Leaders Wanted

Hello, I hope your weekend was great.  I was in Los Angeles this week meeting with party leaders and doing press for our big launch in California this month with our new affiliate, CA Common Sense. 

I started the Forward Party 16 months ago with conviction on a few big things.  One, America is getting more and more polarized and is careening toward dysfunction and open conflict.  Two, the answer will not come from within the traditional two-party system, which feeds into tribalism by design.  Three, a new political force is required that rewards problem-solving and will fuel reform of the structures that disproportionately empower the extremes in American life. 

I also knew there was a massive appetite for a better, more positive approach to our politics meant to bring people together rather than pit us against each other.  There are good people of every political background and it’s okay to disagree with someone and still share a community with them. 

Over the past year-plus, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a number of leaders who have come to similar conclusions.  One of the most remarkable among them was Lindsey Drath, who was just named the new CEO of the Forward Party.

Lindsey comes to Forward as the lead fundraiser for Unite America, an organization that funds reform campaigns and ballot initiatives for measures like nonpartisan primaries and Ranked Choice Voting.  “I sold democracy plumbing to rich people” is how Lindsey puts it.  Of course, that plumbing might just save the country. 

Over time, Lindsey came to realize the need for a popular movement.  “People need a group that they can join.  And the reform movement needs to involve actual everyday Americans who want to stand up and improve things for themselves.”  The Forward Party now has over 30,000 active volunteers in all fifty states, and is making rapid headway as the biggest independent political effort in a generation. 

Lindsey is an experienced political operative, so people tried to dissuade her from joining Forward.  “Oh yeah, people try to scare you.  They say this is a one-way street, and you can’t come back to party politics.  The fact is, I’m so grateful that this movement exists, because I can do this work on behalf of the country while knowing I’m doing the right thing.  This is the right answer.”  Lindsey started her own successful consulting firm in D.C. while raising three kids – she’s a powerhouse who is not easily daunted by naysayers.   

With Forward, Lindsey simply showed up and started working.  That’s her instinct.  I’ve had the pleasure of working with her for the last several months, and I know how lucky we are to get someone like her willing to bet her career and reputation on a new approach to politics.  Matt, Miles, Kait and the rest of the team are pumped to work alongside her because she’s already been here making things better for months.    

“I talk to people all of the time, and they are what I’d call Forward-curious” Lindsey says.  “They aren’t convinced yet, but a lot of them wonder whether maybe this time it’s different and new things are possible.  And many of them are distressed at how bad our politics have become and desperately want an alternative.  As we grow, more and more will join us.” 

Followers look around and wonder what others think.  Leaders build what others regard as impossible and leave others wondering why they didn’t see it sooner. 

Welcome to Lindsey – with her at the helm there’s no limit to what Forward will become. 

To join Forward in your state, click here.  To listen to my interview with Lindsey this week click here.  To become a donor to Forward, click here.  Let’s lead.