February 6, 2010
The DNC held its meeting this morning and had a surprisingly large and enthusiastic crowd. President Obama spoke about the economic frustrations of the American people and the continuing need to change the way Washington works. Chairman Kaine spoke about the 2012 elections and the need to encourage turnout and the build on the work we did in 2008. Congresswoman Holmes-Norton spoke about getting a vote in Congress for DC’s residents. The DNC adopted the Resolutions report (see prior post- note rez #4, which provides a good list of President Obama’s accomplishments). The DNC also “accepted as written” the Change Commission Report; RBC co-chair Roosevelt explained that the RBC will be working on the report’s recommendations. The DNC staff did an excellent job of putting on the meeting, despite the challenging weather conditions, and it was great to meet and share ideas with Democrats from around the country and the world.
Posted in DNC, Obama, Rules 
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February 6, 2010
NOTICE: President Obama will speak to the DNC tomorrow at 10:30 am, and you can see it here.
The fun continues – in the midst of snow worries and actual snow flurries – the DNC had a number of meetings today, including the DNC Executive Committee; the four regional (Southern, Eastern, Midwest, and Western) Caucuses; the LGBT, Asian American Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic Caucuses; the Seniors, Youth, Native American Coordinating, and National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Councils; the Rules & Bylaws Committee (RBC); a reception hosted by Chairman Kaine; and closing down the Hilton Bar with Lucy, Mame, Lindsey, and some of our wonderful Democrats Abroad.
The RBC will consider the Change Commission recommendations as part of its proposed Delegate Selection Plan Rules and Regulations. Today’s meeting provided only an overview and the next meeting (possibly Nashville in April) will provide more detailed discussion. It appears that making superdelegates reflect voter’s preferences may require a Charter amendment (and a 2/3 vote) – more on this issue later. No word from the RNC meeting in Honolulu (less snow there) re calender, although the Republican Convention approved the same four pre-window states.
Tomorrow’s Resolutions –
9-10-09_Resolutions_as_Presented_to_the_Full_DNC11.pdf (1.0 MiB, 8 hits)
At the Southern Caucus Speaker Pelosi spoke about advancing President Obama’s agenda and Congressperson Debbie Wasserman-Schultz spoke about the 2010 Congressional elections. Cong. W-S spoke about targeting some current Republican districts, protecting our own (mentioning Congressmen Periello, Nye, and Connolly), and the need to recognize that some Democrats represent very conservative districts and need our support, not attacks. The Caucus will investigate the value of regional issue-based polling. The Chair spoke of the importance of involving young people in the party and participating in the Census. The Alabama Chair noted that State Parties are required to have 33% of their seats filled by 18-35 year olds. Chair Gilda Cobb-Hunter also called Alfonso Lopez “baby,” which he took as a positive reflection on his relative youth, but she calls everyone “baby.” Charlotte made a pitch for the 2012 convention, which might be good because it is convenient for Virginians, even though the Queen City may lack the appeal of , say, MIAMI. [Today's New Orleans Times-Picayune lead: "note to Miami: you need more beer."] The next Southern Caucus meeting will be in connection with the Ass’n of State Democratic Chairs meeting in Nashville on April 10.
Time to slog back to the Hilton.
Posted in DNC, Rules No Comments »
February 4, 2010
The DNC Winter meeting started off today with meeting of the Association of State Democratic Chairs, the Resolutions Committee, the Credentials Committee, and everyone worrying about the snow. Virginian Susan Swecker co-chaired an introductory Credentials meeting and Alfonso Lopez and I attended as members. The Committee generally meets only when there are challenges to DNC members, so we might not meet often. The day’s highlight was clearly the OFA rally this afternoon, featuring Chairman Kaine, and President Obama, who coolly laid out his plans for getting the truth to the American people, creating jobs, and finishing the task of health insurance reform. Virginia DNC members Doris Crouse-Mays and Grindley Johnson attended as well as Virginia activists Kip Malinosky and Chrisi West.
Posted in DNC, OFA, Obama No Comments »
February 3, 2010
Hot of the presses! Here’s the report of the DNC Change Commission which recommends pushing back early primary and caucus dates and clustering states, making superdelegates pledged to candidates, and improving caucuses. The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee will consider the recommendations and incorporate them (as appropriate) in the 2012 Democratic National Convention Delegate Selection Plan. Chairman Kaine’s cover letter is below the fold.
DNC Change Commission Report (513.3 KiB, 79 hits)
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 2012 Convention, DNC, News, Rules 2 Comments »
February 3, 2010
The Democratic Party of Virginia Steering and Central Committee meetings, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, have been postponed due to expected bad weather. They have been rescheduled to March 19-20, again at the Marriott in Richmond, and will be held in connection with the 2010 Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner. So far as I know, the DNC is pressing forth this weekend, and I’ll be posting. Be careful out there.
Posted in DNC, DPVA, News No Comments »
February 2, 2010
First, as NLS reports, the GOP continues their efforts to make voting harder — in this case, by requiring people who don’t have IDs to vote a provisional ballot, and, presumably then have to defend their vote at the canvass the day after the election (HB 948). For the past century, Virginia’s problem has been voter intimidation and too few people voting; it hasn’t been fraud and going beyond the current ID requirements is unnecessary.
Second, the DNC and the DPVA are on record in support of verifiable voting, but legislation has been introduced to reverse the ban on buying new paperless electronic voting machines (SB 732), which is being opposed by the VVC of Virginia. There is room for improvement in voting, but moving backwards doesn’t seem to be the answer. By the way, every election since 2005, I have taken election promotion calls from folks who complained that their electronic machines were not registering Democratic votes — according to the registrars, there was some problem with machine calibration.
Good voting bills include those supporting early voting, restoration of voting rights, and bipartisan redistricting. See generally LIS for bill information.
Posted in DNC, DPVA, Election Law, Virginia No Comments »
January 31, 2010
The Democratic Party of Virginia State Central Committee at its December 2009 meeting voted to form a Strategic Plan Committee. Ten tactical thoughts to consider:
- Coordinate DPVA goals with those of President Obama. We all worked very hard together in 2008 to change America and elect Barak Obama. As he said on election night, “This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change.” President Obama’s successes are the Democratic Party’s successes and will be our country’s successes, so we better get on the same page. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in DPVA, OFA 2 Comments »
January 30, 2010
The DNC meets twice a year and the DPVA Central Committee meets four times a year – if we had a DNC Chair who was a member of the DPVA, maybe they wouldn’t constantly meet on the same weekends. Oh, wait. Anyway, the DNC is meeting here is DC on Thursday-Saturday, February 4-6 at the Capital Hilton on 16th and K streets. Committees and caucuses meet on Thursday and Friday, and the DNC general meeting is Saturday at 10:00 am. The DPVA is meeting on Feb. 5-6 at the Richmond Downtown Marriott, 500 E. Broad St., 23219. Steering is Friday at 7:30 pm, Central is Saturday at 10:00 am. The agendas I have seen are general; clearly both meeting will focus on regaining Democratic momentum. One thing that I have suggested that will happen is the OFA Virginia Coordinator will speak to the DPVA. I’ll post from the DNC.
Posted in DNC, DPVA, News 1 Comment »
January 27, 2010
President Obama got it right – he will veto overspending, and Congress needs to publicize earmarks, quit holding appointments hostage, and do its job in passing legislation. It’s time Congress got the message.
Posted in Obama, Politics No Comments »
January 20, 2010
“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.” President-Elect Barack Obama, November 4, 2008.
Posted in Obama 2 Comments »
