Fighting the Right

Rev. Womack on the March 21 Immigration Rally

PFAWF's Rev. Dr. Rolen Womack invites participants to an immigration rally held on March 21, 2010.

Rev. Shine the March 21 Immigration Rally

PFAWF's Rev. Robert Shine invites participants to an immigration rally held on March 21, 2010.

A Crass Caluculus

The last major debate on comprehensive immigration reform exposed serious divisions within the Republican Party and its supporters. Some argued that the Party needed to take a hard line against any reform that looked like “amnesty.” Others worried that the inflammatory rhetoric used by some right-wing pundits and politicians could turn Latinos, the fastest-growing group in America, against the Republican Party for a generation.

Reform Attracts Growing Religious Support - And Resistance

Many conservative Christian leaders have vehemently opposed Obama administration initiatives and denouncedthe administration as a threat to religious liberty and democracy itself. But when it comes tocomprehensive immigration reform, religious community supporthas expanded from traditional supporters like the U.S.

(P)reviewing the Right-Wing Playbook on Immigration Reform

There is near-universal agreement that America's immigration system is not working well. Unfortunately, the last major effort to achieve reform was derailed by a campaign grounded in fear, stereotypes, and a divisive nativism that is unworthy of America's ideals.

GOP Obstruction of Executive Branch Nominees

According to PFAW's review of records, GOP senators are blocking President Obama's Executive Branch nominees at a rate never seen before.

Has Liz Cheney No Sense of Decency?

Liz Cheney's group "Keep America Safe" is behind an ad that demonstrates the resurgence of McCarthy-like tactics among right-wing activists.

"Mount Vernon Statement": Fancy New Name, Same Old Talking Points

Today, a group of Right Wing leaders unveiled their much hyped “Mount Vernon Statement” which they claim will provide a “definitive statement" regarding the central principles of the conservative movement. But upon review, the document looks like more of the same old talking points.

Manhattan Declaration: Old Poison, New Packaging

Religious Right leaders are making a new concerted push to gain signatures for the “Manhattan Declaration,” a manifesto that was released just before Thanksgiving by about 150 conservative Christian leaders.

Tancredo Sets the Tone For Tea Party: Extreme, Racist, Nativist

Former Representative Tom Tancredo kicked off the tea party convention in Nashville today with an offensive speech in which he said President Obama was elected by “people who could not even spell the word ‘vote’ or say it in English” because “we do not have a civics literacy test before people can vote in this country.”

People For the American Way Foundation President Michael B. Keegan issued the following statement in response:

GOP Obstruction on Nominations Reaches New Low

According to media reports, Richard Shelby has placed a blanket “hold” on all executive branch nominations in an effort to secure federal spending in his state.

Vote Long Overdue on 3rd Circuit Court Nomination

Today, People For the American Way called on the U.S. Senate to confirm President Obama's nominee to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, Joseph Greenaway.

"Judge Greenaway is a competent, qualified, fair-minded nominee who should be confirmed for this position as soon as possible," said Marge Baker, Executive Vice President at People For the American Way. "He was approved unanimously by the Judiciary Committee. There's absolutely no reason to delay his confirmation to this post."

Response to GOP Win In Massachusetts Should Be Renewed Focus on Values—Ours and Theirs

In Massachusetts last night, candidate Scott Brown defeated Martha Coakley in the race to succeed Ted Kennedy in the United States Senate. In response, People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan called for progressives to respond with a renewed focus on shared values.

Guess Who's Coming to the McDonnell Inauguration

When Bob McDonnell is sworn into office as governor tomorrow, one of his most steadfast supporters will be there too: Religious Right leader Pat Robertson, fresh off of his recent comments about Haiti. Rather than being a fringe element, Robertson's presence will be a vivid illustration of how the Religious Right movement remains deeply influential in today's GOP

Judiciary Republicans Seek to Delay Johnsen Confirmation

In response to news reports that Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are seeking a second hearing for Dawn Johnsen, People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker said, "This latest maneuver by Senate Republicans is anything but a good faith effort to protect national security. We absolutely face serious threats, and the Obama administration needs all hands on deck."

Religious Right Leader says Haiti "swore a pact to the devil"

People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan today condemned a statement made by Religious Right leader Pat Robertson, who said that the nation of Haiti has been cursed ever since it "swore a pact to the Devil."

In discussing the earthquake, which the UN says has killed thousands of people, Robertson said: