Washblog

I heard this tidbit from "Charlie", who's been phonebanking to drum up support for Goveror Gregoire's reelection campaign:

Charlie said Hillary supporters are telling him NO support for Gregoire because she endorsed Obama. Presumably these are former supporters on the phonelist.

He told me these disgruntled Hillary supporters apparently consider Gregoire to have betrayed HIllary, because as a woman elected official she SHOULD've endorsed her.

I don't know how many told him this; I know when I'm phonebanking, just a few negative reactions squawking in my ear can put a big dent in my optimism.

Charlie thought it was evidence Hillary should be put on the ticket, to appease angry supporters. I think NOT, because her inclusion would negate much of Obama's message and upset the other (larger) half of the Democratic campaigners.

I think the Hillary supporters that the phonebanker spoke of are at that stage of loss that they want to see someone punished for Hillary's downfall; a solicitation for Gregoire would be a perfect opportunity to punish her. If that makes them feel vindicated, fine.

There must be far more voters in this state who would double their 2004 support for Gregoire because she DID take the chance of endorsing Obama. I would! Well...since zero doubled is still zero, I'd MORE than double my support.

At the rally pictured above, Chris Gregoire proved she was a dynamite speaker and campaigner. I shook the Governor's hand and thanked her for endorsing Obama. "You got it!" she said with a thumbs-up.

Above, some of the volunteers from Washington state at the Oregon City Obama office on April  26: myself in the red jacket. Larger photo HERE.

Oregon for Obama asked for support from neighboring states in preparation for their May 20 primary election. Many have been showing up, eager to make that state's primary the blowout victory for Obama that the Washington caucuses were in February.

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I want to go the National Convention as an Obama delegate, and I understand the competition to be elected state delegate is fierce. I'm determined.

I got a helpful email from the Obama campaign suggesting we make our own campaign webpage, as any candidate would do. So I did.

Vote for Dina Johnson, Obama Delegate

Please offer feedback! And if you're at the 34th LD caucus and later the 7th CD caucus, please vote for me!

I can't escape politics even in my dreams!

I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP.

Last night I had a bout of insomnia, and was up half the nite reading blogs. About 8am I finally dozed off, and I just woke up from a nightmare (or daymare)!

I was a delegate at the Democratic Convention (as I hope to be for real). The vote count had been interrupted. It was announced that it had been decided Hillary would be the nominee, and Obama the VP.

Rep. McDermott's Potato Fest is an annual fundraiser chosen to celebrate his Irish roots.

This year's award went to Arab-American travel counselor Rita Zawaideh, founder of the Arab-American Community Coalition, Arab Film Distribution and Salaam Cultural Museum - cross-cultural education their mission.

Above: Rita accepting her award.

On March 19th, the Fifth stinking rotten Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion, a small assortment of diehard Seattle antiwar insurgents endured hours of miserably cold rain to make yet another statement of solidarity. The protester above remains hopeful in spite of all, it seems.

Here's my report of the Fourth Anniversary Protest March last year. That was HUGE. What happened?

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"How sweet it is!" Craig Salins likes to chortle at such a moment. Let's give WASHINGTON PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS a well-deserved cheer: yesterday Governor Christine Gregoire (above, seated) signed legislation that thousands of citizen activists and several champions in the WA State legislature finally pushed through. It allows cities and counties to offer public funds for campaigns for local office.

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I just had an amicable long-distance phone chat with my aunt in Pennsylvania that left my head spinning! She's a big fan of Hillary and I'm an Edwards supporter in Seattle, now switched to Obama.

Background: My aunt is a longtime Democratic party activist in her 70s. She was on the staff of several Presidential campaigns. She's attended National Conventions, being a delegate in one.

She made several insistent points that I must share. I found myself dumbfounded by her point of view - am I naive?

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I'll be the first. Okay, I see now Gibney beat me .
My caucus was at Highland Park Elementary School:
Southern West Seattle neighborhood, near White Center. I'm a PCO and Precinct Chair of 34-1250.

In 04 the turnout in my precinct was 18, about average for all 8 precincts. That was considered an excellent turnout, compared to previous years.

Today 61 signed in - more than triple the 04 turnout. We ran out of signup sheets and people had to use the backs.

It was 55 at the other precinct in the room and THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A PCO.

This is the
Annual Democratic Party Crab Feast for which I dress appropriately when I go.

Surely EVERYONE would be disappointed if I did not make an appearance.

Most of the partygoers think it's delighful eye candy. They do not seem to realize that the jellyfish symbolizes the spineless Dems, the lionfish is the courageous ones, the puffer fish is the bloviators.

This year's guest  speaker is Senator John Tester of Montana.

See and be seen!
Rub shoulders with all the Washington Dem VIPs!
Cough up $40!

I would like to carpool with someone. The PCO training is an all-day thing (extra $10) and the Crab Feast starts right after that.

Please let me know!
Email dina AT digital-genie DOT com  
Thanks!

Kinda sucks.


We did not see this coming.

John Edwards to make a statement from New Orleans today, 1pm their time.

My lovingly designed (now outdated) caucus poster HERE.

It was billed as the 26th Annual Martin Luther King Day March. The dazzling winter sunshine matched the dazzling cheer of the Obama folks and their children.

I carried an Edwards sign with a couple of other JE supporters, and we were tolerated with good humor, although someone slapped an Obama sticker next to my Edwards pin, which I in turn tolerated with good humor.

As usual, I snapped some super shots. I'll post  them tomorrow.

At the 34th's monthly meeting the other night, I made it known I was organizing the John Edwards campaign in our LD. I shared a table next to an amiable Hillary representative.

My display of materials was more creative than his. But much as I admire my own graphics, I don't think that explains why he sold one button, and I sold 82 dollars worth of buttons, bumperstickers, and signs.  A whole bunch of people filled out my signup sheet. I don't think he even HAD a signup sheet.

The 34th (West Seattle-Vashon area) is not overly fond of Hillary. But I have to remind myself, it's probably one of the most liberal LDs in the nation. Jim McDermott is a hero, and Kucinich sweatshirts and signs are a common sight.

Surprisingly, the Kucinich supporters were not present that night, nor Obama people. The chair told me they didn't contact him.

One of my older DFA members wore an Obama button. "I'm sick to death of slick Southerners," he said, obviously a jab at Bill Clinton. "Are you prejudiced against Southerners?" I asked. "Yes!" He replied.

But a few minutes later his wife bought JRE materials. "Are you going to be on speaking terms with your husband after this?" I asked. "Don't worry, we will use both right next to each other," she said. "If only they were on the same ticket! I want to see somebody kicking corporate butt!"

The chair gave us reps a minute each to introduce our campaign to the members. The Hillary guy said something like: "I think many of you have not taken a good look at Hillary. If you really take a good look at all the candidates, you will have to agree, she is the only one experienced enough to start the job on Day One."

That statement from the official HRC talking point book did not go over well at all. The Hillary Rep was not booed, but he was greeted with a rumble of dismissal, sort of a mass "Oh, come ON."

I was greeted with applause and cheers before I opened my mouth. Hey, that was nice. I thanked the members for their support. I pointed them to the site Washington for Edwards (designed by Chad Lupkes and moi) and asked them to let us know of their support by signing in, and helping out any way they were able to.

Actually, I had not prepared a statement. But I said that to me, the Edwards campaign is about justice for the average American. Edwards wants to put a stop to the racketeering that's been going on between government and giant corporations for decades. That he's completely fearless in taking them on--that's what I respect most about him. Big applause.

The Hillary guy slinked out early.

John Edwards had a good result in Iowa last night, placing second. Obama and Edwards, the two "change" candidates, both beat the powerful status quo candidate Hillary Clinton. That has put a big dent in her crown, which pleases me tremendously. Sure, an Edwards first-place would've been even better, but Edwards did very well although far outspent by both.

WASHINGTON FOR EDWARDS is getting organized for the Feb. 9th caucus in our state.  Edwards-specific caucus training is offered Sunday, Jan 6, 2-5 pm, at Renton Carpenters Hall, just south of Seattle.

In reaction to the strong Iowa showing, Edwards has just had his biggest EVER fundraising day, funds that will be matched by the federal public campaigns program.

If you care about the message - valuing regular Americans over corporate monsters who dominate politics, healthcare, and media - please support the campaign however you can. To donate, go to John Edwards.com .  

Or contact the campaign:WAvictory@johnedwards.com and tell them you want to attend the caucus training. THANKS!

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Chad Lupkes and I have teamed up to make a very handsome Washington for Edwards website. We are pictured on the "About" page with other Seattle-area steering committee members.

You might also recognize Dick Kelley, former chair of the 43rd LD and candidate for state Representative; Tina Shamseldin of the King County Legislative Action Committee; Seth Armstrong, former state Representative. Not pictured are Paul Berendt, former WA State Dem Party Chair, and Senator Adam Kline of the 37th LD.

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