Radio host and author Laura Flanders joins us to discuss her new book, "Blue Grit: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians." Flanders says, "[The Democratic leadership] is constantly running away from their base, who -- whether they like it or not -- are gays and lesbians, women who support abortions, people of color...that's the base they depend on every time they come to an election." [includes rush transcript]

The big news from Washington this week: money for elections and money for war. Democratic Presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama announced he raised over $25 million in the first three months of the year. The total is just shy of Senator Hillary Clinton's record amount. Campaign records show Obama received more individual donations than Clinton and John Edwards combined. The 2008 election is expected to be the most expensive presidential campaign ever.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, a key Democratic leader has given new indications Democrats are prepared to back down on their call to cut off war funding if President Bush vetoes a bill calling for a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Speaking on ABC Sunday, Armed Services Committee chair Senator Carl Levin said: "We're not going to vote to cut funding, period." Levin said a veto would lead Democrats to consider removing language calling for the withdrawal of troops.

Are Democrats fulfilling their elected mandate, or are they ignoring the grassroots movements that helped sweep them to office? That's one question raised in a new book by the radio host and author Laura Flanders. It's called "Blue Grit: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians." Laura is the host of "RadioNation" on the national Air America Radio network. Her previous books include "Bushwomen: How They Won the White House for Their Man" and "The W Effect: Sexual Politics in the Bush Years and Beyond." Laura Flanders joins us in the firehouse studio.

• Laura Flanders, host of "RadioNation" on the national Air America Radio network. More info at LauraFlanders.com