Just got back from the state Re-org--Berendt wins reelection

[kurtyboy]

Easily--on first ballot.
Vice chair is Eileen Macoll (on second ballot)
Secretary is Luis Moroso (first ballot)
Treasurer is Habib Habib, reelected by unanimous consent.

The meeting started out with a surprise (to me at least) Dennis Kucinich (!!!) gave a red-meat keynote for the ages. Best line: "Ownership Society means you own it, and the ship is sinking."

Following him was a subdued (in relative terms only--he was perfect) Jim McDermott, kicking off a new grassroots fundrasing campaign ($10 donations) and asking for our help as he defends himself from the Gingrich lawsuit.

The body voted OVERWHELMINGLY to endorse Howard Dean for Chair of the DNC, and every DNC member from Washington publicly said that's where their votes would go.

Pretty good day, all in all, but long--as always.

Finally, I don't know who got elected as Chairs for other Congressional Districts, but in mine (the Second) we reelected Todd Nicolls.

[satya]

1. Good news (especially DNC endorsements)--thanks for the update. n/t

[AmandaRuth]

2. I don't know about this

personally i was hoping for Greg R or Kat. I hope Paul has a plan for other areas of the state, besides King. I also hope he develops a media plan, and spends some time grooming/soliciting candidates for districts that have a hard time getting someone to run. I will just leave it at that. IMHO, very very humble opinion, this was not a good choice.

[kurtyboy]

3. I was considering a vote for Greg

But trust me, he did not deliver when it came time to speak. He said about three sentences and then had a surrogate spend his remaining time compalining about the current state of the party--and she was not within telescope distance of the mainstream.

Greg just stood there, two steps back and one to the left. The faces in the Central Committee crowd looked nervous, and eventually even embarrassed for Greg.

Greg, if you read this, know that I was seriously considering you. (we spoke for the better part of an hour the other day) But when it comes time for folks to decide, they need to hear from YOU--.

Additionally, Kat had very little support--I spoke with her a coupla times last fall and figured she'd do better, but the votes weren't there for her.

Bottom line--this crowd of Dean fans went with the guy with the track record--and the guy who supported Dean right out of the chute.

BTW, when Berendt took a straw poll to guage the will-of-the-body for DNC chair, about 159 hands went up for Dean. Maybe 5 went up for Martin Frost, and the only other person getting a vote was Simon Rosenberg. He got one vote - mine. Pretty lonely moment, I must say....

[eridani]

5. Why?

Just curious.

[kurtyboy]

6. why---what? Please specify....

Kurtyboy

[eridani]

7. Why Rosenberg? Sorry--just realized you mentioned others. n/t

[eridani]

4. Did anyone record the Kucinich speech?

Would it be available from the state Dems?

[Jax]

8. Thanks for this update

As for having the 'lonely moment' when you cast your vote, at least you were THERE participating and putting in your time and work and efforts for us Democrats. I sure wasn't there.

Again, thank you for the update kurtyboy, and for all the work you do.

:thumbsup:

Jax