by 21st Century Democrats on December 15, 2009
The 2010 campaign cycle got off to a great start last Saturday when 60 people attended 21st Century Democrats’ field organizer training at George Washington University. Co-hosted with GWU’s Student Democrats, the field organizer training attracted candidates, managers, and organizers for campaigns at the local, state and federal levels. Many states were represented, including Hawaii, Washington State, Illinois, Georgia, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. People are FIRED UP about the 2010 elections and want to make sure we hold on to our majorities in Congress and build our farm team of progressive Democratic elected officials at the local and state levels. Thanks to political professionals like Marlon Marshall, National Field Director for the DCCC, Nicole Aro, New Media Director for the DNC, Karin Johanson, former Executive Director of the DCCC, and many others, our trainees gained tremendous insight into how effective campaigns are organized and run. This is the first of many training programs we intend to conduct right up to next year’s election. So, watch out GOP – 21st Century Democrats are comin’ to getcha!
by 21st Century Democrats on December 2, 2009
All of us at 21st Century Democrats at extremely excited about our upcoming field training event, “Gearing Up for the 2010 Elections”. We have several BIG names from the campaign world: Karin Johanson, former political Director of the DCCC, Marlon Marshall, National Field Director DCCC, and Lisa Bianco, Political Director of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Nicole Aro, Director of New Media DNC, to name a few. Each attendee will leave with a blue print on how to run a successful field operation and grassroots campaign, so you can hit the ground running in 2010. Register now! Spaces are limited and have already begun to fill. We will be eager to see all of you young activists at GW on Saturday December, 12th.
RSVP:
www.21stcenturydems.org
Saturday, December 12th
9am to 5pm
George Washington University
Marvin Center, Room 307: Kayser Room
800 21st Street NW, Washington DC
by 21st Century Democrats on November 23, 2009
Last Thursday, House Majority Whip James Clyburn and Congressmen Keith Ellison and Jim Himes delighted a new group of students and interns from across DC in the latest installment of 21st Century Democrats’ Youth Leadership Speaker Series!
Congressman Ellison was the first to speak. He told his young audience that we are at an historic junction and that the interns and students of today are the chiefs of staff and Members of Congress of tomorrow. Ellison then played up the impact of past and current young progressive as an example of how the audience can engage to enact change. House Committee Chairs “wouldn’t have those gavels if it wasn’t for you,” said Ellison. And “if progressive young people could get Nixon to pass the EPA, think what you could get Obama to do!”
When it comes to finding those young leaders, Ellison said, “I’m always looking for that sharp young mind to help us solve that next big problem.”
Ellison also got into the nuts-and-bolts of the healthcare reform debate. “We’ve never been closer before” to reforming “the fundamental model of healthcare,” he said. Yet, Ellison—a proponent of a single-payer healthcare system—believes that the public option is the moderate and clearly “bipartisan” option on the table. “I made my compromises, I’m not making any more,” Ellison said, “You can’t quit just because you got Lieberman acting up.”
As Congressman Ellison was answering questions, there was a vote called on the floor of the House. When Congressman Himes appeared, he apologized for what was to be an abbreviated speech.
Himes, a former banker, was excited that Congress and the American people had the opportunity to “change the way we do business in this country,” in regards to both the financial and healthcare sectors.
A newly elected Congressman, Himes wasn’t interested in running for any elected office initially, because he thought politics was all kissing babies and country fairs, even though there are “not a lot of country fairs in Fairfield, Connecticut.”
When Congressman Himes left, 21st Century Democrats Executive Director Ruth Cox was wrapping up the event, apologizing that it was truncated. Then Majority Whip Clyburn burst into the room to speak.
Congressman Clyburn talked about all the work he had done as an individual citizen for civil rights and disadvantaged youth in his community, and how that lead to him running for elective office. The most important work, he said, was the work for which he never got a paycheck. “If you really are interest in doing something worthwhile, look for something that is not paid,” Clyburn said to the students and interns in attendance. “Someone is bound to notice” and enlist those talents to benefit the general public.
by 21st Century Democrats on November 16, 2009
This past Tuesday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar spoke in front of a group of interns and students as part of the 21st Century Democrats’ Youth Leadership Speaker Series.
“It’s an exciting job that I have,” Salazar said about being the Secretary of the Interior. Salazar outlined five pillars in his plan to lead the Interior Department toward environmental and social progress by respecting and making the most of our nation’s natural resources.
The five pillars:
- Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection
- Connecting Young People with the Outdoors
- Reviving the National Parks
- Protecting Natural Water Sources
- Supporting Native American Tribes
1. Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection — Secretary Salazar has not been shy about dismantling Bush-era energy policies that threatened our national parks, American natural life, and the environment as a whole. He promoted the use of solar panels on federal lands as a source of energy that could replace many of the coal-burning plants that are currently powering the infrastructure on our federal lands. By December 2010, Salazar hopes to have install enough solar panels on federal lands to replace at least 10 coal-burning plants.
2. Connecting Young People with the Outdoors — Secretary Salazar made it clear that it will be “part of this Administration’s legacy” to bring young people out of their homes and into the natural world. Visiting national parks, riding on bike trails, and hiking through the wilderness should not be just the activities of the past, but pursuits of the current youth generation.
3. Reviving the National Parks — Repairing the infrastructure of and boosting interest in the national parks go hand-in-hand with the second objective of getting kids outside. Our national parks are one of our greatest resources. providing an opportunity to learn, connect with nature, and even get some exercise. The Bush Administration was more concerned with exploiting natural resources–such as oil and coal–from our federal lands, than updating the infrastructure of those same lands to make them more accessible to the American people. Pillars 2 and 3 work together to bring the American people closer to nature so that they will see nature as a good in itself, not just a means for fossil fuels.
4. Protecting Natural Water Sources – The American people take our environment for granted: from national parks to breathable air to drinkable water. Secretary Salazar made it clear that his plans for the Interior Department included protecting American waters, from lakes, rivers, and tributaries inside our borders to the ocean above the continental shelf outside of them.
5. Supporting Native American Tribes — “The last administration… ignored the Native American population,” said Secretary Salazar. “The assistant [Interior Department] secretary for Native American affairs had been vacant for 3 years.” Salazar and President Obama have shown that they are serious about repairing relations between the federal government and our Native American population. About a week before Salazar spoke in the Youth Leadership Speaker Series, President Obama held a day-long event with Native American tribal leaders from across the nation. He and Salazar are serious about continuing these conferences every year and bridging the gap between Native American tribes and the United States government.
President Obama and Secretary Salazar know that it’s time to get serious and clean up the Bush Administration’s mess–both figuratively and literally. There is a lot of work that still needs to be done. It’s our job to make sure that Obama and Salazar have the progressive support they need to undo the environmental and social damage done in the past decades of (mostly) Republican administrations.
21st Century Democrats is keeping the ball rolling through our Youth Leadership Speaker Series and field organizer training sessions. Help us build the progressive “farm team” of the Democratic Party who will repair the damages of the past and bring our country into the future.
by 21st Century Democrats on November 6, 2009
The 21st Century Democrats’ Youth Leadership Speaker Series is off to a great start teaching and inspiring tomorrow’s progressive leaders of the Democratic Party with speakers like Congressman Barney Frank, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and—soon—Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
Congressman Frank set tone of this year’s speaker series when he said that he was glad to be speaking in a room of Democrats. “I am a partisan Democrat,” Frank said, “Bipartisanship is never good thing. It is a means to an end.”
Congressmen Frank and are great examples of progressive Democratic leaders because they live according to progressive values. Take, for example, Kucinich’s experience debating healthcare reform with his Republican friends. When the Republicans say, “This is putting insurance companies out of business,” Kucinich returns with a hearty “‘I wish!’”
Senator Mark Pryor also had a few choice words about his colleagues across the aisle: “In the last three—four years they’ve had nothing new.”
21st Century Democrats alumni Representatives Tim Bishop and Betsy Markey thanked the organization for the support in their tough election bids.
“I stand here today due to the help of 21st Century Democrats,” said Bishop.
“I do appreciate your support in the campaign,” Markey said, “I needed all the support I could get.”
This Tuesday, November 10th at 5:30 P.M., 21st Century Democrats is proud to host Interior Secretary for the Obama Administration, Ken Salazar, in the Cannon House Office Building Caucus Room in Washington, D.C.
Secretary Salazar has been dismantling Bush-era policies that allowed oil, gas, and coal companies to run roughshod over our federal lands. Salazar has been promoting the development of alternative energy sources on federal lands in lieu of drilling away our natural resources.
So if you or someone you know is in the DC-area next Tuesday, stop down and hear from Secretary Salazar and the 21st Century Democrats!
RSVP here or go to www.21stcenturydems.org to find out more about the Youth Leadership Speaker Series!
by 21st Century Democrats on November 3, 2009
Congressman Dennis Kucinich is joining 21st Century Democrats’ Youth Leadership Speaker Series tomorrow (November 4 at 12:30 P.M.), inspiring and education young progressive Democrats across Washington, D.C.
We are excited to have the participation of Congressman Kucinich, one of the fiercest fighters for progress and the welfare of the American people.
Congressman Kucinich recently appeared on MSNBC’s The Ed Show, where he said of the healthcare bills in Congress that mandate health insurance without a single-payer or other public option, “What we’re looking at here is another way that Wall Street’s speculative engine can be fueled, this time with the help of the [health insurance] premiums of tens of millions of Americans.”
You may have heard about the Youth Leadership Speaker Series that we’ve been hosting here at 21st Century Democrats. Last week, on October 28th, we hosted House Financial Services committee Chairman Barney Frank and first-term Congresswoman Betsy Markey. The interns and students who came to the event had a great time; some were even inspired to sign-up for our field organizer training in December (more on that soon!). Just see what they had to say about Frank and Markey at American, George Washington, and Howard Universities.
Tomorrow, November 4th at 12:30 P.M., we’re hosting the second session in the Youth Leadership Speaker Series with Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Senator Mark Pryor, and Congressman Tim Bishop. Like the last session, we’ll be meeting in the Members’ Room of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
- Congressman Kucinich will talk about the importance of adhering to progressive Democratic values.
- Senator Pryor will be speaking on consumer protection.
- Congressman Bishop will enlighten the audience on improving access to higher education.
Following each speaker’s prepared comments will be a question and answer session with the students and interns in the audience.
If you or any young progressive Democrats you know are in Washington, D.C. tomorrow and are interested in attending, RSVP here or visit our website at http://www.21stcenturydems.org for more information.
by Sarah Mersky on October 20, 2009
I just wanted to let you guys in on our not-so-secret Youth Leadership Speaker Series. Be among the thousands who have already attended our speaker series and heard from progressive voices including President Barrack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Former Vice President Al Gore, and the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Each year our speaker series invites interns—like you and me—to have personal conversations with progressive leaders, from the Senate floor to your favorite late night TV shows. It is important that we can learn from the experiences of today’s progressive leaders. After all, we are the leaders of tomorrow.
We’re excited to tell you that the honorary chairs of this year’s speaker series are Senator Tom Harkin and Congressman John Lewis. Our series starts on October 28th and runs through December. This year’s speakers are sure to educate and inspire us about the future of progressive America. It is no longer enough to just have a Democratic majority in Congress, we need a progressive majority. Our speakers will be discussing the importance of universal healthcare, a sustainable environmental policy, and fair economic reform. They are entrusting us—the progressive leaders of tomorrow—to carry on their legacy.
There’s no excuse to miss out on this opportunity. Where else would you and your friends have the unique experience of picking the brains of some of America’s most well-known and respected progressive politicians and political entertainers? Oh, one more thing: you’ll have the bragging rights when you tell all of your friends what they’re missing. As if that was not convincing enough, because we here at 21st Century Democrats know what the budget of the average Washington intern is like, the series is free!
Join us for what will surely be a spectacular fall speaker series. Please remember to check out the blog frequently as it will be updated with more speaker information. Feel free to leave any questions, comments, or other feedback.
See you at the Series!
‘Til Next Time,
Sarah
P.S. You can RSVP on our website! http://www.21stcenturydems.org
by 21st Century Democrats on October 20, 2009
21st Century Democrats is focused on building a progressive movement from the grassroots up. Our goal is to promote populist values, activists, and candidates.
Our organization—known then as “Democrats 2000”—was founded in 1986 by Senator Tom Harkin, Congressman Lane Evans, and populist commentator Jim Hightower. The founders envisioned Democrats 2000 as an organization to help candidates with a record of fighting for the American people—from students to the retired community and everyone in between.
We are the leading progressive political action committee in the Democratic Party, and we’ve helped elect some of the leading progressives in Congress. We’ve worked to transform the Democratic Party from within, by supporting Democrats in the tradition of Paul Wellstone, Tom Harkin, and Sherrod Brown. Today, the most vocal voices and fiercest fighters on progressive issues are the elected officials previously endorsed by 21st Century Democrats. These 21st Century Democrats alumni are working on issues as diverse as healthcare reform with a public option; corporate accountability on Wall Street; sustainable environmental practices; and renewable energy sources.
We’ve got alumni from City Hall to the Oval Office because we combine a commitment to progressive values with grassroots campaigning that works. We’re building the “farm team” of young progressive leaders in the Democratic Party to keep the Republicans on the bench in years to come.
by Editor on August 25, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, 21st Century Democrats, the nation’s top progressive PAC, announced its endorsement of Jody Wagner for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. In the past decade, Wagner has been instrumental in shaping the fiscal policies that have helped Virginia become one of the nation’s most financially successful states.
“21st Century Democrats is proud to endorse Jody Wagner for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia” said Jim Scheibel, 21st Century Democrats’ Board Chairman. “One of our core functions is to identify and support new, talented leaders within the Democratic Party. Jody’s fiscal policies have already benefitted all Virginians. Her commitment to bolster science and education and create green jobs will benefit Virginians for decades.”
Wagner, a small business owner and mother of four, has lived in Virginia for over 25 years. As Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia under Governor Warner and then Secretary of Finance under Governor Kaine, Jody enacted the fiscal policies that have made Virginia the nation’s best managed state. Under her watch, Virginia was voted the best state for doing business. She will build upon this success by improving Virginia’s education system and making Virginia a leader in conservation and clean energy production.
For over 20 years, 21st Century Democrats has worked to build a broad network of progressive Democratic leaders who shape the direction of the Democratic Party. They develop leadership at every level— from training new generations of field organizers and campaign staff to helping progressive candidates win campaigns. In 2008, 65% of their supported candidates won election to state, local, and federal government.
To learn more about 21st Century Democrats, visit www.21stcenturydems.org.
To learn more about Jody Wagner, visit www.jodyforva.com.
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by Editor on August 25, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, 21st Century Democrats, the nation’s top progressive PAC, announced its endorsement of Steve Shannon for Attorney General of Virginia.
“From his days as a prosecutor, to his co-founding of Northern Virginia’s AMBER Alert System, Steve has proven himself as an exemplary public servant., said Jim Scheibel, 21st Century Democrats’ Board Chairman “His commitment to protecting the environment while facilitating the creation of green jobs represents the kind of leadership Virginia needs and 21st Century Democrats sees to promote.”
Shannon, a father of three has been a state delegate since 2003. With his wife, Abby, he co-founded the AMBER Alert system in Northern Virginia to help rescue abducted children. Additionally, he led the fight to pass the 2008 Higher Education Bond Package, a bipartisan effort that has bolstered Virginia’s university and college infrastructure.
For over 20 years, 21st Century Democrats has worked to build a broad network of progressive Democratic leaders who shape the direction of the Democratic Party. They develop leadership at every level— from training new generations of field organizers and campaign staff to helping progressive candidates win campaigns. In 2008, 65% of their supported candidates won election to state, local, and federal government.
To learn more about 21st Century Democrats, visit www.21stcenturydems.org.
To learn more about Steve Shannon, visit www.shannon2009.com.
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