Last week, I got an email from DC College Dems, forwarded to me by the President of AU College Dems. It announced that free tickets to the Women's Leadership Forum were available to all members of DC area college Democrats. (Readers may know that tickets to the Conference ranged from $250 to $75,800. Not quite in a college student's budget, not when I have Easy Mac and coffee to buy...and college loans to pay off.) The selling point was that Barack Obama was speaking at 5:00 on Friday, the day that the free tickets were good for, so of course I was going to go.
I have to say, "women's issues" isn't really my thing. I'm more interested in education, healthcare, jobs...stuff that affects nearly every single person in the country. Women's issues, to me, included reproductive rights (contraceptives, abortion, etc.), pay discrimination based on gender, and not much else. But I figured since I knew practically nothing about "women's issues," I should go to the Conference if no other reason than to become educated.
Having attended, I can say that I am 100% more informed than I was before. I found that "women's issues" aren't really just women's issues--they are "family issues, economic issues," according to the President and other speakers. Equal pay is not merely symbollic of sexism--it truly affects the entire family. Reproductive rights are a basic right and should not be determined by an employer or the government. Choosing birth control is an economic choice in that it allows women to choose when they want to have children--when it is financially feasible for them and their family, and this can make all the difference in the upbringing of a child.
Aside from everything I learned, I had an absolutely incredible experience as a student pursuing a career in public service. I heard some incredible speakers, some who really changed my priorities as far as public policy, some who shared moving stories, some who have had huge influence in their fields...and I was in awe the whole day.
My favorite speakers were Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Chairman (of the DNC...obviously) Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Lilly Ledbetter, Senator Barbara Mikulski, President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards, and President Barack Obama (of course). I got my picture taken with Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (my new idol--I swear, she has the best job in the world), Lilly Ledbetter (took three tries to grab her, but I got it!), Cecile Richards, and Former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin. I briefly spoke with Richards, Wasserman-Schultz, Kunin (who's going to come speak for AU College Dems!), and panelist Irene Natividad. And, after the President gave an address, I SHOOK BARACK OBAMA'S HAND!
Aside from hearing, meeting, and touching (haha) some truly incredible people, I also opted to partake in a video shoot for a movie by Obama For America with three other students also in AU Dems. We were asked who we were voting for, why we supported Obama, what the most important issues were to us, why we were at WLF...so long story short, I'll be featured in a video on Obama's campaign website! (I'll definitely post the link when it goes up.)
I had a fantastic time at the Friday portion of Women's Leadership Forum, and I am so grateful to be a studying political science in the District! There are so many opportunities for students like myself, and I don't think I'll be able to pass anything up ever again after the experience I had at WLF. Who knows whose hand I might shake next?
Most of the disgruntled voters who in 2008 voted for Mr. Obama, feel that the president is not able to “connect” with their minds although the consensus is that Mr. Obama is very smart and is good at analyzing the pros and cons, is level-headed etc. Maybe, we should try president’s analytical approach. Instead of using plain rhetoric (they are just empty words mostly anyway, and may please only the party base-Democrats & Republicans alike).
Fortunately, we have plenty of facts and figures to demonstrate the failures of Republican administrations, the extent of damage done to our country in every possible field. Just show them how it is always the super-rich who enjoy maximum benefits under Republican administration.
Please explain to a common man how Obama administration is not about big governments and increasing debts. Please do not be under the impression that it is only the experts/Nobel Laureates in economics that should be convinced by Obama’s policies. This time DNC must do a more convincing campaigning with solid facts and data. Before November 2012, voters should have realized that a Republican President will not be a suitable one for the middle-class and lower-middle-class Americans!!
They showed total non-cooperation to every step taken by the president with only good intentions.
DNC should convince people that
1. The financial crisis and bail out started during Bush administration itself and he himself was not completely responsible.
2. Obama kept saying and all sensible people know that such problems cannot be fixed in a short time by one person.
3. His approach to deal with the economic crisis is approved overall by the Economic pundits.
4. BP oil disaster could have been avoided if only VIP's from Halliburton had not managed to relax the safety measures associated with oil drilling.
5. The war in Afghanistan is not Obama's war. In 1989, after the Soviets left, US too left Muslim brotherhood/Mujahideens rebels uncared for. You cannot blame one person for this mess.
6. Obama is a bona fide American born citizen. People bought so many stories spun off from Bush Administration like the yellow cake from Niger or Saddam -Atta secret planning; but not this one which can be easily dispelled by showing Obama's birth certificate.
So, members of DNC you don't have to play politics. Show fellow Americans how sincere the President and his team are and how blatant lies and fear-mongering can ruin our country. You don't need hundreds of millions of dollars for that.
I've been a huge Obama supporter every since he first threw his hat in the ring, and part of that support was based on his platform of making this government more transparent. So why is anything that questions government operations being censored on a Democratic website? Do you really think that's helping the party?
Read More »
Are they joking? First, those companies will find a way to pass that tax on to the people or even find a loop hole, that's what they do best, make profit.
So, the "blue dogs" seem to have forgotten about the people in all of this.
NO MORE!!
The names that have come up most often are: Rep. Baron Hill of Ind, Rep. Earl Pomeroy of ND and Sen. Max Baucus.
Let's make an example out of them. Either the DNC pulls them in line and start worrying more about peoples lives than money or we go to our own party.
By the way, these are the same "blue dogs" that watered down the energy bill.
An average of 400 people DIE a year from lack of health care and we would put money before lives? Unacceptable.
If you agree or disagree, post and let those congressmen and senators know WE are the people they represent.
If you're anything like me, then you've had the urge to talk back to a right-wing talk radio host more than a few times. Now you can.
Rush Limbaugh has made waves lately about his desire to see President Obama fail. And he's unapologetic, even though Americans voted in November for the very kind of change the President is bringing to Washington. As even Limbaugh must know, if the President fails, America fails.
Incredibly, Republican leaders have yet to condemn Limbaugh for his destructive comments. In fact, Republicans like Congressman Eric Cantor, a leader in the House, have adopted the Limbaugh strategy, telling the Washington Post recently that their strategy on the President's jobs plan was "just saying no."
The only Republican leader to challenge Limbaugh -- the chairman of the Republican National Committee -- even called Rush to apologize just a few days later.
But we have no apologies for Rush, just a message. We need you to come up with a slogan, in ten words or less, that we'll put on a billboard where he can't miss it -- in his hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Can you help us come up with a message for Rush that we'll place on a billboard right in his hometown?
We'll go through all the slogans we get, and the winner will have his or her message appear on the billboard -- and receive a free T-shirt featuring the winning slogan.
If Republican leaders aren't willing to tell Rush, then we will. Americans want President Obama to succeed. Our country's future depends on it. Rooting for the President's failure is rooting for our country to fail.
To get America back on a path to prosperity, we'll need to leave behind the failed partisan attack politics of the past. Americans voted for a new direction in November. Choosing Rush Limbaugh to be the voice of their party -- as Republican leaders have done -- is not the answer.
Send in your suggestion of ten words or less for a billboard and we'll choose the best one to put in Rush's own "backyard":
http://www.democrats.org/rushbillboard
Thanks,
Jen
Jen O'Malley Dillon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee
If you're anything like me, then you've had the urge to talk back to a right-wing talk radio host more than a few times. Now you can.
Rush Limbaugh has made waves lately about his desire to see President Obama fail. And he's unapologetic, even though Americans voted in November for the very kind of change the President is bringing to Washington. As even Limbaugh must know, if the President fails, America fails.
Incredibly, Republican leaders have yet to condemn Limbaugh for his destructive comments. In fact, Republicans like Congressman Eric Cantor, a leader in the House, have adopted the Limbaugh strategy, telling the Washington Post recently that their strategy on the President's jobs plan was "just saying no."
The only Republican leader to challenge Limbaugh -- the chairman of the Republican National Committee -- even called Rush to apologize just a few days later.
But we have no apologies for Rush, just a message. We need you to come up with a slogan, in ten words or less, that we'll put on a billboard where he can't miss it -- in his hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Can you help us come up with a message for Rush that we'll place on a billboard right in his hometown?
We'll go through all the slogans we get, and the winner will have his or her message appear on the billboard -- and receive a free T-shirt featuring the winning slogan.
If Republican leaders aren't willing to tell Rush, then we will. Americans want President Obama to succeed. Our country's future depends on it. Rooting for the President's failure is rooting for our country to fail.
To get America back on a path to prosperity, we'll need to leave behind the failed partisan attack politics of the past. Americans voted for a new direction in November. Choosing Rush Limbaugh to be the voice of their party -- as Republican leaders have done -- is not the answer.
Send in your suggestion of ten words or less for a billboard and we'll choose the best one to put in Rush's own "backyard":
http://www.democrats.org/rushbillboard
Thanks,
Jen
Jen O'Malley Dillon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee
DNC Announces Clyde Williams as New Political Director
Democratic National Committee
For Immediate Release
February 20, 2009
Washington, DC – The Democratic National Committee today announced the appointment of Clyde Williams as DNC political director. Williams -- who previously served as a senior policy advisor at the Clinton Foundation, Vice President of State and Local Government Affairs at the Center for American Progress, and deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- brings a unique combination of policy and political background to the position.
"We’re thrilled that someone with Clyde’s immense skill and unique combination of experience with domestic policy issues and grassroots political organizing will be joining the DNC’s leadership team," said DNC Executive Director Jen O’Malley Dillon. "Governor Kaine has stated his goals of helping advance the President’s agenda and promoting broader participation in the civic dialogue. Having Clyde serve as our political director is an important part of our effort to engage more Americans in our effort to implement practical solutions to the challenges facing our country."
"I look forward to a great opportunity to work with Governor Kaine, Jen O’Malley Dillon, and of course the White House to advance the President’s agenda and continue to strengthen our Party," said Williams. "These challenging times demand real leadership from Washington and a renewed commitment to truly engaging the American people in the effort to move our country forward. I am honored by the opportunity to help Governor Kaine with this historic effort."
Clyde Williams, Democratic National Committee Political Director
Clyde Williams joins the DNC after four years as founder and president of his own business development firm, Certus Advisors based in New York City. Williams served as a top domestic policy advisor at the Clinton Foundation from 2001 to 2005, advising President Clinton on the development of programs targeting underserved communities. Williams also served as Vice President of State and Local Government Affairs at the Center for American Progress and as deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the second term of the Clinton Administration. Prior to entering national politics, Williams worked for District of Columbia City Council Chairman John A. Wilson.
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DNC announces key staff for Organizing for America
Mitch Stewart named Director
Democratic National Committee
For Immediate Release
January 23, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC -- In a video announcement sent to supporters and DNC activists today, Obama for America campaign manager David Plouffe introduced Mitch Stewart, who will serve as Director of Organizing for America.
Announced last week, Organizing for America will work in partnership with the DNC to continue to build, engage and strengthen the unprecedented organization that was built during the campaign and the grassroots network built over the past four years at the DNC. The joint partnership signifies the ongoing commitment to both building and strengthening the grassroots movement, and reaching out to people in all 50 states to engage Americans in this movement for change.
“I’m extremely pleased that Organizing for America will be housed here at the DNC. Working in partnership, we will seek to engage people in new ways, and to broaden what President Obama calls the ‘Coalition for Change’ in America ,” said Governor Tim Kaine. “I know first-hand how important it is to reach out and engage the grassroots all across a state and all across our country.”
“As the election of President Obama has shown, the strength of our country comes from the grassroots -- but we can’t stop now,” said DNC Executive Director Jen O’Malley Dillon. “It’s more critical than ever that people across the country continue to be involved and engaged in their communities and helping to bring change to Washington.”
“The message we heard loud and clear from people across the country is that this movement must continue as we actively support President Obama’s agenda and continue to fight for the change our country needs,” said Organizing for America Director Mitch Stewart. “I’m deeply honored to be a part it of this next phase as the volunteers, grassroots leaders and ordinary citizens continue to drive our organization.”
In addition to Mitch Stewart, the DNC also announced that Jeremy Bird will serve as Deputy Director.
Mitch Stewart served as Iowa Caucus director, Indiana state director and Virginia state director for the Obama campaign. Before joining Obama's campaign, Stewart was the coordinated campaign manager for the Democratic Farm Labor party in Minnesota in 2006, when Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) won her race. In 2004, Stewart served as former South Dakota senator Tom Daschle's field director. He was also a regional field director in Iowa for former senator John Edwards' during his presidential bid in 2004.
Jeremy Bird served as Obama campaign field director in South Carolina during the primaries and general election director in Ohio .
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Hey Everyone:
Just wanted to let you all know that I have a page on the Democratic National Committee's website! I'm trying to raise money to ensure that the party can support its strategy in the years to come, and your contribution would really help me reach my goal.
http://www.democrats.org/page/outreach/view/total/aheimermann
Remember, with your help this past year, I was able to raise $13,725 from 335 for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I've set a fundraising goal of $500 for the Democratic National Committee. As a remember, all of the donations goes directly to the DNC and I got earn a cent.
http://www.democrats.org/page/outreach/view/total/aheimermann
Thanks For Your Continued Support,
Mr. Asher Heimermann
Wisconsin High School Student
P.S. Please go to my website at www.AsherHeimermann.com and sign up to receive monthly updates from me. You'll be the first one to know if I will run for political office in 2011. In return for your support, I will mail everyone that signs up BY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, a FREE bumper sticker.
Asher Heimermann is a teenager from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. You can learn more information about Heimermann by visiting his official website at www.AsherHeimermann.com.
At the end of September the Bush Administration crammed a financial bailout plan down the throats of taxpayers that resulted in interest rates for CDs down from 2.3% to .63%. On Oct 15th our last CD matured so we cashed it out and paid off our mortgage.
We are now down to paying for groceries, insurnce and utilitiess. We may not have a large nest egg, but we do not own anyone anything. This is the America I wish for everyone else.
As a democrat I voted against Sen. Smith, but to "rally" in front of the meeting is going too far. The race is a 50/50 tie and the local democrats have done a good job getting out the vote, it is amazing to see how many Obama/Biden signs in yards around town, but are we taking things too far??
Instead of using the phrases "Wall Street" and "Main street" when discussing the economy, Obama should start using the phrase "Your Street"--i.e., "We can't just bail out 'Wall Street', we must also bail out 'Your Street'.
"Your Street" drives the point home that we're speaking to each individual, much more effectively. I'm certain that just that change alone would add to our lead in the polls.
Eric L. Wattree
[re-posted with permission of author]
'that one' daily email - Wed, Oct 8 - 27 day until CHANGE
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 9:26 AM
New Obama Ad on Healthcare using debate footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07PCWZEYZO4
DEBATE CLIPS:
Check out this user on YouTube to find some great clips from the debate that include transcripts in the “more info” section on the right:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TownhallDebate08
Lots more videos under the campaign YouTube account:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=BarackObamadotcom
And, of course McCain’s "That one" comment -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed-k1xOCsMs
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Two great blog posts from yesterday
Raising Kaine - NPR blows up Ayers story
http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=16488
Show Me Progress Blog -- Hilarious Anecdote:
http://blog.showmeprogress.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1703
“A canvassing volunteer reported that she contacted one individual who said he was undecided. He said, "Give me four reasons to vote for Obama." The volunteer provided three reasons, then concluded with, "If anything were to happen to McCain would you be comfortable with Sarah Palin as president?" Pause. "Put me down as a strong Obama supporter."”
MCCAIN-PALIN STORIES:
NYT (Editorial) - Politics of Attack
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/ 10/08/opinion/08wed1.html?em
NYT (Dowd) - Mud Pies for 'That One'
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/ 10/08/opinion/08dowd.html?hp
WP (Dionne) - Who Is John McCain?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/07/AR2008100702438_pf.html
AP - Body language: confident Obama, combative McCain
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEBATE_IMAGE?SITE=FLSTU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Boston Globe (Jackson) - Now who doesn't get it?
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/10/08/now_who_doesnt_get_it/
WP - Remark on Pakistan Distorted
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/08/AR2008100800091_pf.html
Boston Globe - McCain without a knockout
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/10/08/mccain_without_a_knockout/
NYDN - Chilling economic climate leaves McCain out in the cold when trying to make up ground
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/10/07/2008-10-07_chilling_economic_climate_leaves_mccain_.html
NYDN - Veterans group doesn't give John McCain 21-gun salute
http://www.nydailynews.com/ news/politics/2008/10/07/2008-10-07_veterans_group_doesnt_ give_john_mccain_2.html
TIME - The Keating Five
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1848150,00.html
WSJ - Palin Meets Resistance Among Clinton Backers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122341711146712845.html
NYT (Friedman) - Palin's Kind of Patriotism
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/opinion/08friedman.html?ref=opinion
AP - State reviewing per diem payments to Palin
http://ap.google.com/article/ ALeqM5gp77q25DPCEibEdOBHWiKkz5EVWQD93LV2Q80
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Nolan Treadway
Online Organizer
Democratic National Committee
office: 202-572-5496
AIM: nlawrencet
gchat: nolantreadway@gmail.com
---
To be added to this DNC Daily Email list, email
"Nolan Treadway" TreadwayN[at]dnc.org
Republican operatives are using an anti-Muslim film and push polling to raise fears of terrorism and smear Barack Obama
Richard Silverstein, Guardian, 9/22/08
We are now entering the closing weeks of what promises to be yet another close and contentious presidential election contest. As each side seeks to maximise its advantages and minimise its weaknesses, the Republican party has chosen the lowest of low roads, engaging in two sleazy political marketing campaigns over the past week.
First, DVDs of an anti-Muslim documentary film are being distributed to 28 million voters in swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Colorado and Wisconsin. Second, Republican telemarketers have begun push polling aimed at scaring Jewish voters in swing states from voting for Barack Obama…
The mass distribution of Obsession is an obvious Republican scare-tactic, right out of the Rovian playbook. Party operatives believe that scaring Americans into believing there's a jihadist under every bed will play to Republican strengths and Democratic weaknesses on national security. They swiftboated John Kerry in 2004. Now they're jihadising Barack Obama.
Ali Gharib, Inter Press Service, 9/19/08
WASHINGTON, Sep 19 (IPS) - Millions of voters in U.S. states crucial to this fall's presidential election received DVD copies of a controversial documentary film as advertising inserts in their morning newspapers over the past week, with more expected to be sent out over the upcoming weekend.
The 2006 film, "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West", which has been accused by critics of encouraging Islamophobia, was reportedly delivered, or slated for delivery this weekend, into tens of millions of households in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Missouri and other "swing states" that don't vote consistently for either party and usually decide elections.
Republicans and their candidate, Sen. John McCain, have made the battling the threat posed by radical Islamists a central platform of their campaign, while presenting their Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, as being weak on the issue. Obama has also fought off persistent "smear" campaigns, particularly among Jewish voters, that he is a closet Muslim. Read More »
Count the Lies #62: CNN Calls Tax Cut Claim "Misleading"
Monday, September 22, 2008
DNC Press, Democratic National Committee
Press Release, For Immediate Release
ADVISORY: DNC Updates "Count the Lies" Counter: #62
Washington, DC - The Democratic National Committee today updated the Count the Lies counter after CNN called one of John McCain's most frequent false attacks on tax cuts "misleading.' As CNN notes, McCain's campaign continues to repeat a long-debunked lie about Senator Obama's voting record despite a clear record of opposing tax increases on the vast majority of American families.
This article is at least the 62nd fact check to debunk McCain campaign lies since he promised to run a respectful campaign in February. Visit http://www.democrats.org/CountTheLies to see the updated Count the Lies counter. CNN: McCain Claim on Obama's Tax Cuts Voting Record "Misleading." "The effort to convince voters that Sen. Barack Obama would support higher taxes is a central part of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign. McCain and the Republican National Committee have repeatedly cited 94 alleged votes by Obama to bolster their argument. Factcheck.org, a non-partisan project of the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center, pieced through records to determine just what these 94 votes were… Annenberg says a close look at the record reveals that Obama has "voted consistently to restore higher tax rates on upper-income taxpayers but not on middle- or low-income workers." Verdict: Misleading. McCain's summary ignores the fact that some of the votes were for measures to lower taxes for many Americans, while increasing them for a much smaller number of taxpayers. A nonpartisan examination also finds that the 94 total includes multiple votes on the same measures and budget votes that would not directly lead to higher taxes." [CNN, 9/21/08: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/21/fact-check-did-obama-vote-94-times-for-higher-taxes ]
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