Normally I get involved in my group's endeavors on informing others about political races in 2014 but this time, Priorities USA's decision to sit out the 2014 midterm elections really is the biggest MAJOR FAIL since progressive Democrat Nick Ruiz decided to switch from challenging Rep. John Mica in Florida's 7th Congressional to challenging Rep. Alan Grayson in Florida's 9th Congressional District.
Grateful to see Puddytat cover this in the following diary:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
However, what was not revealed in that diary was the contact information for Priorities USA and all the key contacts in the PAC.
I know we all hate the Koch Bros and what they're trying to do to destroy democracy but we have no time for wimps. We have to do what we can to get Priorities USA's ass back in gear and not do what the Democrats did in the Al Gore/George W. Bush election debacle in 2000. Moveon.org cannot fight by themselves.
Contact information for Priorities USA and everyone involved below the fold:
Priorities USA: http://www.prioritiesusaaction.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/... or @Priorities2012
Address: Priorities USA Action
1718 M Street NW #204
Washington, DC 20036-4504
E-mail: info@prioritiesusaaction.org
Advertising Inquiries: ads@prioritiesusaaction.org
Press: press@prioritiesusaaction.org
Buffy Wicks, Executive Director of Priorities USA Action
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/... or @BuffyWicks
Jonathan Mantz, Senior Adviser for Finance
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/...
Paul Begala, Senior Adviser/Principal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/... or @PaulBegala
Don't have contact information for any other people at Priorities USA Action to hound.
Looks like there's already backlash against Priorities USA on Facebook:
In the New York Times today, at http://www.nytimes.com/.... , I read the following:
“The largest liberal “super PAC” in the country has begun raising money to elect Hillary Rodham Clinton president, formally aligning itself with Mrs. Clinton’s undeclared presidential ambitions more than two years away from the election.”
You seem to be suffering from both a severe loss of memory and total disrespect and disregard for democratic values.
During the oughts neo-cons dragged this country into an unnecessary war in Iraq. It also forced the country into activities like torture which were deeply offensive to any historically correct notions of what America is supposed to be all about.
Most unfortunately, there were some in the Democratic party who went along with these outrages.
Elected political leaders are a mixed bag. It is rare that any of them are all bad or all good.
But surely an historically progressive organization like yours should know the difference between those who were with progressives and liberals on some issues and those who can be counted on, year in, year out, to stand with us and not against us.
A large part of the reason why Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination in 2008 had to do with this factor. He was opposed to the war in Iraq from the beginning. Moreover, during his campaign, he promised to engage in direct diplomacy with Iran in an effort to solve that nation’s nuclear problem. That is a promise he kept, as we see today, when we are poised at the brink of an historic agreement that will help keep the peace and defuse tensions throughout the region.
In sharp contrast, Hillary Clinton not only supported, and voted for, the war in Iraq; she has even refused to this day to apologize for that patently irresponsible and misguided act.
And even as Barack Obama made his promise in 2007 to engage Iran directly in diplomacy, Hillary Clinton heaped scorn on his words, characterizing them as naive and “frankly irresponsible.” Later, as Secretary of State, Bob Woodward reports that she joined up with conservative Republican Defense Secretary Bob Gates in pushing for a massive open-ended surge of troops into Afghanistan, even as other leaders in the president’s foreign policy brain trust, most notably Joe Biden, pushed just as hard for a Special Forces approach with a lighter military footprint that would focus more on counter-terrorism than counter-insurgency.
And this is the person whom the redoubtable progressive organization Priorities USA deems an appropriate recipient of its largesse, and whom Priorities USA in its wisdom has declared will be the next president of the United States?
Would you please explain to me why the hell I gave hundreds of dollars and hours of my time, marching in Washington, pounding pavements to canvass and flyer for Barack Obama, hundreds of hours inputting data to get out the vote, hundreds of hours making phone calls, when the richest and one of the most influential progressive organizations in this country has decided that my voice doesn’t count, that the efforts of millions like me around the country don’t count, that the upcoming primary campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is a mere formality, and that none of us are to be afforded any kind of a voice in that process, and that our nominee is going to be jammed down our throats by deep-pocketed pseudo-progressives like you, and that none of us have a say in the matter?
I would really like you to give me an answer to that question. Thank you.
Those of you reading this comment who are as shocked, disappointed and disturbed about it as I am need to speak out. Speak out on Facebook; speak out on Twitter; speak out everywhere. I propose, as our hash tag, #respectdemocracy although if someone comes up with a better one I'll be happy to switch.
In deep disappointment,
Charles H. Riggs, III
Stephen McDonald: Just heard Priorities will NOT be helping Dems in the Mid Terms...
Stephen McDonald: That is complete BS!!!.... If thats true... I dont want to hear a word from this group again...
Tim Owens I'm appalled to hear the you will be sitting out the 2014 mid-terms. I contribute heavily to Emily's List and to individual women candidates and expect you to do the same. Your exclusive focus on Ms. Clinton stinks of the kind of insular Clinton machine that sold us out in the 1990's and contributed to the 2008 crash by colluding with the rich bankers and growing Oligarchy we're now fighting. 2014 is all hands on deck - get with the program and stop acting so selfishly. If we don't hold the Senate and retake the House this year, it won't matter who's President in 2016. Get your damn priorities straight.
February 6 at 1:39pm · Like · 12
Tim Owens And update your Facebook page - January 10 was a long time ago.
February 6 at 1:40pm · Like · 3
Dave Farley If you don't put up a fight against the GOP governors and congressmen, in 2014, you don't care about your country, and you are worthless if you don't get active to stop the GOP gestapo machine in 2014.
February 6 at 2:14pm · Like · 5
Julie Noble Santacruz Please add some focus to the 2014 elections. It is necessary that we have a Democratic Congress for the two remaining years of Obama's presidency.
February 6 at 2:22pm · Like · 8
Ricky Dee Look at the attitudes on this thread. Do we just sit out 2014, and let these anti-Clinton wackos have their way with the Congress? That is the legislative body that an elected President Hillary Clinton will have to interact! Any seat we can protect, and especially those we can WIN are like setting up the foot soldiers for HRC! Take a Stand for Hillary in 2014! Fight the mid term fight!!
February 6 at 2:31pm · Like · 7
Dave Farley I wish that Priorities would hire me as their organizer. I could promise them, that Democrats would keep the senate. My salary requirements aren't as important as winning, and saving my country from lies, and tyranny. Trust me, I'll give up everything to stop the Tea party and help save America, and help raise the funds needed to best counter the right wing empire of Alec and the Koch Bros.
February 6 at 2:59pm · Like · 7
Suze Finkelstein WHY THE HELL HAVE YOU CHOSEN TO NOT INVEST IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE IN 2014??? HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE?! I have been a donor but refuse to give this organization one more penny of my hard earned money unless you fight for Democrats in 2014
February 6 at 4:54pm · Like · 9
Michael J. Redmond Americans for Prosperity thanks you for deciding to stand off to the side while they bombard the country with Koch brother money as they attempt to buy/steal the US Senate. If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything!!!!!!!
February 6 at 5:13pm · Edited · Like · 10
Dave Farley Progressives have no balls sometimes. They aren't consistent. They get fired up in presidential elections and fall asleep in midterms, and look what kind of shitty governors we get? We lost 66 seats in the house, after two amazing accomplishments Obama made good on, and so many progressives were so ungrateful to him.
February 6 at 5:59pm · Like · 5
Wayne Ian Leff I am disappointed that Priorities USA is not going to help out in the 2014 midterms. They need to step up and get involved and don't let tea party do what they did in 2010. They need to help the democrats. I live in Florida and we got Rick Scott. Priories USA needs to stand up and get involved.
February 6 at 9:47pm · Like · 8
Priorities USA Action is getting hit hard with a backlash of negative comments and I'm sure the same applies for them on Twitter.
Anyway, the choice is yours whether to straight out Priorities USA Action or not. I thought I'd give all Kossacks options on where to be productive to channel frustrations. :)