4 posts tagged “37th district democrats”

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I'm starting to wonder if the right wing Republicans are foaming at the mouth purely as a conspiracy to motivate me to attend day-long Democratic Party political events and return home running for the checkbook.

Even though the annual WA State Democrats PCO Training Day was more like watching Democrats celebrate on Cspan, I nevertheless drove home wondering why I felt so compelled to attend -- but glad that I did.

It was good to see Congressman Adam Smith so fired up and seemingly on target in his support of the president (and capably opposing the GOP). I was happy to hear how the Gregoire campaign won its campaign from the two insiders who shared their stories. And I listened with great interest on the next generation of the Obama campaign's organizing committee, whose official name escapes me at this late hour.

I gained little of immediate practical value in terms of political organizing, and refrained from speaking or asking any questions, which can be hard for me sometimes. Others spoke my mind railing against Congressional Republicans and hinting that maybe it's time for our governor to start acting like a bona fide Democratic governor. Okay, I guess no one said the last part in those exact words. Maybe she's doing all she can. I can't really tell yet. I'd rather do my homework and then speak.

I do feel this though: We have a president facing up to the toughest problems. Can the governor do that too without gutting everything she stands for? .

Oh and BTW I loved the crab feed, complete with clams and salmon and the good company of others from the 37th Legislative District where I live. That is a true Northwest experience!

Artspace Hiawatha Lofts

Tonight, I wandered across the street to my new neighbors, the Artspace Hiawatha Lofts, and checked out the open house.

The project "consists of 61 one and two-bedroom rental units of affordable live/work studios plus six commercial storefronts for artist-related businesses."

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was here along with numerous other VIPs who said a few words to officially open the Artspace center. I missed all the speeches though.

Many residents opened their doors and invited people in to check out their homes. I managed to hand out my cards with my blog address, my very modest contribution to art or at least as close as I come to making art. Plus I mentioned I am running for PCO in our local 37th District Democrat precinct. Well running maybe a little bit of an overstatement as I don't believe I have any opposition. Although I do need to do my opposition research. Who knows? I could be facing stiff competition. I might need to commision signs, buttons, momentos, cookies, branded bottled water;) Actually, what I hope to do is just go around the neighborhood, help register voters, introduce myself, and get to know my neighbors more. Maybe I'll find ways to help that I haven't thought of.

Today, I filed papers to run as Democratic Party PCO for my precinct in the 37th Legislative District.  Filed papers?  Okay, all I did is fill out a one page form. But it did look very official. Plus I had to sign it and say I believe in the Constitution or something to that effect. So let me repeat again on this blog. Yes I believe in the Constitution!

What will it mean if I'm elected PCO? Well, I'll get a badge for one thing. And I'll have a slightly greater license to go around and mobilize voters or would be voters -- in my immediate neighborhood. Kathy, my neighbor is the current PCO.  She recently turned 81 and has been encouraging me to take her place. Kathy, if I can bring as much energy as I've seen you bring to this role, I'll be happy -- thank you for supporting me!

Tonight I joined Kathy at the monthly meeting of the 37th District Democrats. We heard from candidates for judges, a candidate for state treasurer, a state supreme court justice running for reelection (Charles Johnson) and the leading Democratic challenger for attorney general (John Ladenburg), who gave a surprisingly stirring and somewhat populist speech full of imagery and passion. John, I'll vote for you!

As the meeting wore on, I was summoned home by Amy who reminded me that I promised the kids I would be home for bedtime stories. When I got home, Lucy told me she "had a lot of work to do." I asked her what work is that and she said, "Cards. I want to write cards to my friends." Hard to believe it's possible, but the cuteness factor continues to rise for Lucy.

As I approached Cleveland High School Saturday, I soon realized how unprepared I was to advance to the next round as an Obama delegate. Some delegate candidates had real campaign yard signs. Another had branded water bottles emblazoned with a picture. Sill another had chocolate chip cookies packaged individually. There were candidates handing out cards chock full of poverty fighting accomplishments -- like volunteering as a nurse at a refugee camp. About all I can say right now at least is that I ride my bike to work.

It was like a high school election without the football stars and cheerleaders. So all this last month, it appears I should have been raising money and commissioning my own signs.

Of the more than 600 Obama delegates present, 37 would advance to the next stage -- roughly divided between men and women. And there were more than 200 vying to do so -- all giving 30 second speeches.

Still, despite my lack of campaign props, I thought I might as well push forward to see what I could make happen. I asked a lot of people to vote for me and everyone obliged except for one person who said she wanted to hear my speech first. By the time I spoke, however, most people had already filled out their ballots.

With just 30 seconds, I led with how I came of poltical age in 1984 when I had a job guarding the eternal flame at Arlington National Cemetery. That same year I worked on the Gary Hart campaign out of the national office. Ever since then I've been trying to get the right candidate elected and I've been disappointed....And so it went ending with the pitch that the only thing that ever makes a difference in elections is turnout, turnout, turnout -- getting everyone you know to get to the polls.  

In a blast from the past, I ran into an old colleague from my WashPIRG days back in 1986. Andrea was the state chair; I was an intern "lobbyist" -- pushing public interest bills before mostly skeptical state legislators. She went on to join Obama at law school. On Saturday, Andrea sounded as passionate as she did back in 86.

I still don't know if I made it through to the next round at the Congressional District Caucus. I kinda doubt it. There were so many people vying to go and so many ballots to count, that the results have yet to be finalized. Or if they were, no one has told me:)  I'm not holding my breath though.  

Most of all, it was fun to be there, mill around, meet neighbors, and talk politics for a day. Plus I got to hang out with my friend Don (also a delegate) whom I don't get to see very much.

Go Obama!