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May 31, 2006
Dear Mr. President
What does it say when President Bush can't answer the questions about the war in Iraq from a 10 year-old girl honestly and directly?
From the Morning Sentinel:
Ten-year-old Emily Shrader was watching television in her father's tractor-trailer at the beginning of a trip from Maine to Florida when she decided to get involved in her nation's foreign policy."It (television news) showed how many people were dying in Iraq, so I just started to write," said Shrader, a fourth-grade student in Lauren Taylor's class at Canaan Elementary School.
From Maine to Florida, Shrader, who was on April vacation, wrote, then edited and rewrote her letter to President Bush.
She told President Bush that her father, a long-haul trucker, often comes home on weekends, but if she didn't get to see him for over a month she would be very sad.
Think, she asked him, how he would feel if one of his parents went off to war and never came back.
"You could never even see him or say good-bye. You may never be able to say 'I love you Dad or Mom again,' " wrote Shrader.
Should we be surprised that he is so out-of-touch with the American people and their concerns? Should we be surprised that his answer to a child's dismay at the death and destruction is more of the same tired rhetoric:
"Democracy is on the march in Iraq .... I encourage you to support these service men and women who are willing to sacrifice for a cause greater than self," wrote the president.
Honestly, no, we should not be surprised - not when the Administration is content to ignore the facts, and mislead the public. The President would do well to take his own advice and support the service men and women by answering the question Americans of all ages are asking - What is our plan to succeed in Iraq and at what point can our troops begin to return home?
Posted by at 3:15 PM | Comments (70)
CA-50: More Busby
Today brings news that John McCain canceled a fundraising event for Brian Bilbray, the Republican challenging Francine Busby, over a difference in immigration policy.
Arizona Sen. John McCain on Tuesday canceled an appearance for a Republican congressional candidate who has attacked his opponent for supporting McCain's immigration bill.McCain, R-Ariz., was scheduled to speak Wednesday at a breakfast fundraiser for Brian Bilbray, who is locked in a close runoff race with Democrat Francine Busby for the San Diego-area seat left vacant by disgraced former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham. The event was expected to raise at least $65,000.
Jesse Lee has more, including a statement from Francine.
While your getting your daily dose of Busby, check out this:
Francine Busby on the radio with The Young Turks. Who, by the way, aren't a group of young turkish chaps, as I originally thought upon hearing the name.
Young Turk (n), 1. Young progressive or insurgent member of an institution, movement, or political party. 2. Young person who rebels against authority or societal expectations. (American Heritage Dictionary)
Anyway, have a listen.
Posted by at 1:57 PM | Comments (5)
Wednesday Open Thread
What I'm Reading This Morning:
- Blow the Whistle, Loudly
- Former Ney Aide Testifies
- More Splits in House GOP Ranks
- They "Really Wanted Laura"
Posted by at 9:28 AM | Comments (331)
May 30, 2006
Too High
Sunday The New York Times offered an editorial entitled "The Price of Iraq". It was something I missed at the time, but after reading through it today, I thought I'd share it, in case you missed it as well.
Here is an excerpt:
Iraq now does have a constitutional government, elected by the Iraqis themselves. But that will make no difference at all unless that government can provide all its citizens with basic order and security.Right now armed gangs of thugs, many of them wearing government uniforms, are spreading terror throughout the country. Some were trained by American forces to work for the Interior Ministry, but actually do the bidding of Shiite political and religious leaders. They harass, kidnap and murder people who follow different religious practices or support competing politicians, often with the help of weapons and equipment provided by an American government that had very different objectives in mind. The Times reported last week that Sunni forces working for the Ministry of Defense who were supposed to be guarding Iraq's oil pipeline were instead freelancing as death squads, assassinating people who cooperated with the same government that paid the gunmen's salaries.
Of all of George Bush's many arguments for the invasion, the only one that has survived exposure to reality is that Iraqis deserve something better than a brutal dictatorship. But right now the country appears on the way to a civil war among the armed groups competing to impose order on their own terms. To avoid repeating a very bad history, the nation's security forces must be brought under control by people who have both the will and the capacity to truly unite the nation.
The fact that the current government avoided naming any officials to the posts that control the military and internal security forces when it announced its first cabinet was a clear sign of how difficult that task would be. And coming up with acceptable nominees is just the first and easiest step. The current military and civilian police forces must be purged of their brutal and lawless elements, and the numerous private militias must be made to stand down and disarm.
American forces can never be a substitute for Iraqi soldiers and police officers who take seriously their duty to protect all the people, regardless of religion or ethnicity. Mr. Bush's premise that American troops should simply stay on the ground until Iraq gets things right and defeats all insurgent forces and terrorist groups, however long it takes, is flat wrong. The United States presence is dangerous — to the soldiers themselves, to American standing in the world, and most tellingly to large numbers of innocent Iraqis.
Along the same lines, The Belgravia Dispatch looks at the downward spiral that is Iraq in numbers of deaths.
Yesterday I spent Memorial Day at a friend's house. One of the families attending the get together had come after visiting Arlington National Cemetary. They took their children to visit the grave of their brother, an uncle the children never knew, wanting them to understand that Memorial Day was more than just a day off school.
They talked about the different graves they had passed en route to the one they sought, and how many there were. They wondered aloud when they would run out of space in the cementary.
Another guest at the party was a journalist. He said he is working on a piece about contractors in Iraq. He said the number of American contractors killed was in the thousands as well and yet those deaths go largely unreported.
Combine that number with the number of men and women killed in the line of duty, the Iraqi civilians, and the number doubles over and over again. It's sickening and shows no sign of stopping.
Day by day, our soldiers are in jeopardy. The Iraqi people have a fragile government at best, a nightmare of a country at worst.
Meanwhile, the President has offered no plan, no exit strategy, no leadership. He's offered nothing but cowboy rhetoric he now appears to regret.
Our troops and the American people are owed more than regrets. We are owed more than empty words from a President and an Administration that ignored warnings, dismissed facts and sought to discredit anyone who questioned their reasons for entering Iraq.
Posted by at 7:21 PM | Comments (9)
CA-50: One Week to Go!
Francine Busby has one short week until Election Day. Jesse Lee reports the NRCC is in for 3.96 million.
On top of that US News and World Report notes:
Staffers from the National Republican Congressional Committee are quietly telling GOP House members to prepare for a possible loss in the June 6 special election to fill the seat of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, now in prison for taking bribes. The Southern California district is heavily Republican, but some GOP insiders believe that Democrat Francine Busby will defeat former GOP Rep. Brian Bilbray and go on to win a full term in November.
and the LA Times says:
Normally, this district is so Republican that Democratic strategist Donna Brazile says it's not just red, but "ruby red."However, with Bush's approval ratings severely hobbled by Iraq and other issues and Cunningham in prison for the biggest corruption case in congressional history, the GOP is running concerned, if not downright scared.
A loss here, or even a close victory, could be seen as a sign that the GOP hold on Washington is slipping and that November could see wholesale change.
So here we have a district considered, not that long ago, to be solid Republican. And yet, it's in play. It's close. Polling has shown Busby tied, and at times, ahead of her opponent.
The Republican Culture of Corruption has spread so far and wide that even the reddest of Districts is a possible pick-up opportunity. So many more Republican incumbents are in facing hard challenges than Democrats and there is a reason for that. Americans everywhere are tired of an incompetent Administration and a rubber-stamp Republican Congress and Francine Busby may just be their first opportunity to show it.
Posted by at 1:28 PM | Comments (14)
Tuesday Open Thread
What I'm Reading This Morning
- Talk of Pelosi as Speaker Delights Both Parties
- Block the Vote (After you read this, check out what Dems are doing via the National Democratic Lawyers Council and the Voting Rights Institue)
Posted by at 9:13 AM | Comments (355)
May 29, 2006
On Memorial Day
Chairman Howard Dean and Don Fowler, Chair of the DNC's Veterans and Military Families Council, issued the following statement this morning marking Memorial Day:
"Today millions of Americans will mark Memorial Day by laying a wreath on the grave of a loved one or visiting their local war memorial. We join them in honoring the service and sacrifice of those who have given their lives in defense of our country.
"America has always been fortunate to rely upon the courage and fortitude of brave men and women of all backgrounds who have answered the call to service. These, the best and bravest our nation has to offer, are true patriots who have served with honor and distinction all over the world-a tradition that continues today, with the men and women fighting the war on terror and serving in Iraq.
"Memorial Day is also a stark reminder that gratitude is not enough. Our men and women in uniform deserve civilian leaders who listen to military commanders and provide them the resources they need to complete their mission and come home safely.
"Unfortunately, we know that President Bush chose to ignore an abundance of evidence prior to the start of the Iraq war that pointed to the strength of the insurgency and the challenges our troops would face. President Bush may have kicked off this Memorial Day weekend by expressing his regrets, but he owes our troops and the American people more than that. For the good of the brave troops serving in Iraq, our veterans, and their families, President Bush needs to finally offer a clear plan for success."
Posted by at 12:35 PM | Comments (22)
Memorial Day Open Thread
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)
Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
Posted by at 12:30 PM | Comments (283)
May 27, 2006
Saturday Open Thread
Your challenge this weekend:
Write a Letter to the Editor of your local papers. The DNC tool has some suggested subjects, or you can also write on one of your choosing.
Have a candidate you want to support? A cause? An issue? Don't forget to make your voice heard offline too!
Posted by at 3:22 PM | Comments (468)
May 26, 2006
Late Night Open Thread
With a beautiful three day weekend ahead of us, there is no time like the present to volunteer and help take back our country.
Take the time this weekend to reach out to local candidates and consider spending a few hours volunteering this weekend. Senate, Congress, Governor, State House or School Board. All of these campaigns can use a few good men and women.
Why not you?
Have some fun and do some good.
Posted by at 10:27 PM | Comments (252)
Week in Review
Well we are getting closer and closer to the long weekend, and a lot has happened this week. I though a re-cap would be good.
Early this week the DNC hosted 30 Organizers from across the country for a comprehensive 2-Day training session. I was able to attend the trainings, and bring you a short summary of the sessions as they happened.
You can check out those posts here, here, here, here, here, and Governor Dean's closing remarks, here.
As part of Chairman Dean's effort to reach out to Democratic leaders across the country to create a unified party, the DNC hosted a conference with Democratic mayors this week. Chairman Dean spoke with the mayors about a myriad of issues, including how national issues such as health care, homeland security, budget cuts, and gas prices are affecting their local communities.
Here is my brief account of the meetings on the hill and pictures of Governor Dean, Leaders Pelosi and Reid and the visiting Mayors are here.
We closed that day with a press conference. You can listen to Governor Dean and the visiting Mayors talk with reporters.
That same night Governor Dean also held a conference call with Democracy Bond holders.
It was a big day Thursday for the Democracy Bond community. We welcomed over 500 new members! More than doubling our goal of 250 new Bond Holders this week. If you haven't gotten yours, you can sign up today. If you already have a Democracy Bond you can set up a personal fundraising page and shatter your own bats.
On Thursday I also introduced you to Kristin Hedger, who is running for Secretary of State in North Dakota. Kristin was in town for a few days last week and I was able to sit down and talk with her about why she is running, what she hopes to accomplish and what is happening with North Dakota Dems.
The Senate passed their version of the immigration bill late that afternoon, setting up a show-down with their House counterparts as the two meet in conference to work out a final version.
President Bush said he regretted some of the language he used in the early stages of the Iraq war. It's too bad he doesn't have the good sense to regret ignoring evidence and the advice of those who saw things differently than he did. Our men and women in uniform are owed far more than regrets.
Posted by at 1:26 PM | Comments (14)
TGIF Open Thread
What I'm Reading Today
Posted by at 9:37 AM | Comments (290)
May 25, 2006
Immigration Bill Passes the Senate
VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE: 62-36
From Governor Dean:
"We congratulate Senate Democrats for their continued leadership, led by Leader Harry Reid, on the important issue of comprehensive immigration reform. Democrats have consistently fought for immigration reform that strengthens our borders, protects U.S. workers and their wages, reunites families and allows hard-working immigrants who pay taxes and obey the law the opportunity to earn the right to apply for the responsibilities of citizenship.
"While the Senate bill is better than the Republican bill passed by the House with the President's backing, the next important step of reconciling these measures could erase any progress already made. President Bush and Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist must reject the anti-immigrant and un-American elements of the House bill. So far, President Bush has stood on the sidelines while allowing extremists in his party to hijack the debate. The President must now make sure that his proclamations on immigration do not become empty, misleading rhetoric by standing up to the far-right. America needs leadership that brings our country together and that delivers the comprehensive reform that the American people expect and demand."
From AP:
Legislation to secure U.S. borders and offer millions of illegal immigrants access to the American dream cleared the Senate on Thursday, a rare election-year reach across party lines and a triumph for President Bush.The 62-36 vote cleared the way for arduous summertime compromise talks with the House and its more conservative measure with no guarantee of success.
"Why not say to those undocumented workers who are working the jobs that the rest of us refuse, come out from the shadows," said Arizona Republican John McCain, a key architect of the bill.
The legislation includes money to better secure the borders, provide a new guest worker program and give an eventual shot at citizenship to many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the country illegally.
The bill "strengthens our security and reflects our humanity," said Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., McCain's partner in Senate compromise. "It is intended to keep out those who would harm us and welcome those who contribute to our country."
Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and the Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, both sided with supporters, a reflection of the bipartisan backing for a bill that was months in the drafting and survived several near-death experiences.
Conservative critics attacked the legislation to the end after trying unsuccessfully to pull it apart with amendments.
Posted by at 6:04 PM | Comments (96)
Thursday Night Open Thread
The Governor is on Hardball tonight! He should be on around 5:30 p.m.
Play nice.
Posted by at 5:14 PM | Comments (242)
Convicted GOP Operative to Run Campaign School
No, we're not joking.
The Union Leader reported today that convicted phone-jammer and former New Hampshire Republican Party Executive Director Charles McGee is inviting Republican political operatives to a campaign school that will teach them "all the tools you need to win."
For McGee, one of those tools was a criminal conspiracy to block the phone lines at Democratic get-out-the-vote call centers on Election Day in 2002. McGee, one of three people sentenced to jail time for their roles in the scheme, served seven months in prison last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges.
To help young Republican organizers decide whether to attend McGee's campaign school, the DNC today issued a list of expected lecture topics:
Charles McGee's Lecture Topics
- Voting Rights: Fundamental Protection, or Annoying Technicality?
- Phone Jamming 101: Telemarketers-They're Not Just a Nuisance Anymore
- The Art of the Cover-Up: When to Call and, More Importantly, When Not to Call
- White House Phone Records: Remember Your Discovery Rules!
- Jailhouse Politics: How to Organize Your Cellblock
The DNC also thought an expected reading list might be helpful.
A GOP Prison Reading List (to help pass the time when McGee's tactics land them in jail, too)
- Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Fox Two: The Story of America's First Ace in Vietnam, by Randy "Duke" Cunningham.
- Rediscovering Our American Values: The Real Story Of The Union, by Tom DeLay
- True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall, by Mark Salzman
- Russian Prison Tattoos: Codes of Authority, Domination, and Struggle, by Alix Lambert
Posted by at 3:43 PM | Comments (28)
Meet Kristin Hedger
I recently had the opportunity to talk with Kristin Hedger, who is running for Secretary of State in North Dakota. I encourage you to check out her website, where you can learn more about Kristin and why she is running.
Why are you running for Secretary of State?
I believe there is so much that can be done in terms of energizing the office and making it work for North Dakotans and one of the fundamentals ways of making it work for them is to make it as easy as possible to vote, another way would be to work closely with business leaders to promote economic development and North Dakota based entrepreneurs.
What do you see happening with North Dakota Democrats?
There is an energy you can feel; we’re going to be stronger. We are on the verge of a change of tide. We’ve always had a strong Congressional delegation – and now joining them there are fresh faces coming to the table, who are running at all levels of government and who are energized and who love the state. It’s the Democratic Party that is bringing those fresh faces to the table.
The North Dakota primary is June 13th, but you are running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, what have you been focusing on?
We work really closely with other races. I’m grateful to have had the chance to play a role bringing others to the table. The North Dakota pioneers had to work together to settle the state, and that is an inherent part of who we are. In North Dakota, and in the Democratic Party, we want to work together and build each other up. In building others up, you strengthen the state and you build the party. I believe this is what leadership is all about.
A lot of young Democrats, including yourself, are running for office in North Dakota, why do you think this is?
There is a sense that Republicans see public office as “just a job”. Democrats, especially young Democrats, have an energy and passion to make government work for North Dakota.
Let’s talk about the office of Secretary of State. What would you like to accomplish?
One thing we pride ourselves on is having the easiest voting situation in the nation. The current Secretary of State hasn’t worked proactively to ensure that folks know all of the options with respect to their voting rights. For instance, he doesn’t recognize tribal IDs as sufficient ID for voting. North Dakotans are required to have some way to identify who they are and he hasn’t recognized that form of ID. So American Indians were denied the right to vote at the polls.
A lot of seniors were denied as well, because they are used to not having to present identification. Instead of working to educate them, or providing them with legal alternatives, they were told to go home and get ID and many did not return, meaning that many American Indians and seniors were disenfranchised.
Instead of serving the public and advising those to ensure an efficient process, the current Secretary of State gives muddled, and seemingly conflicted, advice. It makes it hard for party officials and county officials. In that way it compromises the integrity of North Dakota’s election process. What I would do, is work hard to give sound advice to prevent confusion, so the process is truly working for North Dakotans.
Posted by at 12:04 PM | Comments (5)
Thursday Open Thread
Good Morning!
What I'm Reading Today:
- Martha Finds George
- At Trial, An Admission and a Denial
- Libby Told Grand Jury Cheney Spoke of Plame
- Cracks in Republican Unity
Posted by at 9:28 AM | Comments (231)
May 24, 2006
FBI Investigates Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert
The Culture of Corruption continues to flourish. According to ABC News:
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, is under investigation by the FBI, which is seeking to determine his role in an ongoing public corruption probe into members of Congress, ABC News has learned from high level official sources.Federal officials say the information implicating Hastert was developed from convicted lobbyists who are now cooperating with the government.
Posted by at 6:37 PM | Comments (30)
6000 Words
Here are photos from the Mayors' Conference earlier today.
Senate Minority Leader Reid and Governor Dean
The Mayors' Conference meets at the Capital Building
Mayor Palmer of Trenton, New Jersey and Senator Reid
Mayor Gary Becker of Racine, Wisconsin talks with DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel.
Mayor Perkins of Selma, Alabama addresses Leader Pelosi, Rep. Emanuel and Senator Dorgan.
Posted by at 5:49 PM | Comments (9)
Democracy Bonds Conference Call
Just a reminder - if you are a Democracy Bonds holder - there is a conference call right now with Governor Dean!
Posted by at 5:44 PM | Comments (96)
Press Conference
We just wrapped up a press conference with Governor Dean, Senator Dick Durbin and the visiting mayors. Governor Dean and the Mayors talked a lot about how national issues affect local communities.
I am working on getting the pictures from earlier in the day uploaded. In the meantime,here is the statement from Governor Dean:
“Our goal is to create a unified Democratic Party. It is critically important that we work together with Democratic leaders at every level of government to fight to restore leadership in Washington and across the country that represents the needs of America's working familes, not special interests. From skyrocketing gas prices, to deep cuts to homeland security and student loan programs, this Administration's failures have hurt families in each of the great cities these mayors represent.”
Posted by at 2:19 PM | Comments (9)
In the Room
I’m in a room somewhere in the Capital listening in as the Mayors' Conference continues. It’s already been a busy morning. Leader Pelosi and Leader Reid have already come through to talk with the Mayors who have made their way to Washington from cities across the country. We’ve also been joined by Senator Dorgan, Senator Reed, Rep. Emanuel and Rep. Spratt. I’ll have more details on that later.
One thing that has been note-worthy so far is the theme of today’s discussions. There doesn’t seem to be a particular issue all the Mayors want to focus on. This is understandable, considering the width and breadth of things that local government is responsible for. Yet, one thing that keeps coming up is that fact that these Mayors have had to make sacrifices at the local level, on the front lines of American government, as the reality of the Bush Administration's policies hit home.
Senator Reid mentioned 500 million dollars - the amount that would have gone towards first responders, but was instead cut from the budget. Even more shockingly - 2.5 billon dollars – the amount of money that is spent every 7 days in Iraq.
Mayor Ellis of Macon, Georgia mentioned the effect this has had in his town. Just one example: to provide funding to build schools for his city's children, and housing for his city's seniors, he recently submit a budget to his city council which will raises taxes. This because the money he receives as discretionary spending has been constantly reduced, while billions of dollars, are being spent every day in Iraq.
Posted by at 12:07 PM | Comments (3)
Wednesday Open Thread
Today I'll be bringing you information about the DNC National Mayors' Conference. Right now I am at a breakfast roundtable with Governor Dean, the visiting mayors, Leader Pelosi, Sen. Jack Reed, Rep. Hoyer, and Sen. Dorgan.
More to come later...
Posted by at 8:07 AM | Comments (558)
May 23, 2006
Doing the Hard Work
So it's been a long two days - but very exciting at the same time. I have to say that this was one of the best trainings I have ever been to - it covered everything from the basics of organizing, to the more complicated politics of constiuency outreach, to breakout sessions with their regional political directors. You could sense the energy in the room.
After the last break-out session the organizers gathered back together for a Q & A with Governor Dean. He closed his remarks with this:
Change does not come over night...It's really hard work. What they [Republicans] do is appeal to the worst in people, and divide them, and scapegoat different groups to win elections. What we have to do is stand up everyday and do the right thing. But we also have to work our butts off everyday, and be as tough as nails, and not be afraid of hard work. This does not happen overnight, and it does not happen because we're right and they're wrong, it only happens when we work hard and appeal to the better nature of people in a very firm and tough way. My job is the easy part. Keeping it going, that's the hard part, and that's your job.
In 2004 I was a field organizer in Florida, though I was so new to campaigning, that I don't think I would have known that was what it was called at the time. The amazing thing about campaigning is there is tremendous opportunity for growth. There is so much to do that the ability to be flexible, be creative, and be willing to take risks, is a huge asset. We need that in our field teams, yet we also need to have a foundation of experience and a core base of supporters. The 50-State Strategy is the answer to that need. Having staff on the ground, well in advance of election day, working every day is a huge step foward for our Party.
The organizers that have been hired are most often from the states where they are working, so they know the territory. They have different backgrounds, but often have a few Election Days under their belt, so they have experience. Yet they are also often young and energetic, and ready to try new things, to work hard and to build the kind of infrastructure the Party needs at the local level.
What I saw during the training was that it didn't matter if the organizer was from a red state or a blue one. It didn't matter if their state was a "battleground". All that mattered to these staffers was that there was the potential to make a difference, to reach out to the Democrats in their communities. They are willing to do the hard work and that is how we take our country back.
Posted by at 5:27 PM | Comments (30)
Keeping Tabs on the Immigration Debate
You may have noticed the new addition to our side bar.
The Immigration Update - a new resource provided by the American Majority Partnership went live yesterday and will keep tabs on the on-going immigration debate and the proposed amendments being considered in the United States Senate as new legislation is considered.
We hope the Immigration Update will be a resource you can use to follow this discussion.
Posted by at 3:50 PM | Comments (31)
Organizers in the Morning, Part Deux
It's day two of the training. Yesterday was an intense look into the ins and outs of organizing: party building, precinct development and volunteer management. Most of the staffers here have already been doing these things - but getting together with 30 other organizers and talking about best practices, sharing difficulties and laughing over shared experiences is much different than getting thrown feet first into the deep end of a campaign.
This morning focused on leadership development and constituency outreach. At the DNC the old system of political desks was transformed into The American Majority Partnership - which aims to bring together core consituency groups along with an integrated shared message, while still allowing for community-specific outreach as well.
Obviously it would be impossible to speak about all of the issues that are important to African American, GLBT, AAPI, Women, Working Families, Senior, Disability, Students, Faith-based or Hispanic communities – but what is important is that the Democratic Party is the party of all of these groups and we are talking with all Americans, everywhere.
Posted by at 11:44 AM | Comments (22)
Tuesday Open Thread
What I'm Reading This Morning
Posted by at 10:36 AM | Comments (260)
May 22, 2006
Monday Night Open Thread
I'm working late, catching up on some work and listening to the new Dixie Chicks CD.
This is an open thread.
Posted by at 9:32 PM | Comments (184)
Talking with Voters
Let's talk about talking. That's what we are doing right now - sitting in on a strategy session about talking to voters.
The traditional idea of voter contact? Phone banks, door-to-door, direct mail - these tactics are the bread and butter of field work. But there are new ways of talking with voters. The internet is one of the innovations, and Josh and I will be getting our chance to talk with the group during the next session. But there are also many new ways to reach out to voters in our communities. Different organizers have been sharing some new and interesting tactics they have been utilizing - via events, community service projects, 'Dorm Storms', even book clubs.
Here are some more photos:
Voter Contact Training Session
California Staffers
More California Organizers
Posted by at 4:38 PM | Comments (15)
Voter File Fun
Ok, so maybe it's not the most exciting session of the day, but it's crucial to building a strong infrastructure - keeping data from election to election, and making sure that the data is current and complete is a seemingly simple task that is often harder than it sounds.
Here is a a photo from the session:
Ohio organizers take notes during the voter file training.
Posted by at 3:30 PM | Comments (9)
New Targets
We're on to a new session - it's all about targeting - i.e. deciding who we are going to spend our resources on, and where we are going to do it.
Parag Mehta, our Director of Training, is discussing new ways of targeting - of the importance of talking to everyone, everywhere - and not just relying on swing voters.
Things I've Been Reminded Of This Afternoon:
- Neighbor-to-Neighbor is the most effective, important communication that can come out of a campaign or state party. Talking to people who you grew up with, live near and see on a daily basis means so much more than sending a stranger to do the job.
- It's important to talk to everyone. Old-school targeting, which looks at past performance, means you cut out a large portion eligble voters - like new voters, young voters, or new members of your community.
- Sometimes the larger goal isn't just to win - because some precincts won't cross into the blue in a single cycle, but you can move them closer to that goal, and you can help add votes from your precinct, to help reach state-wide goals.
It's been an interesting session, a lot of math, too many acronymns, but a good reminder of why we need a 50-State Strategy.
Posted by at 2:10 PM | Comments (11)
Organizers in the Afternoon
I'm sitting in the afternoon organizer training session. It's a working lunch session: "Volunteers: The Building Blocks of Your Precinct Program".
Sandi Jackson, our Deputy Training Director, is leading the discussion and it's fun to hear everyone's tales from the field.
Building a solid volunteer team for a party, a campaign, or a cause is worth its weight in gold. But reaching out, finding those volunteers is often the hardest part of a field organizers' job. I read a study after the 2004 election that said the most common reason an individual didn't get volunteer for a candidate or attend a political event was that they had never been asked to do so.
This is a crucial part of the 50-State Strategy. It was one of the main goals of the April 29th Canvass: to get out there and talk with our neighbors, ask them if they are interested in learning more about the Democratic Party and ultimately, getting more people involved in the process.
Posted by at 1:05 PM | Comments (3)
Organizers in the Morning
It's training day today. 30 Organizers, from 8 states, are here for an intensive two-day training, which will cover everything from building precinct teams, to communicating a message, to developing an election day plan - the nuts and bolts of an effective 50-State Strategy.
I just listened in on the morning session, a review of the 50-State Strategy, and I could smell the energy, the excitement and the commitment in the room. Signing on to be an organizer is a big step for a campaign staffer - making a multi-year commitment, instead of the usual few months, is a big change from the vagabond campaign lifestyle.
Yet that is what these 30, and 120 others, have done. They've committed to working in states across the country, from the reddest red to the bluest blue to build a party infrastructure that will take back the country.
Events like the April 29th National Organizing Day are just the beginning of what we can accomplish when we are fighting in every district, in every state, and these young men and women are going to be on the front-lines.
Posted by at 10:34 AM | Comments (12)
Monday Open Thread
What I'm Reading This Morning:
- Growing Number of GOP Seats in Doubt
- A Restive Base Throws GOP Off Balance
- Chief Justice Seeks Greater Consensus on the Court
Posted by at 9:18 AM | Comments (294)
May 19, 2006
Unsettled?
David Gregory interviewed President Bush and asked him about his horrible, no good, very bad approval rating.
The President's response? To laugh it off. Heh. Heh. Heh.
He says people are unsettled. I say people know that his Administration is so marred in corruption and incompetence that they can't help but disapprove.
Watch the video.
Posted by at 2:42 PM | Comments (413)
Governor Dean on General Hayden's Nomination
Governor Dean sent the following message to Democrats across the country today.
As the director of the National Security Agency, Michael Hayden oversaw the creation of the massive domestic spying program revealed last week. Now George Bush wants him to run the CIA.
After yesterday's hearings, it's obvious that Hayden's involvement in the NSA's domestic spying program disqualifies him from heading the CIA. His answers to questions from Congress and from the press have been evasive at best and downright false at worst. The Bush administration's chronic pattern of misleading the American people about the full extent of its domestic spying activities was on full display yesterday, and the American people deserve better.
We can't be fooled by the rhetoric from the Republicans: domestic spying is not a partisan issue. Democrats will do what it takes to keep America safe, and support tracking down al-Qaeda and preventing future attacks, but we want the President to follow the law. Domestic spying is one more Bush-imposed chink in the constitutional armor that shields Americans' fundamental rights from over-reaching by the government.
When the Senators meet to decide on Hayden's confirmation, they must hear the voices of their constituents. We want to deliver the voices of 100,000 Americans who oppose this nomination. Will you add your name?
http://www.democrats.org/hayden
Some Republicans will try to pretend that this is just another political fight. But Americans of every political viewpoint are rightfully disturbed by the misleading answers they've heard in response to questions about Hayden's activity at the NSA.
Republicans in the Senate and the House have already expressed concern about this nomination. The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee called Hayden "the wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time" and one Senate Intelligence Committee member, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, called the Hayden nomination "a major problem".
Please add your name and circulate this message to your friends. It's up to every one of us to stand up and demand answers:
http://www.democrats.org/hayden
We need a CIA chief committed to protecting Americans without misleading them. Hayden, through his involvement in the domestic spying program, has shown that he cannot.
We cannot stand for that.
Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
Posted by at 10:22 AM | Comments (70)
TGIF Open Thread
What I'm Reading This Morning:
Posted by at 9:24 AM | Comments (443)
May 18, 2006
Time Got It Wrong
It was a dune buggy, not an ATV.
1 DEPLOY GUNS AND BADGES. This is an unabashed play to members of the conservative base who are worried about illegal immigration. Under the banner of homeland security, the White House plans to seek more funding for an extremely visible enforcement crackdown at the Mexican border, including a beefed-up force of agents patrolling on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). "It'll be more guys with guns and badges," said a proponent of the plan. "Think of the visuals. The President can go down and meet with the new recruits. He can go down to the border and meet with a bunch of guys and go ride around on an ATV." Bush has long insisted he wants a guest-worker program paired with stricter border enforcement, but House Republicans have balked at temporary legalization for immigrants, so the President's ambition of using the issue to make the party more welcoming to Hispanics may have to wait.
Posted by Josh McConaha at 10:11 PM | Comments (44)
Confirmation Hearings
Obviously the big news of the day is the confirmation hearings of General Hayden, who has been nominated to fill post the post of CIA Director, suddenly vacated by Porter Goss.
Beyond the usual questioning a nominee would get, there is also a lot of concern over General Hayden's involvement in the NSA's wire-tapping program.
Sen. Carl M. Levin: of Michigzn questioned General Hayden this morning and commented on the direction the CIA needs to take:
"The next director must right this ship" and ensure that the intelligence the CIA delivers is "timely, objective and independent of political considerations," Levin said. He questioned whether Hayden would restore the CIA's objectivity and "speak truth to power," or whether he would "shape intelligence to support administration policy and mislead Congress and the American people as Director Tenet did."
General Hayden sailed through his prior confirmation hearing when he was appointed to his post at the NSA - it will be interesting to see this confirmation process unfold.
Serious questions remain about the legality of President Bush's secret domestic spying program, which Hayden was closely involved with. The Bush Administration refused to disclose the true nature of the program, only offered assurances that it was limited. Yet then we read on the front page of USA Today that the program was huge and involved millions of phone calls of ordinary Americans.
Armando over at DailyKos pulled out the transcript of the 2002 confirmation hearing in which General Hayden talked about drawing the line between liberty and security:
"We need to get it right. We have to find the right balance between protecting our security and protecting our liberty. If we fail in this effort by drawing the line in the wrong place, that is, overly favoring liberty or security, then the terrorists win and liberty loses in either case."
Which is a very good thought to ponder? Who draws the line? Where is the line drawn and what do you think of the confirmation hearings thus far??
Posted by at 3:21 PM | Comments (38)
Giving America an EDGE - Energy Independence 2020
Senate Democrats unveiled the next step of their Energy Independence 2020 plan, by bringing forward the Clean EDGE Act. The New York Times described Clean EDGE:
The bill would cut domestic oil consumption to 12 million barrels a day in 2020 from about 20 million barrels, its supporters say. It calls for expanding the use of alternative fuels for vehicles, in part by requiring more federally owned vehicles to use them, and by ensuring that more service stations sell them.The bill would also revoke subsidies for the oil industry, increase subsidies for the renewable fuels industry and restore aid to low-income Americans struggling to pay energy bills.
In addition, you should check out the Senate Democrats site, where they have put together an entire section focused on the EI2020 Program with details of the Clean EDGE Act, video clips, past statements and a full report offered jointly by the House and Senate Democrats on the Republican ties to Big Oil.
Posted by at 12:44 PM | Comments (9)
Open Thread
Enjoy.
Posted by at 11:27 AM | Comments (338)
May 17, 2006
Governor Dean on Voting Rights
Governor Dean spoke to the NY Chapter of the National Democratic Lawyers Council last evening about the DNC's efforts to fight to protect the voting rights of all Americans:
Voting ensures every American an opportunity to participate in our democracy. We should never impose obstacles to voting without a fair and compelling reason for doing so that actually enhances our democracy.Yet, across the nation, Republicans have launched a campaign to impose extremely restrictive voter identification requirements. While they say they are seeking to prevent voter fraud, nothing could be further from the truth.
In Indiana, they passed a law that is virtually identical to one struck down by a federal district court in Georgia. In fact, Democratic governors in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania vetoed similar legislation.
We are committed to fighting these and other Republican efforts to suppress voter turnout anywhere and everywhere Republicans propose them.
Republicans believe that it is better for them if fewer people vote. Democrats understand that America is better when as many people as possible can vote.
So the DNC is stepping up to help fight GOP efforts across the country.
We are expanding the work of the Voting Rights Institute to promote efforts aimed at protecting the right of every American to cast their ballot and have their ballot counted.
We formed the National Lawyers Council to fight systematic barriers to registration and voting across the country, and through the NLC we are providing legal assistance to the Indiana Democratic Party's appeal of a federal court ruling upholding that state's radical voter ID law.
The Voting Rights Institute established a toll free number to help displaced New Orleans residents vote in the April 22 primaries and to collect information about Indiana voters who were disenfranchised by the voter ID law.
I know you have done important work here in New York through the NY Democratic Lawyers Council.
You did important work in monitoring the 2005 mayoral race in New York City and local races in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Ulster Counties.
You dispatched a team of lawyers to conduct election monitoring for New Orleans mayoral primary and other local races.
You worked on the Board of Elections regulations for voting machines, and you have been working with the New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee and the DCCC to work on election monitoring in key races 2006 so we can take back Congress and take back the NY Senate
I applaud you and thank you for those efforts.
The work you do matters, we know, for example, that voters in Ohio in 2004 were disenfranchised by a faulty election system. If you were an African American you waited an average of 52 minutes to vote. If you were white, you waited an average of 18 minutes. If you were young and African American you were more likely to be asked to provide photo ID, in violation of Ohio law.
We know that there are real people, real legitimately registered voters in Indiana who were disenfranchised by the Indiana Voter ID law during the primaries there earlier this month. For example:
- The newlywed couple from Marion County who were both registered voters had gotten married since they last voted in 2004. The husband was allowed to vote but the wife was not because her name changed and it did not match her photo ID.
- Or the married woman from Vanderburgh County who was driven by her husband (she does not drive) to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get an ID presented her social security card, her medical card, even her voting card, but she was denied a photo ID because she did not have a birth certificate.
- Or the Postal employee wearing her full uniform who could not vote because election workers deemed her U.S.-government-issued employment identification to be an unacceptable form of identification because it did not have an expiration date.
These are real people who were denied their right to vote. If even one legitimate voter is denied their right to vote, than these laws need to be overturned or blocked.
That is why Democrats will continue to fight unfair Voter ID laws and other efforts to prevent lawfully registered voters, in particular, seniors, young people, minorities and low-income citizens from casting their ballots.
The amazing thing about this organization is that it brings together lawyers from a variety of fields of practice. They are united by their committment to the Democratic Party and their passion for upholding the law. More than anything I was surprised by the variety of people in attendance - some were seasoned professionals and some were young associates. They were all passionate.
A mother who wore a button that read "John McCain Doesn't Speak For Me," expressed her outrage over having to sit through graduation exercises and listen to John McCain last weekend as her daughter graduated, and this weekend, John Roberts, at her son's law school commencement. "It's a knife through the heart of a progressive mother," she told me.
A recent law school graduate dished on what it was really like to be a 1st year associate, but went on to say she was glad she could be a part of the NYDLC and work to make sure voting rights are protected.
A seasoned lawyer told me about his experience as part of the election protection team in Florida during the 2004 election and how he had to be part of the effort after watching what happened in 2000.
The bottom line is that groups like these demonstrate the power each person has to make a difference by bringing their particular skills and talents to the table for Democracy.
The New York Democratic Lawyers Concil, a chapter of the National Democratic Lawyers Council, is a statewide coalition of volunteer lawyers and law students committed to a simple yet fundamental proposition: that among the best ways to protect and promote a strong democracy is to protect and promote an accessible, open and fair election process.
Building on the tremendous election protection effort of 2004, the NYDLC/NLC will work closely with the Party at the national, state and local levels to promote voting rights and to identify and combat problems that undermine, either directly or indirectly, those rights. While the Council will work with the Party on other issues, its foremost objective is to organize early in every state and territory to carry out the Democratic Party’s commitment to this goal.
Posted by at 5:43 PM | Comments (21)
Immigration Forum, NYC
I attended an immigration roundtable discussion yesterday morning with Governor Dean, Betsy Kim, Deputy Director of the American Majority Project, and three dozen leaders from the Asian American community.
The immigration question is a challenge we face as a nation. Democrats have stood for comprehensive immigration reform since the beginning of the debate, crafting legislation that strikes a balance between policy and practicality.
May Chen of UNITE-HERE, the host of the forum, introduces Governor Dean.
Governor Dean opened the forum with brief remarks on the Democratic Party's close ties to the immigrant community, "Democrats have always welcomed new people. Our immigration reform looks like what you should expect from a party built by immigrants."
He went on to talk about a policy that is both tough and smart, that improves border security while protecting U.S. workers and their wages. Democrats support reform that not only strengthens our borders, but that keeps families together, and allows hard working immigrants who pay taxes and obey the law the opportunity to apply for the responsibilities of citizenship.
He criticized President Bush for sitting on the sidelines for five years only to stand up and offer a band-aid approach to border security.
Governor Dean addresses the group
Governor Dean was adamant about his opposition to the bill passed by the House of Representatives, noting that in his address to the nation, President Bush failed to denounce the plan, which criminalizes immigrant families, and instead offered a guest worker program that treats immigrant workers like indentured servants.
He said that Bush Republicans have been more interested in playing the politics of fear and division than in finding a real solution the challenges facing our country.
"They are intent on scapegoating immigrants for political gain, and that is wrong. Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly have made it unfashionable to be compassionate, and President Bush is part of that. The Bush Presidency appeals to the worst in people. It divides people. It conditions people to have a hard edge."
The community leaders in attendance chimed in with their own stories of how this issue effects them.
Purvi Shah of Sakhi, a South Asian women's advocacy group
One woman cited concern for "mixed immigration status families" which, in the legislation passed by the House would mean separating families - in many cases husbands and wives, as well as parents and children.
Another participant said that he hoped Democrats in the Senate would be more pro-active in offering amendments to the legislation, rather than simply fighting off extreme additions of the right-wing Republicans.
Governor Dean confers with Chung-Wha Hong of the New York Immigration Coalition
Throughout the debate, one thing was crystal clear: This issue is much more than a headline - it is something that has the power to drastically effect the lives of millions who have come to our country in search of the opportunity and promise.
Governor Dean ended by speaking about the spirit of those who come to America, "You get the people with the most nerve - people who are willing to leave their country. It always comes back to the toughest minded, smartest people and as generations go on it creates jobs, wealth and is good for the country."
Governor Dean with Chung Seto, former Executive Director of the NY State Democratic Party
Posted by at 4:45 PM | Comments (55)
The Timeline of a Leak
Today we debut "The Timeline of a Leak":
As the Fitzgerald investigation continues, the American people are finding out the true lengths that the Bush Administration went to in order to squash criticism as they planned their campaign for war.
To recap the events that have led to this we take a look at the Administration's initial smear campaign to discredit Joe Wilson for questioning the White House's use of intelligence, the subsequent leak of Wilson's wife's identity as retribution and in an effort to further discredit him, and the cover-up campaign that the White House ran to try and keep its involvement out of the public eye.
After three years of developments, the amount of information has gotten to be pretty substantial.
The "Timeline of a Leak" presentation breaksdown major developments in an easy-to-follow linear format.
Not only is it a handy reference (in addition to my favorite part of the site, The Corruption Files) but you can invite others to view it as well.
Posted by at 4:28 PM | Comments (7)
CA-50 Update
Francine Busby, the Democratic candidate in the CA-50 Special Election leads her Republican opponent:
Run-Off Election Matchup
Busby: 47%
Bilbray: 40%
Griffith: 1%
King: 1%
Other/Undec: 11%
margin of error +/- 4.9%
That puts Francine up 4% from the last poll, done on April 20th, and Bilbray down 5%.
Posted by at 1:42 PM | Comments (11)
OR-02: Meet Carol Voisin
Oregon was one of three states to hold their primary election last night. Of the five Congressional districts in the state, it is the OR-02 that grabbed the most attention - currently the single district in Oregon represented by a Republican in Congress.
The Democratic primary candidates were an interesting bunch. They formed what the Mail Tribune called a "a mutual admiration society" keeping the competition positive and focusing on the reasons why each of them sought to replace incumbent Gary Walden. They even campaigned together.
Last night Carol Voisin emerged as the nominee for the 2nd district. Carol is an educator and a small business owner. She's not a career politician, but an active member of her community, who feels her opponent is out of touch with the needs of the district, "the voters of the 2nd District want representation, not a rubber stamp for the Bush administration. I will give them a voice in Congress," she said recently. From the Mail Tribune article:
I'm running against Greg Walden and his voting record," she said. "He's lockstep with Bush. He had no opposition to the Patriot Act. He went right along with the war. He voted for all the appropriations bills. He has supported almost everything for the Bush administration and against the environment. "Our country is extremely vulnerable now because of our national debt, because education is in a crisis, because our health care is messed up, because the Iraqi war needs to end and because carbon fuels are killing us and our environment," she said. "Those vulnerabilities put our country at great risk at this time in our history. We need a change in direction."That includes the No Child Left Behind Act, which should be "left behind," she said.
"Democracy is not a spectator sport," Voisin concluded. "My plan is to energize the Democratic base. Then I want to meet with and dialogue with Republicans and Independents before the general election."
So it would seem this is yet another district where Democrats are fighting hard to replace a rubber-stamp Republican. The district re-elected President Bush in 2004, but it also re-elected Democratic Senator Ron Wyden that same year. It's a district that hasn't been high on the radar screen, but where local Dems have decided to challenge the status-quo, to refuse to accept a "red" district can't turn "blue", and who are united in their efforts.
You can learn more about Carol here and the DCCC has some great info here and more about the Oregon Democratic Party, which has a great 'Year in Review' report, here
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