Washblog

Be Another Brick In The Wall?

I have to do something Positive to stop these fascist bastards, and the most effective positive thing I can think of doing is

DO NOT HELP THE SPINELESS PAID DEMS.

I'm considering Fred's idea - what the hell has this incompetent party done, other than scare us that if we don't re-eleet cant-sell-us-out-fast-enough

there'd be no brake on gitmo, there'd be no brake on the fascists and their destroying the government, the budget, the community

so what kind of F#$%ING lies is dwight and company gonna come up with this time around?

I know the evil, lying, despicable fascists are evil despicalbe liars. I've been it hearing from elected Dems for decades, ya know,

just in case I was too freaking stupid or too freaking clueless to notice myself.

Judith Hine stood up at a 36th District meeting in 2004 with a CD in her hand and said how there were ... 6? 7? thousand names of registered voters on that disk!

(thanks electable kerry and pasty gephardt and ... snooze ... who else ? NOT named "Howard Dean" for all those names ... NOT)

and what great things have the dem party done in the last 4 years with all those names ... pimp them for money? pimp them for volunteers to go shag down more money?

It is customary out here in the pacified northwest to preface the above statement with 'pardon me for being busy with my job... but ...'

but I am NOT going to say 'pardon me...'

ANYONE who wants to blame me for what the paid dems have NOT done can kiss my ass.

why are we collecting names in feb? so nancy worthless and harry even more worthless and those slimeballs at the dscc and dccc can have more names?

ugh.

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 04:59:34 PM PST

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I still see the value.

In general, I believe I am observing that the real political power in the Democratic party -- grassroots commitment to effect change -- is being given inadequate respect by the state leadership and, instead, the people who make up this "grassroots" -- are being understood as "robocalls on legs" (people simply to do doorbelling) -- and ATMs for donations.  

I don't think it's rooted in cynicism -- I think it's a management style and decision based on what the leadership feels will get the best electoral results.  I believe it's a massive mistake.

Regarding the caucuses, however, I do plan to take part.  In fact, I've agreed to serve as a caucus area coordinator.  This neighborhood level, where people interact face-to-face and share information -- is where it's at.  

by noemie maxwell on Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 01:56:10 PM PST

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Running my caucus is one of my obligations as a PCO, as a matter of fact; I will be encouraging my neighbors to attend... even as I cast a mordant note in the direction of the so-called presidential primary. (And if people want to furnish more than their name and voting address at the caucus, they'll do that fully informed.)

Ironically working elections, as well as voting in them, is optional; and it's a cryin' shame the Parties don't care as much about the conduct of elections as they do about getting elected.

by m3047 on Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 04:41:06 PM PST

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   If it's still undetermined after Super/Stupid tuseday on Feb. 5th, Washington's 99 delegates might be a real factor. Every remaining viable candidate is going to fly into Seattle from California. If nothing else, they and thier entourages could be a incomic boost.

   I've been to three party caucus traingings this year. And I am pleasantly surprised. For the first time in my memory, the WSDCC seems to have it's act together for this cycle. Anyone who is running a caucus, or area coordinating should try to get in on a training session. Hopefully some went to the one scheduled before the recent Holiday party.

  Separately, it seems I'm losing this poll, Oh Well. :)

Dave Gibney Pullman

by gibney on Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 01:11:41 PM PST

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...for opening up the question of whether the primary is worthwhile at all.

Obviously there is no particular reason to vote in the primary if it doesn't really matter for the process - although it may represent an interesting addition to the caucus just in terms of numbers.

As for this objection to party registration, I would hope that Washingtonians are already a little embarrassed at having to have the Federal appealate courts explain TWICE the concept of a political party's  First Amnendment right to poll its members. Californians only had to have it explained to them once. Surely, there does not need to be a third explanation.

Moreover, Washington state's pigheadedness on this issue has allowed the very back-room and/or non-voter system that M3407 and others rightly object to.

The answer is to have an early, pick-a-party primary. Why shouldn't Washington join other small states in being a January primary?

by dlaw on Wed Dec 19, 2007 at 02:11:47 PM PST

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Things are as they are this year and we're not going to change either when or how the caucuses and primary are held. As a Democrat I urge people to particiapte in both. They are both opportunites to show support for your candidate and to build voter recognition and support for the need to elect a Democrat to the White House.

The caucus and primary both allow people to participate and voice a choice for who they would like to see as President.

The caucus is a more narrow process that appeals to certain activists and will result in starting a selection process to select delegates to a national convention.  Because of the long time frame involved and the changes that will occur nationally as the final nominee emerges from the selection process of numerous caucuses and primaries, delegates selected at the precinct level in Washington State may wind up supporting a totally different candidate by the time the final national delegates from Washington State are selected.

The caucus requires physical attendance with 3 exceptions for which you can file a "Caucus Surrogate Affidavit" to allow your selection of candidate to be counted. The exceptions are for religion, military service or disability. The Affidavit is available on the Washington State Democrts website and must be submitted by 5 P.M. Feb 1, 2007 to the Democratic State Party Office.

Unfortunately if you just have to work, or be out of the area or state, or are sick or are a student out of state you have no voice in the caucus.

The Presidential Primary, while not being used by the Party to help in selecting national delegates, will provide the opportunity for many more voters to voice their preference for a Presidential candidate.  And it will provide a much larger list of voters who choose to affiliate with the Democratic Party to vote in the Presidential Primary than the caucuses will.

So both the caucuses and Presidential Primary are grassroots building opportunites because each will result in a list of voters affiliating with the Democratic Party for the purposes of participating.  The Presidential Primary will actually result in a much larger list.

So participate in both the caucuses and the Presidential Primary and urge others to do so also.  Getting organized at the grassroots level to win the fall ballot for the Democrats means using all the opportunites available to identify Democratic voters that are available.

by Steve Zemke MajorityRulesBlog on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 12:37:22 PM PST

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