Courage Campaign

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The Courage Campaign is a California-based organization that advocates for liberal/progressive policy outcomes. On its website, the group describes itself as "an online organizing network that empowers more than 700,000 grassroots and netroots activists to push for progressive change and equality in California."

According to a spokesperson, it "is a multi-issue, progressive political training organization".[1]

The Courage Campaign is an affiliate member of Progress Now.

Rick Jacobs is the founder and chair of the organization. Jacobs was the California chair of Howard Dean's presidential campaign in California. He also served as a senior adviser to Democracy for America.

Steve Hildebrand, the former deputy campaign manager for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, is an adviser to the Courage Campaign.[2]

Repeal of Prop 8

Main article: California Repeal of Proposition 8 (2010)

Since November 2008, there has been a dispute in the marriage equality movement about whether to try to repeal Proposition 8 in 2010 or 2012. In this dispute, the Courage Campaign has come down strongly in favor of the 2010 option. Rick Jacobs says, "I don't know why we would say no to the movement we've got now."[2]

The Courage Campaign has spent $200,000 on public opinion research and focus groups to provide guidance on possible ballot language.[3]

Legal structure

There are several different but affiliated groups under the Courage Campaign banner:

  • The "Courage Campaign" is a Section 527 political action organization.
  • "Courage Campaign Issues" is a 501(c)(4) organization.
  • "Courage Campaign Issues Committee" is a California ballot measure committee that is registered with the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Organizing teams

The organization says that since March 2009, it has had 44 teams doing grassroots organizing in 23 of California's 58 counties.[4]

Partners

The Courage Campaign says that it has these partners:

  • MoveOn.org
  • CREDO Mobile
  • Democracy for America
  • PowerPAC.org
  • California Nurses Association
  • National Union of Healthcare Workers
  • Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles

External links

References

  1. Vallejo Times-Herald, "Grassroots effort seeks repeal on marriage ban", July 26, 2009
  2. 2.0 2.1 Wall Street Journal, "Gay-Marriage Bid is Delayed", August 13, 2009
  3. San Francisco Chronicle, "Same sex marriage could still be on ballot in 2010 - big meeting in SF this weekend"
  4. San Francisco Chronicle, "New straw poll of gay marriage leaders: Overturn Prop 8 in 2010", July 26, 2009

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