Races in 2008?

Written by: Brian Sayrs on Oct 12, 2007 4:48 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-Link Organizers

I have a very quick question for anyone in-the-know: when will candidates be permitted to prepare their campaign for 2008? The DFA-Link form we're asking candidates to fill out only allows elections in 2006 (oddly) and 2007.

Bonnie Mager Special Event

Written by: Brian Sayrs on Sep 28, 2006 1:44 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Spokane

SWEET INSPIRATION SUNDAY

An ice cream social to benefit Bonnie Mager for County Commissioner!

What could be sweeter than a return to good government? Help Bonnie unseat Phil Harris in November!

Sunday, October 8, 2006
2:00 p.m.
Whisperwood Clubhouse, Spokane Valley
(on East 19th one block west of Sullivan)

The Inspiration Barbershop Quartet and brownie sundaes made with our own local Mary Lou's Ice Cream.

Please RSVP by October 6th: Mayo at 922-2960 or Laura at 924-8980

File for PCO now!

Written by: Brian Sayrs on Jul 25, 2006 1:43 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Spokane

Just a quick reminder--this is candidate filing week! If you don't know the name of your Precinct Committee Officer, it's time for you to step up and be the person responsible for organizing the grassroots in your neighborhood!

What better way is there for you to help organize for Democratic success than getting to know your neighbors, their wants, needs, and priorities, and to ensure the success of fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates?

Our candidates need good local organization, and depend on grassroots leaders like yourself to bring energized voters to the polls. That's what PCO's do!

Being a Democrat means standing up for your ideals. Won't you join me and file for Precinct Committee Officer today?

For more information, please refer to this earlier blog by Andrew: www.dfalink.com/blog_post.php?id...

And, for all you do, thank you all so much!

Coordinated Campaign Wish List

Written by: Brian Sayrs on Jun 28, 2006 12:33 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Cheney WA

Greetings!

I went down to coordinated campaign headquarters yesterday, and got an updated wish list. Enjoy!

A tech support volunteer
String
HP Q2613A Laser Toner Cartridge
Toner Cartridge for HP DeskJet F-340
Canon Cartridge X25 (Canon Image Class MF5500 Series)
Paper/Plastic cups
MapPoints computer software
Laser printer
Legal pads
Clipboards
Garbage bags
Garbage cans
1 file cabinet
Food/drink donations
Toilet paper/paper towels
Scissors
Computer

If you intend to give one of these, please comment below so we don't duplicate.

Coordinated Campaign Wish List

Written by: Brian Sayrs on Jun 28, 2006 12:31 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Spokane

Greetings!

I went down to coordinated campaign headquarters yesterday, and got an updated wish list. Enjoy!

A tech support volunteer
String
HP Q2613A Laser Toner Cartridge
Toner Cartridge for HP DeskJet F-340
Canon Cartridge X25 (Canon Image Class MF5500 Series)
Paper/Plastic cups
MapPoints computer software
Laser printer
Legal pads
Clipboards
Garbage bags
Garbage cans
1 file cabinet
Food/drink donations
Toilet paper/paper towels
Scissors
Computer

If you intend to give one of these, please comment below so we don't duplicate.

Barb Chamberlain

Written by: Brian Sayrs on May 31, 2006 3:00 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Spokane

This is what I know about Barb Chamberlain:

Barbara Chamberlain, MPA
Director of Communications & Public Affairs
chamberlain@wsu.edu
(509) 358-7527
(509) 869-2949 (cell phone)

Barb Chamberlain has been with WSU Spokane since 1998. She holds bachelor's degrees in English and linguistics from Washington State University, received with honors, and a master's in public administration from Eastern Washington University. She is currently working toward a PhD in political science from WSU.

Chamberlain's community contributions include, among others:

Friends of the Falls Board of Directors, 2005-present
Co-chair, Citizens for Spokane Schools, 2005-2006 Levy Campaign
University District Planning and Operations Group, 2003-present
Community Colleges of Spokane Community Relations Advisory Council, 2004-present
Terabyte Triangle Steering Committee, 2001-2005
Spokane Public Relations Council Board, 1999-2004; board chair 2002-2003
Spokane School District 81 Superintendent's Public Affairs Advisory Council, 2000-2004
North Idaho College Board of Trustees, 1996-2001; board chair, 1999-2001
Prior to joining WSU Spokane, Chamberlain owned PageWorksInk, an editing and production company; served in the Idaho legislature for four years 1990-1994 (Democrat from Post Falls); and was vice president of Melior Publications and FuturePast: The History Company.

What else should we know about her? Oh, yeah: she's considering a run for county commissioner against Phil Harris.

Peter Goldmark Endorsement

Written by: Brian Sayrs on May 31, 2006 2:51 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Spokane

Member,

The Goldmark campaign has requested that we meet at 1pm on our regular day in order to meet with him. Everyone I have spoken to has agreed we can do that, albeit at Steam Plant rather than at Bethany Pres.

I spoke with Andrew about this, and we're thinking that there's little chance that we're actually going to refuse to endorse him (unless there's something you know that we don't--if you do please share!). If this is, indeed, the case, then we would rather have him working to secure the votes of people he has to convince, rather than those of us who had us at "Democrat."

So, Andrew and I agreed to ask if there's any objection to having Democracy for Spokane endorse Peter Goldmark for 5th District US House of Representatives, contingent on receipt of his candidate questionnaire to be reviewed at the regular 4pm meeting. In effect, we would excuse him from making a personal appearance.

That way, he can do what he's supposed to be doing (shaking hands and kissing babies) and we can move forward at our regular time. In the meantime, I will go down to the coordinated campaign and harrass his staff until they deliver the questionnaire.

If you don't like this arrangement, please send a message back to me or Andrew ASAP, and we'll find another solution.

Thank you!

Sustainability Workshop

Written by: Brian Sayrs on May 15, 2006 8:24 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Spokane

Sorry for the short notice, but I just got this from Melissa Ahern regarding an all-day community sustainability workshop on Wednesday.

Here is the information:

Community Sustainability and Rising Energy Prices:

What Problems Are We Facing, and What Can We Do?

May 17, 2006, WSU Riverpoint Campus, SCLS 122

8:00am to 4:00 pm



What if energy prices rise substantially, driving the economy into recession over the next five years? What if there are growing numbers of uninsured and unemployed, perhaps substantially growing numbers? What if Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements continue to shrink, possibly shrinking dramatically? What if the cost of natural gas doubles or triples? What if gasoline prices double or triple? What if the transportation cost of food doubles or triples? What if people's incomes here in the Inland Northwest shrink--will there be affordable housing available?

Goals:

Understand future risks for our community and ask tough questions.
Be prepared for what may lie ahead and consider specific action steps.
Look into the future with courage and creativity.

This workshop is designed to facilitate education, understanding, and dialogue about problems and mitigation strategies related to Sustainability and Security in four areas:

Health Care, the Built Environment, Transportation, and Food Production and Distribution

Sponsored by:

WSU Spokane, AVISTA, SIRTI, CH2MHill, Center for Justice, & others to be announced


Agenda:

8:00 Introduction and Welcome--Brian Pitcher, Chancellor, WSU Spokane
8:05 - 8:40 Oil and Natural Gas Depletion and Economic Implications (M. Ahern)
8:40 - 9:20 Sustainable Farming, Local Food Production, and the Bio-Economy (Jim Armstrong, Spokane Conservation District)
9:20 - 9:50 Costs of Current Food Distribution System (Pat Davidson, Peirone Produce; and Chris Batt, Rosauers )
9:50 - 10:15 Break
10:15 - 11:00 The Persistent Paradox: Achieving Balance in the Dynamic World of Supplying Energy (Roger Woodworth, AVISTA)
11:00 - 11:45 Waste in the Health Care System (Bill Bender, MD)
11:45 - 1:00 Lunch (provided)
The Built Environment: Housing and Energy (Bob Scarfo)
Local Solutions: An Overview (Dan Baumgarten)
1:10 - 1:45 Community Transportation: Spokane's Light Rail Proposal and Projected Economic Impact (Phyllis Holmes, Bill Kelley)
2:00 - 3:00 Round Table Break-Outs
a. Sustainability and Security in Health Care
b. Sustainability and Security in Transportation
c. Sustainability and Security in Housing and the Built Environment
d. Sustainability and Security in Local Food Production and Distribution
3:00 - 4:00 Round Table Reports and Dialogue on Next Steps

COST: $25

Register TODAY

capps.wsu.edu/CommunityHealth/... or call 509-335-3530

Time for a Rhetorical Transition

Written by: Brian Sayrs on Apr 27, 2006 9:17 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Spokane

Summary: The public has recognized that Republican governance has proven itself a failure. Democrats must provide an alternative, not merely indictments.

The newest poll numbers are telling, if not entirely surprising, this week. In the latest NBC/WSJ poll (see for yourself at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12499923... for as long as they keep it up), President Bush's numbers have once again slipped, now to 36% approval, down 1% on this poll from the previous month. That means that Bush has now been 40% or lower now for 9 months, a feat only surpassed by Truman and Nixon.

While Democrats maintain an approval lead over Republicans nationwide (45% v 39%), it is less than it was in March when it was an 11% margin. And the number one reason why American adults disapprove of Congress is that they're tired of the fight between Republicans and Democrats (44%). This is followed by Congressional inactivity (36%), and corrupt and unethical members (34%). (Respondents were allowed multiple answers.)

All in all, respondents expressed exceptional disapproval of Congress: its approval rate dropped a whopping 11 points since March, from 33% to 22%.

Well, we'd say, of course: the Republicans are in charge, and they can't do anything right. They're wrong on the economy, they're wrong on energy, they're wrong on the war, their wrong on domestic spying, human rights, immigration, cronyism, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, education, electoral rights, unfunded mandates, deficits....

Right now, the only thing they seem to be right about is that we can't trust the government to get anything right.

Ay, there's the rub.

As Democrats, we believe in the transformative power of group effort. Individual Americans are amazing in their ability to get things done; combined, we are capable of remaking our nation. Our example can enhance the entire world.

However, polls indicate that the public isn't turning the "Republicans are bad" message into "Democrats are good." Unfortunately, it appears that their thoughts and feelings about Republicans are generalizing into their attitudes about government itself. This plays into the hands of anti-government activists: they're well on their way to being able to drown government in the proverbial bathtub.

This is why I propose a change in our strategy as we approach the 2006 general election.

All evidence indicates that we have been successful in showing that the Republicans are a danger to this nation, its people, and its standing in the world. Americans are ready for a change; many have left the Republican ranks.

But, they have not joined ours--they have simply become disgusted with politics. I would argue that this is because we have spent substantial public energy on pointing out a legion of Republican failures (after all, that is a full time job), and that we have not sufficiently touted the Democratic alternative.

As we enter the summertime election season, we should remind ourselves that we've already done the work of demonstrating the ineffectiveness of the opposition. Now, we must create ourselves as the alternative to Republican incompetence, not merely because we're the only alternative, but because we're the better alternative. After all, if we're only "good" because they're "bad," then otherwise swayable voters will stay home and remaining voters will vote their habits, not their interests.

We can, and should, briefly remind people of Republican failures, but that should generally be done merely as an introduction to our proposed solutions. When they attack our ideas, they will have taken on the role of the opposition party, a role to which they will be consigned in November.

Democratic principles can only thrive when citizens have confidence in their public institutions. This can only be true when the government is in the right hands. Because faith precedes authority, the public needs to know what those hands will do.

Voters know what the Republicans will do. We must use our resources to show them what Democratic leadership would mean.

4th LD Caucus; on to State!

Written by: Brian Sayrs on Apr 22, 2006 5:53 PM EDT

Today the 4th Legislative District met and while the attendance was small, it was a good networking and socializing event. I was appointed to be the caucus Sergeant-at-arms. Fortunately for them, I was the one causing most of the ruckus. ;)

Anyway, I have been selected to attend the State Convention, so I'll see you all in Yakima. Perhaps we could arrange our DFA meeting down there!