On Memorial Day

Written by: Jim Dean on May 26, 2008 12:43 PM EDT

On this day, when we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we join all Americans in thanking those who are serving and have served America in its defense.  From the battlefields of the Civil War to the mountains of Afghanistan to the streets of Iraq, we remember and pay tribute to the far too many who have given their lives.

On this day, I remember the words of Moina Michael’s poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.   

On this day, we will not forget and we will not let anyone else forget.

Jim Dean

Important Work in North Carolina

Written by: Jim Dean on Apr 28, 2008 5:29 PM EDT

Last week DFA endorsed the campaigns of Roy Carter and Larry Kissel who are running for the US House in the North Carolina 5th and 8th districts, respectively. We also spent a few days last week in North Carolina doing some rallying and canvassing for Roy Carter.

There are a few things you should know about these campaigns:

First, Roy and Larry are great progressive candidates who are doing a great job incorporating progressive values and the concerns of the voters in their districts in the same message. Whether it’s getting out of Iraq, health care for everyone, or getting rid of No Child Left Behind, Roy and Larry get the big picture: challenges for voters in their districts and the entire country.

Second, Roy and Larry can win. This has never been a DFA prerequisite, but you should know that both campaigns have highly competent staffs, committed volunteers, and are actively engaging voters in both the rural and urban areas of their districts. This is no small accomplishment given that two Presidential candidates are now campaigning all over North Carolina and sweeping up activists, supporters, and volunteers everywhere.

This brings us to the third point. The voters in North Carolina are absolutely stoked. You may hear beltway pundits wring their hands about the Presidential primary going on too long, but don’t tell that to the voters and taxpayers of North Carolina or Indiana. They are registering in droves. The folks we met canvassing are more than just concerned about the direction of our country. They understand that the future of our country is in all of OUR hands. Roy and Larry, both teachers, are using their skills to communicate the real choices and responsibilities that are facing the voters.

North Carolina hasn’t seen this kind of excitement for a while. It’s good for the state and it’s good for the entire country. We thank Roy and Larry for the courage they’ve shown to stand up to the reactionary right wing agenda, and get all of us focused on making this country better. I hope you will help them in any way you can. You can find out more about these campaigns by going to their Democracy for America campaign pages:

Roy Carter

Larry Kissel

Thanks for all you are doing to take our country back!

Jim

Thank you Sen. Edwards and Rep. Kucinich

Written by: Jim Dean on Jan 30, 2008 11:15 AM EST

During the last week, two Democratic Presidential candidates have decided to end their campaigns. Regardless of whether you supported John Edwards or Dennis Kucinich, all of us owe them our gratitude for what they have accomplished. Sen. Edwards and Rep. Kucinich were clear on the issues, put their convictions above the spin of the Beltway pundits, and spoke truth to power. If you watched the debates, you knew where they stood on the issues. You knew what kind of people they were, and you were clear on what they would try to accomplish if their campaigns for President were successful.

We hope the remaining presidential candidates understand that they have an opportunity to demonstrate to the voters that they have the same qualities as John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich. That they are committed to getting our troops home from Iraq, committed to affordable health care for every American, and committed to the sacrifice that we all must make to clean up our environment, political system, and a whole host of other challenges that our country faces.

John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich may not be running for president, but they have plenty of backbone. They have challenged the culture of incumbency and every American is better for this.

Our best wishes and support go to each of these fine candidates and their extended families. We hope the remaining candidates will carry their torch; because only the Party that Empowers will be IN power.

Finally, please remember our engagement in the remaining primaries is critical. In the case of the February 5th primaries, all of the delegates are allocated proportionally. What we do going forward will directly impact the delegate count, so, it is critical that we keep up the pressure to put forth the progressive agenda.

Our best to you all!

Jim Dean

Happy Holidays from DFA

Written by: Jim Dean on Dec 24, 2007 1:55 PM EST

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays.

All of us here in Burlington want to extend our best to you and yours for happy and safe holiday.  Our community has accomplished a lot this year, and I hope all of you (as well as ourselves) will take a few minutes to give each other a pat on the back and celebrate the collective steps we have taken to take our country back.

And just as we should reflect positively on the steps we took in ’07, let’s take a positive look at ’08 as well.  We have so many opportunities to restore citizen power to our political culture.  We have a real chance to elect people at all levels of office who are both honest and ready to bring America into the 21st century.

It will be hard work but we can do this!

Most of all, don’t forget to have fun in ’08.  Whether it’s supporting legislation, activist training or local state and federal candidates, we can make it happen.

So we might as well enjoy getting there, because – as Dr. Ruth used to say - getting there is half the fun!

Have a great holiday!!

Thank You, Pat Hanson

Written by: Jim Dean on Dec 17, 2007 10:52 AM EST

Since 2002, Democracy for America has been fortunate to have a great deal of help and learn a lot from the many good people who have come into this office to volunteer.  Whether it has been Howard’s campaign for President or DFA, much of our success has happened because of the time, energy, and new ideas that so many people have brought into the office by volunteering their valuable time.

One of our volunteers, Pat Hanson, has been around since the beginning of Howard’s campaign.  She has been at DFA almost every day during this period lending her considerable knowledge and experience to our efforts to bring new leadership into our political culture.

That is a long time by our standards and the standards of any political campaign or organization; but Pat is a very committed person and we are much better for the time she has spent with us.  Pat has helped us do a better job communicating and being more responsive to the comments and suggestions that you give us. She has been invaluable to keeping DFA true to its grassroots values.

Pat is leaving DFA to work on a number of other projects.  We are all very grateful for what she has given DFA, and hope you will join us in wishing her well. 

Pat you are absolutely awesome!  We wish you the best that life has to offer and look forward to staying in touch.

Jim Dean

Hold Howard Accountable - Sign the Card

Written by: Jim Dean on Nov 17, 2006 10:42 AM EST

This is truly a great country.  Where else can you work on one successful election in 1992, lose for the next fourteen years, and still get press? You got to hand it to James Carville; he can still get ink.  But maybe we’re the only ones that can’t remember James Carville predicting that the Democrats should easily gain 50 seats in the House BEFORE the election.  So why should that stop him from insisting that we should have won 50 seats AFTER the election?

I agree with a powerful and important guy like Jimbo. Howard should be held accountable. Hold him accountable for putting resources into Montana, where Jon Tester won a critical Senate seat. Hold him accountable for supporting Jerry McNerney in California, who ousted Richard Pombo. Hold him accountable for helping state parties nationwide to support competitive campaigns in places where Democrats haven’t won for years. Hold him accountable for helping return checks and balances to what was once a rubber stamp Congress.

Today is Howard's birthday. Tell him that you know our success was a direct result of his strategy and the work of activists at the local level:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/happybirthday

Send your message of thanks and support to Democracy for America's founder and sign the birthday card today:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/happybirthday

Howard put the strategy in place.  But it was you who powered the effort in so many ways.