<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><b><u>THE INVITATION TO CHALLENGE
OBAMA IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES</u></b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">September 17, 2011</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear Colleague,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">We write to you in light of recent
deteriorating events in Washington, D.C. Misguided negotiations by the
Obama Administration over increasing the debt ceiling willingly put our
nation’s vital social services on the chopping block while Bush-era tax
cuts remain untouched. Clearly the situation has reached crisis
proportions. In response, an innovative plan has been announced to
reintroduce a progressive agenda back into the political discussion
during the 2012 election season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Consider for a moment two very
different scenarios for the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The <span>First </span>scenario,
President Obama advances without contest to a unanimous nomination.
There is no recognizable Democratic challenger, no meaningful debate on
key progressive issues or past broken promises, just a seamless,
self-contained operation on its way to raising one billion dollars in
campaign funds.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">This scenario is what most observers
expect. Mr. Obama will face neither opposition nor debate. He will have
no need to clarify or defend his own polices or address the promises,
kept and unkept, of his 2008 campaign. The president will not have to
explain to his supporters why he directly escalated the war in
Afghanistan and broadened America’s covert war in Pakistan, why he chose
to engage in a military intervention in Libya, or why he has maintained
the Bush Administration’s national security apparatus that allows for
the suspension and abuse of constitutionally protected civil
liberties--dismissing Congress all the way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In an uncontested Democratic
primary, President Obama will never have to justify his decision to bail
out Wall Street’s most profitable firms while failing to push for
effective prosecution of the criminal behavior that triggered the
recession, or his failure to push for real financial reform. He will not
have to defend his decision to extend the Bush era tax cuts nor justify
his acquiescence to Republican extortion during the debt ceiling
negotiations. He will not have to answer questions on how his
Administration completely failed to protect homeowner’s losing their
homes to predatory banks, or even mention the word “poverty,” as he
failed to do in his most recent State of the Union Address, even as more
and more Americas sink into financial despair.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">He will never be challenged to
fulfill his pledge to actively pursue a Labor-supported card check, or
his promise to increase the federal minimum wage or why he took single
payer <span>off the table </span>after he said he believes in it. The
American labor movement, facing an unprecedented onslaught by the Right
will not have the opportunity to voice its concerns and rally around a
supportive candidate.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The president will not be pressed to
answer how he spent four years in office without addressing the ongoing
destabilization of our climate or advocating a coherent and
ecologically sound energy policy including defending his position on
nuclear power and so called clean coal. Nor will he discuss regulatory
agency deficiencies in enforcing corporate law and order in an era
marked by a corporate crime wave having devastating economic
consequences on workers and taxpayers and their savings and pensions.
There will be no opportunity for the Hispanic and other relevant
communities to speak out on immigration reform even as the Republicans
continue to use it as a weapon of political demagoguery.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">1</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Add your own concerns,
disappointments, and frustrated hopes to this list of what will surely
be left off the table during an express-lane primary. The valid
disagreements within the Democratic Party, let alone the goals of
progressives, will be completely overlooked. The media will gleefully
cover the media circus that is sure to be the Republican primaries,
magnifying every minor gaffe and carefully cataloguing every iteration
and argument of the radical right. The cameras will cover the Democratic
side only for orchestrated events, the whiff of scandal, and to offer
commentary on how the campaign is positioning itself for the general
election.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The summation of this process will
be a tediously scripted National Convention, deprived of robust exchange
and well-wrought policy. And here the danger is clear: not only will
progressive principles past and present be betrayed but large sections
of voters will feel bored with and alienated from the democratic
candidate. This would not serve the president’s campaign, our goals, or
the nation’s needs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Thankfully, there is another option.
This s<span>econd </span>scenario would allow for robust and exciting
discussion and debate during the primary season while posing little risk
to the president other than to encourage him take more progressive
stands. It would also accomplish the critical task of energizing the
Progressive base to turn out on Election Day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Imagine</span>: A slate of six
candidates announces its decision to run in the Democratic primaries.
Each of the candidates is recognizable, articulate, and a person of
acknowledged achievement. These contenders would each represent a field
in which Obama has never clearly staked a progressive claim or where he
has drifted toward the corporatist right. These fields would include:
labor, poverty, military and foreign policy, health insurance and care,
the environment, financial regulation, civil and political
rights/empowerment, and consumer protection.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Without primary challengers,
President Obama will never have to seriously articulate and defend his
beliefs to his own party. Given the dangers our nation faces, that
option is unacceptable. The slate is the best method for challenging the
president for a number of reasons:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span>The
slate can indicate that its intention is not to defeat the president (a
credible assertion given their number of voting columns) but to
rigorously debate his policy stands.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span>The
slate will collectively give voice to the fundamental principles and
agendas that represent the soul of the Democratic Party, which has
increasingly been deeply tarnished by corporate influence.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span>The
slate will force Mr. Obama to pay attention to many more issues
affecting many more Americans. He will be compelled to develop powerful,
organic, and fresh language as opposed to stale poll-driven “themes.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span>The
slate will exercise a pull on Obama toward his liberal/progressive base
(in the face of the countervailing pressure from “centrists” and
corporatists) and leave that base with a feeling of positive
empowerment.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span>The
slate will excite the Democratic Party faithful and essential
small-scale donors, who (despite the assertions of cable punditry) are
essentially liberal and progressive.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">2</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span>A slate
that is serious, experienced, and well-versed in policy will display a
sobering contrast with the alarmingly weak, hysterical, and untested
field taking shape on the right.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span>The
slate will command more media attention for the Democratic primaries and
the positive progressive discussions within the party as opposed to
what will certainly be an increasingly extremist display on the right.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span></span>The
slate makes it more difficult for party professionals to induce
challengers to drop out of the race and more difficult for Mr. Obama to
refuse or sidestep debates in early primaries.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The slate, if announced, will
receive free legal advice and adequate contributions for all prudent
expenses in moving about the country. The paperwork is far simpler than
what confronts ballot-access- blocked third party and independent
candidates. For the slate will be composed of registered Democrats
campaigning inside the Party Primaries.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">This opportunity to revive and
restore the progressive infrastructure of the Democratic Party must not
be missed. A slate of Democratic candidates challenging the president’s
substance and record is an historic opportunity. Certainly, President
Obama will not be pleased to face a list of primary challengers, but the
comfort of the incumbent is far less important than the vitality and
strength of his party’s Progressive ideas and ideals. President Obama
should emerge from the primary a stronger candidate as a result.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">This letter is sent to several dozen
accomplished persons known to identify with the Democratic Party voting
line for a variety of reasons. We ask that you consider several
requests. <span>First, would you consider being a slate candidate </span>after
due reflection beyond what may be an immediate no? History has
illustrated greater discomforts, material sacrifices and other profiles
of courage in our country's past for a perceived major common good.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Second, if you are not
interested in joining as a candidate, would you add your name as an
official endorsee of the slate proposal. </span>All endorsements are
made as individuals and organizational or institutional affiliations are
for identification purposes only. Your endorsement will be a vital
signal of support and will help in compiling the strongest slate of
candidates possible when we send out the letter to the candidate list,
yet to be finalized.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Third, can you suggest
accomplished people to contact who may be interested in joining the
slate as a candidate </span>in one of the following fields: labor,
poverty, military and foreign policy, health insurance and care, the
environment, financial regulation, civil and political
rights/empowerment, and consumer protection. This can be yourself if you
feel it would be appropriate.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Candidates and endorsements will be
accepted on a rolling basis. All submissions or additional questions and
comments can be directed to Colin O’Neil at <span><a href="mailto:colinoneil@gmail.com" target="_blank">colinoneil@gmail.com</a>
</span>or <a href="tel:703-599-3474" value="+17035993474" target="_blank">703-599-3474</a>. We appreciate your response.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">3</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Partial List of Endorsees</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">All endorsements are in alphabetical
order are made as individuals, organizational/institutional
affiliations are for identification purposes only.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Norman Birnbaum</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Professor Emeritus, Georgetown
University Law Center</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dr. Brent Blackwelder</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">President Emeritus of Friends of the
Earth</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Charles Cray Peter Coyote</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Actor, Author and Director</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Charles Derber</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Professor, Boston College</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ronnie Dugger</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Founder, Alliance for Democracy</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">James Abourezk</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Former U.S. Senator, South Dakota</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Gar Alperovitz</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Professor University of Maryland</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Co-Founder Democracy Collaborative</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ellen H. Brown</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Lawyer and Author of <span>Web of
Debt</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Edgar Stuart Cahn</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Professor of Law, University of the
District of Columbia</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Co-founder Legal Services for the
Poor</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Pat Choate</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">1996 Reform Party Vice President
Candidate</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Director of the Center for Corporate
Policy</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ronnie Cummins</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Executive Director<span>, </span>Organic
Consumers Association</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">John Fullerton</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">President, Capital Institute</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">4</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Rebecca and James Goodman</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Northwood Farm</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Randy Hayes</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Director, Foundation Earth
Rainforest Action Network Founder</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Chris Hedges</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist of
the New York Times and Author</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hazel Henderson,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Author of <span>Ethical Markets:
Growing the Green Economy </span>President, Ethical Markets Media, LLC.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Alan F. Kay</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Author of </span>Spot the Spin
<span>and </span>Locating Consensus for Democracy Harry Kelber</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Labor Educator</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Andrew Kimbrell</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Executive Director, Center for Food
Safety & International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jonathan Kozol</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Educator, Author of </span>Savage
Inequalities Lewis Lapham</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Editor, Harper’s Magazine</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Rabbi Michael Lerner</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Editor, Tikkun Magazine Chair,
Network of Spiritual Progressives</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jean Houston</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Psychologist, Anthropologist and
Author of <span>The Possible Human </span>and T<span>he Possible Society</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Nicholas Johnson</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Commissioner, Federal
Communications Commission</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Administrator, U.S. Maritime
Administration</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Leland Lehrman</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Partner, Fund Balance</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dr. Richard Lippin, MD</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Physician Forecaster, Board
Certified in Preventive Medicine and Advocate for both Individual and</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Institutional Prevention</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">5</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Robert D. Manning</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Founder and CEO, Responsible Debt
Relief Institute</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Author of </span>Credit Card
Nation</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dr. Samuel Metz, MD</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Mad As Hell Doctors, founding member</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Physicians for a National Health
Program, member of Portland chapter</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Carol Miller</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Community Activist, New Mexico</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">E. Ethelbert Miller</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Board Chair Institute for Policy
Studies</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ralph Nader</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Citizen Advocate</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael Parenti</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Author</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">John Passacantando</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Former Executive Director,
Greenpeace USA</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Vijay Prashad</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Author and Professor, Trinity
College</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Marcus Raskin</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Author of <span>The Common Good </span>and
former White House Advisor <span>Andy Shallal</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Democracy’s Restauranteur” and
Owner of Bus Boys & Poets</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Michelle Shocked</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Musician</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Gore Vidal</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Erich Pica</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">President of Friends of the Earth</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Nomi Prins</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Author and former Managing Director
at Goldman Sachs</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">David Swanson</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Author, </span>War is a Lie</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Chris Townsend</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Political Action Director, United
Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">6</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Author and Political Activist</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Rabbi Arthur Waskow</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Chair, The Shalom Center</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Cornel West</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Professor and Author of <span>Race
Matters</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">National Coordinator, Physicians for
a National Health Program</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Harvey Wasserman</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Author of </span>Solartopia!
Our Green-Powered Earth</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Quentin D. Young MD</span></p>
<p>*******************************<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br>
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