ACTivists, we’ve been working together for five years now, changing the hearts and minds of thousands of voters in crucial states and districts all over the country — all with the goal of ending Republican domination.
We’ve made some tough choices, too. At times, we have supported Democrats who did not reflect all our progressive values, but who could win their districts. We have also steered clear of primaries, preserving our unity as Democrats at all costs. And we’ve won.
But victory has been bittersweet. These last months, we have watched as our newly Democratic New York State Senate voted down marriage equality and as the Senate health care bill was watered down to a mere shadow of what we had hoped for. And this in the face of our thousands of calls to legislators, expressing our support of these progressive reforms.
It’s enough to get us down, but not enough to put us out. Because you know what? We are progressives at heart and we’re not quitting until we translate our hard-won electoral victories into the real-world change we know our country needs. It’s no longer just about getting Democrats in office. It’s about getting the right Democrats elected and pressing them to stand up for what we believe in.
The year 2010 will be full of opportunities on this new front and we are currently in talks with our progressive allies and leadership to plan our campaigns. We are also planning our Strategy Session for the new year, to discuss all of this with you. If we’re going to realize our dreams of a more progressive future, we need our ACTivists with us, making decisions and envisioning the future of our work. See you there?
