Washblog

Public Campaigns Forum at University of Washington, Nov. 17th

By dinazina
Mon Nov 12, 2007 at 01:50:55 PM PST
Section: Diary Topic: Campaign Finance

Public campaign funding holds the promise of  transforming U.S. politics from what we have now to an actual democracy!

Washington Public campaigns had a tremendously successful Clean Elections Forum at Seattle Town Hall and other locations in January, with David Sirota. That event grew our membershp several times over and generated great interest in the public campaigns bills introduced in the 07 WA legislative session.

None of them passed, but we were THIS close.

This Saturday evening we hold another CLEAN ELECTIONS FORUM at Kane Hall, co-sonsored by AM 1090. This one is emphasizing the options for cities and local jurisdictions to offer their own public campaigns programs for candidates. Right now it's actually illegal to do so, and that makes no sense. Continued:

CLEAN ELECTIONS FORUM
Saturday, November 17th, 7:30 PM
120 Kane Hall - University of Washington - Seattle

Panel presentations and commentary from Clean Elections advocates, featuring:

     Nick Licata - President, Seattle City Council

     Paul Loeb - author, researcher, social and political activist

     Marcee Stone - Board President, Washington Public Campaigns

     Jim Street - former member, Seattle City Council

     Janice Thompson - Executive Director, Democracy Reform Oregon

     Representative Mark Miloscia - Washington State legislature

If you want to rub shoulders with the VIPs, here's your chance:

RECEPTION WITH PANELISTS - 6 pm
$25 donation requested (includes evening Forum)- Light fare provided.

By the way, the nomenclature goes like this:
Public Campaigns = Clean Campaigns = Clean Elections = "Fair Elections Now Act" in U.S. Congress.

It's confusing I know, but the congressmembers hate the term "clean" to describe public campaigns, implying as it does that they're dirty, so they called it "Fair Elections". That's not to be confused with the group Zappini writes about, "Citizens for Fair Elections," or FairVote.org. Those have nothing to do with public campaign funding, but rather election integrity issues. It's a continual debate among our members, what phrase to use that won't confuse the public.  

< Citizens for Fair Elections Wed 11/28 @ 7:00pm | Community Art in Highland Park >

Poll

I prefer:
Public Campaigns
Clean Campaigns
Clean Elections
Fair Elections
Say again?
I spilled coffee on my ballot, that's a problem with vote by mail.

Votes: 11
Results | Other Polls
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Public Campaigns Forum at University of Washington, Nov. 17th | 3 comments (3 topical)
Do Not Miss!
I can't say enough good things about the Washington Public Campaigns crew. Great people doing a great job fighting for a great cause.

I just saw Marcee Stone and Craig Salins. I haven't ponied up any money to WPC this year, so I promised both that I'd attend this forum or die in the attempt. (Plus make my yearly donation.)

A few months back, Marcee Stone, John King, and Senator Eric Oemig talked about publicly financed campaigns at a Washington Citizens for Fair Elections meeting. Stone was great. Stefan Sharkansky, who I believe opposes public financing, had some really good questions. Mostly about free speech. Stone has poise, didn't get rattled, treated Sharkansky's questions seriously, and had really good answers. I was very impressed.

As for Craig Salins, that dude is every where. He's absolutely tireless in his activism. I wish we could bottle up what he has and sell it to other activists.

I always enjoy talking with John King. He's a fountain of wisdom.

Again, I just can't say enough good things about Washington Public Campaigns. They deserve our support.

See everyone at the forum!

by zappini on Mon Nov 12, 2007 at 06:46:33 PM PST

* 2 none 0 *

Public Campaigns Forum at University of Washington, Nov. 17th | 3 comments (3 topical)
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