While Republicans are expected to make extraordinary gains in today’s elections, the most radical Democrat members of Congress – notably a House caucus founded as an arm of a Marxist socialist organization – are expected to emerge mostly unscathed.
WND previously reported the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which boasts 83 members, was founded by the Democratic Socialists of America.
Almost all of the members come from districts in which Democrats are expected to win.
One member, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kirkpatrick, D-Mich., already lost her primary. According to predictions by the Cook Political Report, only one Progressive Caucus member, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, D-Ohio, is predicted to lose. The races for three caucus members – Reps. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., Phil Hare, D-Ill., and John H. Hall, D-N.Y. – are considered toss-ups.
The seats of five other Caucus members are considered in play but are leaning Democratic: Reps. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., David Loebsack, D-Iowa, Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., and Barney Frank, D-Mass. Others are in safe districts.
Working within Democratic Party
Demonstrating the close relationship between the Democratic Socialists of America and the Progressive Caucus, two weeks ago WND reported the Democratic chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee was caught on tape meeting with Democratic Socialists of America leaders to discuss how the group can cooperate to strengthen President Obama and advance their “one-world” plans.
Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., who has a long history with the group, was recorded promoting a “one-world” government while asking the socialist group to organize against the war in Afghanistan and in support of Obama’s policies.
Conyers was a special guest at a two-day convention in Detroit in March 1982 that resulted in the formation of the group.
Conyers has spoken at numerous Democratic Socialists of America events, including at the socialist group’s national dinner in 2008, where he was the keynote.
Conyers was one of 13 founders of Congressional Black Caucus, which has long promoted far-left causes. He is the most prominent lawmaker lobbying to free Mumia Abu-Jamal, the convicted murderer of a Philadelphia police officer. He has advocated on behalf of the Marxist Nicaraguan Sandinista dictatorship and has called for the U.S. to end its sanctions against Fidel Castro’s communist regime.
As WND was first to report, the Democratic Socialists of America has been closely linked to the Democratic Party’s Progressive Caucus.
Until November 2002, the website of the Progressive Caucus was hosted by the Democratic Socialists of America. Following news reports that drew attention to the congressional website being hosted by the socialist organization, the list of caucus names was moved to the website of Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., an avowed socialist, and eventually to its own site.
The Democratic Socialists of America’s chief organizing goal is to work within the Democratic Party and remove the stigma attached to “socialism” in the eyes of most Americans.
“Stress our Democratic Party strategy and electoral work,” explains an organizing document of the group. “The Democratic Party is something the public understands, and association with it takes the edge off. Stressing our Democratic Party work will establish some distance from the radical subculture and help integrate you to the milieu of the young liberals.”
Nevertheless, as WND reported, the goal of the group has never been deeply hidden. Prior to the cleanup of its website in 1999, the group included a song list featuring “The Internationale,” the worldwide anthem of communism and socialism.
Another song on the site was “Red Revolution,” sung to the tune of “Red Robin.” The lyrics went: “When the Red Revolution brings its solution along, along, there’ll be no more lootin’ when we start shootin’ that Wall Street throng.”
Another song removed after WND’s expose was “Are You Sleeping, Bourgeoisie?” The lyrics went: “Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Bourgeoisie, Bourgeoisie. And when the revolution comes, we’ll kill you all with knives and guns, Bourgeoisie, Bourgeoisie.”
Obama connected to socialist group
Top Democratic Socialists of America members have been closely linked for years to Obama.
Obama himself spoke at a forum organized by the group at the University of Chicago in early 1996 called “Employment and Survival in Urban America.”
Quentin Young, considered the father of the U.S. single-payer health-care movement, is a longtime Democratic Socialists of America activist. Young has had a relationship with Obama, particularly in the 1990s, when he reportedly advised Obama on health care.
Young was reportedly present at a 1995 meeting at the home of former Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers, who was said to have launched Obama’s political career.
Young has been active in Chicago socialist circles and was previously accused of membership in a communist group. In 1992, Chicago’s branch of the Democratic Socialists of America awarded Young, a member, with their highest honor – the Debs Award.
In a 2008 article in the official Communist Party USA magazine, Young noted Obama previously expressed support for a single-payer universal health-care program, although he later waffled when asked about his position.
As an Illinois state senator representing a mostly black district on the South Side of Chicago, Obama publicly supported universal health care. He also co-sponsored the Bernardin Amendment, which did not pass but would have amended the Illinois State Constitution to add health care to the list of basic rights for residents.
Meanwhile, Obama spoke at the March 29, 1998, memorial service for Chicago Democratic Socialists of America member Saul Mendelson.
Timuel Black, a member activist, mediated political disputes on behalf of Obama in the 1990s and was reportedly involved in Obama’s campaign committee during his successful 2004 Senate race.
Longtime member and activist Arnold Wolf was a member of “Rabbis for Obama” and has held fundraisers in his home for Obama, including a function in 1995 that was aimed at introducing Obama to the Hyde Park activist community.
Eliseo Medina, international executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union, has been honored by Democratic Socialists of America. During the most recent presidential campaign, Medina served on Obama’s National Latino Advisory Council.
WND reported Medina, speaking at a 2009 Washington, D.C., conference, declared granting citizenship to millions of illegal aliens would expand the progressive electorate and help ensure a progressive governing coalition for the long term.
With research by Brenda J. Elliott
