May 7, 2008

Guest: Robert Creamer,

Author of "Listen to Your Mother: Stand Up

Straight! How Progressives Can Win"

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Part One (28 min. 8 sec.) | Part Two (30 min. 52 sec.)

Barry again talks with veteran political organizer and strategist Robert Creamer, author of the "bible of progressive politics," about the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, as Obama and Clinton head into the final month of primaries.

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"Listen to Your Mother: Stand Up Straight!

How Progressives Can Win"

By Bob Creamer

A new book by veteran political organizer and strategist Robert Creamer says that progressives have an historic opportunity over the next two years to create long-term political realignment in the United States. But to be successful, he argues, progressives must forcefully reassert their commitment to fundamental progressive values and vision for the future.

"Some people think that in order to win, Democrats need to move to the political center by adopting conservative values and splitting the difference between progressive and conservatives positions," says Creamer. " History shows they are wrong. To win the next election and to win in the long term, we need to redefine the political center."

The book, titled "Listen to Your Mother: Stand Up Straight! How Progressive Can Win," lays out a broad strategy for progressive victory and describes the tactics needed to win real-world political battles one at a time. In the book's foreword, MoveOn.org Washington Director, Tom Matzzie summarizes the books goal: "Progressives today need to take direct responsibility for winning." This book lays out a game plan for victory.

The book has received wide acclaim.

Senate Democratic Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) said, "If Progressives are ready to move beyond the 'Age of W' into a winning era, they can start with 'Stand Up Straight.'"

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH): "If every activist in America read 'Listen to Your Mother: Stand Up Straight,' we could change our country. This book will help bring on the New Progressive Era. It's that good."

Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet calls the book "a one-stop shop for political junkies, from a novice to a know-it-all."

Arianna Huffington says it is a "master's class in electoral politics."

Brad Woodhouse, President of Americans United for Change: "'Stand Up Straight' is nothing less than the bible for progressive political activists."

Former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta says, "Stand Up Straight is a straight-up shot in the arm for progressives."

Bob Greenstein, Director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, says, "Creamer's book belongs on the bookshelf of those who are, or aspire to be, progressive activists."

"One of the great progressive strategists of our time insightfully explains how to conduct successful issue campaigns and the challenges we face in moving forward on a social justice agenda," writes Chuck Loveless, Legislative Director for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Political consultant Pete Giangreco says, "This book is a how-to manual for everyone who wants to beat the Karl Roves of the world at their own game."

"Encyclopedic! A tour-de-force! Peppered with stories, case studies, field-tested tactics, and complex concepts simplified, this is a must read book for all progressive organizers," writes Jackie Kendall, Executive Director of the Midwest Academy, which trains progressive organizers.

Roger Hickey, Co-Director of the Campaign for America's Future, says, "Everyone who cares about America's future should buy this book."

Democratic media consultant David Axelrod says the book "provides a fascinating narrative of how progressives have won in the past and provides a blueprint for future victories."

David Kusnet, former chief speech writer for President Clinton, says, "Listen to Bob Creamer. One of America's best organizers has written one of the best books on how progressives can stand up, fight back, and win for a change. This book is filled with proven, practical advice about how to out-work, out-organize, and out-argue the other side."

Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) wrote, "Progress takes more than passion; it requires planning. This book is a blueprint for victory."

Rainbow/PUSH President Jesse Jackson says, "It's a must read for anyone who is passionate about changing America -- now."

"This book is one-stop shopping for progressive activists who want to keep their values and win," writes long-time progressive political consultant Heather Booth.

"A must-read for state Democratic Party chairs," says Dick Cranwell, Chairman, Virginia Democratic Party.

"The real political experience of Robert Creamer makes "'Listen to Your Mother, Stand Up Straight' one of the best 'how to do it' books around," writes Pat Schroeder, President, Association of American Publishers and former member of Congress.

"In 'Stand Up Straight,' Robert Creamer gives progressives practical insights, tools, and analysis to work smarter," says Andy Stern, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

"With his moral clarity, clear vision and good-old common sense, Creamer's book provides the 'shot in the arm' that the progressive movement needs," says William McNary, President of USAction.

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake writes, "This is a must-have for any progressive organization or effort."

Author and commentator Jim Hightower says, "A stand-up book from a stand-up guy, showing us how to put progress back into 'progressive.'"

Congressman and veteran civil rights leader John Lewis says: "Creamer's classroom has been the frontlines and trenches of progressive organizing, from the civil rights movement to the battle for children's health care. Here, he shows us how to replace fear with hope, to renew the call to commitment, and to create our society's next historical movement."

MoveOn.org founder Wes Boyd calls the book "an owner's manual for democracy."

Creamer, who is the husband of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, has been a political organizer and strategist for almost four decades. He has worked with many of the country's most significant issue campaigns and was one of the major architects and organizers of the successful campaign to defeat the privatization of Social Security. He is a consultant to the campaigns to end the war in Iraq, pass universal health care, change America's budget priorities, and enact comprehensive immigration reform; and he has worked on hundreds of electoral campaigns from the local to national level.

-- From The Book Description