The Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy Takes Shape

All this talk of conspiracies can become tiring, but the Politico’s Ben Smith has a new article called The new left-wing conspiracy that can’t be ignored.

Apparently Progressive Media, a group that appeared to self-destruct last year, is alive and well, and organizing to impose socialism on America.

The group is an outgrowth of David Brock’s Media Matters for America and John Podesta’s Center for American Progress.

Every work day at 8:45 in the morning

officials from more than 20 labor, environmental and other Democratic-leaning groups dial into a private conference call hosted by two left-leaning Washington organizations.

The “8:45 A.M. call,” as it’s referred to by members, began three weeks ago, and it marks a new level in coordination by the White House’s allies at a time when the conservative opposition is struggling for a toe-hold and major agenda items like health care reform appear closer than ever to passage.

The call has helped attempts to link the Republican Party to radio host Rush Limbaugh, and has served as the launching ground for attacks on critics of Obama’s policy proposals. It springs from a recognition of what was lacking in the Clinton years, said Jennifer Palmieri, the senior vice president for communications at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, one of the groups hosting the call.

“[CAP President John] Podesta’s and my experience was in the White House during the Clinton years, and we didn’t have a coordinated echo chamber on the outside backing us up,” she said. “There’s a real interest on the progressive side for groups to want to coordinate with each other and leverage each other’s work in a way I haven’t ever seen before.” […]