This is what I'm talking about.

Thanks, Tim!

None of what is reported above indicates that people without access to the website have access to the party.
I have at least six voting relatives who have no access to the internet.
How are you reaching those voters?
Are they given the same Annual Report to the Grassroots?
My relatives don't have this information.
Maybe the poor and less technologically hip would vote Democratic if the party didn't
continue to ignore them in these subtle ways.

We will end the Republican culture of corruption

That would help this country and the World immensely.

Nice post!

MaJoad, That's where we come in. Copy information from the internet that you feel is pertinent and give it to your relatives. Give them your back issues of any progressive magazines you might have. The repubs own US mainstream media and what dems have is the internet and *real* people.

It is hard to compete with the brainwashing they are getting from TV, but some things can't be obscured. I focus on the enormous debt and our banker being communist China with my *conservative* friends. There is certainly a major disconnect with the repub party there. Since the end of WWII communists have been the *enemy*, as described by repubs, and NOW we are major indebted to them?

The environment is an area where a large percentage of the pop. is in agreement. Let them know what is really happening. Of course I could go on about what this administration has done wrong, but this blog probably wouldn't accept the *book* necessary to point out all of it;)

Hmmmm, I guess civil rights and equality just ain't the cash cow for fundraising that it used to be.

SIGH...now I know why I've had to go off on my own. Don't wonder why I (and many other GLBT folks) won't be donating this time around.

Great post xdebx. You are right on the money with our role in reaching out to less technologically advanced people.

I didn't notice that the plan left out civil rights, but I did notice that the plan left out a statement on the protection of our environment. I thought that was too bad.

Mostly I was just happy to see some optimistic news coming out of the Democratic Party once again. I needed it. Howard Dean deserves a lot of credit and I appreciate Tim Tagaris too working on making this blog the best it can be.

Alright Peace.

MaJoad, This is a good article for you to give to your relatives. Republicans turn on Bush

Exile, Just because civil rights and equality isn't on this thread doesn't mean that it is not a *major* part of the democratic party. I believe that the country is p*ssed off enough to *really* change all of the problems.

Once we have a true democracy, perhaps for the first time ever, equal rights for all of us will exist.

BTW, what is GLBT?

xdebx...

You are the best. Bringing a common sense voice to the Democratic Party. BTW, GLBT stands for Gay, Lesbian, BiSexual, or Transgendered. If you work in a hospital you will realize that a lot of people are born at different points on the spectrum between strict male or female. Or if you just look around a bit. People are so scared. Give me a break. I hope everyone has seen Brokeback Mountain. Other than that, I have to say the Democratic Party may not be perfect, but it sure as hell is at least moving in the right direction. We'll get it there.

Adios.

MaJoad you have an assignment. A call to action. A solution to your problem. We'll all learn from your example and move in the direction of taking a more active role in spreading the information we see necessary to those that we care about. True story.

Hopefully your printer works. Too bad stamps went up. Peace.

Loved reading this Annual Report. Loved seeing a clip of Dean talking to us bloggers. Really loving the way Dean is taking this party and the strong message he is giving the public on the morning and Sunday shows.

Thank you, Tim. This is an excellent summary of an excellent year.

Hope there's enough money in that budget for you to have a cold one after work.

I appreciate all your hard work [will i ever forget that picture of bush junior laughing with those nixonesque shoulder hunchies]

Hi xdebx and orangutan (and exile),
I have been sending hundreds of snail-mail letters through two election cycles, 2000 & 2004. In fact, I've mailed hundreds of letters just to newspapers in every state. I didn't need marching orders to get me going. I was pissed enough to start autonomously.
My relatives get my used copies of The Nation and get info from the internet from me via snail mail almost every day, but it would be more inspiring if they were to get snail from the DNC or had some mention of them as people who exist. I do not comment without having heard comment from those without computers just as I do not talk without doing. Grassroots Reports should be snailmailed and should mention those people of the snail.

It would make it easier for me to copy and snail mailif something as simple as this appeared at the end of every Annual Grassroots Report:
DNC
430 S Capitol St SE
Washington, DC 20003

When I send it off to the computer-deprived, at least they would have a contact. The DNC phone number would be even better. We too easily dismiss those left behind. And many of those want to help us take back the country.

This is a suggestion of course, not an assignment.
Also XDEBX confused my post with one by EXILE. Although I agree with exile on equality and GLBT, it wasn't my post that mentioned them and exile should get credit for noting that particular absence of emphasis in the report. Individual liberties have to be a part of who we are as a party.

While you're at it - stop having leaders like Reid and Schumer forcing good folks like Paul Hackett out of key races.

All the core values in the world won't get you a hill of beans if DNC leadership can't act with integrity. Apparently, they have none.

It's time we get leadership in the democratic party that will kick the Clintons out, take chances on building solid coalitions, and stop poll watching to the extent we look ridiculous in how we change our position every 15 seconds...

Come on...these are tripe...

I am a very disappointed man, today.

Nathan, me too. I'm in Cincy too. Grass Roots Report? I gotta report for you, you're losing us with this Hackett bullshit.

MaJoad, Great suggestion! Hope Tim picks up on it. While I'm sure it is beyond the budget to send monthly mailouts to everyone in the nation, we could send them to those that ask for them.

My Mom is retired, she's a Democrat and she doesn't even know how to turn on a pc. I *know* she would love to hear that we *are* taking our country back from someone other than me. If all Democratic Party articles in newspapers and magazines included the DNC 800 number to recieve mailouts, people could call up for a monthly (or even quarterly) report, that the DNC could mail to them.

BTW, Keep up the good work:-)

Oh, I didn't have you confused with Exile...I just posted to you then her on the same post.

As a Dean supporter in 04, I appreciate the increased attention to the grassroots. However, I am furious at the treatment given to Paul Hackett, Christine Cegelis, and Richard Morrison in the current election season. All three ran fantastic races in 04, but have gotten the shaft in 06. There are no excuses or justifications for these abuses. The treatment of these three honorable people is shameful. You do not take the country back by backdoor politics. The DCCC, DSCC, and DLC are killing the party.

Hackett was encouraged to run in the Senate race against DeWine. He even contacted Brown to make sure he was not going to run to avoid cannabalism. Next, Shumer and others encouraged Brown to run after Hackett was in the race and getting his campaign. Now Reid and DSCC forced Hackett out of the Senate race, encouraging him to run for Congress instead. Hackett.

This chain of events raise serious questions about whether the Dems are serious about winning elections. This is not how you treat good people running for office.

Dave - you said it better than I did. Thank you. The question remains if any of those NOT participating in this spineless, backdoor politics crap will have the ability to actually step up and make an impact.

Here's what I am doing:

1) Calling DNC nationally
2) Calling all politicians who participated in this grilling - especially Ohio ones
3) Calling Schumer and Reid (I emailed them - but they'll never respond)
4) Drop my campaign contributions until this behavior stop and encourage the same from everyone involved who has the spine to admit our party is going downhill fast with these antics.

I am going to devote webspace to this as well...

So - I am all for grassroots and will keep you posted here so that folks at the DNC can see there are those of us who mean business and are tired of the same old hooligans running the joint - HOWARD WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!

Woo Yoo Tim!!

It's your favorite blogger or not.

This post is really good, why don't you make a link and post it on the sidebar. We do read those links, well at leat I do.

We need to start a grassroots for Paul Hackett!!!

Tim, this is great. It shows a real committment to building for the future. It spells out the priorities and sets realistic goals. Good job.

Posted by MaJoad on February 13, 2006 at 07:15 PM

I agree that we need to reach out to those who are not computer savvy. I think we have to go low tech if we want to win back these voters. If it means going door-to-door and showing up at all kinds of community events with literature and a smile, that's what we have to do. It's going to take a lot of manpower. We need to start recruiting friends and family to help.

Short-term we may be at a disadvantage because of the tech divide, but long-term we are poised to reach our goals. The next generation of voters will get most of their info from the internet only. The news media is losing its credibility and seen as an entertainment outlet by those under 30.

I feel good that Dr. Dean recognized the underlying problems facing us, initiated the 50 state project, and is addressing the future instead of being paralyzed by the present situation.

Well, I'm glad ya'll are optimistic and happy-go-lucky. Someone's gotta be! Me, I'm just protecting what's mine.

Some of these rules are found in the Bible on organizing the Church. I don't know that Dr. Dean has made a conscious decision to follow the wisdom of God in setting up an organized plan or if Dr. Dean is so closely associated with that way of thinking that it was a subconscious knowledge?
But God told the Apostles to teach others to carry the work forward. This is what they did and thus the movement to follow God has lasted as long as the World has stood.
1. Learn God's Word and teach others.
2. Make a commitment to follow the word.
I am so very pleased with our Chairman. I hope he teaches someone to take his place when he moves on. I have ask our most successful Elected Officials like President Clinton, Hillary, Kennedy, Kerry,Reid,and a lot of others. I have called and e-mailed them to be sure and pass their great wisdom they have learned over to someone so our party will continue to thrive and prosper. I wish our seasoned Officials would all pass along to someone what they have learned. We should have each seasoned Official to commit to so many days a year to teach a group how to think and conduct themselves in the Government. We Democrats should have a Class or School to train others how to be successful in Government.
I really love the wisdom coming from Dean,Hillary
and Bill, Kennedy, Kerry, and many others. I hope and pray it don't die when they leave Government?

Tim - GREAT post
Gov. Dean - Thank you, I'm so proud of you. The simple existence of something called "Report to the Grassroots" changes everything. The fact that it starts with the words: "Show up everywhere" is so right, and is exactly what we've been waiting for, for years (speaking from a crimson red part of a blue state, I'm solid behind you there).

MaJoad - your concerns are rightly raised. A few thoughts:
- This is why the DNC is raising money to pay for organizers working locally in states, so that our direction and ideas have a human face, especially in places where we're not all internet-connected.
- It's a lot to ask, but I hope you will continue to find ways to be the point of contact between all of us, and the people you love. We need them, and they are every bit as important as you say. Maybe their local library would like a copy of this report (they may not take it, but I'll bet they've never had the suggestion before), so that many people could read it there.

I learned something from you this morning, MaJoad. I run a big DFA meetup in a rightwing county in a blue state. Communication/invitations are by email. We're going to add a telephone campaign to that, to make sure we include people without internet access - that includes my own mom. Thanks, MaJoad.

The American Majority Partnership: Last summer, Chairman Dean created the American Majority Partnership to change how the DNC reaches out to our core constituencies, replacing a series of isolated operations with a proactive, constituency-focused, issues-based program. Housed in the Chairman’s office to elevate the visibility and profile of this critical work, AMP coordinates constituency-related activities across all DNC departments. AMP has led successful community outreach events in Texas, California, North Carolina, Colorado, Ohio, Arizona, Washington and Missouri, hosted two major national constituency-focused grassroots summits (Hispanics and Women) and will soon host a third, the first-ever national Asian American and Pacific Islander political organizing summit.

Howard Dean made it abundantly CLEAR that gays and lesbians are no longer CORE constituents of the DNC. We'll make it equally clear where we'll donate and where we WON'T!Take you diverse councils, and NEVER BACKING DOWN, and live up to those principals!

I'm in my early 50's and I recall the era when neither Republicans or Democrats supported gay/lesbian issues. We had to fight for decades for a seat at the table.
It's NOT YOU G*D DAMN TABLE Governor Dean, and we demand our place BACK!

Barney Frank and other key leaders and large gay/lesbian donars need to make the DNC show our community the RESPECT that is our due.

Yoo Hoo DNC....

Do you have print material for me to copy at this site? I attend meet-ups for DFA, Move-On, and the DNC. I will be attending my Dem precinct meeting next week. I would like to take updates from the DNC. I would like information that I can pass out to fellow dems about the Democracy Bonds.

btw. The RNC is headed by a gay man, (OK he's a cowardly closet case, and puts anti-gay initiatives on the Ohio, and Florida ballots.)
But they still have the highest level position filled by a member of the LGBT community.

I'm with MaJoad in my concern that all this focus on the internet basically concedes that the noncomputer savvy are beyond the reach of the DNC.

Substantial numbers of the people hurt by the Bush Administration's domestic policies do not vote at ALL. Why? Not because they are lazy or stupid but because it's too hard. Many, many people do not have internet access. Many people cannot even read in English, or can't read well. They don't know if they'll be allowed to vote if they go to the polls. They have to wait for HOURS, often with their children, to be allowed to vote. Instead of writing these people off, we need to reach out to them. If you talk to them, they can understand the issues, but the problem is how do we talk to them and then, how do we get them to go vote?

We need to:
-- Provide ways to communicate with nonreaders -- 1-800 numbers, for example.

--Address voting access issues - making sure people who are eligible to vote can by checking whether they are on the rolls, fixing it if they're not, making sure identification requirements to vote do not discriminate, addressing voting resource problems like long wait times at the polls.

--Talk to these people in their communities. Recognize cultural preferences in the way information is communicated and take advantage of them.

--When we advertise, spend the money more wisely. Alternative newspapers, shorter and simpler commercials directing folks to websites and tollfree numbers to learn more.

--Better presence on television shows. Provide better media training and practice to those making appearances. Address how to deal with the O'Reilly behaviors. Get everyone on a simple, repeated message. Stop looking like indecisive egghead policy wonks (you excluded, Howard).

I forgot CELL PHONES. Although I'm not one of them, people love texting and looking at websites specifically for cell-phone viewing -- does the DNC use this technology? I am CONSTANTLY being texted by some DJ in LA inviting me to his parties. And I'm in Missouri. And I don't go to parties. But I've noticed him.

Underbear1 said: "The RNC is headed by a gay man, (OK he's a cowardly closet case, and puts anti-gay initiatives on the Ohio, and Florida ballots.)
But they still have the highest level position filled by a member of the LGBT community."

Which should tell you that you don't have to be gay to support civil rights and equal treatment for everyone. And that being gay doesn't mean you do and a gay person in a "high-level" position is not necessarily going to use his influence to help LGBT individuals.

I think that this platform is designed to address issues that the Republicans have, in the past, "owned". I could be wrong, but I think most Americans believe Dems own the issue of tolerance. We have to convince them that they can have tolerance AND a moral government, personal safety, economic prosperity and health care all at the same time.

xdebx,

WRT the admonition that the internet communications may be missing people who do not have internet access, might I suggest that the US Postal Service does have a product whereby it can send out pieces to lists -- it is automated, there is no "envelope stuffing" required -- and it would likely be possible for the DNC's website to integrate with that service. Any person who wants to set up a list could put all their "snail-mail" addresses in that list and then select which DNC pieces he/she wants to send to this list. If cost is an issue, then an account could be set up for that user and he/she can fund it via credit card. I have no sense of the technical details needed to do this, but do know that the USPS has a service product that could be used for such situations.

Hope this proves useful.

It is great to have this report and see the wonderful progress that Howard Dean has made. I am particularly happy to see an agenda formulated. We just have to get our agenda out there and keep repeating it. I am so tired of hearing the mainstream media say that the dems have nothing to offer in response to the repubs. I would, however, like to see something about Protecting Our Environment in the agenda items.

My frustration with the party at this time is we talk about the five core values but those are value of all the political parties. We need to start taking firm positionon on these values. We can take congress back but it will not be by saying their wrong listen to us. If we don't show where we are different and what we will do with some detail we won't win anywhere. The American paople are looking for a vision not just a " they are wrong approach"

I am outraged that Sens Reid and Schumer told Paul Hackett not to run. They are getting to be like Rove.

I am outraged that Sens Reid and Schumer told Paul Hackett not to run. They are getting to be like Rove.

underbear-

Dean showed us in VT exactly what "table" we belonged to and that's the "kiddie table" when he allowed separate and unequal civil unions. That was our answer right there.

As for tolerance in this party? Please, since when does voting for DOMA, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and numerous state anti-gay initiatives count as tolerance? If that counts as tolerance, no thank you. I don't want your tolerance, but I will take your f***in' respect.

If closing the GLBT outreach office is Dean's demonstration of how the Democrats "own" Tollerance, he's going to learn differently in the primaries and in November.GLBT had 80,000 activists online and raised more than 5 million dollars in 2004, but if you straight folks don't want our help, we have other things to do with our time and money. Buying a handgun, and spending time at the firing range comes to mind, since NEITHER party will stand up to Theocrats forcing gays/lesbians human rights being turned back 30 YEARS!
"Lock N' Load" Pink Pistols

Demochick
The fact Mehlman is gay and closeted, only means closet cases can be other gay and lesbians worst enemy, something every queer has known since the 1960's.The proud openly gay/lesbian Democrats are the ones Dean is spitting on, and my reply is
oh NO YOU DINN'T!

Here's a CORE value Democrats might run on in 2006 and 2008, treating EVERY American equal, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, disablity, gender, AND Sexual Orientation!

This sounds great but does not address the huge problem of lack of unity in the Democratic party.

The DLC isn't going to sign off on this...they all have their lips on Dubya's butt.

And I am still ANGRY at how Chuck Schumer dumped Paul Hackett. That was beyond the pale.

Democrats are losers and we will CONTINUE to be losers until we get our unity back.

Somebody needs to take Chuck Schumer behind the woodpile. Loserman, Cuellar and the 19 Senators who didn't filibuster Alito should also be spanked.

Get your act together, Democrats!!

I too received this in an email and I could not find any of the GLBT outreach program mentions or names. Period. Then I read the comments (Underbear - you are dead on - I stand with you!) here and did some research. Basically, the DNC has and IS continually turning it's back on GLBT Americans and GLBT DNC supporters. This is SIGNIFICANT. and very very stupid Chairman Dean. Don't care about our support and cash flow? You forget the GLBT community is the second highest spending consumer minority group in America just under Hispanics. We are also the largest contributors to non profit organizations and charities in this country. Once it is revealed what Dean and the DNC is dismantling and this resonates with activists in the GLBT community, this has the potential to go big. You poor naive man. From what I've read, and quotes from the former head of the DNC's GLBT outreach program who is no longer there because the program has been eliminated as it's own entity, Dean seems to have a real hand in ending this specific outreach. This is part and parcel of moving more to the right and further branding the Democratic party as Republican "lite." This party is NOT serious about standing up for our civil rights, liberties, freedoms, and protections. This party proved this when it allowed Alito on the Supreme Court. It specifically agreed to the allowance of Bush as American autocrat. I just hate that this party continues to promote lies, hypocrisies, and pretenses as abuses and assaults against it's loyal base when all along - it ultimately stands side by side with the Republicans in policy and decision making in America even though it would have us believe otherwise. People - the proof is in the DNC's ACTIONS and NOT their unending rhetoric. Don't fall for it! The two parties exist for one coordinated reason and that is to protect the wealth and the power of America's richest corporations and individuals. Everything and everyone else - are just USED to uphold and protect that plutocracy.

Never Backing Down means standing up for our core values on Civil Liberties.
If one person is not free, then no one is free.
If one group is not free, then no group is free.
Gays are not 3/5 of a person.
The Democratic party should make it clear that we ALL have EQUAL rights.
If I am special then so is my neighbor.
Gay marriage should be supported.
This is a matter of simple respect for fellow citizens.
The Democratic Party should show some courage.
It is already behind the base on this issue, and it may well be behind the nation.
The Party should lead, not follow.

so how did the 'grass roots' help paul hackett?

Governor Dean is doing a great job separating the Democratic Party from the autocratic-DLC-Republicanites. Dean Democratic "Democracy For America" Candidates can be found at http://www.democracyforamerica.com . Democracy For America is the democratic side of the Democratic Party. DLC- Republicanite-Democrats are hanging on tooth and nail; but I wouldn't vote for a DLC-Republicanite-Democrat if my life depended on it. If it had not been for the DLC-Republicanite-Democrats our country wouldn't be in the mess it is in today.

Give me a break. I am sick of this "we're winning" crap. We are not winning. We are in a war - yes, a war - and we are getting our asses kicked by the Republicans. The worst president in the history of our nation enjoys the support of half the population. Even more of our neighbors and relatives think taxes should be cut to the bone, that corporations are the good guys, and that the government should do anything it wants to us as long as it's "keeping us safe" from "terrorists." Look at what has happened to our country. Every one of us stands the chance of being put on some watch list and whisked away in the night as an enemy or terrorist. And the dems send me literature about their position on flag burning. Thanks to the dems refusal to stand up, we are about to lose our right to not bear children against our will or when it will kill us, and all of us have already lost the right to die. And the dems post a report about how we won a mayoral victory in some unnamed town in West Virgina. How sweet. Meanwhile, our soldiers are fighting a war that has absolutely nothing to do with our security and that was built on a pack of lies, and that - if the dems had done their job - should have resulted in the impeachment of the president. Instead, many of them VOTED for it, and then tried to tell us they didn't. Worse even than that is that half the population supports this war, and that's because the reps own the media and the dems don't stand for anything. They couldn't even get a war hero sitting on a mountain of cash elected once some jokers calling themselves "swift boat vets for truth" spent a few bucks on what should have been shown to be a ridiculous ad campaign. The reps run this country from the pulpits to the Fox news affiliates, from the talk radio to the corporations, from the courts, to the house, the senate, the executive branch, state offices, school boards and everything else. We got a sweet little annual report, and a re-designed website. Awwww. The democractic party is fiddling while Rome burns. After HALF the Democrats voted to confirm Roberts, I finally left the party after 20 years of loyal service and extensive donations. The icing on the cake was Alito. I didn't even bother to check the votes on that. Folks, the reps are well armed, well trained, well financed, well organized, absolutely ruthless and hell-bent on winning at any cost. I've come to the conclusion that the dem party does not represent its own platform, which, by the way, I still strongly support. We are in a war with a ruthless enemy for the very essence of this nation. The dems have shown over and over that they are not ready or willing to fight this battle. It's time for mutiny. The dems are like the Redcoats, lining up in their uniforms, being slaughtered by the fighters in the hills. It's time to leave the safety of the utterly ineffective democratic party and band together to fight the fight in some other way. Go online and look at the voting records of democrats. Read what they say to each other when one speaks the truth about the war, or anything else. Consider what they had to work with in terms of material to run against in George Bush. This guy is a fascist monkey and they couldn't defeat him with a war hero in their pocket. And then ask yourself honestly, "Does this party actually represent my interests?" This is a different question than whether they SAY they represent your interests, and whether the platform speaks to your interests, or whether they used to represent your interests. These people are worse than republicans, because they tell you they support human rights, equal rights, fair pay, energy independence, peace, open government, freedom, and yada yada yada, but in fact, they vote republican and they don't stand up to tyranny. The dems are at best bumbling idiots, and at worst, just using voters who WANT to believe in them to get elected so they can vote republican. It's time to start something new, and as long as we're clinging like rats to the sinking dem ship, we'll never learn to swim on our own and we're certainly not going to win this war. The dems are obsessed with being "nice." They need to lie, cheat and steal if need be to win, because people's lives are on the line here. Poor people, women, gays, soldiers. All our lives are at risk every time a republican gets elected or votes on something. This stuff is life and death, people. We need to start acting like it, and stop focusing on crap like flag burning. With friends like the dems, who needs republicans? Let's leave this broken bucket of bolts and start over some other way. Winning? Give me a break.

Will someone please, please tell me why Paul Hackett has been so rudely treated by Sen. Schumer and if there is ANYTHING we can do about it. A wonderful young man, recently returned from Iraq, who could be such an asset to the party has been so humiliated that he has sworn off politics! Nice job. Something has to be done!

Everyone that has made a suggestion will know it is because of you that we have won!

I have read through every comment and I am amazed at how smart and creative the average joe and jane is?

Get down and think until it hurts to come up with more and more ideas for those that can take your ideas and put them into practice! Thanks again and I plan to ask our leaders to give the brightest and best of your suggestions a certificate of appreciation to hang on your wall.

Getting our unity back means canning the Repub-lites and getting back to the true base, the working people.
Hell, yes the average Jane and Joe are creative. If you aren't creative at the current loss of jobs, and the erosion of wages, you are done for. You sure as hell can't get any help from the Bushies or the Repub-lites.
It doesn't take much brains or talent to survive if you are stinking rich. Look at Dubya and company.
Surviving on low income and fewer and fewer opportunities to make ends meet takes brains, talent, creativity, and all the job skills you can accrue.

Dear Governor Dean and the DNC,
I have voted a straight Democratic ticket since 1956, and have made modest contributions to the party during the last couple of decades. Never again!
I was encourage when Governor Dean took a leadership position in the party, but unfortunately it’s business as usual. Most discouraging is the party’s position of supporting the Bush administration’s war on Iraq. In your Annual Report you list core values, and dismiss the war with, “…, and we will always tell the truth to our troops…” That’s it! Tens of thousands of innocent civilians have died and many more human beings have been scarred for life. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent destroying Iraq, while, among other things, about 5 million children will die again this year from diseases related to hunger.
Let me mention what you all already know but pretend you don’t: We are “staying the course” in Iraq because we want the permanent military bases from which we can “secure the flow of oil” from the Caspian Sea Basin and the Middle East, and make the government of Israel’s continued territorial expansion less stressful. (Of course, there are also those who support the war for ideological dreams of remaking the world in our image, but they matter less.) As for the party leaders who posture behind the claim that we have to meet our responsibilities and rebuild Iraqi society, please contain your arrogance—we are not all stupid. Every day U.S. troops are in Iraq, there is more violence and our country becomes a more intensely hated target for thousands of disconnected, potential terrorists.
It doesn’t take much understanding to know that we can best meet our responsibilities by turning peace-keeping in Iraq over to a regional or international body, and the rebuilding of Iraqi society to the Iraqi people (without the “help” of U.S. corporations). We then should meet our responsibilities for what we have done by paying all costs for the reconstruction—with taxes drawn from the current generation of American tax payers.
Your list of Core Values also include the statement that the American people will be more secure when you “… address the real threats abroad by capturing or killing Osama bin Ladin…” Come on! He could die tomorrow and we would still be the number one target for angry people who use terrorist tactics to get our attention. It will do no good to kill a few more people who resort to terrorism to vent their hatred. We might try, making ourselves less hated, less of a target. We are a target of terrorism because of our foreign policy—to be at peace, we must change our policies in the Middle East and around the globe. If we don’t, the people of the world must continue to assume our goal is not really peace, and the words mouthed by our politicians are at best disingenuous.
My financial support and votes in coming elections will go only to candidate who oppose “staying the course” in Iraq. And if the party runs H. Clinton, Kerry, or any other ditto mark, I like many other progressives, both religious and secular, will abandon the Democratic Party.
Roger H. Harrell

Your use of the words "Grass Roots" would be laughable if it wasn't so sad. Where were the "Grass Roots" in the Ohio US Senate primary. Grass Roots are, by definition, NOT the party leaders. This sounds all nice and democratic - but if the Grass Roots actually get in the way - at least in Ohio, we see what happens.

Quitting and whining does not a "grass-roots" movement make.
For a grass-roots movement to get going and be credible, you don't make a half-hearted attempt and then quit.
To get a grass-roots movement, you keep trying, take your licks, adjust fire and try again. If you don't win in one race, you grit your teeth gather your resourses and try another race. You use smarts, tactics, and you don't just try for the top prize and cry when you don't get it.
You need the "Give 'em hell, Harry" aproach. The guy didn't quit. He had to scrape up money from his supporters. The press didn't even consider him a winner, until all the votes were counted. That's a real grass-roots movement.
I thought Marines were supposed to be tough. Hah!

I cannot relate to the identified core values. Where is fiscal responsibility? If we don't make ending deficit spending a core value, we don't really care about the future.
If we want real security for our children we need to become honest about our future. our credibility and our creditability are at risk. there is really no free lunch.
If I want mealy mouth lies, I can vote Republican. They are better at lying straight faced than Democrats.
I was a supporter of Dean because I thought he told the truth not just because he had a revolutionary internet campaign. The report above left me shaking my head. Being the least worst has not worked in the past. Why are we still going down that path?
I am from Wisconsin and I will continue to support Russ Feingold because he is not afraid to take an intelligent stand. I like Barrak Obama, so far, too. Regarding the rest of the Democratic party I will just watch and wait. I think a lot of people are doing the same.

The work outlined in the annual report sounds impressive and Governor Dean should be applauded for his commitment and vision for the long-term success of the Democratic Party. But this member of the grassroots is deeply concerned by the profound passivity and the lack of organization and leadership he's observed among the party's national officials.

The Bush administration has been a disaster for our country, and we will suffer the consequences for years to come for its incompetence and corruption. Bush's despotism has lead our country to a point of crisis. My more immediate concern, however, is with the Democratic Party, which I fear has failed to assert itself in this moment of crisis. This moment in our country marks a potential turning point, a possible shift toward positive change. It could represent a major shift in our nation's values and in the Democratic Party's role in representing those values. But I am afraid that the opportunity will be soon lost (if it hasn't already) due to Democratic inaction - its refusal or inability to seize the moment.

The moment requires - no, begs - that national officials of the Democratic Party take on Bush head on and without reserve. It demands that the leaders of our party denounce Bush loudly and publicly; it requires that our leaders help the public understand the unprecedented nature of Bush's abuses, the threat he poses to our democracy, the reasons he must be stopped. Failure to do so is bad for the political future of the Democratic Party and it's bad for our country.

I am not alone in these concerns. I have heard many of the Party faithful express similar frustrations. Here in Pennsylvania, the grassroots is ready to give it their all to unseat Santorum. But I think the grassroots here and across the nation need to see evidence that the party they're working to support is competent, committed, and absolutely determined. Otherwise, I'm afraid the grassroots effort will falter.

The strategy of standing back and letting the GOP defeat itself is a losing strategy. The strategy of counting on the return of bipartisanship and cooperation is a losing strategy. The country is ready for an opposition party.

Gov. Dean cannot get us in the White House by organizing and raising money. We have been labeled Liberal successfully by the Right Wing, and we have to shake that image. We have to be as mean or meaner than Republicans because we know what they will do in every election. They get personal. So far, Dean nor any other leader has not gotten personal with the old dirt that is available.Stuff like the other women,income taxs are always good, any real nasty thing we can find. Newt Gingrich served his first wife with divorce papers while she was in the hospital with cancer problems and ran off another woman who he ditched for his current one later on. He is the guy that came up with this family values theme that they still use. None of our leaders saw fit to bring that up. Voters need to know what these Republicans are really like not just the 20 second TV ad that presents them as great Americans and explaining the issues is simply looked on as political rherotic.When Gore made a speech to the Arabs, the Republican propaganda said that Bin Laden's group had paid for him to speak to the Arabs. That is what Republicans do and it works. Sure it is wrong, but voters don't care any more, they want to see how you respond to something like that.If we would dig up the personal history and I mean everything on these guys for the past ten years, and use it, we can win anything. I remember Gore saying he would never get personal with Bush because he knew Bush was an honorable man, and Gore lost because of it. Kerry didn't learn a thing and did exactly the same thing and lost. Can't Dean see this? This is not some dream where you think campaigns should be nice and both sides should shake hands everyday. He needs to get real or get out because being nice is perceived weak by Americans and weak gets you what we have now,Republican domination.

Not sure it this is the correct forum, but can't find another.

Just saw Major Hackett on Hardball. He was generous but clear in his disapproval of the process we use for selecting our candidates to run for office.

We have no anti-war voice running for office in high profile races.

Why not?

Dr. Dean is antiwar, but our power brokers in office are neutered on this, the most critical issue of our time.

We must free ourselves of this stand-for-nothing middle ground our elected "leaders" are taking.

We were excited about Major Hackett. Now we have to try to get a less than motivating power hack elected to the Senate in a predominantly Republican district. This is what is wrong with our party. We must fix this. Now.

Senator Lieberman has to stop holding us hostage on his Israli issues. He has been closer to the Bush administration than his own party for some time now and it shows! When are we going to deal with this?

Senator Lieberman has to stop holding our party hostage to his beliefs on Israli issues. He is a single issue voter if ever there was one and was bought off by the Bush administration long ago. Just look at how close he has been lately to them. When are we as a party going to stand up for what is right and quit playing both sides of the fence? I am sure this is how we lost the last election and am tired of it. Lieberman threatened Senator Kerry on the last election in front of all for not going all out for Israel, regardless of the current conditions on the ground there. Or do we just overlook this.

We must all remind people that it has been the responsibility of the house and senate to balance the executive branch for these past five years. We are not fighting Bush now, but those who have supported him and his policies. Do not let Republicans imply they've changed views these last months before the election--they will try.
We must remind voters that Bush did not get us to this condition by himself.

We are fighting Bush. He is part of the Republican organization that sucessfully shut up or shut out moderate Republicans and cozened the lobbyists who bought out the Republi-lites in the Democrat party.
We are fighting Bush by working to eliminate the rubber-stamp congress, by either voting out the SOBs or by putting enough pressure on them to scare them into serving the American people rather than Bush and the vested interests that are trying to turn a first-world nation into a third-world oiligarchy. (Oiligarchy = oligarchy based on petroleum interests)

With the upcoming house and senate elections, we have to remind voters that the Republicans have failed in their responsibility to balance the powers of the executive branch for the past five years. Republicans are moving swiftly to show voters they might now disagree with the president. Do not let them get away with it.

Senator Lieberman needs to start acting more like a team player or go. His single issue career has centered on issues of who will support Israel the most -- right or wrong. He does not represent the interests of this party or this country. Israel is a complicated issue and can not be narrowed down to his "support their every policy or else" approach. So far, this has only worsened their relationship with their neighbors and allowed Lieberman to believe he can play his hand any way he wants. The Republicans are laughing at us and we deserve it.

I remember Lieberman standing with Gore as they kicked of their loosing campaign, saying they wouldn't attack George Bush during the campaign because they knew he was an honorable man. George Bush, who makes Dan Quayle look like Albert Einstein, beat those two guys over the head and they wouldn't fight back. Now Lieberman thinks if he looks like a Republican, people will vote for him for president. He is wrong.He forgets rule #1. When you try to be a Republican, voters will take the Republican every time. Washington Democrats think they will just let the Republicans self destruct and then move in for the kill.They forgot rule #2. You have to give people a reason to vote for you otherwise they simply choose another Republican. They only person that can beat this Bush machine is Wes Clark. He doesn't stand by and wait. He takes stands and he has solutions. He is compassionate but unafraid. He is the one Republicans fear the most.