Organizers Announce Opening Day Media Events Schedule

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"The Right got it wrong. Under President Bush and the Tom DeLay Congress, conservatism is dominant and altogether bankrupt. They have had their way on foreign and economic policy – and they have failed. Progressives will present a compelling strategy for our security and for our economy, posing a stark contrast to their failed policies at this year's Take Back America conference." --Toby Chaudhuri, Campaign for America's Future Communications Director

WASHINGTON – The Campaign for America’s Future today released details for the opening day of the organization’s “Take Back America” conference. More than 2 thousand progressive leaders and activists will gather at the Washington Hilton on Monday for the first day of the annual event.

Campaign for America’s Future co-director Robert Borosage and Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg will hold a morning news conference to release an election-year message guide and brief reporters on highlights of the 3 day gathering. Progressive leaders will also kick-off events to outline a bold “Agenda for the Common Good” during the conference’s opening luncheon.

Actor and environmentalist Robert Redford, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., former Sen. Gary Hart, D-Colo, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., AFL-CIO president John Sweeney and many others will join Campaign for America’s Future co-director Roger Hickey to begin outlining a bold progressive agenda that promotes the “common good.”

PROGRESSIVES KICK-OFF MAJOR CONFERENCE
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2006

9:45 a.m. - Photo opportunity with Robert Redford on “Progressive Media Row,” a central work area for progressive TV, radio, print and online media outlets.
Washington Hilton Concourse

10 a.m. - Robert Borosage and Stan Greenberg hold a news conference to release a progressive message guide, new public opinion information and to brief reporters about the Campaign for America’s Future’s “Take Back America” conference.
Washington Hilton State Room

11 a.m. - Robert Borosage, Stan Greenberg, Katrina vanden Heuvel, and Biko Baker deliver opening remarks about the progressive promise and conservative collapse.
Washington Hilton Crystal Ballroom

12:45 p.m. - Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Robert Redford, Jerome Ringo and Larry Schweiger speak at a major event about the Apollo Alliance’s plan for energy independence.
Washington Hilton International Ballroom

--preset time: 10 a.m.

--final access: 12:45 p.m.

--camera throw: 80 feet.

2:15 p.m. - Progressive leaders continue outlining bold initiatives that make up a progressive agenda for the “common good.”
Washington Hilton International Ballroom

--Jeff Faux and Anna Burger discuss making our economy work for all people.

--Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Prof. Jacob Hacker discuss health care for all.

--Former Sen. Gary Hart, D-Colo, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., discuss common sense on security.

--Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Stephen Bradberry discuss revitalizing the Gulf region and rebuilding America.

--John Sweeney delivers closing remarks

4 p.m. - Progressives discuss campaigns to take back America.

--State Sen. Polly Baca, D-Colo., Gloria Totten, Lisa Turner, Jeff Blodgett, Heather Booth and William McNary discuss taking back state houses.
Washington Hilton Monroe Room

--Dan Carol, Maggie Fox, Karen Nussbaum and Lorena Chambers discuss building progressive capacity.
Washington Hilton Georgetown Room

--Kristina Wilfore, Kay Coles, Daniel Gotoff, Will Robinson and Alexander Robinson discuss the ballot initiative battlefield in the states.
Washington Hilton International Ballroom West

--Jay Harris, Alexandra Walker, Robert Greenwald, Julie Bergman Sender, Tracy Van Slyke, Cenk Uygur and Roberto Lovato discuss building the new progressive media infrastructure.
Washington Hilton Jefferson Room

--Iara Peng, Quinn Wilhelmi, Elana Berkowitz, Maria Teresa Petersen and Biko Baker discuss new voices and new energy in the progressive movement.
Washington Hilton International Ballroom East

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Toby Chaudhuri
Communications Director
Campaign for America’s Future
202-386-7723
978-884-8626