The United States Communist Party reprints this interview with Gawker.com and Comrade John Bachtell , the Chairman of the U.S. Communist Party:
The United States of America has a Communist Party. John Bachtell is its national chairman. We spoke to him about American politics, the mistakes of the Soviets, and communism's "branding problem."What better proof than this that American communists, that want to abolish private property, are on the same team as Barack Obama? Obama thinks David Koch is an extremist but when do you hear Obama call communists extremists? No word yet on how many people murdered by communists before Gawker thinks branding isn't an issue.
Bachtell grew up in Ohio, with parents active in the civil rights and antiwar movement. He became interested in communism in college, and has been a member of the party since 1977. All the while, he's been involved in political campaigns as well. We met him last week at the Communist Party USA's headquarters on 23rd street in Manhattan to hear what modern American communism is all about. It's not your daddy's communism.
Gawker: Your involvement in electoral campaigns is mainly organizing for progressive Democrats?
John Bachtell: Yes, mainly progressive Democrats and independents at every level, whether it be city council, state rep, Senate, Presidential. I was really active in both Obama campaigns. Actually I was his precinct captain for his Senate campaign in Illinois.
