CA Draft Gore Ballot Campaign
About the Author
CA Draft Gore Ballot Campaign surges ahead on October 8, 2007.
This week the Draft members were interviewed by Newsweek Magazine, we got featured by Randi Rhodes on her Air America radio show and have the Link of the Week on Micheal Moore's website...
Here's news from CA...
Volunteers in All 53 California Congressional Districts Working to Get Gore on Ballot
SACRAMENTO, CA (PR Newswire) September 25, 2007 " Organizers of California Draft Gore, a grassroots campaign to put Al Gore’s name on the California presidential primary ballot, announced today that the campaign has volunteers located in or assigned to all of the state’s 53 congressional districts.
Originally convening on websites like algore.org, meetup.com, savethewhitehouse.com and draftgore.com, California Gore supporters quickly built the infrastructure necessary to take advantage of the California Election Code, which allows for a candidate’s name to be placed on the ballot if at least 500 registered Democrats’ signatures are obtained from each of the state’s congressional districts.
“In less than sixty days we have filled almost all of the campaign coordinator positions,” said Patrick McGovern, the Los Angeles regional campaign coordinator. “With estimates of over 1,000 volunteers statewide, we are a broad cross-section of Californians.”
One of the first of many Gore ’08 groups to move beyond petitions and pleas, the California campaign’s well-organized grassroots volunteers are optimistic about its chance of success. California Election Code allows signatures to be collected from October 8th through December 4th, and Berkeley campaign coordinator Gabi Baty believes that the campaign will meet that deadline because “we have people ready to hit the ground running.”
“There's no doubt we’ll succeed. The only question is, how quickly. The sooner it's inevitable that Al Gore will be on the ballot, the sooner he'll take notice," mused San Diego coordinator Ben Cooper. "We want Gore to realize that we've ignited the ‘new movement to rekindle the true spirit of America,’ he described in The Assault on Reason. We’re not trying to pressure him to run. We’re planning to inspire him.”
Many of the campaign’s volunteers view their efforts in this light. “We’re doing our part to help him make a decision,” said Beverly Flynn, a campaign coordinator from Turlock who had never been involved with politics until she joined California Draft Gore.
Baty agrees. “Our work to get him on the California ballot may encourage Gore. He may find himself at the front of a wave that’s pushing him forward.”
Campaign organizers are still recruiting volunteers for the signature-gathering campaign. Though California Draft Gore counts many seasoned politicos among its members, it also attracts political newcomers. Linda Morreale, is one such volunteer. Why Gore and why now? “It feels important,” she said. “Of all the choices, he’s the best.”
For more information on the campaign or to contribute to California Draft Gore’s campaign, visit www.california4gore.org.
About California Draft Gore:
California Draft Gore, a grassroots organization, is a Federal PAC. The organization and its website are not affiliated with or authorized by Al Gore, any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Here's news from CA...
Volunteers in All 53 California Congressional Districts Working to Get Gore on Ballot
SACRAMENTO, CA (PR Newswire) September 25, 2007 " Organizers of California Draft Gore, a grassroots campaign to put Al Gore’s name on the California presidential primary ballot, announced today that the campaign has volunteers located in or assigned to all of the state’s 53 congressional districts.
Originally convening on websites like algore.org, meetup.com, savethewhitehouse.com and draftgore.com, California Gore supporters quickly built the infrastructure necessary to take advantage of the California Election Code, which allows for a candidate’s name to be placed on the ballot if at least 500 registered Democrats’ signatures are obtained from each of the state’s congressional districts.
“In less than sixty days we have filled almost all of the campaign coordinator positions,” said Patrick McGovern, the Los Angeles regional campaign coordinator. “With estimates of over 1,000 volunteers statewide, we are a broad cross-section of Californians.”
One of the first of many Gore ’08 groups to move beyond petitions and pleas, the California campaign’s well-organized grassroots volunteers are optimistic about its chance of success. California Election Code allows signatures to be collected from October 8th through December 4th, and Berkeley campaign coordinator Gabi Baty believes that the campaign will meet that deadline because “we have people ready to hit the ground running.”
“There's no doubt we’ll succeed. The only question is, how quickly. The sooner it's inevitable that Al Gore will be on the ballot, the sooner he'll take notice," mused San Diego coordinator Ben Cooper. "We want Gore to realize that we've ignited the ‘new movement to rekindle the true spirit of America,’ he described in The Assault on Reason. We’re not trying to pressure him to run. We’re planning to inspire him.”
Many of the campaign’s volunteers view their efforts in this light. “We’re doing our part to help him make a decision,” said Beverly Flynn, a campaign coordinator from Turlock who had never been involved with politics until she joined California Draft Gore.
Baty agrees. “Our work to get him on the California ballot may encourage Gore. He may find himself at the front of a wave that’s pushing him forward.”
Campaign organizers are still recruiting volunteers for the signature-gathering campaign. Though California Draft Gore counts many seasoned politicos among its members, it also attracts political newcomers. Linda Morreale, is one such volunteer. Why Gore and why now? “It feels important,” she said. “Of all the choices, he’s the best.”
For more information on the campaign or to contribute to California Draft Gore’s campaign, visit www.california4gore.org.
About California Draft Gore:
California Draft Gore, a grassroots organization, is a Federal PAC. The organization and its website are not affiliated with or authorized by Al Gore, any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Today I received a message from the Democratic Party builder to find and join a group that supports one of the candidates running. Thank you but I must decline. I have already formed a group for The Draft Gore Movement. Our Candidate may not be running but that won't stop us from trying to persuade him. Maybe if we all dug down real deep and found the strength to aplogize to the man, asked him back in a nice way, he might reconsider. This party owes that much to him. You will never have my heart, don't ask for it. I gave it away already to the Draft and to our man from Tenn.
SOURCE: California Draft Gore
Aug 22, 2007 16:57 ET
Volunteers Surge as California Draft Gore Ignites Ballot Initiative Effort
SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - August 22, 2007) - Upon announcing their intentions of putting Al Gore on the California ballot for the state's primary election, California Draft Gore has seen a surge of Gore volunteers and positive support for the statewide initiative which joins the national effort to place Gore on state ballots.
Since the organizers of California Draft Gore announced a grassroots statewide campaign earlier this month they have added a slew of volunteers and contributions to their efforts. The statewide organization is coordinating hundreds of Gore volunteers who will be participating in the signature gathering process.
"It's been an overwhelming but exhilarating experience to see the enthusiasm for Al. People who normally don't volunteer for stuff are eager to help," said Chris Vallone, Northern California campaign coordinator. "In just the last weekend we have had at least 180 volunteers sign up, but many volunteers are still needed in every district, city, county and region. Everyone who supports Gore has a place in this campaign."
The California Election Code requires that in order for a candidate's name to be placed on the presidential primary ballot, a minimum of 500 signatures of registered Democrats must be obtained from each of the state's 53 congressional districts. California Draft Gore has regional coordinators and sub-regional coordinators managing signature collection in each of the four regions of California. Each district within the four regions has a district leader recruiting and training as many volunteers as possible to begin collecting signatures on October 8.
"I view a donation to Al Gore's candidacy as a gift to my grandchild!" said volunteer Bonnie Price of La Mesa, California.
San Francisco volunteer Chenoa Akey added, "What happened in 2000 was a travesty, the ramifications of which are being felt globally to this day."
Signature collection begins on October 8 and must be completed by December 4, 2007. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the last president elected due to a draft effort. For more information on the campaign or to contribute to California Draft Gore's campaign, visit www.california4gore.org.
About California Draft Gore:
California Draft Gore is a grassroots organization. The organization and its website is not affiliated with or authorized by Al Gore, any candidate or candidate's committee.
Aug 22, 2007 16:57 ET
Volunteers Surge as California Draft Gore Ignites Ballot Initiative Effort
SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - August 22, 2007) - Upon announcing their intentions of putting Al Gore on the California ballot for the state's primary election, California Draft Gore has seen a surge of Gore volunteers and positive support for the statewide initiative which joins the national effort to place Gore on state ballots.
Since the organizers of California Draft Gore announced a grassroots statewide campaign earlier this month they have added a slew of volunteers and contributions to their efforts. The statewide organization is coordinating hundreds of Gore volunteers who will be participating in the signature gathering process.
"It's been an overwhelming but exhilarating experience to see the enthusiasm for Al. People who normally don't volunteer for stuff are eager to help," said Chris Vallone, Northern California campaign coordinator. "In just the last weekend we have had at least 180 volunteers sign up, but many volunteers are still needed in every district, city, county and region. Everyone who supports Gore has a place in this campaign."
The California Election Code requires that in order for a candidate's name to be placed on the presidential primary ballot, a minimum of 500 signatures of registered Democrats must be obtained from each of the state's 53 congressional districts. California Draft Gore has regional coordinators and sub-regional coordinators managing signature collection in each of the four regions of California. Each district within the four regions has a district leader recruiting and training as many volunteers as possible to begin collecting signatures on October 8.
"I view a donation to Al Gore's candidacy as a gift to my grandchild!" said volunteer Bonnie Price of La Mesa, California.
San Francisco volunteer Chenoa Akey added, "What happened in 2000 was a travesty, the ramifications of which are being felt globally to this day."
Signature collection begins on October 8 and must be completed by December 4, 2007. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the last president elected due to a draft effort. For more information on the campaign or to contribute to California Draft Gore's campaign, visit www.california4gore.org.
About California Draft Gore:
California Draft Gore is a grassroots organization. The organization and its website is not affiliated with or authorized by Al Gore, any candidate or candidate's committee.
Organizers of a new statewide campaign to put Al Gore's name on the California presidential primary ballot announced today the formation of California Draft Gore, a grassroots political action committee made up of hundreds of Gore volunteers who live throughout the state of California.
The California Election Code requires that in order for a candidate's name to be placed on the presidential primary ballot, a minimum of 500 signatures of registered Democrats must be obtained from each of the state's fifty-three congressional districts. California Draft Gore has been created to take on this ambitious project. In order to succeed, California Draft Gore has begun putting in place a field organization of district volunteer leaders and regional and sub-regional coordinators. Each of the district leaders in turn is recruiting and training as many volunteers as possible to begin collecting signatures on October 8. The signature gathering must be completed by December 4, 2007.
"The people are empowered to make a change in democracy," said Roy Gayhart, the CA State Director. "A draft effort has not been seen since the 1950s and 1960s with Eisenhower and Goldwater. We believe that if we can successfully organize district-by-district, county-by-county, state-by-state, Al Gore will answer the call and become a candidate for president."
Although former vice president Al Gore has yet to declare his candidacy in the upcoming presidential election, a recent poll indicates broad national support for him amongst Democrats. The recent national Gallup poll shows Gore in a virtual tie with Barack Obama with 18% support from Democrats. In California, a recent field poll shows him in second place with 25% of likely primary voters supporting Gore, compared to Hillary Clinton at 38%, Obama at 19.8% and John Edwards at 15%. In the San Francisco Bay Area Gore was the number one choice.
For more information on the campaign or to contribute to Gore's campaign, visit www.california4gore.org.
Bruce Little - District Coordinator for Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Co.
805-482-8360
Marta Jorgensen - Cluster Coordinator for Districts # 22-25
Co-Regional Director - Southwest Region for www.AlGore.org
805-693-9100
martajorgensen@gmail.com
About California Draft Gore:
California Draft Gore is a grassroots organization. The organization and its website is not affiliated with or authorized by Al Gore, any candidate or candidate's committee.
The California Election Code requires that in order for a candidate's name to be placed on the presidential primary ballot, a minimum of 500 signatures of registered Democrats must be obtained from each of the state's fifty-three congressional districts. California Draft Gore has been created to take on this ambitious project. In order to succeed, California Draft Gore has begun putting in place a field organization of district volunteer leaders and regional and sub-regional coordinators. Each of the district leaders in turn is recruiting and training as many volunteers as possible to begin collecting signatures on October 8. The signature gathering must be completed by December 4, 2007.
"The people are empowered to make a change in democracy," said Roy Gayhart, the CA State Director. "A draft effort has not been seen since the 1950s and 1960s with Eisenhower and Goldwater. We believe that if we can successfully organize district-by-district, county-by-county, state-by-state, Al Gore will answer the call and become a candidate for president."
Although former vice president Al Gore has yet to declare his candidacy in the upcoming presidential election, a recent poll indicates broad national support for him amongst Democrats. The recent national Gallup poll shows Gore in a virtual tie with Barack Obama with 18% support from Democrats. In California, a recent field poll shows him in second place with 25% of likely primary voters supporting Gore, compared to Hillary Clinton at 38%, Obama at 19.8% and John Edwards at 15%. In the San Francisco Bay Area Gore was the number one choice.
For more information on the campaign or to contribute to Gore's campaign, visit www.california4gore.org.
Bruce Little - District Coordinator for Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Co.
805-482-8360
Marta Jorgensen - Cluster Coordinator for Districts # 22-25
Co-Regional Director - Southwest Region for www.AlGore.org
805-693-9100
martajorgensen@gmail.com
About California Draft Gore:
California Draft Gore is a grassroots organization. The organization and its website is not affiliated with or authorized by Al Gore, any candidate or candidate's committee.
The Draft Al Gore For President Movement
By Marta Jorgensen, co-regional director of AlGore.org (AGO), Southwest chapter
"In my heart, I do believe that democracy was harmed by my network and others on November 7, 2000.” — Roger Ailes, chairman and CEO of Fox News Network, February 14, 2001. (How to Steal an Election, David W. Moore)
Most of us remember painfully well the 2000 election. But some of us aren’t content to let it be simply a painful memory. In 2002, a dedicated group of individuals who had been involved with Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign set up a Web site called gore04.org and organized a rally in Nashville, Tennessee. Gore told them to stop. He wasn’t into it. In the middle of 2006, the group got it rolling again, teaming up with AlGore.org (AGO) and working with other sites such as draftgore.com, meetup.com, and www.gorehub.com.
To date, the combined Draft Gore Movement has collected 150,000-plus signatures urging Gore to run. And this time Gore hasn’t told us to cut it out. The Draft Gore Movement is a labor of love on the part of its rapidly growing membership. Members and organizers do not have deep pockets, but use their own resources and intelligence to try to accomplish what mainstream political parties accomplish with their special-interest money and media spin doctors. They intend to place his name on the primary state ballots and put in place a voting base. Just in case …
Why all this effort? Why not support one of the Democratic candidates who has officially thrown his or her hat in the ring? To put it bluntly, none of them come close to Gore. He has established relationships with numerous world leaders, is well-liked internationally, and is not in anyone’s pocket.
Given the Bush administration’s unprecedented expansion of the unitary executive and sweeping constitutional changes, our next presidency may mean the difference between preserving our constitution and the principles upon which this country was founded, and losing them forever. Gore put it best himself in his 2006 speech, “Restoring the Rule of Law”: “If the pattern of practice begun by this administration is not challenged, it may well become a permanent part of the American system. Many conservatives have pointed out that granting unchecked power to this president means that the next president will have unchecked power as well. And the next president may be someone whose values and belief you do not trust.” The Clintons were involved in various breaches of constitutional law while in office, including allegations that Hillary’s brothers received large sums of money in exchange for requesting (and obtaining) presidential pardons. Both John Edwards and Barack Obama are too inexperienced to adeptly lead America out of its current constitutional and diplomatic crisis.
Gore would make the climate crisis the number one issue for 2008, a necessary agenda no candidate from either party has adopted. By unifying world powers in pursuit of the goal to save our planet, Gore would restore America’s standing in the world, thereby changing the global dialogue on other geopolitical crises as well.
If elected president, Gore would: eliminate all payroll taxes and replace that revenue with pollution taxes, principally on CO2; help negotiate a stronger second-generation Kyoto Treaty; create an “Electranet,” a smart electricity grid that would allow individuals and businesses to buy and sell electricity, forcing them to monitor their own consumption; and promote profitable alternative energy business models. Gore is also committed to ending the war in Iraq, which goes hand in hand with reducing our dependence on oil.
In The Assault on Reason, Gore stated, “Many Americans now feel that our government is unresponsive and that no one in a position of power listens to or cares what they think. They feel disconnected from democracy. They feel that one vote makes no difference, and that they, as individuals, now have no practical means of participating in America’s self-government.” Gore is well connected with the citizenry, even engaging in citizens’ Web blog discussions from time to time. As president, he would restore public participation in politics.
Gore has stated that he can accomplish his goals as a private citizen, without getting caught up in the political game. But that can only go so far. Real change in governance must come from the executive. The goal of the Draft Gore Movement is to show him that the people want him to run, and that he has enough popular support to win. According to a recent 7NEWS / Suffolk University poll, 32 percent of Democratic voters would support Gore over the candidate toward which they are currently leaning. That’s why the Draft Gore effort is becoming so insistent and vocal.
Members have shown up at all of The Assault on Reason book-signings. In Los Angeles recently, the “Gore People” were in full force, handing out Gore ’08 buttons, signs, and gear to the 2,000 attendees. Gore said he was “flabbergasted” by the level of organization.
Supporting the Draft Gore Movement is the most logical and moral path to take. It’s real democracy in action. Since 2000, a sizable part of the nation has grown from its pain, is less naïve, and more politically active and vocal, thanks to the Internet. Gore has also grown from his pain, as a man and as a leader. He would be the People’s President. It’s high time the nation and the leader shook hands. 4•1•1Visit AlGore.org to get involved.
By Marta Jorgensen, co-regional director of AlGore.org (AGO), Southwest chapter
"In my heart, I do believe that democracy was harmed by my network and others on November 7, 2000.” — Roger Ailes, chairman and CEO of Fox News Network, February 14, 2001. (How to Steal an Election, David W. Moore)
Most of us remember painfully well the 2000 election. But some of us aren’t content to let it be simply a painful memory. In 2002, a dedicated group of individuals who had been involved with Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign set up a Web site called gore04.org and organized a rally in Nashville, Tennessee. Gore told them to stop. He wasn’t into it. In the middle of 2006, the group got it rolling again, teaming up with AlGore.org (AGO) and working with other sites such as draftgore.com, meetup.com, and www.gorehub.com.
To date, the combined Draft Gore Movement has collected 150,000-plus signatures urging Gore to run. And this time Gore hasn’t told us to cut it out. The Draft Gore Movement is a labor of love on the part of its rapidly growing membership. Members and organizers do not have deep pockets, but use their own resources and intelligence to try to accomplish what mainstream political parties accomplish with their special-interest money and media spin doctors. They intend to place his name on the primary state ballots and put in place a voting base. Just in case …
Why all this effort? Why not support one of the Democratic candidates who has officially thrown his or her hat in the ring? To put it bluntly, none of them come close to Gore. He has established relationships with numerous world leaders, is well-liked internationally, and is not in anyone’s pocket.
Given the Bush administration’s unprecedented expansion of the unitary executive and sweeping constitutional changes, our next presidency may mean the difference between preserving our constitution and the principles upon which this country was founded, and losing them forever. Gore put it best himself in his 2006 speech, “Restoring the Rule of Law”: “If the pattern of practice begun by this administration is not challenged, it may well become a permanent part of the American system. Many conservatives have pointed out that granting unchecked power to this president means that the next president will have unchecked power as well. And the next president may be someone whose values and belief you do not trust.” The Clintons were involved in various breaches of constitutional law while in office, including allegations that Hillary’s brothers received large sums of money in exchange for requesting (and obtaining) presidential pardons. Both John Edwards and Barack Obama are too inexperienced to adeptly lead America out of its current constitutional and diplomatic crisis.
Gore would make the climate crisis the number one issue for 2008, a necessary agenda no candidate from either party has adopted. By unifying world powers in pursuit of the goal to save our planet, Gore would restore America’s standing in the world, thereby changing the global dialogue on other geopolitical crises as well.
If elected president, Gore would: eliminate all payroll taxes and replace that revenue with pollution taxes, principally on CO2; help negotiate a stronger second-generation Kyoto Treaty; create an “Electranet,” a smart electricity grid that would allow individuals and businesses to buy and sell electricity, forcing them to monitor their own consumption; and promote profitable alternative energy business models. Gore is also committed to ending the war in Iraq, which goes hand in hand with reducing our dependence on oil.
In The Assault on Reason, Gore stated, “Many Americans now feel that our government is unresponsive and that no one in a position of power listens to or cares what they think. They feel disconnected from democracy. They feel that one vote makes no difference, and that they, as individuals, now have no practical means of participating in America’s self-government.” Gore is well connected with the citizenry, even engaging in citizens’ Web blog discussions from time to time. As president, he would restore public participation in politics.
Gore has stated that he can accomplish his goals as a private citizen, without getting caught up in the political game. But that can only go so far. Real change in governance must come from the executive. The goal of the Draft Gore Movement is to show him that the people want him to run, and that he has enough popular support to win. According to a recent 7NEWS / Suffolk University poll, 32 percent of Democratic voters would support Gore over the candidate toward which they are currently leaning. That’s why the Draft Gore effort is becoming so insistent and vocal.
Members have shown up at all of The Assault on Reason book-signings. In Los Angeles recently, the “Gore People” were in full force, handing out Gore ’08 buttons, signs, and gear to the 2,000 attendees. Gore said he was “flabbergasted” by the level of organization.
Supporting the Draft Gore Movement is the most logical and moral path to take. It’s real democracy in action. Since 2000, a sizable part of the nation has grown from its pain, is less naïve, and more politically active and vocal, thanks to the Internet. Gore has also grown from his pain, as a man and as a leader. He would be the People’s President. It’s high time the nation and the leader shook hands. 4•1•1Visit AlGore.org to get involved.
Our Mission statement: "The Draft Gore Movement is an unofficial, grass roots campaign to support Al Gore's nomination for President by the Democratic Party in 2008. Our aim is to build a broad, unprecedented movement to support Vice President Gore's candidacy.
We support his steadfast efforts to promote awareness of global climate change. Vice President Gore has said that "As an American I feel a special obligation to do everything I can to bring about changes in my own country's policies." As President, he will be in the strongest possible position to lead our country to sound new policies on all the pressing issues we will face in 2009.
Vice President Gore is unique because of the extraordinary breadth of his experience, his knowledge, foresight, integrity, and proven good judgment.
Our goal in 2007 is to increase support for Vice President Gore, organize supporters, volunteers, and resources across every state and community, and open his path to the nomination and the Presidency. We hope and believe that he will answer the call to serve the country and run for President in 2008. "
We support his steadfast efforts to promote awareness of global climate change. Vice President Gore has said that "As an American I feel a special obligation to do everything I can to bring about changes in my own country's policies." As President, he will be in the strongest possible position to lead our country to sound new policies on all the pressing issues we will face in 2009.
Vice President Gore is unique because of the extraordinary breadth of his experience, his knowledge, foresight, integrity, and proven good judgment.
Our goal in 2007 is to increase support for Vice President Gore, organize supporters, volunteers, and resources across every state and community, and open his path to the nomination and the Presidency. We hope and believe that he will answer the call to serve the country and run for President in 2008. "
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