A Message from John Podesta..

[PSU84]

October 29, 2004

Dear Friends and Supporters:

John Gardner once observed: "History never looks like history when you are living through it. It always looks confusing and messy, and it always feels uncomfortable." He wrote those words in 1968. It was a time when millions of young Americans stood up to challenge a senseless war and the leaders who backed it.

Our nation today is far different from the America of 1968, yet the similarities are unmistakable. Now, as then, we are a deeply divided society. Faced with upheaval abroad, suffering at home and an uncertain future, it often seems that all of us are struggling to simply find our footing.

America is engaged in a great debate. The shrill voices of the right have made no secret of their vision of a nation that is wealthy, but not inclusive; powerful, but not respected. In our America opportunity is not rationed, it is shared. For us, America's standing in the world is not guaranteed only by the fearsome power of our military, but the awesome strength of our ideals.

At this writing, we are hopeful that the country will embark on a new direction next Tuesday. However, we can be certain that whatever its outcome the far right will continue its fight to impose their radical agenda on America. At the Center for American Progress, we intend to keep fighting, too: for solutions grounded in the progressive values we share.

As progressives we're not content with only living through American history; we intend to make it. Because of you -- your vision and your generosity - we are doing our part to change the dialogue in America. And I am writing simply to say, once again, thank you and onward.

To Victory,

John

Center for American Progress
1333 H Street, NW 10th floor
Washington, DC 20005