PDA "Progressive Democrats of America" Supports Howard Dean for DNC Chair.

[mzmolly]

:toast:

http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/news/dean_DNC.php

"Progressive Democrats of America grew from a desire to focus energy on pressuring the Democratic Party to adopt and advance a more explicitly progressive agenda. We have already seen a great deal of movement at the grassroots level, and believe a shift at the national level is possible. A variety of events are necessary to create this shift, including the election of a progressive DNC Chair, voting progressives into local office in large numbers, and working strategically toward the election of a progressive President in 2008. The latter two goals can be obtained by citizen activism, hard work and a fair citizen vote. The first objective can only be achieved if our Democratic Chair Committee members break free from the "politics as usual" method they have been employing. Instead, they must make a decision based on what is best for our party, best for our country, and true to American ideals.

In the last four years, the leadership of our party has left a long trail of election failures, primarily because they have abandoned the principles and traditional values of our party and ignored the needs of the grassroots. Progressives want leaders who are willing to admit errors, learn from them, and make changes in strategy and message as signs of their commitment to responsibility. Progressives want party leaders and candidates who act with the best interests of every voter in mind. For these reasons, PDA believes that a principled, passionate, pragmatic, socially progressive, and fiscally conservative leader, such as Howard Dean, must be chosen as the next DNC Chair. Such a leader is vital if our party is to head in a new direction. Such a candidate will create an environment where Democrats can both win national elections and regain the respect of their base. PDA supports the progressive grassroots choice and promotion of Howard Dean for DNC chair. PDA will work diligently to amplify this promotion and is committed to supporting Howard Dean directly if he chooses to seek this position. PDA is proud to be a part of this effort and will continue to support progressive candidates for positions at all levels across this great nation. PDA challenges you and the Democratic Chair Committee members to do the same."

[ProudToBeLiberal]

1. wasn't PDA fpunded by Kucinich? woot woot :)

[Kevin Spidel]

2. no

just former sr. staffers from kucinich, and dean grassroots activists! ;)

[mzmolly]

3. They did both attend the PDA convention.

[MaggieSwanson]

4. People like you make it easy for people like me

-a member of PDA who was still deciding whether or not to join Deanmocracy for America - to make my decision.

Thanks a bunch for your continued mockery of Dennis Kucinich, the most progressive and wise man I have ever had the honor of meeting. And yes, I have also met Governor Dean.

-Maggie

[ProudToBeLiberal]

8. wow...maybe I should of put quote compliment end quote

I was complimenting that it was a great endorsement because I thought kucinich found it. I'm glad you're not joining DFA, I mean how are you going handle people to people skills if you can't even pick up a simple compliment.

[MaggieSwanson]

13. Guess I didn't understand

the "woot woot" part. It reminded me of some of the Dean people around here that still are trying to trump DJK any way they can. I shouldn't have projected that on you.

PDA was unveiled at the convention in Boston as a joint venture by members of the Dean and Kucinich camps, along with other great activists to unite the grassroots.
Around here, the Deanmocracy Club was too proud of themselves to join PDA, and people like me were/are a bit too put off to join them. It's a pity - maybe you can see why I was so testy.

[madfloridian]

14. "Deanmocracy Club" is very insulting. Yes, I am proud to be DFA.

I was a Dean supporter even before he announced as a candidate. I continue to be. I think it is great for the groups to work together, but I frankly am a little tired of being put down like that. There are way too many good people in all camps for this kind of stuff.

QUOTE:...."PDA was unveiled at the convention in Boston as a joint venture by members of the Dean and Kucinich camps, along with other great activists to unite the grassroots.
Around here, the Deanmocracy Club was too proud of themselves to join PDA, and people like me were/are a bit too put off to join them. It's a pity - maybe you can see why I was so testy..."

That is not a nice remark. BTW, I did sign up at the site. What more do you want?

[MaggieSwanson]

15. Notice I put the words

"around here" in my sentence. You are not one of the people I was referring to. I live in Iowa, and I assume you live to the southeast of me.
I have always enjoyed reading your posts, and do not mean any disrespect to you or your chapter of DFA.
But AROUND HERE there are enough unpleasant, haughty Dean people to keep my buttons pushed.

[madfloridian]

17. And vice versa. Which may explain a lot of defensiveness.

I just assume I am not the one being insulted, but actually I am. I just pretend I am not.

I don't go for insults toward anyone. I don't call names.

[madfloridian]

9. Where did you get an insult from what was said in that post?

I joined PDA as well as DFA because they seem to be more effective than the DNC right now. I don't think the poster was insulting Kucinich.

[mmonk]

5. Very good

As a new member, I am pleased.

[madfloridian]

6. Sounds good. I see one of the Grassroots for America is PDA.

In fact, I think a lot of you are with this group as well. Progressives and "reformers" are on the way.
http://www.grassrootsforamerica.us

SNIP.."Pam Paul, Executive Board Member was a Volunteer Campaign Organizer for Howard Dean in Oklahoma, an outreach event organizer, a Dean Corps event organizer, and the founder of "Okies for Dean." Pam spearheaded outreach efforts in the Latino, senior, youth, and African America communities. Currently she manages the Oklahoma Grassroots Campaign, is a state contact for Democracy for America, a state moderator for Out for Democracy, and Secretary of Grassroots for America. She helps produce and distribute the GFA Newsletter "Roots" which reaches thousands of Grassroots activists and continues to organize voter registration, candidate support, and other Grassroots projects. She works directly with many activists groups both locally and nationally as well as the Democratic Party of Oklahoma..."

[mzmolly]

7. I love seeing the Grass Roots get stronger and stronger.

:hi:

[slay]

10. Dean wants the job and has grassroots support. Dean for DNC Chair!

No doubt. :)

[Cheswick2.0]

11. This is great.

I guess that PDA understands even if some "liberals" do not.

[liberalmike27]

12. Dean, DFA 2.0

I love Dean, and Kucinich too. But I think the Democratic Party will fight tooth and nail to keep him from being the DFC chair.

While I agree wholeheartedly that our problem isn't being too far left, but trying too hard to emulate Republicans, and allowing them to set the agenda, here is the problem. The media, not surprisingly is going out of its way, setting all of its might to the task of further swaying Democratic public opinion that our problem is we were just too darned liberal. Now I fail to find that in the Kerry campaign, but that is what they've set about doing since the election, that and trying to further religionize our population.

While moving to the left is the solution, I don't know how we can access all of those voters who work the fast food chains, the grocery stores, the ciniplexes and get them into the game, and tear them away from whatever it is they do that keeps them from caring enough to vote. It is great for us to know that these people need the democratic party, but how will we get them to see it? One by one is the best answer I can see.

With the media being able to produce a Dean-scream sway of public opinion whenever they want, it is hard to remain positive. But I sincerely doubt Dean will get the job. I don't know how much more indistinguishable the democrats can become from the republicans before a third party really catches on, and stays. All I can say is, it's a good thing Bush moved to the right so far, so we can now see some kind of small difference. Other than that, its all a bad thing.

[Uzybone]

16. Damn I cant wait for Dean to actually win something

so we can see all this change people keep talking about. I'm not being facetious either. If this guy is so great i would love for him to be the DNC chair. So far though I'm not impressed.

I hope Dean does win the chair and we can turn our fortunes around.

[madfloridian]

18. Most of us hope he does not win chair.

I would rather see him build the DFA. Go figure. Yes, he is pretty great....he actually stands up for what he believes even when the whole party goes after him.

I admire that.

[mzmolly]

19. "Most of us" ???

hmmmmm.

I know many Dean supporters who hope he does, so there! ;)

I guess I trusted his judgement enough to support his Presidency, and I trust him enough to know where he'll be most effective as well. Dean wants to be the chair so I support that desire.

I think he'll make lemonade out of lemons no matter however. It's DFA or the DNC for me this time. I'm goin where Dean goes.

Peace my Floridian sister. :hi:

[madfloridian]

20. Should say a lot of us.

I think he would have a losing battle on his hands if he did get it. His philosophy about running people in the primary against Democrats who sell us out is a good one. If he is chair, his hands would be tied. DFA will continue, of course.

He once said it was a "thankless job."

Of course we are on board, but I fear the DNC chair would have silencing effect. Our country can not afford to lose that controverial voice. I guess I fear that the most. He is even getting to where he is almost too cautious.

[mzmolly]

21. Excellent point. The only thing I wonder is if he'll even have a voice

without the DNC position?

Though, I suppose if DFA continues to gain strength he will garner attention.

:hi:

[dansolo]

22. I'm glad that they are embracing Dean's pragmatism

Most of the attacks on Dean from the left have to do with his more conservative decisions, which are usually made while deferring to pragmatism and fiscal conservatism, as if those attributes negate his ability to be considered a "progressive."

[mzmolly]

23. It's always interesting supporting anyone in the Dem Party.

The "left" will always bitch because the guy isn't left enough.

The "moderates" will bitch because X isn't "centrist" enough.

It's amazing to watch.

I totally agree, it's encouraging to see Dean get this support.

:hi: