Five Years Later

Written by: Julia Marden on Mar 19, 2008 9:00 PM EDT

Last March, thousands of college students around the country protested on the day after the fourth anniversary of the year in Iraq. At UNC Chapel Hill, hundreds of students walked out of class at 12 noon and rallied against the many injustices underlying the occupation in Iraq. At the time I was feeling a little discouraged, and I didn't see how a drum circle was going to bring home the troops.

Looking back, the UNC walkout and the other rallies that day did not end the war. They probably didn't raise a single brow in Washington. But they did raise many discussions about the state of student activism, the efficacy of a protest, and what issues matter most as we struggle to build a grassroots movement that can bring our troops home. The walkout reminded the community that we needed to regroup, examine our strategy and find a way to move forward in the struggle to end the Iraq War.

One year later, we're stronger. We're bringing people into the movement. We're voting in record high numbers. We're forcing our elected officials to talk about the war and talk about ways to end it. Some of our DFA-List candidates are even taking the lead: www.responsibleplan.com

So as we reflect this week on five years of antiwar activism, I offer up the questions that many of us were pondering a year ago.

You can listen for yourself, here.

It's been a frustrating few years. We've marched, lobbied, and called upon our officials to end the war and still the violence continues. But we can't give up yet. The people in this documentary talk about marches, sit-ins, economic activism, and lessons from past grassroots movements. I want to challenge each and every blogger and reader at BFA. What will you do to end the war this year?

Food for Thought

Written by: Julia Marden on Nov 21, 2007 4:01 PM EST

I just wanted to wish everyone in the DFA Community a Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a lot to be thankful for this year: Democratic victories across the country, a very exciting presidential primary, a fantastic grassroots community with the training and commitment to take us over the top in 2008...

But we have a lot to work for as well. We have rising food costs, unemployment, rising bankruptcy and foreclosure. It's more and more difficult for many American families to afford a Thanksgiving dinner.

If you are able, please consider making a donation to your local food bank: http://www.secondharvest.org

Next week, we'll get back to the business of electing progressives to office who are committed to our quality of life. But today, let's make the difference for a family in need.

2007 Victories Lead to Even More in 2008

Written by: Julia Marden on Nov 16, 2007 4:36 PM EST

When I think of what we've done in the past few weeks, my mind just staggers. We took back the governor's seat in Kentucky, wrapped up the biggest online presidential poll of the cycle, and endorsed Rick Noriega for Senate in Texas on the day before President Bush showed up to fundraise for his opponent. Then we held SiCKO House Parties around the country and spoke to Michael Moore to learn more about what comes next in the Health Care for America campaign. And then we made 2,399 phone calls to Senator Reid's office, changed Sen. Feinstein's heart on FISA and showed Washington the power of the grassroots. This weekend, I hope everyone in the DFA community takes a moment to relax and enjoy our successes.

But even as I'm writing this, I'm wondering what's next. We've got a big year ahead of us, and we'll be boots on the ground for candidates across the country. Do you know someone who's running for office? Are you taking the step to become a progressive leader? I hope you'll apply for an endorsement at www.democracyforamerica.com/application and start the process of building our community towards victory in 2008.

Call for Entries

Written by: Julia Marden on Nov 4, 2007 11:00 AM EST

Less than three days until elections (and one year until Election Day 2008)! What are you and DFA members in your area doing to take back our country? Are you canvassing for a DFA-List candidate? Organizing a SiCKO health care party to draw attention to a national issue? Working to promote a progressive issue in your community? Write up a blog post and let the DFA community know. We'll feature the best election success stories on Blog for America over the next week.

 

Pulse Poll gaining "Nation"al Attention

Written by: Julia Marden on Oct 25, 2007 3:15 PM EDT

The Nation picked up on the Presidential Pulse Poll this morning, with an article about the email that Richardson sent out today to our community:

"THE DEFINING ISSUE OF THE 2012 CAMPAIGN"... It is almost Halloween and Bill Richardson is offering up the scariest notion of the current presidential campaign.

The various candidates for the Democratic nomination have been asked to submit "Vote for Me" email messages to members of Democracy for America who are voting in the final "DFA Presidential Pulse Poll."

More than 90,000 people have voted in the final Pulse Poll. If you haven't cast your vote yet, head on over. There's still time to have your voice heard in DFA's endorsement.

Monday Night News Roundup

Written by: Julia Marden on Oct 22, 2007 6:15 PM EDT

A round of congratulations to DFA-List Candidate Deborah Langhoff! Deborah earned enough votes to force a runoff against incumbent Nick Lorusso. Nick has the odd distinction of engendering dislike from both parties for his flip-flop votes on Katrina relief. Visit Deborah's website to help her out any way you can: www.electdeborah.com. The Louisiana general election is Nov 17.

The "Republican" Netroots Movement

Written by: Julia Marden on Oct 19, 2007 4:00 PM EDT

This has been cracking up everybody at DFA HQ all day, so I thought I'd pass it along:

www.draftkatherineharris.com

In real news, check out DFA's Presidential Pulse Poll. The write-in votes for Al Gore are really starting to add up. He just overtook Clinton, and is moving up on Dennis Kucinich!

Thursday Night News Roundup

Written by: Julia Marden on Oct 18, 2007 4:15 PM EDT

Well, we fought the good fight on SCHIP, and that's all that can be said. We made phone calls, and wrote letters, and backed up the House Democrats who stood their ground. It's clear that we need to build a veto-proof majority in Congress over the next year.

Luckily we've got lots of opportunities. Republicans like Dennis Hastert, Deborah Pryce, and David Hobson are all stepping down. Maybe they can pass on some of their retirement benefits to America's children.

Wednesday Night News Commentary

Written by: Julia Marden on Oct 17, 2007 11:23 PM EDT

If anything illustrates the culture of incumbency versus the culture of activism, it's this:

Meanwhile, Wynn campaign manager Lori Sherwood said Wynn raised about $160,000 in the last quarter, and has $400,000 still on hand.

She said the campaign plans to bank over $1 million, and that a fundraiser scheduled next month in Montgomery County with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) should help them rake in the dough. Sherwood said the details of that event are still being worked out.

While the establishment keeps on playing nice with Bush Democrats like Al Wynn, DFA members have raised over $21,000 for Donna Edwards. Primaries matter. By February 12, we'll have sent Congress a message they can't ignore.

 

Tuesday Night News Roundup

Written by: Julia Marden on Oct 16, 2007 4:13 PM EDT

Sometimes it's pretty frustrating to read articles like this one in the NY Times. Yesterday in Rogers, Ark., President Bush had the audacity to suggest his veto of S-CHIP was in the best interests of poor children.

But there's good news. Today, DFA activists took action. DFA members around the country made phone calls, either to Representatives who might swing towards overturning the Bush veto, or to fellow members who live in those swing districts. One DFA member from Michigan found herself talking to Grassroots All-Star Charlie Brown's wife. You can bet that when Charlie Brown wins, he'll never vote against America's children.

In other news, DFA's going to Hollywood. Dean for America that is. That's right. George Clooney has teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio to make a movie of the 2004 Dean Campaign. DiCaprio has already been cast as former Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi. Our question: who's going to portray Jim Dean?