As we in the Netroots have seen, electing more Democrats is only the first step to making change happen. Even with the opportunities presented by a Democratic President and Democrats in charge of both branches of Congress, the pace and content of policy change has been frustrating to many. But why? How is the sausage actually being made, and how are Netroots candidates working in Washington to turn the tide?
We are being joined for this candid session by three Democratic members of Congress in their first and second terms, each of whom was elected from purple districts with strong Netroots support, to talk about what it's like once the elections are over and it's time to turn campaign promises into policy solutions.
Rep. Alan Grayson was elected to represent Florida's 8th Congressional District for the first time in 2008. A member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Grayson has made many headlines as as a member of the House Financial Services Committee in seeking accountability from the Federal Reserve Board and major financial players from their response to our economic crisis.
Rep. Patrick Murphy is now in his second term representing Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District. The first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress, Murphy now leads the fight in the House to repeal the military's "Don't Act, Don't Tell" policy, and serves on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees.
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter is now in her second term representing New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District. A former social worker, Shea-Porter has been fighting for enrolling people in Medicare or providing a robust public option, and sits on the Armed Services, Natural Resources, and Education and Labor Committees, where she is fighting "No Child Left Behind" as it now stands.
The session will be moderated by David Waldman (Kagro X), Editor-in-Chief of Congress Matters and a contributing editor at Daily Kos. It takes place on Friday, August 14 at 1:30 pm.
Three days to go ... tell me what panels you're excited to see. Also, if you're interested in suggesting a question for Sen. Specter or Rep. Sestak, click here.