When we started the Progressive Patriots Fund in 2005, our goal was to promote a progressive reform agenda and support candidates across the country. To date, we’ve contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars directly to Democratic candidates everywhere, we’ve come a long way on advancing the issues on which we all care for deeply, and in 2006, we hired and trained 20 grassroots activists we call the Patriot Corps, and sent them to work on campaigns across the country. These paid field staffers were part of the movement that helped Democrats retake the House and Senate in 2006 and as many of you already know – from our emails and ads here and elsewhere online – we’re once again looking to make the Patriot Corps an important part of our effort to build on the Progressive movement sweeping through our nation.
You can find more information about the 2008 Patriot Corps, and view a video message from me below the fold.
To date, the response we’ve received to the 2008 Patriot Corps has been tremendous – both in applications and financial support – and I thank everyone who has helped us in this effort.
The original plan was to once again hire 20 Patriot Corps members for this year’s election. However, because of the number of quality applications we’ve received so far, we want to make an even bigger difference and expand the Patriot Corps from 20 to 30 participants. We will bring Patriot Corps staffers we hire to Milwaukee for extensive training with my staff - staff that has helped me win every election since 1992 - train them with some of the tools we’ve used on our successful campaigns, and then send them out to 30 different campaigns across the country. This expansion will allow us to make an even bigger difference in campaigns this fall.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the Patriot Corps (as a reminder, this isn’t an unpaid internship, Patriot Corps members are hired employees of the Progressive Patriots Fund), you can find more information on the program and how to apply here.
That said, paying for salaries of 10 more Patriot Corps members, and providing them with the training necessary to make a difference on campaigns this fall, isn’t cheap. But with the support we’ve received so far, we only have $24,941 to go to make this Patriot Corps expansion a reality. If you are able to help us in this effort, please consider contributing to this vital program today.
Many of you have asked where we’re going to be sending Patriot Corps staffers, and while we haven’t decided where all of these folks will be working, I’m proud to announce that we will be sending a Patriot Corps member to Darcy Burner’s campaign in Washington. She has been a steadfast supporter of Progressive values – including standing strong with us on the recent FISA fight – and I’m pleased that we are able to make her campaign part of this effort.
I’ve always run grassroots, people-powered campaigns here in Wisconsin and the Patriot Corps is our way of expanding that ideal nationwide. Thanks for your continued support and for everything you do to make our country better.