Barack Obama and the "New Party"

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) created a group called the New Party that enouraged Democrats to run for office along with the endorsement of the New Party, called "fusion."

Politically Drunk On Power is all over the story, and has dug up a lot of old links. A difficult thing to do, since the the New Party faded away in 1998--before the internet took off--after the US Supreme Court ruled fusion platforms unconstitutional.

Here's an excerpt the November 1996 Progressive Populist article:

New Party members and supported candidates won 16 of 23 races, including an at-large race for the Little Rock, Ark., City Council, a seat on the county board for Little Rock and the school board for Prince George's County, Md. Chicago is sending the first New Party member to Congress, as Danny Davis, who ran as a Democrat, won an overwhelming 85% victory. New Party member Barack Obama was uncontested for a State Senate seat from Chicago.

The Democratic Socialists of America are what there name says it is. They want to bring socialism to America through the ballot box.

Technorati tags: politics Election Democrats Chicago Obama Barack Obama socialists DSA