The session starts off with a video showing horrors of what has happened under the Republican years. Iraq, Katrina, Global warming. The video contrasts what has gone on with great Democratic and progressive leaders. Rosa Parks, John F Kennedy talking about putting a man on the moon, quotes from Martin Luther King, like, “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice” quotes from Robert F Kennedy, such as his Ripple of Speech quote, or his paraphrasing George Bernard Shaw.

With that as the backdrop, Robert Borosage from Campaign for America’s Future starts off with opening comments. (These are quick notes as the session is going on.)
“Welcome to the fifth annual Take Back America conference…I know you’re ready to take back America, because you’ve already started.” There are going to be over 3000 people from 40 states across the tribes. Labor to Moveon, Hiphop to CodePink.

“When we started, this was occupied territory… Delay, Frist, Bush, Rove, Libby, Cheney”

Need to put together a bold agenda for America’s Future. A Real Security Strategy. Ending the disastrous occupation of Iraq will be the first step. Shared Prosperity agenda. This year, more women will declare bankruptcy than will graduation from college. We need a concerted drive for energy independence. Revive the American Dream “We are all in this together.”

“We have the power”, the speaker and graphic proclaims, channeling Gov. Dean. He goes on to say that the price of Democratic lobbyists is soaring. Everyone chuckles, but it makes me feel uneasy.

Key constituents to be reached include Single women, Labor, African Americans, Latinos, Young, and Independents.

“This is not time to trim our sails or tack to the illusive center.”

“We can Take Back America, it is up to us.”
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