LIVE from Spokane: 2008 State Democratic Convention is underway
Welcome to the beginning of NPI's three day live coverage of the 2008 State Democratic Convention in Spokane, Washington.
I'm here at the Convention Center and Doubletree Hotel downtown, awaiting the start of the program for Darcy Burner's luncheon.
So far, it's been a busy but quiet morning. The space is so cavernous here that walking between meetings, workshops, and caucuses is quite peaceful.
Registration is open and a steady stream of Democrats have been signing in all morning long. Party convention committees have also been in session - Rules, Credentials, and Platform. I am a member of the Rules Committee, so I attended that meeting only. Our business was relatively straightforward: reviewing the proposed agenda, checking over the modified boilerplate convention rules, and voting on recommendations for the submitted charter amendments.
One of the charter amendments called for giving the Young Democrats of Washington State two votes on the state Central Committee. We recommended not adopting that amendment (to my chagrin and opposition).
Another set of amendments called for making it easier to amend the charter. We unanimously rejected these as well.
David McDonald, who is one of our Democratic National Committee members, gave a detailed, insightful, and fascinating report of what happened at the Rules & Bylaws meeting at the end of last month on the East Coast.
David recounted that the committee had a very exhaustive discussion, staying up very late into the night on the eve of the actual meeting, and deliberating extensively on three main options insofar as Michigan was concerned.
The committee ultimately adopted a proposal that was drawn up in Michigan itself, with input from the state party and the presidential campaigns.
UPDATE: Former state party chairman Paul Berendt has just finished a very generous introduction of Darcy Burner, who is addressing a luncheon of supporters at the Doubletree Hotel, talking about the inspiration for her candidacy and the plan going forward for turning the 8th Congressional District blue.
What I'm really liking about this speech is how many of the different topics Darcy has touched on. There's personal background interwoven with campaign strategy and a candid presentation of ideas to improve America's common wealth and overall quality of life. So far, Darcy's talked about the Responsible Plan, immigration, bolstering the economy, investing in renewable energy, and giving veterans an opportunity to get an education through a twenty first century GI Bill of Rights - which Congress is considering and Dubya has threatened to veto.
Darcy also plainly described what is possible, noting that Reichert's margin of victory in 2006 can be erased if she receives just a handful of more votes per precinct. And anyone who has experience political organizing knows what a difference one person can make walking their precinct and canvassing Democratic voters.
Our challenge in 2008 is to do just that.
What really matters, after the election is over, isn't what happens at a caucus or at a convention or a fundraiser (although functions like the state convention are important) but what happens in between: the phonebanking, the doorbelling, the organizing. Or talking to friends and family about a candidate or a ballot measure. The best campaigns are always alive and active somewhere; they're not just a series of high profile events at hotels, parks, or community centers.
Darcy understands why grassroots and netroots organizing is so important, and her candidacy has been all about embracing new tools, technologies, and tactics to build a winning congressional campaign.
I'm here at the Convention Center and Doubletree Hotel downtown, awaiting the start of the program for Darcy Burner's luncheon.
So far, it's been a busy but quiet morning. The space is so cavernous here that walking between meetings, workshops, and caucuses is quite peaceful.
Registration is open and a steady stream of Democrats have been signing in all morning long. Party convention committees have also been in session - Rules, Credentials, and Platform. I am a member of the Rules Committee, so I attended that meeting only. Our business was relatively straightforward: reviewing the proposed agenda, checking over the modified boilerplate convention rules, and voting on recommendations for the submitted charter amendments.
One of the charter amendments called for giving the Young Democrats of Washington State two votes on the state Central Committee. We recommended not adopting that amendment (to my chagrin and opposition).
Another set of amendments called for making it easier to amend the charter. We unanimously rejected these as well.
David McDonald, who is one of our Democratic National Committee members, gave a detailed, insightful, and fascinating report of what happened at the Rules & Bylaws meeting at the end of last month on the East Coast.
David recounted that the committee had a very exhaustive discussion, staying up very late into the night on the eve of the actual meeting, and deliberating extensively on three main options insofar as Michigan was concerned.
The committee ultimately adopted a proposal that was drawn up in Michigan itself, with input from the state party and the presidential campaigns.
UPDATE: Former state party chairman Paul Berendt has just finished a very generous introduction of Darcy Burner, who is addressing a luncheon of supporters at the Doubletree Hotel, talking about the inspiration for her candidacy and the plan going forward for turning the 8th Congressional District blue.
What I'm really liking about this speech is how many of the different topics Darcy has touched on. There's personal background interwoven with campaign strategy and a candid presentation of ideas to improve America's common wealth and overall quality of life. So far, Darcy's talked about the Responsible Plan, immigration, bolstering the economy, investing in renewable energy, and giving veterans an opportunity to get an education through a twenty first century GI Bill of Rights - which Congress is considering and Dubya has threatened to veto.
Darcy also plainly described what is possible, noting that Reichert's margin of victory in 2006 can be erased if she receives just a handful of more votes per precinct. And anyone who has experience political organizing knows what a difference one person can make walking their precinct and canvassing Democratic voters.
Our challenge in 2008 is to do just that.
What really matters, after the election is over, isn't what happens at a caucus or at a convention or a fundraiser (although functions like the state convention are important) but what happens in between: the phonebanking, the doorbelling, the organizing. Or talking to friends and family about a candidate or a ballot measure. The best campaigns are always alive and active somewhere; they're not just a series of high profile events at hotels, parks, or community centers.
Darcy understands why grassroots and netroots organizing is so important, and her candidacy has been all about embracing new tools, technologies, and tactics to build a winning congressional campaign.
# Posted by Andrew : 12:15 PM
Comments:
One of the charter amendments called for giving the Young Democrats of Washington State two votes on the state Central Committee. We recommended not adopting that amendment (to my chagrin and opposition).
Another set of amendments called for making it easier to amend the charter. We unanimously rejected these as well.
Tell us why you are against progressive changes like these Andrew?
Please
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