Skip to content

DemRulz

DNC Talking Points: Selecting a Supreme Court Justice

  • by

From the DNC:

*         As President Obama considers candidates to succeed Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, he will look to individuals who think independently, who have a proven record of excellence, who are dedicated to upholding the rule of law, and who have a clear understanding of the effects of the law in Americans’ lives.Read More »DNC Talking Points: Selecting a Supreme Court Justice

Recovery

This afternoon, I took a break from the office to walk around The Mall.  I approached the Smithsonian’s Arts & Industries Building with some trepidation… Read More »Recovery

DNC Change Commission Report

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, 1,655 hits)

Read More »DNC Change Commission Report

DPVA Strategy

 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:

  1. 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 More »DPVA Strategy

DNC Change Commission Adopts Report

  • by

The DNC Change Commission held its final (hour-long) meeting this afternoon (by conference call).  The Commission approved a draft report that recommends converting most automatic unpledged “superdelegates” to pledged delegates who will fill slots reflecting the voter preferences in their state’s primary or caucuses – thus becoming automatic, pledged, voting convention delegates.  The DNC Rules and Bylaws Commission (RBC) will consider the Commission’s report and then forward proposed delegate selection rules to the DNC for action later in 2010. Read More »DNC Change Commission Adopts Report

A Good Health Care Bill

  • by

Jeepers. You wouldn’t think it would be necessary to remind folks about all the good provisions in the current health care bill. Others have looked at the bill in great detail and provided useful analyses.  See, e.g,  Paul Krugman, Bill Clinton, Victoria Kennedy, Nate Silver, and Nancy-Ann DeParle (Director of the White House Office of Health Reform).

My point is that President Obama has focused intensely on this issue and succeeded in getting support from a supermajority in the Senate for a bill.  This necessarily involved compromises – that’s how governing works.  And, of course, this isn’t the final bill and, if the Senate passes it, the conference committee can work on further improvements.  If the bill dies, it will be another 20 years before another Democratic President summons the courage to try to fix the system.  And sure, from a political perspective, delivering on health care reform before moving onto the other issues on the agenda is a good thing for Democrats.Read More »A Good Health Care Bill

DNC Change Commission Nears Completion of Its Work

The DNC Change Commission held its final in-person meeting today in Washington DC.  The Commission discussed draft findings and recommendations regarding the timing of primaries/caucuses, the role of super delegates, and caucus issues.  The Commission will have a conference call prior to December 31, 2009 to complete its report.  The report will then go to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) which will consider the Commission’s recommendations when the RBC drafts the 2012 Delegate Selection rules. Read More »DNC Change Commission Nears Completion of Its Work

DNC Change Commission # 3 – Caucuses

  • by

The 2008 caucus process generated an unusual amount of attention and controversy, largely because far more people participated in these processes than had ever done so in the past.  Those who favor having caucuses instead of primaries in their states argue that a mix of caucuses and primaries is appropriate, candidates can have more direct contact with caucus attendees and engage in “retail politics,” and caucus participants become Democratic activists.  Those of us who participated in caucuses (which we used in Virginia for decades until 2004) think that caucuses can be confusing to voters and severely limit participation. But the folks in Iowa and other states like their caucuses, they have long been part of the nomination process, and they will continue to be an option.Read More »DNC Change Commission # 3 – Caucuses

DNC Change Commission #2 – Super Delegates

  • by

 Or, more accurately, automatic unpledged party leader and elected official delegates (“AUPLEOs”).  In 2008, nearly 20% of national convention delegates were super delegates – Distinguished Former Party Leaders (DFPLs, e.g., former DNC Chairs), Governors, Senators, members of Congress, and DNC members.  The 2008 Convention Resolution requires “a significant reduction in the number” of such delegates.  It also provides for a review of the formulas for delegate allocation to make sure that the delegates accurately reflect the will of the voters. Read More »DNC Change Commission #2 – Super Delegates