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DemRulz

DNC Communications Update (2/10/2012)

Education, housing, and contraception.  Which one of these is not like the other?  It’s extraordinary that in 21st century America, contraception has become a campaign issue. 

Guns

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I understand that some folks like guns, but one handgun a month ought to be enough, and the General Assembly should focus on other issues.  (But not voter supression and restricting choice.)Read More »Guns

2012 Democratic National Convention Opens Up

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The DNC announced that the final night of the Democratic National Convention will be held in Charlotte’s football stadium, which can hold  70,000 people.  The Convention also will be shortened to 3 days and the day before the convention starts will be a day to celebrate Virginia, and other southern states.  For more Convention information, sign up for updates from this site and the official DNC Convention Site. Read More »2012 Democratic National Convention Opens Up

Judge to GOP Candidates: You Snooze, You Lose

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Federal District Judge John Gibney yesterday rejected the efforts by GOP Presidential candidates Perry, Gingrich, Santorum, and Huntsman to litigate their way onto the Virginia March 6, 2012 primary ballot.   Each of the candidates had failed to comply with the Virginia statutory requirement that they obtain 10,000 signatures to qualify for the primary.  In its Opinion, the Court held that their request for a preliminary injunction to place them on the ballot was barred by the equitable doctrine of laches – meaning that they waited too long to challenge the law, and a change at this time would disrupt the printing of the ballots and the primary process.  “In essence, they played the game, lost, and then complained the rules were unfair.”  Op. at 2.  In doing so, the candidates “displayed an unreasonable and inexcusable lack of diligence.”  Op. at 11.Read More »Judge to GOP Candidates: You Snooze, You Lose

Failed GOP Presidential Candidates Seek Federal Court Ruling that VA GOP, SBE Violated Voting Rights Act

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After only Willard Romney and Ron Paul timely submitted the required 10,000 signatures (with 400 from each CD) to qualify for the Virginia GOP primary ballot, Rick Perry sued Virginia State Board of Elections (“SBE”) members (Judd, Bowers, and Palmer) and Republican Party of Va. (“RPVA”) Chair (Pat  Mullins), in their official capacities, in federal court.  Perry sought to litigate his way onto the ballot by having the Court issue an injunction prohibiting the SBE from enforcing the law and compelling the RPVA to place him on the ballot.  Perry v. Judd, Civ. No. 3;11-cv-856-JAG (E.D. Va. Dec. 27, 2011).  The Court invited the other GOP candidates to intervene, and Santorum, Gingrich, and Huntsman did so.  The Court set a schedule requiring opening briefs to be filed on Jan. 6, responses on Jan. 11, and a hearing with live witnesses on Jan. 13.  Here are some of the highlights of the briefs the parties filed yesterday.Read More »Failed GOP Presidential Candidates Seek Federal Court Ruling that VA GOP, SBE Violated Voting Rights Act

DNC State Chairs Group Meets

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One of the most important groups within the Democratic National Committee is the Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC), which consists of each state’s party chair, first vice chair, and executive director.  The ASDC meets four times a year and just concluded its winter meeting here in Las Vegas.  Over the past three days, the ASDC presented speeches, panels, and workshops providing practical information and guidance on issues  including state party budgeting, state party fundraising (including for the national convention), social media,  party administration, DNC and state party constituency efforts, national convention best practices, DNC technology, state party campaign structure, voter protection efforts, and updates on President Obama’s campaign and the national convention. The DPVA was well represented by VC Gaylene Kanoyton and ED Dave Mills, and I attended with DNC members Mame Reiley, Doris Crouse-May and Susan Swecker, and Sen. Louise Lucas.   Some highlight of the sessions I attended:Read More »DNC State Chairs Group Meets

DPVA State Committees Meet

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The DPVA Steering and Central Committee met this weekend in Hampton VA.  Highlights included Congressman Bobby Scott’s speech, discussion of 2011 results and lessons and 2012 Obama and Kaine campaign activities, and adoption of resolutions.

Cong. Bobby Scott

Virginia Obama State Director Lise Clavel (who managed Tom Periello’s campaigns and served as his Chief of Staff) reported that field staff is growing from 15 t0 50 and will exceed 100 by next year.  They will open 50 offices around the Commonwealth (Fairfax and Newport News opened today).  The Obama campaign will work closely with DPVA and local party committees.  An early focus will be voter registration, with a number of drives around the state scheduled for next weekend.  Bookmark the OFA-VA page and participate in upcoming events.   I was impressed with Lise and the campaign’s specific plans.  2012 should have 2x-3x the turnout of 2011 — if we get our people to the polls, Obama will again carry Virginia.Read More »DPVA State Committees Meet