Democracy for America Announces the First DFA-List

Released: Mar 28, 2005 4:13 PM

First Round of Candidate Endorsements in 2005

BURLINGTON, VT - Today, Democracy for America (DFA) announced the first "DFA-List, Candidates for America," of 2005. The DFA-Listers are fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates dedicated to changing America from the bottom up. The DFA-List was formerly known as the "Dean Dozen."

"The candidates in this first round of endorsements represent the true spirit of democracy and hold true to the values of our organization," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. "We are proud to put our financial and volunteer support behind them."

The DFA-List Candidates are:

Andres Ramirez for Mayor of North Las Vegas. Andres is a grassroots Nevadan with years of voter outreach experience. In 2004, he traveled to Iowa and New Hampshire to help on Howard Dean's presidential campaign. He is a first-time office seeker with union backing and is dedicated to uniting the many diverse communities of North Las Vegas. The election is June 7, 2005. www.andresramirez.com

Harvey Johnson, Jr. for Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi. Harvey was elected the first African-American Mayor of Jackson in June of 1997. He is dedicated to lowering crime rates, workers' rights and promoting economic development throughout the city of Jackson. Johnson is a Democrat out of conviction, not convenience. The primary election is May 3, 2005 and the general election is June 7, 2005. www.mayorharveyjohnson.com

LeAnna Washington for Pennsylvania State Senate. Rep. Washington is running in a special election to fill the seat vacated by 2004 Dean Dozen candidate and current U.S. Congresswoman, Allyson Schwartz. She has served 12 years in the State House and chairs the Black Legislative Caucus. She has received endorsements from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, and the Philadelphia School Police Union. The election is May 17, 2005. www.leanna4pasenate.com

Democracy for America is taking our country back from the special interests who dominate government today. DFA and DFA-List candidates are spreading the message that to change America, Democrats and progressives must compete.

Democracy for America Launches Social Security Radio Ads

Released: Mar 24, 2005 3:07 PM

Feature Real Stories from Real Americans

BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America (DFA) launched two compelling radio ads today depicting how Social Security affects the lives of real people and their plea to protect it from privatization. To listen to the ads, visit:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/30_second_ad
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/60_second_ad

The true stories featured in the ads are just a few of the thousands that Democracy for America collected from activists across the country since February. The ads will run in the next few weeks on radio stations in key swing districts, Latino radio stations, and markets where the right-wing front group, USA Next airs television ads. They will be complemented by a grassroots action plan, among the hundreds of DFA Meetup groups across the country, to protect Social Security from the President's destructive plan to privatize the system.

"Barbara's Story" Script

(BACKGROUND MUSIC) BARBARA: My father died from cancer when I was only 5 years old - leaving behind my mother and four children. Through my mother's dedication to providing us a successful life and the survivor benefits we received from Social Security, mis hermanos and I were able to go to college. Today, I am a high school teacher with two graduate degrees, and I have Social Security to thank.

(MUSIC ENDS) ANNOUNCER: Tell your story and learn how to protect Social Security from privatization, visit: democracyforamerica.com.

"Gina and Josephine" Script

(BACKROUND MUSIC) GINA: Hi, I'm Gina. My father died tragically when I was only 7 years old - leaving my mother to raise me, my younger sister and brother on her own. If it weren't for our monthly Social Security checks for dependent care, my family would not have made it through. Because of Social Security, my sister and I have become productive members of society. I was even able to go to college.

JOSEPHINE: I am Josephine, one of thirteen siblings. My father was killed in a working accident when I was about eight. My mom died too when I was 12, so my older sister took care of us all. Growing up, the monthly Social Security checks helped keep our family together. We were poor, but I never knew it - we always had food on the table, shoes on our feet, and blankets to keep us warm during cold nights. Please don't let the elected Republicans take Social Security away from our children.

(MUSIC ENDS) ANNOUNCER: Tell your story and learn how to protect Social Security from privatization, visit: democracyforamerica.com.

Democracy for America, which was founded by Governor Howard Dean in March 2004, is a political action committee dedicated to building a grassroots network of socially progressive and fiscally responsible activists and candidates running for all levels of office. Through the use of grassroots tactics, coalition building strategies, activist trainings and on-line support, DFA is giving ordinary people the power to reform their own political system.

Philly for Change March for Social Security

Released: Mar 9, 2005 4:02 PM

Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America, Joins Local Group in March

PHILADELPHIA, PA - This Friday, a group of seniors, students, union workers, and activists will mourn the untimely death of Social Security - at the hands of President Bush's plan to privatize the system. The demonstration, which is hosted by Philly for Change and the Coalition to Defend Social Security, will begin with a march from the corner of Market Street and 12th Street and end at the Center City Office of Senator Rick Santorum - the chief Senate advocate of President Bush's privatized Social Security Plan.

Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America will address the crowd immediately following the march.

Who: Philly for Change, Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America, and the Coalition to Defend Social Security

What: Mock Funeral March for Social Security

When: Friday, March 11, 2005 at 4:00pm
Jim Dean's address will be held at 5:00pm, following the march

Where: 12th Street and Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Jim Dean will be available for interviews both before and after his address.

For more information on the event, visit: http://phillyforchange.com/ and http://defendsocsec.org/pblog/index.php.

Democracy for America and Driving Votes Join Forces

Released: Mar 8, 2005 4:04 PM

New Partnership Will Strengthen the Grassroots Movement

BURLINGTON, VT--Today, two key progressive organizations joined forces. Democracy for America (DFA) and Driving Votes have partnered permanently to help strengthen grassroots movements across the country. All of Driving Votes innovative volunteer activation tools can now be found at www.DemocracyforAmerica.com.

Driving Votes volunteers will join forces with over 400 local DFA Meetup groups to broaden Democracy for America's grassroots network in every state.

"Through this partnership we will move one step closer to taking our country back," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. "By joining together, Democracy for America and Driving Votes will build up our grassroots network from coast to coast and help elect community leaders who will impact the political process for years to come."

"I'm proud to announce that Driving Votes is joining forces with Democracy for America, and fighting for progressive candidates, policies and values as a single organization," said Leighton Woodhouse, Executive Director of Driving Votes. "Together, Driving Votes and DFA will make the grassroots stronger."

The Driving Votes website and political action committee are closing, but the Driving Votes brand name and mission will continue through Democracy for America.

Democracy for America, which was founded by Governor Howard Dean in March 2004, is a political action committee dedicated to building a grassroots network of socially progressive and fiscally responsible activists and candidates running for all levels of office – from the school board to the United States Senate. DFA is giving ordinary people the power to reform their political system.