posted by Jeff Blodgett
A new Pew Research poll reports the depressing yet unsurprising news that faith in government at an all-time low. While public skepticism of leaders is part of our culture, the fact that a vast majority of Americans are so down on our political system is a threat to a well-functioning democracy.
To me, this is another reminder that Wellstone Action and our allies doing exciting candidate development are on the right track. We only get out of this mess, and we only can win on our agenda, if the progressive movement makes it a priority to run good candidates for office at all levels. When I say good candidates I mean people who can restore faith in public life. I mean people who are authentic, committed to our issues, and grounded in our communities. I mean people who communicate clearly and listen well, who are strategic, and who are willing to put in the hard work that it takes to win. Good candidate development programs mean developing campaign managers and workers who help our candidates win their elections.
Wellstone Action partners with candidate development programs in states around the country, providing training sessions for prospective candidates and campaign workers. We are also now working intensely with a number of national and state organizations that have decided to surface and develop their own members to run for various offices.
While this work goes on in earnest this year-getting ready for the elections of 2010-candidate development needs to be seen as a major long-term investment in the power of the progressive movement. The people running for local office today will be the members of congress we need in 6 to 10 years. That's right-this work will take time to achieve lasting results, so let's take the time and resources now to bring this work to scale in key states around the country.
Posted on April 20, 2010 - 10:59am by Jeff Blodgett
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COMMENTS
voting for most incumbents or just any Dem challenger "sucks"
it is throwing your vote away by not voting your conscience, your best interests, and Jesse Ventura said that Friday for millions to hear, .... I can see voting in Democrat Party primaries for the best one there, but in November please everyone, send a strong message by refusing to vote for "a winner" and instead vote for s/he who best represents you.... it is a total lie to blame Nader for 2000 Florida when Rethuglicans scared away or denied courageous blacks who made it into the polls their votes.... perhaps as many as 60 thousand African Americans and anyone with a name similar to names on "the felons list" were not allowed to vote.... Chris Matthews repeated this lie and further said: "3rd parties suck" when of course it is his censorship and pretense of liberality which sucks out the truth and manufactures the false support for undeserving Dems.... it is Chris Matthews that sucks the financial penile ports of insurance company profiteering to the tune of a trillion dollars when HR 676 Medicare and Medicaid would cost 400 billion dollars less and is voluntary, would not piss off a single person who does not wish to apply for it.... what kind of a "news media" either lies like Fox New$ or with holds the truth like M$NBC?$ call me anytime 843-926-1750 Larry Carter Center
Public Education
Hi Jeff,
I don't know if you will get this or like Paul's office you have staff that works on different issue, but the question is do you have any one working on what is happening in education. I truly believe that this whole rating or grading public schools is another way to privatize schooling. They couldn't do it with the voucher system, but what is happening now is frightening. Based on test results of the students alone the feds are rating public schools in states, including Minnesota and putting them on the chopping block. The first recommendation is that they fire the principle and 1/2 the teachers, as incredible is that sounds, it is true. I know that Paul worked very closely with the teachers union, please have a discussion with them regarding this. I don't know if you can do anything about it, it is coming from the democrats as well as the republicans, but I know that Paul would have questioned these policies. Please get back to me or have someone get back to me regarding this educational mess.
Our work with unions and education
Hi Diana,
While Wellstone Action does not focus on particular issue movements, we do partner with hundreds of organizations and coalitions working on a broad range of progressive issues, to help them build the capacity they need to make change and engage in effective political action.
One such partnership has been with the National Education Association, working with their members to engage them on the issues and provide them with the skills needed to mount campaigns for elected office. We have also worked extensively with teachers' unions in many states across the country on building the capacity of their union and being a voice for public education.
There is a lot of work to be done, particularly with some of the trends and proposals coming from Washington and State Capitols around the country, and we are proud to be a part of that work.
Example of Politics as a Conversation w/ media & voters
Good Seattle example of politics as a conversation with voters and the media -
http://mayormcginn.seattle.gov/the-mayors-tunnel-status-briefing-on-cost-overruns/
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