21st Century Democrats
Encyclopedia
21st Century Democrats is a political organization founded by Senator Tom Harkin
, commentator Jim Hightower
and Congressman Lane Evans
to help elect "progressive
" or "populist
" candidates.
(PAC) in the United States raising nearly $7 Million. Among progressive
ideological PACs, it ranked fourth behind America Coming Together
, EMILY's List
, and MoveOn.org.
Unlike traditional PACs, 21st Century Democrats focuses on recruiting, training, and hiring field organizers to organize grassroots campaigns on behalf of candidates for local offices, statewide office, and even targeted presidential swing state
s. The group has ties to Democracy for America
, which grew out of Howard Dean
's presidential campaign.
, MoveOn.org, and Daily Kos
in a new effort called Accountability Now PAC. This new Political Action Committee promised to use party primaries to challenge Democratic incumbents that PAC members do not support.
by their former communications director, Kenneth Goldman. The lawsuit stated that three workers were fired in 2006 for refusing to attend "religious events," referring to the Landmark Forum. A formal complaint was filed in a Washington, D.C.
court, stating that Landmark Education
has "religious characteristics and theological implications." The lawsuit also stated that Landmark Education's influence could be felt in the 21st Century Democrats' "mission, business structure ... and communications."
The executive director for 21st Century Democrats stated he believed the lawsuit had no merits, and called it "frivolous." The suit was dismissed by the court with prejudice .
A spokesman for Landmark Education stated that the San Francisco, California
based company "is in no way religious in nature and any claim to the contrary is simply absurd." Goldman stated that two other employees of 21st Century Democrats regularly discussed their unease with him over Landmark Education's influence over the company, and believed that former executive director Kelly Young treated the Landmark Forum seminars like a "religion." Landmark Education and the two other employees who were fired are not a party to the lawsuit between Goldman and 21st Century Democrats.
Tom Harkin
Thomas Richard "Tom" Harkin is the junior United States Senator from Iowa and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives ....
, commentator Jim Hightower
Jim Hightower
James Allen "Jim" Hightower is an American syndicated columnist, activist and author.-Life and career:Born in Denison, Texas, Hightower came from a working class background. He worked his way through college as assistant general manager of the Denton Chamber of Commerce and later landed a spot as...
and Congressman Lane Evans
Lane Evans
Lane Allen Evans is a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 until 2007, representing the 17th District of Illinois...
to help elect "progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
" or "populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
" candidates.
Background
21st Century Democrats started out relatively small but has quietly grown in size and significance in the last few election cycles." In 2004 election cycle, according to the Political Money Line, it was the 13th largest Political Action CommitteePolitical action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
(PAC) in the United States raising nearly $7 Million. Among progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
ideological PACs, it ranked fourth behind America Coming Together
America Coming Together
America Coming Together was a liberal, political action, 527 group dedicated to get-out-the-vote activities. ACT did not specifically endorse any political party, but mostly worked on behalf of Democratic candidates. It was the largest 527 group in 2004 and was planning to be involved in future...
, EMILY's List
EMILY's List
EMILY's List is a political action committee in the United States that aims to help elect female candidates to office. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm in 1984....
, and MoveOn.org.
Unlike traditional PACs, 21st Century Democrats focuses on recruiting, training, and hiring field organizers to organize grassroots campaigns on behalf of candidates for local offices, statewide office, and even targeted presidential swing state
Swing state
In United States presidential politics, a swing state is a state in which no single candidate or party has overwhelming support in securing that state's electoral college votes...
s. The group has ties to Democracy for America
Democracy for America
Democracy for America is a progressive, people-powered political action committee, headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont. Founded by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean in 2004, DFA leads public awareness campaigns on a variety of public policy issues, trains activists,...
, which grew out of Howard Dean
Howard Dean
Howard Brush Dean III is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S...
's presidential campaign.
Partner Organizations
In 2009, 21st Century Democrats joined Service Employees International UnionService Employees International Union
Service Employees International Union is a labor union representing about 1.8 million workers in over 100 occupations in the United States , and Canada...
, MoveOn.org, and Daily Kos
Daily Kos
Daily Kos is an American political blog that publishes news and opinions from a progressive point of view. It functions as a discussion forum and group blog for a variety of netroots activists, whose efforts are primarily directed toward influencing and strengthening the Democratic Party...
in a new effort called Accountability Now PAC. This new Political Action Committee promised to use party primaries to challenge Democratic incumbents that PAC members do not support.
Religious discrimination lawsuit
In November 2007, 21st Century Democrats was sued in United States federal courtUnited States federal courts
The United States federal courts make up the judiciary branch of federal government of the United States organized under the United States Constitution and laws of the federal government.-Categories:...
by their former communications director, Kenneth Goldman. The lawsuit stated that three workers were fired in 2006 for refusing to attend "religious events," referring to the Landmark Forum. A formal complaint was filed in a Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
court, stating that Landmark Education
Landmark Education
Landmark Education LLC is a personal training and development company which offers educational programs in approximately 115 locations in more than 20 countries worldwide....
has "religious characteristics and theological implications." The lawsuit also stated that Landmark Education's influence could be felt in the 21st Century Democrats' "mission, business structure ... and communications."
The executive director for 21st Century Democrats stated he believed the lawsuit had no merits, and called it "frivolous." The suit was dismissed by the court with prejudice .
A spokesman for Landmark Education stated that the San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
based company "is in no way religious in nature and any claim to the contrary is simply absurd." Goldman stated that two other employees of 21st Century Democrats regularly discussed their unease with him over Landmark Education's influence over the company, and believed that former executive director Kelly Young treated the Landmark Forum seminars like a "religion." Landmark Education and the two other employees who were fired are not a party to the lawsuit between Goldman and 21st Century Democrats.
See also
- Democracy for AmericaDemocracy for AmericaDemocracy for America is a progressive, people-powered political action committee, headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont. Founded by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean in 2004, DFA leads public awareness campaigns on a variety of public policy issues, trains activists,...