CAF In The News

afterdowningstreet.org — Here's a second-hand report. No single-payer advocate was included on the panel, but because of agitation for it all day long, Roger Hickey asked a question about it, and each panelist gave their opinion, none of which involved any criticism of single-payer on its merits. Howard Dean was reportedly best in saying that single-payer should be on the table. Hickey, confronted later about his refusal to include a supporter of single-payer was reportedly very defensive and said he could do what he wants with his conference.

discuss.epluribusmedia.net — Walking in to the hall on the first day of the America's Future Now conference my first response was "Ooops! Wrong room."

Flashing by on two screens, placed on either side of the speaker's podium, were clips of President Bush. But no. That was just a warm up.

Soon Pres. Obama was on screen giving a rousing speech to the crowd at an earlier Conference sponsored by Campaign for America's Future (Then called Take Back America Now). He attended both their 2007 and 2008 conferences. Here he was with his signature call to arms: Change comes from the bottom up not the top down.

floridaspeaks.blogspot.com — 11:00: This session is moderated by David Sirota and includes Digby and Matt Taibbi.

11:04: Sirota: The 2008 election was just the potential beginning of something, not the conclusion. The Democratic Party is still having an identity crisis, a lot of internal battles. In reality, there is the Money Party (most Republicans and many Democrats), and the People Party (a smaller group of Democrats).

dailykos.com — Every year in Washington, D.C., the Campaign for America's Future (CAF) convenes the largest conference of activists positioned anywhere to the left of wherever the center has drifted off to. Labor and community groups and civil rights groups play a big role, most of them strictly loyal to the Democratic Party. The focus is on domestic issues, and the approach is an inside strategy of nudging and honoring those in power. You can sense my cynicism, and yet this year I was very pleasantly surprised.

theseminal.com — Yesterday Jason and I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Roshak Wardak, a member of Afghanistan’s parliament who is attending the America’s Future Now conference in Washington DC this week. Dr. Wardak will speak later this morning on a panel with Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films and Anand Gopal of the Christian Science Monitor. Following the panel, the same presenters will hold a congressional briefing this afternoon entitled “Rethink Afghanistan: A View from the Ground.”

therealnews.com — Robert Borosage: It's up to citizen groups to drive the reforms and mobilize the public

June 2 - "I think the Obama administration has been much bolder in response to that crisis than I would have expected," Robert Borosage, co-director of Campaign for America's Future, tells TRNN Senior Editor Paul Jay from the America's Future Now conference in Washington, DC.

crooksandliars.com — Amen! I do love this man:

WASHINGTON -- Howard Dean said a public health insurance option is more important than bipartisanship, and that Democrats should pass health-care legislation that includes the option with 51 votes if necessary.

crooksandliars.com — Amen! I do love this man:

WASHINGTON -- Howard Dean said a public health insurance option is more important than bipartisanship, and that Democrats should pass health-care legislation that includes the option with 51 votes if necessary.

boston.com — WASHINGTON - Leaders of the country's largest and most influential liberal groups said yesterday they are poised to spend $82 million to help push through sweeping healthcare legislation this year.

Gathering at a conference to discuss how to promote President Obama's agenda, the leaders said Americans voted for major change last November, and that liberals would fight to help the Obama administration keep its promises on providing universal access to affordable healthcare, as well as immigration reform and education.

hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com — WASHINGTON -- They might have the WH and Congress, but progressives - gathered this week for a four-day conference billed as "America's Future Now!" - aren't universally pleased with the Obama administration.

As a coalition of liberal groups announced their union today behind an unprecedented $82M grassroots and advertising campaign to push for health care reform, some consternation remains in the Democratic base about if Pres. Obama is pursuing a sweeping enough package. Others expressed dismay with his decision to increase troop levels in Afghanistan.