Just about a year ago a leading activist in the climate movement made a comment that I took note of at the time and haven’t forgotten: Presidential politics overshadows all other politics during a Presidential election period.

This comment was made in the context of a discussion about how do we keep building a non-electoral, grassroots-driven climate movement which makes the global warming crisis a central national issue. But it could be said about any issue.  Presidential campaign season sucks up activist energy, popular attention and donor contributions, as we have definitely seen so far in this particular campaign season.

Issue-oriented, independent progressive activists ignore this truth at their peril.

But there’s an opposite mistake that can be made—accommodating tactics to the electoral season in a way which strips our movements of urgency, creativity, militancy and edginess. At its worst, this approach opposes or denigrates mass demonstrations and nonviolent direct action, seeing them as distractions from the “real work” of getting good candidates elected to office.

In a race where Clinton seemed to have every advantage, why has Barack Obama now won eight primaries and caucuses in a row? If you look at the rhythm of the campaign, this is the first point where most of America's voters have a chance to consider him as a candidate with a serious chance of victory, and to genuinely engage his message.  Democrats passionately want a candidate they can believe in, but also one who can win--and reverse the Republican disasters. As the presumed nominee, Clinton did everything she could to play on this, proclaiming herself as tough, experienced, and capable of taking everything the Republicans could throw at her. She lined up massive insider support, including commitments from 154  superdelegates (versus 50 for Obama) before a single vote was cast.

Act Today for A Clean Energy Tomorrow Please go to the link below to contact Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted. Thank him for including renewable energy in Ohio's energy bill. Ask him to remove coal and nuclear! Deadline for responding: Please take action by Tuesday, April 01, 2008. Action Alert

The Ohio House has the opportunity to pass a strong clean energy policy, but they won’t do it without your support.

Problem:

The world’s climate scientists agree: Global warming is real, here, and happening faster than anyone predicted. But, scientists agree that we can curb global warming and its consequences if we take bold, comprehensive action now.

Solution: The proposed State Energy Policy, Senate Bill 221, provides Ohio with an opportunity to enact strong, meaningful energy policy. But the proposed clean energy standards are too weak to make the necessary reductions in global warming emissions. As written, the legislation includes some renewable energy and energy efficiency, but also includes coal and nuclear.

Today President Gordon Gee of The Ohio State University is cowering in his office, denying a meeting with representatives of student group Free the Planet! OSU and fellow supporters of The Grassy Narrows First Nation. Protesters serenaded the building with a drum circle, chants, banners, and signs. Chants included: "Gordon Gee, yes you could, stop buying old-growth wood!" and "Tell me what solidarity looks like! This is what solidarity looks like!"

About two hours ago, five students at Ohio State began a sit-in to demand ethical standards for the purchase of wood and paper. Members of Free the Planet!, a student group on campus, vow to stay until President Gordon Gee signs an agreement to stop the University from buying wood products obtained from Indigenous conflict areas and to include more recycled content in paper and lumber used on campus. (More about Grassy Narrows here: http://freegrassy.org/

Police are reportedly on the scene, but have not indicated any intent to arrest at this point.

I’ll admit it. I’m attracted to the candidacy of Barack Obama. I’m attracted to his fundamental message of inclusion, hope, and progressive change. He’s built a campaign on cross-cultural and multi-generation grassroots movements and community building, and I believe Obama personifies what this nation desperately needs after eight years of George W. Bush: a radical change in direction.

This election will be about how WE THE PEOPLE bring change. And, for the first time in American history, we’re seeing the possibility of an election that is about something different than political dynasties and rich white men. We’re seeing the possibility of an election that would reestablish the Horatio Alger-inspired idea that any American can grow up to be president.