User:Rileybathauer/sandbox

Live Edits are Italicized and bolden:

Our Revolution

Edits Made are Italicized and bolden:

Launch and focus

The organization officially launched on August 24, 2016, designated as a 501(c)(4), with a presentation that was live-streamed online via YouTube to meetings across the country and shown by Free Speech TV. In the past, Howard Dean and Jesse Jackson, former Democratic Presidential Candidates who lost during the primaries, have launched short-lived progressive organizations after running for president.

Our Revolution's three main goals are:

1. to revitalize American democracy by engaging millions of individuals in the political processes;
2. to empower the next generation of progressive leaders;
3. to elevate political consciousness by educating the public about issues confronting the United States.

More specifically, the organization aims to create, support, promote and elect progressive candidates from school board to US Senate; support and help pass progressive ballot measures; create, train and mobilize activists; and protest things such as oil pipelines and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The progressive issues Our Revolution promotes are almost identical to those of Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign: reducing income and wealth inequality, working for single-payer healthcare, reducing the price of prescription drugs, instituting a $15 minimum wage, expanding Social Security, creating jobs, and making public colleges and universities tuition-free. The organization will support minority rights, specifically African American, Latino and Native American rights, including government respect of treaties with Native Americans. Support for Our Revolution comes from People for Bernie, National Nurses United, and the Communications Workers of America, amongst others.

2016 Election

During the 2016 Election, the organization supported several ballot measures and candidates who demonstrated have a higher chance of winning elections with $1.3 million raised. Of the 106 candidates and 34 ballot initiatives supported by Our Revolution, 58 candidates and 8 ballot initiatives won the ballot in 2016. Despite numerous success down-ballot, Our Revolution, along with with Senator Sanders, opposed the election of Donald J. Trump as the president elect. After Trump's election, they issued the following statement:

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that the president-elect cannot ignore the battles Americans are facing every single day, the statement says. “Our job is to offer a real alternative vision and engage on the local and national level to continue the work of the political revolution in the face of a divided nation.”

Chairman Larry Cohen cited populist sentiment and cautioned that moving forward political and economic elitists may face backlash in upcoming elections.

Staffing

The organization's staff include chairman Larry Cohen and president Jeff Weaver. Erika Andiola, the Sanders campaign's Latino press secretary, has joined the organization's communications staff. Our Revolution's 501(c)(4) designation excludes Sanders from playing a role in the organization because he is an elected official.

On August 29, 2016 the board of Our Revolution was announced as:

• Larry Cohen (Chairman) – Labor
• Nina Turner – Former Ohio State Senator
• Deborah Parker – Native American Leader
• Ben Jealous – Civil Rights Leader
• Jim Hightower – Political Leader, National Radio Commentator & Writer
• Jim Zogby – Arab American Human Rights Leader
• Huck Gutman – Former Chief of Staff for Senator Bernie Sanders
• Jane Kleeb – Environmental Activist
• Lucy Flores – Former Nevada Assemblywoman
• Catalina Velasquez – Immigration, Reproductive Justice and Trans Queer Liberation Activist
• Shailene Woodley – Actress and Environmental Activist

At the start, the organization faced a significant staffing challenge as eight of its initial 15 staffers left before the launch when Weaver was chosen as president. They objected to the way he had handled Sanders' presidential campaign and to his decision to make Our Revolution a 501(c)(4). Another factor causing several members to leave was a lack of diversity heading the Our Revolution organization. The remaining staff were subsequently joined by an additional three staffers, bringing the total to ten.

Added Citations:

1. CONNIFF, RUTH. "Feeling The After-Bern." Progressive 80.9 (2016): 5. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
2. No rest for Sanders supporters on TPP http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-trade/2016/11/no-rest-for-sanders-supporters-on-tpp-217236
3. "What's Next for the Revolution?." In These Times. (September 2016 ): 554 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2016/10/21.
4. "WHOSE REVOLUTION?." In These Times. (October 2016 ): 1427 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2016/10/21.
5. https://www.thenation.com/article/bernie-sanderss-our-revolution-faces-its-first-big-test/
6. http://ivn.us/2016/11/10/despite-losses-sanders-backed-group-revolution-scores-major-victories/
7. https://ourrevolution.com/election-2016/
8. https://www.buzzfeed.com/coralewis/heres-how-labor-activists-are-reacting-to-a-trump-presidency
9. Linda Feldmann Staff, writer. "Bernie's revolution revs up for 2016 election and beyond – without him." Christian Science Monitor 26 Aug. 2016: N.PAG. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
10. https://ourrevolution.com/press/statement-our-revolution-board-directors/
11. Pritt, Pamela. "Sanders announces 'Our Revolution' with national event." Register-Herald (Beckley, WV) 25 Aug. 2016: Newspaper Source. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.

Edits to make:

Precedent: Howard Dean and Jesse Jackson, former Democratic Presidential Candidates who lost during the primaries, previously have launched progressive organizations after running for president. These attempts have not gained momentum. (1).

Wants to push issues from school boards to US senate

Our Revolution receives backing from People for Bernie, National Nurses United and the Communications Workers of America, amongst others.

During the 2016 Election, the organization supports several ballot measures and candidates who show have a higher chance of winning elections.

Use citation 2 to source the staffers leaving.

After staff leaving part 501c4. Another factor causing several members to leave was a lack of diversity heading the Our Revolution organization.

Edits I made in bold italic:

Brand New Congress is an American political action committee formed by former staffers and supporters of the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign to elect hundreds of new Congressional representatives in line with the campaign's political platform.

Background

Brand New Congress is a volunteer-led American political organization that intends to completely replace the current delegation of over 400 United States Congresspeople with non-politicians of the organization's choosing by the 2018 midterm elections, regardless of party affiliation. The organization plans to make staffing and fundraising decisions for all of its candidates at once. About 20 volunteers from Senator Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign formed the group in April 2016 as Sanders conceded the primary to Hillary Clinton. They planned the organization to support Sanders's platform and carry its supporters' momentum into policymaking. Brand New Congress plans to announce 50 candidates by March 2017 and over 400 by July 2017. Of the 535 total seats in the United States Congress (House and Senate), 468 will be up for reelection in 2018. The group intends to run both Democratic and Tea Party Republican candidates, depending on regional demographics, as well as independents when an incumbent wins the primary. Brand New Congress requires candidates to align on Bernie Sander’s presidential platform, regardless of party affiliation. While there are large differences in Republican and Democratic policy beliefs, the Brand New Congress hopes that people will unify under the goal of reforming Congress.

The grassroots are better qualified to run electoral campaigns than Democratic party operatives ... They just need to be given the tools, the data, the offices and the structure to succeed.

Zack Exley, former Sanders advisor and a founding member of Brand New Congress

The group attended the July 2016 Democratic National Convention to canvass for support in protestor sites and throughout the city. As of that time, the group had raised $85,000, about 90 percent of which were small donations. Its email list contained 20,000 addresses. Brand New Congress was beginning a tour of 100 cities in mid-2016. Founding members of the group were encouraged by the successful role of grassroots fundraising in the Sanders campaign, which surpassed the Clinton campaign several times in monthly income. As of October 2016, the group is accepting nominations for future candidates and is openly developing its economic platform.

After the 2016 election, the group has been focused on raising awareness of campaign finance issues and partisan politics. As of November 19th, the group has a modest 5401 followers on Twitter and 52035 followers on Facebook.

Added referenced:

• 1 "Still Feeling the Bern." CQ Magazine (July 25, 2016). http://library.cqpress.com/cqweekly/weeklyreport114-000004934438.
  • 2 GUTTENPLAN, D. D. "The Future Of Bernie Sanders's Grassroots Army." Nation 302.25/26 (2016): 12. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
  • 3 GUTTENPLAN, D. D. "Clean Sweep." Nation 303.9/10 (2016): 22-24. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
  • 4 SCHMIDT, PETER. "What's Next For College Students Who Backed Bernie Sanders." Chronicle Of Higher Education 62.41 (2016): A13. Education Source. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
  • 5 SMITH, DALLAS, et al. "Letters." Nation 303.15 (2016): 2-34. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
  • 9 "A Brand New Congress?". www.thenorthstar.info. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  • 6 https://brandnewcongress.org/plan
  • 7 https://www.facebook.com/brandnewcongress/
  • 8 https://twitter.com/BrandNew535?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Larry Cohen (union leader)

Edits made in bold italic : On the international scene, Cohen has worked to strengthen the effectiveness and solidarity of the international labor movement. He has expanded alliances with CWA’s counterpart unions in Latin America, Europe and Asia, and was elected president of the 2.5 million-worker Union Network International Telecom Sector in 2001, serving until 2007. As president, he built alliances and support for telecom workers around the world, including in Mexico, Taiwan, South Africa, Germany and other countries.

He is a founder of American Rights at Work, and a member of the Democratic National Committee. In 2015, Cohen joined presidential candidate Bernie Sander’s campaign as a liaison to organized labor, and worked to gain Union support for the Sander’s Campaign. Sanders had run a progressive grassroots campaign, with his average contribution amounting to $27. Ultimately Sander’s opponent Hillary Clinton received more support from union leaders, although Bernie’s message resonated with union members. Clinton narrowed the divide on policy between her and Sanders, making it more difficult to Unions to side with Sanders as Clinton was the favorite to win. Cohen considered himself a was a champion of the Progressive Platform, and has joined Our Revolution, a political organization formed by Bernie Sanders, since Sander’s loss of the 2016 primary race.

Our Revolution

In 2016, Cohen joined Our Revolution, a political organization formed by Bernie Sanders. Cohen is the chairman of Our Revolution. He believes that progressives can leverage the success of the Sanders campaign to reach out to voters.

1. Linda Feldmann Staff, writer. "Bernie's revolution revs up for 2016 election and beyond – without him." Christian Science Monitor 26 Aug. 2016: N.PAG. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
2. GUTTENPLAN, D. D. "The Future Of Bernie Sanders's Grassroots Army." Nation 302.25/26 (2016): 12. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
3. Eidelson, Josh. "Labor For Bernie Means Headaches For Hillary." Bloomberg Businessweek 4451 (2015): 29-30. Business Source Complete. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
4. MEYERSON, HAROLD. "The Long March Of Bernie's Army." American Prospect 27.2 (2016): 20. Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson). Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
5. Meckler, Laura, and Melanie Trottman. "Bernie Sanders Faces a Fight for Union Support in Race with Hillary Clinton; A Top Adviser Faces an Uphill Climb in Winning Labor Backing for the Vermont Senator." Wall Street Journal (Online), New York, N.Y., 2015.http://search.proquest.com/docview/1733692529?accountid=14496.
6. Lewis, Cora. "Here's How Labor Activists Are Reacting To A Drumpf Presidency." BuzzFeed. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2016.

Additional Citations added

Benjamin Jealous

He went on to support Hillary Clinton after her nomination from the Democratic Party.

https://www.democracynow.org/2016/7/26/jill_stein_or_hillary_clinton_green

Jim Hightower

Hightower had endorsed Bernie Sanders for President in 2016, actively campaigning for the Democratic candidate.^[9] Despite the Democratic party losing each house of power in the United States, Hightower talked of his optimism toward a greater progressive revolution after meeting with Sanders. ^[10] In face, Hightower cites the large number of progressive initiatives passed to counter the idea that Donald Trump and far right rhetoric is surpassing progressive ideals. ^[11]

"Hightower's statement after meeting with Bernie Sanders and the surrogates • Jim Hightower". Jim Hightower. 2016-06-12. Retrieved 2016-11-20.

"Jim Hightower Delivers Incredible Intro For Bernie Sanders". www.realclearpolitics.com. Retrieved 2016-11-20.

"Takeaways from the 2016 election • Hightower Lowdown". Hightower Lowdown. Retrieved 2016-11-20.