Washblog

Just a quick diary entry to remind WashBlog readers about tomorrow's 43rd District Democrats platform-writing meeting, featuring our US Congressman, Jim McDermott.  About 10 days ago, I wrote more extensively about the LD organization's planned series of meetings designed to strengthen and empower the process of writing the District's (and eventually, the state party's) platform for the 2006 cycle.

Here's the schedule in a nutshell:

Sunday, February 26, 2pm, Washington State Convention & Trade Center (7th and Pike)

After Congressman McDermott's keynote speech on Iraq and civil liberties, separate into breakout sessions to consider platform amendments on:

• Iraq and the Middle East
• Other Foreign Policy and Military Policy
• Terrorism, Homeland Security and Civil Liberties
• Human Rights, including choice and sexual minorities, and Law and Justice

Tuesday, February 28, 7pm, John Marshall High School (520 NE Ravenna Blvd)

Separate breakout sessions to consider platform amendments on:

• Education
• Labor, Employment and Immigration
• Health Care and Social Policy
• Election Reform

Wednesday, March 1, 7pm, John Marshall High School (520 NE Ravenna Blvd)

Divide into separate breakout sessions for consideration of platform amendments on:

• Environment and Energy
• Growth Management and Transportation
• Agriculture and Economic Development
• Corporate and Media Power

Saturday, March 4, sign-in by 1:30pm, Washington State Convention & Trade Center (7th and Pike)

Where necessary, individual precinct caucuses will elect delegates and alternates who will convene as a District convention on April 22 (site to be determined at a later date) and participate in the King County convention at the Aerospace Machinists Hall in South Park on May 6.  The entire body of attendees will then debate and vote on resolutions submitted by 43rd District Democrats.

Note that those who wish to be on the ballot as precinct delegates/alternates may make their intentions known by submitting a form that will be available at each of the three previous meetings ... you don't need to attend the March 4 caucus to be on the ballot.  In many (most?) precincts, there will probably be more available delegate/alternate slots than candidates, in which case the precinct election portion of the caucus will not be needed.  In addition, elected and appointed resident PCOs are automatic ex officio delegates to the LD and county conventions, above and beyond those who will be elected by their precincts.  PCOs are also the designated chairs of their precinct caucuses; if there is no resident PCO in attendance at the caucus, attendees will choose someone from their number to be the caucus chair.

Please read my previous WashBlog diary on this subject for further details as well as explanation of the reasons the LD's e-board chose to do this.