Thurston County Democrats

Chair's Message

A hearty thank you to all the delegates and alternates who made our recent county convention such a resounding success! Sure we had our differences of opinion about platform planks and what the resulting platform ought to include and about some competing candidates, but there was a palpable spirit of respect, cooperation and unity that seemed to pervade. Most everyone seemed to feel it was a productive day.

I think this bodes well for the unique opportunity we have this year. Locally, we’re developing a great slate of candidates for county and legislative district offices. Even our former PCO Kyle Taylor Lucas stepped up to challenge the DINO (Democrat in Name Only) Senator Tim Sheldon in the 35th LD. This demonstrates the significant energy and passion that surrounds this year’s effort to promote our values at all levels of government.

This spirit of working together to achieve common goals is also apparent in the Congressional races. Although the 8th Congressional District (CD) does not touch Thurston County, many of us have taken a great interest in helping Darcy Burner defeat Dave Reichert because we know Democrats MUST gain control of Congress if we are to have any hope of changing the agenda, direction and demeanor of our country. Indeed, this interestis so great that the Thurston County Democrats voted April 24th to donate funds to Darcy’s race, an act that State Party Chair Dwight Pelz deemed an unprecedented commitment to unity.

The 8th CD is one of 15 House seats the Democrats must pick up in order to gain control of the House. If we can maintain each of the Senate seats we now hold and gain 6 additional, the Democrats can regain control of the Senate. More candidates are stepping up daily. Just this afternoon, James Webb, a former Republican and Navy assistant secretary and decorated Vietnam veteran, announced he’s running as an anti-war, pro-education Democrat in Virginia to counter the culture of corruption fostered by his former party in Washington.

The administration’s poll numbers are, shall we say, in the toilet. (And, yes, it is time to flush!) The only other 2nd term President in U.S. history to be similarly unpopular was Richard Nixon just before his resignation. If we stand up for our values and unite to regain Congress, we can begin to move toward a foreign policy based on diplomacy instead of unilateral, infinite war, sustainable energy, a clean environment, affordable health care and education for all, living wage jobs, and a secure future.

The Democratic National Committee will kick off its grass-roots organizing effort April 29 based upon the following elements:

• Honest and open government
• Security Energy independence
• Economic prosperity and educational excellence
• Expanded health care
• Retirement security

Maybe these aren’t perfect, but they seem like a good start to me. Let’s keep up the spirit we established at our April 8th convention and continue to work together to elect Democrats who will give us a chance to effect the change we all seek!

Maria Cantwell’s First Annual South Sound Awards

By Jim Kainber

United States Senator Maria Cantwell visited Olympia recently to honor some of those who are making our area more livable and unique at her First Annual South Sound Awards.   The awards also highlighted her work advancing Democratic principles, such as preserving our natural heritage, protecting a woman’s right to choose, expanding small business and insuring quality public education for all.

Those honored were: Rochester Organization of Families, Former Lacey Councilmember Earlyse Swift; Shelton shellfish grower, Bill Taylor; Founder of Mud Bay Granary, Elsa Wulff; and local civil rights leader, Anna Schlecht, who all received recognition for being innovators in their respective fields.

Senator Cantwell is nationally recognized as a leader in the movement to force Detroit to cut our nation’s gluttonous addiction to foreign oil, had this to say about recent developments: “Even President Bush, the former oil man from Texas, has realized too. He famously admitted in his State of the Union that our nation is ‘addicted to oil.’ I commend this administration for moving beyond the first stage of recovery from an addiction, DENIAL.”

The event, attended by 250 people, including Congressman Brian Baird, State Senator Karen Fraser, State Representative Brendan Williams, Olympia Mayor Mark Foutch, Lacey Mayor Virgil Clarkson, and many other prominent community leaders and members also raised funds for Senator Cantwell’s re-election campaign.

Executive Committee Meets with Congressman Baird

By Debby Pattin
1st Vice Chair

Six members of the executive committee had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Brian Baird on March 22nd during his whirlwind trip through the District. We appreciated the opportunity to talk with him in a small group setting and to discuss matters of concern, including the Iraq war, health care for returning troops and veterans, and the upcoming mid-term elections.

Congressman Baird has been opposed to the war in Iraq, and has continued to advocate for full funding of medical and psychological care for returning troops and veterans, and we thanked him for holding those positions.

We did express concern about the 2006 Senate race and told him of the frustration many Democrats have voiced to us over the position Senator Cantwell holds on the Iraq war. While we certainly want to retain that seat, we also know that many people are concerned that Senator Cantwell is the only Democrat in the Washington state delegation to the House and Senate who continues to support the war.

Congressman Baird discussed with us his worry that a single issue or two could divide the party and jeopardize seats in the House and Senate. He used the defeat of Congresswoman Jolene Unsoeld by Linda Smith in 1994 as an illustration of what can happen when some members of the party do not consider a Democratic candidate “liberal” enough and either a Democratic challenger or a Third Party candidate runs against the incumbent.

Another case of this happening was, of course, the Gore-Bush-Nader race of 2000 when the Green Party felt that Al Gore wasn’t “green” enough and backed Nader, thus diverting votes from Al Gore, resulting in the election of George W. Bush.

Baird’s point in both these illustrations was that by insisting that each Democrat incumbent satisfy progressives on all issues, and supporting another progressive candidate and splitting the vote, the Democrats lose the seat.  In the case of the Cantwell – McGavick race, Baird pointed out that it could be decades before a Democrat regained the Senate seat, if McGavick were to win, given that McGavick is only 47 years old.

We thanked him for sharing these perceptions but did ask him to please talk to Senator Cantwell about her stand on the war in Iraq, as this is truly a life and death matter.

We also discussed Congressman Baird’s reelection race and the tenuous nature of Clark County voting “Blue.” Baird reminded us that it took the Democrats two tries to regain the 3rd Congressional District seat lost in 1994. Additionally, Baird noted that in the 2004 election, Clark County went for both Bush and Rossi.  Understandably, Congressman Baird needs to focus on winning votes in Clark, and other less “Blue” areas with the 3rd Congressional District.

Thurston County Democrats thank Congressman Baird for taking the time to meet with the Executive Board and we look forward to seeing him again at the JJ Dinner and Auction  May 13th.

Innovation Improves County Convention

By Stewart Henderson

The recent Thurston County Democratic Party Convention was a great success! 

The main purpose of this “off-year" convention was to pass a party platform.  First thing in the morning, delegates discussed the party platform issues that were most important to them in small groups.  When it came time for the entire convention to debate the platform, the discussion stayed focused on the big issues that needed the most attention.

And at the end of the day, as one grizzled veteran of Conventions past put it, “That's the first time we ever actually got through discussing the entire platform -- except that time when we all stayed until 5 a.m.!"

Not surprisingly, the Convention’s success did not happen by accident.

Many delegates had been disappointed with the last County Convention, during the Presidential race two years ago.  Hundreds of activists, many new to the Party, filled up the Capital High gym.  But, despite the best efforts of the Convention’s dedicated organizers, things went the way they usually do:

• There were hours of debate on the first few planks of the platform, even on unimportant issues or things most delegates agreed on.

• The debate was disorganized, veering from subject to subject depending on whoever got the microphone.  (Imagine going to the supermarket and picking out skim milk, then going all the way over to get some pasta, then coming back for whole milk, then going back for more pasta....)

• With the time eaten up that way, most of the platform never even got debated at all.

• And the Convention still ran late, frustrating many delegates with other family, business or personal responsibilities.

Hearing the criticism, County Chair John Cusick decided to try something different this year.  He pulled together a team to find a way to use delegates’ time better and focus debate more wisely. 

Their goal: When delegates left the Convention at the end of the day, they would feel like their voices have been heard, and the Convention had been a good use of their time.  To achieve that goal, the team developed a plan for small group discussions focused on key platform areas -- a first at a County Convention.  And Convention Chair (State Rep.) Sam Hunt set out to give everyone a chance to be heard, but to keep things moving.

The end result:  A Convention where individual delegates were able participate more than ever before, where the platform was fully debated for the first time in memory, and where it all got done in record time.

Concluded Cusick, "We responded to the criticisms of the last Convention, and we made this one better.  The feedback we heard from delegates this year has been great.”

“And we’ll do even better next time!”

“More than Talk…Democrats Walk the Walk” - Crop Walk - May 7

By Debby Pattin,
1st Vice Chair

The 2005 CROP Walk raised over $48,000 for hunger relief!   Over $12,000 of that helped Thurston County residents. The rest helped all over the US and around the world, not only providing food and water, but clearing land mines and providing livestock, and seeds and equipment to reclaim ravaged land for agriculture.

This year, the goal is $50,000.  All Democrats are invited to join with Thurston County Democrats Faith Communities team for the annual CROP Walk, Sunday, May 7th.

Last year Thurston County Democrats fielded our first team, had a strong showing. This year let’s do even better. If you are unable to walk the 6 miles, there will be seated work at the registration table. Call Interfaith Works to volunteer for these jobs: 357-7224.

You may also sign up, and collect pledges, on line at www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=116072

Let us show that Democrats are about more than talk…we "Walk the Talk"!

 

Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Live Auction - May 13

Purchase your Early Bird Tickets no later than May 10th!

Thurston County Democrats Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Live Auction
Olympia Red Lion Hotel -  2300 Evergreen Park Drive
Saturday May 13, 2006
6:00pm Complimentary Champagne Reception
7:00pm Dinner, Speakers, and Live Auction!

Join us as we honor our congressional representatives and announce the Thurston County Democrat of the Year. With special guest, State Party Chair, Dwight Pelz.

2006 is a critical election year.  Please join us for a fun-filled evening and help us raise funds to help elect Democrats locally, statewide and at the national level!

Reservations

Tickets are $45 if payment receiced by May 10th or $50 if paid after May 10th.

To reserve your tickets by check:

Make checks payable to TCDCC. Include a note with the name of each person you are reserving seating for and dinner preference of Salmon, Prime Rib or Vegetarian. Mail your check and the note to TCDCC, PO Box 164, Olympia, WA 98507.

Thurston County Food Bank Needs Your Support - May 13

By Elizabeth Shepard
Volunteer Coordinator

Don't forget our "usual" day at the Food Bank is the first Monday of the month.  Remember though that you can work any Monday, Wednesday, or Friday of the month, it need not be just on the first Monday of the month.  Donna (PCO Friendly Grove 104) and Bob Gates used to work Mondays, but had to switch to Wednesdays as they are taking care of their grandson, but they have continued to keep their commitment to the Food Bank by switching days.  So feel free to be flexible, we do this to help our community, and to let the community know we as Thurston County Democrats care.

The HUGE postal carriers food drive is scheduled for Saturday, May 13th this year.  If your helped with this project last year you know how much work there is to do, and how many people pitched in, enjoyed themselves, and got a ton (literally) of work done.  If you can help with this great project again please contact me for specifics.  We have been asked to return to help out at the West Olympia Post Office on Cooper Point Road.  Bring friends and family  to help carriers pick up food, sort food when it comes in, and to pack the boxes of food to be delivered to the Food Bank.  Remember the Post Office is more than willing to bribe us with food, those there last year will remember the huge amount of the break room!  Call me at 943-9448 or e-mail me at jemn1@earthlink.net for specifics.

Thank you for working to show our community that core democratic beliefs include helping those in need.  There should not be poverty and hunger in the richest country in the world, food does not trickle down, but caring and compassion do spread.

State Democrat Party Convention - June 2-3

June 2-3 is the Washington State Democratic Convention - Yakima. The Convention is located at the Yakima Convention Center, 10 North 8th St, Yakima, WA 98901.

The Host Hotel is the Red Lion, 607 East Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98901. Under the WA State Democratic Party rate, rooms are $80 per night for a single room, $90 per night for a double room. For hotel reservations call the Red Lion at (509) 248-5900.

For more information contact: Shawna Ousse at (206) 583-0664 or e-mail: shawna@wa-democrats.org website: www.wa-democrats.org

Super Saturday Burger Booth Shifts are available - June 17

Elizabeth Shepard
Volunteer Coordinator

That’s right, spring and summer are on the way and that means our newly renovated Burger Booth will very shortly be in full swing.  Candidates running for election/re-election this year are encouraged to sign-up for shifts as soon as possible.  This is an excellent opportunity to be visible and meet many voters.  We also encourage local affiliated organizations to sign up.  Last year the local chapter of Veterans for Peace, Voices for Change, and the Young Democrats filled shifts.

Super Saturday (June 17) will be here before we know it, and Lakefair (July 19-23) is right behind, then Harbor Days (September 1-3) will conclude the season.

Flipping burgers and warming buns, not to mention peeling a million pounds of onions is more fun than you might imagine and it’s a great way to meet local voters. 

Contact us soon, to sign up for a shift:  info@thurstondemocrats.org or 459-4024.