We're talking to tens of thousands of citizens this summer about President Obama's broad progressive agenda, using our face-to-face ground game to counteract the right-wing lies and millions in special interest dollars flooding the airwaves.
We needed a good slogan for our campaign. So, we asked you to submit suggestions and then vote for the winning slogan. Our members stepped up with lots of great suggestions, and after voting closed last week, we have a winner.
Progressive Future's summer campaign slogan is:
WARNING: Taking policy advice from Rush Limbaugh could be harmful to our health. Quality, Affordable Health Care for All
Why Rush?
This slogan contest started an interesting conversation with our members. Some folks wrote or called wondering why we'd focus on Rush Limbaugh. Why give Rush any more attention than he already gets? Why "legitimize" his ranting?
Two main reasons. First, Rush and his cronies have had real success framing the debate on right-wing terms in the past -- and we can't let them get away with that again. If people keep hearing President Obama's health care plan falsely compared to "socialized medicine," we'll be on the defensive from the start. We need to counter this by exposing Rush's lies and building up our own voice.
Next, we think the greatest danger we face as progressives right now is our own complacency. Sure, we've elected Barack Obama -- and many of us worked very hard to do so in the fall. Sure, he's working to move forward with the agenda for change he promised. And, yes we have solid Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.
But, we can't sit back now and hope.
Washington is allergic to major change, and there are plenty of powerful interests lined up to protect the status quo. Between the health care industry spending $1 million on misleading ads,[1] Fox News motivating the conservative base to flood Congress with calls, and only three of 219 Republicans voting for Obama's recovery package, these people have the power to stop (or greatly water down) the president's agenda -- if we sit back and let them.
The upcoming vote to reform health care, for example, will come down to the wire. Just a few wavering politicians responding to calls from conservative constituents can easily sink critical parts of Obama's plan -- such as a public health insurance option.[2]
Rush Limbaugh is a symbol of all of that. With 14 million daily listeners, he has the loudest megaphone. He says something outrageous nearly every single day. And, his listeners won't hesitate to call Congress to repeat his right-wing views.
As the most recognizable figure on the right, we think we can use Rush to motivate more progressives to get off the sidelines and into the fight. Rush will have his say. We'll need to raise our voices too -- to make sure our leaders know that Americans want the bold change we voted for. And that's what our summer campaign is all about.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this discussion -- whether you suggested a slogan, voted for the winner, or even called the office. We value and appreciate our members' feedback and we encourage you to stay in touch.
[1] http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/03/27/cpr-wall-street/
[2] Senator Arlen Specter recently announced that he will not support a public plan option-despite his recent switch to the Democratic Party.
