Women’s Progress party with Karen Finney!

3/1

*** WOMEN’S PROGRESS PARTY ***

“1st Thursdays” Networking Mixer

“Let’s come together & help END the #WarOnWomen!”

#womensprogressparty

PLEASE REGISTER BY 5PM MARCH 1ST:

http://31womensprogressparty.eventbrite.com

- $5-7 Advance, $10 Pay @ Door, $12 NO RSVP -

(50% of proceeds will benefit Planned Parenthood & NARAL’s efforts

to protect women’s reproductive rights)

with

KAREN FINNEY

NARAL Board Member

MSNBC Political Analyst

“The Hill” Columnist

Former DNC Communications Director

(@finneyk)

http://www.politico.com/arena/bio/karen_finney.html

&

MICHELLE MAYORGA

Planned Parenthood National Field Director

http://www.plannedparenthood.org

with FREE appetizers for early birds & raffle prizes!

HOST COMMITTEE:

Neil Chaudhuri, Earnestine Dawson, Adair Hill, Brooks Kirchgassner, James Lewis,

Shawn Logue, Jim McBride, Roger Martinez, Micah Morris, Jasmine Powell, James Zipadelli

6:30-8:30pm Thursday, March 1st

Lounge 201

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 (2nd & D)

@ Union Station red line metro – one block away!

http://bit.ly/Lounge201map

(21+ venue)

- 1/2 OFF DRINK SPECIALS UNTIL 8PM -

$3.50 Draft Beer & Wine & Rail Drinks + $4.50 Martinis

(all of the above drink specials redeemable with drink tickets)

Please join Network For Progress, a social and media-savvy “Super PACK” grassroots community raising “unlimited engagement” with people inspired by the “Yes We Can” Movement, for our March WOMEN’S PROGRESS PARTY “1st Thursdays” Networking Mixer where women AND men who are Progressives, Democrats and “Hope Mongers” can mingle for friends, jobs and PROGRESS by showing support for a very important cause!

This month we’re going to focus on the “War on Women” that has permeated the Republican Presidential Campaign and across the Potomac in Virginia! Our special guests will be NARAL Board Member & MSNBC Analyst Karen Finney & Planned Parenthood’s National Field Director Michelle Mayorga!

Questions/Comments? Contact us at networkforprogress@gmail.com

Please invite your friends and colleagues!

PLEASE REGISTER BY 5PM MARCH 1ST:

http://31womensprogressparty.eventbrite.com

(join the guest list and feel free to share your professional or grassroots organization and/or personal contact info)

1-10: $5 Advance w/drink ticket

11-30: $5 Advance w/2 raffle tix

30-50: $5 Advance w/1 raffle ticket

51-100: $7 Advance w/1 raffle ticket

STANDARD RSVP: $10 Suggest Donation @ Door

NO RSVP: $12 Suggested Donation @ Door

….or just sign up for our email updates!

(50% of proceeds will benefit Planned Parenthood & NARAL’s efforts to protect women’s reproductive rights)

Share on Facebook @

http://www.facebook.com/events/119740578151563

+ Follow/RT & Join The Conversation @ #womensprogressparty

*** PRE-VALENTINE’S DAY PROGRESS PARTY ***

Cure the “enthusiasm gap” in your love life!

Join 25 ladies and 30 gentleman registered so far at….

2/2

*** PRE-VALENTINE’S DAY PROGRESS PARTY ***

“1st Thursdays” Social Networking Mixer

@ Lounge 201

with FREE pizza appetizers from 6:30 until supplies last and $40 raffle gift certificate from Lounge 201!

Host Committee:

Neil Chaudhuri, Richard Fowler, Randy Goldstein, Adair Hill, Erich Leeser, James Lewis, Shawn Logue, Monique Peets, Victoria Phifer, Jasmine Powell, Greg Smith, Sierra Wallace, Hamza Zaidi, James Zipadelli

6:30pm-8:30pm Thursday February 2nd

Lounge 201

www.lounge201.com

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

@ Union Station red line metro (just walk east one block away!)

http://bit.ly/Lounge201map

(21+ venue)

- 1/2 OFF: Valentine’s Specialty Martinis, Martinis, House Beer, House Wine, Rail Drinks -

(all of the above drink specials redeemable with drink tickets)

Please join Network For Progress, a social and media-savvy community for those inspired by the “Yes We Can” Movement, for a Valentine’s Day-themed singles mixer where progressives, democrats and “Hope Mongers” can mingle for new friends and perhaps a new romance?

We will have special name tags for singles so those with significant others can socialize more casually and a mixer game to encourage everyone to talk to at least 3 people they don’t know…possibly even your Valentine’s Day date! If you think speed dating is too awkward or too pricey this should be a fun way to meet new people.

We have a career record of 3 engagements (1 marriage still pending) so our singles events are more legit than Mitt Romney’s tax returns…and bank accounts!

Want to be a Co-Host event recruiter/planner/volunteer? Questions/Comments? Contact us at n4progressparty@gmail.com

Please invite your friends and colleagues!

PLEASE REGISTER BY 5PM FEBRUARY 2ND:

http://22vdayprogressparty.eventbrite.com

(guest list is private but you can share your RSVP on facebook)

ADVANCE #1 (26-50): $5 payment w/2 raffle tix

ADVANCE #2 (51-100): $7 payment w/2 raffle tix

ADVANCE #3 (101+): $7 payment w/1 raffle ticket

STANDARD RSVP: $10 @ Door (no raffle)

NO RSVP: $12 @ Door (no raffle)

….or just sign up for our email updates!

(proceeds cover costs of N4P movement-building initiatives in 2012)

Share on Facebook @

http://www.facebook.com/events/337183432971400

+ Follow/RT & Join The Conversation @ #vdayprogressparty #dcevents

“Yes We Can….Party for Friends. Party for Romance. Party for PROGRESS!”

State of the Union TONIGHT!

Watch & Discuss @ Parties!

Events like ours featured on Obama web site…

http://www.barackobama.com/state-of-the-union/attend-a-watch-party?source=hero

(enter your zip code and browse what’s going on in your area)

or events like ours that were featured on Going Out Gurus today!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-gurus/post/where-to-watch-the-state-of-the-union-address/2012/01/23/gIQAu8MSNQ_blog.html

OR @ home/online!

White House Live Stream & Post-Speech Discussion

http://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2012

(with added graphs, data & stats)

Post-Speech YouTube Q&A with President Obama

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-answer-youtube-questions-about-state-of-the-union-on-google-network/2012/01/23/gIQAD77tKQ_blog.html?wprss=rss_linkset&tid=sm_twitter_postpolitics

Post-Speech Conference Call with Obama 2012 Adviser David Axelrod

http://my.barackobama.com/SOTU-Call-with-Axelrod

+ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE!

#PROGRESSPARTY #SOTU2012 #SOTU #P2

OR http://www.facebook.com/groups/progresschatroom

1/24

3rd Annual

*** “STATE OF THE UNION” PROGRESS PARTY ***

2012 Kickoff Networking Mixer & Speech Watching Event @ Local 16

with Raffle Prizes from local businesses like Riot Act Comedy Club & Local 16!

*** SPECIAL GUEST TBA ***

(Karen Finney was called to NY and is working on finding us a replacement speaker)

Co-Sponsors include:

Network For Progress

(“social & media-savvy grassroots community-building for Yes We Can movement”)

http://www.networkforprogress.com

Obama 2012-DC

http://www.barackobama.com/state/DC

DC Democratic Party

http://www.dcdsc.org

Generation Obama-Washington, DC

(“young professional grassroots outreach for Obama 2012”)

http://www.facebook.com/generationobamawashingtondc

Northern Virginia For Obama

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19017688816

Progressive Communicators of DC

http://pcdcnetwork.org

America’s Impact (fmr Foreign Policy Pros for Obama)

(“foreign policy progressives dedicated to advancing a pragmatic approach to US engagement with the world”)

http://www.AmericasImpact.org

N4P Career Networking

(“jobs, events and development resources for young progressive professionals”)

https://groups.google.com/group/n4pcareernetworking

Tom Manatos Jobs

http://tommanatosjobs.com

Democratic GAIN (Grassroots Action Institute & Network)

http://www.democraticgain.org

New Leaders Council-DC

(“training the next generation of political entreprenurs”)

http://newleaderscouncil.org

DC Latino Caucus

http://www.dclc.org

Gertrude Stein Democratic Club

(“the voice of LGBT Democrats in District of Columbia”)

http://www.steindemocrats.org

e.politics

(“dissecting the craft of online political advocacy”)

http://www.epolitics.com

DC Future Political Candidates & Campaign Professionals Meetup Group

http://www.meetup.com/Washdcfuturecandidatesand-campaignprofessional

Progressive Harvard Alumni Network (DC)

http://www.facebook.com/groups/192769734084571

DC Drinking Liberally

http://dcdl.org

Host Committee includes:

Peggy Asante, Monique Beaudoin, Michael Berkson, Neil Chaudhuri, Colin Delany, Sandi Fox, Franklin Garcia, Shelly Gardner, Alison Kennedy, Tyler Gray, Adair Hill, Ferdinand Ibebuchi, Kristin Kenney, Alison Lane, Lacey Maffettone, Kouri Marshall, Tom Manatos, Marcus Markle, Jim McBride, Teddy Miller. Laura Montas, Travis Moore, Jamie Morgan, Phillipe Nassif, Monique Peets, Stu Phillip, Ian Squires, Chad Stanton, Corwin Stephens, Anne Thompson, Lateefah Williams

6:30pm-10:30pm Tuesday January 24th

(6:30pm Networking Mixer, 8:30pm Program & Speech Watch)

Local 16

(upstairs lounge & heated deck w/2 confirmed big-screen TVs!)

http://www.localsixteen.com

1602 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 (& 16th St)

@ U Street metro – 13th St exit OR Dupont Circle – Q St exit

Please join Network For Progress, a social and media-savvy community for those inspired by the “Yes We Can” Movement, and several great co-sponsors for our 3rd Annual State of the Union Progress Party at Local 16 – a great friend to Obama grassroots events since 2007!

Questions/Comments? Contact us at n4progressparty@gmail.com

Please invite your friends and colleagues!

PLEASE REGISTER BY 5PM JANUARY 24TH:

http://124sotuprogressparty.eventbrite.com

(join the guest list and feel free to share your professional or grassroots organization and personal contact info)

250+: FREE (no raffle)

NO RSVP: $5 Suggested Donation @ Door

….or just sign up for our email updates!

Share on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/events/302351803148511

+ Follow/RT & Join The Conversation @ #progressparty #sotu2012 #p2 #dc OR

http://www.facebook.com/groups/progresschatroom

“Party for Friends. Party for Jobs. Party for PROGRESS!”

VIDEO: A special Holiday Message from Barack & Joe….and Jim!

Season’s Greetings Hope Mongers!

Now that “Speaker Boehner The Grinch” has given us back our payroll tax cuts, it is a perfect time to reflect on this amazing year for Network For Progress & GO-DC.

I want to thank everyone who helped organize or join us at an event or otherwise participated online as we look to build a community of people inspired by the “Yes We Can” Movement that can spread the word about the cause of “progress” in 2012 & beyond.

In 2011, we hosted a packed State of the Union Watch Party at Local 16, a “Yes We Can” Movement Anniversary & N4P Launch Party appropriately at “Public” Bar, “1st Thursday” Progress Parties that were featured in the Style section of the Washington Post with great guests like Current TV’s David Shuster and former Congressman Tom Perriello, a social media and socialite-centric date auction that raised $5,000 plus speed dating and social/career development workshops that hopefully made a difference in the daily lives of our members.

It is tough to measure such things but this year we notched our third “date auction”-related engagement, proving quite clearly that we can make a difference for each other as a community with or without an election victory….whether it be helping someone improve their resume or find an event to get a job in Washington OR find a person they have some VERY IMPORTANT beliefs in common with to spend the rest of their lives together. (congrats Faith & Jason!)

Next year we hope to build on our 5,000+ member N4P/GO-DC community by offering more varied activities and engaging everyone further with ways that can make a difference for both the national election and our local neighborhoods.

We learned a lot this year how even just a few random. but inspired, citizens can come together with a creative idea and make an impact to change the social and media dynamic that controls the political dialogue in America and inspire moments like this….

VIDEO: President Obama’s speech on economic fairness
http://www.youtube.com/whitehouse#p/u/43/VbnplgnVG4s

I look forward to working together with YOU creatively so Progressives, Democrats, Independents and even moderate Republicans in our Movement can make a similar impact in the VA/DC/MD region and beyond to help ensure a “Mandate for Progress” on November 6th so the childish political games are replaced by the adult governing cooperation our country deserves.

Here is a very special Holiday Message & Gift from Barack & Joe to bring some cheer as we “Hope 4 More” (years) in 2012!
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/71nOlay0fTGhkZnH

Happy Holidays,

Jim McBride
President
Network For Progress & Generation Obama-DC

HOLIDAY PROGRESS PARTY!

Network For Progress & Generation Obama-DC

present

HOLIDAY PROGRESS PARTY:
End-of-Year Networking Mixer @ Madhatter
(benefiting Children’s National Medical Center’s Dr. Bear’s Closet)

with

Light Appetizers served at 6:30pm until supplies last!

Raffle Prizes from local businesses like Riot Act Comedy Club & Madhatter!

Perks for bringing an unwrapped toy for the kids at CNMC!
(CVS might be a last minute option but monetary donations also welcome)

Host Committee:
Jim McBride, Richard Fowler, Neil Chaudhuri, Shawn Logue, Rasel Ali

6:30pm-8:30pm Tuesday, December 13th

Madhatter
http://www.madhatterdc.com
1319 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20036
@ Dupont Circle (& N St)

- $3 rail drinks, $3 bud/bud light draft, $5 house wine until 8pm -

It has been a wild and fun inaugural year for our community and the People’s Movement so let’s come together and celebrate!

Join N4P & GO-DC for yet another Progress Party celebration as we continue our monthly mixer series with a “HOLIDAY PROGRESS PARTY benefiting Children’s National Medical Center’s Dr. Bear’s Closet” where DC-area Progressives, Democrats and “Hope Mongers” can congregate to network and socialize to build our community for 2012 & beyond.

You can also support Dr. Bear’s Closet and learn more @
http://www.childrensnational.org/GetInvolved/volunteer/group/BearCloset.aspx

Want to be a Co-Host event planner/recruiter? Questions/Comments? Contact us at n4progressparty@gmail.com

Please invite your friends and colleagues!

PLEASE REGISTER BY 5PM 12/13 @
http://1213holidayprogressparty.eventbrite.com
EARLY BIRD (1-10) -> FREE w/Drink & 2 Raffle Tix (bonus raffle w/toy)
EARLY ADVANCE (11-25) -> FREE w/2 Raffle Tix (bonus raffle w/toy)
ADVANCE #1 (26-50) -> $3 @ Door w/2 Raffle Tix (free w/toy)
ADVANCE #2 (51-100) -> $3 @ Door w/1 Raffle Ticket (free w/toy)
NO RSVP -> $5 @ Door ($3 w/toy)
…or just register for our email updates!

Share on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/events/231595593579972
+ Follow/RT & Join The Conversation @ #progressparty!

“Party for Friends. Party for Jobs. Party for PROGRESS!”

11/3 OCCUPY PROGRESS PARTY VI: “1st Thursdays” Networking Mixer on Capitol Hill

Network For Progress
presents

11/3
OCCUPY PROGRESS PARTY VI:
“1st Thursdays” Networking Mixer on Capitol Hill

with

former Virginia Representative Tom Perriello

(on how to “Occupy Capitol Hill”)

& Current TV’s David Shuster

(on how to “Occupy Media”)

with

Light Appetizers served at 6:30pm until supplies last

& Raffle Prizes from local businesses like Riot Act Comedy Club & Lounge 201!

Host Committee:

Neil Chaudhuri, Michael Cohen, Richard Fowler (@richardafowler), Tyler Gray (@tylergray), Erinn Larkin, Shawn Logue (@shalo99), Jim McBride (@jimmcbride13), Alex Priest (@alexpriest)

6:30pm-8:30pm Thursday, November 3rd

(6:30pm Mixer/Food, 7pm Program, 7:30pm Mixer/Raffle)

Lounge 201

www.lounge201.com

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

@ Union Station red line metro (just walk east one block away!)

http://bit.ly/Lounge201map

(21+ venue)

- $3.25 drafts, $10 margarita mini-pitchers (3 glasses each) -

Join Network For Progress, a social and media-savvy grassroots organization for the Mainstream Majority of “Sanity”-loving Americans inspired by the “Yes We Can” Movement of Hope and Change for a New Kind of Politics & Citizenship to overtake the extremist influence of the “Tea Party” Movement, for yet another Progress Party celebration as we continue our monthly mixer series where DC-area Progressives, Democrats and “Hope Mongers” can congregate to network and socialize to build our community for 2012 & beyond.

THIS MONTH:
Former Virginia Congressman Tom Perriello (@tomperriello) will discuss how we can “Occupy Capitol Hill” to have our voice heard on the American Jobs Act and on Election Day 2012….as well as on November 8th in Virginia! As many of you know, Tom was famously a progressive champion despite serving in a very conservative district and as a result outperformed expectations in his re-election bid in 2010.

Formerly of MSNBC’s “Hardball”, Current TV’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” anchor/correspondent David Shuster (@davidshuster) will discuss how we can “Occupy Media” as well as the progress of Occupy DC and the worldwide movement born on Wall Street on September 17 that has far surpassed the Tea Party in terms of national attention and possibly political action in the near future.

Want to be a Co-Host event planner/recruiter? Questions/Comments? Contact us at n4progressparty@gmail.com

Please invite your friends and colleagues!

PLEASE REGISTER BY 5PM 11/3 @

http://113occupyprogressparty.eventbrite.com

EARLY BIRD -> SOLD OUT!

EARLY ADVANCE (26-50) -> FREE w/2 Raffle Tix

ADVANCE #1 (51-100) -> $3 @ Door w/2 Raffle Tix

ADVANCE #2 (100+) -> $3 @ Door w/1 Raffle Ticket

NO RSVP -> $5 @ Door

…or just register for our email updates!

“Party for Friends. Party for Jobs. Party for PROGRESS!”

10/6 PROGRESS PARTY V: “1st Thursdays” Networking Mixer + Young Professionals Rally 4 Jobs & Virginia 2011

Network For Progress
presents

10/6

PROGRESS PARTY V:

“1st Thursdays” Networking Mixer +

Young Professionals Rally 4

Jobs & Virginia 2011

http://www.americanjobsact.com

http://www.vademocrats.org

with

Light Appetizers served at 6:30pm until supplies last

& Raffle Prizes from local businesses like Riot Act & Lounge 201!

Special Guests:

Ellen Qualls @QuallsComm
Director of Surrogate and Allied Group Outreach, Democratic National Committee
Former Senior Strategic Planning Adviser, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA)
Former Senior Communications Adviser, Governor Mark Warner (VA)

(as seen on Fox News & Politics Daily’s “How About A Woman For White House Press Secretary?”)

http://www.quallscommunications.com

Richard Fowler @richardafowler

Democratic Strategist & President, Alexandria Young Democrats

(as seen on MSNBC & Fox News)

http://www.richardafowler.com

Economic Maverick (aka Anjon Roy) @econmaverick

www.economicmaverick.com

Jim McBride @fwdprogress

Founder/President, Network For Progress & Media Activist

(recently heard discussing “American JA” on Rush Limbaugh Show:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/01/1021903/-Were-kicking-ass%21-Limbaugh-and-the-talkers-are-running-scared%21?via=siderec)

This Month’s Co-Sponsors:

Young Democrats of America’s Mid-Atlantic Region

(VA, DC, MD. WV, PA, DE, NJ)

http://www.facebook.com/ydamidatlantic

https://twitter.com/YDAMidAtlantic

Generation Obama-Washington, DC (VA/DC/MD)

http://groups.google.com/group/generationobamadc

http://www.facebook.com/groups/generationobamadc

https://twitter.com/genobamadc

Host Committee:

Neil Chaudhuri, Michael Cohen, Randy Goldstein, Tyler Gray (@tylergray), Adair Hill (@uhdare), Erinn Larkin, Shawn Logue (@shalo99), Jim McBride (@jimmcbride13), Shaunica Pridgen (@shaunica), Alex Priest (@alexpriest) & More!

6:30pm-8:30pm Thursday, October 6th

(6:30pm Mixer/Food, 7pm Jobs & VA Mini-Rally, 7:30pm Mixer/Raffle)

Capitol Lounge

www.capitolloungedc.com

229 Pennsylvania Avenue SE (btw 2nd & 3rd st)

Washington D.C., DC 20003-1107

bit.ly/CapLoungeMap

@ Capitol South orange/blue metro (walk

(21+ venue)

Join Network For Progress, a social and media-savvy grassroots organization for the Mainstream Majority of “Sanity”-loving Americans inspired by the “Yes We Can” Movement of Hope and Change for a New Kind of Politics & Citizenship to overtake the extremist influence of the “Tea Party” Movement, for yet another Progress Party celebration as we continue our monthly mixer series where DC-area Progressives, Democrats and “Hope Mongers” can congregate to network and socialize to build our community for 2012 and beyond!

THIS MONTH:
Young Professionals Rally for the American Jobs Act & Virginia “Save Our Senate” Campaign 2011
We have two big fights ahead of us in October as President Obama works to raise awareness about the importance of passing his bipartisan-inspired American Jobs Act that could create almost 2 million jobs and Virginians work to reverse 2009 and 2010 in their November state and local elections – especially to “Save Our Senate” where Democrats have a slim majority to block the extremist efforts of “rising star” right-wing Republicans like Governor Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cucinelli. We will discuss how you can get involved in both efforts so Hope and Change can start to make a comeback in America.

VIDEO: President Obama’s LinkedIn Town Hall
http://www.youtube.com/whitehouse#p/u/5/4Qv_KxhBb0I

VIDEO: White House “Open For Questions: Youth and the American Jobs Act”
http://www.youtube.com/whitehouse#p/u/48/e1SxXiyfZVU

VIDEO: President Obama presents the American Jobs Act
http://www.youtube.com/whitehouse#p/u/78/N5f-FwN2ZJs
(Enhanced Version with visual aid background information)

ARTICLE: “Bigger Economic Role for Washington”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/us/politics/jobs-bill-could-help-economic-growth-some-forecasters-say.html
“In all, (Macroeconomic Advisers) projected that the plan would add roughly 1.25 percentage points to gross domestic product and create 1.3 million jobs in 2012. JPMorgan Chase estimated that the plan would increase growth by 1.9 points and add 1.5 million jobs. Most bullish is Moody’s Analytics, which forecast that the package would add 1.9 million jobs, cutting the unemployment rate by a point, and increase growth by two percentage points.”

Want to be a Co-Host event planner/recruiter? Questions/Comments? Contact us at n4progressparty@gmail.com

Please invite your friends and colleagues!

PLEASE REGISTER BY 5PM 10/6 @

http://106progressparty.eventbrite.com

EARLY BIRD (1-25) -> FREE w/Drink & 2 Raffle Tix

EARLY ADVANCE (26-50) -> FREE w/2 Raffle Tix

ADVANCE #1 (51-100) -> $3 @ Door w/2 Raffle Tix

ADVANCE #2 (100+) -> $3 @ Door w/1 Raffle Ticket

NO RSVP -> $5 @ Door

…or just register for our email updates!

“Select Guests To Invite” & See Who Is Coming @

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=278450645507872
+ Follow/RT & Join The Conversation @ #progressparty!

“Party for Friends. Party for Jobs. Party for PROGRESS!”

“FORWARD PROGRESSIVE” COLUMN: Let’s Support a “Yes We Can!” Candidate being told “No, You Can’t!” in Northern Virginia!

by Jim McBride (aka “Forward Progressive”)
http://twitter.com/fwdprogress

Former President, Arlington Young Democrats (2007 VAYD Club of the Year)
Former Vice Chair of Precinct Operations, Arlington Democrats (2005-2009)
Northern Virginia Organizer, Virginia Young Democrats (2009)
Founder, Generation Webb (2006)
Volunteer & Database Coordinator, Virginia For Obama (2008 Primary)
Founder & President, Generation Obama-Washington, DC (2007-Present)
Founder & President, Network for Progress (2011-Present)

I usually don’t get involved in primary politics (except for President, of course) but we apparently have a serious situation in the Northern Virginia State Senate race where a “Yes We Can!” Candidate, Obama Administration Appointee & Lt. Colonel JAG Officer Jaime Areizaga-Soto, is being told “No, You Can’t!” by some party leaders mostly because of one unchangeable fact…..he’s Latino!

As some of you may know, several members of the Virginia House of Delegates have made statements condemning the direct use of race as a reason Jaime isn’t the best candidate….which is especially curious despite the fact that a multi-ethnic fellow named Barack Obama trounced his Republican challenger in the ultra-progressive 31st district in 2008. Here are a couple articles about the tactics being used because Jaime is not the Establishment’s candidate:

“Delegates condemn Favola for what they say are race-based remarks”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/delegates-condemn-favola-for-what-they-say-are-race-based-remarks/2011/08/15/gIQAZPIoHJ_blog.html

“Favola pulls poll question calling Democratic Senate primary opponent a Republican”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/favola-pulls-poll-calling-democratic-senate-primary-opponent-a-republican/2011/07/13/gIQAwsDrCI_blog.html

Lowell Feld of Blue Virginia, who DRAFTED JIM WEBB to run for Senate in 2006 and probably the most respected blogger in Virginia, has posted several stories on the matter, including how Ms. Favola called him directly to say that Jaime being Latino is a reason to vote for her because he has no “base” here….a common message that the campaign has used all election season:
http://bluevirginia.us/diary/4607/i-just-got-one-of-the-weirdest-phone-calls-of-my-life
http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/4652/five-days-later-you-can-be-fairly-certain-barbara-favola-now-denies-maybe-racebaiting

So here’s the deal, I have learned a lot in campaigning the last few years and I believe in the “New Kind of Politics” based on a message of Hope, Change & Progess that inspired the “Yes We Can” Movement during President Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008. Yet this is the epitomy of the “Same Old Politics” that constantly sabotages the Democratic Party in election after election because some of our leaders are afraid to engage the grassroots and welcome new people into the process….which should be our strong point.

SO, WHAT NEXT?

Jaime is reportedly within the margin of error in polling and these aggressive attacks back up the fact that the Favola campaign is scared he might win, so I ask that you join me by voting, volunteering, donating or social networking to help Jaime win this election so a progressive-minded grassroots candidate can fight for the People in Richmond!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR “YES WE CAN!” & GET UPDATES BY JOINING OUR “YOUNG PROFESSIONALS 4 JAIME!” FACEBOOK GROUP & SHARE WITH FRIENDS ASAP @ http://on.fb.me/YoungPros4Jaime

Volunteer Sign Up: http://bit.ly/YoungPros4JaimeVolunteerRSVP

Jaime has been endorsed by Delegates David Englin, Kaye Kory & Scott Surovell, Senator Chap Peterson, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington Richard Trodden, Former Chair of the Arlington County Democratic Comittee Peter Rousselot, Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association Local 2800, Virgina Partisans (LGBT Democrats of Virginia), Democratic Latino Orgnization of Virigina, NARAL Pro-Choice, Communications Workers of America and Virginia New Majority.

He also has received the endorsement of the Falls Church News Press: http://www.fcnp.com/commentary/local/9874-editorial-tuesdays-election-our-endorsements.html

Learn More & Donate: http://jaimeforsenate.com

Thanks for your time!

Tonight’s Event: Live on Ustream

Barring a technical fail, for those of you who can’t attend due to distance or lameness you should be able to view the auction portion of the event at: http://networkforprogress.wordpress.com/date-auction-live-stream/

If you would like to place a remote bid, please use Twitter!

Send your message to @networkprogress and include the hashtag #progressparty

Indicate the name and amount and you’re good to go.

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Auction Item: Coffee with Rep. Jim Moran

New Addition!

We are pleased to announce that Congressman Jim Moran from Virginia’s 8th district Arlington has graciously offered to lend us some of his time to have a cup of coffee and talk politics with one lucky winner!

From his official biography:

“Congressman Jim Moran is currently serving his eleventh term as U.S. Representative from Virginia’s 8th District, comprised of the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, Arlington County, and portions of Fairfax County, including Lee District, Mason District, Providence District, Mt. Vernon District and Reston.

A senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Moran serves as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment and also serves on the Defense and Military Construction Subcommittees.

Throughout his two decades of service in the House of Representatives, Congressman Moran has demonstrated vigorous leadership in support of regional transportation solutions, the environment, women’s issues, technology, fair and open trade, and fiscal discipline. He is also well known for his efforts to protect federal employees and military retirees.”