by WhatAre Progressive Values [courtesy of Blog for America]

 

Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.  Martin Luther King, Jr

Mimi Kennedy is an actress and Advisory Board chair of the Progressive Democrats of America. I interviewed her at a conference in Los Angeles, California.  She told me that nonviolence is her most important progressive value. She told me the story about having painfully learned the importance of truth and transparency at a young age as well.

Nonviolence is a flop. The only bigger flop is violence.  Joan Baez

Progressive Values Stories: Mimi Kennedy on Nonviolence
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hBLK8uKRIV0

by William Monroe [courtesy of Blog for America]

Before the Iowa Primaries, Democracy For America polled its membership and came up with the vast majority of votes split between Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards and Barack Obama. Now that John and Dennis have withdrawn from this presidential run, it seems obvious to me that DFA should officially endorse Senator Obama.

Senator Obama has been conducting a wonderful campaign and has drawn endorsements from a broad range of organizations and people. Everyone from Susan Eisenhower, the President's grand daughter (and lifelong Republican) to MoveOn.org have endorsed Barack. This broad appeal and great organization is reflective of how he would bring people together to truly transform our Government. This is what is needed to bring Health care to all, effectivly address Global Warming and poverty, and bring peace to Iraq and the Middle east.

Thus far there is no word of an official DFA endorsement, but should you feel moved to get involved in the campaign, here is the Missouri Obama website:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/mohome

And looking for some very beautiful inspiration?

The "Yes We Can" video is an example of the grassroots efforts that have helped propel Obama to his Delegate lead:

by Daniel I. Medress [courtesy of Blog for America]

I was over at the Politico reading their recent article about DFA Wireless: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/8219.html

It is a good piece and has a couple of nice quotes from our Chair, Jim Dean, and our Finance Director, Rachel Moss.

While I was there, I also came across this: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7917.html

It is a story about the tough primary reelections that, both, Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Rep. Ron Paul are now facing as a result of their presidential bids.

Danny, Communications Director

by Jim Dean [courtesy of Blog for America]

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.

by Susan Rowe [courtesy of Blog for America]

Kicking-off his 2008 re-election campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, Progressive Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio delivered an impassioned speech on Friday, January 25, 2008 in his hometown of Cleveland.  Note: His courageous speech will make tears of great joy well up in your eyes.

Congratulations Congressman Kucinich!

www.integritynow.org

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

It's official: Maverick Congressman Dennis Kucinich has dropped out of the Democratic Presidential race.

Though my politics don't square with his, I've always admired Kucinich since my days working in Congress. He's a scrapper and not afraid to put new ideas on the table, no matter how unpopular. His run, in this cycle as well as the last cycle, always has been quixotic. But this year he was so AWOL from his Congressional district that he attracted some serious primary opposition. One opponent even sent a "Welcome Home" gift basket to his house after one of his campaign swings. Kucinich was not amused.

I should also note that Kucinich was the only proponent of single-payer health care in the Presidential race. So much for that becoming a reality anytime soon.

by David Reiter [courtesy of Blog for America]

When researching the plans each candidate had to accomplish their various goals, I had no idea who I was going to vote for. To tell you the truth, I still don't know. During the process I recognized a few things I thought I would share...especially since some of you asked me to summarize their policies in a shorter format.

Firstly, I like Dennis Kucinich, and he was originally going to be included in the chart. Ultimately, he was not included because 1) When you go to his site you will notice that he has great ideas, goals, and platforms...but his website and other information researched was scant on the details of how he would pursue those goals...there simply was not 10 specific plans on each of the 5 issues highlighted. 2) The point of the issue chart was to focus on specific plans to achieve goals, not to list what the candidates say their goals are. 3) One of the 3 leading candidates are assured of gaining the Democratic nomination, no matter how you look at it, and we wanted to provide purely objective information.