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DNC Should Continue 50 State Staffing

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Democratic successes over the past four years, including Obama’s election, owe a lot to the DNC 50 State Strategy which placed 3-4 staff people per state to assist state Democratic parties.   The program was scheduled to terminate on November 30, 2008 and apparently is doing so.  The new DNC leadership may — and should — resume the program, but in the meantime, we are losing 183 experienced and knowledgeable field people.  The DNC should keep these folks on staff until decisions about the future course of the program are made.  Below is my letter to Chairman Dean. 

  50 state letter (113.4 KiB, 1,255 hits)

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One Virginia (for Obama)

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Today’s Washington Post qoutes Sarah Palin as talking – yet again – about the “Real Virginia.”  This is the same kind of Atwater/Rove/Wedge Issue/win elections by dividing people approach that Republicans try time and time again.  Barack Obama is the only candidate who talks about what unites us more than what divides us and that is one reason why he should be our next President.

As we are all Americans, we are also all Virgnians.  I grew up and live in Northern Virginia, but have lived in Charlottesville and Richmond and travelled to every corner of the Commonwealth.  What unites us is far greater than what divides us, as the following Virgnia Pilot editorial said so wellRead More »One Virginia (for Obama)

Vote For Obama, Now

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Many people, including those living in Northern Virginia who will be out of the county at work for 11 hours on election day, can vote absentee, including voting “absentee in person” at the Courthouse or special locations.  If you are eligible, you should vote now to make sure your vote counts.  By the way, ALL absentee votes that are received by election day are counted.   For more information check with the State Board of Elections website — important information is set forth below.Read More »Vote For Obama, Now

DPVa to Meet, Vote on 2009 Primary

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The Virginia Democratic Party’s State Central Committee will meet this Saturday, September 13, in Fredericksburg and  will vote on whether to have a primary to nominate our statewide candidates in 2009.  

  Primary 2009 (87.8 KiB, 1,466 hits)

The Committee will also vote on the recognition of Rural Caucus, conduct other business, and hear speeches.  The party’s Women’s Caucus will hold elections.

UPDATE:  DPVA votes to nominate statewide candidates in 2009 by primary.  Also recognizes rural caucus, makes minor party plan revision, hears excellent speeches (especially by Governor Kaine), and enjoys Pig Roast.

Note – Both Democratic candidates for governor, Hon. Brian Moran and Hon. Criegh Deeds SUPPORT a primary.Read More »DPVa to Meet, Vote on 2009 Primary

Changing the Rules for 2012

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Dean.jpgThe Democratic National Convention Rules Committee today unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the DNC to establish a Democratic Change Commission to consider controversial issues which arose in this year’s presidential nomination process and recommend changes in that process to the DNC.  The Resolution directs the Commission to move the delegate selection process back so most primaries are spaced out in March and later, reduce the number of  super delegates, and establish new criteria for caucuses.  The Resolution was supported by the leadership of the DNC, and the Obama and Clinton campaigns.  Two resolutions raising concerns about the caucus process had been offered, but were withdrawn at the meeting. 

  DNC Change Commission (169.8 KiB, 1,514 hits)

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DNC Rules: “Organized, Unified, and Ready to Lead”

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The Democratic National Convention Rules Committee met this morning and unanimously adopted proposed Convention Rules and a resolution calling for the establishment of a Democratic Change Commission which will make recommendations regarding the 2012 Presidential nomination process, and address issues including timing, caucuses, and super delegates.  [See next post.]

The proposed Convention Rules are similar to rules used in prior years.  The Rules, and the agenda, which the Committee also adopted, provide for Reports from the Credentials, Rules, and Platform Committees on Monday night and nomination of the President and Vice President on Wednesday.  (Obama’s acceptance speech is, of course, Thursday night.)  Here are the Rules —

  National Convention Rules (499.3 KiB, 1,245 hits)

(thanks State Party Staff)Read More »DNC Rules: “Organized, Unified, and Ready to Lead”

A Party that Stands for Something – The DPVA Resolutions/Platform Process

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The current DPVA resolutions process explained and justified.

At this year’s state convention, the Virginia Democratic Party (DPVA) adopted a broad-ranging platform setting forth the party’s views on a variety of issues – from support for early childhood education to restoring voting rights to former offenders.   The Republican Party, near as I can tell, adopted a single resolution, supporting guns in state parks.  (See References tab for these documents, and past DPVA platforms.)  Although the DPVA has debated the value of resolutions over the years, the current process provides a balance that allows Democratic policy views to be heard, yet keeps our focus on electing Democrats to implement those policies.

Read More »A Party that Stands for Something – The DPVA Resolutions/Platform Process

Report from the Democratic National Convention Platform Committee

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Thanks to Voncille Hines, from Arlington, for providing this report, and thanks to all of the Virginia members of the Platform Committee.

DNC PLATFORM COMMITTEE ENDORSES DRAFT PLATFORM

In an effort to provide every American an opportunity to give their input in shaping the principles of the Democratic Party, Senator Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee launched the “Listening to America” initiative.  After months of preparation, the participation of more than 25,000 individuals in 1600 listening to America forums that took place in communities in all 50 states, including a national hearing held in Cleveland, Ohio, the 186-member Democratic Platform Committee convened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 9, 2008, to deliberate on the draft document presented by the Platform Drafting Committee. An overview of each section of the platform was given by noted elected officials and prominent members of the Democratic Party, including Dr. Susan Rice, foreign policy advisor to Senator Obama. Over 120 amendments were submitted, several of which were withdrawn, or included in the chair’s amendments. At the end of the day-long meeting members voted to endorse the draft platform presented by the Platform Drafting Committee.Read More »Report from the Democratic National Convention Platform Committee

Hillary’s name to be placed in nomination

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AP reports that the Clinton and Obama campaigns have agreed that Hillary’s name will be offered in nomination and presumably there will be a roll call vote at the convention.   Story here. This has been described as a “traditional” way of proceeding, although it would be the first such roll call vote this century.  Only Dennis Kucinich placed his name in nomination against John Kerry in 2004 and BIll Bradley did not have a roll call vote against Al Gore in 2000. 

Nevertheless, the Obama and Clinton campaigns have decided that such a move will assist party unification and should yield positive results.  Democrats (including me) have great respect for Senator Clinton and her campaign, and her nomination reflects that respect.  Then it’s on to November, with Senator Clinton and her supporters, working to elect Barack Obama.

Here is the statement from the Obama campaign.

Read More »Hillary’s name to be placed in nomination

Democratic National Convention Committees to Meet

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Convention.jpgThe Democratic Convention Committees will meet to do their work before the National Convention begins.  See DNC Release re: Commitees.  Platform is meeting this weekend – report to follow.  Rules is meeting the saturday before the convention, but the Credentials meeting on sunday may revisit the Florida/Michigan delegation issues.

The Platform Committee will meet on August 9th – many of you participated in the 1200 Obama campaign platform meetings held around the country last month.  Kudos to Maureen Markham and her team for the excellent “Platform Café” at Celias in Arlington (see similar Listening to America – Platform for Change results).  Virginia’s Platform Committee members are invited to submit their comments on the meeting, and we will post them here.

Read More »Democratic National Convention Committees to Meet

DemRulz Arrivz

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Welcom to DemRulz.  This site will feature my regular reports from the Democratic National Committee, occasional news and comment regarding Virignia politics, and useful links… Read More »DemRulz Arrivz

DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Does the Right Thing

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The DNC RBC meeting I saw yesterday was one in which members and presenters strongly advocated their positions, but shared a commitment to Democratic Party ideals of participation, fairness, and party unity.  Thus the Committee was able to reach compromises which implement those principles, resolve the outstanding disputes over seating of the Florida and Michigan delegations, and allow our presumptive nominee to focus on the issues that confront the American people.  Specifically, the Committee voted to seat the full number of delegates from each state, each delegate with a half vote, and allocate the delegates generally according to primary percentage, with some adjustments for Michigan.Read More »DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Does the Right Thing