On The Road To 2008

We hold these truths to be self-evident...

2008-07-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

Every year we need a reminder of the truths we hold to be self-evident:

A Simple But Powerful Message Garners Huge Support

2008-07-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was a bad day for WA-08 candidate Darcy Burner. Her house went up in flames. She and her family barely escaped before the raging fire engulfed just about all her possessions, and unfortunately killed her cat. The family dog somehow managed to survive despite being caught inside the house while it burned down.

That afternoon while visiting the Seattle Times Web site I came across this front page:

The photo of Darcy Burner with the gutted house behind her was heart wrenching, but I was also taken by the T-shirt she was wearing.

The caption for the photo made mention she was "wearing a gray T-shirt", but fellow geek that I am, I understood that this was XML code for "End War", and knowing she must have been wearing it when she was woken up by the screams of her son Henry when the fire started, said to me something more. The primary issue that Darcy has made the central focus of her campaign is bringing a responsible end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq. She doesn't just campaign about this, she's consumed by it, and literally eats, sleeps and drinks the issue. Her passion led her to spearhead the creation of A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq, that has now been endorsed by over 50 other candidates for Congress.

So there she was wearing a simple T-shirt, yet it said so much, so concisely.

At Drinking Liberally that evening I showed fellow bloggers the photo and the quick posting I'd put up about it. David Goldstein of HorsesAss.org was there and talked about working with national blogs to do a campaign fundraiser to help raise money while the Burner family dealt with rebuilding their home and the loss of their possessions. He and others also saw the power of the photograph when I showed it to them, particularly within the Netroots, a grassroots group fervently against the war and made up of a lot of geeks who'd recognize what the T-shirt was saying.

The next morning I quickly threw up a similar posting at Daily Kos, which got a modest number of recommends and comments. An hour later Goldy posted his fundraising appeal, which was quickly joined by postings at Open Left, Eschaton, MyDD, and Swing State Project, but most significantly by one by Markos at Daily Kos. The goal: raise enough money for the campaign so that Darcy could spend as much time she needed focusing on her family and new house. The estimate was that every $5,000 raised would buy her an extra day she would be able to spend putting her personal life back together. Markos' ambitious target was $150,000, enough to buy her a full month of such personal time. All of these online appeals showed a copy of the same photograph with the T-shirt.

At 11pm on Tuesday night Darcy Burner's ActBlue totals for this election cycle stood at 7,669 supporters and $247,088 raised. Within 40 minutes of Kos' posting $8,000 had been raised. That grew to $15,000 in a little over an hour. By noon, $30,000 had been raised. By 1am this morning the totals stood at 9,095 supporters and $327,099 raised. Twelve hours later and we're at 9,343 supporters and $341,012 raised.

In little over a day the Netroots have raised, through ActBlue alone, $93,924 from 1,674 supporters, for an average of $56 per supporter. Surely more has come in directly to the campaign. That's simply amazing!

Last year the Netroots also rallied in support of Darcy Burner when George Bush came to Bellevue for a Dave Reichert fundraiser. Over a four day weekend period in late August, in an election off-year, the Netroots collectively raised close to $125,000. Back then the impetus was George Bush's visit. That drive managed to negate its effect and propel Burner to a better fundraising quarter than her opponent. It also led to the germination of the Responsible Plan.

This time Burner's personal loss, and that simple T-shirt have managed to garner an even greater response from Netroots supporters, and will help propel Burner into the final four months of this campaign with added determination and drive.

This is a critical time for the campaign due to the head to head nature of this year's primary. With only 46 days until the August 19 primaries, there are only 16 more days left to register by mail to vote or to transfer a voter registration if you've recently moved, or 31 days to do so in person if you want to be able to vote in the primary. If Darcy cannot campaign or fundraise during this time we need to help her out. Your donation is one way you can help. Volunteering to help get people registered is another, or you can simply spread the word by talking to your neighbors and friends to remind them.

Loss of Seattle Sonics Will Reduce Road Congestion

2008-07-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

So the Sonics will move, supposedly with a new name, colors and logo to Oklahoma City next year.

While Don Ward is blaming elected officials for this, instead of Howard Schultz who sold the team to the Oklahoma buyers a couple of years ago, I'd think that Republicans should be dancing in the street over this news. After all, the absence of the Sonics will result in 41 nights of less of road congestion, particularly along the always troublesome Mercer, Valley and Broad Streets.

Alternatively we could have poured hundreds of millions of public dollars into financing the construction of a new arena to prop up a money losing private business venture. Perhaps that's good public policy to some, but most people in this area didn't think so. Maybe it is time for city sports teams to be actually owned by the citizens of the city and the fans. At least then we'd make more responsible decisions, and the team wouldn't move to another town.

Rising From The Ashes

2008-07-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

Political candidates will have their good and bad days, but this was one rough day Darcy Burner certainly didn't envision with just over four months until election day. The above photo shows a distraught Darcy in front of the charred remains of her house. While the house is a complete loss, the Burner family thankfully made it out safely. Unfortunately they did lose their pet cat to the flames.

It is easy to dehumanize candidates during a heated campaign, but then with a thud, stuff like this happens and suddenly the political race seems far less important than the need to pick oneself back up and rebuild a home and a life.

We learn a lot about other people, and about ourselves in times of adversity. The Burners will have a different outlook on things because of this personal loss, but I suspect they will also bounce back strong, and Darcy, the candidate, will find renewed determination to do whatever it takes over the next four months to win the election so she can work in Congress to end the war in Iraq.

We need to do whatever we can to help.

White House and Congress - A Very Dangerous Escalation of Iran Situation

2008-06-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

Seymour Hersh continues his investigative reporting of U.S. actions against, and now in Iran.

Crooks and Liars has an interview with him from CNN, in which he states:

...The end game is, as far as -- and I do have some access into some of the thinking, particularly in the vice president's office. They do not want -- Bush and Cheney do not want to leave Iran in place with a nuclear program, with, they believe, a nuclear weapons program. They simply don't believe the national intelligence estimate that came out late last year that said they haven't done anything in nuclear weapons since '03. They just don't believe it.

So they believe that their mission is to make sure that, before they get out of office next year, either Iran is attacked or it stops its weapons program.

Forget what the intelligence has told us about the state of Iran's nuclear program. Forget how wrong the Bush administration were about WMDs in Iraq. Forget the mess we're in now in Iraq and the fact the military is stretched so thin. Forget all that. These guys in the White House live in their own world, make up their own rules. Be damned everything and everyone else.

Meanwhile, our congressional representatives are just handing over all the rope we need to collectively hang ourselves. In late May, a resolution (H.Con.Res.362) was introduced and referred to the House Committee of Foreign Affairs that escalates the situation further. The resolution's title: "Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the threat posed to international peace, stability in the Middle East, and the vital national security interests of the United States by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and regional hegemony, and for other purposes." A Senate version, S.Res.580 was introduced in early June.

Here is what the text states:

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(1) declares that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability, through all appropriate economic, political, and diplomatic means, is vital to the national security interests of the United States and must be dealt with urgently;

(2) urges the President, in the strongest of terms, to immediately use his existing authority to impose sanctions on--
(A) the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian bank engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups;

(B) international banks which continue to conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks;

(C) energy companies that have invested $20,000,000 or more in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector in any given year since the enactment of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996; and

(D) all companies which continue to do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps;
(3) demands that the President initiate an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities by, inter alia, prohibiting the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products; imposing stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of Iran's nuclear program; and

(4) urges the President to lead a sustained, serious, and forceful effort at regional diplomacy to support the legitimate governments in the region against Iranian efforts to destabilize them, to reassure our friends and allies that the United States supports them in their resistance to Iranian efforts at hegemony, and to make clear to the Government of Iran that the United States will protect America's vital national security interests in the Middle East.

While the resolution stipulates that "nothing in this resolution shall be construed as an authorization of the use of force against Iran", what would in effect be a blockade would be exactly that if not endorsed by the U.N. Security Council. The Seattle P.I. editorialized about this very fact a week ago.

Republican congressman Dave Reichert has joined Democrats Norm Dicks and Adam Smith as co-sponsors of the resolution, that has 83 Republican co-sponsors and 64 Democratic co-sponsors in the House. 12 Republicans and 8 Democrats are co-sponsoring the Senate version, including Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.

Is this the road we are heading down? Is this what Americans want their government to be doing, calling for embargoes and blockades and provoking a war? Have we not learned anything from the Iraq invasion? Will our arrogance never end?

If we keep silent we will have given our tacit approval. Contact your Representatives and Senators and tell them that they're heading down a very slippery slope that will lead to no good and possibly to a war we want no part of.

Q2 Fundraising Coming to an End

2008-06-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

It is the end of Q2 fundraising and three Washington Democratic challengers for Congress will be looking to report strong totals with your help: Darcy Burner in the 8th, George Fearing in the 4th and Mark Mays in the 5th.

Please make a donation today of even the smallest amount if you can.

Update: Please note that George Fearing's Web site is now http://www.georgefearingforcongress.com/

Israel Gains Nothing

2008-06-29T17:07:00.001-07:00

Remember that 34 day war that ensued after Israel launched attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006, supposedly in response to the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers?

The war ended without anything gained from it except a demonstration of Hezbollah's ability to withstand the Israeli bombardments.

Now it turns out the two Israeli soldiers, who were never freed, are now dead and the Israelis have agreed to a swap of a living Lebanese killer, for the remains of the two soldiers.

And somehow Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, is still leading that nation. Amazing.

Elway Poll: Gregoire Leads Rossi 47% - 39%

2008-06-27T20:41:00.000-07:00

Governor Chris Gregoire is up on Republican Dino Rossi 47 to 39 in the latest Elway poll according to the PI.

Rossi isn't getting McGavick's numbers, and only 78% of the Republican vote. That's not where he wants to be. Yet, with him clumsily trying to run away from the Republican Party by filing as preferring the "G.O.P Party", and his deep BIAW connections, it isn't a surprise that his popularity would be low, while Gregoire's support is on the rise.

Democrats will be hoping he keeps doing what he's been doing, given how poorly that's been working for him.

Big Bad Sheriff?

2008-06-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show played part of this incredible campaign ad for Texas Senator John Cornyn last night:

Can you imagine Dave Reichert doing a "Big Bad Sheriff" version locally?

Clinton's Campaign Debt Shouldn't Be Obama's Burden

2008-06-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

As expected, Obama supporters are being asked to help retire debt accumulated by the Clinton campaign during her run for the nomination.

I say phooey to that.

The race dragged on almost three months beyond the ultimately decisive outcomes of the February and early March contests. At that point Clinton should have gracefully bowed out and conceded as she had no realistic chance of winning the nomination. Instead she stubbornly forged on with a scorched earth approach in a desperate attempt to damage Obama to her benefit. It was foolhardy and costly. The donations to her campaign coffers in April and May were both too much and not enough. It was money that could have been directed elsewhere, and now has become a debt her opponent's supporters are being asked to help pay back.

That just doesn't sit well with me.

This was her decision. The contributions were her supporter's decision. It should be their burden to bear.

Yes, I'm sure Obama's wealthiest donors will help pay off that debt, but really this is a debt Clinton's wealthiest supporters should suck up and pay. They gambled and lost, and the Democratic Party and Obama campaign were the ones that suffered for it. The least they can do now is admit to their responsibility and deal with the debt they ran up.

The Incredible Shrinking Gas Tax Rate

2008-06-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

I write letters. This one only made it to the Seattle Times' online page:

Louise Pasche wants the final gas-tax increase that was approved by voters when they overwhelming defeated Initiative 912, a whopping 1.5 cents per gallon, to be canceled ["Washington's gas tax," Times, Northwest Voices, June 23].

At present prices, that would be a mere one-third of 1 percent the cost of a gallon of gas.

The price of gas has risen locally by more than $1 in the past year, which has effectively reduced the state's tax rate on a gallon of gas by 28 percent in that time.

Washington voters recognized the need for investing in our transportation infrastructure three years ago, and that need has not gone away. Gimmicks such as calls for a federal gasoline tax "holiday" have been seen for what they are — pandering — and even worse, reckless energy policy.

Cancellation of a 1.5 cent gas-tax increase will only starve us of much-needed revenue for hundreds of projects statewide.

Rossi: Will Deceive For Votes

2008-06-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

According to this Fox News report, Dino Rossi says he's always used the "Grand Old Party" nickname (1m50s into the video).

Except that's a lie as Goldy points out. Here is his voter pamphlet statement from 2004:

Rossi - Republican in 2004

Not one reference to the "G.O.P. Party".

Video: Reichert's Convention Address (Including His Clinton Joke)

2008-06-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

TVW has added the ability to embed their videos and indicate a start point and end point for playback. They still have some improvements that I think they should make (no easy replay button for the chosen segment for instance), but it is a start.

So it provides me with opportunity to point people to Dave Reichert's 12 minute address at the Washington State Republican Party Convention last month:

The infamous joke is at the 25 minute mark (about 1 minute into the selected segment).

Reichert then asks, "What does 'change' mean? 'Change' is [the Democrat's] theme: we're going to change the greatest nation in the world?" Then he questions the Republicans' version, "Change that you deserve. What does that mean?"

Instead he chose to focus on "H.O.P.E." Taking a page out of Obama's mantra that we're not a nation of Democrats or Republicans, but that we are all Americans, Reichert also asked the contentious crowd full of Ron Paul supporters to agree that we are all "proud Americans". He followed that up with three increasingly loud calls that "Today we support John McCain as our nominee!", while the Ron Paul supporters chanted "Ron Paul! Ron Paul!" Sure doesn't sound like party unity listening to that shoutfest.

He then spelled out his definition of "H.O.P.E.": Honor, Opportunity, Prosperity and Equality, referencing the "American Dream".

Clearly Reichert will be seeking to appropriate the messages of "Change" and "Hope" as his own over the coming months. That might be a tough sell to voters who have seen Republicans trash the honor of their charge, limit the opportunities of the down-trodden, seek to prop up the prosperity of the wealthy at the expense of the middle class, and walk all over our constitution and civil liberties.

Donna Edwards Wins Congressional Seat

2008-06-18T20:01:00.001-07:00

Donna Edwards, an early vocal endorser of the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq, was elected to fill the open seat in Maryland's 4th CD on Tuesday. She won in a landslide with 80.2% of the vote.

That's one candidate elected (she will run against the same Republican opponent again in November), and 53 others to go to change the face of Congress and elect candidates that will help get us out of Iraq.

Obama +4.0 Over McCain Nationally

2008-06-17T22:50:00.001-07:00

Now that's what I call a consistent result - almost unheard of in election polls:

Source: RealClearPolitics

McCain Channels Bush, Bush Channels McCain

2008-06-17T22:34:00.000-07:00

Who made who? Who came first?

Two headlines:

- Bush to seek an end to ban on oil drilling

- John McCain calls for offshore drilling to ease US fuel crisis

You can't tell one apart from the other.

BTW, $4/gallon gas is not a fuel crisis. They've been paying more than that in Europe for many, many years. We better get used to it.

The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq Revisited

2008-06-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Back on March 17th, at the Take Back America conference, Darcy Burner and five other Democratic challengers for Congress unveiled the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.

The document germinated six months before when Darcy Burner asked Retired General Paul Eaton to help her put together a detailed, concrete plan that brings together legislation already introduced (but not passed) in Congress, and recommendations as yet unrealized from the Iraq Study Group (or Baker-Hamilton Commission).

There are those that would like to question Burner's role, and downplay the importance of the document she was the primary author of, and the effort she spearheaded. Nevermind the fact that publications such as The Nation, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Politico, and The New Republic have all written about her leadership role and authoring of the plan.

The unveiling event for the plan at Take Back America was streamed live online. Burner spoke first and was followed by five of the early endorsees, candidates Donna Edwards (MD-04), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Tom Perriello (VA-05), Sam Bennett (PA-15) and Jared Polis (CO-02).

The following two quotes from the speeches underline the nature of Burner's leadership role.

Sam Bennett, candidate for U.S. House 15th CD, Pennsylvania:

I was asked to speak to you about why I'm signing on [to The Responsible Plan], and before I tell you why I'm signing on, I think we haven't done a very important thing yet. I've been on this planet 50 years, I have two girls in college, and I have a late life gift, David, he's five - Darcy and I both have five year olds at home - but I would like to commend the leadership of Darcy. For a young woman to put this forth, the effort and the vision, and then to have the largess to invite her fellow challengers to join with her in this, I can tell you in my 30 years of being a business woman, a leader, that it's very unusual. Please, a round of applause for Darcy Burner.

Jared Polis, candidate for U.S. House 2nd CD, Colorado:

I'm Jared Polis from Colorado. I'm running for Congress to propel Darcy Burner into a leadership position in the Democratic Party as quickly as possible! Isn't it remarkable, Darcy's leadership, and also that our class is beginning to take on the mantle of leadership even prior to being elected. We need the Democrats in Washington, D.C. to show same kind of backbone that many of the Democrats here who are running for office are showing today.

Since then the list of endorsees has grown to 54 House candidates.

Here are a couple of videos of the early endorsers and General Eaton talking about the plan:

Last week, Nancy Pelosi spoke about the impact of the plan on recent work in the House:

Democratic leadership recently has worked harder to stick to its own agenda. That was particularly true, she said, with recent votes on Iraq.

advertising

"This time we just said, 'What do we want in this bill? What is the statement that needs to be made?' "

Part of that statement has been to reflect what is in a document called the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq. Created by Burner and a team of experts, the plan calls for a rapid troop withdrawal and an increased diplomatic and humanitarian effort in Iraq.

The plan has been endorsed by other Democratic congressional challengers, as well as some retired military officers.

Big threads of the plan include legislation that already existed in Congress but failed to pass under two years of Democratic control.

"You could think of a million things you could do better in terms of Iraq, probably at least a million," Pelosi said. "But it's a question of where you put the focus. And yes, indeed, what she has done helped focus that."

And Burner got other candidates to sign on. "That drumbeat isn't lost on Congress."

And Congressman Jay Inslee has also cited the plan on the House floor.

Getting the word out about the plan is an ongoing effort for these candidates, but thanks to their efforts and Burner's leadership it is starting to make a difference.

You can read the plan at http://www.responsibleplan.com/plan.

Counting Down To The August Primary Elections

2008-06-15T22:55:00.000-07:00

I've added a new countdown to the top of the blog that tracks how many days until the Washington State primary elections on August 19.

It is currently only 64 days away.

Why is this important?

The "top two" primary system this year means that top candidates will be in head to head competition on the ballot against their biggest opponent. While for some the primary will be a scramble to survive just to make it to the general election ballot, in most races with a clear Democratic and Republican candidate, the primary will constitute an early barometer of the state of the race to come.

While primaries never get as many voters as a general election, as voters tend to feel the primary results don't matter as much, a show of strength in the primary against an eventual general election opponent will be highly prized by candidates looking to have a positive result behind them while campaigning and fundraising for the November election.

In races such as the Governor's race or the Congressional races, the results of the primary voting will be highly scrutinized by all observers. With the ability for all voters, Democrats, Republicans and Independents, to choose any candidate, how a candidate fares in the primary could have a significant effect on voter sentiment and support going forward.

With the primaries only 64 days away, that means there are only 34 more days to get registered by mail to vote, or 49 days to register in person to vote in them:

Registration Deadlines

The deadline for registering or transferring your voter registration is 30 days before an election. If you register by mail, your application must be postmarked by the 30-day cutoff or it will not become effective until after the election.

If you are not already registered to vote in Washington and you miss the 30-day deadline, you can register in person at your county elections department until 15 days before the election. Contact your County Auditor for assistance and information.

As we were so often reminded during the convention this weekend, elections are won by turnout, and the get out the vote (GOTV) effort cannot wait until October this year, it has to start happening now. That means talking to neighbors and walking your precinct to make sure people are registered to vote, and urging them to participate in the primary election. You can even register online.

The next 49 days will have an important impact on these races, and come late August we should have a good sense of just which races will be close, and which won't. If all the Democrats that were energized by the Presidential Primary and Caucuses vote in the August primary, it could bode well for Democratic candidates.

Upthegrove's Choice Disrespects the Democratic Party

2008-06-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Andrew at NPI informs us that one of the national Obama delegates chosen today in Spokane to fill a "party leader and elected official" (PLEO) position, was 33rd District State Representative Dave Upthegrove.

You may recall that the past couple of weeks I have been writing about the candidate filings for this year's elections, and the couple dozen candidates who initially filed as "Prefers Democrat Party". I emailed every one of these candidates to alert them to their filing, as the form they had to fill out probably tripped them up.

One of these candidates was Representative Dave Upthegrove, but while he did not respond to my emails and phone calls, David Postman seemed to have no problem getting the following quote from him on the matter:

"I don't think it matters one way or the other. Voters just want to know which party we belong to. Either wording gives them that information. Any concern is much ado about nothing."

Now Mr. Upthegrove is the only Democratic candidate whose filing still reads "Prefers Democrat Party", and whether he likes to think so or not, that does matter.

While 157 Democrats are now uniformly listed as "Prefers Democratic Party", Upthegrove seems to think he knows better. Instead he has filed as belonging to another party in my view. There is no such thing as the "Democrat Party".

When you go to the party Web site at http://www.democrats.org/ it says "Democratic Party". On their history page it states:

"Thomas Jefferson founded the Democratic Party in 1792 as a congressional caucus to fight for the Bill of Rights and against the elitist Federalist Party. In 1798, the "party of the common man" was officially named the Democratic-Republican Party and in 1800 elected Jefferson as the first Democratic President of the United States."

And then adds:

"...In 1844, the National Convention simplified the Party's name to the Democratic Party."

Furthermore, any self-professed Democrat wanting to refer to the party as the "Democrat Party" should read this.

Upthegrove has now been chosen to represent hundreds of thousands of Washington State Obama supporters in Denver in August as a State Delegate. While he continues to stubbornly insist on belonging to the "Democrat Party" he does not represent this Obama supporter, and I'm sure it will irk many other Democrats. Needless to say, I am not happy to know that he was chosen as a delegate over other PLEOs.

WA State Democratic Convention: Day Two, Part Five

2008-06-15T15:23:00.000-07:00

After making my last post, I wandered the Convention floor and took a few photos:

2008 Washington State Democratic Convention

2008 Washington State Democratic Convention - Voting

2008 Washington State Democratic Convention - Lt. Gov Brad Owen at podium

Things then got interesting as the question of amending the charter regarding how delegates are allotted was discussed. The charter amendment called for all or some of the state delegates to be chosen based on the Presidential Primary. Currently they are all selected via the caucus process.

I've commented a number of times that my preference would be that we have a closed Primary in Washington State. However, many in the party prefer caucuses. The voting was considerable against the charter amendment with 632 against to 334 for (and 25 absentions). The vote count also established that there would not be enough votes to approve any of the charter amendments and business then moved on to the party platform.

At that point I determined that I really needed to start the long drive westward if I wanted to avoid driving in the dark after a long, tiring day, so I missed how things turned out. However, Andrew from NPI has a couple of postings that cover the 45 minutes I missed, here and here. Coverage of the last part of the day can also be viewed at TVW.

I should mention that you can also read blogged coverage of the convention from David Postman (Seattle Times), Niki Sullivan (Tacoma News Tribune), Jim Camden (Spokesman-Review) and Bryan Bissell (PolitickerWA).

In general it was an interesting convention. Delegate attendance was surely impacted by the location. Had the convention been in Seattle I think attendance would have been much higher, but one understands the desire to rotate things around the state. The organizers could have also considered the needs of the press a little better - the simple things like having somewhere to sit and plug in. The main lobby might have been set up with more campaign tables instead of spreading them out into the corridors. It would have creating density where there was a lot of empty space. Otherwise, the convention seemed to run smoothly, without noticeable in-party discord between Obama and Clinton supporters (I never really noticed Clinton supporters, who kept a low profile in general), and attendees were in good spirits about the upcoming races this year.

Andrew at NPI is providing continuing coverage of the final selection of national delegates today.

WA State Democratic Convention: Day Two, Part Four

2008-06-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

One reason to get rid of the Electoral College might be to also get rid of the process of electing the electors who end up casting the votes. We're going to spend an hour or more listening to candidates for these positions make their pitch. It is technically possible for hundreds of people to nominate themselves for a couple of positions being filled at the Convention.

Meanwhile, a quick survey of outside news yields up this headline as displayed at Google News: "Obama blasts McCain on energy, taxes". Really? "Blasts"? Clicking through to the article presents a less bombastic headline: "Obama lays out energy, tax plans, criticizes McCain's" I can't keep track of how many times headlines use the term "blasts" in such contexts, as if the criticism has been delivered with such a force of nature the recipient of the attack would be as if verily blown away by the sonic onslaught - right, and Presidential campaign politics are otherwise made up of comfy chairs and soft cushions. The fact the headline was changed suggests someone else also made this observation.

Back to the Convention, they're still taking nominations. It is interesting how people approach trying to convince others to vote for them for this mostly symbolic position. Diversity takes many forms, as redundant as that sounds.

Breaking News: they've announced Jim McIntire has won the nomination vote for the contested State Treasurer position. No surprise there.

As they count the votes for the electors, business moves to Charter Amendments. Time for someone else to stand up, blocking my view. Can't blame people for stretching their legs I guess. He sits down but another person is there to obstruct the view. Maybe it is time to move again to a new location given my battery is fully charged now.

WA State Democratic Convention: Day Two, Part Three

2008-06-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Convention has resumed, and the tedious and messy process of voting on this, that and the other has resumed as well. Then again when you get 1300 people in a room you will have motions, points of procedure and points of order, votes and whatnot. Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is chairing. That's what this is about.

The hot issue of debate is on approving nominations for statewide offices. This is due to the nature of the new "top two" primary system, and the Party's desire to place an official Democratic Party stamp of approval on candidates. A motion has been made and passed to deal with this as a slate of candidates instead of one by one to expedite the process.

As in the caucuses there is a relatively large number of African-American delegates, and many of them are very involved in the debates.

Another observation: it seems that wherever I sit someone wants to stand between me and my view of the large screens or the podium - people, please sit down!

We're still debating voting for the slate. Pelz reminds us all of the candidates in the slate are running unopposed within the Party. With a quick flourish he conducts a vote and the slate passes overwhelmingly.

The candidates are now being given a few minutes to speak. First up Peter Goldmark, candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands. Goldmark is making the case that the incumbent Doug Sutherland is looking out for special interests instead of our public lands and the legacy we leave to future generations.

Next, Jason Osgood, for Secretary of State. It is clear that people are just discovering who he is. His speech seems geared to ensure Democrats of his own Democratic credentials. This is his first speech to such a crowd and it is showing, but the crowd is very supportive and give him a standing ovation, taken by his courage and authenticity, and in appreciation of his message.

The next speaker is Jim McIntire, running for State Treasurer. His speech is preceded by the playing of the beginning of Pink Floyd's Money, some campaign theatrics that give an indication of how much campaigning he has and will be doing. This is a seat held currently by Democrat Mike Murphy. Also running as a Democrat for the position is ChangMook Sohn who isn't present to speak, so now we vote on one or the other.

John Ladenburg also approaches the podium for his speech to Chuck Berry singing Johnny B. Goode. The candidate for Attorney General asking for support to be the "people's" lawyer.

Election of presidential electors is next on the agenda which is a good time for me to post this entry.

WA State Democratic Convention: Day Two, Part Two

2008-06-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've moved to the other side of the room to sit next to a power outlet. The press table is full and all outlets are taken, so I've found a free one further back in the room.

Senator Maria Cantwell has been introduced by Temporary Chair Greg Nickels. She's touching on the issue of transparency in oil prices that she's been highly focused on in the Senate. It is a short address, but she exhorts attendees to help get out the vote, having experienced in 2002 just how big a difference it can make in a close race.

Now the first report from the Credentials Committee which includes co-chair Becky Lewis from the 48th and Javier Valdez. They've tallied 904 delegates in attendance and the 282 alternates, all of whom will be converted to delegates, so they're now obtaining their voting packets.

The next speaker is Congressman McDermott who reminds us that the world is watching these elections. His talk is about the evolution of democracy, from freeing slaves, to women gaining the right to vote, through to nominating an African-American for President. He touches on the power of the grassroots, and the huge turnout at the caucuses this year, but again reminds people they need to get out the vote and do so earlier than ever because of the nature of the "Top Two" primary system in Washington this year.

Not many references in any speeches at this Convention of John McCain. I don't sense that's because his chances nationally are being dismissed, although it certainly is felt that Washington State will go to Obama, and the focus is on building the majorities in Congress, and Washington races.

It appears Congressman Norm Dicks isn't here to speak as scheduled, and John Kerry, the original keynote speaker had to cancel to attend a fallen soldier's funeral, so the replacement speaker is Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, being introduced by Dwight Pelz.

Klobuchar's speech starts out with thank yous and and singing the praise of the state of Washington and its representatives, particularly our propensity to elect strong women leaders. Given that, she also makes the point that no Democrat should walk away from this convention intending to not support Barack Obama, while praising the efforts of Hillary Clinton, remarks that draw cheers and applause. She has a flowing, easy going and familial delivery. Nice quote, paraphrased: it is time to move Dick Cheney to an undisclosed location, permanently. She also highlights that just three, two or even one more vote would have enabled the Democratic led Senate to pass key legislation this year and noting races around the country where seats may be picked up.

The speech ends with another standing ovation.

The final report from the Credentials Committee is now in: 1300 delegates all told

The report of the Convention Rules Committee, Co-Chaired by Dena Horton and Todd Nichols, is now been presented. Discussion on Convention endorsement is ongoing, and an amendment to alter the rules fails. An amendment to the afternoon schedule is also considered. With lunch imminent I'm going to take a break to grab mine.

Update: after a casually eaten lunch spent enjoying the great weather sitting by the river front, I returned to the Convention hall to find discussion on the rules was still going on. They finally wrap things up a good 40 minutes past the scheduled noon break.

WA State Democratic Convention: Day Two, Part One

2008-06-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

An early morning rise to another clear blue sky day. The first event was the Congressional Breakfast, emceed by Darcy Burner, and featuring a recorded message by Jay Inslee (unable to attend in person so he could be present at his son's graduation), and speeches by George Fearing running against Doc Hastings in the 4th, Mark Mays running against "perky" Cathy McMorris-Rodgers in the 5th, and Congressman Jim McDermott, representing the 7th. The clear theme was that these once Democratic eastern Washington districts can again become Democratic, and a big wave year such as this one is shaping up to be is a great opportunity Democrats must seize.

Breakfast was fine, although it took an awful long time for them to serve tea to those of us who don't drink coffee.

The Convention Call to Order was a little behind schedule, but this is admittedly a large crowd and large room, but we're now underway and following the usual opening proceedings, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has introduced Patty Murray who is giving much the same address as she gave last night, although a little shorter.

The press table has been setup near the King County delegate seating area, but nobody thought to provide a power strip for the press to plug-in. David Postman is scratching his head about the oversight, and I don't blame him. Last night the issue was the lack of a table. With Kelly Steele's help they've found a new location for the press to sit that is close to power, but for now I'm running on battery and staying close to the King County delegate seats.

Now speaking is Michelle Gregoire, who is introducing her mother. Chris Gregoire is surrounded by a large group of sign waving supporters who provide a lively backdrop. Also with her is her husband Mike. The lights are off putting more focus on the stage and this has the look and feel of a campaign rally. A common theme is that this is an exciting time to be a Democrat and an historic time. She's talking about the Dalai Lama, and now Barack Obama. More chants of "Yes We Can!"

A number of speakers have recalled how John F. Kennedy inspired a nation in the 60's and spoken of Obama doing the same for this generation of Americans.

Now time to talk about her record. Low unemployment, a top state to do business in, one of the best managed states in the nation. Taking a lead in fighting Climate Change and improving the environment. More kids on health care. The toy safety bill. Increasing teacher's pay, reducing class sizes. The backdrop of all this are the effects of Dino Rossi's budget cuts before she took office. Gregoire is obviously going to run against Dino Rossi's record, while touting her own, and how she has had to undo the damage of his budget decisions, and the deficit she inherited. There is also a strong word about sending a message to the BIAW, and Rossi's 99% voting record in support of issues championed by the BIAW.

A good point regarding "change": we need the kind of change that results in a sustained paycheck, not just a single stimulus check.

A very strongly delivered speech by a confident and determined Governor, painting a stark contrast with Rossi and Republicans, and as has become her style, engaging with the audience to get them "fired up and ready to go". It ends with a standing ovation and a marching band playing as they pass between the standing delegates.

WA State Democratic Convention: Day One, Part Three

2008-06-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

Time for the Convention Gala Banquet, and first up is State Party Chair Dwight Pelz. In his opening remarks he reaffirmed his pride in being a Democrat, and contrasted it with Dino Rossi's seeming shame in the name "Republican" (for good reason I might add), deciding instead to use the moniker "G.O.P." on the ballot, undoubtedly an attempt at rebranding the damaged Republican brand.

Meanwhile, the ballroom is full, with perhaps 1200 or more diners, and it is interesting that we're in the room the Republicans used a couple of weeks ago for their Convention business. The Democratic Convention will be conducted in the larger halls upstairs. A more cavernous space though.

My meal? A granola bar. I'm only in attendance through my press pass. I'll grab dinner later.

Next up Senator Patty Murray, introduced to a rousing ovation. Originally a Clinton supporter, Murray sang the praises of the presumptive nominee Barack Obama, which sounded like endorsement enough to these ears. I should mention that there has been absolutely no disharmony between Clinton and Obama supporters. As far as I can tell this Convention is being attended by Democrats, and that's what matters most. Murray made a nice mention about Tim Russert and a few audible gasps as some hear it for the first time. Political junkies cannot recognize his passing as anything but a major event. Murray also sang the praises of Washington Democratic candidates at many levels, including Peter Goldmark for Commissioner of Public Lands, John Ladenburg for Attorney General, and Darcy Burner for Congress.

Senator Murray is followed by Governor Chris Gregoire to an even louder standing ovation. This is an energized crowd and Gregoire is in good form, culminating in a party rallying crescendo. She's immensely well respected and liked in the Democratic Party, and looks ready to take the fight to her Republican opponent.

Dwight Pelz next introduces Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson of Kansas, the guest speaker, and one time Kansas Republican Party Chair. His address starts out self-deprecating ("Being Lt. Gov. is not a big deal"). Can't say I disagree - when do we ever hear about what Washington Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is doing? However, his comments are powerful, regarding racial inequality and Kansas abolitionist John Brown, the need for bold change to deal with the tough issues facing the nation, and the need for Americans to come together across political ideologies, racial divides, economic boundaries and cultural differences. But his primary message was about what happened to the Republican Party in Kansas and how he and others fought against it until they eventually switched to become Democrats. A very good speech delivered in earnest but with humor. It is interesting to note that were Obama to choose Kansas Governor Sebelius as his running mate, Parkinson could become Governor. He looks like he could be a good one.

Following the banquet I made a brief stop at the Welcome Reception before heading back to my hotel. I'll leave the late night revelry to others given tomorrow will begin early with the Congressional Breakfast at 7am, followed by the Convention Call to Order at 9am.