While all too predictably dirt like Rep. Joe Wilson rises like putrid yeast, to the top of the media hype heap, the real story of this historic battle for healthcare and to secure the public option is with progressives fighters like Raul Grijalva and Keith Ellison.
On Wednesday, the day of President Obama's historic speech before a joint session of Congress, we delivered the petitions you helped collect with close to 65,000 signatures to two members of Congress.
The Keith Ellison Petition Delivery
Congressman Keith Ellison: "This is how Democracy happens"
We should support this new generation of Progressive Democratic leaders and thank them for their courageous fight on behalf of the American people.
Despite considerable monumental strong arming, there are Progressives who will stand tough and resolute for a straight up public option, even if the White House calls and tries to break them.
Imagine this, Keith Ellison elected in 2006, and Raul Grijalva elected in 2002, saying no more compromising to the White House.
Since as usual, the media isn't following the real story, we'll give it to you right here.
Keith Ellison and Raul Grijalva, Yvette Clarke and the others on the Act Blue Health Care Heroes Honor Roll, are the progressive leaders and healthcare warriors, who will undoubtedly move to the front of the pack as this fight intensifies.
Raul Grijalva is waging a heroic struggle to secure at minimum forty Progressives, if he (aided by you, me, slink, Jane and FDL)is successful, we'll have tremendous leverage to get a straight up public option. The Blue Dogs use the strength in numbers strategy, and it's long overdue that Progressives adopt a similar winning formula.
Some of you have expressed some dismay at the FDL carrot and stick method of whipping Progressive members of Congress on the public option.
We have plenty of carrots to distribute, and are eager to give them out. I've spent a lot of time going to town halls, looking for Democrats willing to take the Pledge. I tried over and over and over and over and one more time to get them to pledge to vote against any healthcare bill which did not contain a strong public option.
But alas, despite my travels, road weary nyceve found only one healthcare hero, Yvette Clarke. And like the other emerging Progressive Democratic leaders , Representative Clarke was first elected in 2006.
So, I'm making a prediction, right here, right now, what you're witnessing is the ground shift beneath your feet. The healthcare battle of 2009 is creating the next generation of Democratic leaders.
Keith Ellison: "Go talk to them" No breaking, no caving. "I've already done my compromising, no more compromising to be done"
Progressives are solid. Our commitment is to right and justice, generosity of spirit . . . these things will win the day.
Being in these two congressional offices felt historic. I was struck by the fact that both of these public servants are struggling under the profound weight on them right now. Grijalva has been whipping the caucus from the start, trying to align them in a block. He has little support. Not in the party or in leadership. There is no donor base who stands by him, no liberal institution that will back him up. He is a man who is trying to do what's right in the face of unbelievable pressure to do what is easy. Same is true of Ellison and others.
There is no question that this is the civil rights battle of our generation, progressives should have the backing of the big groups behind them. They don't. I think that's wrong, and that there's no good reason for it.
Raul Grijalva, the chair of the Progressive Caucus, is a man on a healthcare mission and, take it to the bank, he's not backing down for anyone, even the President.
Yesterday, Grijalva and Lynn Woolsey sent a letter to the Presidentrequesting another meeting, they have no intention of accepting triggers, co-ops or any other faux public option,that anyone might try and foist on the American people.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT THE WORK SECURE A PUBLIC OPTION.
THERE ARE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WORKING LITERALLY DAY AND NIGHT TRYING TO SECURE A PUBLIC OPTION. WE RECEIVE VERY SMALL STIPENDS (FOR LIVING EXPENSES), BASED ENTIRELY ON YOUR GENEROSITY.
PLEASE DONATE WHATEVER YOU CAN. WE RELY ON YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND YOU HAVE BEEN AMAZING.
HEALTHCARE REFORM WILL REVEAL THE CHARACTER OF OUR NATION, WE CANNOT FAIL.
PLEASE HELP US WIN THIS FIGHT FOR REAL HEALTHCARE FOR ALL AMERICANS.
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