Progress Pittsburgh

Image by wallyg via FlickrCongratulations to Paul Roden and Valerie Leuth from Tugboat Print Shop. Their work has been selected for the Manifest Hope Exhibit in Washington, DC. Click here to see their finished print.

About Manifest Hope:

Art plays a pivotal role in creating cultural momentum. The MANIFESTHOPE: DC Gallery celebrates that role and shines a spotlight on artists who use their voices to amplify and motivate the grassroots movement that carried President-Elect Barack Obama to victory.

The Manifest Hope exhibit was first opened in Denver and includes works by Shepard Fairey. Click here to see more pictures from the exhibit.

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Image by JamSki via Flickr If you are heading to Washington DC for the Inauguration and want to spend $150…

Please join Governor Ed Rendell, Senator Bob Casey, Chairman T. J. Rooney, membersof the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation and other Pennsylvania Democrats for anight of fun and celebration of the Obama-Biden 11-point victory in Pennsylvania!

The Washington Plaza Hotel
Monday, January 19, 2009
8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
A night of celebration and fun with music, dancing, celebrity guests, celebratory refreshments!
Tickets: $150 per person
Senior and student discounts available.
Celebratory attire requested.
Tickets may be purchased at www.padems.com or by calling 717-920-8470.
Hope To See You There!

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There have been lots of articles and conversations about the Obama campaign – what they did and why it worked.  So I have been thinking about campaigns on the local level – what have been some of the best political campaigns in Pittsburgh and why?  What does a campaign need to be successful in Pittsburgh? If you were running for office who you want to run your campaign?

Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• The future of Oakland: Senate plenary session examines partnerships – A Pittsburgh City Council member is calling for representatives of the University and Oakland community organizations to join with city officials in developing a new 10-year master plan for Oakland.
• Nominate someone for the Center for Progressive Leadership Fellowship Program – Help us identify and recruit the next generation of progressive leaders in Pennsylvania by nominating an exciting potential leader for one of CPL's leadership programs.

  › Do you have a friend or colleague who has always thought about running for office?
  › Have you recently met an exciting local organizer?
  › Do you know someone who is a great leader in a field outside of politics?
  › Is there someone who has inspired you to get more involved lately?

• Tom Matzzie: What Obama’s Win Means – A really nice look at some of the factors behind this election – and some well deserved recognition for young people, organizers and the internet.

Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• The Motherhood – Moms CALL IN the Vote – It's no surprise in the most historic election of our lifetimes that moms are playing a critical role. When you vote in this election, record the moment for all of us — and posterity too FROM YOUR CELL PHONE RIGHT HERE!
• PG wins order allowing photography near polling places – Judge James signed a court order stating that county employees cannot interfere with photographers outside polling places as long as they are "located in areas accessible to the public or into which they have otherwise been lawfully admitted." The ruling applies to any member of the public, not just the Post-Gazette.
• Vote for hope – Khari Mosley's editorial on Barack Obama from Saturday's Post-Gazette

Please share your election day parties with us – we will keep updating this list as we learn of more election day parties

Allegheny County 

• Eat Up Cafe at the Union Project – $1 coffee with proof of voting; $3 wrap specials (see event details here)
• IBEW, 6pm – The Allegheny County Democratic Committee, Auditor General Jack Wagner, State Treasurer Candidate Rob McCord, Congressman Mike Doyle, and the IBEW Local #5 cordially invite you to attend the Election Night Victory Celebration.
• Red Hot & Blue at the Waterfront, 5pm – will have red state and blue state margaritas and appetizer specials. Present your voting stub for 1/2 off your first drink (via PUMP).
• Sports Rock Cafe in the Strip, 8pm – The Urban League Young Professionals with NSBE AE chapter, NABA, Voice Your Vote and the National Coalition on Black Participation will be hosting the 2008 Presidential Election Results Party. ($8 at the door/$5 for members of any participating organization)

Indiana County

• Indiana County Democratic Party will host an election night party at The Coney.

Join the Progress Pittsburgh PAC for a happy hour (or two) tomorrow, Tuesday, October 21st in support of the Obama campaign. In October, P2 = Pittsburgh + Presidential. We will again be raising funds to support P2pac because all politics is local and we’re gearing up for important elections in 2009.

P2PAC is a political action committee that supports candidates whose districts touch the City of Pittsburgh and whose agendas are consistent with its mission: good government, sustainable development, and social equity. P2PAC endorses candidates who meet these criteria and provides resources to advance their leadership. We see leadership as the primary vehicle for positive change in service of our mission.

Who: YOU!
What: cocktails and conversation ($5 contribution requested)
Where: Olive or Twist (140 6th Street)
When: 10/21/08 @ 5:30* p.m.
Why: because Pittsburgh deserves better

This event on Facebook

We are ready to see change in local government and hope that you are too! Please join us for some beverages and conversation!

*Olive or Twist’s happy hour specials run until 6pm, so get there early!

Image via WikipediaP208 - Click here to see other events around the 2008 Elections in Western PA. Know of an election event in town? Please leave the a comment with the event details here. Click here to see the Progress Pittsburgh Calendar.

14th Ward Independent Democratic Club Debate Party!

Please join the 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club in watching the
final Presidential Debate

At Silky’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1731 Murray Ave in Squirrel Hill

On Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Starting at 8pm (Debate at 9pm)
Snacks will be provided

For more information call: 412-421-0966

What is the 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club?  The 14th Ward is the largest Ward in the City of Pittsburgh, and the second largest ward in the state. It includes the neighborhoods of Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, North Point Breeze, Regent Square, Park Place, and Swisshelm Park. Approximately 17,000 Democrats reside in the 14th Ward.

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Image via WikipediaP208 - Click here to see other events around the 2008 Elections in Western PA. Know of an election event in town? Please leave the a comment with the event details here. Click here to see the Progress Pittsburgh Calendar.

Lilly Ledbetter will meet with working women to discuss
the importance of equal pay for equal work and her support for the
Obama-Biden campaign.  Ledbetter, a former employee at a Goodyear
plant in Alabama, brought a lawsuit against the company when she
discovered she was not receiving equal pay for equal work.  Her case
went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled 5-4
against equal pay for women.  Senator Obama supports equal pay and
co-sponsored the Federal Fair Pay Restoration Act and the Lilly
Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which sought to overturn the Court’s decision
making it harder for women to challenge pay discrimination.  He has
described equal pay for equal work as “fundamental to the American
ideal.”

WHAT: Conversation with Women Leaders
WHO: Lilly Ledbetter
WHEN: 5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Thursday, October 9, 2008
WHERE: Steelworkers International Union Hall
60 Blvd of Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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Image by Steve Rhodes via Flickr  P208 - Click here to see other events around the 2008 Elections in Western PA. Know of an election event in town? Please leave the a comment with the event details here. Click here to see the Progress Pittsburgh Calendar.

What: Talk to voters about Obama
Where: 213 Smithfield St (in Pittsburgh)
Phone: (412) 867-6673
When: Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:00 PM

RSVP to let the campaign know you’re coming:

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/teams/training.html?office_id=348&id=13809-4250098-h.4gp8x&t=4

Watching the talking heads on TV endlessly repeating false charges about lipstick and patriotism, it’s easy to feel powerless about the election. But the race is still close, and there are over 3.5 million MoveOn members. If each one of us talks to ten or twenty voters, that could make all the difference. More »

A caller on the Thom Hartmann show last week said that card check neutrality (when an employer agrees to remain neutral when their employees form a union — what the Employee Free Choice Act would guarentee for all workers)  is really analogous to voter registration. I like that.

Opponents of employee free choice often frame card check agreements as if an employer is agreeing to mandate that its workers join a union. That’s just not the case– only workers can organize a union. The “neutrality” is that the employer just agrees to not interfere as they practice that choice, that vote. The employer agrees to honor democratic freedom in the workplace.

Indeed, unions are the only institution for workplace democracy

More:

1) Sign the online petiion:

2) Read this interesting Op-Ed from today’s paper, an employer who supports the Employee Free Choice Act:

http://www.pittsburghpost-gazette.com/pg/08246/908668-432.stm

This series is written by Jennifer Rapach, a delegate representing PA-4

Wednesday Redux
 
There’s a couple of things I wanted to mention about Wednesday.  First, there was a really great video about veterans they showed.  It was very emotional, and there was not a dry eye in the house by the end of it.  You can see it here:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh-xZbeeKo4[/youtube]

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This series is written by Jennifer Rapach, a delegate representing PA-4

Ok, Dad – I got a liberal commie to sign your birthday card.

 
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This series is written by Jennifer Rapach, a delegate representing PA-4.

Now do you see why I adore Brian Schweitzer?  Wasn’t he just awesome?  He is a damn good governor, who is down-to-earth, very entertaining and can work up a crowd.  The guy has done remarkable things for Montana, and has something like a 70% approval rating out there.
 
Only a couple of minor celebrity sightings Tuesday.  Chris Matthews from MSNBC was at our delegation breakfast, although he didn’t speak.  He was there because he’s from Scranton (Who the hell isn’t from Scranton these days?!  And who knew it would become a hotbed of politics?).  Another person is someone you won’t know unless you’re a complete geek like me – nerdy comedian Mo Rocca.  I got a picture with him, although when I asked for a picture, he gave me a look like, “why are you asking for a picture with a guy like me.”

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This series is written by Jennifer Rapach, a delegate representing PA-4. 

So yesterday started with our PA delegation breakfast.  Several big wigs spoke, including Governor Rendell, Senator Casey, and Brian Schweitzer, the Governor of Montana.  I’ve heard him speak before, and I adore him.  I was actually hoping he would be on the VP short list.  However, I’m very happy with Joe Biden.  Anyway, message of the day was party unity, and I have to say I’m feeling it.  I don’t know what the media are saying about the Clinton-Obama thing, but all the delegates I have come across are on the bus.  I’m not hearing anything about division.  All of the Hillary supporters I’ve talked to, while understandably disappointed that their candidate didn’t win, are behind Obama now.  They are wearing Obama pins and cheering on the floor.  So whatever nonsense is being stirred up by the media or the McCain Campaign is not accurate.  And you all know me well enough to know that I am honest in my politics, and I don’t try to spin things.

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