The National Journal runs some of the most insider-y publications in the political sphere, so what they write, while not that widely read, is influential. So I wonder why the group keeps publishing 'reporter' Daniel Glover, who transparently reiterates right-wing slurs against progressives. This is the latest.
The Donna Edwards for Congress campaign is moving along really nicely. Wynn is scared and disorganized, which is why he keeps holding large and obnoxious fundraisers in corporate suites. It's what he knows how to do. I learned a little more about the PAC world last night which I'll go into in a bit of detail in a future post, but suffice to say, the system is extremely business-like and just floods money to every member of Congress willing to participate. Wynn tried to eat into Donna's base by endorsing Obama; I don't see how that does much unless Obama does something for Wynn.
The Edwards campaign is picking up steam. Donna committed last night to phasing out all fossil fuels, a major step forward in the climate change debate. Danny Glover came by last night to endorse Donna, generating press and headlining a local fundraiser. SEIU and UFCW have provided a raft of energy, and the field program is ramping up. If you have a high speed internet connection and would like to help the campaign ID voters, sign up here.
The Glover endorsement is significant. During the Lamont campaign, Danny Glover came to Connecticut and provided a key boost of support in the waning days of the primary. He's an exceptionally well-respected activist who moves voters, and he also came by last night to endorse and help out Donna Edwards at a New Carrolton metro stop and a fundraiser.
I'm going to echo Jane's comments about diversity and supplement them with my own observations. It's not enough to say that diversity is important. The political blogosphere is political, which means you have to discuss politics, and you have to do it with specifics.
If you want to discuss diversity, you have to talk about African-American politics, including problems at the NAACP and newer vital organizations like the Ella Baker Center and ColorofChange.org. You have to talk primaries. That's why I covered Donna Edwards and Al Wynn last cycle, and it's why I talk about the CBC and corrupt black billionaires like Robert Johnson. And not to play the 'why isn't everyone working on my pet issue', but doesn't it seem strange that Robert Johnson's push to use race to justify light taxes on his investment funds - after he did the same thing on the estate tax - gets no play anywhere except on a blog written by a Jewish liberal? I don't mean to whine but, to be selfish, I want a lot more discussion of ethnic politics on the blogs so I can read about it. I find the specifics really interesting. And the specifics - whether AIPAC is supporting Artur Davis in Alabama or was involved in beating Cynthia McKinney - are not just important but critical for progressives.
If you want to discuss diversity, you have to talk about Latino politics. That means Joe Baca and his awful stewardship of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the fight between the male and female members within the CHC. You have to talk about how Latino groups like Southwest Voter failed to bump up registration rates among Hispanics last cycle after the huge immigrants rights marches, and how labor screwed up on immigration.
If you want to discuss why women are so disempowered in our political system, you have to look not only at our cultural roots but at clear examples of problematic organizational structures, such as Emily's List or NARAL.
Like it or not, politics is politics, and specifics are the whole ball game. In Connecticut, I remember who was there with us. It was Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, and Danny Glover, and they helped us beat Lieberman in the primary. Maxine Waters is heroic, while Bobby Rush takes millions from AT&T to his charities and Harold Ford Jr is a contributor to Fox News and an employee of the financial service industry.
Politics is about power, and power in America cuts through race and identity. It's a fascinating story to tell, but it has to be told if you want to make any change.
STATE BLOGS
The Donna Edwards for Congress campaign is moving along really nicely. Wynn is scared and disorganized, which is why he keeps holding large and obnoxious fundraisers in corporate suites. It's what he knows how to do. I learned a little more about the PAC world last night which I'll go into in a bit of detail in a future post, but suffice to say, the system is extremely business-like and just floods money to every member of Congress willing to participate. Wynn tried to eat into Donna's base 