CHICAGO – Today, think tank Third Way announced the launch of a new $20 million political campaign that will study why Democrats lost in 2016 and how they can chart a path forward. In a story from POLITICO about the campaign, Third Way President Jonathan Cowan slammed “big government liberal populism.” George Goehl, the co-director of People’s Action, a national progressive grassroots advocacy organization, issued the following statement:

“Third Way announced today they hope to spend $20 million studying why Democrats lost in 2016. But they seem to have reached a conclusion already. Jonathan Cowan’s remarks suggest they plan to steer the Democratic Party away from the populist groundswell and stars like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

“But Senator Sanders campaign suggests a path that could lead Democrats to victory. He energized millions of everyday people around a bold progressive agenda. He brought new people into the political process. And he made Americans feel that politicians could work for them, instead of big corporations and the billionaire class.”

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People’s Action is a national organization of more than a million people across 30 states working for economic, racial, gender and climate justice – and to ensure everyone a voice in our political system. From family farms to big cities, from coast to coast, we’re fighting for community over greed, justice over racism, and people and planet over big corporations.