Democracy for America Holds Regional Organizing Caucus for Groups in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland

Released: Feb 25, 2005 8:38 PM

Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America, to Deliver Keynote Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over 150 grassroots leaders from Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland will come together for a regional caucus hosted by Democracy for America (DFA) this weekend. Jim Dean -- brother of Gov. Howard Dean and Chair of Democracy for America will deliver the keynote address. This caucus is part of a six month plan in which Democracy for America will host a series of state summits aimed to strengthen the influence of local DFA groups within their communities.

Who: Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America

What: Regional Organizing Caucus for Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland
            Keynote address by Jim Dean will be held at 10:15am

When: Saturday, February 26 from 10:00am-6:00pm

Where: George Washington University
            1957 E Street, NW
            Suite 611
            Washington, D.C. 20052

Jim Dean will be available for interviews both before and after his keynote address.

Democracy for America Starts Petition to Halt Airing of USA Next Ads

Released: Feb 25, 2005 12:11 PM

In just the past 48 hours, tens of thousands have already signed the petition

BURLINGTON, VT.—The extreme right-wing lobbying organization, USA Next, has started a smear campaign against the AARP, one of the largest opponents of private investment accounts—the centerpiece of President Bush's Social Security plan. This conservative lobbying group, which is the same hatchet group that ran the Swift Boat ads in the 2004 Presidential election, recently posted a deceptive and bigoted online advertisement featuring a photo of an American soldier being crossed out next to an image of two men in tuxedos kissing with a check mark and the ad copy reading "The Real Agenda of the AARP."

In an effort to halt the airing of this disgraceful propaganda, Democracy for America (DFA) has started an online petition drive asking television stations not to abet this type of slanderous platform and not to air any ads produced by USA Next. The petition, which has already been signed by tens of thousands of individuals, will be delivered to every television station that aired the Swift Boat ads in 2004 and intends to air ads by USA Next in 2005.

"We started this petition in an attempt to stop these dishonest, hate-inspired ads from making it beyond the online world," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. "It's sad that the Republicans are engaging in this type of smear campaign. If they truly supported the President's Social Security plan, they wouldn't have to resort to such disgraceful strategies, but obviously they too believe it is a bad plan."

Democracy for America, which was founded by Governor Howard Dean in March 2004, is a political action committee dedicated to building a grassroots network of socially progressive and fiscally responsible activists and candidates running for all levels of office. Through the use of grassroots tactics, coalition building strategies, activist trainings and on-line support, DFA is fighting against the right-wing's divisive policies and corporate interests. DFA is giving ordinary people the power to reform their own political system.

Donnie Fowler Endorses Gov. Howard Dean

Released: Feb 5, 2005 12:28 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2005

Fowler Contact:Kristin Powers, 646-872-4718
Dean Contact: Laura Gross, 802-318-6853

Donnie Fowler has just endorsed Gov. Howard Dean to be Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Donnie Fowler said, "Today it became clear that Howard Dean has the votes to become DNC chairman."

"I got in the race because I wanted to see change in the Democratic Party. I know from experience that local people know better and that strong state parties and successful elected officials should teach the rest of the Party their best lessons. I want to see the DNC get back to its real mission: to help each candidate and assist state and county parties to achieve new standards or performance.

"With Howard Dean as its next chair of the DNC, the Party will have someone who not only understands change, but knows how to make it happen.

"As a presidential candidate and as a candidate for Chair, Dean has brought with him a grassroots movement that will reinvigorate the Democrats with new activism and new voters. As a former governor and former Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, Governor Dean also knows the value of respecting and including those who are most loyal to the Party. It's the best of the new and the traditional. And the Democratic Party will be better for it.

"This is why I endorse Governor Dean for DNC Chair and hope to contribute to his and the new DNC's successes."

"I am honored to have Donnie Fowler's support to be chairman of the Democratic Party. Donnie should be proud of the integrity, momentum and energy he brought to this race," said Dean. "The support he was able to achieve from all levels of the Democratic Party and all regions of the country is a testament to his political skill and commitment to the grassroots. I hope to be able to count on Donnie's help in the future as I work to build our Party so that Democrats can win elections again."

53 New Votes for Gov. Dean

Released: Feb 1, 2005 7:52 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2005

Today, 53 new voting members of the DNC, including six entire state delegations, 12 state chairs, 12 vice-chair as well as Mayor Wellington Webb endorsed Governor Dean for Chair of the DNC.

Individuals who voiced their support for Governor Dean:

Belinda Biafore, Vice-Chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party
Ron Bitondo, Vice-Chair of the District of Columbia State Democratic Party
Moretta Bosley, Kentucky DNC Committeewoman
Tonio Burgos, New Jersey DNC Committeeman
Mary Eva Candon, DNC Member-at-Large

Hattie Dorsey, Vice-Chair of the Georgia Democratic Party
Judy Olson R. Duhamel, Chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party
Donald K. Dunn, Chair of the Utah Democratic Party
Brickwood Galuteria, Chair of the Hawaii State Democratic Party
Billi Gosh, Vermont DNC Committeewoman

Stan Gruszynski, Wisconsin DNC Committeeman
Linda Honold, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party
Hon. Judith A. Hope, New York DNC Committeewoman, Former New York Democratic Party Chair
Phillip Johnston, Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party
Frank LaMere, DNC Member at Large, Chair of the Native American Advisory Council

Weldon Latham, DNC Member-at-Large
William Lynch, Chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Party
Karen Marchioro, DNC Committeewoman & DNC Executive Committee
Dr. John L. McCreery, Vice-Chair of Democrats Abroad
Stephanie Ohigashi, Vice-Chair of the Hawaii State Democratic Party

Hon. Douglas Palmer, President of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors and Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey
Hon. Chuck Ross Jr., Vermont DNC Committeeman
Allison Sultan, Vice-Chair of the Vermont Democratic Party
Mark Weiner, DNC Member-At-Large

Entire state delegations endorsing Governor Dean:

AMERICAN SAMOA
Dr. Oreta M. Togafau, Chair of the American Samoa Democratic Party
Dr. Tuiasina S. Laumoli, Vice-Chair of the American Samoa Democratic Party
Therese L. Hunkin, American Samoa Committeewoman
Fagafaga D. Lagkilde, American Samoa Committeeman

COLORADO
The Honorable Wellington Webb, DNC Vice Chair, DNC Executive Committee Member
Chris Gates, Chair of the Colorado State Democratic Party
Julia Hicks, Vice Chair Colorado State Democratic Party
Jonathan (J.W.) Postal, Colorado DNC Committeeman, Vice-Chair, DNC Western
Caucus
Mannie Rodriguez, Colorado DNC Committeeman, DNC Hispanic Caucus member
Debbie Marquez, Colorado DNC Committeewoman, DNC Hispanic Caucus member
Ramona Martinez, DNC Member-at-Large, Vice-Chair, DNC Hispanic Caucus, DNC
Executive Committee member

MINNESOTA DFL
Mike Erlandson, Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Tarryl Clark, Vice-Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Ken Foxworth, Minnesota DNC Committeeman
Nancy Larson, Minnesota DNC Committeewoman
Rick Stafford, Minnesota DNC Committeeman
Jackie Stevenson, Minnesota DNC Committeewoman

NEBRASKA
Steven Achelpohl, Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party
Audra Ostergard, Vice-Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party
Kathleen Fahey, Nebraska DNC Committeewoman
Vince Powers, Nebraska DNC Committeeman

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Kathy Sullivan, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair
Ray Buckley, New Hampshire Democratic Party Vice-Chair
Anita Freidman, New Hampshire DNC Committeewoman
Gaetan DiGangi, New Hampshire DNC Committeeman

OREGON
Jim Edmunson, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon
Meredith Wood Smith, Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon
Jenny Greenleaf, Oregon DNC Committeewoman
Wayne Kinney, Oregon DNC Committeeman

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