With its call for the twenty-one (and counting) currently declared Democratic presidential candidates to sign onto the We Are Indivisible 2020 Candidate Pledge, once again the organizers over at Indivisible are demonstrating that they’re the savviest political-action group out there.
Getting out in front of controversy, cleverly framing the issues, confronting head on the challenge and necessity of party unity, and identifying bold tactics to address the issues the grassroots care most about is the modus operandi for this dynamic and highly successful group. Its call for candidates and activists to take the pledge this early in the campaign season is a clear sign that the group is positioning itself and its wide network of supporters to be a force to be reckoned with during the upcoming campaign season.
Although the 2020 campaign season is just gearing up, Indivisible is coming out to demonstrate its commitment to heeding the oft-repeated dictum that those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Hoping to prevent the division and distrust that threatened party unity following the 2016 convention, when Hillary Clinton clinched the nomination, Indivisible is coming out early and strong to remind Democratic activists that a repeat of the rancor of 2016 must not be repeated. The group joins a growing crescendo of voices across the political spectrum warning that 2020 is going to be the do-or-die election for recapturing America’s commitment to the rule of law and democracy as articulated by the Constitution.
Rather than waiting in the wings to get behind the eventual Democratic nominees, Indivisible seems to have set down a marker for other progressive groups to follow with this early call to unity. To date, the response to the pledge is off to a good start. As of April 29, seven candidates have signed on to the pledge, with Bernie Sanders being first out of the gate. The other six are Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro, Kamala Harris, Jay Inslee, and Elizabeth Warren.
Here, word for word, is Indivisible’s pledge for the Democratic presidential field.
The Pledge for Presidential Candidates
We must defeat Donald Trump. The first step is a primary contest that produces a strong Democratic nominee. The second step is winning the general election. We will not accept anything less. To ensure this outcome, as a 2020 Presidential candidate, I pledge to:
- Make the primary constructive. I’ll respect the other candidates and make the primary election about inspiring voters with my vision for the future.
- Rally behind the winner. I’ll support the ultimate Democratic nominee, whoever it is — period. No Monday morning quarterbacking. No third-party threats. Immediately after there’s a nominee, I’ll endorse.
- Do the work to beat Trump. I will do everything in my power to make the Democratic nominee the next President of the United States. As soon as there is a nominee, I will put myself at the disposal of the campaign.
And true to its roots, Indivisible has created not just a pledge for the candidates, but a pledge for what the organization calls its “grassroots army.” Added to the basic pledge the candidates are being encouraged to sign are the following goals for everyone else who is committed to working to vote Donald Trump out of office.
The Pledge for the Everyone Else
- Make the primary constructive. We’ll make the primary election about our hopes for the future, and a robust debate of values, vision and the contest of ideas. We’ll remain grounded in our shared values, even if we support different candidates.
2. Rally behind the winner. We’ll support the ultimate Democratic nominee, whoever it is — period. No Monday morning quarterbacking. No third-party threats.
3. Do the work to beat Trump. We’re the grassroots army that’s going to power the nominee to victory, and we’ll show up to make calls, knock doors, and do whatever it takes.
For more information and to sign the pledge, go to https://pledge.indivisible.org/?source=form_link1&utm_source=form&utm_medium=link1