National Committee Meeting, October 15-16, 2005

The purpose of my report is to present a picture of the political situation and its evolution since our Convention. Normally we might not do this, but things have happened over the past four months that are anything but normal.

Indeed, the political landscape has tilted enough that the National Board thought it would be useful for the National Committee to take a fresh look at the status of the Bush administration and its implications for struggles ahead.

At our National Convention four months ago we noted that the Bush administration was losing its initiative and momentum. We said that Bush didn’t walk with the same old swagger and his much-vaunted political capital had lost much of its value....

I would like to begin by recognizing and appreciating our local candidates who are out in the field in this election cycle.

Through them we build on the legacy of the great Benjamin J. Davis, “Communist Councilman from Harlem,” and others who served the needs of working people valiantly in public office.

At this moment, what a great contribution our candidates have to make from the grass roots up, projecting bold solutions and building unity in the movement to defeat the extreme right wing.

We will learn a lot from the reports of these campaigns....