. Dennis Kucinich
5. Barney Frank
6. Barbara Lee
7. Raul Grijalva
8. Jay Inslee
9. Paul Hodes
10. Joe Sestak
The winners of the ‘anti-endorsement’ Villains contest will be announced tomorrow.
ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
Democracy for America is a people-powered Democratic Political Action Committee. With over one million members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.
www.DemocracyForAmerica.com
Paid for by Democracy for America, www.democracyforamerica.com, and not authorized by any candidate.
Beth Krom (CA-48) Wins DFA Grassroots All-Stars Endorsement
Tens of Thousands of Engaged Progressive Activists Voted Online to Pick the Best Democratic Congressional Challengers for 2010
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America, the people-powered PAC, announced the winners of the Grassroots All-Stars endorsement contest today. Beth Krom D-CA (48th) was the winner, with Mac D'Alessandro (MA-09) in second place, and Bill Hedrick (CA-44) in third. This year 66,248 people voted online to make this the largest DFA Grassroots All-Stars contest so far.
“There’s no question that progressives are engaged in this mid-term election year and we’re fighting for the candidates who stand up for us,” said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. “We hope the Grassroots All-Stars endorsement will propel Beth Krom to victory in this important race.”
Beth Krom, winner of the DFA Grassroots All-Stars endorsement, is the former mayor of Irvine, CA -- a city that was recognized as one of the safest, greenest big cities in the country during her time as mayor. She's running against Republican Rep. John Campbell, a birther who cosponsored a bill requiring presidential candidates to show their birth certificates when filing papers to run for office. Today, DFA sent the first email asking for donations from the netroots for Krom’s campaign.
The winner of the 2010 Grassroots All-Star Competition receives at least one national fundraising e-mail from DFA Chair Jim Dean to over one million members with the commitment to raise $20,000 from DFA members nationwide; in-state crowd-sourcing emails for volunteer events with a commitment to raise 500 volunteer hours from DFA members in the All-Stars' home state; at least one national volunteer e-mail to over one million DFA members with the commitment to deliver at least 200 national phone bankers; a $5,000 contribution from Democracy for America PAC; and appearances by DFA Chair Jim Dean at available campaign events.
Two runners-up will receive the DFA-List endorsement, a $5,000 contribution from Democracy for America PAC, and in-state crowd-sourcing emails for volunteer events.
DFA has helped elect nearly 600 progressives up and down the ballot since 2005.
ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
Democracy for America is a people-powered Democratic Political Action Committee. With over one million members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.
Paid for by Democracy for America, www.democracyforamerica.com, and not authorized by any candidate.
Governor Howard Dean joins Democracy for America in Endorsing Jack Conway (D-KY) and Roxanne Conlin (D-IA) for US Senate
Gov. Dean: “I disagree with the pundits who are again underestimating the American people, this can be a good year for strong progressive Democrats.”
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America, the people powered PAC, along with their founder, Gov. Howard Dean announced a joint endorsement today of Jack Conway (D-KY) and Roxanne Conlin (D-IA) for US Senate. “I disagree with the pundits who are again underestimating the intelligence of the American people with their predictions,” said Gov. Dean. “It’s the Republicans who will face a tough time trying to explain why they are for the interests of insurance companies, oil companies and Wall Street over the needs of the American people. “
DFA Chairman Jim Dean added, “Our members in Iowa and Kentucky are thrilled to have Gov. Dean’s support on these critical campaigns.”
In an email to DFA members announcing the endorsement, Gov. Dean expressed his enthusiasm for the two candidates running for senate, “I'm not supporting Jack or Roxanne because they're Democrats. I'm supporting them because they have records of fighting for the people, not corporations.”
Jack Conway faces an opponent in KY, Rand Paul, who has received a lot of national media attention for his inflammatory statements opposing civil rights and other out-of-the-mainstream rhetoric. However, Conway has been a stalwart champion for the people of Kentucky and received more votes in the Democratic primary than Paul in the Republican primary. [1]
Roxanne Conlin is taking on Republican Chuck Grassley in Iowa. Grassley fought against health care reform and even made the ridiculous claim that President Obama wanted to “pull the plug on grandma.” Conlin on the other hand, fights for Iowans, as in the state Supreme Courts case where she fought for an Iowa teacher who was fired for being pregnant.
Gov. Dean has been working with Democracy for America as an independent consultant in two key efforts: passing meaningful healthcare reform and electing progressives and down the ballot in all 50 states.
ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
Democracy for America is a people-powered Democratic Political Action Committee. With over one million members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.
1.” Turnout in primaries complicates 'enthusiasm gap' debate”, The Washington Times http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/25/turnout-in-primaries-complicates-enthusiasm-gap-de/
www.DemocracyForAmerica.com
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Groups Launch Campaign To End Taxpayer Bailout of Big Oil
Democracy for America, USAction/TrueMajority, and CREDO Action Launched “Stop Big Oil Bailout” Campaign to Call for End to Taxpayer Subsidies to Dirty Fuels
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America (DFA), USAction/TrueMajority, and CREDO Action have joined forces to launch a new online campaign to call for the end of taxpayer bailouts of Big Oil. In the middle of the worst environmental disaster in recent history, the BP oil spill, big oil companies continue to receive enormous taxpayer subsidies while recording record profits.
The new campaign, a joint effort of the three organizations, will work to pressure Congress and candidates to end these outrageous government hand-outs.
“While Congress debates legislation to reduce the effects of global warming, American taxpayers are subsidizing the dirty fuel companies that are causing it,” said Charles Chamberlain, Political Director for DFA. “Now is the time to end our addiction to dirty fuel and the first step is to end taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil.”
"It's time for Congress to stop the $35 billion taxpayer bailout to companies like BP,” said Adam Quinn of CREDO. "I think taxpayers would rather support clean energy and green jobs than give BP almost a quarter of a million dollars a day in tax subsidies for Deepwater Horizon platform alone. If not now, when?"
"It just doesn't make sense to subsidize dirty fuels anymore; oil companies are making record profits on our tax dime. Now that we see the devastation dirty fuels can cause, let's support clean energy innovation that creates new jobs and make our planet a better place to live," said Matt Holland, USAction/TrueMajority.
Groups in the coalition were particularly outraged that ExxonMobil, the most profitable corporation in American history, avoided paying any income taxes to the Federal Government last year and then pocketed an additional $46 million from the IRS. [1 and 2]
DFA, USAction/TrueMajority, and CREDO Action are collecting petitions to send to Members of Congress and candidates for Congress. Several proposals that reduce or eliminate subsidies to dirty fuel companies exist, including a proposal from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Sen. Sanders’ amendment would end more than $35 billion in tax breaks to big oil and gas companies. [3]
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1. Oil and Gas Industry: A Decade of Record Breaking Profits: http://www.taxpayer.net/projects.php?action=view&category=&type=Project&proj_id=3559
2. Pumping Tax Dollars to Big Oil: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/04/oil_subsidies.html
3. Release: Sanders Amendment Would Repeal Big Oil Tax Breaks: http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=40632a45-5269-4498-807a-66dc78abaa6e
Paid for by Democracy for America, www.democracyforamerica.com, and not authorized by any candidate.
Democracy for America Urges Obama Administration To Protect A Free and Open Internet
After FCC Closed Meetings with Telecom Industry, Advocacy Groups Join Forces to Protect the Internet from Corporate Control
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America (DFA), the people powered PAC, today urged the Obama Administration to take a strong stand against the corporate takeover of the free and open internet. DFA launched a petition to its members to defend net neutrality: http://bit.ly/demfornet.
“In the coming weeks, the Obama Administration will make a critical decision about whether the internet remains open to all or whether corporate interests will be able to control access,” said Charles Chamberlain, DFA Political Director. “Today, our 1 million members are urging the Obama Administration to keep the internet how it is– open to all. With more and more corporate control of mass media, a free and open Internet is critical to our democracy.”
Late last week, DFA joined with other progressive organizations to send a letter to President Obama urging him to take a strong stand in support of net-neutrality. You can see the letter and DFA petition to save the free and open Internet here: http://bit.ly/demfornet
Currently the Federal Communications Commission is meeting with major corporate telecommunications firms behind closed doors to craft a policy.
ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
Democracy for America is a people-powered Democratic Political Action Committee. With over one million members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.
www.DemocracyForAmerica.com
Paid for by Democracy for America, www.democracyforamerica.com, and not authorized by any candidate.
Democracy for America Endorsed Candidate Elaine Marshall Wins NC Senate Primary
Marshall Goes on to Face Vulnerable Republican Opponent in Strong
Position to Pick Up Democratic Senate Seat in November
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America (DFA), the
people-powered PAC, is proud to congratulate Elaine Marshall on her
primary win today. DFA was the first national group to endorse
Marshall after DFA members in North Carolina supported Marshall by 59%
in the Primaries Matter poll in April.
“Elaine Marshall’s victory is a victory for all Democrats in North
Carolina. She is a champion for North Carolina working people, and she
is clearly the grassroots choice for the Senate,” said Jim Dean,
Chair of DFA. “That’s why we launched our ‘Primaries
Matter’ campaign, because voters should decide who best represents
their values.”
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.”
DFA’s national membership mobilized to raise funds for the
campaign, while local NC DFA members knocked on doors, made phone calls,
and provided the grassroots support needed to win.
DFA
has helped elect nearly 600 progressives up and down the ballot
including, most recently, Joe Sestak, DFA endorsed candidate, who
won a primary against Arlen Specter in PA on May 18th.
ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
Democracy for America is
a people-powered Democratic Political Action Committee. With over one
million members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to
change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.
http://www.DemocracyForAmerica.com
Paid for by Democracy for America, www.democracyforamerica.com, and not authorized by any candidate.
Democracy for America Launches ‘Move Your Money’ Campaign
DFA Members, State Democratic Parties, and State and Local Governments to ‘Declare Independence’ from Corrupt Big Banks
www.BreakUpBigBanks.com
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America (DFA), the people powered PAC, announced the launch of a national campaign encouraging individual and institutional consumers to move their money from banks who received taxpayer funded bailouts to smaller local banks and credit unions. The three tiered campaign will first ask individuals to move their money, then DFA will help local groups organize state Democratic Parties to pass resolutions to move their money, and, finally, DFA groups will pressure state and local governments to move their money to local banks.
“It’s time for us to declare our independence from ‘too big to fail’ banks,” said Charles Chamberlain, Political Director for Democracy for America. “We can’t wait for Congress to make this change happen. To regular Americans this issue isn’t Left or Right – it just makes sense. If enough people move their money from a big bank to a smaller, more local, more traditional community bank, we can break up the big banks ourselves.”
DFA is joining the ‘Move Your Money’ campaign started in December 2009 by Arianna Huffington, founder of the HuffingtonPost.com. DFA's grassroots groups will be organizing local Democratic Parties and state and local governments to move their money. On DFA’s efforts, Huffington said, “I am very excited to see DFA add their grassroots organizing power to ‘Move Your Money.’ DFA members aren't waiting for Congress. They have the power to break up the big banks starting now.”
The campaign is endorsed by filmmaker and activist Michael Moore. “Move Your Money before some 'too big to fail' bank moves it for you -- into their pockets. If our elected officials won't punish the banks that took our money, here's a way to do it yourself. Starve the big banks,” Moore stated.
The campaign launches this week and will culminate in dozens of rallies organized by DFA members across the nation on July 4th declaring independence from big banks.
ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
Democracy for America is a people powered PAC. With over one million members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.
Democracy for America Endorses Joe Sestak for Senate in Pennsylvania
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America, the people powered PAC, announced its endorsement of Joe Sestak for Senate today.
DFA members in Pennsylvania support Sestak by a margin of 3-to-1 in the organization’s Primaries Matter online poll.
“We’re supporting Joe Sestak because he is a progressive Democrat. Arlen Specter, on the other hand, switched parties a few months ago in an attempt to keep his seat,” said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. “That’s why we launched ‘Primaries Matter,’ because it’s not just about electing anyone with the word Democrat next to his name, it’s about electing better Democrats.”
Just released polling shows Joe Sestak is within 4 percent of pulling ahead of Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary a huge jump from only one month ago when Quinnipiac polling showed Sestak down by 21 percent. Democracy for America is supporting Sestak to build on this momentum, bringing in donations from progressives and providing volunteers to participate in door-to-door, grassroots outreach.
DFA has helped elect nearly 600 progressives up and down the ballot including, most recently, Elaine Marshall, who came in first in the Democratic Primary for Senate in North Carolina on Tuesday May 4.
ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
Democracy for America, the people powered PAC, has over one million members nationwide. DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.
Contact: Levana Layendecker (802) 651-3200 x 157
Democracy for America to Join MoveOn.org with Vigil Urging Bernie Sanders to Support Health Care Reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Burlington, Vermont—On Tuesday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m., Democracy for America will hold a vigil outside the office of Senator Bernie Sanders in Burlington, VT.
The vigil is being held to thank Sen. Sanders for his support in the battle for health care reform, and to let him know that Vermonters continue to count on him to pass a bill that includes a public option. The event will also send a message to any Democratic Senator who seeks to scuttle the option in the name of compromise.
Held alongside a similar event organized by members of MoveOn.org in Stowe, the vigil is one of many events being held across the country in support of a public option.
Who:
Democracy for America,
local activists
What: Vigil urging Bernie Sanders to stand with the
public option and health reform in the Senate
When: December 8, 5:30
p.m.
Where: In front of the office of Sen. Sanders, 1
Church Street, Burlington, VT
Democracy for America, the people powered PAC, has over one
million members nationwide. DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change
our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.
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Democracy for America, Gov. Howard Dean Launch "America Can't Wait" Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Campaign calls on Congress to pass reform including a public option using majority votes.
Burlington, VT—Democracy for America and its founder, Gov. Howard Dean, launched a new campaign today calling on Congress to pass real reform with majority votes.
The campaign, called America Can't Wait, focuses on the strong Congressional and grassroots support that exists for a public option.
"At least 218 House and 51 Senate Democrats have said they would vote for the final healthcare bill if it included the choice of a public option rather than vote against the bill and kill reform," said Dean, a lead advocate for a public option. "That’s means Congress has the majority votes needed to pass a public option today."
Members of the House and Senate who have said they will vote “yes” can be found at www.americacantwait.com.
A robust healthcare reform plan, including the choice of a public option, can be passed in a budget bill by a majority vote in the U.S. Senate, instead of the 60 vote-minimum that some think is necessary. Numerous budget scholars and experts on Senate procedure agree, says Dean.
Stan Collender, a contributing editor at the National Journal, contributing writer for Roll Call, and author of “The Guide to the Federal Budget,” is an expert and frequent speaker on the budget. “Reconciliation has become such a standard part of the budget process that using it for health care would be neither surprising nor precedent-setting," he said in a Roll Call column.
The Senate has passed numerous major reforms, including the Bush tax cuts and funding for the Iraq War, using reconciliation—more than 25 times in history.
Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean underscores the grassroots support for a public option.
“The majority of Americans want healthcare reform with the choice of a public option that keeps insurance companies honest, lowers costs and increases service,” Jim Dean said. “Our members are joining with President Obama in calling on Congress to get the job done."
Last week, CBS News released a poll that showed support for a public option has increased since the President’s speech to Congress. And in a CNN national poll, two out of three Americans who watched Obama's health care reform speech now favor his health care plans, a 14-point gain.
"Now is the season for action. The majority of Americans want it, and majority votes in Congress will pass it," said Gov. Dean.
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Press Contact:
Levana Layendecker
Communications Director
802-651-3200 x157
media@democracyforamerica.com
Twitter: @DFAaction