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FWD BLOG: "The NEXT Revolution will be Super APP-sized" 

7/4/2015

1 Comment

 
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This Independence Day I hope we take stock of the “State of the Revolution” since 1776 and how we can reinvigorate our democracy before for our next presidential election in 2016.

Of course, we can discuss the amazing gains all day, including most recently on Marriage Equality, yet for reason Americans seem stuck in the past and are fighting old battles left and right with a majority even believing the Confederate Flag is a symbol of “southern pride” not racism.

Despite the power of the Internet that vaulted an unlikely figure like Barack Obama into office, the tools used since 2008 need to keep evolving for progress to keep marching forward and outflanking some serious enemies as they quickly catch up (i.e. ISIS). There have been new developments in the use of weapons like Twitter and Big Data, but this means new strategies for using these tools as well.

In 2016, the most successful movement-building strategy will be focused on one mission: MOVEMENT-BUILDING.

It might sound redundant but what are campaigns and the media and even the public focused on right now? MONEY-BUILDING.

The problem is the greatest advances in MOVEMENT-BUILDING recently have been fueled by the highly-economical use of DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT not the #1 Expenditure of high-profile campaigns: the dying Broadcast TV Advertising complex.

So, in 2016 if you want to build a movement you should make Digital Engagement a priority and invest in Super APPs vs. Super PACs.

In the age of smart phone-driven Mobile tools like Uber and AirBNB that are surpassing social networking by providing “service” networking and “resource” networking, it is time to pioneer “activist” networking and even “citizen” networking for connecting and collaborating in our neighborhoods.

That means innovating to create platforms that enable users to develop more effective relationships and communities for your causes and interests not just driving the trend of using digital as a 21st Century version of a 20th Century campaign focused on fundraising and advertising that barely touches the surface of influencing the electorate.

In 2007, the most important tool that Obama For America created was My.BarackObama.com as it empowered local activists to find and organize grassroots armies on their own.

I know because when Barack Obama essentially clinched the Democratic nomination in February 2008 he did it on the backs of the very well-organized grassroots-led activists in Virginia, DC and Maryland that made up the pivotal Potomac Primary. OFA Staff arrived on the ground one week before that election but the difference in preparation between the campaigns was stark….even though Hillary’s campaign was actually based in Arlington, Virginia.

Nonetheless, MyBO was allowed to die from neglect after the election and it wasn’t revived until the launch of "Dashboard" in June 2008...with limited capability and over a year into President Obama’s re-election campaign.

Lots of grassroots organizers in my area were Democratic Party members who went back to their flock so to keep these communities thriving after Obama won the nomination it was necessary for some OFA organizers and digital stategists to begin showing interest in developing the platform themselves and to lead the new “Hope Mongers” that had been recruited and were considered Obama supporters above all else.

Unfortunately, this never happened and the true grassroots momentum of the Movement for “Hope” and “Change” was lost. To this day, BarackObama.com’s event pages have barely been updated beyond their 2007 form….furthering their sense of dated abandonment.

Now, creating your own platform is hard and that has led to the prevalence of using existing social networks instead to reach supporters online.  But they’re generally being used in a traditional top-down fashion and are not designed to be a comprehensive hub for digital-driven grassroots activism. And it doesn’t help when the most effective digital tool to engage with your followers, email, is used as a 24/7 fundraising pitch.

Remember the definition of doing the same thing over and over BUT expecting a different result?

For example, after the 2014 debacle that proved 2010 wasn’t just a post-Great Recession and/or Obamacare fluke, the Democratic Party should be leading the charge toward a true Movement-building Strategy in 2016 to put life into their disaffected base that may be growing demographically and seeing lots of TV ads but won’t show up when Barack Obama isn’t on the ballot.

This also means the rank-and-file recognizing that a large segment of the electorate is not motivated by many or ANY issues, especially when it comes to state and local elections where conservatives have developed an immense edge that has affected redistricting for decades to come because their voters pay closer attention.

Besides, today’s enemy on one issue might be your friend on another so spending a lot of time coming up with memes attacking Ted Cruz is not just a waste of organizing time it also makes collaborating with him due to his support for libertarian-friendly causes like prison reform more difficult.



By understanding the importance of politics as a People Business, activists can focus on offering personal stories and connections to interest new audiences then keep them unified and working together.

When utilized properly, current platforms can help drive crowd-sourced and coalition-driven movements ranging from the “Arab Spring” to “Black Lives Matter,” but imagine if a new Movement-building strategy utilized convenient hand-held consumer applications that could enhance their activism.  Currently, these mobile tools are few and far between, as other than the White House they sometimes are briefly used for a conference or special event.

With the help of the customized functionality, an organization can quickly prompt their followers to take ALL kinds of actions on ALL kinds of platforms….whether it be changing their profile pic to watching a training video to signing a petition ONLINE OR attending a fundraiser to volunteering at a festival to voting on Election Day OFFLINE.

Or you could search a network for anyone who likes your cause in your Zip Code AND can donate resources like a spare room for one of your out-of-state interns or volunteers. Now, campaign databases usually utilize location and interest data but don’t encourage users to create and update personal profiles beyond the frequency of emails received.

It’s a win-win for everyone as users can directly follow and give feedback on the essential messages and actions of their favorite cause without the hassle of worrying about reading spammy emails, getting a bunch phone calls and door knocks at home, having to track a fire hose worth of social media posts or having to remember to visit a landing page-consuming web site on a regular basis.

And as Facebook further proved with its recent Pride campaign, EVERYONE is now an APPtivist.

Regardless of whether you’re a long-suffering Democrat or Voting Rights advocate or an underdog for some other political or civic cause the answer is clear:

The NEXT Revolution will be Super APP-sized.

P.S. If you’re interested in working on our Apptivist projects with Network For Progress send an email to network4progress@gmail.com with any ideas or skills you have to offer!

Follow
JIM MCBRIDE
"Forward Progressive" Blog
Founder & President, Network For Progress
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READ MORE "FORWARD PROGRESSIVE" POSTS:
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PROGRESS OF THE WEEK: "Independence Day" Edition!

7/3/2015

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*** PROGRESS OF THE WEEK ***

Marriage Equality & Obamacare are ALIVE in all 50 States (Americans are happy about it).
...but the Confederate Flag and unfair Overtime Pay are DEAD! 
(click on the links above for some great updates….or review the list below)


#LOVEWINS
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(click on more White House highlights above)


 WATCH/LISTEN:
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President Obama delivers eulogy in Charleston
(great speech!)



LISTEN:
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President Obama on the Marc Maron podcast
(candid interview!)



JULY 4TH MOVEMENT-BUILDING TIP:
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Paul Revere the Community Organizer


Have a great 4th...enjoy your life, liberty and pursuit of happiness!
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(click above to read it again..and again)


PROGRESS OF THE WEEK Highlights:

“Conservatives Explain Why They Lost On Marriage” (Huffington Post)

“The Supreme Court Upholds A Key Part of the Affordable Care Act”  (WhiteHouse.gov)

“Majorities back two big Supreme Court decisions” (Political Wire)

“5 Days That Left a Confederate Flag Wavering, and Likely to Fall” (NYT)

“Who benefits from Barack Obama’s Minimum Wage Plan, in one graphic” (Vox)




FOLLOW OUR
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(includes Progress USA national posts, DC Career Progress, DC Comm Tech For Progress, Campaign 4 Progress DC, Advocate 4 Progress DC, Serve 4 Progress DC and Jim's Forward Progressive blog)
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FORWARD FRIDAY: Have your voice heard on Iran, Lynch, Trafficking & Justice Reform!

4/3/2015

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CONTACT SENATE MEMBERS
CONTACT HOUSE MEMBERS
(includes web site and social media listings)
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Right-wing activists are telling Congress what they think but are you???

Contact YOUR Congress Members and Leaders before starting the weekend!



- HOT TOPICS -

Tell Congress you support it: President Obama announces Iran Deal
(Vox explains the Iran Deal)

Tell Congress you support Loretta Lynch as Attorney General
(Washington Post Editorial)

Tell Congress you support the Human Trafficking Act
(but ask members to remove abortion language)

Tell Congress you support the Smart Sentencing Act
(Watch Bi-Partisan floor speeches)


CONTACT SENATE MEMBERS
CONTACT HOUSE MEMBERS
(includes web site and social media listings)
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TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to show they LOVE America by respecting the Constitution over a foreign leader's campaign trip #bibigohome

3/2/2015

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CONTACT YOUR HOUSE MEMBER!
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR!
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It is ironic how people who talk so much about defending the Constitution are willing to compromise on their beliefs when they don't get what they want. By inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress as part of a campaign swing just TWO WEEKS before his next election. This is a key reason the White House has given for not meeting with Netanyahu right now even though the visit was inappropriately planned without informing the President in advance. This is a dereliction of Congress' duty to their country in favor of a lecture intended to undermine promising negotiations to save American blood and treasure from another, even more costly, war in the Middle East.

As this Washington Post op-ed notes, this is a dangerous precedent that would be unthinkable when Democrats controlled Congress. Ironically, Bibi is a right-wing protege of Itzhak Shamir, who Republican George H.W. Bush more vigorously opposed than anything the current administration has done.


The bottom line is the United States is as supportive as Israel as ever before with plenty of military support for tools like their Iron Dome missle defense system. It doesn't mean we need to bow to the dangerous wishes of their leader and even give him a VIP Pass on the red carpet of the U.S. Congress.

Here is a recent list of only 34 Democrats that are currently boycotting the speech tomorrow:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/26/politics/democrats-missing-netanyahu-whip-list

(for us DC-area folks we have lots of work to do with our VA and MD members)
CONTACT YOUR HOUSE MEMBER!
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR!
TAKE ACTION & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS HOW TO CONTACT ALL THEIR CONGRESS MEMBERS VIA PHONE, EMAIL + TAGGING ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER!
#bibigohome 


NOT SURE WHY OR HOW TO DO THIS?
Remember to simply let your representatives know where you stand and find out where they stand on the issue. Conservatives often out-lobby Progressives by a ratio of 10-to-1 or more so if we don't take LITERALLY only a minute to have our voice heard then we can't complain.

If they support your position then thank them so they know someone is paying attention to them doing the right thing and it will encourage them to keep doing it!
OR
If they don't support your position then they will know that someone is paying attention to them doing the wrong thing and it will discourage them from doing it again!



DON'T KNOW YOUR HOUSE MEMBER?
www.whoismyrepresentative.com
CONTACT YOUR HOUSE MEMBER!
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR!
FOLLOW ADVOCATE 4 PROGRESS & OUR OTHER NETWORKS!
(includes Progress USA national posts, Career Progress, Comm Tech 4 Progress, Campaign 4 Progress, Advocate 4 Progress, Serve 4 Progress, Forward Progressive blog & more!)
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GET EMAIL & SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES!
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FWD BLOG - Dear Democrats: Why is the DNC Winter Meeting open to the public…yet designed for Party Crashers Only? #itmypartytoo

2/19/2015

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Network For Progress and Generation Obama-DC founder Jim McBride's "Forward Progressive" take on why the Democratic Victory Task Force needs to call for a major re-boot to put the “party” back into the Democratic Party via a 50-State Strategy 2.0


WATCH THE "FWD VLOG":
A preliminary report from the Democratic Victory Task Force is scheduled for the DNC Winter Meeting this week to help us decipher what went wrong in 2014 so it can be corrected in 2016. 

I’m sure there will be lots of great recommendations and mysteries discovered but the most important fact is right under our nose: the Democratic Party in many ways isn’t really a party at all. And for a party of the “people” it is kind of critical.

The problem is easy to spot when you consider this week’s DNC Winter Meeting where we can see that no adjustments have been made yet.
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The event is technically open to the public according to their schedule but how many Democrats even know that? Yet there are general sessions and caucus meetings but aside from party officers only the activist versions of the Salahi’s will actually participate in….people so committed to the party that they show up even if they only see the details second-hand.

First off, the only schedule i have seen is a PDF for God’ sake! 
I would suggest adding more trainings and panels to the program to get people thinking but let’s start small.

If it wasn’t for Virginia DNC Committeeman Frank Leone’s twitter feed I wouldn’t have even known about it....so congrats to him for doing his job but I don't think he has ever been retweeted by a party committee yet so he's a voice in the wilderness.

After asking around I found out there was a web page where you could sign up for free…..on a Association of State Democratic Chairs web site I have never heard of. Maybe because it is obviously only designed for State Democratic Chairs....that's why my friend had to find it via google search.

But you would think the DNC would be trumpeting this exciting event and the speaker program somewhere, right? Wrong!

Here's what I came up with....in the meantime let the DNC know what you think on twitter and facebook because you need to let them know why #itsmypartytoo and what is #mydemautopsy. You can copy your feedback in the comments below so we can share our ideas in the process....I will include some feedback I collected recently as well.

There is no “Contact Us” page so we will skip email and phone today.


In the meantime….nothing on twitter yet.

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Or Facebook...Marco Rubio’s book is apparently the most important topic for the Democratic Party in the last 24 hours:
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Well, there must be something on the web site, right? But there isn’t even an Events page:
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On the bottom left of the page is a “What’s Next for Democrats” video where DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz asks for our input, which is great, yet provided no opportunity to give the feedback that she was asking for. There are a couple surveys that were circulated in November and December but neither are shared here.

OK but what about those emails….at least one of those must have mentioned the meeting right?

Sort of….I got one email that invites me to donate money so i can “win” a chance to attend the meeting AND meet President Obama!
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I also was invited to become a DNC Member this past month but since there were no membership benefits like "meeting invites" listed I have to assume membership doesn’t have its privileges.

On the DNC web site is a blog post about the contest and where I can see that the DNC Chair wants ME there….maybe if i click on that link i can sign up?
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Actually, no. She wants you to be entered in a contest to meet the President...not actually show up to get involved or anything! I know many folks would only attend if they won a contest but thousands of Democrats live within a day’s drive of Washington, DC and if the DNC is able to set up out-of-state volunteer drives during election season then why not even tell people about a quarterly meeting?
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Okay, maybe we can’t attend but how about a Hashtag or Live-Stream or at least a YouTube channel so we can follow along from home? No, that’s for CPAC…conservatives are more digital-savvy i guess. They even have an app!

Of course, outside organizations always have an advantage but a potential juggernaut like the President’s Organizing For Action barely has any events that get beyond house party status....if at all these days.

This is the 2015 Democratic “organizing advantage” at work. We have great data for banner ads and door knocks that the average voter will probably notice for a split second but don’t use much of it to segment and actually REACH supporters who follow our emails, social media or even visit our web sites. 

In the end, despite some mild gains from superficial forms of content and outreach, not many new activists get involved and not many new voters are inspired by our grassroots army to join our movement OR at minimum pull the lever to vote Democratic in November.

The funny thing is, when you go to the About US page of the DNC web site, there is a section on the 50-State Strategy of funding party committees nationwide so they can better compete. The highlights end after 2008 because for some reason unifying our party with a nationwide network of activists was no longer a priority.
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And if you go to the Leadership page, you see a list of politicians and not any staff who can even be a resource for people interested in helping build the Democratic Party:
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Yes, there are local party committees and campaigns that people can work with too but in many cases they offer the same insular structure where you basically need the secret password to participate….and even when you do you might later regret walking in the door in the first place.

The best example I found in November was how the Warner for Senate campaign held a Get-Out-The-Vote Rally on Election Eve and it got barely more publicity than the DNC Meeting….no twitter, no facebook, no web site. No events or campaign offices were ever mentioned on those platforms. It mattered too…a near surprise upset.

This culture needs to change from the TOP DOWN not just rely on the BOTTOM UP. Party leaders talk a good game about “grassroots” organizing but successful people-focused activism is supported by strong leadership not just left to hang out to dry. 

Democratic Party of Virginia’s Vice Chair of Technology Dave Leichtman recently posted a blog about the need for a 50-State Strategy for Digital Organizers and I would suggest incorporating such a program into re-invigorating the original vision.

The Democratic Party needs to focus on three key things right now as part of 50-State Strategy 2.0:

  1. Relationships

  2. Innovation

  3. Innovation to build more Relationships


I recently saw the film “The Imitation Game” and the story of Alan Turing is inspiring and tragic because he was an innovator who helped a society triumph even though society worked against him personally and professionally. 

We have thousands of Democratic Party activists whose talents are being lost in the current system. Sometimes this happens because they are not trained to create relationships and innovation but sometimes it's as simple as they are not rich enough to work without a living wage or in conditions that the party supposedly finds an affront to our values when implemented in the private sector.

Until party and campaign organizations are truly partnering with their supporters to adequately invest in creating the 21st Century solutions necessary to build the kind of relationships that enable trust and influence in the electorate, no one is going to care enough to fight back anymore…..and that means no one is going to donate, volunteer or vote either.

It’s often called Movement-building...organizing groups of like-minded people around a singular cause. 

That is why we chant “Yes We Can!” not “Yes I Can!” 

Even though I have encouraged people to organize themselves, the fact is if they are not part of a smart coordinated team effort than all that work eventually dies and can become worthless….look at Occupy Wall Street.

And if you look at leaders of great movements, I don’t recall MLK using the “March on Washington” as a vehicle for big fundraiser or Barack Obama hosting rallies without telling his supporters about them. Why create obstacles to building your movement?

That is why the most important message that was lost in 2014 wasn’t simply how many jobs were created in the past 5 years, but the message of who we are and who are we going to share it with. Everything else should complement these efforts.

It’s time to put the Obama campaign’s “Respect. Empower. Include.” slogan at the forefront of a Democratic MOVEMENT that is well-aware that it represents much more than a bureaucracy….but it is leading the cause of democratic opportunity for all in our government.

Hopefully, the Democratic Victory Task Force will address some of these issues.  And I really hope we can work with current DNC leaders to enact them because they will need Obama supporters and those who demand a “Yes We Can” culture if they’re going to work for another presidential candidate in 2016.


There's no reason why Network For Progress should be the only game in town for the State of the Union and so many other great community-building opportunities.

In the meantime, the question remains, if the Democratic National Committee holds a meeting and doesn’t invite Democrats….does it make a sound?


ABOUT JIM MCBRIDE (FORWARD PROGRESSIVE):

Jim has spent over twenty years working in Communications, from radio to TV to public relations from the high-tech sector (Checkpoint Software, OfficeDepot.com) to being the first media staffer hired at the International Association of Fire Fighters after 9/11 who managed Fire Fighters for Kerry press outreach.

McBride has been an active grassroots activist since 2004, previously serving as President of the Arlington Young Democrats (Virginia Young Democrats’ 2007 Club of the Year), Vice Chair of Precinct Operations for Arlington Democrats, Virginia for Obama Volunteer Database Coordinator (2008 Primary), Founder of Generation Webb and the Generation Obama-DC community he still engages as one of the DNC’s top Gen44 young professional fundraisers for the Obama Victory Fund.

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Let’s campaign for a more unified movement and get “Ready For Unity!”
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NEWS 4 PROGRESS: RFH Tonight! 2/15 ACA deadline! 2/16 Liz Run! 2/17 PMD! 2/18 AYD & Netroots deadline! 2/26 YDA & WIN! + Progress Highlights!

2/12/2015

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*** NEWS 4 PROGRESS **
(February 12, 2015)



WATCH:
Vox.com Conversation with President Obama

READ:
BuzzFeed Conversation with President Obama



UPCOMING CALENDAR:
2/12: Women Ready For Hillary
2/15: ACA Deadline
2/16: “Run Liz Run” to the White House
2/17: Progressive Maryland “Budget” Tele-Town Hall
2/18: AYD Meeting: “Net Neutrality”
2/18: Netroots Nation panel submission deadline!
2/19-21: DNC Winter Meeting
2/26: YDA Founder’s Day Receptiom
2/26: WIN’s Young Women of Achievement Awards

(details below)


PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS:

*State of the Union Recap
- videos, photos and info -

*White House Ebola Update

*Clean Energy Update
(details below)




UPCOMING CALENDAR:


2/12: Women Ready for Hillary
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REGISTER


2/15: 2015 ACA applications due!

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www.healthcare.gov

Watch the President’s Buzzfeed video:
“Things Everybody Does But Doesn't Talk About”



2/16: President’s Day “Run Liz Run” to the White House!
@ Capitol Hill
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RSVP ON FACEBOOK

For the 2/15 Ready For Warren-DC Meeting & other updates:
GOOGLE GROUP
FACEBOOK GROUP



2/17: Progressive Maryland’s
“State Budget Organizing” Tele-Town Hall
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REGISTER

RSVP ON FACEBOOK



2/18: Arlington Young Democrats’s
“Net Neutrality: Why should you care?”
@ Guarapo (Court House)
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RSVP ON FACEBOOK


2/18: Netroots Nation panel submissions due!
http://www.netrootsnation.org/proposals
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*Watch the Google Hangout Q&A!
*Apply for a free Blue Nation Review pass to Netroots Nation!


2/19-21: DNC Winter Meeting
Hyatt Regency, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
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SCHEDULE


2/26: Young Democrats of America’s Founders Day Reception
featuring Paul Begala and DNC Vice Chair Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

@ International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Gallery Place)
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REGISTER

RSVP ON FACEBOOK


Women’s Information Network’s
Young Women of Achievement Awards
@ Carnegie Institution for Science (15th & P)
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REGISTER


PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS:

State of the Union Recap





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#SOTU15 VIDEO & RESOURCES
(watch and read online for infographics, photos and more)

WHITE HOUSE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
(#AskTheWH Feedback Form: http://www.whitehouse.gov/your-feedback-2015)

EVERY “STATE OF THE STATE” VIDEO


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#SOTUUNITYDC PHOTOS & VIDEO
including surprise guest DNC Political Director Raul Alvillar and DC Shadow Rep Franklin Garcia
(via dcireporter.com)

#SOTUNITYDC PHOTOS
(via Randy Goldstein)

Straw Poll Results announced after the speech:
HILLARY CLINTON: 42
ELIZABETH WARREN: 23
JOE BIDEN: 6
MARTIN O’MALLEY: 1


White House Ebola Update
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http://wh.gov/ebola-response


Clean Energy Update
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Report: Wind and solar energy have tripled since 2008 
(Washington Post)

The cost of wind and solar power keeps dropping all over the world 
(Vox)



FOLLOW US!
(includes Progress USA (national posts), Career Progress, Comm Tech 4 Progress, Campaign 4 Progress, Advocate 4 Progress, Serve 4 Progress, Policy Progress, Grassroots Progress, Progress Office and Forward Progressive blog)
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Join our networks via Email, Facebook & Twitter!
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Are you "Ready For Unity?" Join our "Grassroots" Democratic Autopsy & "50-State 2.0" Movement-building Campaign! #readyforunity #mydemautopsy #50state20

12/11/2014

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JOIN THE 12/13 EVENT & "READY FOR UNITY" TEAM HERE!
Share on FACEBOOK!
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Before you decide WHICH presidential campaign you are “Ready” for you should join the fight to ensure HOW your candidate and their fellow Democrats can better be prepared to win in 2016!

You’re invited to join Network For Progress for a “Ready for UNITY” Democratic Movement-building Task Force! 

Starting with a forum at New Organizing Institute’s RootsCamp (Room TBA) on December 13th, Network For Progress will facilitate a "Grassroots" Democratic Autopsy long-term crowd-sourced Unite 4 Progress "50-State Strategy 2.0" campaign to transparently have grassroots voices heard on the direction of the Democratic Party and work together for future electoral success and not just submit ideas to the experts in Washington that they will be too overwhelmed to handle.

Our deadline for a preliminary report will be the Tuesday BEFORE the State of the Union Address (most likely January 20th).

The goal of this work is to broaden the conversation about what works and what doesn’t so we can ALL learn from previous experiences. In general, the Democratic Party is comprised of people working hard and doing many good things BUT we need to embrace and reinvigorate more strategies that can foster 21st Century-style cultural and systemic innovation for public engagement to create a thriving American Majority-inspired DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT for 2016 and beyond.

Why is this so important? When we talk about democratic “movements” these days we may think of the Arab Spring or Burma, or we might think of Progressives or Occupy Wall Street, but the Democratic Party would benefit from leveraging its brand name and start to identify AND conduct itself more clearly as the Party of Democratic principles of inclusiveness, equality, fairness and opportunity that 90% of Americans think are the cornerstone of our founding.

Framing your argument in terms of values has been a popular theme from George Lakoff, author of “Don’t Think of an Elephant,” and Leadership Expert Simon Sinek offers a good glimpse into its importance for “brands” ranging from MLK to Apple with his TED Talk: “Start With Why.”

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden also once discussed at a TED Talk how there is a difference between winning and succeeding. We know that Democrats can “win” a bunch of elections in 2016 but we also need to recognize that a broader movement-building strategy can position candidates to better SUCCEED for the long-term.

Read N4P's Jim McBride "Forward Progressive" Blog for more:
"Why It's Time For A National MOVEMENT-BUILDING Strategy!"

Please join us and we will begin to share online, video, event and petition platforms to connect and spread your feedback to friends and influencers!

JOIN THE 12/13 EVENT & "READY FOR UNITY" TEAM HERE!
Share on FACEBOOK!
About Network For Progress:
Launched by alumni of OFA’s Generation Obama-Washington, DC chapter, Network For Progress is a social and media-savvy community for connecting professional and grassroots Progressives, Democrats, Hope Mongers and Change Makers with political and civic participation. 

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Follow #N4P networks via EMAIL, FACEBOOK & TWITTER!
(includes Career Progress, Comm Tech 4 Progress, Campaign 4 Progress, Advocate 4 Progress, Serve 4 Progress, Policy Progress, Grassroots Progress, Progress Office and Jim’s Forward Progressive blog)
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UPDATED! #KeepCalmVoteDem: Why we need YOU to be an Explainer-in-Chief to #SaveTheSenate #SaveObama & #SaveAmerica

11/3/2014

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VOTE: Election & Candidate Information
GET INVOLVED: Help Get-Out-The-Vote!
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No excuses. America needs Democrats to win in November but that message is not resonating as the President's Job Approval is at 43% despite huge economic and social gains at home and less expenditure of blood and treasure abroad due to more focus on the "crisis of the week" than coverage of how America is back on track and can do even better.

Congressional Democrats need to get credit not blame for making that PROGRESS happen.

Meanwhile, Democratic voters are less passionate and more easily discouraged than Tea Party hate mongers despite that the President has moved forward about 70% of his agenda according to Politifact. 

Even progressive critic and Nobel Prize Economist Paul Krugman has come to Obama's defense in Rolling Stone recently. It was accompanied by this 6-year summary of the numbers too.

Watch as N4P President Jim McBride sums up the choice
:
"I'm HOPE-ful as Hell...
and I'm not going to take GOP B.S. anymore!'
(talking points below)


DNC "Progress" Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grf2HZvM5aQ&feature=youtu.be


At minimum, Democrats need to #SaveTheSenate or Obama's leverage on Congress to even appoint nominees like the already stalled Surgeon General will be at severe risk. We need to win at least 4 of the 9 competitive races and it could easily be decided by one very tight election.

REMEMBER: "YES YOU CAN" MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN "GET-OUT-THE-HOPE" BY VOTING, DONATING, VOLUNTEERING & SPREADING THE WORD!
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 Join Unite Blue's #YesWeDid & #KeepCalmVoteDem Bomb & Change Your Profile Pic!
(includes sample tweets...i recommend using both in the same tweet to connect the messages to explain "#YesWeDid therefore #KeepCalmVoteDem" to reject GOP fear and hysteria)

Find more Get-Out-The-Vote art to post and share: 
http://govote.org




And share why #IVoted!
Share your selfie with a real/virtual sticker or inspiration today and tomorrow so you can let your friends know you #turnoutforwhat like Lil' John:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rijpU5yD55I
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Jim's TOP 10 "FWDPROGRESS" TALKING POINTS:
Examples of what President Obama and Democrats have done and how Republicans are holding America back by rejecting the Democratic Agenda!
(QUICK FACTS ARE ALSO LISTED BELOW)
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1. JOBS & EDUCATION: Rescued BUT Reformed Wall Street so the economy and consumers are protected from a high risk of another Great Recession as 15 million Americans have been compensated $4.6 Billion. 

This led to record stock prices with a Dow Jones average of 17,300 today (vs 6600 in March 2009) and record corporate profits (nearly doubled since 2009) as well as 55 straight months of job growth that has created 10 Million private sector jobs created since 2010 (reducing unemployment from a peak of 9.9% to 5.9%). In order to help young people qualify for millions of unfilled highly-skilled job openings Pell grants have nearly doubled from $18 Billion to $33 Billion. With further support from voters, Democrats can help the Middle Class get more livable wages and a more affordable education for their kids while reducing tax cuts for the rich and tax loopholes for corporations.
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2. BUDGET & TAXES: Reduced the deficit by nearly 2/3rds ($1.4 Trillion in 2009 vs under $483 Billion today) by stimulating the economy to INCREASE revenues rather than cutting critical programs like Social Security and Medicare. With further support from voters, Democrats can invest in medical research and hire more teachers, firefighters and police rather than adding to the 700,000 public sector layoffs after Republicans blocked state assistance. Current spending increases are the smallest since World War II so these cuts to discretionary spending are a drain on employment and consumer spending that is UNPRECEDENTED for a post-Recession Federal economic recovery strategy.
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#3 TECHNOLOGY & INFRASTRUCTURE: Made manufacturing and construction investments that helped the economy and boosted exports led by the rescued auto industry and technology companies that support energy-related innovators like Tesla Motors, Space X and Solar City. With further support from voters, Democrats can rebuild America with more modern and efficient mass transit, roads, bridges, buildings and more.

#4 ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: Conducted an “All-of-the Above” energy policy that increased Wind & Solar renewable energy by 241%, began implementing a mandate to double mileage standards by 2025, began implementing a 30% reduction of carbon emissions at coal plants by 2030 while increasing oil and natural gas production as part of a short-term strategy that has reduced petroleum imports by 51% to lower gas prices for consumers while weakening Russia and Iran. With further support from voters, Democrats can establish a long-term energy strategy to become more independent of foreign resources that protects our environment and prevents climate change.

 
#5 HEALTHCARE: Offered more affordable coverage to over 16 Million people (reducing uninsured adults by 26%) that expanded market competition and reduced premiums while adding consumer rights and protections so your coverage helps you before and after you get sick. With further support from voters, Democrats can have more  states stop rejecting Medicaid expansion funding and not repeal Affordable Care Act exchanges.



#6 NATIONAL SECURITY: Safely withdrew our forces from Iraq and Afghanistan while focusing on direct threats like Al Qaeda and ISIS that cannot be dealt with via U.S. occupation while damaging Russia’s expansionist tendencies by hitting its oil-based economy with sanctions and increased energy independence. With further support from voters, Democrats can prevent more loss of American blood and treasure in endless military interventions.


#7 HOMELAND SECURITY: Supported universal background checks to keep weapons of war out of the hands of criminals and domestic terrorists. With further support from voters, Democrats can pass legislation to make our children safer from mass shootings and the dangerous use of guns.


#8 IMMIGRATION: Protected DREAMers who were brought to America as kids and increased border security while voting in the Senate for Immigration Reform to fixed our outdated and ineffective system. With further support from voters, Democrats can pass legislation that can help our economy by attracting more of the best innovators in the world and add more taxpayers to help cut our deficit while better securing the border. 


#9 CIVIL LIBERTIES: Fought efforts to make voting, equality and women’s constitutionally-protected health decisions harder. With further support from voters, Democrats can increase early voting, expand equality and help women get access to the services they need.


#10 GOVERNANCE: Worked to compromise to keep the government open, appointing new personnel and paying its bills. With further support from voters, Democrats can stop another $22 Billion government shutdown, fill openings by appointing nominees like a Surgeon General and prevent another downgrade of our credit rating due to threats of default. And also keep our leaders focused on solving America’s problems rather than suing the President for not implementing the health care law fast enough even though they shut down the government because of it.
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QUICK SUMMARY: 
10 QUICK POINTS ON HOW DEMS HELPED RE-BUILD AMERICA SINCE 2009!

#1 Stocks: +250% 

#2 GDP: +30%

#3 Unemployment: -33%  = 10.3 million private sector jobs since 2010 - 700K GOP-led public sector cuts of teachers, firefighers, police, medical researchers etc

#4 Lowest Federal Spending since WWII (even though Reagan and Bush INCREASED government during their recessions to stimulate economy)

#5 Federal Deficit: -60% 

#6 Manufacturing Growth (saved GM, Ford & clean energy innovator Tesla) 

#7 Infrastructure Growth (Mass Transit, Roads, Bridge construction etc)

#8 Cleaner Energy Independence ->

Wind & Solar: +241% 
Oil Production: +71% 
Auto Mileage Standards: +100% by 2025 
Coal Plant Carbon Emissions: -30% by 2030 
Petroleum imports: -51%
(Gas Prices DOWN -> Russia & Iran oil-based economies are DOWN)

#9 Health Care Coverage -> 

Uninsured Consumers: -26% (16 Million adults)
Insured Americans legally-guaranteed to be covered when they get sick: +100%
Monthly Premiums: -0.8%

#10 Pell Grants:: +80%


6 QUICK WAYS THAT DEMOCRATS CAN DELIVER MORE PROGRESS:

#1 Higher Minimum Wage & Worker Protections

#2 Affordable Student Loan Rates (by having them borrow at the same rate as banks) 

#3 Gun Safety (background checks to stop criminals & mentally unfit) 

#4 Immigration Reforms (to secure border AND bring in top talent & registered taxpayers)

#5 Equality (more voting access and freedom for women and minority groups)

#6 Fiscal Responsibility (no forced $22B shutdowns, credit downgrades, staff vacancies and fake lawsuits)



FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE TO NETWORK 4 PROGRESS!
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SPREAD THE WORD: Join the Unite Blue #YesWeDid Twitter Bomb!

10/28/2014

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*** Unite Blue’s #YesWeDid TwitterBomb ***
(join their network by tweeting “I want #UniteBlue”)

#YesWeDid is still trending #3 in the United States, but Republicans have joined the discussion. With just one week until the midterm elections, this is a debate we need to win. Today, please share your reasons why we should be proud of President Obama's achievements and America's progress the past 5 years.

We've once again compiled ten Tweets below to help you join the discussion. 



Simply click to send:

Stock market ↑ Unemployment ↓ Home values ↑ Uninsured ↓ Pell grants ↑ Gas prices ↓ Exports ↑ Deficit ↓ GDP ↑ Thanks Obama. #YesWeDid

Wind power ↑ Solar power ↑ Oil production ↑ Fuel efficiency ↑ Auto industry ↑ Manufacturing ↑ Thanks Obama. pic.twitter.com/JDxJtYPclF #YesWeDid

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Gone. Osama bin Laden: Dead. Bush Torture Policies: Gone. Moammar Gaddafi: Dead. pic.twitter.com/AEDIHMveRL #YesWeDid

Thanks to Obamacare, children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied health insurance. pic.twitter.com/bF7iRQWAYB #YesWeDid

Thanks to Obamacare, healthcare costs are growing at the slowest pace ever recorded. pic.twitter.com/Z8ojuy3N0M #YesWeDid

Obama prevented a Second Great Depression, then reduced the deficit by 70%, the fastest rate in 60 years. pic.twitter.com/6TqaRlw8Yy #YesWeDid

Who is the smallest government spender since Eisenhower? President Obama. onforb.es/LtvcNk #YesWeDid pic.twitter.com/TeVxCLv4A4

More than 10 million jobs in the last 54 months -- the longest streak of job growth in our history. pic.twitter.com/hyZZVaeOmV #YesWeDid

Over 10 million private-sector jobs. Over 10 million Americans insured. Keep moving forward. Vote Nov 4th! pic.twitter.com/zwSCF7IPj9 #YesWeDid

Retweet if you're proud of President Obama and pledge to give him a Congress on November 4th. pic.twitter.com/rO9GNptgPx #YesWeDid

"Obama has emerged as one of the most consequential and, yes, successful presidents in American history." http://rol.st/1rWI9aV #YesWeDid

10.3 million Americans have gained insurance under the first year of Obamacare. http://bit.ly/WDzi3d pic.twitter.com/FWC2vA8Jtl #YesWeDid

No insurance company will ever be able to deny you coverage when you get sick again. Those days are over. pic.twitter.com/F0DRJh7RLs #YesWeDid

Politifact: President Obama has already cut the deficit by more than half!  
http://bit.ly/1CGuc6v pic.twitter.com/mBbNc8sLYU #YesWeDid

Obama and Clinton are the only two presidents to lower their deficits in the last 50 years. pic.twitter.com/aTbew8HZET #YesWeDid

Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10 percent. Unemployment rate now: 5.9 percent. pic.twitter.com/5t2vMf9WpE #YesWeDid

Did you know? Under President Obama, federal spending has increased at its slowest rate in decades. pic.twitter.com/k6UynSHnkR #YesWeDid

The Dow Jones Industrial Average since President Obama took office (speaks for itself): pic.twitter.com/vc7HLdWxGc #YesWeDid

Forbes: Obama is best economic president of modern times, outperforms Reagan! http://onforb.es/1ob7CsZ #YesWeDid

Want more to get done in Washington? Send Obama a Congress that will work with him. Vote BlueNovember 4th! pic.twitter.com/5aAkSgjLd9 #YesWeDid




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NEWS: Women's Rights @ UN & White House

9/25/2014

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WATCH: Emma Watson's inspiring speech at UN's #HeForShe Launch
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"If you believe in equality...I applaud you. We are struggling for a uniting word but the good news is that we have a uniting movement. It is called HeForShe. I am inviting you to step forward to be seen and to ask yourself, 
'If not me, who? If not now, when?' 
WATCH: President Obama speaks at Generation Progress #ItsOnUs Launch 
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MORE INFO!
THINKPROGRESS: The White House’s new rape prevention campaign puts the emphasis on men
POPVOX: Cory Booker's #SAVEAct removes tax-exempt status of NFL & uses proceeds to prevent domestic violence 

VOX: Eight facts about violence against women everyone should know 
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NEWS: Climate March & Summit

9/24/2014

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On Sunday, September 21st over 400,000 people in NYC participated in #PeoplesClimate March, the largest global warming event in history, before the UN Climate Summit...
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WATCH: President Obama speaks at UN Climate Summit
(Full Text) 

Learn More: http://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change
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Highlights
 "In America, the past decade has been our hottest on record.  Along our east coast, the city of Miami now floods at high tide.  In our west, wildfire season now stretches most of the year.  In our heartland, farms have been parched by the worst drought in generations, and drenched by the wettest spring in our history.  A hurricane left parts of this great city dark and underwater. "

"The United States has made ambitious investments in clean energy, and ambitious reductions in our carbon emissions.  We now harness three times as much electricity from the wind and 10 times as much from the sun as we did when I came into office."

"Within a decade, our cars will go twice as far on a gallon of gas, and already, every major automaker offers electric vehicles.  We’ve made unprecedented investments to cut energy waste in our homes and our buildings and our appliances, all of which will save consumers billions of dollars."

"So, all told, these advances have helped create jobs, grow our economy, and drive our carbon pollution to its lowest levels in nearly two decades -- proving there does not have to be a conflict between a sound environment and strong economic growth."


"Over the past 8 years, the United States has reduced our total carbon pollution by more than any other nation on Earth."


"Five years ago, I pledged America would reduce our carbon emissions in the range of 17 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2020.  America will meet that target."

MORE INFO:
VOX: "Obama says "we have to do more" on climate change. So what would that entail?"

BLOOMBERG: "Fight Against Climate Change Seen Driving Economic Growth"

THINKPROGRESS:  "With Hottest August On Record, 2014 Takes Aim At Hottest Year On Record"

WATCH: Leonardo DiCaprio speaks at UN Climate Summit
(Full Text)
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Highlights
"The chief of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Locklear,  
recently said that climate change is our single greatest security threat."
(SOURCE: Boston Globe)

"To be clear, this is not about just telling people to change their light bulbs or to buy a hybrid car. 
This disaster has grown BEYOND the choices that individuals make."

"We need to put a pricetag on carbon emissions, and eliminate government subsidies for coal, gas, and oil companies."

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9/23: National Voter Registration Day

9/22/2014

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