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January 8, 2005
Blogging the DNC
Not quite livebloggin'
So here I am, in the belly of the beast, the DNC Southern caucus meeting. I came here on the pretense of meeting Donnie Fowler, who's running for DNC Chair. (Don't we look like a couple of drunkards at an insurance salesmen's convention????)
At first they didn’t want to let me in the meeting. Of course this is completely understandable, after all, I’m a Southerner, but I’m not a Democrat, and I can understand why they didn’t want to give me access to their inner party workings, but I am an American after all, and I’m entitled, aren’t I??
Well, apparently they think so, because after a considerable hemming and hawing, brief attempts to say that the room was full, they gave me a “Special Guest” pass. I’m wondering if the saw me get off the short bus.
This is my first attempt at liveblogging, so we'll see how it goes.
So first they want to explain how the 5 vice-chairs are going to be elected. Apparently they will distribute ballots, people will mark them and then "if a woman is elected" (yes, this immediately made my ears stand up), they will go on and validate the election and move on to the other 4 vice-chairs.
Oh hell it's all too complicated, and trying to describe it is just too difficult. I'm confused, so is everyone else. She says that if you don't understand to see here after she's done speaking. Apparently I'm not the only one confused, cause she's done now and she's being mobbed by people waving papers and cards at her in a fultile attempt to understand a process that's far too difficult for a mere mortal to figure out.
Oh, here's a picture of Me and Al. (Links aren't working at the moment, WHAT'S UP WEBSTRIKE.)
--JC
Bah, the wireless connection is buggy, keeps dropping in and out, just lost a bunch of stuff. Oh well. . . .
--JC
Simon Rosenberg is not a fan of Bob Schrum.
"listen to the people. Not Bob Schrum."
Ouch, Oooooohhhh, here comes Dean.
--JC
Dean, not much in the opening statement, he lamented a bit about how there were more Democrat governors when he took office than there are now. He didn't even touch on the South in his opening remarks. No screams either. Bummer.
--JC
Donnie Fowler - "A Democrat party without the south is like greens without cornbread." Woo Hoo, go Donnie Go. Only candidate so far that got spontaneous laughter and applause in his opening statement. Maybe he's got a chance after all. He's got my vote. Oh, wait, I'm a republican. Shucks.
--JC
Dean:
“What this country wants is a Liberal Demcratic adgenda.” Wha Wha What???? Didn’t we just have an election?????
Wellington Webb –
“We’re not going to let George W. Bush dance on FDR’s grave by privatizing Social Security”
Donnie Folwer –
“We lost because John Kerry couldn’t convince American families that he could keep America safe.” Yep, this kid’s got it dead on!!!
--JC
Donnie’s wiping the floor with these guys. I thought Dean would do better. He admitted that the Presidency wasn’t a 50 state race, and Donnie fired right back.
“…. The Democrat party has to be a 50 state party”
I think everyone up there visibly winced. Now they’re all rushing to use the “50 state” affirmation.
--JC
It's shaping up to be a three way contest here at the DNC Southern Caucus, Donnie Folwer, Howard Dean and Simon Rosenberg.
--JC
UH OH! Apparently the Democrat Party Chair from the US Virgin Islands is here and he's ranting that it need to be a 56 state strategy. Everyone is trying to be polite, but um. . . he's ranting. Apparently he did the same thing in Orlando.
--JC
Donnie –
“Some states and territories don’t want to be admitted as a state.” Well, in truth, he’s right. He’s the only one that has the cojones to stand up and say that though. Everyone else is giving the Virgin Islands guy lip service.
--JC
Donnie won the Affirative Action part of the debate. Rather than talk about how he'd "find new ways to spend money in black areas", he nailed it dead on by talking about how he's walked the walk in Michigan by increasing African American turnout and supporting African-American candidates. He's letting his record speak for him.
Rosenberg is making some inroads now. Maybe he's the sleeper in this race. Dean said something, but it was so bland and without substance, that I honestly can't remember what it was. And he just got done?? Go figure. Oh wait, I do remember one thing:
"I agree with Donnie."
Wellington Webb (gotta use the whole name when it’s such a fun one), is getting a pass on this one, after all, he IS African American. He did give everyone a good laugh though by saying:
“Uh, what was the substance of your question again?”
(For the record, the question was “What will you do to increase the numbers of successful African-American candidates.)
--JC
Donnie wins again with the question:
"What will you specifically do to help those of us elected officials that are closest to the people in terms of organizing?"
His Reply:
"I'm the only person on this panel who's been on the ground, organizing at the local level in a major national campaign."
--JC
OH no they got to the abortion question.
Lots of rehashing the same ole, same ole. Donnie gave a brief appeal for a moderate approach (makes sense).
Unfortunately, the line that got the applause:
“The Republicans are all about the delivery room, then nothing else. I will bring a Democratic party that will care about that child, for the long term, with WIC programs, and protecting a woman’s right to choose.” What???? Wait a minute. Long term? WIC Programs? Is that “long term” isn’t there anything more involved in the long term than WIC programs. Why’d this line get applause??? I’m confused. But that’s par for the course when anyone except Rosenberg and Donnie are speaking. No one else is saying anything.
--JC
Dean keeps going over time, he says he’ll stop, and that he’ll concede time later, but then he does it again, and again, and again. Poor Wellington Webb can hardly get a word in edgewise. However he did have a winner with:
“We need to have a conversation with white voters as well as black voters about their REAL economic interests and concerns.”
I think this is the first time I’ve heard an African-American politician actually say he was going to reach out to white voters. Webb’s credibility just went up with me, but unfortunately I lived in Colorado too long (Webb is Denver’s mayor) to overlook his shortcomings there with a few sound bites in this meeting.
--JC
Donnie hit another winner with sensible Americans and summed it all up with X words.
“The Democrat party doesn’t get it.” There were looks of shock throughout the room, but actually, he’s right.
--JC
Dean-
“I don’t believe that the Democrats will win the Presidency in 2008 unless we make the changes necessary in the Party.” Funny, that’s what Donnie’s been saying all along, in fact that’s his whole issue “changetheparty”
--JC
Things are wrapping up so I’m gonna shut down the puter and see what I can glean out of the “handshaking” rounds.
--Jason - Signing off.
UH OH, glad I stopped. They just figured out I’m not press and sicced the coppers on me. Seriously, they did. He just came over and told me that I have to stop typing or I’ll be removed. Funny, huh.
Posted by JasonColeman at January 8, 2005 3:31 PM
Comments
Posted by: Flash at January 9, 2005 12:40 AM
