The Left uniting to support Obama agenda

WASHINGTON, March 15 (UPI) -- Political observers say as many as 30 left-leaning groups have joined forces to help President Barack Obama push his agenda through the U.S. Congress.

Unity '09 includes labor unions and environmental groups, as well as Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and the online-based MoveOn.org, Politico reported Sunday.

The movement, which so far has acted secretive, was conceived last November to pressure lawmakers in their home states to support Obama-sponsored legislative and progressive causes, Politico reported.

Unity '09's early efforts come at a time when Obama's grassroots network is defending his budget and attacking the Republican Party, which in recent months has shown deep divisions among its factions, Politico reported.

"When progressive activists are working in concert and the right is forming a circular firing squad, you know it's a new day," said Paul Begala, a political consultant who said he is not involved in Unity '09.

Unity '09 is not associated with Unity '08, a bipartisan group of political operatives who tried to convince New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to run for president last year as an independent.