By: Trevor Loudon
New Zeal
Elizabeth Warren, Socialist Part 1 here.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren’s connection to the U.S. left runs deep. She is particularly close to one of the US’ most effective socialist organizations, Progressive Democrats of America.
Founded in 2004, PDA operates as an activist network inside the Democratic Party.
It has been described as the political arm of the socialist-dominated Congressional Progressive Caucus and works closely with that body. PDA uses an Inside-Outside strategy enabling non-Democratic Party members to influence party policy.
According to PDA’s website:
Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and our country.
As a grassroots PAC operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice, PDA played a key role in the stunning electoral victory of November 2006. Our inside/outside strategy is guided by the belief that a lasting majority will require a revitalized Democratic Party built on firm progressive principles.
We work with the Congressional Progressive Caucus to support and bring forward progressive legislation on the core issues identified by our PDA chapters.
PDA is effectively a front for the US’ largest Marxist organization, Democratic Socialists of America, and for the far left Institute for Policy Studies – probably the most destructive non-profit in the country.
PDA’s Advisory Board includes three known DSAers Bill Fletcher, Jr., Michael Lighty and retired Chicago doctor, Quentin Young – once Barack Obama‘s political mentor and personal physician. Many other board members, such as Steve Cobble, Andy Shallal, Medea Benjamin, Tom Hayden, Jim Hightower and Jodie Evans have deep ties to IPS.
In the 2012 election cycle, PDA concentrated most of its resources into just 14 contests – Congressional races and one for the U.S. Senate – Elizabeth Warren for Massachusetts.
PDA helped fund Warren, but most of their resources went into mobilizing troops on the ground – door knockers, phone bankers… “Get Out The Vote” efforts.
Warren was fully cooperative with PDA’s efforts. She knew they were heavily involved in her campaign and she made the socialists welcome.
Warren certainly wasn’t averse to photo ops with PDA National Director Tim Carpenter, a one time leader of Orange County Democratic Socialists of America. Like this one taken at an event in Western Massachusetts:
Or this one, used in a last minute “Get Out The Vote” plea on Massachusetts PDA’s Facebook page:
PDAers worked hard for Liz warren, as did the Registered Nurses of National Nurses United, a labor union allied to the Progressive Democrats.
Wrote Michael Lighty, DSAer, Director of Public Policy for NNU and PDA Advisory Board Member:
The RNs of NNU have found a natural alliance with PDA, who are never slow in the fight against austerity to win prosperity for all. RNs and PDA activists joined in campaigns across the country for insurgent progressives like Elizabeth Warren, now Senator-elect from Massachusetts…
PDA enjoyed a very successful 2012. While others were focusing on the Presidential contest, PDA focused on getting more socialists into Congress and the Senate.
In 2012, PDA hit its stride electorally, as well as helping its National Board Members, Congress members John Conyers (D-MI), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), James McGovern (D-MA) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) sweep to victory.
Other PDA-endorsed winners included Congress members Mark Pocan (D-WI), Alan Grayson (D-FL) and Senator Elizabeth Warren. PDA generated 1000s of “Get Out The Vote” calls for the above candidates, as well as for newly-elected Ami Bera (D-CA).
But PDA didn’t do all that work without expectation of making some influential friendships.
According to a New Year 2013 press release from Progressive Democrats of America:
Progressive Democrats of America accomplished a lot in 2012–thanks to your help and support. Together, we helped defeat Tea Party extremists and helped elect strong progressives to Congress. We educated members of Congress every month in our home districts, and in the halls of Congress in Washington, DC. Now, PDA is starting 2013 in a big way!
In just a few days, on January 3rd, our team will be on Capitol Hill as special guests of our newly elected and re-elected progressive candidates including our board members our friends Representatives Alan Grayson, Dr. Ami Bera, and Mark Pocan; as well as newly-elected Senators Tammy Baldwin and Elizabeth Warren.
Progressive Democrats of America socialists have every reason to believe that their investment in Elizabeth Warren will provide a handsome return.
Part 3 coming soon…
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Trevor Loudon is the author of “Barack Obama and the Enemies Within,” an oft referenced work that blew the lid off the President’s extensive Marxist background. He is also the Editor of this blog TrevorLoudon.com and of KeyWiki.org, an online encyclopedia exposing the covert side of U.S. politics.
