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The 29th National Convention of the Communist Party USA was held from 21 to 23 May 2010 in New York City. It was the first convention held since the start of the financial crisis and Great Recession, and the victory of pro-Labor candidate Barack Obama in the 2008 election. At the convention were delegates from the party clubs across the country, as well as leaders of organized labor, progressive public organizations, and the Young Communist League. Sam Webb was elected national chairman, Jarvis Tyner as vice-chairman, and Roberta Wood as secretary-treasurer.

Pre-convention

The National Committee announced the convention on 26 January 2010, with a "Call for United Action" declaring that the 2008 economic crisis was a reaffirmation of the impending doom of capitalism and that the a new movement must be built to create jobs, end foreclosures, hunger, poverty, racism, and war. The declaration called for "a massive public works and public service jobs program to create millions of green jobs and rebuild America," while also noting that, after the 2008 election of Barack Obama as president and the downfall of the Republicans, "our nation's political landscape is changing" and that "the possibilities for transformative, progressive changes are enormous."

From 21 January to 21 May, the Party opened its official pre-convention discussion. The National Committee put forward four main documents for discussion, on the changing political climate in the US, party building tactics, strategic policy, and international issues. Pre-convention discussion focused heavily on the 2008 election and the potential for a movement for "change" to turn into a movement for socialist transformation after the financial crisis. There were criticisms of Party leadership for being too optimistic about the Obama administration as well as for being too apologetic on questions of 20th century socialism in Europe. Other topics included healthcare reform, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and solidarity work with Cuba.

Convention

Opening

The opening keynote address, called "A way out of the deepening crisis", was given by Chairman Sam Webb which began with praises for the progressive differences of the Obama administration from the Bush administration, which were followed by criticisms of the administration's shortcomings and a warning that the interests behind the Bush administration would be regrouping and could attempt to reclaim power by the 2010 mid-term elections. According to Webb, the 2008 election had a strong impact on expanding the Party and its influence, as well as on bringing together many progressive organizations into a coalition with a common aim. Webb said that the economic crisis could not be resolved without solutions that address the contradictions of capitalist social relations themselves, and that the time had come for a "New Deal" to create jobs and grow the economy. On outlining a vision for socialism, Webb said:

"Our socialist vision should have a contemporary and dynamic feel; it should be rooted in today's conditions and experience. It should be brought in line with current realities, trends, and sensibilities. It should reflect our values, traditions, and culture. It should be multi-racial, multi-national, and multi-lingual. It should welcome immigrants. ... If it has an 'old' or 'foreign' feel, people will reject it."

Special Convention reports

Special reports were given by Party leadership on important issues facing workers in America and how the Party might work to address them.

Report on 2010 elections

The first report was given by Joelle Fishman, chairwoman of the Connecticut Communist Party, on the upcoming 2010 mid-term elections. Fishman stated that "this election will either solidify the progressive breakthrough of 2008, or send the country reeling backward," referring to a potential Republican resurgence in Congress. According to Fishman, a defeat for the right-wing in the elections would signify the nearing of a decisive defeat for corporate interests and a victory for organized labor and the expansion of democratic rights.

Fishman addressed the recent rise of the "Tea Party", which she identified as a fraudulent movement of racists and extremists organized primarily through the Fox News Channel and the regrouping corporate interests of the Bush administration. Because of the continuing economic crisis, Fishman said that workers were angry and searching for solutions, and that anger can be turned into collective action for a pro-worker agenda or it can become manipulated by right-wing populism. After the Party's organizing successes in the campaign for pro-Labor candidate Barack Obama, she said that the Party must take a higher profile role in defeating the Tea Party's agenda and promoting the ideas of socialism.

Report on fight against racism

The next report was given by Party Vice Chairman Jarvis Tyner on the roles race and racism continue to play in American politics. Foremost, Tyner praised the outcome of the 2008 election in which the first African-American was elected President, and said that this signifies a major break from the past in American politics and allows potential for new, more radical breaks from precedent. He addressed criticism that the Party's role in organizing was 'reformist' by pointing out that because of the Party's work and the successes of the election, the American people had come together to stop the Bush agenda, thus ending federal hostility to organized labor and building momentum towards a more radical social transformation.

The election did not end structural racism, according to Tyner, which "operates in the economic base of capitalism; at the point of production, super exploitation, racist pay rates, job classifications, benefits, who's the last hired and first fired. It also operates in the super structure; courts, legislative bodies, schools, public services, etc." He cited racism as the primary cause of the development of the Tea Party, on which he said "Comrades, if you don't smell the stench of fascism with these people, you may need some aromatherapy." Tyner noted that by the year 2050, the population of the United States will be 54% composed of what are today considered 'minorities' and that, if systemic racial oppression is not done away with, the 'majority' will be subjected to racial oppression.

See Also

• 30th National Convention of the Communist Party USA