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The Dean Dozen
Governor Dean sent the following message to the grassroots this evening.Several months ago I put out a call to the hundreds of thousands of grassroots activists who had worked on my campaign to run for office themselves. Hundreds of volunteers answered this call. Our new organization - Democracy for America - is dedicated to using its resources to support those candidates in their fight to take our country back from the right-wing conservatives who dominate our government. Today, Democracy for America announces the Dean Dozen - twelve diverse candidates that represent the spirit of grassroots democracy. These will be tough races, and not all of the Dean Dozen may win. However, they will all spread the message that to change America progressives must compete.
These twelve candidates will be followed by hundreds of additional candidates in the next few months.
No incumbents are on the initial Dean Dozen, though Democracy for America will be announcing its support of incumbent candidates soon.
The Dean Dozen are:
Mary Ann Andreas for State Assembly in California. The 80th Assembly District has some of the highest unemployment rates in California, so it's all about jobs for Mary Ann in her race against the Republican incumbent. www.andreasforassembly.com
Ken Campbell for South Carolina State House. A Dean inspired candidate! Oconee County has a chance to put a real community activist and small business owner to work with Ken Campbell. www.takebackoconee.com
Maria Chappelle-Nadal for Missouri State House. Maria has won the support of the grassroots in this race. Democracy for America is behind her in her campaign to take back the State House for Democrats. www.maria2004.com
Scott Clark, Mark Manoil & Nina Trasoff for the Arizona Corporation Commission. The Corporation Commission is a watchdog agency protecting consumers from fraud and corporate abuse. Clark, Manoil & Trasoff became politically active on the Dean campaign and are running as a ticket for the commission. If you live in Arizona and can help them get on the ballot, contact them by email here: corpcomm04@hotmail.com
Kim Hynes for State Representative in Connecticut. 28 Republican state representatives in Connecticut ran unopposed in the last election. We won't take our country back if we don't compete. Kim is doing her part. You too can get involved. http://kimhynes.smartcampaigns.com
Richard Morrison for United States House of Representatives from Texas. Want to get rid of Tom DeLay? Here's your chance. Morrison is hitting back at "The Hammer" by competing against him in the Texas 22nd. Join me and get involved in the fight today. www.richardmorrisonfordistrict22.com
Barack Obama for United States Senate from Illinois. In the race to regain control of the U.S. Senate, Democrats have few better chances to pick up a seat than in Illinois. DFA volunteers all over Illinois helped Obama win his primary, now it's time to help him win the general. Stay tuned: I will be on the trail with Barack soon. www.obamaforillinois.com
Rob MacKenna for Hillsborough County (Florida) Supervisor of Elections. Rob is a computer programmer and is fighting to add a voter-verifiable paper trail to the touch-screen voting machines in the largest swing county in the all-important state of Florida! www.rob2004.com
Monica Palacios-Boyce for Massachusetts State Representative. Inspired by my race for the White House, Monica launched her campaign for state representative when she learned that the Republican incumbent had faced no opposition in his last two elections. www.monicaforstaterep.com
Lori Saldana for State Assembly in California. After an upset victory in the primary, grassroots activists want Lori to win in her race for the environment, education, economy and community of San Diego. www.lorisaldana.com
Jeff Smith for United States House of Representatives from Missouri. Campaigning in a 10-way primary for the opportunity to fill retiring Representative Richard Gephardt's seat in Congress, Jeff is an articulate young progressive running an energetic grassroots field campaign that - with your help - could surprise the pundits. www.jeffsmith2004.com
Donna Red Wing for Colorado House District #25. After serving as the GLBT Field Advisor for the Dean for America campaign, Donna has returned to the mountains of Colorado to mobilize progressive activists in communities across her district. www.donnaredwing.com
This year the race for the presidency is unbelievably important. But beside our efforts to evict George W. Bush from the White House, we must expand the base of the Democratic Party by competing in tough races across the country. The Dean Dozen represent some of the bravest candidates in the nation. Democracy for America is proud to support them.
Sincerely,
Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
Show: Expand All Reply
thank you Gov. Dean and the Dean Dozen! You inspire all of us!!
Great list. I like it that the list includes people running for federal, state and local offices. Also, slowly, DFA is taking shape now; this is a big step because it gives people goals, and actual election races to get excited about.
A.S.I.T.F.D
P.O. BOX26933
WINSTON-SALE,NC
27114-6933
will give the DEAN QUILT to Howard at DEANFEST!!!!
Well... I guess I could post the Dean Dozen as requested but that would be kinda redun-dun-dent-dent huh? huh?
And my Congresswoman is Jan Schakowsky. Is this Heaven? No, it's Evanston.
Do not play with trolls.
Posted by LA Mom at May 12, 2004 10:38 PM
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Awwwwww! Comeon MOM! I LOVE to play with the food!
heh, I finally stopped procrastinating on this and sent mine in this morning :)
Posted by donna in evanston at May 12, 2004 10:45 PM
And cute, too, if I may say so myself! : P
Nice to see you too, David. Blogging here always makes me feel happy--reminds me that there are plenty of wonderful, optimistic, capable, intelligent, compassionate Americans out there who are NOT represented by our current government.
OK off to watch the Daily Show! Jon Stewart is my god. Night all~~
You can play with your food after you've eaten ALL of your greens.
heh, I finally stopped procrastinating on this and sent mine in this morning :)
Posted by MySealofApproval in NC at May 12, 2004 10:47 PM
allright!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
way to go!!!!!!!!!!
c'mon everyone!!!!!!!!
i still have room for more!!!!!!
but, i only rented the post-office box for
six months.......i have 7-8 days left!!!
ann:)NC4DEAN
Damn fine list of candidates. It really is quite remarkable what this campaign has started.
For anyone who lives near these candidates' home turfs, it will give them a great outlet for their political energy.
One thing (of many) that I loved about Dean was his emphasis on a 50-state campaign, getting away from this tired old strategy every 4 years of all eyes on the swing states. And of course that's what we have again, and I swear it has dampened turnout over the years (why bother to vote if your state is so likely to go one way only?). Now I realize suddenly that Dean's strategy helps put vigor in races all over the place. Hurray for Dean.
Here's a suggestion to everyone - so many of us have our own little email lists, and we know many people are out of touch with the blog. I think we should distribute this list far and wide.
PS - who heard Gov. Dean today on the radio?
So glad to see the Dean Dozen. So glad to see these inititatives. Now, let's get some house-parties going for these folks! Let's put them in office!
Twelve small bats that people can fill, one at a time. Maybe $5000 per bat? Then, when the 12 bats are filled, we'll have 12 more candidates to help. The "filled bats" could be moved to a BAT PAGE at DFA, and if each bat had the website for each candidate listed underneath, contributors could add to the coffers at will. The initial $5000 would be a nice gesture from the DFA grassroots.
May the torch lit by Gov Dean,M.D. illuminate our future. On the back of our American dollar -the eye and the motto: Annuit Coeptis-Providence Has Favored Our Undertakings!
Carry the Torch! The FLAME~~~"The pyramid signifies Strength and Duration: the Eye over it & the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause."
Shrub has brought us bad will.
The Dean Dozen~Carry the Torch
I played with the idea of running for local office. WAAAAY too many skeletons in my closet; might as well call it the Museum of Natural Science... I'm glad that there are brave souls out there doing the work.
Posted by Elly in MD at May 12, 2004 10:54 PM
At minimum, should be a job for an HQ Press Release, and they should
have staff or appointed volunteers designated for communicating official
announcements to blogs & other resources.
Bringing Visibility to the Invisible
Purpose: A countrywide protest of the Bush Administration's destructive polices in Iraq.
Description:
Carrying a metaphorical torch across the country, through all 50 states, beginning in San Francisco on Memorial Day, wending it's way to Washington DC for July 4, then to DeanFest for July 24/25, on to the Democratic Convention in Boston, then the Republican Convention in NYC.
In each state, on Memorial Day, groups should arrange visibility events in conjunction with local celebrations. The events should be respectful of those whose lives have been lost.
A candle-light vigil and/or creating a float for the local parade have been suggested, thus far, as possible ideas. Other ideas are welcome.
At the event, a torch, representing the one that will be crossing the country should be part of the ceremony.
Who we need:
1. A Visibility Event Coordinator (or team) from each state, able to coordinate Memorial Day and 4th of July events.
2. Volunteers to drive the torch (perhaps more than one in larger states, maybe have no more than 200 miles per driver?) Some states might prefer to "run" the torch if you have the people and permits for that, or perhaps just run within the capitol city?
3. A graphics designer to design the "torch." One idea was the mosaic of the fallen, but creating an image of a torch instead of Bush. Other ideas welcome.
4. A volunteer to coordinate permits as needed, with the cities of San Francisco, DC, Boston, NYC, etc.
5. Someone to map routes - including at least the capital and possibly the 2 next largest cities
in each state.
6. Someone to write up the press releases to be sent to the major newspapers in each state.
If you want to help out, or know of some contacts who might help out click... Thanks!
You can play with your food after you've eaten ALL of your greens.
Posted by LA Mom at May 12, 2004 10:49 PM
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Grasshopper cookies are green on the inside right?
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What about Southbury, Ct. Is that in what will be Kim Hynes district?
Okay, I'm really excited about the new DFA.
!!!!!!!
*** * * * * * * * * * * * WE WANT YOUR INPUT * * * * * * * * * * * ***
This is clearly the most happening group - be counted in our very own blog book! Don't worry about formatting, it's a simple email.
The Unofficial BlogforAmerica Cook Book (etc.)
...Of the blog, by the blog, and for the blog
Dedicated to Howard Dean
~ - ~
Send in your favorite recipes - from jc's Lasagna to God's Country Morels, from Punk Peppers to chocolate anything, whether cooking for two or feeding a crowd (a barbeque, a family reunion picnic, an inauguration house party!)
Share your special do-ahead tips or kitchen hints, favorite blog moments, a story...
Post your entries soon: DeanFestCookBook@aol.com
Yet another celebration of the friendships and solidarity of our Dean-inspired community, the idear took root from Listener's suggestion to have a blog shower for 'Dean couples' Page & Frank, and Joy & Bruce.
Book will be available July 24 and 25 at DeanFest and by mail
Price will be set at end of June when we know the # of pages
Proceeds will help offset costs of Blogger Breakfest
(a grassroots project not authorized by Democracy for America)
Posted by Andrew C. White at May 12, 2004 11:03 PM
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Hi, Andrew! Nope - the districts for state rep in CT are really small, so and I believe Kim's is just a part of Greenwich and a slice of Stamford. Southbury's a good distance to the north and east of Stamford (north of Trumbull near Waterbury, I think.)
Thanks. My sister and brother-in-law lived in Stamford and bought a place in Southbury not too long ago. I knew it wasn't far but I wasn't sure how far. I haven't been to visit yet but was hoping I could push them to get check out Kim Hynes and perhaps get involved.
One more idear then I'm off to bed - everyone here tonight should pay close attention to where all of these candidates are, then think if you have friends or relatives with political inclinations who live in that area - email them to suggest support. You'd be surprised how many people have no idea who's running in their districts, even people who think of themselves as politically aware....Bravo, Dean!
So... now that we have the list... does everyone make a committment to go down the list giving $25 bucks each at whatever rate we can individually afford to cough it up?
Hey, why not just go crazy and add a link to *your* site on this blog?
Please? Finally?
Think that might be seen as providing some assistance and support to progressive candidates around the country?
That would average out to $100 per month from each of us until November.
I think John McCain is going to be on Letterman tonight and I will propbably go watch it. McCain disappoints me because while I admire him for his candor and bucking the system he does not do it enough. No sensible person with a heart and soul could be part of the extreme right wing that the Republican party has become, yet he often sits there and defends them. I admire people who are totally honest and stand up for what's right; McCain has the capability to do that but he does not, instead hanging on to his power. Therefore he deserves admiration for his service to this country but not for his political decisions and course.
"Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane"
-Shawshank Redemption
Hope is also an amazing thing and the thing that can make all of us exceptional.
Thank you, Howard!
I sent a (far too modest) contribution to Kim's campaign several weeks ago, and I encourage everyone to do the same.
She is a phenomenal woman, running a tough race. A more dedicated family of Dean supporters you will not find, anywhere.
This is phenomenal. We are going to take our country back!
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation,
are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain
without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful
roar of its waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a
physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a
struggle! Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and
it never will. Find out just what people will submit to, and you
have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be
imposed upon them; and these will continue until they are resisted
with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are
prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress." - Frederick
Douglass
Excellent post, mataliandy!
I hope the response is good.
When I get back I'll want to know what has so far shaped up for Vermont, too, and will do all I can to help!!!
Thank you SOOOOO much, mataliandy, jjem! and IndySteve, for carrying the Torch behind the torch!
That would average out to $100 per month from each of us until November.
Posted by mataliandy at May 12, 2004 11:26 PM
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that's for the first 12 candidates, right?
Howard says there will be lots more.
Looks like some fundraising efforts are in order.
Posted by mataliandy at May 12, 2004 11:26 PM
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Ok... since they are planning on letting us know about another dozen soon and going on to a list of hundreds then perhaps we should each consider giving $10 per candidate on the list.
At 6,000 givers (anyone know how may contributed towards the $250K bat we just completed?)... that'll end up being $60,000 per candidate... still not a paltry sum... and something we can each achieve a wee bit easier and a wee bit faster.
Anyone up for giving it the best go their checking accounts (and spouses) will allow?
if computer vote
then paper receipt
the receipt is the TORCH
carry the torch with you as you leave
~~~
providence is our flame (annuit Coeptis)
and don't forget to stay in Providence R.I. and learn of it's great history
Boston is a train away ( < 1hour )
How is everyone doing tonight?? Staying out of trouble i hope!
Hey, Maura. Shoot me an e-mail when you get the chance. Just wondering what is happening in your neck of the woods.
Wow. Big night. Howard gave us a list! Wish I had more money cause I know these folks have served his heart...and his heart is where we all are. I am making cookies, peanut butter, tonight...and I am sad, because I am saying so long and God Bless to my daughters old boy friend from high school.NOw, bless her she has always chosen wonderful men, but this was one of my favorites and he is home for the weekend having finished his OCR commission and heading for Irag as a marine officer. It's a war I never wanted and certainly a place I never wanted our best and brightest to be. I know his sensitivity and Know he will counter all the negative press...as most of our servicemen do...still it is such a waste. My cookies can never tell him or others how much we understand and appreciate their efforts and bringing people some democracy after the atrocities they have lived with, but at the same time the way the administration capitalizes on our fears and their stupidity so worries me. Please join with me in supporting our folks who are called to serve a noble purpose by and a**HOLE ADMINISTRATION who knows nothing about culture and caring for a world community. Pray for our world with me. P.S. The list is great...thank you Howard, you are our inspiration and the bloggers feed me daily. Love ya.
G'nite dear blog village!
I'll see you in my dreams.
I arrive home very late on the 23rd and have (yipe!) *three* vital meetings on my first day back. [That's what comes when you scrunch the schedule so you can be away!] So, I anticipate being back on blog on the 24th in the evening!
Meanwhile, hopes and prayers ensuing!
Bloggers,
Anyone here from any of the following cities?
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Denver
Iowa City
Miami
New York
Phoenix
Portsmouth
Providence
San Francisco
Seattle
St. Louis
ALSO smaller towns New Port Richey, FL and Auburn, IN?
If so, can you write me? I have a quick and easy favor to ask!
Gracias!
Posted by Lanya at May 12, 2004 10:33 PM
So, on the Webby awards, do Tanner and Alison get to pose with an actual award??? Would be cool if we could get the staff picture on the site.
Hi Roo! Sorry to hear that your heart is heavy tonight. Give my love to Skye, Friday, Muffy and... it will come to me... um... the big boy!
Posted by BloggerCookBook at May 12, 2004 11:10 PM
Looks like we'll need a baby-food section to the cookbook, or a Blogger's Baby Shower too! Kimmy Cash is expecting... :)
For anyone with a spouse who doesn't agree with all the contributions and would just like to slip a bill into an envelope - I was told in 2002 that a candidate could accept up to $100 (I think!) in cash but you'd have to give the campaign the information about who you are, your address, occupation, employer, etc. I'll try to check out that information, or maybe someone here knows.
Posted by listener at May 12, 2004 11:35 PM
Have a great retreat. Come back refreshed and ready to go!
Enjoy the hermitage! May you find the peace you seek, and bring back a whopping slice of it for us all. ;-)
Posted by listener at May 12, 2004 11:40 PM
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Howard Cash... I kinda like that name. LOL
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Lanya,
I'm drawing a blank at the moment but there is a fella that posts on the blog that is running for office in the Auburn, Indiana area. County or city council I think? My late father-in-law was born there so the location caught my eye.
THANKS so much for all the good wishes and congratulations everyone! I'm more pumped than ever to get these dozen elected and take back our country!!
I'm so excited about Dean Fest!! I've never camped before so that should be a riot in itself.
;) Off to eat some dinner!
If not Howie then how about... Dean Cash... that's what we'll be sending to the Dean Dozen. Works for a name too.
I'm relatively close to Chicago... click
Dean wrote that he will be stomping with Obama, any one know where or when?
And, everybody let's get rid of Delay.
Keep the torch burning
Posted by Elly in MD at May 12, 2004 11:16 PM"
Eggselent idear, I'm gonna email my sister in Chicago with info about Barack Obama right now.
I would vote for you if I still lived in Michigan!
I really need some words of encouragement from intelligent people! I am studying for my finals and contemplating on dropping out of law school...Constitutional law is so freaking hard!
Posted by Angie in Minnesota at May 13, 2004 12:00 AM
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Angie,
You are needed.
The hard work is worth it because our nation needs hard working people with good hearts, strong knowledge, and the desire to create positive change for the less fortunate.
Are you that person?
-
By LA Mom on May 12, 2004 10:36 PM EDTThe Dean dozen is first!