Showing posts with label Bernie Sanders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bernie Sanders. Show all posts

Saturday, May 09, 2020

Kamala Harris & Others Introduce Bill to Provide Monthly $2,000 Payments During the COVID-19 Crisis



U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Ed Markey (D-MA) on Friday introduced the Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act, legislation that provides a monthly $2,000 check to those struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. As rent comes due and bills continue to pile up, Americans desperately need assistance to financially survive this crisis.  
“The coronavirus pandemic has caused millions to struggle to pay the bills or feed their families,” said Senator Harris. “The CARES Act gave Americans an important one-time payment, but it’s clear that wasn’t nearly enough to meet the needs of this historic crisis. Bills will continue to come in every single month during the pandemic and so should help from government. The Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act will ensure families have the resources they need to make ends meet. I am eager to continue working with Senators Sanders and Markey as we push to pass this bill immediately.”
The Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act is endorsed by Economic Security Project Action, Humanity Forward, Community Change Action, High Ground Institute, LatinxVoice, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Income Movement, People's Action, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Golden State Opportunity, MyPath, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Heartland Alliance, One Fair Wage, Caring Across Generations, End Child Poverty CA/The GRACE Institute, Coalition on Human Needs, Black to the Future Action Fund, ParentsTogether Action, RESULTS, and Forum for Youth Investment.
“As Congress considers the next relief package, $2000 monthly payments must be part of the equation,” said Natalie Foster, co-chair of Economic Security Project. “Alongside other important programs, cash payments give families an income floor so that no American is one missed paycheck away from living on the street. We’re glad that there’s growing support for direct payments both inside Congress and among the broader public.”
The Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act:  
  • Provides up to $2,000 a month to every individual with an income below $120,000 throughout and for three months following the coronavirus pandemic.
    • Married couples who file jointly would receive $4,000.
    •   $2,000 per child up to three children
    •  Retroactive to March
    • Begins to phase out after $100,000
  • Ensures that every U.S. resident receives a payment, regardless of whether or not they have filed a recent tax return or have a social security number.
    • Uses the data from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income, (SSI), Medicare and housing assistance programs 
  • Forbids debt collectors from seizing the rebate payments.
  • Ensures the homeless and foster youth receive payments.
Text of the bill can be found here.
A one-pager of the bill can be found here.


Friday, April 24, 2020

Kamala Harris And Others Announce Bill To Help Families Afford Food Amid Economic Crisis



 Bill opens up SNAP program to more people, increases benefits
U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), on Thursday announced the introduction of the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2020, legislation that expands and strengthens Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for vulnerable community members that are struggling to make ends meet. With food banks experiencing skyrocketing demand across the country, the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased the need for SNAP to combat food insecurity. This effort builds off of work done by Congresswoman Alma Adams in the House.  
“We are in the midst of a historic economic crisis – people are hurting. They are struggling to put food on the table, and existing nutrition benefits don’t get people through the end of the month,” said Senator Harris. “Folks are looking to Congress to take immediate action to help them make ends meet. I’m proud to introduce the Closing the Meal Gap Act because we need to give people the resources they need to afford food during tough times. No one in America should ever go hungry, especially during a public health crisis.”
“The SNAP program provides a critical lifeline for food insecure families, but during this unprecedented crisis, the program needs more support than ever to meet the needs of every SNAP recipient,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Not only must SNAP provide more benefits, but barriers to eligibility should also be limited in order to reach more families. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Harris and lead the fight to keep food on the table throughout this pandemic and beyond.”
“At a time when the coronavirus pandemic is threatening millions of lives across the country and causing huge spikes in unemployment, we need to make sure our safety net is stronger than ever. That means making sure all Americans, including in our territories, have the food they need to feed their families,” said Senator Sanders.
“Before COVID-19, 38 million Americans depended on SNAP for their meals. Now, it’s even clearer that SNAP benefits are simply not generous enough to provide the help people need,” said Congresswoman Adams. “The Closing the Meal Gap Act will address this issue by strengthening the SNAP program for millions of people affected by COVID-19 as well as older Americans, people with disabilities, children, struggling parents, students, unemployed and underemployed people, and veterans. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senators Harris and Gillibrand in the Senate and hopeful that together we can pass this bill and take another big step towards ending hunger in America.”
The Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2020 is endorsed by Food Research and Action Center, California Association of Food Banks, Western Center on Law and Poverty, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Hunger Free America, Coalition for Food Security Puerto Rico, Public Interest Law Project, California Coalition of Welfare Rights Organizations, California Partnership, Central California Food Bank, Ceres Community Project, Communities Actively Living Independent & Free, County Welfare Directors Association of California, Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, Food for People, Inc., FOOD Share of Venture County, Hunger Action Los Angeles, Jewish Family Service LA, Mercy Brown Bag, Orange County Food Bank, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, California Alternative Payment Program Association, California Food Policy Advocates, CAPPA Children's Foundation, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, End Child Poverty CA/The GRACE Institute, Feeding San Diego, Friends of the Earth, Kidango, San Diego Food Bank, San Francisco Senior and Disability Action, Yolo Food Bank, East Bay Community Law Center, Del Norte and Tribal Lands Community Food Council, Ecology Center, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano Counties, Meals on Wheels California, Sacramento Food Bank, Sacramento Food Policy Council, SAGE, San Diego Food Systems Alliance, Westside Food Bank, New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, Greater Hartford Legal Aid, National Council on Aging, Alameda County Food Bank, Lutheran Office of Public Policy, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers - California Chapter, Redwood Empire Food Bank, San Diego Hunger Coalition, Slow Food California, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
“SNAP was one of the first programs to respond to the pandemic with timely and quick resources to prevent hunger among families losing earnings, school meals and congregate senior meals,” said Jessica Bartholow of the Western Center on Law and Poverty. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t been as responsive as it could have been had the benefit been right-sized. The Close the Meal Gap will ready SNAP to better meet the need and prevent hunger during the current public health crises and beyond and we are honored to be an original endorser of the Act.”
“We are thrilled that Senator Harris has introduced the Closing the Meal Gap Act to strengthen SNAP, our nation’s best defense against hunger,” said Andrew Cheyne, director of government affairs at the California Association of Food Banks. “Even before this pandemic, our network saw first-hand the necessity of SNAP, the program delivers nine meals for every one meal distributed through food banks. Moreover, while SNAP is essential to the health and wellbeing of our community-members, it also crucial to the local economy by creating jobs and making sure local businesses have customers. Especially during this unprecedented crisis, we need the critical investments this important legislation would provide to fight hunger and deliver critical economic stimulus.”
“Given that we are now facing the worst U.S. hunger crisis in modern history, it’s absolutely vital to get extra food help to the tens of millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to help fill their grocery carts.  Such a SNAP boost would dwarf the food aid that charities are able to provide, and would also help keep food stores and famers in business.  I thank Senators Gillibrand and Harris for their compassionate and common-sense leadership on this,” said Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it all too clear that there are gaping holes in our country’s nutrition safety net, and while others have failed to act, Senators Harris and Gillibrand have shown a real commitment to meeting the critical needs of all Americans,” said Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. “We have known for years that SNAP benefits do not provide enough support for individuals and families who struggle with hunger. Now, more than ever, we must rectify this in a way that stimulates the economy and enables all those who need SNAP — including veterans, college students, Native Americans, and people in rural and remote communities — to put food on the table.”
The Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2020:
  • Increases Benefits. Increases the baseline for SNAP benefits by approximately 30%. This better aligns with how household needs, and allows for a more nutritional diet.
  • Eliminates Eligibility Limits & Unrealistic Barriers. Eliminates time limits for people struggling to find work from receiving SNAP benefits.
  • Expands Benefits For Territories. Stops discrimination against those who live and work in U.S. territories by transitioning them to SNAP and treating them as if they were states. 
A one-pager on the bill can be found here.
Bill text can be found here.

Sunday, March 08, 2020

Rev. Jesse Jackson endorses Bernie Sanders

The Rev. Jesse Jackson has officially endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders.

In a statement Jackson said Sanders made several commitments to him: expanding Pell Grants, nominating African American women to the Supreme Court and his Cabinet, introducing in Congress a constitutional amendment on the right to vote, and considering an African American woman as his running mate.

"With the exception of Native Americans, African Americans are the people who are most behind socially and economically in the United States and our needs are not moderate,” Jackson said in the statement. “A people far behind cannot catch up choosing the most moderate path. The most progressive social and economic path gives us the best chance to catch up and Senator Bernie Sanders represents the most progressive path. That's why I choose to endorse him today.”

"The Biden campaign has not reached out to me or asked for my support," he added. "The Sanders campaign has, and they responded to the issues I raised."

Saturday, March 07, 2020

Jim Clyburn: Obama should make an endorsement before the Democratic convention

Rep. Jim Clyburn says former President Barack Obama should “probably” make an endorsement in the race for the Democratic nomination before the party’s convention this July in Milwaukee. 
“At the proper time, probably should,” Clyburn said on Yahoo News’ “Skullduggery” podcast when asked if he would like it if Obama endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. “If we’re talking about bringing this party together, I think he’s probably part of bringing it together, but not today.” 
When asked if he would like it if Obama endorsed Biden before the Democratic National Convention, Clyburn said, “I would think so.” He also said he had “absolutely not” discussed a possible Biden nomination with the former president. 

Read more: Clyburn says Obama should make an endorsement before the Democratic convention




Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Elizabeth Warren speaks at NAACP candidates forum in Detroit

During the 2019 NAACP convention which took place on July 24, 2019, in Detroit, Sen. Elizabeth Warren took part in a forum that was moderated by April Ryan. Warren and Ryan discussed many issues on interest to African American voters. Watch their conversation.

Bernie Sanders speaks during NAACP forum in Detroit

During the 2019 NAACP convention which took place on July 24, 2019, in Detroit, Sen. Bernie Sanders took part in a forum that was moderated by April Ryan. Sanders and Ryan discussed many issues on interest to African American voters. Watch their conversation below.

Monday, July 01, 2019

Kamala Harris vaults to second in major poll

Kamala Harris has rocketed into the top tier of the Democratic presidential primary, while Joe Biden’s once double-digit lead has crumbled in a national poll taken after last week’s debate.

The CNN/SRSS poll, which was released on Monday and conducted entirely after the first two Democratic presidential primary debates last week, has Harris, the California senator in second place, among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents who are registered to vote, at 17 percent.

Harris' surge places her firmly within the top tier, which now consists of four candidates. Biden still sits at the top of the pack with 22 percent, but his once-commanding lead has eroded significantly. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is in third with 15 percent, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 14 percent.

Both Harris and Warren saw sizable jumps in their support over a previous CNN national poll, taken at the end of May. Harris went up 9 points, from 8 percent in May, and Warren rose by 8 points, from 7 percent in May.

Biden is still the leader among black voters, 36 percent to 24 percent for Harris, but his advantage with what had been his strongest cohort is diminished.

[SOURCE: POLITICO]

Saturday, April 07, 2018

Sanders strives to widen appeal to black voters

As Bernie Sanders contemplates making another president bid in 2020, the Vermont senator still is searching for the right way to attract more black voters who backed Hillary Clinton and effectively denied him the Democratic nomination in 2016.

His challenge was on display in Mississippi this week, where he traveled to mark the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination but along the way managed a clumsy critique of the Democratic Party under the nation’s first black president.

Former President Barack Obama, Sanders said, was a “charismatic individual ... an extraordinary candidate, a brilliant man.” But “behind that reality,” Sanders said, Obama led a party whose “business model” has been a “failure” for more than a decade.

It served as the latest confirmation that Sanders, even as he tries for new footholds in the black community, hasn’t mastered his precarious relationship with a key Democratic Party constituency that he will need if he hopes to reshape the party going forward, much less make another presidential run in 2020.

Sanders, who is elected in Vermont as an independent but caucuses in Washington with Democrats, has been spending more time in places dominated by black voters, including Southern states where African Americans shape Democratic primaries.

Read more: Sanders strives to widen appeal to black voters

Wednesday, August 09, 2017

Al Sharpton: 'Progressives' are shortchanging African Americans — again.

Food for thought! While African Americans are not monolithic and Al Sharpton does not speak for all of us, he is on target with this opinion piece that he wrote for USA Today about progressives failure to speak to African Americans. George L. Cook III African American Reports.

By Al Sharpton

Democrats might care about issues that are important to us. But are they fueling African-American participation or interest? Not even close.

When Jesse Jackson ran for president during the 1980s, as when I ran in 2004, there were progressives in America just like there are today. Those progressives were well meaning individuals and politicians who shared our views and strongly believed in what we believed in. Despite this progressive political presence, our presidential campaigns were so important and necessary because the voices of black, brown and poorer white voters were not heard by the elites in American politics and government. Our agendas were not getting carried out. There was a great deal of talk back then, but no real action. That same dynamic holds true today.

The press speaks a great deal about the supposed fact that the “Democratic base” is riled up and activated by the state of play in America. This assessment ignores the most important segment of that base: the African-American voter. We are not motivated by anyone right now. While Sen. Bernie Sanders did a remarkable job in the 2016 presidential primaries and went further than anyone thought possible, he did so without the African-American vote, losing among African-American voters by more than 50 percentage points.

While that progressive coalition purported to speak FOR the African-American voter, it did not talk TO African Americans. The so-called Hillary Clinton base of the party, while crushing Sanders, attracted substantially fewer black voters to turn out than in recent presidential primaries, and in the general election, running against a novice, the black voter turnout rate declined for the first time in 20 years in a presidential election, falling 7 percentage points compared to 2012. Arguably, that disinterested black vote cost Clinton the presidency.

Read more: Al Sharpton: 'Progressives' are shortchanging African Americans — again.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Bernie Sanders endorses Ben Jealous for Governor of Maryland

Former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders weighed into Maryland's race for governor Thursday, endorsing Ben Jealous in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Watch Sander's endorsement below.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Congressional Black Caucus and Bernie Sanders at odds over open primaries

In a letter sent to both the Sanders and Hillary Clinton campaigns, the Congressional Black Caucus expressed e opposition to two key reforms demanded by Sanders. Those reforms being abolishing the party’s superdelegate system and especially opening Democratic primaries up to independents and Republicans. The CBC feels that would dilute minority voting strength.  Read that letter below.



June 18, 2016 

An Open Letter to our Democratic Colleagues and Party Leaders 

To: Secretary Hillary Clinton 
Senator Bernie Sanders 
Hon. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, Chair, 
DNC Hon. Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader 
Senator Harry Reid, Senate Democratic Leader 

To Whom It May Concern: The Democratic Members of the Congressional Black Caucus recently voted unanimously to oppose any suggestion or idea to eliminate the category of Unpledged Delegate to the Democratic National Convention (aka Super Delegates) and the creation of uniform open primaries in all states. 

The Democratic Party benefits from the current system of unpledged delegates to the National Convention by virtue of rules that allow members of the House and Senate to be seated as a delegate without the burdensome necessity of competing against constituents for the honor of representing the state during the nominating process. 

The origin of the unpledged delegate selection process authored by Congressman James E. Clyburn, DSC is attached to this letter. It accurately chronicles the use of the unpledged delegate system and sets out with particularity the reasons why this system was enacted many years ago. The system of allowing members of Congress to serve as unpledged delegates has worked quite well. There is no need to succumb to the pressure of a few individuals to make this change. We oppose any change to the current delegate selection process for members of Congress. 

The CBC is opposed to any state nominating system that would allow independent or Republican voters to participate in a Democratic Primary. The Democratic Party primary is the process used by the party to allow political aspirants to compete for their party’s nomination. Allowing independent or Republican voters to participate in the Democratic primary would dilute minority voting strength in many districts across the country. 

Finally, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus respectfully request that we be included in any discussion that will change the system of unpledged delegates. In addition, we should be included in any discussion that would seek to change the nominating rules to open primaries. These are significant issues that directly affects our ability to effectively participate in the political process. 

Thank you. 
Sincerely, G.K. Butterfield 
G. K. Butterfield, Chairman 
Democratic Caucus of the Congressional Black Caucus

Monday, May 23, 2016

Who is on the Democratic National Committee Platform Drafting Committee

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz announced the appointment of the 15-person Platform Drafting Committee. The Drafting Committee is responsible for developing and managing the process through which the Democratic Party's National Platform is established.

The roster of the drafting committee reflects the party's agreement that Sanders would have five supporters on the committee, compared to six for Hillary Clinton. The remainng four appointments were made by Debbie Wasserman Shultz.

Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, who has endorsed Clinton, will lead the committee.

Sanders supporter on Committee:

Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison

Cornel West.

Author Bill McKibben

Arab American Institute head James Zogby

Native American activist Deborah Parker.

Clinton supporters on the committee:

Ambassador Wendy Sherman

Center for American Progress head Neera Tanden

Ohio Rep. Alicia Reece

Environmentalist Carol Browner

Illinois Rep. Luis Gutiérrez

Union head Paul Booth.

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz Appointments.

Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, Committee Chair

California Rep. Barbara Lee

Former Rep. Howard Berman

Philanthropist Bonnie Schaefer

Friday, May 20, 2016

Bernie Sanders Supporters Democratic National Convention Survival Kit

Yeah I'm a Hillary Clinton supporter and since I'm a nice guy and I do feel for Bernie Sanders supporters, I have decided to introduce the Bernie Sanders Supporters Democratic Convention Survival Kit. Check out the video below:

Dem. Congressman Donald Payne: Bernie Sanders wants to destroy Democratic Party

During an interview with the political site PolitikerNJ, NJ Congressman Donald Payne (A Hillary Clinton supporter) voiced his displeasure with democratic candidate Bernie Sanders. Payne went so far as to say that "Sanders Is Trying to ‘Damage and Destroy’ Democratic Party."

Other comments he made:

On Bernie running as a democrat: “We need to remember that Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat,” Payne told PolitickerNJ. “Everyone has a right to run for president in this country but he should have run as an independent as he has been for the past 30 years rather than using the Democratic Party in order to gain traction in his campaign.”

On Sanders supporting Hillary Clinton if she wins the primary: “It is incumbent upon him, if he is going to do this properly, that once the decision is made by the voters in the Democratic primaries that he comes together and says he is supporting the nominee so lets see what happens,” Payne said. “If he doesn’t do that then the whole thing was a sham. I feel very strongly about it. It is really beginning to annoy me that he has turned out the be this divisive and it is not right.”

On Hillary Clinton winning the general election: “Last time I checked, she is leading in the popular vote. I believe and I am confident that she will win the Electoral College and she will have the popular vote. She is heads above either candidate,” said Payne, referring to both Sanders and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Four Reasons Bernie Sanders supporters need to overcome their "Hillary" issues

By George L. Cook III EMAIL

The #BernieOrBust movement is is full swing even though Sander's chances of winning the nomination are slim to none at this point. The Sanders supporters drone on about what they believe is Hillary's dishonesty, her ties to Wall Street, things she said as First Lady and anything else they can pull out their asses as reasons that they can not now or ever vote for her.

Well I have four very good reasons why Sanders supporters should get over their disdain for Hillary Clinton, go in the voting booth, hold their noses, and vote for her.

Those reasons are:

* The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

* Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is 79 years old.

* Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 83 years old.

* Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is 77 years old

While we know the next president will appoint one judge to replace Anton Scalia, we also have to realize that due to the ages mentioned above three other seats could open up due to retirements or death.

That means the next president would have the chance to shape the US Supreme Court for decades to come. Those judges will make rulings on a variety of issues that will affect us all. Decisions on matters such as:

* Citizens United

* Healthcare

* Women's reproductive rights

* Civil Rights

* Gun Control

* Voting Rights

Let me ask you angry Sanders supporters something. Do you want President Trump or Cruz making these appointments? Do you want what progress has been achieved to be overturned? Do you hate Hillary so much that you are willing to jeopardize all the rights mentioned above?

Please, put what you claim you stand for above what you feel toward Hillary. You will get over your hurt feelings being; the country may never get over a Supreme Court dominated by conservatives.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Southern African American democratic leaders not happy with Bernie Sanders


Black democratic leaders in southern states are not happy with Bernie Sanders after his rather dismissive comment on why southern black voters went for Hillary Clinton.

Those leaders include South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, Louisiana Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson, Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant, Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman DuBose Porter, Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole, former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler. These individuals penned the following letter to Bernie Sanders stating their displeasure with his remarks.

April 20, 2016

Senator Bernie Sanders
131 Church Street, 
Suite 300 
Burlington, Vermont

Dear Senator Sanders,

We commend you on running a spirited campaign that has energized and mobilized a new generation of voters, but we are concerned about the way you and your campaign have characterized the South.   

As you may recall in 2006, the Democratic National Committee chaired by former Vermont Governor
Howard Dean took two historic steps towards diversity and inclusion.  First, the DNC modified its Presidential Primary process and added South Carolina and Nevada (states with sizable minority populations) to join the historic early states of Iowa and New Hampshire.  Governor Dean stated at the time that he “strongly believed in the importance of broadening participation in the nomination process to better reflect the rich racial, regional and economic diversity of the Democratic Party.”   Second, Governor Dean initiated a 50-state strategy to strengthen the Democratic Party and amplify Democratic voices in all states and not just states traditionally dominated by Democrats.   

The greatest asset we have as a party is our diversity—a diversity of cultures, religions, ethnicities, experiences, and backgrounds. 

Yet over the course of this Democratic primary, you and your surrogates have sought to minimize
Secretary Hillary Clinton’s victories throughout the South as a symptom of a region that, as you put it, “distorts reality.”  You argue that the South is “the most conservative part” of America; implying states that traditionally vote Republican in a general election are not worth contesting in a Democratic Primary.  

There are several issues with these assertions.

First, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, “55% of the African American population lives in the South, and 105 Southern counties has a black population of 50 percent or higher.”  The African American community has been the most reliable and consistent vote for the Democratic Party for a generation, and in this year’s primaries, in the Southern states of South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and North Carolina, African Americans represented between 31-71% of the Democratic electorate.  To dismiss the importance of this region is to minimize the importance of the voices of a core constituency for our party.   

Second, the Democratic Primary vote in Southern States was a crucial component for Barack Obama’s ultimate success in 2008.  Wins in South Carolina, and other southern states during the Democratic presidential primaries laid the groundwork for President Obama to build a message and campaign organization that resonated in North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida.  Many of the non-battleground southern states even utilized these networks to assist with voter outreach efforts, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to make calls and engage in GOTV operations.

Third, several of the states that you have won like Oklahoma, Idaho, and Utah overall are far more conservative in their general election results than the states in the South.  Moreover, current polls show that the Democratic electorate across the South is consistently among the most liberal anywhere in the nation.  In fact, some of the most liberal members of Congress hail from majority-minority districts in these states.  Regardless, it is important that Democrats in red and blue states alike feel supported by the Party and our presidential candidates.   

Democrats ought to embrace the South and all regions to build an organization that can compete in all 50 states.  We must continue winning states like Virginia and North Carolina, and we can’t write off states like Tennessee and Georgia.  Even Texas could turn blue in less than a generation.  And beyond the presidential race, there are important statewide and other federal races happening every cycle.  Boosting Democrats’ chances in those seats is vital to enacting a progressive agenda at the local level and in General Assembles. This can only happen if we show up, speak to the region’s needs, and compete for every vote, even in the face of long odds.  That’s how change really happens. 

Southern Democrats already have to deal with Republicans refusing to expand Medicaid, deteriorating infrastructure, and the lack of adequate funding for our public schools. We need our national Democratic leaders to invest in our races and causes—to amplify our voices, not diminish them.

In contrast, Hillary Clinton has spent her entire career trying to help people all across the South.  She saw a region full of families and children of every color, and instead of diminishing them, she worked to build them up. She is committed to a long-term strategy of rebuilding our state Democratic parties, to assist candidates up and down the ballot, and to serve as a voice for the voiceless.  She has not dismissed the importance of states that you have won, because she realizes s that to be President of the United States you have to be a champion for all of the states. To be leader of the Party, you have to be with Democrats in all states as well. That includes the ones you won and yes, even the ones you lose.  

And that’s why we’re with her.

Respectfully,


Hon. Jim Hodges                      

Don Fowler
Fmr. Governor of South Carolina



Fmr. DNC Chairman
Allison Tant                              

Hon. DuBose Porter
Chair, Florida Democratic Party 



Chair, Georgia Democratic Party
Sen. Karen Carter Peterson      

Rickey Cole
Chair, Louisiana Democratic Party

Chair, Mississippi Democratic Party


Jaime Harrison

Chair, South Carolina Democratic Party  




Thursday, April 14, 2016

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Bernie Sanders Supporters and the things they say/post to turn off black voters.


By George L. Cook III. EMAIL

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Hillary Clinton supporter. So now that we have that out of the way...

There's been a lot of rhetoric recently posted online and in the media from Bernie Sanders' supporters and Republicans questioning those African Americans that choose to support Hillary Clinton. Now I could care less about the Republicans because they want Bernie to win as they feel he would be easier to beat than Clinton. They will do or say anything to keep her from getting the nomination.

As for the Sanders' supporters I attribute some of the comments to many of Bernie Sanders fans being young, new to politics, being very supportive of their chosen candidate, and idealistic as we all were at one point. That being said, many mean well but there is a strain of "You don't know what's best for you." that is coming out in comments from Bernie supporters that makes many older African American voters angry/nervous.

When trying to convince others to support Sanders, his supporters say some things that maybe they don't know turn off black voters. Cause I'm a good guy here are a few things that Sanders' supporters might want to avoid saying or posting online to avoid that happening.

Don't say to them that you don't understand how black voters can support Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders.

This comment is even worse if you are not black and have not gone through what many African Americans, especially older African-Americans have experienced in their lives. You may not catch any flak at the time, but you have just turned a voter off to Sanders.

Don't constantly attack Hillary Clinton on issues pertaining to the black community or her trustworthiness either.

On black issues whether she has been right or in some cases wrong, she has the perception that she has been there with black voters since her time as First Lady.

Now, as far as attacking her trustworthiness or any other aspect of her character. Keep in mind that black voters, especially older voters are wary of someone who can tell you what they are against better than they can tell you what they are for.

Don't say "If they only read Sander's platform they would change their minds."

That's making an assumption that people haven't read it or that if they did that they would love it. Many have read it, and many regular black voters are skeptical as well as practical, they wonder how some of Sander's programs could even be implemented let alone sustained.

Many black voters wonder how someone who has held elected office since 1981 and been in congress since 1991 is somehow an "outsider".

There's concern about the Obama Legacy under a Bernie Sanders, especially when it comes to Obamacare.

Don't question someone else's blackness.

You know who you are and this one should be self explanatory!

Lastly, don't think everyone sees what you see or thinks what you think. Respect the views of others and agree to disagree.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Don't forget, Sanders voted for 1994 crime bill which destroyed African American communities

Don't forget, Sanders voted for 1994 crime bill which destroyed African American communities


By George L. Cook III EMAIL

In the interest of full disclosure I am a Hillary Clinton supporter. So now that we have that out of the way...

Yes, Bill Clinton's 1994 Crime Bill devastated many black families with its mandatory sentencing requirements. Yes, Hillary Clinton spoke out for the law as the First Lady. There is no disputing either point. But what also can't be disputed is that Sen. Bernie Sanders, unlike Hillary Clinton, voted for omnibus crime bill.

Listening to those pundits and Sanders supporters attacking Hillary Clinton over her use of the term "superpredator", you would never know that Sanders voted for the bill as that is often conveniently ignored. (Now to be fair Sanders himself has addressed this issue and fought to get the death penalty component changed to life imprisonment.) Sanders voted to send people to jail for unfairly long sentences whereas Hillary Clinton could not. There is a huge distinction there.

Here are various sources to prove that Sanders voted for the crime bill.

The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/02/12/1994-crime-bill-haunts-clinton-and-sanders-as-criminal-justice-reform-rises-to-top-in-democratic-contest/

The Federalist: http://thefederalist.com/2015/11/03/bernie-sanders-voted-for-criminal-justice-measures-hes-denouncing/

And for those who may think that I am cherry picking sources to back up my writing, here is a post on Sanders own campaign website: https://berniesanders.com/press-release/sanders-voted-for-1994-crime-bill-to-support-assault-weapons-ban-violence-against-women-provisions/

There is plenty of blame to go around when it comes to the 1994 crime bill, but as one who didn't write or vote for the bill, Hillary should get the least of that blame.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Cornel West decries injustice and hypocrisy, backs Bernie Sanders

Touting his presidential candidate of choice, Bernie Sanders, and warning of rising fascist elements in American politics and society, academic and activist Cornel West challenged a large audience at Worcester State University Wednesday morning not to succumb to fear or indifference in the face of continuing injustices in the country.

“The whole nation is at a crossroads,” and its political parties have become fragile, said Mr. West, whose visit was part of the university's ongoing "Courageous Conversations" lecture series. “Which makes it more dangerous, but also creates opportunities. Will we push towards love and justice, or towards hate and revenge?”

Read more: At Worcester State, Cornel West decries injustice and hypocrisy, backs 'brother Bernie'