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Inside/Outside Update
PDA Staff Report
November 8th, 2005

The Inside/Outside Update is a PDA staff report to our supporters. We will send this every Tuesday. We want to make sure our grassroots supporters know what we, at the staff level, are doing each week. If you find this information useful, please consider making a small donation.

In This Issue:

  1. PDA Makes Another Congressional Endorsement!
  2. Launch of PDA Advisory Board
  3. PDA Hosts Townhall in Western Mass.
  4. Update on Grassroots Feedback for '06 - '08
  5. Wal-Mart Campaign Update
  6. DNC December Meeting Update
  7. Elected Progressive's Network Update
  8. Legislative Action Alerts
  9. PDA in the News

PDA Makes Another Congressional Endorsement!

Tony Trupiano is a force of nature -- a man of tremendous accomplishment who has succeeded at virtually everything he has tried. He is a leading voice in progressive talk radio, he has written books, and teaches a seminar on the effective use of media. Now he is running for office, and he needs your help. [read more]

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Launch of PDA Advisory Board

Next week, Tim Carpenter and Kevin Spidel will be in Washington , D.C. to launch your National Advisory Board. We have put in a great deal of effort to assure that this movement is advised by those leaders you put your trust and faith in. Cindy Sheehan will be joining the Board this week – and will be at our Advisory Board Reception and Fundraiser on November 15 in Washington, D.C. We would like you to join us. [read more]

See complete list of Advisory Board members and short summaries of their credentials.

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PDA Hosts Townhall in Western Mass.

Launch of Town Hall Tour and Bonifaz's announcement that he will explore a 2006 run for Secretary of the Commonwealth

On Saturday, November 5, Rep. Jim McGovern and PDA National Board member John Bonifaz were featured at the first forum on the Iraq War sponsored by PDA and the Massachusetts State Democratic Party. The event took place at Turners Falls High School in Montague, Massachusetts. State Democratic Chair Phil Johnston presided over a panel that also included Anita Deutsch of the National Priorities Project, and Kevin Lucey, whose son Jeffrey's suicide after serving in Iraq was attributed to post-traumatic stress disorder. While Ms. Deutsch focused on war spending and what that means to each of our towns, Mr. Bonifaz spelled out some of the impeachable offenses he has detailed in his book "Warrior King: the Case for Impeaching George W. Bush." The highlight of the evening was the speech given by Rep. McGovern explaining his long-awaited bill which will cut off funding for the war in Iraq. [read more]

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Update on Grassroots Feedback for '06 - '08

A few weeks ago our Advisory Board members began a dialogue with each of you. One of our Advisory Board members, Tom Hayden, wrote to you about his vision of PDA's 2006–2008 direction. His article and suggestions can be found here: http://pdamerica.org/orgs/feedback/hayden-advice.php

Your response was amaizing. Over 1,000 very long detailed responses. A few general patters from the grassroots say healthcare and fair elections are just as vital as the Iraq war. [read more]

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Wal-Mart Campaign Update

Last week we introduced a new Wal-Mart campaign and exposed the ties to corrupt GOP leaders like Rep. Tom Delay. The feedback from you all was powerful! You all were very excited about this new campaign and wanted to find out more. PDA will begin partnering with Robert Greenwald in screening a new movie exposing the Wal-Mart empire and their practices. [read more] [find screening near you]

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DNC December Meeting Update

PDA plans to be meeting with Democratic National Committee (DNC) members at their next meeting in Phoenix, AZ. Our goal will be simple: to message that the progressive movement within the Democratic Party is organized and in force! Plans include hosting an evening reception for attendees of the Young Democrats of America (YDA) and DNC events. This event will be open to the public and a place for folks to network with DNC members. There is a possibility of having some very progressive, well-known musicians there. Stay tuned as we firm that up. [more details] [download flyer]

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Elected Progressive's Network Update

The Elected Progressives Network (EPN) is a new PDA project, coordinated by Michael Engel, designed to link progressive state and local elected officials to each other and to our local chapters. Its ultimate purpose is to help them do their jobs, get them re-elected, and increase their numbers. The initial responses to this request yielded some inspiring community "profiles in courage." [read more]

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Legislative Action Alerts

First Post-Indictment Congressional Iraq Vote Wednesday

House International Relations Committee scheduled to debate and vote on H. Res. 505, a Resolution of Inquiry into the White House Iraq Group at 10:30 EST. This will be the first vote Congress takes on investigating the White House Iraq Group (WHIG) and the first vote related to the war since Vice Presidential Chief of Staff Lewis Libby was indicted. This vote will be a key test of whether Republicans will continue to stand behind the White House's case for war. Learn more, and take action!

H.R. 4232, the "End the War in Iraq Act of 2005"

Rep. McGovern's long-awaited bill cutting off funding for the war was introduced last week! See details and take action!

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PDA in the News

Last week the Senate went into "Closed Session" to discuss the issue of the American people being misled into war. John Nichols from The Nation gave PDA a siginficant shout out in his article covering this historic closure of the Senate. [read article] [download in flyer format]

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