The combined efforts of the  Democratic Commitment Conference Political Action Committee (DCCPAC), the NovemberVictory online discussion group, and the candidate leadership brought together the delegation.  The candidate leadership included Steve Porter, David Gill, and Tim Bagwell.

Tim Bagwell established the DCCPAC in March 2005 to support Democratic congressional challenger candidates. DCCPAC began working with the NovemberVictory online discussion group in April and organizing the meetings in June.  The PAC achieves its goals through an integrated network of state chapters.  Dr. Tim Bagwell chairs the DCCPAC.  Bagwell ran against Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) in the 2004 Election. Richard Morrison, Rep. Tom DeLay's 2004 opponent, is the DCCPAC Vice-Chair.  The current chapters are Illinois, Texas, and New York with more to follow soon.

Democratic challengers coming together in one unified group meeting with the Washington Democratic leadership is historic. The Democratic congressional candidates completed three days of Washington meetings between September 13 and 15. The attendees completed their unprecedented agenda with a meeting with the DCCC leadership on Thursday morning.  The candidate delegation consisted of 11 candidates from 8 states.  As a delegation, the group represented 35 candidates in 20 states.  It is also reported that the candidates have met with the leadership of the following political action committees (PAC):

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Communication Workers of America
United Electricians
21st Century Democrats

The candidates reported in attendance are below.  Most of them also ran in 2004:

Jack Jackson, Jr. (AZ-01)
David Bruderly (FL-06)
David Gill (IL-15)
Tim Bagwell (IL-19)
Jack Flynn (NC-09)
Anne Wolfe (NJ-05)
Andrew Duck (MD-06)
Scott Elliott (MI-06)
Steve Porter (PA-03)
Paul Politis (PA-09)
Tom Kovach (PA-18)

At the DCCC, the candidates met with Congressman Rahm Emanuel (IL-05). He said that the DCCC is targeting Republicans with ethics problems, all open seats, & ALL GOP incumbent districts where Kerry got 47% or better.  Until a candidate shows critical mass, certain non-monetary resources are available.  There is an opening in the dialog between the DCCC and uphill Democratic challengers.  Congressman Emmanuel also spoke of the challenges facing the party and the candidates. Each candidate has a role as an `agent of change' within the Party's `campaign for change'," said Rep. Emanuel.  He also promised support for all candidates.

Rep. Emanuel took questions and comments from the delegation of mostly second-attempt candidates from the 8 states. The DCCC's key management staff also participated in the meeting. The candidates took full advantage as they asked the hard questions of the DCCC.  They addressed their concerns about incumbent Democrat support within their states, support for second-time-around candidates, and low- or no-cost support of candidates.  They also explored initiatives toward veterans including requests for veteran demographics for their individual congressional districts.

The DCCC accepted a draft of a proposed party platform from the candidates. In a breakout meeting with DCCC staff, candidates established channels for that support with the DCCC staff.

If delegation of committed Democratic candidates had not made the trip to DC, no one would know their thoughts and heard their voices.  No one would be included in an ongoing dialogue for change.  The real change will come from the grassroots that requires nurturing before the DCCC will truly listen and change.  

For now, the delegation of candidates has proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with.  Hopefully, the candidates that could not attend realize this and know that someone proudly gave them their voices.