Home » Users » Kevin Shaw » Blog » You Were Right!
Democracy for America personal blog for Kevin Shaw
You Were Right!
Linked to groups: Montco DFA, Philly for Change, PA for Democracy, What are Progressive Values? Study Group
Sometime, somewhere, you realized that the Democratic party was not all that you thought it could be. That it was providing weak, ineffective opposition to the Neocon-controlled Republican party that was driving our country off a cliff. So, you looked around for somewhere to plug in and make a real change in how politics was done.
If you were like me, you heard Howard Dean speak once or twice and thought to yourself, "This guy's got something on the ball. Lots of people speak ill of him, but lots of people in the political world speak ill of many of my ideas and values as well, it seems. But, he seems like a straight-shooter and to actually have a plan for the party to remake it into a force for good." So you looked around and discovered that there was a group of people that supported Howard Dean's values of responsible, responsive government. That believed government should be responsible to the people that grant elected officials the power to make decisions in our names and spend our hard earned tax dollars. People that saw the possibility of building the Democratic party into something that would truly reflect your values of inclusiveness and fairness, and not roll over and play dead just because the fight was hard or the results weren't immediate. People that believed Howard Dean when he said that the real power in this republic is in the hands of the voters, but (BIG but here) only if they realized that fact and acted accordingly.
So, you signed up with Howard Dean's Democracy for America and joined a group or two. Maybe you took advantage of what DFA offered and took some training courses to be a better political activist or candidate, or demonstrated against the war or illegal wiretapping, or just signed an online petition or letter to an elected official, or just showed up to watch a movie and then went out and talked about it with your friends and neighbors. Maybe you haven't been very active in it since you signed up, but you felt better knowing that you had at least taken the brave step of lending your name to a cause you believed in.
Well, today I am happy to report that, thanks to your faith in what Howard Dean started in 2003, people like us are no longer some fringe, radical group, but are now in the mainstream of the Democratic party and American politics:
Howard Dean Gets His Due
By Boyd Reed - June 5, 2008, 1:59PMIt has been reported today that former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will stay on as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
I personally think this is the best news of the day.
I know many people don't like Howard Dean. I also know that he was often excoriated - especially on these pages - for his hands-off style during this year's Democratic Presidential primary.
However, there are many things you absolutely cannot deny about Dean's tenure.
For the first time in years, Democrats have a national brand that has been defined by Democrats, not Republican propaganda.
We have strong state parties in virtually every state - a direct result of Dean implementing his 50-state strategy.
We've won Congressional seats that, even two years ago, were hopelessly unavailable. Illinois' 14th - Dennis Hastert's old seat? Mississippi's 1st? Louisiana's 6th? Those are AMAZING pickups.
Compare where we were in 2004, near the end of Terry "Rumrunner" McAuliffe's tenure as chairman. Democrats were in permanent minority status in Congress. We'd just gotten rolled in the Presidential election. Morale at the grassroots level was low.
Now look at where we are, just four short years later. We have control of Congress, which is projected to grow to near-supermajority status this November. We are picking up ruby-red seats. We have a 50-state grassroots program that helped turn out 36 MILLION voters - for a primary!
As for those who would criticize Dean not stepping in earlier during the primary season, I submit that he really didn't have much choice. There were two candidates who were forces of nature battling closely for months. The only way Dean's voice could be influential was as a non-partisan call for unity - which could only happen after one of our great candidates collected enough delegates to claim "presumptive nominee" status.
Yes, Dean is unconventional. He'll always be known as "Screamin' Dean". However, I submit that the Democratic renaissance we currently enjoy didn't start with Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Howard Dean was the architect and the catalyst.
One could argue that Dean is the beneficiary of a political cycle and an incompetent Republican administration. But you can't benefit from a positive political environment if you don't build the proper organizational infrastructure first.
Dean's earned another stay at the reins of the DNC. Here's hoping his next four years go half as well as his first four.AND:
Breaking: Howard Dean To Stay As Chair Of The DNC
By Greg Sargent - June 5, 2008, 11:53AMHere's the statement, sent over by Obama campaign spokesperson Bill Burton:
"Senator Obama appreciates the hard work that Chairman Dean has done to grow our party at the grassroots level and looks forward to working with him as the chairman of the Democratic Party as we go forward."Historically, a DNC chair's tenure is uncertain once a nominee is chosen, since said nominee might want to install his own guy there, but as Ben Smith notes, Dean has a power base built up among state party chairs across the country who love his 50-state strategy of investing in them.
The DNC earlier today confirmed that Obama had installed his man Paul Tewes to serve as his eyes and ears at the organization, a sign that Obama is moving quickly to re-shape the party in his own image. Obama's party, it turns out, will include Dean at the top of the DNC.
This is not to say that our work is done. No, far from it. But I believe that it will get a lot easier. It won't be so hard to get candidates, or elected and party officials to listen to you now. Because you were right all along!
So let's get out there and continue having the kind of success that only comes from being engaged in the political process. Find a candidate that is worthy of your support and help them get elected. They're out there, it's up to you to find them and help them be the best candidate and office holder they can be.
You have the power!
Show: Expand All Reply
As an old Deaniac I am proud and grateful to see that Howard's often unheralded work has been vindicated. Good for Howard and good for our next President, Barack Obama. Van Parker
- We have finally gotten to a place where we can begin to have lasting impact and cement in the 06 victory that was Dean driven.
By Phil Specht on Jun 6, 2008 10:02 PM EDTBy seashell on Jun 6, 2008 8:58 PM
.......
Nice thought, Huron. And BO should now be leading the charge. So where is he?
---------------
Seashell, I agree with Phil, he might be exactly there: <leading the charge> right now.
Sea, the hole we are in is too deep; the troubles we have are too many; the new and fresh solutions (not tried and failed many times before!) suggested are actually zero...so far.
We can't expect lightning speed of change. But more importantly those solutions (new and fresh, if exist) can't be presented overnight..., must take time. Choke therapy not always the best way to advance....to the goal (although can't imagine avoiding it anyway).
As for Israel, you already know History is patient. This artificial Country will dissolve itself on it's own parallel course.
- former you have been vindicated when the bottom up campaign prevailed as a first step
By Phil Specht on Jun 6, 2008 10:06 PM EDTBill Moyers and NOW both are worth a watch tonight
By Phil Specht on Jun 6, 2008 10:06 PM
----------
Phil, you are in a good shape..., we all are indeed.
I'm not seeking vindication...I'm patient...lol.
Good job, Kevin Shaw
what we are being patient about. I was too impatient to read the previous blog comments.
By donna in evanston on Jun 6, 2008 10:15 PM
what we are being patient about
----------
...lol, I guess, we are learning to be patient without being indifferent and/or in apathy regarding future CHANGES. Tough task too.
FormerT and Phil: If he's leading the charge, shouldn't we at least know about it? We've been promised transparency....
I agree that patience is a good idea; however, we don't have the luxury of being patient, while bush has his finger on the Iran button.
The sense of urgency is upon us and BO has known for some time that he'd be the presumptive nominee. He's also known that bush is itching to bomb Iran. Wouldn't you think that ending the killing would be the number one priority? And setting up immediate talks with Iran, w/o the insulting remarks? Jeez.
******************
BTW, how did BO and HC vote on this today?
Christopher Kuttruff | Senate Inaction Kills Climate Change Bill
http://www.truthout.org/article/senate-inaction-kills-climate-change-bill
Truthout's Christopher Kuttruff reports, "On Friday, the Senate set aside a bill to combat climate change after failing to gather the 60 votes necessary to move the legislation forward."
WASHINGTON - After only three days of debate, the Senate's most extensive climate change legislation sputtered to a halt Friday as Democratic leaders pulled it following an unsuccessful attempt to end a filibuster.
The 500-page bill, whose cosponsors included Minnesotans Norm Coleman, a Republican, and Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, called for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 65 percent in the next four decades.
Although it got an enthusiastic and bipartisan greeting on the Senate floor early in the week, the 48-36 vote Friday to end the filibuster and move the bill to a vote was 12 shy of the 60 needed. But even if the measure's supporters had mustered the 60 votes, they almost surely could not have amassed the two-thirds needed to override President Bush's promised veto of the bill.
Coleman was absent from the vote because of a meeting with Ford Motor Co. officials in Detroit, where he was lobbying to keep Ford's St. Paul plant open, but he said he would have voted in favor of the bill.
"I firmly believe it is imperative that we act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address our dependence on foreign energy, in a way that protects families from higher energy prices at home and the pump," he said in a statement.
In addition to Coleman, 15 other senators were absent. Six of them -- including presidential rivals Barack Obama and John McCain -- backed the bill, supporters said. Senate Democrats said that showed the measure had majority support and signaled the Senate's willingness to work toward a climate bill in the future.
more...
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/congress/19604859.html?location_refer=Art
Galston's Advice To Obama
by Ed Kilgore, June 6, 2008 12:08 PM EST
The New Republic has organized a colloquoy beginning today involving "friends of the magazine" who have been asked to offer succinct advice to Barack Obama and his campaign on how best to win the general election. First out of the box is TDS Co-Editor Bill Galston, who with his characteristic analytical precision, makes seven specific suggestions to Team Obama:
FormerT and Phil: If he's leading the charge, shouldn't we at least know about it?
---------
No, he still is within borders and rules of <old> politics.
We've been promised transparency....
--------
Yes…, but he never said WHEN.
I assume (I hope with audacity) he’ll be able to make it possible only AFTER he’ll tear up those <old> politics’ borders.
I agree that patience is a good idea; however, we don't have the luxury of being patient, while bush has his finger on the Iran button.
----------
He has <his finger> on every governmental internal enforcement mechanisms as well, police, guards, army, etc.
The sense of urgency is upon us and BO has known for some time that he'd be the presumptive nominee. He's also known that bush is itching to bomb Iran.
--------------
He <is itching> for that for some time already. If he could he would do it long ago. Something is holding him up.
- SacBee: Feinstein hosts secret Obama-Clinton confab
By Susan Rowe on Jun 6, 2008 10:58 PM EDT
Feinstein hosts secret Obama-Clinton confab
The two Democratic presidential contenders -- the winner, Sen. Barack Obama, and the loser, Sen. Hillary Clinton -- met secretly last night at the Washington home of California's senior senator, Dianne Feinstein.
Feinstein hosted the Democrats -- who met in private with no staff -- in her home. They sat with water and "two comfortable chairs" in her home, meeting for an hour.
The Washington Post has a write-up of the meeting, courtesy of Feinstein.
The Riverside Press-Enterprise has posted Feinstein's entire transcript recounting the event, her involvement and how it all went down.
"I can speak, I think, for Senator Clinton. She wants to do everything she can to bring the party together. She wants to do everything she can to see that the people who voted for her have their voices heard and that that's reflected in credentials and in the platform. She wants to have a working relationship with Senator Obama. And I think it's a very positive thing," Feinstein said.
Read the complete transcript: ...
HERE: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/013093.html
- Howard Dean will be at CDP E-Board next weekend!
By Susan Rowe on Jun 6, 2008 11:17 PM EDT----- Original Message -----
From: Chairman Art Torres, California Democratic Party
To: Susan Rowe
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 3:52 PM
Subject: Howard Dean will be at E-Board next weekend!
Dear Susan,
We've just received confirmation that Howard Dean will join us at next weekend's E-Board meeting on Friday, June 13, at 5:00 pm. There, you'll have the opportunity to hear how Chairman Dean is implementing his vision of a 50-state strategy that is empowering an army of volunteers to work to take back the White House and elect Democrats in every district!
The E-Board meeting will take place from Friday, June 13, through Sunday, June 15, at the Westin San Francisco Airport, 1 Old Bayshore Highway, Millbrae, CA.
As usual, all Democrats are welcome, whether you are E-Board members or not. If you are not an E-Board member, the suggested donation for observers is $20.
I look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Sincerely,
Sen. Art Torres (Ret.)
Chairman
Paid for by the California Democratic Party
1401 21st Street, Suite 200, Sacramento CA 95811
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
- June 13-15, 2008 - CDP Executive Board Agenda & 2008-2012 CA DNC Delegate Elections
By Susan Rowe on Jun 6, 2008 11:29 PM EDT
- Thanks for the consistent reminders, Puddle
By Pat in Colorado on Jun 6, 2008 11:21 PM EDTWe donated today to the DNC. I wasn't about to donate before Obama was the nominee, so that Hillary would benefit. So, let's hope the money begins to pour in.
Obama's going to do very well. He's not someone who thinks dilemmas can be solved with pontificating or simple solutions. His mode is to bring in many perspectives. As he's said before, he'll need the American people's voices. He's all about we, and that's what Howard is and was about.
It is going to change the country, but we'll be changing too.
Anyway, night folks.
- Long day today ... livened up a bit by listening to
By JudyforDean on Jun 6, 2008 11:26 PM EDTthe NPR broadcast of the Minnesota Dem Delegates' convention in Rochester as we drove across MN. There were a few snippets of Howard and Amy Kolbuchar finally arrived. The big activity this weeked: trying to decide whether to endorse Al Franken or his primary opponent in the general against Norm Coleman. That won't happen until tomorrow.
Checking the news when we arrived (now in ND) to find that Federer survived his match with Monfils, although it took four sets (Monfils was really fired up and the French crowd were supporting him with all their might), so it will be Rafa and Roger in the finals ... yet again.
I am hoping that Roger will pull it off ... finally. But if not, Rafa will certainly deserve his umpteenth win in the French.
There were lots of threatening clouds along the way ... and a tornado was reported near Grand Forks, close to where we are now, but thankfully nothing happened to us. I understand, however that there were lots of unfortunate turkeys (real ones, not Repugs) who had a very bad day.
*********
Rich Kolker: as a veteran of the Foreign Service process (although as it happened, I actually ended up in the Civil Service, but that's a whole other story), it is indeed long and tedious. They take both the medical clearance and the security clearance very seriously ... I had to have both even for my particular Civil Service job and was greatly assisted by the background work that had already been done. Actually, the biggest stumbling block for me was an oral interview with a Diplomatic Security youngster. He was sure that, because I had described myself as an "expatriate" when I loved outside the country in the 1960s, I had fled the country and was at least marginally treasonous! I finally convinced him to consult the Webster's dictionary where he at long last understood that I was using the term in its ordinary sense, i.e., a person who lives outside his/her native country. He hadn't even understood that there was an "ordinary" sense!
I also had to remind him that there would have been no reason for me to flee the country in the 60s, whether I opposed the war in Vietnam or not (which I did), since women were never subject to the draft. In fact, the reason that I left this country in the first place was because I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in response to JFK's call. We actually ended on quite a chummy note, but it was rather startling to see the RW misconceptions made flesh. so to speak.
It is very good that, most likely by the time you finally complete the process, the Worst. SoS. Ever. will no longer be there. Until Rice, SoS appointees did serve their nation rather than an ideological and totally out of it Prez. Even Powell, until he betrayed us all before the UN on Iraq, tried to do the right thing. But he was always doomed, so long as Bolton was Cheney's choice (and not Powell's, as he most certainly was not) as the most powerful Undersecretary and subverted everything Powell tried to do.
Rice's actions are appalling. What is even more appalling is that she is literally the best of a very bad lot.
How very, very sad. There were and are very capable Republicans with expertise in foreign affairs. But they would not have sold their souls, as all in *Co have, which is why none of them was ever selected.
As usual, it contains so much information and so many links that it is practically a one-stop shop guide to the blatantly criminal actions of this administration.
My fantasy: that both * and Robert Mugabe soon end up in chains: * for crimes against humanity and Mugabe for crimes against his own people. The two are definitely kindred spirits. Because * gets away with his criminal actions, Mugabe continues with his. We have no clout and no credibility.
Must head for PillowLand ... tomorrow will be another long day on the road.
The Propaganda Campaign Dissected
By Dan Froomkin
Special to washingtonpost.com
Friday, June 6, 2008; 1:22 PMYesterday's long-awaited Senate Intelligence Committee report further solidifies the argument that the Bush administration's most blatant appeals to fear in its campaign to sell the Iraq war were flatly unsupported.
Some of what President Bush and others said about Iraq was corroborated by what later turned out to be inaccurate intelligence. But their most compelling and gut-wrenching allegations -- for instance, that Saddam Hussein was ready to supply his friends in al-Qaeda with nuclear weapons -- were simply made up.
In an accident of timing, the report also validates former press secretary Scott McClellan's conclusion in his new book that the White House pursued a "political propaganda campaign" to market the war.
The White House response? That officials in Congress and elsewhere were saying the same things about Iraq. Or in other words, that other people bought the administration line. It takes a lot of chutzpah to defend yourself against charges that you've engaged in a propaganda campaign by noting that it worked.
[...]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/06/06/BL2008060602283_pf.html
Add your comment
(to reply directly to a comment, click the reply icon for that comment)Post closed to commenting
 |
|
 |
My DFA |
|
Members |
|
Groups |
|
Events |
|
Candidates |
 |
|
Blog for America
-
Palin on the VP
By DFA Staff on Aug 29, 2008 3:00 PM EDT -
McCain chooses Palin
By DFA Staff on Aug 29, 2008 12:00 PM EDT -
66
By DFA Staff on Aug 29, 2008 9:00 AM EDT -
Democratic National Convention, Day 4
By DFA Staff on Aug 28, 2008 6:00 PM EDT -
Gov. Dean talks grassroots politics
By DFA Staff on Aug 28, 2008 3:00 PM EDT
Recommended Blog Posts
-
A conversation with a ghost.
By Ed Tubbs on Aug 28, 2008 4:26 PM EDT -
Democratic Women Center Stage at the DNCC
By Susan Rowe on Aug 28, 2008 12:19 PM EDT -
6th Annual DemocracyFest ~ 2009!
By Jessica Falker on Aug 22, 2008 10:11 AM EDT -
McCain's Mansions: The Real Elitist
By Susan Rowe on Aug 21, 2008 4:20 PM EDT -
DC4D is an old friend of Judy Feder
By Keshini Ladduwahetty on Aug 21, 2008 1:11 PM EDT
Recent Blog Posts
-
Palin on the VP
By DFA Staff on Aug 29, 2008 3:00 PM EDT -
Why Not Romney; Why Not Huckabee
By Alan Willis on Aug 29, 2008 2:07 PM EDT -
McCain chooses Palin
By DFA Staff on Aug 29, 2008 12:00 PM EDT -
Why do we dissent?
By Anomalous Biff on Aug 29, 2008 11:58 AM EDT -
Real Democrats must make change!
By Anomalous Biff on Aug 29, 2008 11:20 AM EDT
- Howard Dean is first.
By Phil Specht on Jun 6, 2008 9:43 PM EDT