NOK in Virginia
Posted by Josh McConaha on November 16, 2005 at 07:54 PM
Jerome Wiley Segovia, who was gracious enough to blog from the DNC's Hispanic Summit a while back, sent in this account of one of his organizing events in Virginia last night...
The Fairfax County/Falls Church DNC Kickoff event was a great success. Because we were all involved in the Tim Kaine for Governor campaign here in Virginia, most of us were not focusing on planning for this event. At the last minute, we decided that it was a fairly simple undertaking, and that if we were able to get ten or fifteen folks out, it would be a good event. We only had about 48 hours to plan the event, but the online DNC tools helped.
First, we got a commitment for 160 empanadas, which probably drew some people in. Then, we were able to get some of the folks we e-mailed to forward the invitation to large local e-mail lists, and get the word out. We had 52 people sign up overnight. Puente Latino, a Latino organizing consulting firm, sent word to statewide Latino Democrats urging them to make the event. By the time the live conference call with Governor Dean started, event attendance reached 100.
Germán Gómez, senior partner with Puente Latino, emceed the event, and introduced Andrew Hurst, who is a candidate for the VA-11 Congressional seat. Hurst delivered a genuine and inspired speech that I would title "Why are you here?" asking each of those present to stop and think about why they were present at the event. He related a story about a moment when he first asked himself "why am I running for Congress?" and how it gave him the clarity of thought that guides him today on the campaign trail.
The other exciting aspect of the evening was that many, many county and statewide Latino activists and leaders were present. As Virginia moves forward within Governor Dean's 50-state strategy, one way we will gain 10 new Democrats in each precinct, one way we will win back th e necessary 30 seats in the House, will be by identifying and training leaders within the Latino community, and the most effective way to bring that about is by enlisting the help of leaders within that very community.
Jerome Wiley Segovia
reporting from DNC Kickoff Event - VA 11
Comments (7) «
Your organization, even though at the last minute, certainly paid off. Congrats to Senor Gomez and to all that made your night so informative.
Great job! I'm excited to help prepare for elections next year.
Very good.
NOT slightly off topic. HERE IS WHY WE CANNOT SUPPORT LIEBERMAN IN HIS NEXT RUN FOR SENATE.
The man is the NEW ZELL MILLER:
Senator Joe Lieberman, today on the floor of the Senate:
"It is no surprise to my colleagues that I strongly supported the war in Iraq. I was privileged to be the Democratic cosponsor, with the Senator from Virginia, of the authorizing resolution which received overwhelming bipartisan support. As I look back on it and as I follow the debates about prewar intelligence, I have no regrets about having sponsored and supported that resolution because of all the other reasons we had in our national security interest to remove Saddam Hussein from power - a brutal, murdering dictator, an aggressive invader of his neighbors, a supporter of terrorism, a hater of the United States of America. He was, for us, a ticking time bomb that, if we did not remove him, I am convinced would have blown up, metaphorically speaking, in America's face."
"I am grateful to the American military for the extraordinary bravery and brilliance of their campaign to remove Saddam Hussein. I know we are safer as a nation, and to say the obvious that the Iraqi people are freer as a people, and the Middle East has a chance for a new day and stability with Saddam Hussein gone."
Next he'll start denouncing democrats for being traitors and liberals.
HE HAS GOT TO GO!
i have six concerns. until i hear a voice from this democratic party of ours i will not contribute financially.
my concerns are these:
1) legislation banning the use of voting machines which are without a paper trail. if one does not think a paper trail --- verifiable voting --- is necessary then the intent is, clearly, to cheat.
2) when will we witness the actual beginning of impeachment proceedings? where is the democratic voice? the silence of the last five years is deafening.
3) stop all republican legislative efforts for the remainder of gwb's time in office.
4) do not confirm alito.
5) organize, demand, and legislate a plan with respect to iraq.
6) join the international criminal court and charge this administration and its president with war crimes, crimes against the nation, and crimes against humanity.
Happy 57th Birthday to Governer Dean. And thank you for helping us change the party so that it once again speaks for the people and not the big companies. It will take a while, but we're ready.
Here is a Kos blog to leave your wishes.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/11/16/222051/11
Envy is not a nice emotion, yet I feel it when I read of this group's accomplishment. A hundred party goers!!! What a coup!!!
We only managed 14, but then we did have two parties in the same neighborhood, so we could claim about 25. Of course, New Hampshire is a lot smaller than Virginia. LOL
!Congratulations!
It is great that we are getting organized this early and I hope that we can get the latino community involved as well. Being a big % of the residents fo Farifax county, the latinos can be a deciding factor in future elections.
PT
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