National Committee Meeting, July 7-8, 2007

Sam Webb’s report on the overall political situation and Scott Marshall’s report on developments in the labor movement and industrial concentration, along with Jarvis Tyner’s report from the African American Equality Conference, give us the basis for this wonderful meeting and discussion.

To begin, I want to acknowledge that more than my fingerprints are on this report. Many comrades in discussions and by email gave me ideas and suggestions that I believe give the report more depth and range. I want to thank the comrades who took time out to convey their thinking.

The report focuses on some aspects of the current situation. It doesn’t try to span the entire country or the globe. Its aim is less ambitious. I will make an assessment of the Bush administration and the people’s struggle against its policies. Then the report will look at the 2008 elections and some of the main questions that will frame them. Finally, some aspects of our party’s work will be considered.

First I want to thank the Labor Commission members for their invaluable input in this report. Much of this report took shape at this year’s face-to-face Midwest regional commission meeting last May in Chicago. The National Board discussion of this report was also very helpful.