[Marxism] A Beginning Look At The 2008 Elections Author: Joelle Fishman, Chair, Political Action Committee, CPUSA

[Bonnie Weinstein]

In this articles comrades might see a recurrent theme that is reflected in
today's collapse of the U.S. antiwar movement.

This is what you get when you don't organize independently of the capitalist
class.

You get more capitalism. And worse, you offer no independent, working-class
alternative. That is the most serious crime committed by this reformist
policy--no matter who adheres to it.

Comradely,


Bonnie Weinstein

P.S., I looked this stuff up to see for myself. I got what I expected.

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A Beginning Look At The 2008 Elections
Author: Joelle Fishman, Chair, Political Action Committee, CPUSA
First published: 09/25/2007 11:31
Report to National Board, Communist Party USA September 5, 2007
http://cpusa.org/article/articleprint/843/

This report is fragments of an outline, broad stroke ideas to discuss and
enlarge upon. It lays the groundwork for deeper analysis and conclusions. It
is an initial report in preparation for the November National Committee
meeting.

Everything we do and every new development relates to the 2008 elections.
There is an opportunity in this election to begin a fundamental change in
the direction of the country, which starts with taking the 2006 election
results further and ousting ultra-right Republican big business domination
of the federal government. It is a tough but realizable challenge for labor
and the people¹s movements.

It¹s amazing that on Labor Day 2007, when municipal races are just heating
up, the country is already well into the 2008 election cycle. Every state is
vying to be first to have a presidential primary. There may end up being
presidential primaries before Christmas! By mid February the majority of
primaries will be completed, and the selection is just about over. The
Democratic nominating convention will not be held until August 25-28 August
2008 in Denver, Colorado.

The Republican convention will be held September 1 to 4 in Minneapolis-St.
Paul, Minnesota

Labor Day 2007 set the tone for the upcoming election period.

Labor Day was marked with rallies preparing to fight back on the big three
auto negotiations and other key contract expirations and organizing drives
around the country. The AFL-CIO launched a massive national campaign for
universal health care aimed at mobilizing for the 2008 elections. as
millions of workers are wondering how long their job will last and how they
will meet their healthcare and mortgage and utility and college tuition
payments.

Labor Day was also marked by a re-invigoration of the movement to bring the
troops home from Iraq as Congress reconvenes. Vigils, national and local
actions are all building up to ten regional actions on Oct 27 as support for
ending the war continues to grow. Majority opposition to the war will fuel
the 2008 elections.

Along with Iraq, domestic spying and constitutional rights, children¹s
healthcare, the budget and immigration policy, the leave no child behind act
and requiring a paper trail on electronic voting machines are among the
items on the post-recess Congressional agenda.

Labor Day was marked by the demand by labor and civil rights organizations
for action two years since the Katrina disaster. The Katrina aftermath is an
enormous human catastrophe affecting the entire Gulf Coast region. Still
most families are homeless and the 9th ward in New Orleans is still in a
shambles. The inhumanity and racism of the inaction by the Bush
administration was instrumental in motivating voters to change congress in
2006 and will continue to impact the vote in 2008. The demand for a New Deal
program to rebuild and create jobs should be high in the election agenda.

Labor Day was also marked with stepped up raids and roundups of undocumented
immigrants, and the arrest and deportation of courageous immigrant rights
leader Elvira Arellano, along with an attempt by Bush to turn the Social
Security Administration into an enforcement agency of ICE using no-match
letters. This order has been temporarily stopped by a court action of the
AFL-CIO, ACLU and immigrant organizations, and mass pressure is being
organized.  

The unrelenting attack constitutes an emergency crisis for immigrant
communities, for all of labor, and for the struggle for democratic rights.
The ultra-right is clearly using immigration policy as a wedge issue in this
election cycle which must be answered.

All in all, as we enter the 2008 elections, working people are facing crises
in every area of their lives, and this will shape the presidential and
congressional elections. This was shown by the 17,000 union members at the
nationally televised AFL-CIO presidential debate in Chicago¹s Soldiers Field
and the ringing question by one SOAR member, ³why is this happening in
America and what are you going to do to fix it?²

Who wins the presidency and the size of the majority in Congress is of
crucial importance. These elections offer a chance to deliver a decisive
blow to the ultra-right and to change the course of the country. The
obstructionism of the Republicans has become more clear to the country as
the fight to end the war in Iraq and enact the elements of the 100 hours
program and a progressive agenda continues in Congress. It took a huge
effort in the face of this obstruction, but the minimum wage was finally
raised for the first time in a decade.

The mess that the Republicans find themselves in seems to be never-ending,
with constant scandals, the latest ongoing around Rep Larry Craig. Just
about every cabinet member has had to resign, most recently Karl Rove and
Alberto Gonzalez. Before that was Defense Secty Rumsfeld, UN Ambassador
Bolton, Counsel Harriet Meiers. Delay and Abromov had to step down. The list
goes on and on. Congressional hearings are unearthing one abuse of power
after another which is influencing public opinion.

Bush has become such a liability that fissures among the Republicans keep
expanding, reflecting divisions within the ultra right and among sections of
capital..This is reflected in the weakening position of some Republicans
around the Iraq war.

Every section of the electorate has a negative assessment of Bush and the
Republicans. Polls show 61% disapprove of Bush's job performance with big
negatives for Cheney.

It would be easy to assume the Republicans can¹t win, but that would be a
great mistake. We must not underestimate who we are dealing with. This crowd
will stop at nothing to steal or manipulate the election for their own
benefit. They have money, they are aggressive and they fight dirty.
Unforeseen developments can change the political landscape. This will be a
nasty campaign. The defeat of the Republican ultra-right is not inevitable.

It will take a focused mobilization by labor and the people¹s movements, but
it can be done.

Just a year and a half ago in January 2006 the main estimate of pollsters
and the mass media was that it would not be possible to change control of
congress. The change was bigger than most anyone anticipated. We are now
building on the victory.

Our Party has an important role to play in keeping the focus on the fight
for a new direction in our country for jobs, healthcare and an end to the
war. That is how the 2008 elections will be won.

A presidential election poll by Celinda Lake (7/07) shows the Democrats have
a 12 point lead. Independents give the Democrats an 18 point advantage..
When questioned about specific candidates, it is a closer match. And, asked
if they would vote for a third party 22% said yes and 20% said they might,
indicating a general dissatisfaction with both parties.

There is a general anger and re-thinking taking place. Organizing and
mobilizing on the issues is the key to winning a victory over the
ultra-right in this election and to building a base of labor and people¹s
movement that can lead a change in direction in the country.

The Iraq war will shape the election along with economic issues of which
healthcare is at the top. The AFL-CIO campaign for healthcare doesn¹t
specify a specific bill, but within labor there is momentum building for HR
676.

Danger of Disunity

The biggest danger is disunity. The only way the Republicans can carry this
election is by splitting the labor and people¹s movement and suppressing the
vote.

With this goal in mind, the Republicans are using immigration as the wedge
issue in this campaign.

A poll of battleground Districts by Democracy Corps (June 19) had disturbing
results regarding attitudes toward immigration. Respondents favored border
security and stopping illegal immigration by 22 points over legalization.
(Other polls have had different results) The authors said, ³We tested the
kinds of attacks Republicans will use on the immigration issue - ³English as
official language² to Œamnesty² and ³immigrants getting social security.²
Those demagogic attacks are not ineffective, in battleground districts, more
likely to play a key role in Democratic rural and exurban districts where
opposition towards immigration is stronger and Democrats hold a smaller
advantage.²

There is a tendency among the Democrats to stay away from the issue, or to
pander to border security issues. Winning a stronger alliance with the labor
movement on immigrant rights as a working class issue and a human rights
issue will be key. When raids happen where organizing is going on, such as
the UFCW at Smithfield, labor has responded strongly The Workers Centers are
another positive effort that can be built on.

More is needed to counter the corporate media lie that immigrants are
³taking jobs² from African American and low wage workers, and to deepen
understanding that the root causes of the problem lie in trade and foreign
policy. A deeper understanding of the racist character of the assault is
needed, and that the attack on immigrants is a threat to basic democracy.
Everyone is affected. The immigrant rights legislative subcommittee is
working on a brochure that will address these questions in a Myth and
Reality format.

Another divisive issue that will be used by the corporate ultra-right is
trade and China. The responsibility for loss of jobs should be placed on the
transnational corporations, not China or any other developing country. Scott
Marshall mentions a defensive attitude in labor that must be overcome on
both issues. The key is to link these issues to the main issues labor is
mobilizing around.

Republicans also continue to use issues of terrorism to divide and to blunt
opposition to the Iraq war. The Bush administration continues its policy of
never ending war and occupation, which is affecting the whole economy and
direction of our country.

Frustration with Democrats on the continuing war is a potential source of
disunity and demobilization among left and progressive sectors who are key
to mobilizing for the defeat of Republicans for Congress and President.

Significantly, ending the war in Iraq was one of the issues by which the
executive council of the AFL-CIO evaluated candidates for president at their
recent executive council meeting..Labor¹s engagement, along with anti-war
mobilization and organizing, can help push the Republicans and those
Democrats who are still supporting the Bush policy to break away, and give
added leverage to those Democrats who are working in Congress for an end to
the war and occupation.

The possibility of moving our country in a different and progressive
direction will raise enthusiasm and help set people into motion.

Presidential candidates.

We have probably all seen at least some of the many debates that have
already taken place.

The Democratic field: is more progressive than past campaigns. At the
AFL-CIO debate at Soldiers field each candidate was vying to be the most
pro-union, the best for healthcare. All have come out against the war,
although Clinton and Obama are still talking of leaving some troops behind
which is an inadequate position. The fact that the front runners are a woman
and an African American within a field including a Mexican American, a son
of a mill worker and a national peace leader has had a positive influence on
the national debate.

The AFL-CIO and many national civil rights organizations are focusing on the
issues rather than endorsements during the primaries, but individual unions
have begun endorsements. Hillary Clinton has the endorsement of the United
Transportation Union and IAM ; Chris Dodd has the endorsement of the
Firefighters. Barak Obama does not yet have any union endorsements. John
Edwards has the endorsements of USW, UMW and Carpenters; which reflects his
strong message on economic issues and his frontal attack on corporate
profits and power. For example, in a recent speech, speaking of the giant
transnational corporations, Edwards said ³Your cannot deal with them on
their terms. You cannot play by their rules, sit at their table or give them
a seat at yours. They will not give up their power - you have to take it
from them.²

The media was able to blockout the essentially same message from Dennis
Kucinich because he is not a frontrunner, but they could not entirely
blockout John Edwards. The very enthusiastic response that Kucinich receives
in debates more than likely encouraged Edwards. As Sam pointed out at the
National Committee meeting, Kucinich¹s role in presenting a comprehensive
left program from the presidential debate platform is helping raise the
level of consciousness in the country and gives new openings at the grass
roots..

Kucinich is returning from a trip to the Mid East and will tour the country
with his message to end the war and occupation. The American Israel Public
Affairs Committee (AIPAC), is leading the corporate opposition to Kucinich
by heavily funding a candidate to run against him for Congress. His strong
local support is expected to prevail.

The Republican presidential field is very reactionary. The messages in their
debates are based on hatred and fear. Their main appeal is to the Republican
evangelical conservative base. While the Democratic candidates are rushing
to support the Employee Free choice Act and Universal Health Care, the
Republican field is vying for who can be more anti-immigrant and anti-Roe v.
Wade. Mitt Romney called for solving the immigration situation by putting an
end to employers hiring undocumented immigrants, and putting an end to
sanctuary cities. Republican frontrunner Rudy Guiliani is hiding behind the
issue of national security.

Some unions have made the unprecedented decision to endorse both a Democrat
and a Republican in the presidential primaries. The IAM endorsed Mike
Huckabee along with Clinton, giving the reason that 35% of their members are
Republicans.. This is an unfortunate strategy that blurs the danger of the
extreme right-wing. It reflects a no-struggle approach toward union members
who have voted against their own class interests. We have a role to outreach
and convince those workers still voting Republican that is against their
interests. This can win elections.

A big new feature to the debates and the campaign is the role of the
internet. The yearly KOS Convention (Netroots, non-partisan, grassroots
political action community that uses Internet, blogs, YouTube, etc.) got big
coverage and a lot of involvement for their presidential debate. This is a
welcome expansion of political independence and democratic participation
into the election process.

Congressional campaign

In 2008 it is possible to enlarge the Democratic majority in general, and at
the same time to enlarge the progressive, Black and Hispanic caucuses and
union members in Congress by engaging in some primaries.. The Blue Dog
caucus has 47 members. On Aug 4, 31 Blue Dogs voted for the anti-democratic
Protect America Act (FISA), with provisions for wiretapping and internal
spying that shred basic constitutional rights. The bill passed with a 44
vote margin. The Blue Dog caucus has also voted with Bush on Iraq,
preventing a veto proof majority for setting a deadline to remove the
troops. In some Blue Dog districts, progressive candidates are expected to
garner the support of labor and allies to run a primary. As was learned in
2006, this can be a big positive where there is an understanding that no
matter who wins the primary, in the general election the main need is to
block the possibility of a Republican majority or near-majority.

Senate

The main emphasis in the Senate is to hold onto and enlarge the Democratic
majority. There are 3 open Republican seats which add to potential of larger
Democratic majority. They are: John Warner (R-VA) is retiring (Armed
Services Committee); Wayne Allard (R-CO) is retiring, and Craig Thomas (RWY)
died.

House

The August. 3 Democracy Corps poll of battleground districts projects the
potential for another wave election in the House, with Democrats picking up
as many as 20 seats. Democrats now hold an 18 pont advantage in the
battleground districts (55-37) and are in position to hold most of their
seats. More than half of Republicans are facing possible defeat. Two-thirds
of voters in Republican battleground say the country is headed in the wrong
direction. Six in ten voters have negative feelings to the war, 55% want to
reduce the troops and in Republican districts 60% ³want their member of
Congress to vote for measures that will force the president to change
policies and reduce troop levels in Iraq.² While overall ratings for
Congress are low, approval ratings for individual Democratic members are
good.

The ³Battleground 2008" July poll by Celinda Lake indicates that despite the
Democrats electoral advantage, the political atmosphere is poisonous. The
poll found that voters express extreme disdain for all politicians and hold
both parties in contempt, but that this is especially so for Republicans.
Respondents said that Republicans are ³too focused on the rich², ³support
Bush too much on the war² and ³are tied to corruption² The most frequent
criticism of the Democrats is giving in to Bush on Iraq. Independent voters
follow the nationwide trend. 63% disapprove of Republicans in Congress. 57%
disapprove of Democrats in Congress. The poll also found that 97% believe
Congress puts politics over people - this crosses over every demographic,
regional and attitudinal group This is an indicator of a mood of cynicism
and disgust with politics, and indicates a very important role for our Party
as well as labor and allies to educate, organize and mobilize on the basis
that a progressive agenda can be won with united action.

The poll confirmed that Iraq is the biggest issue, but also found that the
economy and jobs are top concerns. A plurality of voters (38%) think their
children will be worse off then they.are which is a phenomenon that has just
taken hold under Bush¹s tenure. Voters favor Democrats in congress on the
issues (52 - 37 on the war; 59-29 healthcare, 54-29 energy, 56-33 social
security, 55-38 jobs) A majority even prefer Democrats on the issue of
deficits (51-38). Republicans are not favored on any issue tested except
terrorism (49 R to 36 D). Independent voters afford Dems double digit
margins on every issue: health care (+44), social security (+40), energy
independence (+32), wasteful government spending (+12), deficits (+37),
economy (+5), jobs (+26), Iraq (+24), corruption (+18).
Every age group supports Democrats 18-34 (+28) 45-64 (+9) seniors (+5).
Republicans lead only among voters 35-44 (+9). Democrats break even with
married voters (44-44), lead among single voters (+25) and divorced voters
(+18)

Regionally, Democrats lead in the West (+17), Northeast (+14), Central
Plains (+12), Midwest (+11). Republicans lead only in the Mountain states
(+7). South and South Central are tied. Democrats win urban areas (+17),
suburban (+7), and lose rural areas by just 4 points. Among the swing
independent bloc Democrats lead (41-31) with 29% undecided. This shows the
possibility of undoing or at least cracking the Southern Strategy originally
developed by Richard Nixon.

Rural America a battleground. The June 8 poll, ³Rural America Competitive²
by Democracy Corps shows the deep economic crisis facing that part of the
country. Rural America has less economic opportunity and a higher cost of
living. As a result, the issue of changing course economically is
competitive with the issue of family values. The main problems listed are
the cost of fuel (77%), cost of healthcare (66%) and lack of good paying
jobs (52%).

In 2004 Bush carried the rural areas of the country with 19 points. In 2006
Bush lost ground. There was a 51-48 split. In 2008 there are possibilities
for Republicans in rural America. 50% say they are conservatives and place
family values at the top of their agenda. However, there are divisions on
Iraq, reflecting the large number of soldiers from rural areas that have
been killed in the war. Rural America will be a big battleground in 2008
Republicans need rural America to win, but Democrats have a chance to cut
deeply into the Republican base.

In 2006 ballot referenda to raise the minimum wage were effective in
Missouri, Ohio and several other states in shifting the focus from gay
marriage and abortion to economic issues. This election cycle, similar labor
and religious coalitions will focus on referenda in support of health care
for all.

The ultra-right is also utilizing ballot referenda, for the purpose of
creating disunity in battleground districts.. In Michigan, where an
anti-affirmative action initiative was used to divide the electorate in
2006, the right-wing is now collecting signatures for a referendum to make
Michigan a non-union, right-to-work (for less) state. They are exploring
other states to introduce these poisonous ballot initiatives. We can play a
role ideologically to show that racism and anti-labor attacks go hand in
hand, and serve to divide and weaken the growing alliances of labor and the
people¹s organizations.

The key to victory in 2008 for progressive forces will be to hold onto the
base built in 2006 and take the fight into the south and rural areas where
it is possible to break the back of the right-wing Republican machine.

Core forces of the all peoples front

The core forces of the all peoples alliance against the ultra-right are the
main expression of political independence, and the main forces for unity and
expansion of democracy.

Labor movement.

Scott Marshall reported on Labor 2008 at the August 20 meeting of the
Political Action Commission. The AFL-CIO presidential debate was a turning
point for labor¹s political independence. There is a high level of
discussion and involvement of the rank and file on choosing issues and
candidates. Jobs and economic security went above the Iraq war as the most
important issue in the AFL-CIO¹s latest polling.

For the last 10-15 years labor has been building an independent apparatus to
field and support labor candidates. In the 2006 elections. 25% of voters
were union members. The goal in 2008 is to increase that by involving and
developing a cadre of rank and file activists to carry out labor¹s political
work..

CBTU has launched a new method of voter registration, based on workers going
into the neighborhoods where they live to discuss the issues, register
voters and get out the vote from their neighborhood on election day. Working
America is a community based effort used for political action. 13 million
workers who have no union are signed up. This apparatus can be
strengthened..

The effort to elect union members to public office has the potential to be
expanded.

Latino

The Latino vote could be 10% of 130 million voters in 2008, compared to 5.8%
in 2006. It is estimated that the Republicans could lose 1.3 million Latino
votes in the battleground states of AZ, NM, FL, CO over the issue of
immigration. Evangelical Christians made up 10% of the Latino vote in 2004.
They lean conservative, Republican, and place family values issues first.
This year they are angered by the Republican anti-immigrant attacks and may
oppose Republicans in an independent way.

Latinos accounted for nearly half of the country¹s overall population
increase from 2002-2006, but many were too young to vote or were not
citizens in 2006. Governor Richardson has called for a goal to increase the
turnout of Latino voters in 2008 (Pew says 13% voted in 2006 out of 39% who
were eligible to vote)

Responding to an idea put forth by NALEO (National Association of Latino
Elected Officials), a massive year long media campaign is being carried out
by Univision to appeal to more than 8 million permanent residents to become
citizens. This would benefit Democrats at least twice as much as
Republicans, and could result in 2-3 million.

The early primary in Nevada is considered the ³Latino Iowa.². One in four of
1.8 million in metro Las Vegas are Latino, and many Latinos are union
members. Who wins the primary in Nevada will send a message to TX, CA, NY,
NJ, FL, CO, IL This is the first time that Latinos are in senior level
positions in every major Democratic presidential campaign organization.

The presidential campaign will be on the agenda of the LCLAA and National
Latino Congreso conventions in late September and early October.

Youth

On Election Day 2006, 10.8 million 18-29 year olds voted, which was two
million more than in the previous midterm election This trend is expected to
continue in 2008.

Democracy Corps: released a study ³Republicans Collapse Among Young
Americans² in June. In 2008 young people 18-31 will outnumber the baby boom
generation. By 2015 they will be one third of the US electorate. Republicans
and younger voters disagree on nearly every issue ­ the role of government,
Iraq war, global warming, gay marriage and illegal immigration (55% favor a
path to citizenship, 44% favor a focus only on border security). Issues like
global warming and the Iraq war can drive this vote. But young peoples¹
economic struggles, more than any other issue, defines their political
agenda They are pressed economically by jobs with few benefits, low wages
and rising costs of living. Young voters also indicate that they are ready
for a woman or African American president.

The youth vote will be very instrumental in the 2008 elections, and will
continue to have a big impact in coming years.

African American

The African American vote has historically been the most progressive force.
There is a major effort to get out the vote in 2008. Jesse Jackson is
conducting a voter education tour for jobs, peace, justice from Sept 15-19
in 12 So Carolina cities with the purpose of inspiring African American
voters to study the issues and vote in the February primary and beyond.

A campaign in the African American churches nationally will kick off with
Black Voter Empowerment Sunday, Oct 14. Power of the Sister Vote 2008 has
been formed to appeal to African American women who make up 58% of the Black
electorate. It is sponsored by the National Coalition on Black Civic
Participation, National Council of Negro Women and APRI to make sure issues
of women and youth remain on the front burner in 2008. VOTE - Voices of the
Electorate, Operation Big Vote, and Black Youth Vote are also moving into
high gear.

Barak Obama predicts that Black voter turnout will swell 30% if he wins the
primary. He says that ³If we just got African Americans in Mississippi to
vote their percentage of the population, it is a Democratic state.² The same
is probably true in Georgia, and South Carolina.

The CBC weekend in September will be a major force in focusing on 2008.

Women

In 2006 women voted Democratic by a 12 point margin That has now increased
to an 18 percent margin. Single women support Democrats in the largest
numbers. The presence of Hillary Clinton in the field has upped the ante for
every campaign to reach out for the women¹s vote..

Women comprise 59% of Democratic primary voters in key early states.
(Washington Post (6/11/2007). An ABC/Washington Post poll in June showed
while men are almost equally likely to support Clinton and Senator Obama,
among women, Clinton leads with a two to one margin. NOW was an early
endorser of Hillary Clinton.

The Coalition of Labor Union women (CLUW) will hold its convention October
10-13 around the theme ³A New Direction for Working Women,² which will
prepare for the 2008 elections

The women¹s vote will be an important factor in 2008.

Third Party issues

There are five third party presidential candidates, and two independent
presidential candidates.

Bloomberg¹s independent candidacy could have a negative impact on the
election dynamics. Cynthia McKinney may be the candidate on the Green Party
ticket, which could also have a negative spoiler impact in a close race. A
new formation Unity 08 is projecting a ticket that would include one
Democrat and one Republican for President and Vice President. We should also
be aware of the new formation, Committee for a Unified Independent Party, of
which Lenora Fulani is part. All of these efforts, from the left and the
right, will be diversionary in one way or another, and do not recognize the
main danger of the extreme right-wing and their corporate backers.

Of course the country needs a massive anti-corporate, pro-people third
party. But how do we achieve that goal? It cannot be accomplished which the
working class and people are forced into a defensive mode under ultra-right
domination of the federal government. In the process of achieving that first
task, the seeds of a new people¹s party are being sown.

Sometimes we are criticized as ³tailing the Democratic Party.² That is not
the case. We have no illusions about the Democratic Party. We, along with
labor and its allies recognize that at this moment the Democratic Party is
the only vehicle that has the possibility to enable a big shift in politics
in 2008..

Building the movement at the grass roots on the issues, bringing the troops
home, universal health care, employee free choice act, and jobs, and
connecting that program to the elections is the main expression of political
independence in 2008, led by the Labor 2008 campaign. If the president and
congress are elected with this mandate, and if the movement continues after
election day, it will have to be taken into account.

As Henry Winston used to say in relation to tactical questions, take into
account time, place, and circumstance.

Cindy Sheehan running against Nancy Pelosi is a negative. It takes the main
fight away from the initiators and main supporters of the war ­ the Bush
administration backed up by Republicans in Congress and some Democrats. That
is where pressure can make a qualitative difference in the effort to achieve
withdrawal.

In this period, independent campaigns are most effective at the local level.
There are several in the 2007 municipal election cycle. Some are Working
Families Party or Progressive Party and some utilize the Democratic Party
ballot line. There are a few Communists among them, but not nearly enough.

Protecting the Vote

Voter registration, education and election protection will be key in this
election. The right-wing can be expected to mobilize full force to suppress
the vote in 2008. One method of voter suppression is the idea that voting
doesn¹t make a difference, and all politicians are corrupt. The importance
of a huge voter turnout by labor, African American, Latino, women and youth
voters in order to achieve a stronger footing to win an end to the war and
economic demands has to be argued for and won.

In Louisiana, there is an attempt to purge Katrina evacuees from the voting
rolls. This large African American vote has kept Louisiana in the Democratic
column. The Black Caucus and the NAACP have filed a suit with the Justice
Department charging violation of the Voting Rights Act on the basis that
there was no pre-clearance for the voter purge.

Protecting the right to vote will loom as a bigger and bigger factor around
the country, especially in areas where Republicans are trying to defend
their shrinking base, and in areas where African American, Latino and other
working class families are relocating as they are pushed out of cities by
gentrification.

In California, the Republican Party is collecting signatures for a ballot
referendum in June that calls for selection of California delegates to the
electoral college on a proportional basis. California¹s huge Democratic
voting base would be undercut, endangering the national election for
President. Efforts to defeat it will need broad support. The California
Democratic Party has launched a campaign including a pledge card which
reads, ³Many of us believe that we need electoral college reform, but a
piecemeal, state-by-state approach that only changes the way California
votes is the wrong way. Any efforts to reform our elections system should be
about fairness, not creating partisan advantage. I pledge to stop the
Republicans from stealing the White House and stealing California¹s
electoral votes.²

These examples show that the ultra-right is in no way conceding the 2008
elections.

Our role

We have an important role to play in the 2008 elections, which is connected
to every issue and campaign in which we are involved. In the first place, we
play an ideological role as a force for unity. We must expose the class and
social forces behind the ultra-right and expose the threat to democracy they
represent. We have an important opportunity in the 2008 elections to raise
class consciousness, and to highlight and build up labor and people¹s
independent role.

The Peoples Weekly World / Nuestro Mundo, Political Affairs, and Dynamic
have played a consistently important role, and that should be expanded even
more. Our Party and press building campaign is very important to this
effort. Increasing the readership of our paper will make an ideological
contribution to the 2008 elections.

We should also develop our own program for 2008. How to end the war and
occupation. A New Deal program for Gulf Coast and country. An emergency
response to the economic crisis ­ Moratorium on foreclosures and payments on
mortgages under various conditions. Extend benefits for the unemployed, and
massive job creation 0 which is already being developed by the Economics
Commission.

Our work on the elections should build at the ground for the long term both
coalition and our own constituency. There are new possibilities to develop
left center relations between labor and the Party. We should think through
how to strengthen those ties. In 2006 we reached new levels of participation
in labor sponsored election activities. How can we deepen that in 2008 and
consolidate labor¹s growing independent trend?

We should get involved in voter registration in every club, and involving
every member. We can inspire voter registration and turnout by relating the
elections to ending the war, achieving universal single-payer health care,
and measures to respond to the economic crisis.

In every district we should identify the key House and Senate races where we
will work with labor and its allies. The Political Action, Labor, and Peace
and Solidarity Commissions can help in this process.

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