“As the Executive Director of Young Democrats of America, I represent young people, and the way we connect young people back to Democratic politics is by speaking out for what is right and taking action,” said Sussman. “Polling shows that 70 percent of voters 18-34 support the freedom to marry, and for many of our members, it’s a cause that goes to the core of why they consider themselves Democrats. It is time to realize that marriage is no longer an effective wedge issue; it is a cause that we as Democrats should be leading on.”

The proposed plank language is as follows:

The Democratic Party supports the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibility, and protection under the law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.

“As a constitutional lawyer with a background in LGBT family law and someone who worked on ending military discrimination under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I am proud to have signed onto Freedom to Marry’s petition and urge my fellow Democrats to do the same,” Sussman continued. “It’s time for our Party to make it official and say I Do.”

Public opinion data from 2011 shows that 69 percent of Democrats support the freedom to marry, as well as 59 percent of Independents (Gallup, May 5-8). A National Journal Political Insiders Poll conducted in July 2011 showed that 84% of Democratic party professionals believe their party should embrace marriage. Multiple states have already included planks in support of marriage in their state platforms.

“As the Executive Director of Young Democrats of America, I represent young people, and the way we connect young people back to Democratic politics is by speaking out for what is right and taking action,” Sussman said. “Polling shows that 70 percent of voters 18-34 support the freedom to marry, and for many of our members, it’s a cause that goes to the core of why they consider themselves Democrats. It is time to realize that marriage is no longer an effective wedge issue; it is a cause that we as Democrats should be leading on.”

The proposed plank language is as follows:

The Democratic Party supports the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibility, and protection under the law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.

“As a constitutional lawyer with a background in LGBT family law and someone who worked on ending military discrimination under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I am proud to have signed onto Freedom to Marry’s petition and urge my fellow Democrats to do the same,” Sussman continued. “It’s time for our Party to make it official, and say ‘I Do’.”

Public opinion data from 2011 shows that 69 percent of Democrats support the freedom to marry, as well as 59 percent of Independents (Gallup, May 5-8). A National Journal Political Insiders Poll conducted in July 2011 showed that 84 percent of Democratic party professionals believe their party should embrace marriage. Multiple states have already included planks in support of marriage in their state platforms.

- How is your chapter working?

- What do you wish YDA was doing that we aren’t already?

- How can the national organization be more supportive of state and local chapters?

- How do you think we can have the biggest impact on the November 2012 elections?

- What is your best YDA memory?

I am going to set aside 3 hours a day for the next few weeks to hear from you in 15 minute calls. I will be available from 12pm EST- 3pm EST/ 9am-12pm PST.  The calls will start Monday, February 27th and go until Friday, March 16th.

You can schedule yourself right onto my calendar using my online calendar. Please coordinate with other members of your chapter to all call at once.  This ensures that I can have as many calls with people as possible. 

Sign up to schedule a call to tell me your thoughts about YDA

I look forward to hearing from you or hopefully meeting you at the winter conference in Chicago !

Best,

Emily Tisch Sussman
Executive Director
Young Democrats of America

The New York Times recently told the story of another young woman with PCOS, a law student at Georgetown University who didn’t have insurance coverage for her medically necessary pills because the school didn’t offer contraception coverage in their insurance plans. With a cost of $100 per month, she had to stop taking her pills and eventually developed a large cyst on her ovary, which had to be surgically removed.  Something like this could happen to me if I couldn’t afford my medecine, and it could happen to the millions of other women who take contraceptives for PCOS and other conditions like endometriosis and ovarian cancer.

Thankfully, President Obama understands how crucial it is for all American women to have access to no-cost birth control, and he stood up for this important medical benefit.  So, please take a minute to sign our petition thanking the President for standing firm in the face of staunch opposition, and let him know that you support his commitment to ensuring all women have access to comprehensive health care. The President has our back, forging a solution that respects differences of opinion on birth control without sacrificing critical access to affordable contraception. Please take minute to let him know you have his back too.

Sincerely,

Jillian Cardillo
Women’s Caucus Chair
Young Democrats of America

“The framework developed has responded to the issues we identified that needed to be fixed,” Sister Keehan said.

“We believe the compliance mechanism does not compromise a woman’s ability to access these critical birth control benefits,” said Richards.

“Nearly 99 percent of all women have relied on contraception at some point in their lives –- 99 percent.  And yet, more than half of all women between the ages of 18 and 34 have struggled to afford it.  So for all these reasons, we decided to follow the judgment of the nation’s leading medical experts and make sure that free preventive care includes access to free contraceptive care,” President Obama said yesterday. “Now, as we move to implement this rule, however, we’ve been mindful that there’s another principle at stake here –- and that’s the principle of religious liberty, an inalienable right that is enshrined in our Constitution.  As a citizen and as a Christian, I cherish this right.”

When the Department of Health and Human Services announced the rule requiring employers, with the exception of places of worship, to provide contraception as part of their healthcare plans, the President made sure that religious-affiliated organizations were given an extra year to implement this so that he could work out a solution for those who object to contraception because of their religious beliefs. With the announcement of yesterday’s decision, he made good on his promise by protecting religious freedom while also making sure that all women have access to important preventive care.

This policy is especially important to President Obama because, as a person of faith, he understands the value of the work faith-affiliated organizations do and the major contributions they make to their communities. “My first job in Chicago was working with Catholic parishes in poor neighborhoods, and my salary was funded by a grant from an arm of the Catholic Church,” the President said. “And I saw that local churches often did more good for a community than a government program ever could, so I know how important the work that faith-based organizations do and how much impact they can have in their communities. “ From personal experience, he deeply understands and believes the notion that we are greater together, and he sees the critical role religious organizations play in this. Through his Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the President has made a concerted effort to empower religious organizations to fight poverty, improve education and access to healthcare, and promote fatherhood and mentoring.

Echoing the sentiments that the President expressed at the National Prayer Breakfast, yesterday’s ruling demonstrates President Obama’s continued commitment to the core American values of religious liberty and women’s health. It also reaffirms his enduring dedication to the work of religious organizations and faithful Americans. We are thrilled for the families who will benefit from this provision of the President’s healthcare legislation and we areexcited to see the continuation of the strong partnershipsthat have been built between faith-based organizations and the Obama Administration.

Josh Dickson is Director of the YDA Faith & Values Initiative. The Rev. Derrick Harkins is the Faith Outreach Director of the Democratic National Committee.

The Young Democrats of America in cooperation with the YDA LGBTQ Caucus and the California Young Democrats strongly applaud the decision of the Ninth U.S. District Court of Appeals. Kristian Cosme, Chair of the YDA LGBTQ Caucus provides the following statement: “The decision of the court today to uphold the original ruling of Judge Walker deeming Proposition 8 as unconstitutional is the right step in the battle for national marriage equality. It was the only ethical decision that could be made as it is the one that is most closely aligned with the spirit of equality and freedom that has laced our Constitution since our forefathers founded it.”

“The California Young Democrats were proud to vote HELL NO on Proposition 8, and we are thrilled that the court today found this deeply discriminatory law unconstitutional,” said Jennifer Longley, President of the California Young Democrats.

The Court in their written decision said Prop 8 “…served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationship and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples. The Constitution simply does not allow for “laws of this sort.”

“The Young Democrats of America applauds the ruling of the 9th District Court of Appeals as one that is fundamentally not a political ruling, but one that upholds the basic premise of our Constitution that all who are law abiding citizens of this nation are endowed by our Creator those unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As an organization, we will continue to advocate for fidelity to the Constitution when answering these questions of fairness and of basic human dignity as did President Abraham Lincoln, and continue to believe and offer as warning for those who will deride today’s ruling, that those who deny rights to others deserve it not for themselves,” said YDA Executive Vice President Colmon Elridge.

On behalf of the Young Democrats of America, we want to thank the California Young Democrats for their tireless efforts in fighting for marriage equality. Today’s decision in California helps pave the road to national marriage equality, but the fight will and must continue. Join us as together we continue to fight for equality for all citizens of this great nation.

At the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday, President Obama spoke clearly and compellingly of the values that guide his vision for the future of our nation. Citing the importance of morality in our politics and policy, the President asserted that “We can’t leave our values at the door. If we leave our values at the door, we abandon much of the moral glue that has held our nation together for centuries, and allowed us to become somewhat of a more perfect union.” He proceeded by enumerating the fundamental precepts that drive his policymaking and laid out a foundational framework for thinking about values in the public square. “Treating others as you want to be treated.  Requiring much from those who have been given so much.  Living by the principle that we are our brother’s keeper.  Caring for the poor and those in need…Today, with as many challenges as we face, these are the values I believe we’re going to have to return to in the hopes that God will buttress our efforts.” The President also called on Americans to live out our values “not just with words, but with deeds.”

As young Americans, we stand by President Obama’s words and also his deeds. We stand by his values-based vision for our country which has led to the expansion of healthcare coverage for people who can’t afford it. We stand by his efforts to expand opportunity for all Americans by improving our public schools, increasing access to higher education and job training, and reforming our broken financial and mortgage systems. We are heartened by our President’s willingness to stand by gay and lesbian Americans, undocumented immigrants, and our brothers and sisters caught in the nefarious web of poverty that confines the lives and potential of too many in the richest nation in the world. In trying times, President Obama represents what is right for America and we are confident in his leadership, integrity and resolve to take us into the future better and stronger together.

The President faces an important test, however, in this November’s election. His opponents have significant financial resources and will stop at nothing to defeat him. Unfortunately for our country, they represent an out of touch, individualistic vision for the United States that significantly strays from our core values. Instead of presenting policies and practicing politics that emphasize the “greater together”, e pluribus unum nature that has defined America since its founding, they have each embraced the Paul Ryan budget which takes two-thirds of its cuts from services that help level the opportunity playing field for low-income Americans. Given that Mitt Romney is “not concerned about the very poor” in the toughest time since the Great Depression and New Gingrich’s solution for closing the opportunity gap for African American children is to put them to work as school janitors, this comes as no surprise. Yet it is no less disheartening. We are facing incredible challenges as a nation. We need a leader who puts the American people first rather than winning the next election.

The 2012 election presents us with a choice that will impact us in the short- and long-term and have significant ramifications not only on what gets done in Washington, but what type of country we want to be moving forward. Join us in supporting President Obama and affirming that, as Americans, we will emerge from these difficult times greater together rather than farther apart.

- Rod, Colmon & Josh

Rod Snyder is President of the Young Democrats of America
Colmon Elridge is Executive VP of the Young Democrats of America
Josh Dickson is the Director of the YDA Faith & Values Initiative  

After outspending Newt Gingrich by a margin of 5 to 1, Mitt Romney is showing that if his agenda cannot endear him to the GOP party faithful, he believes his best strategy is to buy the nomination at any expense.

“The vote tonight in the Sunshine state shows a Republican party out of touch with the average Floridian as well as with the majority of Americans”, said YDA Executive Vice President Colmon Elridge. “Governor Romney continues to believe that the path to victory is to throw money at elections and repeat what his pollsters and staff are telling him to say, feel, and think rather than offering a solid vision for America or standing on principle.  Young Americans are focused on how we can work together to build the strongest future for all Americans, not just the few.  Meanwhile, Governor Romney continues to promote cutting access to college education by cutting Pell Grants and encourage cutting Social Security, which more and more of our grandparents have not only earned but depend on.  He continues to disavow the DREAM Act and a defined path to citizenship for young people who have earned it, and he continues to position himself as a fringe candidate for a nomination, not a leader for the United States of America.”

“Romney, Gingrich and their allies spent money hand over fist to buy the support of the voters in our fair sunshine state”, said Florida Young Democrats President Justin Spiller. “At the same time, state Republicans are trying to make sure that the voter suppression law recently enacted remains in place to restrict the vote of not just the youth of Florida but seniors, blacks and Hispanics. The Florida Young Democrats and Democrats period will continue to work in the best interest of all Floridians, and re-electing our President is essential to that cause.”

Florida native Alexander Lewy who serves as YDA Jewish Caucus Chair also added, “Jewish Americans don’t look favorably on candidates who treat Israeli security like a political football.  Romney and Gingrich have lied to Floridians about President Obama’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security. President Obama provided funding and support for Israel’s latest defense projects and condemned Palestinian rocket attacks against the Jewish State of Israel. Our President has also supported funding for Jewish community services while in 2003 Mitt Romney vetoed Kosher food funding for Jewish nursing homes.”

The Young Democrats of America continue to support President Obama’s Blueprint for an “America Built to Last” and look forward to working with young leaders and allied organizations in Florida and throughout the nation to support the President.  We will register young Americans to vote, mobilize young leaders in support of an agenda that empowers our generation to attain the American dream, and educate young voters on the stark contract between the Democratic and Republican agendas in 2012.

“The 70 million young people of the Millennial Generation are becoming an important political force across the United States, but it’s up to us to make sure we have a strong and coordinated voice in this election. We will take steps in the coming months that position us to make sure the voices of young people are heard,” said Sussman.  “We will mobilize a multi-million dollar campaign targeted directly at our members and supporters in schools and community centers in all 50 states.”

Sussman’s first priority will be to assess the organization’s national 2012 campaign plan while also establishing bold fundraising goals to ensure the continued long term sustainability of the organization, which marks its 80^th anniversary this year.

“YDA is thrilled to have Emily play such a major part in shaping the future of not only our organization, but the entire youth political movement.  There is no doubt that young voters will once again be critical to Democratic victories in 2012, and Emily’s leadership skills and political acumen will be central to our success,” said Rod Snyder, President of the Young Democrats of America.  “Few people understand the power of the Millennial Generation as well as Emily.  Her experience with galvanizing young people for the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and her work to establish Think Blue are a testament to her ability to develop a national strategy to engage youth.”

For nearly three years, Sussman worked on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” serving as co-government affairs director for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.  In August 2010, Sussman designed an online campaign urging young people to call their U.S. Senators and demand they vote for repeal.  The online campaign, kicked off by Lady Gaga, drove nearly 600,000 new visitors to the repeal website and successfully urged countless college students to create their own videos telling their friends to call the U.S. Senate switchboard.

A New York City native and graduate of Skidmore College and Cardozo Law School, Sussman founded and served as president of Think Blue while still in school.  The unique model allowed young New Yorkers the chance to have a voice in the political process by encouraging political candidates to meet and spend time with young people at affordable events.  In the 2008 election cycle, the New Leaders Council recognized Sussman as a “40 under 40 Emerging Leader in Politics.”  She was also recently honored by Cardozo Law School with the Nathaniel Gates award, and the Truman National Security Project recognized her for “extraordinary contributions toward advancing the Truman Democratic world view.”  Sussman is admitted to the New York State Bar.

RSVP here for the 2012 High School Kick-Off Call

High school students, even those who aren’t old enough to vote yet, can make a big difference in 2012 as we work for Democratic candidates across the country and help re-elect President Obama.  If you plan to be involved in Democratic politics throughout this year, you don’t want to miss tomorrow night’s call.

The High School Caucus of the Young Democrats of America is working every day to establish YDA chapters in schools across the country.  If you are a high school student who would like more information about tomorrow night’s call or about getting involved in YDA throughout 2012, please feel free to send me an email.

Thanks,

Samina Hydery
Chair, High School Caucus
Young Democrats of America