Progressive Democrat Issue 122: THOUGHTS

I do not use this newsletter to take sides in primaries. I think this is particularly important when it comes to the 2008 presidential primary. But sometimes there is something so glaring that it requires comment, either in favor or against a particular candidate. No praise nor criticism in this newsletter should be seen as an endorsement, and anytime I praise or criticize a candidate in a Democratic primary, I am open to presenting an opposing view for balance. So, with this in mind, I have to comment on something Hillary Clinton did NOT do.

Howard Dean in many ways brought the Democratic Party back to life. Although others share in the 2005 and 2006 success stories, Howard Dean in 2004 recreated the Democratic grassroots and since then has forged an alliance between progressives and moderates that has been winning big. He did this not by creating a rival force to the Democratic Party the way Nader did. He created a force WITHIN the party that led him to the head of the DNC. And under him the Democratic Party, with help from Rahm, Pelosi and Schumer, among others, has prospered.

Democracy for America was one piece of Howard Dean's revitalization of the Democratic Party. It brought back into the party thousands of activists who had lost faith with the system. It has focused people not only on national issues, but on LOCAl issues, events and campaigns, revitalizing the grassroots from bottom to top. DFA, along with groups like Progressive Majority and MoveOn.org, has given progressives ways of becoming a part of the political process without having to compromise their independence and ideals.

Three Presidential candidates have recognized the importance of Democracy for America and the new direction it represents. These three candidates are John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson. These three candidates recognize the importance of the grassroots and of more independent, more progressive movements within the Democratic Party. Even Bill Richardson, a moderate on many issues, recognizes the importance of the progressive, more independent grassroots.

These three candidates responded to questions from Democray for America and made video statements for the members of DFA. Here are their video statements:








All three make excellent points and are well worth our consideration for support. But there is a glaring absence here. Where is Hillary? Hillary Clinton is ignoring the very developments within the Democratic Party that has been such a success in 2005 and 2006, the developments that reopens the party to more independent-minded, more progressive activists. Why did Hillary shun Democracy for America?

In the end, Hillary may be our candidate and she, like Edwards, Richardson and Obama, would make a good President. But it bodes ill when one of our major candidates fails to recognize the fundamental shifts within our Party that led to such success in 2006.

I am not yet advocating for any one of our candidates. I would be happy with any of them, though Hillary's lack of appreciation of the progressive grassroots makes it hard for me to support her in the primary. In the spirit of progress in 2008, though, offer this Act Blue site which will help whoever our nominee is to win November 2008. Please donate! For those who want to support the grassroots rather than a candidate, I urge a donation to Democracy for America.

Now on to this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN AMERICA

VETERANS TARGET JOHN McCAIN

MEDIA ACTIVISM: Yet ANOTHER Right Wing Nutcase

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Bush is coming to town

NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

BROOKLYN FOCUS: Some Upcoming Events

NYC FOCUS: Fight the Con Ed Rate Hike

NYC GROUPS AND EVENTS

MICHIGAN FOCUS: MI Republican links to hate group

IOWA FOCUS: News about your elected officials

MIDWEST GROUPS AND EVENTS

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: California Republicans Oppose Wildfire Management?

CALIFORNIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS