A Few Things To Do

(Cartoon from the fabulous xkcd)

A FEW THINGS TO DO

Here are some actions you can take, if you are so inclined.

Democracy for America has started an online petition to send a message to Governor Tim Kaine, newly appointed chair of the Democratic National Committee, requesting that he continue the 50 State Strategy. As implemented by Governor Howard Dean, the 50 State Strategy "will go down as one of the most successful long-term programs the Democratic National Committee has ever implemented. Not just for Barack but for candidates up and down the ballot all across the country.

"For example, only three years ago, Gov. Dean was mocked by party insiders and Washington Democrats for spending DNC resources in Alaska. This week, Alaskans watched Mark Begich swear in as their newly elected Democratic Senator.

"But while there has been a lot of talk about keeping it alive, all of the original DNC 50 State Strategy organizers have been let go.

"With special elections, local mayor and city council races all coming up soon, this is one decision that can't wait any longer. Call on Tim Kaine to immediately renew the 50 State Strategy and we'll make sure he gets the message." Click here to go to the petition page.

(Swanson ad featuring lesbian parents with a son -- click for larger view)

PFLAG is asking folks to take the time to thank Campbell's Soup for standing up to anti-lesbian/gay pressure from the (sic) American Family Association. Their request states:

"Recently, a LGBT-affirming ad ran in The Advocate for Swanson brand broth, which is owned by the Campbell Soup Company.

"The ad is part of Campbell's Home for the Holidays campaign and featured a lesbian couple with their son. Unfortunately the anti-LGBT American Family Association urged its members to contact Campbell's soup and criticize them for showing LGBT families in their advertising.

"Please take the time to counter their anti-gay message and thank Campbell's for their support of the LGBT and ally community! Let's give kudos to Campbell's for showing that all of our families are worthy of respect.

"We especially wish to thank Campbell's because they are a corporate sponsor for our upcoming 2009 Straight for Equality Awards Gala to be held February 5, 2009 in Times Square, New York City!

"Be sure to email Anthony Sanzio, the Group Director for Corporate and Brand Communications for Campbell Soup Company (anthony_sanzio@campbellsoup.com) and follow up with a phone call showing your appreciation as well (1-800-257-8443)!"

(From SomeECards)

And, another reminder to cast your vote for Driftglass for Best Individual Blogger in the 2008 Weblog Awards. As reported earlier at a post here by TLG, Drifty is still way behind a right-wing fanatic. You can go vote every 24 hours by clicking here.

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Happy Birthday Howard Dean

Raise a glass today to Gov. Howard Dean!

Thanks Howard, we couldnt've done it without you! Hope you have a GREAT birthday and when you run for your next office remember- we have your back.

Here's his cake, as chronicled in the KOS birthday post.

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Howard Dean, The Unsung Hero, Says this is a New Era

Brandon/AP

As many of you maybe know, HS, Yogyogibear, Terri, Myself, Miki, and other readers and commenters here consider ourselves to be DEAN DEMOCRATS. We became activists because of Howard Dean and his people powered politics!

You can read Tokyo Terri's -Thank you post here.

Here are some words of wisdom from the good doctor from yesterday in the midst of the voting hours;

We have believed for some time that the road to the presidency goes through the West,” he said. “The Obama campaign has been pretty determined in Arizona, as it has been in other states. I just felt it would be a shame to waste our resources once we got within a couple percentage points.”

Earlier this fall, Dean conducted a voter registration bus tour that hit 22 states. Party insiders, who once criticized Dean’s 50-state strategy of building up state party operations in even the most Republican of states, now laud the strategy for boosting the party’s fortunes.

“I’m hoping this has changed the Democratic Party forever,” Dean said. “Of course, it doesn’t hurt that we had a great candidate in Obama, and a sitting president who helped us by not paying much attention to what the people of this country are doing.”

Dean’s said he was gratified that Obama had borrowed some of the techniques Dean employed in his presidential campaign, including a reliance on small donations and use of the Internet.

“I told David Axelrod ‘You took all the things in our campaign that worked out well and used them, and with anything that didn’t work out, you got rid of it,’” Dean said. Axelrod is Obama’s chief political advisor.

Dean was planning to be with the Obama campaign Tuesday night, watching election returns, and will return to Washington D.C. today.- By Sam Hemingway Burlington Free Press

(links added by me)

Thank You, Howard. You were right. And we will always be your Dean people.

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A Deaniac Convention Momment

I am a Dean Democrat. Before Howard Dean, I was really only a voter in terms of party politics. I was into issues but not party. Howard inspired me, taught me how to organize, and the movement he created has sustained me.

The photo above is my fancy lanyard I am using at the convention. It was the one I got in 2004 at the convention in Boston when I went as a DEAN Delegate, ultimately released from my pledged vote and then voting for Kerry.

I keep those same buttons on, and am adding more. But the DEAN one in the top right is one of my favorites.

10 or so people have seen that button this week and felt compelled to comment on it. My favorite comment came today.

I was in line registering to go into a caucus meeting, and the registration volunteer, a big older guy with a drawl said, "Were you a Deaniac?"

I said yes I was, with my usual proud voice and he said,

"I learned everything I know now about organizing from the Deaniacs in Texas where I live. They have helped me so much since 2004."

I was proud, as I always am, to be not just a Democrat, But a Howard Dean Democrat. He has changed this party, and brought in thousands of people like me. And we are not going to give up. We are going to do what we can to make both our party and our country better.

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Pride in the Party; Stonewall Dems Success Story

In recent years Stonewall Democrats have created a big picture strategy of being very involved in changing the party from within including a concerted effort to send members to this year's convention as delegates. Looks like it worked!

A record number of GLBT delegates are expected to arrive at the Democratic National Convention later this month, says the National Stonewall Democrats – the nation's largest Democratic organization representing gays and lesbians.

The record numbers are a result of grassroots efforts by the organization which started in 2007. Stonewall Democrats' 2007 outreach program Pride in the Party is being hailed as a success in bringing additional GLBT voices to the convention.- On Top Magazine

This is the real long term story of the election year, more people, more involved, from a wider variety of communities across the country. The message has finally seemed to swell up from the 50 State Strategy. (thanks, Howard) We can't leave it up to the Beltway Bobs and Bettys. If we are going to restore our nation and our party we need to get involved and empower everyone to be a part of the process.

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Balance and Romance

"Tlg Celebration Thread #4" (yeah I know... But bear with me.) This really is our week, and his week. With news today that the Candidate wants to keep Howard Dean and the 50 state strategy in place and moving forward, this really is a big WIN for the progressive movement. So, I get to celebrate for a few days! I am sure the GNB mastheaders will soon get back to other serious stuff, but I am personally still doing the snoopy dance!

Here is Barack on Ellen, wow-ing a caller, and answering questions on balance and romance.



And h/t to Myrtle June in the previous thread.

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