New Politics Institute

The New Politics Institute, a think tank of the New Democrat Network (NDN), was launched May 10, 2005. The NPI was provided with a major start-up grant by Andy and Deborah Rappaport.

Mission
NPI "has been established by people from across the country and across the political spectrum to help progressives succeed on the dynamic new battlefield of 21st century politics."

"Working like a conventional policy-oriented think tank, NPI will assemble some of the finest minds in progressive politics, the non-profit world and the private sector to study, master, incubate and promote new strategies, technologies and techniques for the rapidly changing politics of this new century." 

Core Team

 * Simon Rosenberg, Founder
 * Peter Leyden, Director
 * Peter Leyden is also the Knowledge Developer at Global Business Network, "helping to identify and share key ideas emerging within GBN and its extended network."  His articles appear on the GBN website at

Founders

 * Andy and Deborah Rappaport,
 * Gina Glantz,
 * Cecile Richards,

Fellows

 * Ruy Teixeira,
 * Joe Trippi,
 * Sergio Bendixen,
 * Jamie Daves,
 * Jonathan Spalter,
 * Luis Ubiñas,
 * Markos Moulitsas Zúniga,
 * Jennifer Nix,
 * Tim Chambers,
 * Julie Bergman Sender,
 * Theo Yedinsky,
 * Michael Kieschnick,

Start-Up Funding
"The NPI will have a budget of $1.5 million to $2 million, and funding will come primarily" from "Bay Area philanthropists Andy and Deborah Rappaport [who] have provided NPI a substantial start-up grant." Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is "a major partner in the start-up phase" of NPI. 

Projects
"NPI's first several projects will include a new report on the Hispanic electorate by NPI Fellow Sergio Bendixen, a new major report on building a new majority coalition by prominent pollster and strategist Mark Penn and a report on the future of progressive media by NPI Fellow Jamie Daves. NPI will also be showcasing the internet television technology of a new start-up, Participatory Culture." 

Simon Rosenberg: Inspiration
"The New Politics Institute (NPI) will leave it to others to develop a future policy agenda for the party. Simon Rosenberg, founder of the New Democrat Network and the inspiration behind the new institute, said the new group will study what the rise of the conservative movement, anticipated demographic changes in the country and the 'post-broadcasting' world of new media mean for Democrats' hopes of winning elections.

"'Until we can really get our act together and win elections, all the policy white papers aren't going to do us a lot of good,' said Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, whose Daily Kos is one of the most popular political blogs on the Internet and who is an adviser to the institute.

"Other advisers include a cross section of centrists and liberals, among them Joe Trippi, who was for a time Howard Dean's presidential campaign manager; Gina Glantz of the Service Employees International Union; pollster Mark Penn; organizer Cecile Richards, president of America Votes; and pollster Sergio Bendixen, an expert on Hispanic trends." --Jim VandeHei, Washington Post, May 14, 2005.

Publications
New Politics Institute Publications, Readings and Commentary.

Founding Team

 * Theo Yedinsky, New Politics Institute Director
 * Gina Glantz
 * Andy and Deborah Rappaport,
 * Cecile Richards
 * Simon Rosenberg
 * Sergio Bendixen, NPI Fellow
 * Jamie Daves, NPI Fellow
 * Mark Penn, NPI Fellow
 * Markos Moulitsas Zúniga, NPI Fellow
 * Joe Trippi, NPI Fellow


 * Source: ndnpac.org accessed May 18, 2005.

Contact details
New Politics Institute 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 410 Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 544-9200 Fax: (202) 547-2929 Website: http://www.ndnpac.org/npi/

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