Democrats are now in control of Congress thanks to a combination of strong Democratic candidates and disenchantment with President Bush and Republican policies. Right? Superb radio host and author Laura Flanders tends to disagree. In her new book, "Blue Grit: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians," Flanders argues that the Democrats are back in power due to the hard work of well-organized grassroots groups who have been building effective collations and engaging uninspired voters through new technology, new media, and new fundraising strategies - all of which the national Democratic Party has failed to do- Cody's Books
Laura Flanders hosts her own radio show RadioNation on Air America Radio. She is the author of Bushwomen: How They Won the White House for Their Man; Real Majority, Media Minority: The Costs of Sidelining Women in Reporting; and is the editor of The W Effect: Sexual Politics in the Bush Years and Beyond.
Bio
Ludovic Blain
Ludovic Blain has a unique set of advocacy, organizing, policy analysis and communications expertise, working with communities of color and other socially excluded communities domestically and on three continents.
Since 2001 Ludovic Blain has been Associate Director of the Democracy Program at Demos, a national organization that promotes ideas, networks and advocacy addressing the root causes of two intertwined issues: declining civic participation and increasing economic inequality. Ludovic's work builds the capacity of regional and state democracy reform networks that promote election reform. His lead projects are the reversal of laws that strip voting rights away from citizens convicted of felonies, and the promotion of Election Day Registration.
Laura Flanders
Former Air America Radio host, Laura Flanders is the host and founder of GRITtv with Laura Flanders, a daily talk show for people who want to do more than talk. She is the author of the New York Times best-seller, BUSHWOMEN: Tales of a Cynical Species and Blue GRIT: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians She also writes for The Nation and The Huffington Post and is a regular contributor to MSNBC's "The Ed Show" and "Countdown" with Keith Olbermann. She has appeared on shows from "Real Time" with Bill Maher to Bill O’Reilly's Factor.