Jim Dean DFA reception report and WPC
I attended a reception last night for Jim Dean, Director of Democracy for America and younger brother of Howard Dean. I host a DFA meetup in West Seattle.Each time I meet Jim, I'm delighted by his boundless energy, positive attitude, humor, and knowledge of current political happenings all over the U.S. He'll chat with anyone about anything related to politics. The two of us discussed the Washington Public Campaigns that I've been involved with, recently re-designing the website, brochure, and Powerpoint presentation for them.
The reception was hosted by mover-shaker philanthropist attorney Ken Alhadeff, right next to the WA State Dems HQ--although DFA is not partnered with the party. Dwight Pelz' Dad Richard was there and didn't realize his son's office was next door. I recognized bloggers Howard Martin and Daniel K, N's sister Janis from the 36th, Pam & Ken Eakes, Paul & Amy Curtis, Dean Neilsen of Progressive Majority, and a dreadlocked musician from Bosnia. The number was 15 or 20, but I felt there should've been many more.
Details below:
They also are supporting Ned Lamont in Jim's home state of Connecticut, running against DINO Senator Joe Lieberman. AS you know, Ned won the Dem primary, but Joe refused to concede defeat ("This cannot stand") and is running anyway, after inventing the "Connecticut for Lieberman" Party.
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I showed Jim the Washington Public Campaigns new brochure and asked him if, when the dust from the election settles, our public campaigns issue here in Washington might be given some traction by DFA. He immediately stashed the brochure in his breast pocket and asked me a number of questions about us. Yes, this is of great interest to DFA! They are all about public participation in every aspect of government.
By the way, WPC is non-partisan and seeks endorsement by all parties and state political orgs. So we are not broadcasting support from DFA or any other partisan org (yet). A major upcoming presentation is for a Boeing engineers group, many of whom who tend to be conservative and have shown interest in public campaigns.
Jim Dean is from CT where they had a similar public campaigns bill passed, but he said it was worded such that it was impossible for third parties to participate. I said I believed we were using Arizona and Maine's successful public campaign bills as models.
We also discussed California, where he said the prospects for the public campaign initiative to pass are dubious, partly because of resistance by entrenched interests and partly because there are too many initiatives on the ballot, 10 or 12.
Jim's a fast talker and many topics were covered. Wish I could remember them all. He said that one of his most enjoyable moments during his travels across the US was when a supporter told him, "You look a lot like your father [Howard Dean]." We asked: Have you mentioned that to Howard?" "On almost a daily basis," he answered.
I could only afford to give $35, after many otherdonations the past month or two (DNC, WA Dems, WA Citizen Action, various candidates) but I heard one person wrote a check for a thousand.
Ken Eakes and Ken Alhadeff gave heartfelt thanks to those in attendance for their continuing work in taking back our country.
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