With the primary only three weeks away, we are starting to make some waves.
From today's Daily News:
"There are a lot of young people who are getting involved and want to get involved," said Albert Yee, 26, a blogger and free-lance photographer who is one of many young people running for city committee this spring.
In what seems like a minor revolution, at least 200 young progressives in their 20s and 30s are running for committee spots, according to numbers from liberal groups including Neighborhood Networks and Philly for Change.(...)
Hannah Miller, 30, vice chairwoman of Philly for Change, started educating people in the group about running for committee posts back in January.
"We need to move into the structure," she said. "The Democratic Party will wither and die unless active people get involved."
But so far, the party isn't welcoming the newbies with open arms. Many cite hostility from ward leaders or party insiders.
"We have received significant and very disturbing pushbacks from city committee," said Chris Bowers, 32, a political blogger and consultant who is a committeeman in the 27th Ward in West Philly. "It's extremely counterproductive when you consider that a vast majority of what we're doing is challenging for seats where no one is doing anything."
The Democratic Party chairman, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, said he hadn't heard of any young push for committee posts or of anyone giving them a hard time.
"I'm not aware of it, nor am I concerned about it," he said. "Everybody has the right to run."
That is a pretty typical quote from Brady during this entire affair. Tell the media he does not know what is going on. Tell the reformers he is behind what they are doing.
Then tell the establishment something else entirely:
March 8, 2006
Dear Terry,
It has come to my attention that there is an organized effort to file petitions to become a Democratic committee person in many wards in the city. It is clear that this effort has been started by forces that seek to polarize and destroy this party. I strongly urge you to oppose their efforts. I suggest that you immediately notify me at City Committee of the divisions where this has occurred. I will have the petition reviewed to determine if it is defective. If it is, I will assist you in filing a petition with the Common Pleas Court to have the person stricken from the ballot on behalf of your designated candidate in that division.
We are a family united. As your leader and friend, I will fight to make sure we remain united.
I will also prepare withdrawal slips for these individuals that filed and I will try to have them withdrawn.
Very truly yours,
signed
ROBERT A. BRADY, CHAIRMAN
Democratic County Executive
Committee of Philadelphia
Hannah told me recently that she though Philadelphia was the perfect breeding ground for reform Democrats. I think she is right. The combination of living in one of the five most heavily Democratic areas in the country and being faced with a local Democratic Party structure that is very much "Unreformed" not only makes it the perfect place for reform Democrats and netroots activists to appear in large numbers, but also for those activists to get real experience. That is why it is perhaps not surprising that the silent revolution in Philadelphia has risen almost entirely from the netroots. Philly for Change arose from Philly for Dean. Neighborhood Networks arose from MoveOn's 2004 GOTV efforts, as did Philadelphians against Santorum. Drinking Liberally is the centerpiece weekly social gathering. Our vibrant local blog scene features many of the key players in the movement. Anne Dicker, co-founder of Philly for Change, is now running for State Legislature in an open Democratic primary. I should mention that there has been a big assist from Liberty City, a local GLBT organization, but still, this is what a mature local netroots scene can accomplish.
If you live in the Philadelphia area, you can help us out by participating in
Anne Dicker's fifty-state canvass event on April 29th, which also happens to be my second blogiversary. No matter where you live, you can help reinvigorate the Democratic Party and participate in the silent revolution
by participating in the fifty-state canvass on April 29th in your area.
