With less than five months to go until the November 2006 mid-term elections, several thousand progressives gathered in Washington, DC for the Campaign for America's Future's "Take Back America" conference.  The conference occurred on the heels of another big progressive gathering, the YearlyKos Convention, held June 8-11, 2006 in Las Vegas.  In contrast to the bloggers who animated YearlyKos, "Take Back America" brought together various groups and constituences from within the progressive movement.  Among the many speakers were the Democratic leaders in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate and four potential 2008 Democratic candidates, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA) and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI).  Additionally Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), seen as a rising star and possible future presidential candidate, closed the conference with a speech that moved many in the audience.  (Former Sen. Mike Gravel, an announced but longshot 2008 candidate, attended the conference but was unable to wrangle a speaking slot).  Pollster Stanley Greenberg spoke of "a conservative collapse" and said America has reached a tipping point.  Campaign for America's Future Co-Directors Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey.

EXHIBIT HALL
Backbone Campaign's Chain Gang
Draft Gore
Heartland PAC
Progressive Democrats of America
Progressive Patriots Fund
Velvet Revolution

'ROUND AND ABOUT
Scenes from Radio Row
Former Sen. Mike Gravel
2,500
Flyer
Ned Lamont Reception

Links
Campaign for America's Future Take Back America 2006

Take Back America 2005
Take Back America 2003
Reclaiming America 2002

Copyright © 2006  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action