John,

As I type, I’m on the ground in Houston wrapping up pre- and post-debate TV coverage following the third debate of the 2020 Democratic primary. The first question I was asked on ABC News last night immediately following the debate was who won? I say, the American people won.

We witnessed the top ten candidates truly debate the issues last night, starting off with health care and going on to include immigration, gun violence, racial inequality in our schools, education, climate change, and so much more. It was by far the most competitive debate of the primary so far, with some real clear differences between the candidates and their plans, and that’s what the American people needed and wanted to see.

Of course, we saw once again our progressive values pitted against more moderate ideas. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren came together again to make the case for Medicare for All while others continued to prop up a broken healthcare status quo that values health insurance CEO's paychecks over American lives. That same tug of war between bold, progressive plans and more of the same old same old continued to play out throughout the debate, and here’s what I have to say about it:

The energy, the future and the present of this party is with millenials, with the New American Majority, with black and brown voters. And they’re tired of waiting on the world to change. They want bold leadership and bold ideas.

The fact that we saw more than 40 minutes of debate around Medicare for All on a national stage is a win in my book. Beto O’Rourke proposed a buy-back program for assault weapons like AR-15s and AK-47s that have time and again been used to commit mass shootings. Andrew Yang once again talked about his $1,000 a month Freedom Dividend for every household in America. Kamala Harris discussed her latest plan for desperately needed criminal justice reform. And multiple candidates proposed reparations, debt-free college, plans to tackle climate change. I mean, we’re talking about the most progressive debate I’ve ever watched in my life, John!

So I’ll go ahead and say it: the progressive movement is winning. And it’s because of people like you.

We got here today with your support, your activism, your fight for progressive leaders and causes across all 50 states for years. Now, we’ve got to keep up that energy like never before if we’re going to put a progressive in the White House and send Trump packing.

If you’re ready for a bold leader with bold ideas in the White House, DFA is with you, and we’re gearing up to do what it takes to make it happen in 2020. Pitch in $5 or more today to help us.

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:

Thanks again, and let’s keep up the fight.

-Yvette

Yvette Simpson, CEO
Democracy for America