Hey Paul Krugman

This is killing me, on a couple of levels. Totally brill:

Howard Dean is Obama's Mother

Dude.

But seriously, this is a great article. Howard Dean is an unsung hero. And now he is doing cool things! I'm glad he got out of the DNC...

Since leaving the DNC, Dean has assembled a portfolio of part-time jobs. He joined a Washington law and lobbying firm, where he will strategize on alternative energy issues; reclaimed a political action committee he founded; and is developing a network of early-childhood facilities called "baby colleges."

Baby colleges!!

Gil Cedillo for Congress

California State Senator Gil Cedillo is running for Congress in the 32nd District, and I am officially supporting him. It's a primary election to fill the seat of Hilda Solis, who was recently confirmed as Obama's Labor Secretary. Solis was a progressive champion in Congress, and a great leader for the Latino community. I am sad to see her go, but know she will do great things at Labor, and know that in Cedillo, California has an opportunity to send another great Latino progressive champion to Congress.

The video below sums up his life story, which I find both personally and professionally inspiring. I have been a fan of his since he came to a packed gym in Santa Barbara at a PUEBLO meeting, to speak to people about his efforts to provide them with driver's licenses. His comments, and the testimony of those there, moved me and showed me the absolute critical value -- for the future success of the progressive movement -- in having strong fighters for social justice who have deep ties to the Latino community.

I am going to start fund-raising for him soon, but for now, enjoy the video:

A New Era

Re-reading President Obama's inaugural address today, and really liking this framing on the economy:

"The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good."

Someone smart once told me that the White House is the ultimate platform to articulate purpose. Obama is proving to be one of the most powerful communicators we've seen on the progressive side in a long time -- which was one of the main reasons I supported him for President as early as the Fall of 2006.

As progressives, we haven't done a great job with our narrative about the economy. I'm starting to think following Obama's lead, and building on the framing and approach he used in that speech, could be a good way to go.