Western Democrat

Stunning turnout throughout the West

In a release, the DNC points out that turnout on Super Tuesday was stunningly high throughout the West -- which bodes well for the general election.

• In Colorado, Democrats saw twice the number of caucus-goers as Republicans—119,184 to 55,845. Yesterday’s turnout was eight times higher than that of turnout from 2004 when only 15,000 participated. [Denver Post, 2/6/08]

• In Idaho, 21,224 people caucused for Democrats, far exceeding anyone’s expectations, and forcing officials to print more ballots. [AP, 2/5/08; cnn.com, 2/6/08]

• In Arizona, 368,828 people turned out for Democrats, far exceeding the record of 239,000. [cnn.com, 2/6/08]

• In New Mexico, more than 152,000 ballots were cast, far surpassing the 2004 number of 104,000 in 2004.

• And in Utah, 122,617 people came out for Democrats, far exceeding the 33,839 who participated in the 2004 primary. [cnn.com]

It's going to be a good year.

Kari Chisholm | February 6, 2008 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Stunning turnout throughout the West | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, Demographics, DNC, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah

Howard Dean an honorary Western Democrat

Dean was in Denver recently to speak to supporters in advanced of the 2008 convention being held there.  Because this man was really the final decision-maker in the whole process, I move that Howard Dean becomes an honory Western Democrat.  In fact, his policy positions would probably resonate well out here (fiscal responsibility, social libertarianism) and along with his plain-spoken character he pretty much embodies the principles (well, maybe except for the wealthy east coaster thing...but hey).

Here's the man in his own words:

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday that holding the Democratic National Convention in Denver will show the nation that the West has a road map for Democrats to win the White House next year.

"This is going to be the beginning of a new America," Dean told an overflow rally of supporters at the Denver Convention Center.

Dean said Democratic gains in the West show that voters want politicians to focus on collaboration and values. He said those values include fairness, honesty and a system of government for all Americans, not just a chosen few.

It seemed like his speech resonated well with people in attendence (and are connected):

Julia Hicks, former vice chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party, said she was moved by Dean's speech and that Dean was right about his support for Western values that have allowed Democrats to make steady progress in the region, picking up governorships from Montana to Arizona in recent years and in Colorado in November. The party also has gained House seats and made significant inroads in state legislatures.

She said Democrats in the West want to focus on problems, not divisive social issues, and that many regional Democrats are moderates who support gun rights, taking away issues traditionally considered Republican standards.

"People in the West are independent. They march to their own drummer," Hicks said.

We've been talking about this for a long time but there MUST be a westerner on the ticket in 2008.  If the party wants to reform the electoral battlefield and WIN in 2008, they'll probably be a lot of cowboy boots at that convention.

rat

Landon Mascareñaz | April 15, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Howard Dean an honorary Western Democrat | TrackBack (0) DNC

Gravel & Richardson: On the move

Over at MyDD, Jerome Armstrong is blogging the DNC winter meeting. Here's what he has to say about the two Western Democrats in the presidential race:

Bill Richardson: "Stay lose, we gotta year to go", says Richardson regarding his stand in the polls. Richardson's intro is "lean on me" by Bill Withers [the hip hop remix], and closes with some cha-cha music. He looks great-- Richardson might be getting tips from Huckabee. He is one of two that I believe can break out of the second tier. Richardson has a big opening in Nevada, if he is able to mobilize Latino voters to show up. If he does, in a week when it's the only contest and there's not a competing Republican contest for media attention, he's gonna pop onto the radar in a very big way. Then, maybe Florida? Don't count out union support for Richardson either, as he's got a record in New Mexico that's very union-friendly. Teachers too, Richardson came with NM at 47th in pay and is now in the 20's-- AFT. NM's enacted equality legislation, enacted the Kyoto standards, it's impressive. I really like Governor's as Presidential candidates, they have accomplishments they can point to, and Richardson has foreign experience as well. He was very well recieved by this audience, with multiple standing ovations, and Richardson probably moved up a few nothes in their views. Richardson believes in a "reconciliation" effort in Iraq, and calls for a deadline by the end of this year for the US to be out of Iraq.

Mike Gravel: Gravel will be the voice of the pissed-off Democrats, saying about the Oct 2002 vote, "political calculations trumped morality" and "anyone who voted for the war... is not qualified to hold the office of the Presidency." In short, Gravel will not give Edwards, Biden, Dodd, Clinton any breathing room. As a Senator, he says, "I spoke truth to power... and as a result Nixon sued me." Gravel is coming back from being on the Senate floor during the Vietnam war, and as he stood up then to end the war,he now will be the thorn in the side of those "that did nothing" when they were in office, as a Democratic majority in the Senate, and allowed it to happen. "And we all know, 'vital interest' is a code word for oil." With Gravel in the race, there's really no need for the vanity candidacy of Kucinich. Gravel is an anti-war candidate that speaks well and carries a stick. "Power to the People" is the song and "Let the People Decide" the slogan of Gravel.

Kari Chisholm | February 4, 2007 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Gravel & Richardson: On the move | TrackBack (0) Alaska, DNC, New Mexico, Presidential Politics

Colorado thinking of joining the Western Primary

California and Illinois (and Barack Obama for that matter) be damned, Colorado is thinking of joining the Western Primary. Dan Slater of the Colorado party is in DC for the winter DNC meeting and gives us this update:

With the exception of four states (IA, NV, NH, and SC), the DNC’s rules do not allow any states to hold their primaries or caucuses before February 5. However, there is a concentrated effort to hold the contest in several Western states on that day — meaning a lot more attention by the candidates to those states. The State Party officers have been in discussions for a while about whether to work with the Legislature to move our caucus up to Feb. 5, joining the other Western states that are doing so. We met with academics, we talked with legislators and other political leaders, and we asked for the input of the county chairs that are the linchpin to the caucus process.

The response was overwhelming. As reported in the Rocky this morning, the Party is now working with the Legislature to make the change from a March caucus to a February 5 caucus. In response to some concerns heard in our process, we’re asking that the move from March to February only take place in Presidential years.

Emmett O'Connell | January 31, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Colorado thinking of joining the Western Primary | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, The Big Strategy

Gary Hart's memo to Howard Dean

Howard Dean is crediting Gary Hart with pushing him to choose Denver for the 2008 Convention. From the Denver Post:

For nearly 25 years, Gary Hart has pushed Democrats to switch their political focus from regaining the South to winning the West. Perhaps, then, it's fitting that the former senator received some of the credit for the Democratic National Convention's landing in Denver.

Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said Hart's paper on how the Democrats might go about capturing the West - and therefore the White House - made a difference in choosing Denver over New York. "I have long believed that the essence of a Democratic victory goes through the West," Dean said. "If we are going to have a national party, we are going to have to have Westerners to vote Democratic again on a reliable basis."

Cue Gary Hart:

"This is structural change. It could influence the presidential pick," Hart said Thursday. "Every candidate in both parties will have to address Western issues, which aren't race and cultural. They are resource issues, like energy development and property rights." ...

Hart's 10-point political strategy begins with advising Democrats to condemn a recent Supreme Court decision that makes it easier for governments to take private property for public purposes and ends with suggesting candidates talk about principles - "integrity, honor, courage, accountability" - instead of values, which tend to be associated with the religious right.

Here's a copy of Gary Hart's memo to Howard Dean (pdf). Great stuff.

Thank you, Senator Hart.

Kari Chisholm | January 15, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Gary Hart's memo to Howard Dean | TrackBack (0) DNC, The Big Strategy

Governor Bill Ritter's Remarks About Denver Securing the DNC

Newly elected Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado issued a press release following DNC Chair Howard Dean's announcement that Denver will play host to the 2008 Democratic National Convention:

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THURSDAY, JAN. 11, 2007

Contact:

Evan Dreyer, 720-350-8370

GOV. RITTER PRAISES EFFORTS TO SECURE 2008 CONVENTION

Gov. Bill Ritter today praised the hard work of many people to secure Denver’s bid for the 2008 Democratic National Committee.

“The convention will have a significant economic impact not just on Denver, but it will have a ripple effect across the entire state and the West,” Ritter said. “This will be great for Denver and great for Colorado.”

Ritter said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar and the entire host committee led by Elbra Wedgeworth deserve much credit for their tenacity and commitment.

“A major reason we were able to compete against a city like New York and ultimately win this convention is because Denver made important investments in infrastructure,” Ritter said. “We have the hotels, restaurants, convention space and other facilities to accommodate events like this. This puts us on the national stage and the world stage.”

kencamp | January 11, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Governor Bill Ritter's Remarks About Denver Securing the DNC | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Governors

Governor Richardson's Statement on the DNC Convention

Courtesy of Heath Haussamen, here is Governor Richardson's statement on the selection of Denver as the site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

“This isn’t just a win for Denver and Colorado, but for the whole mountain west. From Montana to New Mexico, the west is the most fertile ground for Democrats. The Denver convention in 2008 will only further these efforts.”

Today's announcement by DNC Chair Howard Dean, coupled with the decision to move the Nevada caucuses to the front, only boosts Governor Richardson's potential Presidential campaign.

kencamp | January 11, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Governor Richardson's Statement on the DNC Convention | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Governors, Nevada, New Mexico

Denver DNC, its all about the geography

Al Eisele writes in the Huffington Post:

With Republicans trying to gain a foothold in the Democratic stronghold of Minnesota, Democrats are crazy if they don't try to break out of their East Coast-Midwest-Southern mindset by making inroads in the West. After all, Colorado just elected a Democratic governor, and there are eight other Democratic governors from Kansas to Oregon, including a likely presidential candidate, New Mexico's Bill Richardson. And the new Speaker of the House is from California and the new Senate majority leader is from Nevada.

Sure, Democrats held their 1984 convention in San Francisco and their 2000 convention in Los Angeles, but look where it got them -- Fritz Mondale, who lost every state but his own, and Al Gore, who couldn't even carry his own home state. In fact, Democrats haven't won with a candidate who was nominated in a city west of the Mississippi since they picked John F. Kennedy in Los Angeles in 1960.

As the brothers Salazar of Colorado, Sen. Ken and Rep. John, argue, energy sources are key to many of America's most pressing problems, including freeing us from the stranglehold of Middle Eastern oil imports. Colorado, with its vast oil shale deposits, and the West with its limitless coal deposits and other alternative energy sources, is a good place to position the party for the future.

So let's hear it for Denver. It may be a cow town, but if Democrats want to make the west a battleground in 2008, they better be ready to ride in the rodeo.

This is the nut of the issue, geography matters. Are we the party from New York or the party from the West? That's what people who are fighting for a Denver convention are saying, that we've been too long a party of the Northeast.

Emmett O'Connell | January 9, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Denver DNC, its all about the geography | TrackBack (0) DNC, Presidential Politics, Regionalism, The Big Strategy

Montana to move primary election?

According to the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Utah, Montana is expected to consider moving their primary election from June 3 to February 5 - joining Western states Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah (plus Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Missouri, and North Carolina). Prior to February 5, elections will be held in Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

From the CPPA newsletter:

It is very likely that Montana’s legislature will introduce a Western States Primary Election bill when its session begins on January 3. Legislation could move Montana’s presidential primary election from June to February for the 2008 election – and in line with primaries in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Although a 2005 bill died in the Montana Senate, legislation this year appears to have stronger bipartisan support, including that of Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer and Republican Secretary of State Brad Johnson.

A full Democratic primary calendar is available at Wikipedia.

Kari Chisholm | December 26, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Montana to move primary election? | TrackBack (0) DNC, Montana, Presidential Politics, Regionalism

Hillary may save us from a New York convention

2008 Democratic Convention Watch points to an interesting tale told by Novak, in which he lays bare a badly kept secret about a convention in New York and Hillary Clinton:

Denver lacks sufficient hotel facilities, a suitable arena and labor union support, not to mention adequate financing. But when New York was leaked as the site, the reaction was so negative that Dean delayed a decision. Party members complained that it would be the fourth out of the last nine Democratic conventions scheduled for New York. Backers of Hillary Clinton don't want her nominated in her place of residence. George H.W. Bush and John Kerry lost elections when nominated in their respective hometowns of Houston and Boston.

2008 Democratic Convention watch points out that Hillary is publicly backing New York, but that going back to the 1950s, Presidential candidates who are nominated too close to home have a hard go at it.

Wouldn't it be ironic that Clinton's pre-primary inside the party power -- before she fizzles out in front of voters and caucus goers -- could put the convention out West?

Emmett O'Connell | December 24, 2006 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: Hillary may save us from a New York convention | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, National Leadership, Presidential Politics, The Big Strategy

Convention Decision Postponed

Looks like the DNC is going to wait another month for the decision on the 2008 Convention. From the AP:

Party officials have been negotiating for months with host committees for New York and Denver, but a series of problems with Denver's bid — and a significant cooling of interest from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg — led Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean to seek more time to make a decision.

"Chairman Dean is going to make the best decision for the party based on the merits of each city's bid. ... Because of the holiday week, and at the request of both cities, we will announce the convention city in early January," DNC press secretary Stacie Paxton said in a statement.

What sort of problems in Denver?

Denver, which has mounted an enthusiastic campaign to win the convention, has struggled with labor issues, fundraising and logistical challenges such as finding sufficient hotel rooms. Democrats thought Denver had resolved some of its labor problems when Colorado's AFL-CIO approved a resolution last month in support of Denver's convention bid.

But problems suddenly emerged this week when Jim Taylor, head of city's influential stagehand union, refused to sign an agreement promising not to strike if the convention came to Denver.

Debbie Willhite, executive director of Denver's host committee, said a lack of full union support for the city's bid is "probably a deal-breaker" but expressed confidence the matter could be negotiated.

C'mon everybody. Let's think big picture here.

Kari Chisholm | December 20, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Convention Decision Postponed | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Presidential Politics

DNC Decision Delayed

While a decision on where the Democratic National Committee would hold its 2008 convention was expected very soon, today the DNC said a decision would come in January.

Party officials have been negotiating for months with host committees for New York and Denver, but a series of problems with Denver's bid _ and a significant cooling of interest from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg _ led Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean to seek more time to make a decision.

"Chairman Dean is going to make the best decision for the party based on the merits of each city's bid. ... Because of the holiday week, and at the request of both cities, we will announce the convention city in early January," DNC press secretary Stacie Paxton said in a statement.

Much is being made in the media of Denver's labor issues, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is now saying fundraising might be more difficult than anticipated. Let me make it simple for the DNC: choose Denver (which I know comes as no surprise to Western Democrat readers).

Denver represents the future of the Democratic party. New York represents the old-moneyed, smoke filled room, good old boys club (a.k.a. the East Coast liberal elite) that the Democratic Party used to be. So, Chairman Dean, do you want to live in the past, or do you want to build the future? At Western Democrat, we look to the future.

kencamp | December 19, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: DNC Decision Delayed | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC

10 Senators call for Denver Convention

The campaign to put the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver is picking up steam. From the AP:

As the head of the Democratic Party moves closer to choosing the site of the 2008 convention, 10 senators and senators-elect from the western half of the nation said the Mile High City is a natural choice. ...

The letter noted that since 2002, Democrats have won GOP-held governorships in Montana, Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. Last month, Democrats also picked up a Republican-held Senate seat in Montana and GOP-held House seats in Colorado and Arizona.

“In 2008, our presidential nominee will have, for the first time in many years, an excellent chance of winning several Western states, which would secure enough key Electoral College votes to restore our leadership in the White House,” the letter said. “In short, the West is the Democratic Party's new frontier.” ...

Signing the letter were Sens. Harry Reid of Nevada, the incoming Senate majority leader; Ken Salazar of Colorado; Max Baucus and Sen.-elect Jon Tester of Montana; Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico; Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad of North Dakota; Maria Cantwell of Washington; Tim Johnson of South Dakota; and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

Keep up the pressure, folks.

Kari Chisholm | December 8, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: 10 Senators call for Denver Convention | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Senators, Supporters

Meaningless Historical Nonsense

How is about this for a useless argument for why New York has an advantage over Denver for the convention:

New York, they say, has advantages in fund-raising, experience in running national conventions and a track record of success for the Democrats. The last two Democratic presidents, Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1992, both strode onto the big stage in New York. Denver last held a convention in 1908, and the nominee, William Jennings Bryan, a Democrat, was trounced by William Howard Taft.

Yeah, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton won the White House because of the convention's location in New York. I can just imagine a voter now: "Well, I like that Gerald Ford fellow, but that was a damn fine New York Convention..." Or perhaps in 1908: "I like everything about WJB, I've voted for him the last two times he ran but now with that Denver convention I'm not too sure..."

But this is where the article gets good:

But party members across the country say that there is no doubt that Denver has hit on a potent combination of economic development goals and political ambition. A convention with 30,000 eating, drinking, hotel-room-using Democratic partiers and journalists would inject perhaps $160 million into the local economy, organizers say, and at the same time crown the city as an unquestioned capital of the interior West — and the two goals are in sync.

“A convention can provide a stage to introduce the nominee in a way that gets the country’s attention and tells a story,” said Debbie Willhite, a longtime Democratic strategist who came here earlier this year to run Denver’s bid as executive director. “And the networks can’t come in here without showing the broad plains and Rocky Mountains — that’s a very big stage.”

Sing it true, Debbie. I'm just even excited for the possibility. Denver is a city on the rise and is already the capital of the interior west and the front-line on the blue trending occurring all around our region.

Howard Dean, since you're making the call I have faith and I believe you understand the stakes: Either you take us back to where we've been before and the old stereotypes about Democrats or we forge a bright, western and mile-high path to our future as a party.

Landon Mascareñaz | December 2, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Meaningless Historical Nonsense | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Regionalism, The Big Strategy

Denver Convention petition

Progress Now has set up a petition that you can sign to support the Democratic Nation Convention in Denver (hat tip Coyote Gulch).

Boo NYC, Go Denver!

Emmett O'Connell | November 29, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Denver Convention petition | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, National Leadership, Presidential Politics, The Big Strategy

Denver Convention Watch

There is a lot going on right now in terms of choosing the site of the 2008 Democratic Nation Convention.

Here are two good places that I seemed to have totally missed (hat tip to DemNotes, a great blog written by the Colorado Democratic vice chair):

2008 Democratic Convention Watch
Denver 2008 official site

At least symbolically, the choice is clear. We can either go back east, from Boston to New York City and reaffirm our Northeast roots as a party. Or, strike out West.

Here is a nice development that I (again) didn't notice. State chairs are for Denver (hat tip to the convention watch blog):

An overwhelming majority of the Democratic Party’s state leaders believe their party should make a statement about its Western resurgence and national aspirations by selecting Denver over New York for the 2008 convention.

Of 36 state party chairs who gave a preference when surveyed by The Denver Post, 31 chose Denver and five New York. Hawaii did not respond; the rest had no clear favorite.

...

“Colorado is a great venue to talk about winning the heartland of America and the West,” said Alabama state chairman Joe Turnham.

“I prefer Denver. That’s where our future lies, quite frankly,” said California chairman Art Torres. “It’s the Rocky Mountain strategy that is going to bring the Democratic Party to the White House.”

That's awful nice coming from California.

Emmett O'Connell | November 16, 2006 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Denver Convention Watch | TrackBack (0) DNC, National Leadership, Presidential Politics

George Will Discovers the West

In today's "election scorecard" column from conservative commentator George Will:

Four years ago all eight Mountain West states -- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming -- had Republican governors. If Democrat Bill Ritter wins Colorado's governorship, Democrats will hold five of eight governorships in the Mountain West, which in the 1990s was even more reliably Republican than the South. In 2004 a change of a total of 63,508 votes in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico would have given those states' 19 electoral votes and the presidency to John Kerry. No wonder the Democrats' 2008 convention will probably be in Denver.

Bring it on home, folks. Bring it on home.

Kari Chisholm | November 6, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: George Will Discovers the West | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, DNC, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Presidential Politics, The Big Strategy, Utah, Wyoming

Denver has a union hotel

Why is this big news? Because:

This is obviously HUGE news for the bid to bring the Democratic National Convention to Denver in 2008. From the DNC’s perspective, the biggest problem with Denver has always been the lack of a unionized hotel. The Hyatt Regency has always been proposed to be the Convention headquarters hotel if the Convention comes to Denver. This news means that the Convention headquarters hotel will, in fact, be a union hotel.

We are now one more step closer to bringing the Nation to Denver in August of 2008!

Take that NY/NY.

Emmett O'Connell | September 29, 2006 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: Denver has a union hotel | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Presidential Politics

The Western Primary is bigger than Nevada

A lot of focus has been put on one western state, Nevada, getting a prime spot between Iowa and New Hampshire, but the idea of most interior western states getting together one one day to vote (The Western Primary) is making its way back. Utah and New Mexico have already chosen February 5, 2008 at the date of their primary.

And, now the Western Policy Research Network is discussing today the possibility of a broader primary:

...100,000 Iowa partisans and 200,000 wool-hatted New Hampshire voters make or break the candidacies of many presidential hopefuls, whether the other 125 million American voters like it or not.

In the process, candidates ignore the interests of entire sections of the country, including ours.

Is that fair? Effective? Democratic?

No, no and no.

In recent years momentum has been building to break those two states' strangleholds on the American electoral process — and, we might add, on enormous campaign expenditures by a host of candidates over a long period of time.

Today in Salt Lake City, Montana Secretary of State Brad Johnson joins more than 150 other officials and academics from across the intermountain West to examine the possibility of advancing that cause.

The idea, spearheaded by Republican Gov. John Hunstman of Utah, is to establish an eight-state "superprimary" in a region of common interests from Montana to New Mexico.

The one-day Western States Presidential Primary Symposium will feature presidential campaign consultants, think-tank luminaries and two governors, Huntsman and Democrat Bill Richardson of New Mexico.

Among the presenters is Dan Kemmis, a senior fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West in Missoula.

Establishing such a primary, probably in February of presidential election years, is not without difficulties, including the potential expense.

But we agree with Johnson, who said before leaving for the Utah symposium: "Montanans deserve a greater voice in choosing presidents."

"These days, the major parties have often chosen their candidates before the first Montanan casts a vote in the primary election," he said in a release. "By working together with my Democrat and Republican colleagues in other Western states, I want to enact policies to make sure all voices are heard."

Emmett O'Connell | September 29, 2006 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: The Western Primary is bigger than Nevada | TrackBack (0) DNC, Presidential Politics, Regionalism, The Big Strategy

Coming Soon to Western Democrats: DNC 2008

With the Republicans announcing yesterday that they had chosen Minneapolis/St. Paul as the location for their 2008 presidential convention, it's looking more and more like Western Democrats are going to get to show their stuff and host the DNC. On the short list to host the DNC: New York City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Denver.

I can guarantee that the DNC will not be in the same city as the RNC, so scratch Minneapolis/St. Paul. New York City hosted the DNC in 1992 in Madison Square Garden, and while it would be easy to cater to the east coast Democratic elites, that's just not Howard Dean's style. So forget about New York, it ain't gonna happen.

The truth is, Colorado is the best location for Democrats to bring the convention. First, Colorado has a growing Latino population, and for the party of the big tent now would be a good time to show our latino friends and neighbors that their issues are important and that Democrats will not abandon them as Republicans try to make criminals of them.

In addition, Colorado is a leading part of the resurgence of the Mountain West for Democrats (second only to Montana IMHO), and our region is a grwoing bastion of strength for Democrats. With the Nevada caucuses being moved to an earlier date in the presidential caucus/primary season, the West has gained more influence in the nomination process. Holding the DNC in Denver may help deliver swing states like Nevada and New Mexico into the Democratic column and help to ensure victory in 2008. At the very least it will help with GOTV efforts in the West.

So it makes sense that the DNC selects Denver as the site for the 2008 convention. And I hope to be there and see all my fellow contributors at Western Democrat there when we nominate the next President of the United States.

kencamp | September 28, 2006 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: Coming Soon to Western Democrats: DNC 2008 | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC

Utah: More on the 50 State Strategy

As in Wyoming, something is going on in Utah, and it has to do with the 50 State Strategy. In Utah they're calling it the 29 County Strategy and its working.

Utah Democrats (hat tip to the former Kicking Ass Blog):

Today's Utah Policy Daily reports Utah Republicans are planning a "Big Red Whistle Stop Tour" of Iron and Washington Counties "to energize the Republican base..." Participants will include the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and 2nd Congressional District candidate LaVar Christensen.

One can't help but wonder if this has as much to do with a reenergized Democratic Party in Iron and Washington Counties as with a less than enthusiastic Republican base. For the first time in perhaps decades, both Iron and Washington County feature a full slate of Democratic candidates.

...

It appears participants in the "Big Red Whistle Stop Tour" will be seeing a lot more blue faces than they are used to.

And, from the Larry Daniel, who is running for state leg in Utah, on the DNC blog:

During the UT Legislature’s Special Session on Tuesday, my opponent the incumbent I am in the race with, voted with the Democrats in favor of the education set aside and against the tax cut.

Several legislators told me he would never have voted that way, but he is scared. In fact, I've heard that he is scared from local movers-and-shakers, political insiders, and from lobbyists that he has called, frantically, searching for money.

A 14-year incumbent that has never faced a Democrat opponent in a district that went 82% Bush just two years ago, is scared. Several other Republicans voted with the Democrats for the same reason.

In my county, at the most local level, we’ve only had 2 Democrtas run for office in the past 20 years. Now, because of the support we get from our State Party which now has full-time, year-round staffers working to provide us with the resources, we have 4 candidates on the ballot, and our precinct caucuses have grown 300%.

Democratic registration in my county increased 25% in a single year. Plus, for the first time anyone can remember that we filled all of our slots at the state party convention.

All of this is because of Governor Dean, Chairman Wayne and the 50-State Strategy.

Emmett O'Connell | September 24, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Utah: More on the 50 State Strategy | TrackBack (0) DNC, The Big Strategy, Utah

Are the netroots liberal? Or just partisan?

Over at the National Journal, John Mercurio shares a comment he got from Western Democrat's own Jonathan Singer. Here's the comment, since archives are subscriber-only:

You write, "Liberal bloggers, who, much like the Club for Growth, encourage ideological purity over party loyalty, cheered Chafee's victory."

I really don't believe that the top issue for the progressive netroots is "ideological purity." In some ways, I think you may have it backwards. The concerted netroots effort to go after Lieberman started when he went on FOX News to bash Democrats over the war, not because of his stance on the war (which was longstanding).

The netroots have supported a number of non-doctrinaire Dems who are willing to stand up for the party, most recently with Jim Webb. Brian Schweitzer, a favorite of many, certainly isn't in line with the left of the party on the issues of coal or guns, but he remains extremely popular. Other Western Dems -- Trauner in WY, Grant in ID, and Fawcett in CO -- show up on the Daily Kos/MyDD/Swing State Project ActBlue page even though they are not hard-core liberals.

Taking a look at unscientific approval ratings from Daily Kos readers, more moderate/conservative Democrat Harry Reid has a significantly higher approval rating (70 percent) than more progressive/liberal Nancy Pelosi (36 percent).

There are certainly issues upon which the netroots look for politicians to fall in line. Social Security, Iraq and Net Neutrality come to mind. But the netroots does not take the same tack as groups like Club for Growth on these issues. There was no challenge -- not even talk of challenging Ben Nelson, for instance. He may not agree with us on all of the issues, but he doesn't go on national television to denigrate his party, either.

Good stuff, JS.

Kari Chisholm | September 21, 2006 | Comment on This Post (11 so far) Permalink: Are the netroots liberal? Or just partisan? | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Congress, DNC, Idaho, Media Coverage, Montana, Nevada, Policy Issues, Wyoming

Monroe Sweetland, one of the original Western Democrats

On Sunday, Monroe Sweetland passed away. He was 96 years old.

Monroe spent a lifetime building the progressive movement in the West - from fighting for interned Japanese-Americans, to creating educational opportunities for Latinos, to shepherding the Democratic Party of Oregon throughout the entire second half of the 20th Century, and more...

I won't attempt a complete remembrance here at WD - as I've inadequately summarized his life over at BlueOregon already.

I'll just quote the speech that Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) made about him on the Senate floor in 2004:

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I would like to say a few words about a citizen of the great western part of America, Monroe Sweetland.

Monroe lives in Oregon, where he has enjoyed a wonderful life of public service. He has been a State Senator, a national leader of teachers, a journalist, and the publisher of a number of small newspapers.

He served in the Pacific with the Red Cross during World War II. After returning home he became the political director for the National Education Association in the western States.

He was a confidant of Eleanor Roosevelt and an ally of President Harry Truman.

His home in Milwaukie, OR, which was built in 1878, is a historic landmark. That isn't just because it is an old house, but also because of the many important people who visited him there.

The most famous visitor was President John Kennedy. In fact, I have been told that Monroe's wife Lillie was the person who suggested to JFK that a rocking chair would ease the pain in his back.

Others who visited Monroe and Lillie included Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Ambassador John Kenneth Gailbraith, and Senators Wayne Morse, ``Scoop'' Jackson and Estes Kefauver.

Monroe recently turned 94 years old. Although he has been legally blind for several years, he is fond of saying that he has lost his sight, but not his vision. As a former newsman, he still enjoys having the paper read to him by visitors.

He has been called the father of the modern Democratic Party in Oregon, and a founding father of Portland State University.

He is also responsible, more than any other person, for a very important piece of Federal legislation--the Bilingual Education Act of 1968.

That law opened the doors of education and opportunity to young people in the West and other parts of the country who are native speakers of Spanish.

Up until then, these students were often placed in classes where they couldn't understand what was going on, with disastrous results. But in the early 1960s a number of innovative programs began to spring up, including a successful one at Pueblo High School in Tucson.

In 1966, Monroe organized a symposium on the education of Spanish speaking children. Prominent educators and elected officials from Western States came together, and a consensus emerged that bilingual education was a realistic approach to the needs of Spanish speaking students.

U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas credited Monroe for his decision to attend the symposium, which influenced him to sponsor the Bilingual Education Act of 1968.

Once the bill was introduced, Monroe Sweetland helped marshal support for it. He arranged witnesses for the hearings, and he persuaded the NEA to endorse it. Without his efforts, it would not have passed.

The Latino community in the United States has come a long way since 1968. But we are still fighting to provide better education opportunities for Latino students. As we continue to press onward, I hope we never forget the contributions of Monroe Sweetland and others who helped pass the Bilingual Education Act of 1968.

On a personal note, my long-time chief of staff Rey Martinez was nurtured in the ways of politics by Monroe. Rey would be the first to acknowledge Monroe's political acumen, and I would be the second. Oregon and our entire country are a better place because of this good man.

I'll close comments here, but feel free to post your thoughts over at BlueOregon, as his family and friends are looking for them there.

Kari Chisholm | September 13, 2006 Permalink: Monroe Sweetland, one of the original Western Democrats | TrackBack (0) DNC, Oregon

The metaphor of shuttered homes

Gibney over at Washblog points out a sign for Rep. Cathy McMorris out in front of of a shuttered farm house in eastern Washington. While the sign, and the house, probably belong to another farmer down the lane, the image evokes a strong message for any Western Democrat.

While the Republican Party has talked a big game in the past twenty or so years about the Western economy and getting government off the back of sagebrushers, they have delivered little. The show down between the Republican led federal government and their allies in the oil and gas business is just one example of Republicans selling Westerners down the river.

Emmett O'Connell | August 27, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: The metaphor of shuttered homes | TrackBack (0) DNC, Republicans, The Big Strategy, Washington

It's official! In 2008, Nevada to follow Iowa

The DNC officially voted to confirm the earlier recommendation from the Rules & Bylaws Committee:

In 2008, a Nevada caucus will be scheduled after the Iowa caucus - and before the New Hampshire primary. New Hampshire will retain its first-primary tradition (not that they see it that way) while the addition of the Nevada caucus will adjust the demographic mix, issue mix, and political tone & style of the presidential nominating process.

Mark Barabak at the L.A. Times has been diligently covering the rise of Western Democrats, and he offers this coverage - mostly of New Hampshire's reaction:

But New Hampshire is not necessarily bowing to the party's preference. State law requires that New Hampshire's primary precede "similar" contests by at least a week; the Jan. 19 Nevada caucus is only three days before New Hampshire is to vote.

"I'm sure there's going to be more to this," New Hampshire Secretary of State William H. Gardner said in an interview after the vote. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean "won't be setting the date of the New Hampshire primary," said Gardner, a Democrat.

Kari Chisholm | August 20, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: It's official! In 2008, Nevada to follow Iowa | TrackBack (0) DNC, Nevada, Presidential Politics

50 State Strategy and Wyoming

If WyomingBlueDog doesn't comment on this post, I'll take as a personal insult.

A good example of how the DNC's 50 State Strategy meshes with the Western Democratic Strategy (from Roll Call). The article is subscription only, but here are the good parts about the West:

In 2004, Mike Gierau and other Wyoming Democratic leaders wanted to boost the Kerry-Edwards ticket's local profile by securing some bumper stickers. But helping local Democrats in a state that the ticket was certain to lose in a landslide was not exactly the first priority of either the national party or the presidential campaign. So Gierau, now the state party chairman, was reduced to ordering the items from an online store.

What a difference two years - and a new Democratic National Committee chairman, Howard Dean - can make.

As part of Dean's strategy to build up the Democratic Party infrastructure in all 50 states, the DNC has committed $120,000 to Wyoming over two years - enough to hire a field director and a communications director, rather than just an executive director, as in the past.

The DNC also donated $5,000 to jump-start the party's grass-roots organization, said party executive director Kyle DeBeer. The party plans to have teams of 25 volunteers deployed in 57 key precincts on Election Day.

"I don't see that as too much money to create a presence and rattle the boat and win some more seats" in the Republican-dominated Legislature, said Democratic state Rep. Pete Jorgensen, who also serves as a Democratic national committeeman. Jorgensen argued that House challenger Gary Trauner might be able to knock off Rep. Barbara Cubin (R) this fall and that Democrats may be able to defeat some of the weaker Republican legislators. If so, he said, "that would be money well spent."

The idea behind Dean's 50-state strategy is to rebuild the Democratic Party, even in long-forsaken areas, from the ground up. Fundamentally, it is a long-term plan for Democratic revival.

...

If the Dean strategy is unpopular in the District, it's being received with excitement by Democrats here and in such neighboring states as Idaho and Montana . At long last, they say, the national Democratic Party is recognizing that red-state Democrats exist - and that gains can be made in a region where the party slowly is improving its position after being routed in election after election during the 1990s.

In 2004 and 2002, for instance, Democrats Brian Schweitzer and Dave Freudenthal won the governorships of Montana and Wyoming , respectively, and the party won control of the Montana House and Senate two years ago. This year, Sen Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) is in a fight for his political life, and Democratic House candidates have at least outside chances of flipping Republican seats in Idaho and Wyoming.

To many party insiders, such developments suggest that the Mountain West could be one of the most important growth areas for Democrats in the coming years.

This is how Western Democrats and the DNC's 50 State Strategy mesh. If we just look at recent election results and see that big sea of Red between Chicago and California, we'd be convinced that it doesn't get any redder than the Interior West. If we were smart, we'd forget about those folks and hedge our bets in places where our kind fits. But, forgetting about the rest of the country, especially a place so ripe for Democratic types, is backwards.

The 50 State Strategy lets local political folks call their own shots and develop an even deeper cadre of guys like Schweitzer and Frudenthal who can win in the West. They aren't going to be Democrats like the ones they have back East, but they are going to be Democrats that win. And, the DNC is now giving the state party the resources to do the job their way.

Emmett O'Connell | July 18, 2006 | Comment on This Post (7 so far) Permalink: 50 State Strategy and Wyoming | TrackBack (0) Congress, DNC, National Leadership, The Big Strategy, Wyoming

Mayor Hickenlooper asks Western governors to raise money for Denver DNC Convention

The Denver Post reports today that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has started raising money so that the city can host the 2008 Democratic Convention without using taxpayer dollars.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is asking governors of four other Western states to raise millions of dollars to bring the Democratic National Convention to Denver. ..

"What I said to John (Hickenlooper) is, 'Giddy-up, I'm in,"' Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer said. "It's high time that Democrats across America see the kind of Democrats that we have in the West." ...

He told City Council members Tuesday that he has spoken to the governors of Arizona, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming and hopes to bring them to Denver next month.

"This is not just about Denver," Hickenlooper told council members. "It's really about Colorado, and it's actually about the Rocky Mountain West." ...

"It isn't just about fundraising for the convention. It's about a vision of a convention that represents not just Colorado but the entire Rocky Mountain West," [Hickenlooper spokeswoman Lindy Eichenbaum] Lent said. "It's a platform to build more collaborative dialogues and efforts among the Western states."

Here's the rest. Hat tip to Coyote Gulch.

Kari Chisholm | July 12, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Mayor Hickenlooper asks Western governors to raise money for Denver DNC Convention | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, DNC, Governors, Montana, New Mexico, Regionalism, Wyoming

2008 DNC Convention Poll

Kos has a poll up regarding the four finalists for the 2008 DNC convention. Get on over there and give Denver your vote. It's the only Western city. And if you have to vote for another city, New Orleans would be a good choice.

kencamp | May 25, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: 2008 DNC Convention Poll | TrackBack (0) DNC, National Leadership

3 Western States Apply to Vote Early in 2008 Primary Season

From the AP:

At least eight states applied Friday to join Iowa and New Hampshire in voting early in the 2008 presidential contest.

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada and South Carolina had put in a bid by Friday afternoon. Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera said he wasn't sure how many more states might apply.

Despite the applications it is worth it to note that the proposal to allow up to two other states to hold caucuses between Iowa and New Hampshire, and then allow up to two more states to hold primaries shortly after New Hampshire still has to be voted on by the DNC Rules Committee and the full DNC. Even then, look for New Hampshire to make a lot of noise on the issue. After all, in New Hampshire "First in the Nation" primary is a birthright.

kencamp | April 14, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: 3 Western States Apply to Vote Early in 2008 Primary Season | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, DNC, Election Reform, Nevada

Early Primary Calendar: Why not Oregon?

Editor's note: The following is a guest column by Scott Bellows of Eugene, Oregon. Scott describes himself as a "lawyer, mediator, writer, parent, and politics geek."

From Sunday's Washington Post:

The Democratic Party's Rules and Bylaws Committee yesterday dealt a blow to New Hampshire Democrats hoping to keep their coveted place in the presidential nominating schedule, agreeing by voice vote to a plan that would place one or two caucuses between the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 14, 2008, and the New Hampshire primary eight days later.

The proposal, which grew from recommendations by a commission studying how to make the nominating process more diverse both racially and geographically, would also add one or two primaries after the New Hampshire contest but before Feb. 5 -- the date after which any state is free to schedule a vote.

The next step in the process is for states hoping to win an early place in 2008 to submit their proposals to the Rules and Bylaws Committee by April 14. Representatives from states hoping to move up can also make a personal pitch to the committee during the Democratic National Committee's spring meeting April 20-22 in New Orleans.

Most observers believe the additional states will come from the South and the West -- two rapidly growing areas that offer a diverse electorate. South Carolina, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Alabama and Mississippi are among the states under consideration.

Which for me raises two questions:

1. What states are most likely to result in an early victory by a dark horse other than the presumptive frontrunner? THOSE are the states we want to add, because power-broker-engineered juggernauts (more here) both are bad for democracy and, contrary to conventional wisdom, tend to result in candidates who lose in the general election.

2. Why are the only Western states being considered located in the Southwest? Marketing experts commonly test new advertising campaigns in Oregon because it's representative of the nation's overall demographics (it has everything from hippies to farmers to cowboys to millworkers), and because advertising costs are relatively low; those same factors, plus the fact that the state demographically mirrors parts of the more influential states California and Washington and would draw strong media coverage from those larger markets, make Oregon a great choice for an early primary.

Kari Chisholm | March 13, 2006 | Comment on This Post (13 so far) Permalink: Early Primary Calendar: Why not Oregon? | TrackBack (0) DNC, Election Reform, Presidential Politics, Regionalism

Denver 2008

Wouldn't it be great to see our next Democratic presidential nominee (oh, I don't know, maybe Bill Richardson?) speaking at the national convention in Denver. National pundits talking about the fresh mountain air wafting from the Democrats, the wide open spaces before them... the toughness shown by delegates...

Denver 2008 is happening:

This morning, an historic group of Colorado’s business, civic, and political leaders gathered in downtown Denver at the Hyatt hotel to kick off our efforts to bring the Democratic National Convention to Denver.

Steve Farber, who co-chairs the bid / host committee, began by discussing the challenges that lay before us while welcoming everybody to the breakfast. Chris Gates then discussed the timeline for the bid process, and some of the upcoming activities that have been planned.

Emmett O'Connell | February 25, 2006 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: Denver 2008 | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, National Leadership, Presidential Politics

DNC opens Western space between Iowa and New Hampshire

A DNC panel decided to open a small hole between the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary for a second caucus state, most likely one from the West.

From the Denver Post:

...Colorado's Michael Stratton, a commission member who argued for a greater Western role in the process, said the decision reflects a gathering Democratic consensus that a state from the West be one chosen to precede New Hampshire.

The text of the report, and an accompanying letter, stresses the growing importance of Western voters - and their Southern counterparts - to the party and recognizes the growing influence of Hispanics.

"We had, for the West, a great success here," Stratton said.

If a coalition of other Western states proceeds with a proposed regional primary immediately after New Hampshire, he noted, the West could be a significant player in the politics of 2008.

Stratton said Nevada is the leading candidate to jump into the slot between Iowa and New Hampshire.

Donald Fowler, another member of the commission and a former party chairman, said Colorado, New Mexico or Arizona are candidates as well.

Read more about the Western Primary campaign in Daniel Kemmis's Western Prespective column at Headwaters News.

Also, go here to sign a petition to support the Western Primary.

Emmett O'Connell | December 12, 2005 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: DNC opens Western space between Iowa and New Hampshire | TrackBack (26) DNC, Presidential Politics

Western (or Southwestern) primary marches on

At their meeting today the DNC commission on primaries left the door open for changes to the 2008 primary schedule, with some speculation for a Western or Southwestern primary in the offing.

The reference today in the AP report of the meeting of a Southwestern primary rather than a larger Western Primary is disappointing to me. The idea of a smaller SW primary may be a retrenching by Democrats for the West, Mike Stratton and the rest of the bunch after recent statements by Utah's Republican governor that the scheme for an all out Western primary may be overblown.

Not to point out the obvious, but a Southwestern Primary still helps New Mexico's Gov. Bill Richardson.

Emmett O'Connell | October 1, 2005 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Western (or Southwestern) primary marches on | TrackBack (27) DNC, Presidential Politics, Regionalism

"I don't care about Howard Dean"

Over the weekend, Gov. Dave Freudenthal of Wyoming (D) told a meeting of state Democrats that the national party has become out of step with Wyoming.

"The key for Democrats is to look less for a victory of party and more for a victory of purpose," Freudenthal said. "That purpose for the state and local - I've given up on the federal - is to turn enterprise to helping people."

Meanwhile, national party vice-chair Mike Honda didn't disagree.

"We lost touch at the federal level," Honda said. "Our job is to correct this with you." ... "We have a hard time deciding what our core values are and what are issues," he said. "Howard Dean gets that. He's going around the country talking to people."

Local policy variances are also something that the DNC can accommodate, he said. ... "Different places have different culture, and we have to deal with it," Honda said. "Your politics are pretty good. They're down to earth."

Read the rest of the story at the Billings Gazette. Discuss.

Kari Chisholm | September 26, 2005 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: "I don't care about Howard Dean" | TrackBack (19) DNC, Governors, Wyoming

What the DNC needs to do

Dan Slater, Colorado Democratic Party First Vice Chair, (whose blog we shamefully don't link to here) points out that the histories of the Republican and Democratic parties diverge in their relation to the West. Long story short, Republicans have nominated Westerners, Democrats don't.

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone following national politics. The Democratic Party, after losing much of its old strongholds in the South, has become, for a lack of a better term, a Rust-belt and upper East Coast Party. It is also worth noting that to the extent that the Democratic Party has been an urban party, the West (despite our wide open spaces and high densities where we do live) isn't classically "urban."

The point in Dan's post, here and in other places, is that should change. The West is becoming not only a place for Democrats to craft a better message and talk about our "values," but also a place to pick up better policy.

a. Support the Concept of a Western Regional Primary.

As Colorado Luis rightly points out, as long as the folks in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are culling the field for us, Western issues will get short shrift. We need to agressively press for a regional primary here in the West, to be held very early in the process. Not only will Western candidates (from both parties) benefit, but issues important to the West, including land use, the environment, and individual rights issues, become a lot more important to Presidential candidates.

b. Bring the National Convention to the Interior West.

We need the national spotlight on the Democratic Party with a Western backdrop. Of course, I would love to see that backdrop be the skyline of Denver and the Rockies, but I'd be happy with the convention in Phoenix or another city in the interior West with the capacity for this event. What is frustrating to me is that there is some sort of inferiority complex when it comes to Denver as a convention site. We have too many pessimists saying "it can't happen." If we work hard enough, of course it can happen. If we can host the Pope, the G-8 summit, and the All-Star games for the NBA, MLB, and the NHL, of course we can host the Democratic National Convention!

c. Demand a Western Vice Presidential nominee.

Even if we end up nominating somebody from out East as our Presidential nominee, we MUST demand that we be given the appropriate consideration as a geographical region. There are plenty of incredibly competent stars within our Party in the west -- including several governors and U.S. Senators -- who would make extraordinary Vice Presidential nominees.

In the end, we in the West have got to demand that our Party take action to include our region -- talk is cheap. It is one thing to talk about how important the West will be in the future years. It is quite another thing to make the investments -- in time, in money, and in political capital -- to guarantee the West's importance to this Party for the next generation and beyond.

Emmett O'Connell | August 22, 2005 | Comment on This Post (5 so far) Permalink: What the DNC needs to do | TrackBack (16) DNC, The Big Strategy

Dean plays well in the West

Imagine that, a screaming (literally) liberal plays well in the West. How does that work? The beltway GOP can't figure it out out. But, Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesmen Journal puts it well: "Howard Dean gets Idaho's independent values." Read on:

The Rockies are promising because the political culture is rooted in libertarian, not Republican values, Dean said. He's right: There's a history of success by plain-spoken populist Democrats like four-term Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield of Montana.

And the GOP has lost its bearings, running up record deficits, starting a war, and intruding in personal lives.

"The Republicans say they believe in small government — just small enough to get inside Terri Schiavo's nursing home room," Dean said, getting off his best line. "Those kinds of decisions belong in individual families, and that's none of the government's business."

Dean said Democrats must shift the debate on moral values to include balanced budgets, good jobs, schools run by locals not feds, fair taxation, a healthy environment and health insurance for all.

Andrus, who introduced Dean, agreed Democrats have to fight Republicans mischaracterizing their views on issues like abortion. "I'm pro-life, but it's not a perfect world," Andrus said. "When tragedy strikes a woman, she's got to have the right to make up her mind. We're not going to let the Karl Roves dictate to us our positions any more."

Jerome Armstrong at MyDD also has a great roundup of Dean's Western Swing, all part of a 50 state tour.

Emmett O'Connell | July 18, 2005 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: Dean plays well in the West | TrackBack (22) DNC, National Leadership, The Big Strategy

Dean at the DNC meeting

Howard Dean arrived after lunch. The crowd greeted him warmly. A fair number of non-DNC people filled the room.

He talked about his travel schedule--leaving me wondering how he can look and sound so fresh. Not only did he come to speak in Montana...he's hanging around to go on a sight-seeing boat trip to the Gates of the Mountains with us.

Dean reiterated that he expects the state parties to provide a few things...and soon. He has asked state parties to put together lists of home emails for all Dem party elected officials, from governors on down to precinct people. The idea is that the list can be used to send out messages so everyone can be on the same page with the same talking points.

He also asked state parties to get together with elected officials to put together documents describing what issues are best to run on for each state. At the DNC meeting in Phoenix in September, they'll be combined, and then things will be subtracted from the platform so it's clear what the 3-4 things are that all Democrats can run on. He doesn't want everyone to run on exactly the same message--he says it must be tailored for specific locality--but that we all agree on principles. He went on to say that it must be succinct and not a laundry list.

He praised the state party efforts, noting that the first states are hiring people now and that 13 have been funded. The DNC will train them and pay the new hires, although they're chosen by the states. In return, the states must work to build strong organizations at the county and precinct level. He says that he trusts the state parties to do what works in their states; the DNC will make sure they have the training and resources necessary. "We don't believe in a cookie-cutter operation."

He hit a lot of familiar themes, saying we will be running on fiscal responsibility and small government. (Small government in this case means making your own private decisions instead of letting Tom Delay make them.) Local communities should run local schools, not the federal government. He mentioned that the Bush administration, not content with going after Social Security, is now after private pensions.