From "Run Bernie Run" to "We Want Bernie" to....

Dear PDA friends and warriors for justice:

Two years, three months and 14 days ago, on May 10, 2014, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) stood virtually alone in the ask. We were calling on Bernie Sanders to run in the Democratic Primaries, while everyone else was backing or ready for someone else. Even as we mourned the passing of PDA’s founder Tim Carpenter, we welcomed Senator Sanders to Northampton, MA, to celebrate Tim’s life, to commemorate PDA’s 10th anniversary, and to accept the petition signatures from throughout the country drafting him to run for president as a Democrat. It was Tim’s final campaign, and it launched a political revolution that is still unfolding.

Please contribute $500, $50, or whatever you can right now to help support our revolution. Money tight? Then contact Mike “Phone Guy” Fox to make important movement-building and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) calls to help elect progressives to Congress.

...and on the 837th Day, It’s Officially “Our Revolution”

Please contribute $500, $50, or whatever you can right now

In the 837 days since then, PDA went from the “Run Bernie Run” campaign to the “We Want Bernie” campaign as we transitioned from one phase to another. Gradually through the months, other organizations joined in endorsing Bernie, and we were so thrilled that the progressive agenda that had always been our hallmark was so readily embraced by millions of people.

Through primary and caucus states, with your help, Bernie’s message resonated and the energy grew. While other groups with massive databases did incredible online work and raised millions through their outreach, PDA’s small, mostly part-time national staff and thousands of committed volunteers pushed onward. With tight resources but careful budgeting, PDA had a physical presence supporting Bernie’s campaign in nearly every state.

PDA’s volunteers pitched in whenever and wherever we were needed. And in an enormous display of commitment to our inside/outside strategy in action, PDA brought together 226 elected Bernie delegates at the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. It was a mighty accomplishment. But our work has just begun. Please contribute $500, $50, or whatever you can right now to help support our revolution. Money tight? Then contact Mike “Phone Guy” Fox to make important movement-building and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) calls to help elect progressives to Congress.

On Wednesday evening, August 24th, 2016, the political revolution PDA was so instrumental in launching officially transitions to “Our Revolution.” Bernie will lay out his vision for the organizations he is forming in this post presidential campaign period. As any fine organizer knows, getting people engaged is only a small part of any organizing effort—keeping them involved is the real victory. So, please join others at any of the Bernie “Our Revolution” watching parties/events being held all over the country. PDA members will be there. Our dear friends at National Nurses United are offering some at this link (the RSVP deadline is tonight).

PDA has not rested since Bernie’s White House bid came to a close. From the People’s Summit in Chicago in late June to Progressive Central and our delegate work at the DNC in late July to our work forming new young progressives’ groups with former leaders of “College Students for Bernie” fueled with energy and drive, PDA pushes forward. Join us. We need your continued support financially to keep this level of work going.

Please dig deep. Because no matter who sits in the Oval Office come January 20th 2017, PDA is keeping the pressure on. No one else can do what you can do. Can we count on your help? Please contribute $500, $50, or whatever you can right now to help support our revolution. Money tight? Then contact Mike “Phone Guy” Fox to make important movement-building and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) calls to help elect progressives to Congress.

In Solidarity,

Donna Smith for Mike H, Judy, Mike F, Janis, Deb, Dan, and Kimberly—your PDA National Team

P.S. We're here to help you make progress in your state and locality! If you need any help organizing a new chapter or energizing your existing chapter, please contact PDA Field Coordinator Judy Hess. For those who haven't met her yet, you will find Judy is a smart, friendly, and supportive person who can help empower you. She can get you access to progressive DVDs to show, help you post your meetings and events onto the PDA calendar, and otherwise help your chapter thrive! Don't delay, start organizing now to make a real difference where you live! We're here to help!