Progressive Democrats of America: READ THIS

WilliamPitt

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Tue Jul-20-04 01:17 PM
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Progressive Democrats of America: READ THIS

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA)

New Political Organization to be Launched in Boston: Progressive Democrats
of America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2004

For more information
Contact: Charles Lenchner 202-460-5199, clenchner01@yahoo.com
Kevin Spidel 602-373-6990, kevin@spidel.net

Washington, D.C.: A new political organization will be officially launched
next week in Boston, at the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention.
The group, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), will reflect a broad desire
by many within the Democratic Party to champion progressive issues, along with
working to defeat President George Bush. PDA has already won the support of
well-known activists and political figures such as Tom Hayden, and actors Ed
Asner and Mimi Kennedy.

“The Democratic Party needs our help to regain its soul,” said Kennedy, who
has been a supporter of grassroots efforts. “If this is to be the party of
peace, of universal, single payer healthcare, of fair trade, then it needs
people to speak out on those issues.” PDA will work to mobilize supporters
within the Democratic Party on behalf of progressive office holders, including
public servants and Democratic Party officials.

“There are many progressives, newly energized by the Dean and Kucinich campaigns,
who are also new to the Democratic Party. We’re going to do the hard work of
integrating them into the party and shifting the balance of power in the progressive
direction,” adds Charles Lenchner, acting director of PDA.

Many newly established grassroots organizations who have sprung up in recent
months – in the wake of the Howard Dean and Congressman Dennis Kucinich campaigns
– are working together to ensure a Republican defeat and to empower grassroots
efforts.

“Our strategy is to work with the grassroots movement and with other groups
established in the wake of the Dean and Kucinich campaigns,” says Kevin Spidel,
former field director for the Kucinich for Campaign. Spidel will serve as the
field director for PDA.

"Our goal is to win back the presidency from the Republicans," says Spidel,
"and also to wrest the Democratic Party from the free trading, Iraqinvading,
Patriot Act supporting leadership it has now," PDA will campaign to transform
the Democratic Party and resurrect the spirits of Theodore Roosevelt and Kennedy.

A number of groups have signed on as endorsers, including: Progressive Vote,
Citizens for Legitimate Government, WeCount.org, Grassroots for America, Latinos
for America, Rapid Response Network, Oklahoma Grassroots Campaign, DIY Politics,
Punks for Democracy, Grassroots for Democracy, Oklahoma Grassroots Campaign,
Latinos for Americaand Educators for Democracy.

These groups – and others – will meet on Thursday, July 29, for an event titled:
“Building the Progressive Wing of the Democratic Party.” It will be held at
RoxburyCommunity College. This ‘progressive convention’ will feature talks
and panel discussions with speakers representing the diversity of our movement.
This includes individuals such as: Gov. Howard Dean (D-Vermont); Cynthia Peters,
Fund the Dream DNC Coalition; Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio); Representative
John Conyers (D-Michigan); Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Illinois) (invited);
Doris "Granny D" Haddock, Senatorial Candidate (D- New Hampshire); Reverend
Jesse Jackson, Executive Director Rainbow/Push Coalition (invited); Dr. James
Zogby, Founder and President of the Arab American Institute; Marianne Williamson,
Global Renaissance (invited); Kevin Spidel, Progressive Vote; Boston Councilman
Chuck Turner (District 7). Other names will be announced shortly.

PDA supporters and members will also meet with grassroots organizations from
around the country in Washington, D.C. on August 14-15th, to draft plans for
strengthening Democratic resolve in supporting universal, single-payer health
care, fair trade, human rights, and an end to the occupation of Iraq.

With Ralph Nader still commanding approximately three to six percent nationwide
in most polls, many observers are concerned about a backlash from anti-war
voters left out by the Kerry campaign.

Lu Bauer, an emerging leader in the Maine Democratic Party summed up some issues
PDA will work towards. “While there are some efforts to win those voters back,
they have not emerged from within the anti-war, progressive camp. This time
around, it will take former Nadervoters to win over real progressives and help
defeat Bush. Kerry can’t do it, because his position on the war remains out
of sync with most progressive voters, let alone with early and strong opponents
of the invasion of Iraq.”