While we fight to not lose ground in this next election, we have to keep our eyes and plans on the 2011-2012 legislative cycle and off-year elections, in addition to a Presidential re-election year and another chance to surge forward. Are we ready?
With an unfinished agenda and tough midterm elections ahead, this is a good time to remind ourselves that politics is about what we do. Bringing change to Washington and around the country is not easy, and it takes time, but it still is in our hands. It's time to tune out the pundits and ignore the naysayers, and get back to the work of building long-term progressive power.
But, how do we really move an agenda? Despite historic rates of voter participation in 2008, a historic presidential election, and majorities in Congress, we've struggled to move an agenda for change (with a few exceptions), hold elected officials accountable, and build on a solid infrastructure to win elections and policy victories.
The answer is long-term, sustained investment in building progressive power and leadership that doesn't stop at one election cycle. Let's think three years! We need more of our own champions in elected office, and we need our elected allies to be accountable. We need to start getting concrete about what has to happen not just in the rest of 2010, but also in 2011, and 2012 and beyond to what we want to see happen in the 2013-14 Congress.
The timeline below showcases how all our efforts to elect new progressives, advance a policy agenda, and build strong organizations and communities with a critical mass of new leaders should all work seamlessly and ceaselessly throughout the next three years.
Remember, while we fight to not lose ground in this next election, we have to keep our eyes and plans on the 2011-2012 legislative cycle and off-year elections, in addition to a Presidential re-election year and another chance to surge forward. Are we ready?
Submitted by Rebecca Krantz (not verified) on June 16, 2010 - 10:11pm.
Does anyone else see the irony in "long term" being defined as three years? Perhaps this is a measure of just how short-sighted our political system has become, that we think this is an important leap forward (which I'm sure it is for. those of you doing the hard electoral work.) A community organizer and grassroots leadership development person I know recently reminded me of the Native American philosophy of acting with the seventh generation in mind...!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 10, 2010 - 9:48pm.
As citizens, and as voters, we must ensure all candidates are being evaluated objectively and fairly. The upcoming primary and November election is not about candidates' height, weight, gender, color and or age. It is about electing candidates that can best serve and lead our public, the ones that we can trust and cherish!
Now, we ought to ask ourselves this question, just exactly what is " best" to all of us? Who can capture our hearts and ultimately capture our votes?
Submitted by Julian Bond (not verified) on July 22, 2010 - 8:36pm.
Paul Wellstone was one of a kind!
Paul Wellstone was a courageous, unselfish, sensible, knowledgeable,compassionate teacher, public servant and leader!
Paul Wellstone had every right to be proud of his perfect human rights record!
If Paul's plane hadn't crushed in 2002, if Minnesotans had helped prevent the disaster, our lives could have been, may have been very very different for all I know.
Today, Paul is looking down and waving at you and me from up above. He demands action, he also demands justice!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 23, 2010 - 11:46am.
Senator Paul Wellstone was actively engaged in his Senate re-election campaign in 2002. He was the DFL-endorsed candidate. There was no other competitor to challenge him within the party. Paul was widely accepted as the best candidate to represent us! All voters needed to do was to vote for what they truly believed in on election day.
The plane crash instantly changed Minnesota's political landscape. How sad. How unfortunate. The truth is, today we are still paying for it.
Building powerful, long-term movements for change by enhancing and connecting the electoral, public policy, and leadership development work of progressive nonprofit organizations.
But what do you do in the months and years that lead up to a run for office? How can you set yourself up well to have a broad base to turn to when you announce your candidacy? This organizing tool looks at how to build your base as you get ready to run.
I'm ready!!
This is almost exactly what I've been telling my progressive friends lately. Thanks, Jeff!
Gretchen post
Thank you Gretchen for telling it too! Of course we fight hard now, but I also want to be able to really change things by 2013.
Gretchen Post
Thanks for laying out the plan!
Now, it's time for EXECUTION!
See you guys soon.
Meanings of "long term"
Does anyone else see the irony in "long term" being defined as three years? Perhaps this is a measure of just how short-sighted our political system has become, that we think this is an important leap forward (which I'm sure it is for. those of you doing the hard electoral work.) A community organizer and grassroots leadership development person I know recently reminded me of the Native American philosophy of acting with the seventh generation in mind...!
Equal Opportunity For All Candidates!
As citizens, and as voters, we must ensure all candidates are being evaluated objectively and fairly. The upcoming primary and November election is not about candidates' height, weight, gender, color and or age. It is about electing candidates that can best serve and lead our public, the ones that we can trust and cherish!
Now, we ought to ask ourselves this question, just exactly what is " best" to all of us? Who can capture our hearts and ultimately capture our votes?
Beyond 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013
I believe and hope that: Equal Opportunity For All Candidates will be used at all elections and at all times as a reasonable and acceptable standard!
In Memory Of Paul Wellstone!
Paul Wellstone was one of a kind!
Paul Wellstone was a courageous, unselfish, sensible, knowledgeable,compassionate teacher, public servant and leader!
Paul Wellstone had every right to be proud of his perfect human rights record!
If Paul's plane hadn't crushed in 2002, if Minnesotans had helped prevent the disaster, our lives could have been, may have been very very different for all I know.
Today, Paul is looking down and waving at you and me from up above. He demands action, he also demands justice!
A DFL-endorsed Candidate!
Senator Paul Wellstone was actively engaged in his Senate re-election campaign in 2002. He was the DFL-endorsed candidate. There was no other competitor to challenge him within the party. Paul was widely accepted as the best candidate to represent us! All voters needed to do was to vote for what they truly believed in on election day.
The plane crash instantly changed Minnesota's political landscape. How sad. How unfortunate. The truth is, today we are still paying for it.
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