PDA 2006 Election Video
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"PDA is focused on getting out a progressive message, even while the Democrats seem to be going in the opposite direction. Diverse, inclusive, strategic--thank goodness for PDA!"
--Kim Gandy, President, National Organization of Women (NOW)
Dear Friends:
I spent last week in Washington, D.C. meeting with PDA’s Congressional Board Members, and Hill staffers. During the week, I also attended and spoke at a series of events that confirm that the Progressive Movement is growing, and that the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and PDA are playing key roles in leading this effort.
Alternative State of the Union - Last Monday, The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), the Nation magazine, and the CPC collaborated on an "Alternative State of the Union 2006" event. Five of PDA’s Congressional Board Members took part in a press conference and panel discussions on the state of domestic and foreign policy. (Also see http://www.ips-dc.org/index.htm ) The Nation's Paths to Renewal issue features 20 innovative policy ideas from members of the CPC. Following this Alternative State of the Union event, the PDA team attended CODEPINK's "People’s State of the Union." PDA Board Members Cindy Sheehan, Rep Conyers and Woolsey each spoke out and challenged the Bush Agenda.
Later that night, hundreds of progressive activists gathered outside the Capitol for a State of Emergency rally demanding Bush Step Down. Both PDA Board Member Rev. Yearwood and I addressed the crowd. Following the rally, PDA Board member David Swanson and I offered our commentaries on Bush’s State of the Union address on National Pacifica Radio.
Please share these links with your PDA chapter members, your ally organizations, and with your networks.
Electing more Progressive Democrats - In the 2006 elections, PDA's goal is to help elect a majority of progressive members in the House who will speak out and vote against the Occupation of Iraq, in support of Single Payer Health Care, Fair Trade and Full Public Funding of Elections. To this end, PDA will be on the ground with PDA-endorsed candidates in Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, and as many other states as we can.
Going on Together - Eighteen months ago we launched Progressive Democrats of America, committed to building a grassroots movement that would expand and strengthen the progressive wing of the Democratic Party by building PDA chapters in all 435 congressional districts, and by allying PDA with the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC). With your help and active support, we have made tremendous progress; we also realize that there is a long hard road ahead.
I ask again that you consider becoming a PDA sustaining donor or making a monetary contribution to help PDA continue its vital work. PDA currently has 578 monthly sustainers: out of 60,000 email activists, that is less than one percent. We need to raise that number to 1,000 sustainers. Please, if at all possible, commit to being a PDA sustainer or to making an online contribution to PDA today. For $25, PDA can print 3,000 flyers. A contribution of $50 produces 30 yard signs. For every $100, PDA can produce 100 PDA DVDs to help in chapter organizing and recruitment. And for every $250 dollar contribution, PDA can fly another Board member to participate at a regional PDA events.
As we enter the 2006 election season, all of us in PDA thank PDA's 578 sustainers, 60,000 email activists, 62 Congressional District liaisons, 73 Chapter Leaders, PDA's Policy Task Force members, our hard working volunteers, our friends, our allies, and you! Together we have accomplished a great deal. Together we shall accomplish so much more.
In gratitude,
Tim Carpenter, Director
Progressive Democrats of America