Michael Huttner
Encyclopedia
Michael Huttner is an attorney, author and activist and is the founder of ProgressNow
a network of progressive communication organizations in 12 American states with over 2.4 million online members.
presidential campaign, worked in 2005 with the technology provider Blue State Digital
to develop the website that launched as ProgressNow and was later adopted by the Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008
. The Washington Post referred to their work as one most “ambitious” effort in grassroots organizing at the state level. Starting with Colorado and then Ohio, Huttner has developed a network of state based communications hubs across the country.
described as “A practical handbook on how every American can do something for our country.” On September 5, 2009, the book's sales rank was number 28 in its Amazon.com
category, but by September 20, 2009, it was no longer in the top 100 in its category.
Huttner’s book was criticized by conservative commentators including Fox News's Neil Cavuto
. Conservative author Michelle Malkin
also criticized Huttner for reaching out to “[Obama] cultists” and for trying to knock her book Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies
off the New York Times bestseller list.
when he called on every public official in Colorado who supported Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave
’s proposed Federal Marriage Amendment
to sign a “fidelity pledge.”
Huttner was also criticized by numerous Republicans after he put up a billboard near the Colorado State Capitol that accused Governor Bill Owens of Colorado’s post-September 11 attacks economic downturn.
Huttner was later criticized for his guilt-by-association tactic of renting a plane to fly over Denver’s Invesco Field at Mile High
two days before the 2008 general election with a message “McCain is a Raiders Fan.”
and graduated from Cherry Creek High School
, received his B.A. from Brown University
and his J.D. from the UC Hastings College of Law. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver College of Law.
ProgressNow
ProgressNow, previously the Rocky Mountain Progressive Network, is a progressive lobby group in the United States that was founded in 2003. ProgressNow, a 501 organization, along with its sister organization ProgressNow Education, a 501 organization, bills itself as a network of state based...
a network of progressive communication organizations in 12 American states with over 2.4 million online members.
Founder of ProgressNow
Huttner, along with Bobby Clark, a former staffer to the Howard DeanHoward Dean
Howard Brush Dean III is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S...
presidential campaign, worked in 2005 with the technology provider Blue State Digital
Blue State Digital
Blue State Digital is a Washington, D.C.-based Internet strategy and technology firm. The company was founded in early 2004 by four former staffers of Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign: Clay A. Johnson, Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Joe Rospars, and Ben Self...
to develop the website that launched as ProgressNow and was later adopted by the Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008
Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008
Barack Obama, then junior United States Senator from Illinois, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in Springfield, Illinois, on February 10, 2007. On August 27, 2008, he was declared nominee of the Democratic Party for the 2008 presidential election...
. The Washington Post referred to their work as one most “ambitious” effort in grassroots organizing at the state level. Starting with Colorado and then Ohio, Huttner has developed a network of state based communications hubs across the country.
Author
Huttner is the author of 50 Ways You Can Help Obama Change America, an activist handbook that the late Senator Edward KennedyEdward Kennedy
Edward Kennedy may refer to:*Ted Kennedy, Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy , United States Senator from Massachusetts*Edward Kennedy , journalist who first reported the German surrender in World War II*Edward Kennedy, Jr., son of U.S...
described as “A practical handbook on how every American can do something for our country.” On September 5, 2009, the book's sales rank was number 28 in its Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
category, but by September 20, 2009, it was no longer in the top 100 in its category.
Huttner’s book was criticized by conservative commentators including Fox News's Neil Cavuto
Neil Cavuto
Neil Patrick Cavuto is an American television anchor and commentator on the Fox Business Network and host of three television programs, Your World with Neil Cavuto and Cavuto on Business, both on the Fox News Channel and Cavuto on sister channel Fox Business Network.Cavuto also tapes a nightly...
. Conservative author Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin is an American conservative blogger, political commentator, and author. Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She is a Fox News Channel contributor and has been a guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and national radio programs...
also criticized Huttner for reaching out to “[Obama] cultists” and for trying to knock her book Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies
Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies
Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies is a book written by conservative author Michelle Malkin. The book claims that the Barack Obama administration has had dozens of instances of corruption...
off the New York Times bestseller list.
Support from the left, criticism from the right
Huttner has developed numerous fans from the left as well as critics largely from the conservative side of the political spectrum. He was criticized by RepublicansRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
when he called on every public official in Colorado who supported Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave
Marilyn Musgrave
Marilyn Neoma Musgrave , American politician, is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives who served from 2003 to 2009, representing the 4th District of Colorado....
’s proposed Federal Marriage Amendment
Federal Marriage Amendment
The Federal Marriage Amendment H.J. Res. 56 was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would have limited marriage in the United States to unions of one man and one woman...
to sign a “fidelity pledge.”
Huttner was also criticized by numerous Republicans after he put up a billboard near the Colorado State Capitol that accused Governor Bill Owens of Colorado’s post-September 11 attacks economic downturn.
Huttner was later criticized for his guilt-by-association tactic of renting a plane to fly over Denver’s Invesco Field at Mile High
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High, is a multi-purpose stadium, in Denver, Colorado. It replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium in 2001...
two days before the 2008 general election with a message “McCain is a Raiders Fan.”
Education and professional career
Mr. Huttner grew up in Denver, ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and graduated from Cherry Creek High School
Cherry Creek High School
Cherry Creek High School is the oldest of six high schools in the Cherry Creek School District in suburban Denver, Colorado. It is one of the largest high schools in the Denver metro area, with an campus and more than 3,700 students. Cherry Creek High School has been designated a Blue Ribbon...
, received his B.A. from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
and his J.D. from the UC Hastings College of Law. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver College of Law.