Here is my diary, in the truest sense of the word, on what I saw that day.
I stayed the night at the Red Roof Inn and returned in the morning.
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I got back to the Radisson at about 10:00 Saturday morning, and a good thing too. Both the parking lot and the overflow parking were already crammed, and I lucked into one of the last remaining spaces along the curb next to the bushes. As I was walking in to the lobby, I met a young couple in their car, and directed them to the spaces next to the bushes. They noticed my "Give 'Em Hell Howard" button and told me they met at a Howard Dean event a year ago; and now they are engaged. Such an instigator, is our Howard Dean.
In the hotel lobby more placards were up on easels. Now there was a Howard Dean one too, positioned rather shyly in the back of the lobby while Simon Rosenberg, Tim Roemer, Wellington Webb and Martin Frost ones were located prominently in the front by the sliding glass doors. I fixed this, moving the Dean placard to a prominent front-and-center position in the space that was oh-so-conveniently left between the Wellington Webb and Tim Roemer placards. While waiting for the rest of the Driving Votes contingent to arrive (due in at 11:30), I sat in a chair in the lobby out of the way and watched. There was a moderate amount of traffic as people walked in and out and through the lobby into the rest of the hotel. I could recognize the DNC attendees because they were wearing suits or nice dresses.
There was a monitor in the lobby which showed the various events scheduled at the hotel this day. It was evident from this that the various DNC Chair candidates were having various breakfasts, meetings, and so on starting in the morning, long before the 1 - 4:30 candidates' forum.
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While waiting, at about 10:50 I decided to make a foray into the depths of the hotel. Past the restaurant I found a sort of "info area", with tables set up by most of the various candidates. Most-- but there was no table for Dean, just several more Dean placards on easels. I passed a Dean supporter who told me that "there is a guy handing out Dean stuff out of a box," but I didn't find him either. These were nice tables, with ruffled drapery, pamphlets, and sometimes "bait" (doughnuts for visitors). The Simon Rosenberg area was beyond "nice", with a big multimedia screen, large hanging banner, and two tables. Near Marjorie Fileds Harris' table was none other than Reverend Al Sharpton, who was evidently here to support her for Vice-Chair.
Walking back out to the lobby, I encountered a knot of Dean supporters and chatted with them for a few moments. One of them told me that "in the ballroom" (where some sort of pre-program is evidently going on) "it is about 100% Dean supporters." While chatting I stepped out of the way at one point to let Al Sharpton pass by. The others pointed and said softly, "look! it's Al Sharpton!"
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At about 11:00 I essayed another foray into Table-Ville. This time there were several camera crews from various TV stations and indy news media. One team interviewed Martin Frost a few feet away from me. I sat nearby looking casual but his voice was too soft and I couldn't make out much of what he said. What I could make out was mostly his bona-fides, "I was in Congress" etc. Several cameras were on Al Sharpton.
Leaving the Table-Ville moshpit, I squirted out a side door onto a pretty well deserted large patio area, adjoining the pool. Some 30 feet away, I spotted Howard Dean, chatting with a small knot of people, evidently staff. This looked like one of the rare "quiet moments" in his maelstrom of a life, so I chose to let him be. By some incomprehensible miracle he had not been discovered by a mob of his supporters, just one lady near me on her cell phone. She hung up and went over to him to ask him to autograph some of her papers. After she got her autograph, she trotted back past me, all stoked, and when I gave her a thumbs-up, she breathlessly said to me, "wow!" It's a good thing Dean can play the guitar 'cause a lot of people sure treat him like a rock star. He ambled into a little enclosed patio/lounge the hotel calls "The Crocodiles" and vanished from sight.
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At about 12:00 the DrivingVotes folks arrived. We all donned our yellow DrivingVotes T-shirts to identify ourselves, and walked on into the hotel. Passing through Table-Ville, Matt, the DV organizer, spotted Al Sharpton. The Reverend had his back turned, talking to someone at the Harris table, but Matt tapped his arm a couple of times to get his attention. Matt gave him a warm greeting, and Sharpton shook all our hands in turn (he has a firm, strong handshake). Matt then asked the Reverend to pose for a picture with him, and they did so while a fellow DrivingVotes member took the picture. Reverend Sharpton pasted on a big fixed smile-- it was obvious he's done this a bazillion times and was being indulgent. With a great effort of will I resisted busting out laughing at the artifice of it all, but I did grin broadly. When Matt was done with the hapless Reverend we proceeded on through Table-Ville into the first ballroom, Matt in a sort of happy daze.
The first ballroom was set up with dining tables and chairs, the aftermath of some sort of brunch event. There were red and blue "disapprove/approve" placards on these tables (see narrative about these) As it turned out, we arrived just in time for a speech by Howard Dean. He started off by courteously asking the press to locate themselves and their video cameras to either side of the stage instead of in front, because "people can't see through you." Then he commented that "it's about 80 degrees warmer here than in Vermont, so I'm glad to be in Sacramento, California," and launched into his speech. I can't handwrite fast enough, so I must present only the highlights here. Items in quotes are actual quotes I was able to copy, and this will be true for all the candidates.
Dean: We need to run candidates locally, Secretaries of State, Assembly, etc in order to eventually win the Presidency. "I'm not normally a Zen kind of guy, but I have found that you have to give power away in order to get it;" instead of from the top-down telling you how to run your local race. "We're not going to send a horde of mindless zealots out [into the heartland], you'll go out and talk to them, neighbor to neighbor." We must run a 50 state campaign, and not ignore California or it will turn red-- he pointed out that the whole eastern part of California is red. (See 2000 election map from
analysis of gubernatorial recall)
Dean: We will campaign in Mississippi, and Utah, and... (then he raised his voice into the growling shout he used in Iowa and made fun of his "Scream" speech, listing more states-- this earned him laughter and a standing ovation from the room.) "We are the party of moral values." Then he began to roll, listing the various moral values the Democrats hold, such as keeping the air clean so that kids don't have to go to the emergency room with an asthma attack on a Saturday afternoon. "Let us be the party of moral values." "We cannot ignore our core constituencies, we must treat them like swing voters" (i.e., give them the same attention.)
Dean: Our trade laws now go back to 100 years ago, when workers had no protections. The way they are now, they are counter-productive to freedom and democracy; these laws benefit only multi-national corporations. Not only this, but our trade policies are souring people around the world on the ideas of free trade and capitalism. Not only is Wal-Mart pushing down wages here, it is pushing down wages in China! "We need to support organized labor because it is good for capitalism and democracy." If we globalize the rights of corporations, we should also globalize the rights of workers-- for a (living) minimum wage, the right to organize, etc. He told again the story of an evangelical supporter, and how she supported Dean not only for his views on health care, but most importantly because he has deep convictions. "The way you win elections is to stand up for what you believe and never back down."
Dean ended his speech by asking us to be "less enthusiastic" (i.e. quieter) during the official DNC candidates' forum in the afternoon in order to "not antagonize the DNC members". He thanked Art Torres, chair of the California Democratic Party and one of the main coordinators of this caucus, for opening that forum to the grassroots, even though he didn't have to.
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Moving back out of this first ballroom, I headed to the first flat surface I could find to finish my notes. This turned out to be a counter for "Observer" sign-in, and spotting a blue sign-in sheet next to me, I filled out my info on it. The fellow behind the counter gave me a blue "Observer" placard on a lanyard. Along about 12:40 there was a rumor that Dean would be serving ice cream from the little Ben & Jerry's cart that was out on the patio, so some of us stood around there and waited for this. The patio overlooked a large parklike area, with a large pond with ducks, and a pretty fountain in the middle. This part of the hotel was built around this parklike area, so that the rooms visible across the way would look out onto the pond.
There was no sign of Dean by 12:50, and they opened the doors to the second ballroom where the forum was to be, so we filed into there. Areas were set aside for the DNC members and the "Observers". The DNC members got the front 1/4 of the seats, while the Observers took up the remaining 3/4 of the space in the back. While waiting for the program to begin, I spotted Eugene Hedlund, of TruthAndHope fame, who amazingly remembered me (we had met once before at a small DFA event).
At 1:00 the program started, with the MC working hard to "herd the cats" into our chairs and some reasonable semblance of silence. (The word "Shhhhh" was heard over the microphone fairly often that day at the end of the short breaks, and interestingly enough, it worked quite well). The DNC Chair candidates were seated behind a long table up on the stage, and there was an American Sign Language interpreter for the proceedings.
The MC told us that "there are over 50 DNC members here today." All the questions for the candidates had been submitted in writing in advance, and the ones from the Western DNC members would be asked first. Art Torres showed us the shoebox from which he would be drawing the questions. Some basics of the process were described: the candidates for Chair must submit their formal written application by 8 a.m. on February 10th, with the signatures of at least 20 DNC members. On the 12th the actual elections will be held, the ones for Chair first, then for Vice-Chair. There will be 2 male and 3 female Vice-Chairs, and some of the current VC's are re-running for their current posts. After the Chair and Vice-Chair elections, the DNC members will elect the treasurer, finance chair, and secretary.
The candidates gave their opening statements. Their order was chosen by lot.
David Leland: He talked about his immigrant grandparents, and how they came for the "hope and promise of America," which was due to the efforts of the Democrats. He was the chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, and carried the state for Clinton in '96, raised money, and saw the mayors of all the major Ohio cities become Democrats by the end of his term. He said we need to canvass and organize our neighbors, and run a 365-day campaign. Have community action networks, grow candidates for local, statewide, and national office. Organize and build the party continuously, not just during the election cycle.
Donnie Fowler: "They've asked us to concede-- I am tired of conceding." "DNC does not stand for Do Not Change, it's got to stand for Do Not Concede." We should use the best of old and new techniques. 'Move left or move right' is a false choice. "We must remember who our best friends are-- labor, gays, African-Americans, and pro-choice women." Some say we gotta go left, others say right, it's a false choice. 'I'm the only candidate who has worked with state and local parties and knows how to listen to them.'
Howard Dean: He thanked Art Torres and the hosts for opening the proceedings to "the progressive wing of the Democratic Party." "The West offers us a lot of hope," judging by the Washington State, Utah, and Hawaii results. To succeed, we have to run a 4-year, 50-state campaign. We should pay salaries to the heads of each of the 50 states' parties, and to a couple staff and 2 grassroots organizers each. We should fight for secretaries of state, city council, etc candidates, not just for President. (then the lights on the stage went out) "I look forward to working with you despite the fact that Karl Rove has taken over our light board." (audience laughter) "We will empower you to do what you know you need to do in the states."
Martin Frost: He said some words of thanks to Bob Matsui, and mentioned that he (Martin Frost) had helped get the Japanese reparations bill out of committee. He's been in Congress for many years. He was inspired by the civil rights movement in the '60's, and clerked for the lawyer who filed Roe v. Wade. 'Never forget our base.' He started in grassroots politics, registering 50,000 voters in a Texas city. "For years, I beat Karl Rove in Texas." He also urged an effective, 50-state party.
Wellington Webb: Don't take our base for granted. 28% of Blacks and and 50% of Hispanics voted for Bush. We must bring both more establishment and more reform to the party. He wants to give DNC members more of a role than 'coming to meetings and applauding'. "We cannot equivocate on what we stand for as a party." "Stand for both Roe (v. Wade) and Brown (v. Board of Education)." He continued on with a list of other things in the same vein that we should stand for, I couldn't write fast enough.
Simon Rosenberg: (he was pestered by a weak mike) "The Democratic feeling in this room is exactly where we should be going." We need to be a modern, 21st century party. He listed the major Democratic Party accomplishments on behalf of all people, such as the deeds of FDR. We have to win because people who expect us to fight for them need us to win. "Take this battle to the streets ... every day, not just 3 weeks before the election." We should eliminate the monopoly Iowa and New Hampshire have on picking our Presidential nominee; others such as the Asian-Americans need a voice in that choice too. (the stage lights went off again) "I guess Karl Rove is back with us."
Tim Roemer: (he was also pestered by a weak mike, and had to strain to be heard in a high-ish, somewhat harsh voice) "I love my party and I want to win elections for the Democrats." We should be a party of new ideas. Our message on national security is better than Bush's. (then his mike got stronger) "We Democrats can and must do better." Jobs have been going away-- our people need those jobs, they are the source of livelihood, dignity, self-respect. We must build parties and include all people; "I welcome everyone in this room, even those who may not agree with me on all issues." He recounted how he worked for 2 years on the 9/11 Commission with the families of the survivors.
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Art Torres spoke next. "Welcome to all the delegates from..." and then proceeded to list the Western states. "Maybe I shouldn't have done that, I'm sure Howard Dean would have liked to." Dean grinned, and the audience laughed and cheered. Mr. Torres introduced various dignitaries who were with us that day, such as members of Congress and of course Rev. Al Sharpton, to applause from the audience. He thanked all the candidates, who "are great Americans."
Then Art Torres produced the shoebox, and proceeded to ask the candidates questions out of it.
Governor Dean: - Q: What could you have done to change the outcome of the election? A: (Jokes) I would have gotten 38,000 more caucus-goers in Iowa. (Seriously) They ran a better grassroots campaign than we did, we need to raise more volunteers from within the states, not bring them in from outside. We have a lot of work to do here in California, its eastern side is all red. We shouldn't treat California as just an ATM. Conviction-- we must hold to our core beliefs. We are centrists-- we don't need to move left or right, but speak from our convictions. Use a positive platform. Speak to the central heart of America with deep conviction.
Martin Frost: - Q: How will you address the fact that rural Americans don't see Democrats as their champions? A: Talk to them about things they are concerned about-- when a drought or flood happens, talk to them about it. We have to carry the argument to the Republicans that we stand for a safe America. We proposed the 9/11 Commission and Dep't of Homeland Security; the Republicans resisted these at first. We are people of faith and shouldn't shy away from it. "It is a myth that Democrats don't believe in God, and we should go after that with a vengeance."
David Leland: - Q: How can the Western states get [more influence] into primaries? A: Terry McAuliffe has started a committee to look into it. We do too many primaries. He would like to see more caucuses, he thinks these would be more "grassroots building" and would let the voters be more thoughtful and less susceptible to "media blitzes".
Simon Rosenberg: - Q: How can we change that young Democrats feel their votes don't count? A: Our margins increased in young voters. It is a good sign for us if Democratic margins increase in the young; that means as they get older there will be higher Democratic margins in the population. We should nurture these voters now. Talk to their concerns. The 'College Democrats' were kicked out [of the party apparatus?] by LBJ for their opposition to Viet Nam; Rosenberg "brought them back in in 1992." He listed his accomplishments. He acknowledged the "grassroots revolution". We need to determine how to build our database from 3 million, to 10 or 12 million people.
Donnie Fowler: - Q: How do you plan to get Latino voters to participate? A: They are part of the 'new electorate', las year we spent far too little on Latino outreach. We must talk to Latino voters. "Let Latino DNC members set the message" and "empower them to talk to Latino voters." There are multiple Spanish dialects, let those who know them, reach out to those voters. Cited examples of pamphlets in Cuban, Puerto Rican, non-Cuban etc Spanish dialects.
Tim Roemer: - Q: How will you end discrimination against the gay/lesbian community? A: He mentioned vaguely that he had hired and fired staff regarding that issue. "We need to be inclusive, tolerant." The Party has a tradition of respecting human rights. "This party needs to stand up and say we believe in civil unions."
Wellington Webb: - Q: What would be a winning message on guns, our message hasn't resonated? A: We've been fearful for too long of the 'God, Guns, and Gays' issues. He supports letting local and state governments decide what regulations they want to put on guns. (But see a statement by Dean years ago to this very effect.) Then he went on to say we should speak to other issues too, such as jobs, health care, etc.
Tim Roemer: - Q: What should be our mantra? A: We should not be just the anti-Bush party, but a party of inclusion, common sense, etc. He told a story about his aunt the nun, who told him he would either be a priest or in politics, helping people. "Help the least of my brethren to help me." We as a party need to do that. We need to be the party that stands up for that 80-year-old widow who needs her Social Security check to survive.
Howard Dean - Q: What does a 50-state campaign mean? A: Most state parties are underfunded and weak. Terry McAuliffe thinks we can raise lots of money; we can use some of that to pay staff on state parties. Strategy-- two words: "Show up." Go to red states and rally the base. "If we can do it in Montana, we can do it anywhere."
Wellington Webb: - Q: Do you support the Americans with Disabilities Act? A: He introduced bills against other sorts of discrimination in Colorado. He got lifts put on public buses so that wheelchair users could use them.
Donnie Fowler: - Q: How can we bring environmental issues back to the forefront of discussion? A: We can't fight over the 25% of issues that we disagree on, we do all agree on stewardship of the land. We should talk to voters about it the way they think about it. Outdoorspeople, hunters, fishermen etc, also want wilderness preserved-- call them "browns". We need to build a brown/green coalition.
David Leland: - Q: What role does faith have in the Democratic Party? A: He spoke of a party member who told him, "I'm a Democrat because I'm a Christian." Religions teach us to help others and those who are less fortunate. The Republicans do the opposite of this and claim they have the religious high ground. Republican party exploits the religious issue and they have no business doing so.
Simon Rosenberg: - Q: How did you support your state's central committee? A: He hasn't served on the central committee. He spent the last 14 years helping candidates all over the country get elected. He produced "cutting-edge media". He was a grassroots organizer in 12 states. He went on to list a range of people who support him for DNC Chair.
I got writer's cramp here, and had to pause and rest my hand through a couple of the questions.
Martin Frost: - (I got distracted and missed the question) A: We have to break the consultant culture, they have not won a presidential election in the last 2 elections. We need regional desks who go out in those areas and work them. When he was DCCC head, he did this. "There are bright, able people all over this country," we should use their ability.
David Leland: - Q: What grassroots leadership should we emulate? A: Lot of grassroots work in Ohio, fundraising, supporting local candidates. Have local officeholders get the Democratic message out to the people. Leland was director of 'Project Vote', which registered 1.2 million people. He has been a party chair before (Ohio). You can't tell people what to do, you must persuade them, and he has 7 years of experience in doing so.
Tim Roemer: - Q: What is ordinary people's role in the Democratic party? A: He urged everyone in the hall to sign up. Get the DNC out of DC and into our communities, that's you. "We've got to take our government back" He talked about important issues, such as equal pay for equal work for women. He told the story of his son, who after going to their female doctor and female dentist, asked if boys could grow up to be doctors too.
Howard Dean: - Q: If you are not chosen, will you and your supporters work with the new DNC chair? A: He will continue to run DFA and support grassroots candidates all over, whichever way the race goes. We need more diversity than we have, we can't run away from it. We can't be afraid to push for legislation that protects the rights of working people. The Democratic Party is the best vehicle to help all of America, but that goal is not just about the Democratic Party.
(more writer's cramp and resting here)
Donnie Fowler: - A: We have to cure the antagonism and distrust between state and local parties, and the national DNC.
Simon Rosenberg: - Q: How will you reach out to all wings of the party? A: He agreed with Donnie, we h've lost the sense that we're on the same team. "My organization is supported by both labor and business." We should view people in our party as partners, not donors. More urging to build a "party of the 21st century."
Then this question was asked of all the candidates: "What role should there be for the state parties, structurally, financially, and in terms of what they do?"
Howard Dean: The number of people here today answers that question. Empower grassroots support. We learned from the grassroots, not the other way around. Lots of chairs and vice-chairs (in the DNC and Democratic Party) were very pleased to have all the energetic new blood in the party. "We need new blood running for offices" and he wants to empower state parties to do it. "We have to trust you to do it... give you the tools, we will train you." "I want to make it possible for you to do your jobs."
David Leland: He wants to build a partnership between the states and the national party. Energy will come from the grassroots. Work 365 days a year, get out of DC and into the states.
Martin Frost: The key is partnership. Send $200,000 to each state party[, to pay salaries.] Take a percentage of what each state raises, and leave it in that state. His Texas experience-- held onto the state assembly and Congress through the '90's, despite the efforts of Karl Rove.
Simon Rosenberg: - "We will listen to all of you." "There are people out here who know how to win." Revitalize our message. Stand firm on who we are. Rebuild our party. Be fiercer about fighting for our ideas. We hae got to invest in our infrastructure (state and local parties). We have got to recommit to our grassroots.
Tim Roemer: - I want to invest in our party. Not just talk about partnership, bue with all of you, and all Americans. Noted that he won his race 6 times in red Indiana. We need to be more competitive in every part of the country. Use things like handhelds for doorknockers, who use it to play a little message piece for the voter.
Donnie Fowler: - [we need] strong state parties and elected officials in red states, we have a lot to learn. We ask winners in those states what are the best practices. We should regionalize communications. Send $200,000 each year to the state parties. Leave some percent of fundraised money in those states. We need to get started now on a redistricting plan for 2010.
Wellington Webb: - He will partner with fellow DNC candidates. Enhance our women's center, and have new Hispanic, African American, and Asian outreach projects. We need a small-town rural strategy. (He listed more but I couldn't write fast enough) We need an early Western primary. Put some of the young volunteers on the payroll (this was met by loud applause from the back). Test and vet our message; regionalize the message [to better speak to the regions.]
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Closing statements by the candidates. Order chosen by lot:
Wellington Webb: Bush said he wants to fight for freedom and liberty abroad; we ought to fight for freedom and liberty at home. (He then listed rights we should fight for.) "Attacking Social Security is dancing on FDR's grave" (Audience member up front: "Say it!") Focus on environmental policies, talking to westerners (farmers/ranchers) as well. "Science with humanity"
Donnie Fowler: We share so many core values as Democrats. We should not be just a party of issues. Talk to the American people about our heart and soul. "We are a party who likes to stand up and fight when led the right way-- ask Senator Boxer." (loud applause)
Simon Rosenberg: Thanked Art (Torres), Karen, and the other hosts. This is the best regional meeting we've been at.
This is a challenging time for our party. We must have courage to do the hard things. This isn't just about politics, it's about the future of our country. "We can build a better America together." We are not just Democrats, we are Americans.
David Leland: America is the land we love because of the Democratic Party. (Listed all the things the Democratic Party has given us, from Social Security to winning 2 world wars) "We carry the hopes and aspirations of millions of people who are voiceless without us."
Tim Roemer: "Thank you, Art, for not putting me after Howard Dean." He spoke on his position on abortion-- his mom is staunchly pro-choice "and I hear about it." (audience laughter) He will include both views, not overturn Roe. He will work to reduce the number of abortions-- let's talk about ways to achieve that. "Let us bring this great party together to win elections."
Martin Frost: He thanked his fellow candidates, "they are outstanding members of our party. If elected, I will ask each one to take a major role." Notes that he was elected 13 times in the reddest of red states, and supported core Democratic values all along.
Howard Dean: Noted that he has been endorsed by Murtha, "who is pro-life, pro-gun, pro-war, and pro-Democrat." (audience laughter) Dean was chair of the Democratic Governor's Association, and when he left there were more Democratic governors. "The job of the DNC is to excite our base and give them a reason to vote." The job of the chair is to bring new people to the party. He is working on a red-state speech that only talks about the good things we will do-- 'test-drove it' in Utah the other week. He will ensure all 50 states' infrastructure is supported all the time. Stand up for our core moral values.
The audience cheers and applauds. So much for "being less enthusiastic."
The program ended there, and Art Torres thanked everyone. He said "this has been the most well-behaved caucus I have ever been at."
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