Taking on Mayor 1%

Dear MoveOn member, 

Last week in Chicago, a grassroots candidate named Jesús "Chuy" García defied the odds (and millions of Wall Street dollars) by forcing Mayor Rahm Emanuel into the first runoff election in Chicago's history. 

And then the nation took notice. Last week was full of headlines like: 

• "Rahm Emanuel besieged by the left" ¹
• "Garcia vs. Emanuel could be proxy for fight within national party"²
• "Progressives Celebrate Rahm Emanuel's Surprise Setback in Chicago"³

Here's how former White House aide Bill Curry put it in Salon:

A Garcia victory would be a historic watershed not just for Chicago or for Democrats but for all progressives. It wouldn't just frighten the Wall Street Dems who now reign over their national party. It would alter the terms of debate even beyond the party and prove, to cynics and to ourselves, that the power of ideas is still greater than the power of money and that grass-roots politics is not dead.⁴

While many MoveOn members have already contributed time and money to this race, we know that many people are just now learning what's at stake in this election—so, together with our allies at the Working Families Party, we are hosting a national strategy call with Chuy García himself this Monday, March 9, at 8 p.m. ET (7 CT/6 MT/5 PT).

Will you join me on a national call this Monday to hear from progressive champion Chuy García about his exciting campaign to take down "Mayor 1%" Rahm Emanuel? 

Yes, I'll be there.

I can't make it Monday, but I'll chip in $3 to Chuy García's grassroots campaign.

MoveOn members in Chicago voted to make García our first endorsement of 2015, and have been working their hearts out for him ever since. Now the latest polls are showing the race to be neck and neck ahead of the runoff election just four weeks from now.⁵

Emanuel fought against progressive policies for years in Congress (where he pushed through NAFTA)⁶ and at the White House (where he helped block a public option for health care).⁷ And since becoming mayor of Chicago four years ago, he's infuriated Chicagoans by closing 49 public schools in low-income communities, privatizing public resources, and showering his biggest contributors with city contracts.⁸ That's why Chicagoans have taken to calling him "Mayor 1%."

Meanwhile, Chuy García has been fighting for progressive values for more than 30 years in Chicago. He got his start in politics working for Chicago's last great progressive mayor, Harold Washington, in 1983. He's since served on the Chicago City Council, as a state senator, and as a Cook County commissioner. Throughout it all he's been a fighter for the middle class, immigrants, and Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.⁹ 

Now major media outlets are calling Chicago ground zero in a battle between the progressive and corporate wings of the Democratic Party.

If we can defeat Mayor Rahm Emanuel on April 7, it will send a message loud and clear to politicians everywhere that if you put corporations before people, you'll lose—it doesn't matter if you're running for mayor, Congress or for president. 

Can you join Chuy García on the call Monday night at 8 p.m. ET (7 CT/6 MT/5 PT)?

Click here to RSVP. 

Or click here to chip in $3 to Chuy García's grassroots campaign.

On the call Chuy García and I will be joined by leaders of national and local progressive groups supporting his campaign, including the Chicago Teachers Union, United Working Families, and Democracy for America. We'll discuss why this race is so important and how people across the nation can get involved ahead of the April 7 election. 

You can submit questions for Chuy García by tweeting them using #askchuy or when you RSVP. 

Thanks for all you do. 

–Ilya, Robert, Joan, Matt, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Rahm Emanuel besieged by the left," Politico, February 25, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303318&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=6

2. "Garcia vs. Emanuel could be proxy for fight within national party," Chicago Tribune, February 27, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303319&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=7

3. "Progressives Celebrate Rahm Emanuel's Surprise Setback in Chicago," Bloomberg, February 25, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303320&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=8

4. "Rahm Emanuel's moment of reckoning: How he ended up in a fight for his political life," Salon, March 1, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303321&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=9

5. "New poll: Emanuel, Garcia in 'dead heat' in mayoral runoff," Chicago Sun-Times, March 1, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303322&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=10

6. "How Will Rahm's Role in NAFTA Play in the Mayor's Race?" Chicago, October 15, 2010 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=302289&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=11

7. "Chief of Staff Draws Fire From Left as Obama Falters," The Wall Street Journal, January 26, 2010 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=302291&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=12

8. "Rahm Emanuel vs. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia on the issues," MoveOn.org, February 21, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303323&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=13

9. "Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia's journey from a village in Mexico to the race against Mayor Emanuel," Chicago Reader, January 21, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303324&id=109450-10220574-LtIArax&t=14

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on March 7, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Should MoveOn support this petition?

Dear New York member,

A MoveOn member named Alyssa M. Rodriguez recently created a petition on our public petition website entitled "Keep Families Together. Stop Max's Deportation"—and we'd like to know what you think of it.

The petition is addressed to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama, and reads:

Don't deport beloved pastor and community member Max Villatoro. Keep him with his family.

Sign Alyssa's petition.

Here's what Alyssa wrote about it:

Max was detained Tuesday 3/3/2015 by ICE without being given a chance to say goodbye to his wife and four U.S. Citizen kids. He is not a priority for removal, might be eligible for DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans), and at the very least should be granted enough time to stay to apply once it is available. We need your support to please help keep him here with his family. Keep reading for other ways to act...

- - -
Actions:

1. Call the ICE Field Office at 888-351-4024 (choose option2):

Urge them to grant Max Villatoro (A# 094-338-085) a stay of removal.
Explain why keeping families together and keeping a pastor in his community is important to you.
Point out that Max Villatoro might be eligible for DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans) and that, under current ICE guidelines, he should not be priority for deportation.
NOTE: You may be told your are calling the wrong number, that you are wrong about the facts, o r that you should call a different number. Leave your message as best you can and, if you have time, call any other numbers you are advised to call. These calls do make a difference!
2. Send email to: stpaul.outreach@ice.dhs.gov

Can you click to let us know what you think?

I want to sign this petition.

I don't think MoveOn should support this petition.

We'll decide whether to send this petition out to additional MoveOn members in your area based on your feedback.

In case you haven't heard about it, MoveOn's petition site allows anyone to start an online petition and share it with friends and neighbors to build support for their cause.

Thanks for all you do. 

–Milan, Maria, Manny, Bobby, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.

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Netanyahu, again

Can you help us ensure that President Obama's approach to Iran, not John Boehner's or Benjamin Netanyahu's, has a chance?

Dear MoveOn member,

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner. It was a breech of American protocol and an insult to President Obama. But more importantly, it was an attack on America's diplomatic efforts to limit Iran's nuclear program.

Netanyahu's influence didn't end with the speech. Immediately after the address, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell attempted to rush legislation that could derail the negotiations.¹ And major newspapers across the nation had Netanyahu on their front pages this week, amplifying his assault on the diplomatic talks.²

All told, Netanyahu's presence has supercharged the war hawks' efforts to thwart diplomacy—which is why we need to supercharge our own efforts to create the space for negotiations to work.

So we're hitting the phones, planning visits to key Senate offices, and designing hard-hitting ads calling out Democratic senators by name—if we can raise the funds to do it.

Can you chip in $3 to ensure that President Obama's approach to Iran—not John Boehner's or Benjamin Netanyahu's—has a chance?

Yes, I'll chip in.

Together with allies, MoveOn members' efforts so far have helped preserve the diplomatic process. Key Democrats have halted McConnell's anti-diplomacy blitz.³ But this success amounts to only a temporary reprieve. 

Now, we have three weeks before a potential vote could derail the nuclear talks once and for all—three weeks to solidify enough Democrats behind the president that we can give diplomacy a chance.

Diplomacy is a delicate balancing act. We can't know if these talks will succeed—but we do know that we can't afford the alternative: another Mideast war. We need to give the talks the time and space to succeed.

When Netanyahu spoke to our Congress, at the invitation of Speaker John Boehner and without reaching out to the White House, he attempted to slam the door on diplomacy. Members of Congress have heard from him—now, let's make sure they hear from us.

We have three weeks to make the case for diplomacy louder and clearer than the case for endless war. 

Can you chip in $3 to support a diplomatic process and defeat the fearmongering of John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, and Benjamin Netanyahu?

Yes, I'll chip in.

Thanks for all you do.

–Jo, Brian, Jadzia, Anna and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Democrats upset McConnell wants to fast-track Iran bill," CNN, March 4, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303300&id=109403-10220574-MQO_P1x&t=1

2. "New York Post 'BIBI GOES NUCLEAR: Netanyahu's Historic Speech to Congress, Bam Gets Schooled' Wednesday, March 4, 2015," Pundit From Another Planet, March 4, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303301&id=109403-10220574-MQO_P1x&t=2

3. "Democrats Rebel Against Mitch McConnell Over Iran Nuclear Bill," The Huffington Post, March 4, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303302&id=109403-10220574-MQO_P1x&t=3

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.

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This email was sent to eddie alfaro on March 6, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

97% agree with Senator Warren

Warren's message cuts across the aisle in key states. A new YouGov poll shows 97% of voters in key battleground states agree that bankers should be jailed for crimes committed on Wall Street.

Dear MoveOn member,

A new YouGov poll released today shows widespread support—across parties—for Senator Elizabeth Warren in key battleground states on the economic issues that'll define the 2016 presidential election.¹

94% of voters—Democrat, Republican, and Independent—agreed with Warren's argument that our political system is rigged in favor of the rich and powerful. More than 80% agree with her calls to lower interest on student loan rates and expand Social Security benefits. And voters were impressed by her track record—70% reported that her work to hold Wall Street accountable and create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers convincing reasons to support her as a candidate in 2016.

This poll is more proof that Warren's economic populism is a winner across the political spectrum, and that's why we've got to get the word out about it.

Let's end this week with the pundits and the politicos all talking about Elizabeth Warren's great chances in a general election.

Will you share this graphic on Facebook, with a tweet, or by email today?

There's a good reason why leading Democrats and now even Republicans are sounding more and more like the senior senator from Massachusetts. Let's spread the word.

Thanks for all you do.

–Mark, Stephen, Ben O., Maria, and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "YouGov Poll: Warren's Message and Biography A Big Winner Among 2016 Battleground State Voters," MoveOn.org, March 5, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=303315&id=109376-10220574-BI8a8Yx&t=8

We're part of a growing grassroots movement to convince Senator Warren to run for president. Help build the momentum—start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on March 5, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Start a petition?

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, we asked you in a survey what local issues you're paying close attention to, and you answered: "Bhsots psxmzieojzft, [url=http://mgzcohmvazec.com/]mgzcohmvazec[/url], [link=http://ukneedirkjam.com/]ukneedirkjam[/link], http://iaysjlxyhzxm.com/"

MoveOn can't take up every important local issue—but did you know that you can start up your own online petition on MoveOn's petition website?

Starting a petition is incredibly easy—in just a couple short clicks, you can immediately start sharing your petition with friends to collect signatures.

Click here to start your own petition right now.

Thanks for all you do.

–Milan, Alejandro, Joan, Bobby, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.

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This email was sent to eddie alfaro on March 4, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Netanyahu's speech

Democrats in the Senate hold the cards when it comes to stopping war.

Dear MoveOn member,

If we're going to avoid another U.S. war in the Middle East, this is a moment of truth.

Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner.¹ As expected, Netanyahu denounced the Obama administration's nuclear negotiations with Iran—providing fodder for war hawks who've already been organizing in the Senate.²

Now, Democrats in the Senate hold the cards. If they sign onto anti-diplomacy bills that have been introduced in the last few weeks, we'll be on a slippery slope to war with Iran. On the other hand, if grassroots pressure helps keep Democrats from folding to the hawks, the Obama administration can continue to pursue peace.

It's up to us to make our voices heard. So we're launching an emergency drive to ramp up the pressure on Senate Democrats—to make sure they don't cave in to the intense pressure being applied by war hawks in the wake of Netanyahu's speech. Will you chip in $3 to help prevent another open-ended U.S. war in the Middle East? 

Yes, I'll chip in to help prevent another catastrophic war in the Middle East.

MoveOn members have been a tireless and effective frontline defense in the fight to keep us out of another endless war.

For months, our calls, petitions, op-eds, vigils, and congressional visits have targeted Democrats in Congress—reminding them that if we broker a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear program, the United States would achieve an enormous win—by using tough and principled diplomacy instead of rushing to war.

But the stakes just got higher. What happens next could make or break critical diplomatic negotiations with Iran. To keep off the path to war, we've got to act fast. Will you chip in $3 to help keep us out of another war in the Middle East? 

Yes, I'll chip in.

There are now two dangerous pieces of legislation gaining ground in the Senate: one proposed by Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the other introduced by Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Both efforts are backed by some of the same right-wing Republicans who propelled us into the war with Iraq. Both have some Democratic co-sponsors. And both could kill our chances for peaceful diplomacy with Iran in an instant—by driving Iran away from the negotiating table.

Our task is to ensure that Democrats in Congress resist the war hawks. If they hold the line, we'll be able to preserve diplomacy with Iran—and prove that it's a viable alternative to endless military aggression in the Middle East.

Can you chip in $3 so that MoveOn can counter these escalating attacks on diplomacy?

Yes, I'll help MoveOn make sure war hawks in Congress can't push us towards another endless war in the Middle East.

With your help, MoveOn will hold Democrats accountable, hold the line, and—if we're successful—we'll give the Obama administration the space it needs to let diplomacy work.

If talks with Iran fail because of unwarranted congressional meddling, Democrats who side with Republican war hawks will be at fault. And we'll make sure that progressive voters will hold them accountable in the weeks, months, and years to come.

But if we stand strong now and give diplomacy a chance to work, we can win this. MoveOn members have stopped war hawks from dictating policy throughout Obama's presidency—including this past December, when Republicans tried to torpedo negotiations with Iran. With your help, we can do it again.

Will you chip in $3 and help us stop the march to war?

Yes, I'll chip in.

Thanks for all you do.

–Anna, Jadzia, Jo, Manny, and the rest of the team

P.S. Please check out "Democrats: Don't Side With Republicans on Iran," an op-ed by me and Becky Bond of CREDO Action, published in Roll Call.

Source:

1. "Netanyahu, in Speech to Congress, Criticizes 'Bad Deal' on Iran Nuclear Program," The New York Times, March 3, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303277&id=109287-10220574-0Cxi0Yx&t=2

2. "Democrats upset with GOP effort to fast-track Iran bill," The Washington Post, March 3, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303283&id=109287-10220574-0Cxi0Yx&t=3

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.

---

This email was sent to eddie alfaro on March 3, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Join a training: Storytelling for action

Want to learn how to tell your member of Congress your personal story of why you stand with Senator Elizabeth Warren to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal? Please RSVP for the training call this Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/8 CT/7 MT/6 PT.  RSVP for the training

Dear MoveOn member,

The past few months have been filled with inspiring actions and great organizing opportunities—and now it's time to up our game. 

From the Run Warren Run campaign helping to make Elizabeth Warren and income inequality already a centerpiece of the coming 2016 presidential race to our role in a huge win for Net Neutrality, MoveOn members have been making an impact.  

One of the big fights that's coming up is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)—a secretive corporate giveaway masked as a trade deal. Last week, under the leadership of Senator Elizabeth Warren, several senators stood up on the Senate floor and called TPP bad for democracy and bad for working families.¹

In the coming weeks, we'll be organizing events at congressional offices across the country to let our representatives know that the TPP is a bad deal for America. With corporations throughout the world lining up to support this deal, we need to make sure we're prepared to fight back. 

That's why we're launching our new "Grassroots Power" training series. Our first training is this Thursday, March 5, at 9 p.m. ET/8 CT/7 MT/6 PT, and we'll focus on how to motivate people and build support for our issues through the power of story. Will you join this unique training opportunity? 

Yes, I'll take part in this unique training.

Here's what we'll cover during the training: 

• Components of a strong personal story 
• Coaching on developing your own story 
• How to share your story and experiences with elected leaders 

Storytelling is a great tool in progressive organizing. People like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez used personal stories. Politicians are like everyone else, and a personal story from a constituent can make a real difference in their decision-making.

Would you like to join the training call and learn how to tell a short and effective story? 

Yes, I would like to join the training call.

Sorry I can't make it, but I'm interested in helping organize an event in my community to stop the TPP. 

TPP is about more than just a deal that will cost jobs and make American taxpayers liable for contracts made by large corporations. By allowing corporations to sue governments in secretive tribunals whenever labor, environmental, or other regulations might threaten corporate profits, the TPP threatens core values of fairness and transparency in our democracy. Right now the Obama administration is joining with Republicans in Congress to try and fast-track the TPP and move it straight to the president without Congress voting on it. We have to stand up now and tell our members of Congress we want transparency and a chance for the people to have a say.

Members of Congress have seen lots of charts and reports, but they haven't yet heard our personal stories on the TPP or other key issues. Can you join the training call this Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/8 CT/7 MT/6 PT so when the time comes, you can tell your member of Congress your personal story? 

Yes, I can make the call.

Sorry I can't make it, but I'm interested in helping organize an event in my community to stop the TPP.

Thanks for all you do.

–Alejandro, Corinne, Ben W., Mark, and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "The Senate Blockbuster Showdown on Trade the Media Missed," The Huffington Post, March 2, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303274&id=109278-10220574-ZGFG%3D8x&t=7

We're part of a growing grassroots movement to convince Senator Warren to run for president. Help build the momentum—start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on March 3, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.