A Gigantic Battle in 2008
The 2008 election is a referendum on the future of our country. Millions are looking for political leadership that breaks from right-wing extremism and capitalist globalization, toward a society that upholds social and economic justice, racial, ethnic and gender equality, and peace. Voters expect Democratic candidates to take strong positions against never-ending war and for universal health care. More voters are staying independent.
Polls show a drop from 90% to 45% approval rating for Bush among Evangelicals. They are hurt by losses in the war, a failing economy and pro-corporate hypocrisy. (Pew 10/07). Less than 50 percent identify themselves as Republican, with most turning independent. (Pew 10/07). One leader said, “There are going to be a lot of evangelicals willing to vote for a Democrat because there are 40 million people without health insurance and a Democrat is going to do something about that.”
Republicans are using extreme militarist and anti-immigrant appeals to activate their right-wing base.
Working class issues can win voters over. In 2006 the religious rights was overpowered when the minimum wage was on the ballot. Some Republicans were defeated.
The ultra-right is using anti-immigrant demagogy backed up by hate crimes and workplace raids to divide voters and weaken labor’s multi-racial mobilization. They blame loss of jobs on immigrants from Latin America to stir up racial profiling and keep workers from joining together to demand union rights for everyone. This issue can be turned around. The root cause of job loss is pro-corporate tax, trade and foreign policies.
The right-wing is campaigning in states like Michigan for ballot initiatives supporting “right to work” laws which prohibit union rights and lower wages and working conditions. It will take massive public education to expose and defeat these efforts.
The right-wing will stop at nothing to maintain power. They will continue to obstruct and steal elections. Dropping voters from the rolls in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward is a recent example. Protecting the vote is vital in 2008.
The new battlegrounds in 2008 have the potential of dismantling the political base of the ultra-right.
The South –
The Republicans’ racist “Southern Strategy” developed by Richard Nixon to dominate national elections could be shattered in 2008. Polls show 50% now favor Democrats in 2008 in the South and South Central states.. (Celinda Lake 7/07). The Senate seat in Virginia vacated by John Warner (R) could turn Democrat.
Rural America -
The Republicans’ “family values” strategy to dominate rural America is losing ground .Cost of fuel, healthcare, lack of good paying jobs and loss of family members in Iraq have become top issues for rural voters. In 2004 Bush carried Rural America by 19 points. By 2006 Republicans had only a 3 point lead at 51%. (Democracy Corps 6/8/07). In 2008 Republican domination of Rural America could be reversed.
Southwest and Florida -
The Republicans’ strategy to increase their vote among Latinos has backfired.. Anti-immigrant policies and anti- Cuba family visitation policies are pushing Evangelical Latinos to vote Democrat.which could flip five states from Republican to Democrat in 2008 (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Florida)
Labor, African American, Latino, Women and Youth voters – the core forces of the people’s alliance that changed Congress in 2006 – are even more committed to defeat the Republicans and set a new national agenda.
The Latino Vote -
The goal of 2 million new Latino voters and 10 million votes cast can change 22 Congressional Districts from red to blue. Voter drives will dramatically increase turnout in five states with large Latino population heavily favoring Democrats (Texas, California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois)
The African American Vote -
If African Americans vote their percentage of the population in three Southern states, they would flip from red to blue (south Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi). The 44 members of the Congressional Black Caucus represent over 40 million people. A major voter turnout effort is part of the new civil rights movement.
The Youth Vote -
Young people now outnumber the baby boom generation.. Their vote could increase by 2 million in 2008. On every major issue most young people disagree with the Republican agenda. And they are ready for an African American or woman president.
The Women’s Vote -
20 million single women did not vote in 2004. An effort to register 1 million new women voters is underway. Women favor Democrats by an 18 percent margin, up from 12 points in 2006. Candidates are seeking this vote.
Labor 2008:--
The AFL-CIO debate of Democratic presidential candidates placed workers’ issues front and center for the campaign. 25% of all voters in 2006 were members of unions. In 2008 more rank and file activists are involved. Worker-to-worker outreach is about the right to a union, health care for all and the economy. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists’ members are canvassing neighbors where they live.
The AFL-CIO’s community affiliate, Working America is canvassing voters in nine states with key Congressional races which can flip from red to blue in 2008.(Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania)
Bringing grass roots movements and demands for peace, not-for-profit health care, workers’ rights and democracy into the elections builds people’s politics independent from corporate control. If the President and Congress are elected with this mandate and the people’s movement continues, real gains can be won. The war and occupation of Iraq can finally be ended.
Sweeping out ultra-right Republicans will usher in a new political era with new possibilities to Rebuild America, change foreign policy, and achieve “no war and no warming.” Labor and progressive forces including the Communist Party will have more opportunities to run their own candidates and help shape a future of people before profits.
What You Can Do
The 2008 elections can become a breakthrough for independent people’s politics. It will take all of us to accomplish this great task and make history.
How to get involved
- Volunteer with the Labor 2008 healthcare and get out the vote drive in your union or community
- Join with others in your neighborhood to discuss issues, register voters and get involved
- Participate in election protection efforts so every one can vote and every vote is counted
- Distribute the Peoples Weekly World to co-workers and friends in your workplace or neighborhood- Help enlarge the Communist Party and Young Communist League in your community to build unity and win basic change.
Help Make History!
Prepared by: Political Action Commission, Communist Party USA [email protected]
END
www.cpusa.org
Think hard before you vote!!!!!!!!
The 2008 election is a referendum on the future of our country. Millions are looking for political leadership that breaks from right-wing extremism and capitalist globalization, toward a society that upholds social and economic justice, racial, ethnic and gender equality, and peace. Voters expect Democratic candidates to take strong positions against never-ending war and for universal health care. More voters are staying independent.
Polls show a drop from 90% to 45% approval rating for Bush among Evangelicals. They are hurt by losses in the war, a failing economy and pro-corporate hypocrisy. (Pew 10/07). Less than 50 percent identify themselves as Republican, with most turning independent. (Pew 10/07). One leader said, “There are going to be a lot of evangelicals willing to vote for a Democrat because there are 40 million people without health insurance and a Democrat is going to do something about that.”
Republicans are using extreme militarist and anti-immigrant appeals to activate their right-wing base.
Working class issues can win voters over. In 2006 the religious rights was overpowered when the minimum wage was on the ballot. Some Republicans were defeated.
The ultra-right is using anti-immigrant demagogy backed up by hate crimes and workplace raids to divide voters and weaken labor’s multi-racial mobilization. They blame loss of jobs on immigrants from Latin America to stir up racial profiling and keep workers from joining together to demand union rights for everyone. This issue can be turned around. The root cause of job loss is pro-corporate tax, trade and foreign policies.
The right-wing is campaigning in states like Michigan for ballot initiatives supporting “right to work” laws which prohibit union rights and lower wages and working conditions. It will take massive public education to expose and defeat these efforts.
The right-wing will stop at nothing to maintain power. They will continue to obstruct and steal elections. Dropping voters from the rolls in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward is a recent example. Protecting the vote is vital in 2008.
The new battlegrounds in 2008 have the potential of dismantling the political base of the ultra-right.
The South –
The Republicans’ racist “Southern Strategy” developed by Richard Nixon to dominate national elections could be shattered in 2008. Polls show 50% now favor Democrats in 2008 in the South and South Central states.. (Celinda Lake 7/07). The Senate seat in Virginia vacated by John Warner (R) could turn Democrat.
Rural America -
The Republicans’ “family values” strategy to dominate rural America is losing ground .Cost of fuel, healthcare, lack of good paying jobs and loss of family members in Iraq have become top issues for rural voters. In 2004 Bush carried Rural America by 19 points. By 2006 Republicans had only a 3 point lead at 51%. (Democracy Corps 6/8/07). In 2008 Republican domination of Rural America could be reversed.
Southwest and Florida -
The Republicans’ strategy to increase their vote among Latinos has backfired.. Anti-immigrant policies and anti- Cuba family visitation policies are pushing Evangelical Latinos to vote Democrat.which could flip five states from Republican to Democrat in 2008 (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Florida)
Labor, African American, Latino, Women and Youth voters – the core forces of the people’s alliance that changed Congress in 2006 – are even more committed to defeat the Republicans and set a new national agenda.
The Latino Vote -
The goal of 2 million new Latino voters and 10 million votes cast can change 22 Congressional Districts from red to blue. Voter drives will dramatically increase turnout in five states with large Latino population heavily favoring Democrats (Texas, California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois)
The African American Vote -
If African Americans vote their percentage of the population in three Southern states, they would flip from red to blue (south Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi). The 44 members of the Congressional Black Caucus represent over 40 million people. A major voter turnout effort is part of the new civil rights movement.
The Youth Vote -
Young people now outnumber the baby boom generation.. Their vote could increase by 2 million in 2008. On every major issue most young people disagree with the Republican agenda. And they are ready for an African American or woman president.
The Women’s Vote -
20 million single women did not vote in 2004. An effort to register 1 million new women voters is underway. Women favor Democrats by an 18 percent margin, up from 12 points in 2006. Candidates are seeking this vote.
Labor 2008:--
The AFL-CIO debate of Democratic presidential candidates placed workers’ issues front and center for the campaign. 25% of all voters in 2006 were members of unions. In 2008 more rank and file activists are involved. Worker-to-worker outreach is about the right to a union, health care for all and the economy. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists’ members are canvassing neighbors where they live.
The AFL-CIO’s community affiliate, Working America is canvassing voters in nine states with key Congressional races which can flip from red to blue in 2008.(Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania)
Bringing grass roots movements and demands for peace, not-for-profit health care, workers’ rights and democracy into the elections builds people’s politics independent from corporate control. If the President and Congress are elected with this mandate and the people’s movement continues, real gains can be won. The war and occupation of Iraq can finally be ended.
Sweeping out ultra-right Republicans will usher in a new political era with new possibilities to Rebuild America, change foreign policy, and achieve “no war and no warming.” Labor and progressive forces including the Communist Party will have more opportunities to run their own candidates and help shape a future of people before profits.
What You Can Do
The 2008 elections can become a breakthrough for independent people’s politics. It will take all of us to accomplish this great task and make history.
How to get involved
- Volunteer with the Labor 2008 healthcare and get out the vote drive in your union or community
- Join with others in your neighborhood to discuss issues, register voters and get involved
- Participate in election protection efforts so every one can vote and every vote is counted
- Distribute the Peoples Weekly World to co-workers and friends in your workplace or neighborhood- Help enlarge the Communist Party and Young Communist League in your community to build unity and win basic change.
Help Make History!
Prepared by: Political Action Commission, Communist Party USA [email protected]
END
www.cpusa.org
Think hard before you vote!!!!!!!!