A Little Help From My Friends
Aug 12, 11:33 AM CST
In order to successfully build our Democratic Community, we need to know what we’re working with.
This post is a chance for us to learn everything we can from one another – how each of us can make a contribution to building the Nebraska Democratic Party.
Use the comments area below to join the conversation.
We need to learn from each other the best ways that you folks are doing what you’re doing.
How are you able to recruit volunteers?
What has gotten the most attention at your county fair booth?
What are some creative and effective methods you’ve seen in the past?
How do you encourage college students in your area to become active?
Do you know any good projects for seniors?
How did you always get a good turnout for your events and meetings?
Please take a few minutes and jot down some successful ideas that you have. We’d love to hear from all corners of the state—and beyond.
Keep checking in as we gather more ideas—and make sure to follow up on anything you see that’s interesting below:
– by | Send this to a friend
— Orville Brown Aug 11, 02:50 PM CST #
I run 96KX Radio in Lincoln. I want to be involved in campaigning and promotion. I’m prepared to do more than simple calls and door-to-door visits. But I’ve done them before and will do what we have to in ‘06. Feel free to call me during business hours at 402-483-9164. There’s plenty of free publicity out there:
a) NDP tailgates downtown at Husker homegames. Circulating the parties and stadium on gamedays.
b) Database bumper sticker drives. “If we send you a NDP sticker, will you help us get the news out that we’re back in force by getting it on your car?”
c) KFAB, KFOR, KLIN, 96KX—these are the news and events leaders in radio. Time to start asking for more airtime. The re-organization efforts should be significant enough stories to these media outlets that they should want to talk more about it. These tend to be conservative listeners who can hear the real truth about mainstream Democratic efforts.
—BJ
— Brian Eckberg Aug 11, 02:50 PM CST #
— Robert Smith Aug 11, 03:47 PM CST #
Brian, we’ve been working the media (including radio) to cover our new strategy. So far we have gotten coverage on a few of the stations you listed, and hopefully more will be coming. I don’t think 96KX is on my press release email list. Is there an address I can be sending those to?
— Amanda Aug 11, 04:25 PM CST #
Would you help us come up with some messages and design work for some buttons?
— Heath Mello Aug 11, 04:30 PM CST #
— Connie E. Snider Aug 11, 04:52 PM CST #
HMM
— Heath Mello Aug 11, 04:57 PM CST #
— Diane Trullinger Aug 11, 06:35 PM CST #
— Lee Clausen Aug 11, 07:20 PM CST #
— Robert Smith Aug 11, 08:36 PM CST #
You can email her at carmyn@nebraskademocrats.org. or call her at (402) 434-2180.
— Heath Mello Aug 11, 08:56 PM CST #
If someone from outside of Lincoln wanted to stop by and visit the office they should be able to look up the address on this site.
This is one more way to ensure better communication with all 93 counties.
— Robert Smith Aug 11, 09:25 PM CST #
I’m in Fillmore County, and maybe we have more closet Dems than I am aware of, but it seems pretty lonely. I would love to coordinate a Dem meeting-function-gathering, but have no idea where to start or who to invite. Help me get started.
— Sherri Nun Aug 11, 10:50 PM CST #
— Lee Clausen Aug 11, 11:09 PM CST #
i.e. How do I find out more about my County Democratic Party?
— Lee Clausen Aug 11, 11:25 PM CST #
It always generates some interest.
send me an e-mail:
eric@prairieprogressives.com
phat
— phat Aug 12, 12:54 AM CST #
— joann alabsy Aug 12, 06:20 AM CST #
However, the more “dirty tricks” that happened at a local and national level…
Not being able to stomach another 4 years of GW, I got involved again and worked on Kerry’s campaign in Iowa.
Like most of you, I have limited time but would love to be involved doing anything that would help.
Thanks for all of your hard work!
— Kathi Brewer Logan Aug 12, 07:01 AM CST #
Thanks for getting this together!
— Heather Hunter Berg Aug 12, 07:15 AM CST #
It’s time to effectively put our messages out there and get the word out. The republicans do a great job using visuals to reinforce their messages. There is no reason we can’t be as effective, or even better.
— Joel Davies Aug 12, 07:29 AM CST #
I think that there’s a lot that we can talk about. I’ve been feeling pretty good about the local blogging effort that we’ve been doing here in the Ohio 2nd.
I’m still trying to sort out on paper the method to my madness.
Chris
— Ohio 2nd Blog Aug 12, 08:05 AM CST #
— Erin Bock Aug 12, 08:14 AM CST #
— barry Aug 12, 08:16 AM CST #
— barry Aug 12, 08:18 AM CST #
Just wanted to let you know that we are currently working to develop a Hispanic Caucus. If you have any ideas for how we can best put this group together, please let me know. Please email me so we can discuss this further. Thanks for your help!
— Carmyn Aug 12, 08:38 AM CST #
I love the ‘Get Local’ button at the top of the homepage! I think it is possibly the most useful tool on this website.
One suggestion I have is a button that gives users instructions on how to register to vote. There should be an area dedicated to this and it could include registration and absentee voting forms to download and print for easy mailing.
— Robert Gittins Aug 12, 09:28 AM CST #
Great point! There is a link to register to vote on the Nebraska Young Democrats website at www.nebraskayoungdemocrats.org. I think all the register to vote links are up to date. If they aren’t, they’re Young Dems, so yell at them and they’ll change it. Also, check out the back to school activities that are going on to register more Young Dems to vote in the future and recruit more Young Dem activists.
— Lee Clausen Aug 12, 10:21 AM CST #
“Johnson County in rural southeast Nebraska has been forced to borrow $320,000 in recent months to pay its bills in a fiscal bind that one official predicts will become more widespread.”
When will Gov. Heineman offer Jim Rine, Linda Branting, Lloyd Laue, and the rest of the Tecumseh City Council real economic development plans and tax incentives to spur economic growth in Southeast Nebraska and across the state?
Under Republican Leadership last year, Nebraska finished 50th in economic development in the country.
Nebraska Democrats-We Can Do Better.
For the full article visit, http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1638&u_sid=1481765
Even Dave Nabity agress with Nebraska Democrats:
According to a Robynn Tysver article, 07-28-05, in the Omaha World-Herald,
‘Republican gubernatorial candidate Dave Nabity accused Gov. Dave Heineman on Wednesday of having a “backwards” view of Nebraska’s tax situation.’
The article goes on to say,
’”In my opinion, he’s got it backwards, folks. We must relieve the tax burden on Nebraskans first, and then our economy will begin to grow,” Nabity said at an Omaha press conference.’
It’s time for common sense economic policy that puts Nebraskans first.
— Lee Clausen Aug 12, 10:58 AM CST #
While I like the farmhouse that is on the current NDP flyer, I think the image of The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, http://www.kearneycoc.net/Visiting_Kearney/attractions/Attr_Archway.htm, sends a powerful message to Nebraskans about what can happen when a Nebraskan like Gov. Frank Morrison works hard to acheive his dream.
My blogging has run amuck again. I promise to be quieter the rest of the day and allow others a chance to comment.
— Lee Clausen Aug 12, 11:45 AM CST #
— Pippa Lawson Aug 12, 01:41 PM CST #
— Brian L Hughes Aug 12, 02:21 PM CST #
How do you encourage college students in your area to become active?
I am a college student who is not very involved in the NDP. I hate to give negative feedback, but there are segments of the population, especially students, in Nebraska who vote Democrat, but tend to be apathetic or openly hostile to the NDP. I fall in the category of those who are apathetic toward the party. My reason for this is fairly simple: my vote for a democrat at least cancels one republican voter. My decision to cast my vote for a democrat is not about the Democratic Party, but simply because it is the only viable alternative to voting Republican.
For the Nebraska Democratic Party to warrant my participation, energy, contributions, and time, I would have to see it as a party working actively to advance social issues that Democrats in other parts of the nation have made into priorities. These issues include ensuring that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Nebraskans have equal access to the rights and institutions to which their peers have access; ensuring a woman’s right to choose; and ensuring that young people in Nebraska have access to comprehensive sexual health information that will help them to make informed, responsible about their relationships and their bodies. And these issues are just the beginning.
I would imagine that the first response to this criticism is that Nebraska Democrats are working for progress in all these areas. That’s true, individual Democrats in Nebraska are working for all of these issues, but the party as a whole is silent.
Examples:
Barb Baier, a GLBT Democrat, was elected to the School Board in Lincoln. Was this because of the Party’s insistence that GLBT people should have some channel for running for office in Nebraska, or is it because of Baier’s insistence that she would run for office?
Ben Nelson was one of three Democratic senators to vote to advance discussion on the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, an act that would make it constitutional for GLBT citizens to be denied access to the institution of marriage.
Bills that would end legal discrimination in housing and employment against citizens who are GLBT have been submitted to the legislature by Democratic state senators for several years now. These bills continue to fail, I believe, because they are not supported by the NDP as a whole.
While many of the people who work to ensure a woman’s right to make her own choices about her reproductive health are Democrats, they don’t seem to receive much help from the NDP. The same is true of those working to make sure that young people in the state have access to comprehensive sexuality health education.
In other words, It is easy to tell that individual politicians stand for the traditional Democratic value of equality for all citizens, but it is difficult to tell where the NDP stands.
I know that there are a lot of factors that may make it difficult for the NDP to take stands on these issues that are markedly different from those of conservative Republicans in this state. But as long as the stands look alike, I believe that liberal Democratic college students will do little more than just check the non-Republican box on Election Day.
— Ryan Fette Aug 12, 02:47 PM CST #
The key to the success in Carroll County were the various meetups, groups, and other organizations that had formed during the primaries. These organizations were most effective for us in the fact that they introduced dems to each other. Many dems who live in places like northern new hampshire, or the more rural areas of any state, tend to assume they are the only ones there. The result is they tend not to discuss politics at all, and have no idea who in their town might agree with them. So after these campaigns came through (particularly Dean, but Clark and Edwards supproters also had considerable grassroots networks)
So the advice I would give is to make sure that any meetup or gathering that you plan should have its primary focus be on just bringing people together. Have some fun events; hold BBQs and movie nights. A friend in upstate NY planned a very successful Dean even based around bringing people together for a day to clean up trash in a popular natural spot. People will make new friends and then when election time rolls around and you need 500 canvassers or some candidates, it will be far easier to find them.
— eric Aug 12, 03:10 PM CST #
— barry Aug 12, 04:18 PM CST #
We also are working offline to develop these relationships: county parties and Meetup groups are calling fellow Democrats to invite them and get them involved.
eric, thanks for your advice and for reading our blog.
— Ian Russell Aug 12, 04:19 PM CST #
— barry Aug 12, 04:23 PM CST #
— Nolan Gaskill Aug 12, 05:34 PM CST #
Check out the Nebraska Young Democrats site at www.nebraskayoungdemocrats.com. They are the official youth caucus of the Nebraska Democratic Party. They have a lot of activities going on for back to school and could always use more help in reaching out to high school students.
— Lee Clausen Aug 12, 06:02 PM CST #
As a college student and someone who like you was never really involved but always voted.
My advice to you is to get involved !
No offense to our state party leaders and veterans but this party’s make up is old, white and male, and the only way that is going to change is for young people, of all races, both genders and all sexual oreintations get involved.
If you don’t like the direction the party is going in get involved in your county party. See if there are vaccant positions that need to be filled. Seek a seat on State Central Committee.
In many states young Dems are taking over.
This country and all that is right and wrong with it will belong to us one day. It is important that we recognize this early and get involved.
You can join your local Young Democrats and College Democrats chapter. What college do you attend?
— Robin Aug 12, 07:46 PM CST #
— barry Aug 12, 08:00 PM CST #
The Repelican booth across the aisle featured an accidental Cheney lookalike. I think they were offering samples of 3-dollar gas.
It is absolutely wonderful to see this blog filled with ideas and enthusiasm.
— Steve Hollister Aug 12, 09:35 PM CST #
There is a myth out there that when taxes are paid, the money exits the economy, essentially wasted. This is an unthinking Republican myth. Tax money pays for salaries, goods, and services. It goes right back into the economy, and allows a government with wise leadership to maintain a healthy economy. (Don’t believe that? It’s a primary reason that there hasn’t been a depression since the 30’s.)
One problem with Nebraska is the balanced budget rule. Instead of tying the hands of the people trying to regulate the economy, the people ought to instead send only responsible spenders to represent us in Lincoln. If we elect someone bad, that’s ok, fire them next election. If a government is allowed to set a tax rate and leave it alone, borrow during a slow year, and repay the debt in a strong year, our economy would be better off.
— Tony Maloley Aug 12, 10:53 PM CST #
I ran for office…gather the courage and go for it!
Get dems that you know and bring them to a meeting…most don’t know that there are meetings.
Find within yourself four reasons why you are a democrat .
Most importantly…what are the ideas that make us democrats?
Get going!
Tony
— Tony Merritt Aug 13, 03:09 AM CST #
There are many liberal college students who do proudly identify themselves with the Democratic Party. They do so not in opposition to Republicans and not because there’s no other option available, but rather because they understand that the core principles of the Democratic Party represent the very best in America’s character as a free nation, have done so for decades and will continue to do so for as many years as our UNITED efforts afford.
I don’t expect “ask not what the Democratic Party can do for you”-style dedication from anyone. However, for the good of this country and the entire global community – two concepts that certainly register with Ryan as being worth his participation and energy – we need a strong Democratic alternative to those reactionaries who’ve seized control at every level of the federal government. That, though, will demand a hell lot more dedication from people of all sorts of political camps who may just have to accept that every one of their issues can not receive highest possible priority. This is the age of message control.
We have candidates who say the right things and push for the right bills. Our platform says the right things. What else do you expect? No, we may not be so monolithic as the Republicans on each and every social issue, but should that really be our goal? I don’t want a Democratic alternative to Tom DeLay.
No wonder we are the minority party when we have to go out of our way to placate those who should be our base, those whose interests we have defended and continue to defend who nevertheless show very little appreciation for the Party’s role as an agent of social change. In politics, as Molly Ivins is prone to remind us, you “dance with the one who brung you.” Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow, but a couple toes getting stepped on while WE ALL WORK TO GET THIS RIGHT doesn’t justify looking for a better partner, let alone giving up the dance completely.
No bill in the Nebraska Legislature fails for lack of support from the NDP. We’re not in a position of that much strength and never will be while our front ranks face so much friendly fire. The strength of this party is its accessibility to all people, that we give everyone a chance to be heard. If there are issues we’re not leading on that we should be, come and be heard. Take an ACTIVE role in your campus Young Democrat chapter or your county party and give us a chance to do the right thing. You may not always get your way, but you’ll receive a fair hearing from reasonable people who care just as much as you do. That’s the democratic way, and it’s exactly what makes me proud to be a Democrat.
The only good excuse for apathy is that you really don’t give a damn.
— Kyle Michaelis Aug 13, 03:26 AM CST #
It’s time that women step up to the plate and consider running for office, working on campaigns and opening up those wallets!
— Bonnie Coffey Aug 13, 05:47 AM CST #
— Carmyn Aug 13, 07:20 AM CST #
I agree with your assessment, Tony, that we should only elect fiscally responsible individuals to the Unicameral and across the state of Nebraska.
— Lee Clausen Aug 13, 11:27 AM CST #
I am in contact with Democrats in Montana and Colorado where they are making headway against the GOP majority. Let’s don’t reinvent the wheel but make contact with these folks and get their plan. If we tie in with them we can become a Democratic force in the great plains.
Osborne and the entire Republican delegation in D.C. is vulnerable on every issue important to Nebraska citizens. They have voted to cut funding for NPTVs Reading Rainbow program, a Nebraska product; they have voted for the Freedom to Farm legislation that is decimating the pocketbook of every Nebraska Farmer; they are against immigration reform that provides for citizenship of thousands of migrant workers in our state who are taking lower paying jobs and repopulating our state; their appointees in public offices hold up Federal grant monies and projects beneficial to our state in the interest of “fiscal responsibility”; they are in the party that is recommending closing National Guard armories with storied histories and service at 5 locations in our state.
In short, we are not a state that can afford to send a delegation to D.C. that not only comes home with empty pockets but gives program monies back while Bush and his buddies suck up the gravy.
We should not allow someone like Osborne another day in a public office in this state. He is only trying to pad his retirement pocket by running for governor. This is a man not to be feared but defeated. He is naive and ignorant of the federal governments processes and politics. He is a political lacky from a “red” state that receives no respect from his own party in Washington, D.C.. So are his partners Lee Terry and Jeff Fortenberry. While they follow orders of the GOP in Washington their voting records are causing a financial duststorm in their state.
This is the message we must effectively communicate to Nebraskans. We must make the connections with the GOP policies and the pain they cause in our state. It’s all in black and white. It is all fact.
— Barney Helton Aug 13, 12:25 PM CST #
— barry Aug 13, 02:58 PM CST #
Hackett and Nebraska
http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/8/12/9134/57722
— Gary Boatwright Aug 13, 03:40 PM CST #
It’s pretty difficult for dumb Cornhuskers who can’t play footbal or wrestle. You have to click through and give a former Hawkeye a “Super 3” rating.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/8/12/9134/57722
It was a challenge good for two hours. You folks have one more hour to pick up another $90.
— Gary Boatwright Aug 13, 03:45 PM CST #
I believe part of our difficulty is that our messages and issues tend to be good, true, important, but intellectual. Or if not intellectual then so broad in scope and context as to not be immediately meaningful. If this is true, then we need to work, not just to identify our messages and issues, but also to distill them into short messages that can/will be understood quickly, deeply, and not through a process of analysis (even when it is swift).
I think part of the problem is that, at a simple level, the Republican message is freedom and security based on actions – many “don’t”s: don’t be gay, don’t have an abortion, don’t pay taxes, don’t question authority, don’t give things away, don’t tolerate differences (listen again to the President’s (Michael Douglas) speech in “The American President”).
In contrast, the Democrats represent concepts and attitudes – many “do”s: do promote freedom of choice everywhere, do call out for liberty for all people, do raise your arms to help build up our towns and cities and country and world, do teach tolerance and acceptance (notice each of these took more words to say). It is harder to put what we believe in, what issues we support into short, instantaneous messages. Senator Kerry repeatedly took heat for this – and beyond his nuanced, detailed delivery (which I can identify with because I do it too) it is a problem for the entire Democratic/Liberal movement. Here’s a challenge to demonstrate:
[my point is not to debate this issue – it is an example of the message issue]:
If you live in or travel through the Midwest you have seen the signs at the edge of every small town : “Abortion stops a beating heart.” “It’s not a choice, it’s a child.” “Life, the only alternative”, etc. They are classic Conservative messages – vivid, visceral, short, instantaneously recognized and assimilated. They probably get a reaction or pang in the heart (positive or negative) from nearly everyone that drives by
Now – the challenge:
What would we, as Liberals, put on the same sized sign, on the other side of the highway to tell our message? In my opinion, the obvious “Freedom of Choice” is like “kissing your sister”: it carries no chemistry, no kick, no impact. It is too broad, too general, it has no context to be understood quickly. People wouldn’t get a pang in their heart as they drive by. No pang, no impact means no consideration of alternatives, no strengthened resolve for or against the issue – no change. How many of our messages are the same way?
It’s a tough issue – and one smarter people than I may have raised and discarded already, in which case I apologize for consuming your time and blog-space. But – if brevity, crisp content, distilled messages, and immediacy of understanding are an issue then the other, bigger part of the challenge is:
For this, and for other Democratic messages and issues, what would we “put on the sign on our side of the highway?”
Rock County
— Wes Poteet Aug 13, 06:14 PM CST #
Good points about messaging. Rock County needs a County Chair for the Nebraska Democratic Party sounds like your the right man for the job. I would suggest contacting Carmyn at carmyn@nebraskademocrats.org if your interested as she is doing a lot of outreach to county parties.
— Lee Clausen Aug 13, 07:41 PM CST #
Someone, I believe the retired home builder, mentioned the GOP in Nebraska is vulnerable on key issues important to Nebraska. How correct. The Freedom to Farm legislation crafted by the Republicans has been a disaster. Nebraska is ranked dead last, repeating here for effect, DEAD LAST, in economic development.
Suggested New Slogan: Nebraska Democrats: We Can Do Better!
I work in PR and marketing and have an extensive journalism background and can help as time allows.
STRATEGY: We need every single Nebraska County Democratic Party to pass a resolution immediately and simultaneously and distribute it to their local media.
The resolution says something like this (get Vince to work on the wording but keep it short):
Whereas Nebraska is ranked 50th in the United States in economic growth and,
Whereas Nebraska’s highest elected and appointed officials during these times of economic distress are and have been the current Governor and former Lt. Governor, David Heineman, and the director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Richard Baier (sp?), Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach, State Treasurer, Ron Ross, and others elected to the highest offices of this Great State,
Therefore, for the sake of Nebraska’s economy and our children’s economic future, the ____ (County name) County Democratic Party calls for the immediate resignation of Gov. Heineman, DED Director Baier, Ag Director Ibach, State Treasurer Ross, and other constitutional officeholders in Nebraska.
— KPW Aug 13, 07:48 PM CST #
Heath and I have already talked a little bit about this.
However, I would rather not have to write all of the code that I’m working on. I could do it, but it would take more time than I think I would like. If anybody here has any experience with LAMP applications let me know.
Actually, any IT talents you might have would be useful.
And if anyone here knows much about VOiP that would be a big help.
e-mail me at
eric@prairieprogressives.com
phat
— phat Aug 13, 11:10 PM CST #
Of course you are not old. In fact you and I are the same age. LOL . My point to Ryan was to get involved. I completely agree with Kyle. It gets on my last nerve to hear young people complain and, then when you ask if they vote or if they attend any party meetings you get a big fat no.
We have tons of races coming up. College starts on Aug 22. state universities are required by law to promote voter registration.
Ryan could help register people on his campus.
He could also promote issues that affect young people on campus. Ie tuition hikes, Social Security, Healthcare, young voter suppression.
There are lots of ways to get involved. You just have to be willing to do it.
— Robin Aug 14, 01:07 PM CST #
— Julie Torquati Aug 14, 07:45 PM CST #
One of the things that struck me about your responses-I’m coming at this from a customer service/volunteer involvement mindset-was that most people were far more interested in my lack of involvement than my concerns. Most people would have never posted to this list again, (unless of course it was to announce their new involvement in the Green Party) nonetheless gotten involved. You want me to invest my time, money, effort, and hope in you. People want to believe that the Democratic party cares about them as human beings, not just as votes, campaign contributions, or as a warm body to go canvas a neighborhood. I believe that is the difference between Democrats and Republicans in this state. Blame people who don’t have faith in you and continue to lose, or show us why we should believe in you and win.
— Ryan Fette Aug 14, 08:43 PM CST #
While I wouldn’t label myself a progressive, I can certainly understand that it might seem as if the party here doesn’t cater to progressive concerns. But I’d argue that without a viable party structure being built to field electable candidates, we are doomed to forever wax poetic about how things should be instead of having a real chance to change them for the better.
A final note… This isn’t specifically directed toward Ryan’s post, but since he mentioned it, I’ll raise the point. I see amongst us so much Ben Nelson bashing. While I do disagree with him on several issues, would Don Stenberg really be a better alternative? Instead of voting for some of the legislation you have a problem with, Stenberg would have probably authored it. More to the point, I’d like to see a little less squeezing of the center by the base. If we start exerting to much internal pressure on the Ben Nelsons of the party, we risk becoming more out of touch than so many folks already perceive us to be.
Just look to the opposition party for evidence. They have become so hijacked by evangelical zealots and neo-con whackjobs that their own moderates are being pushed out of the way. Being a “conservative” now doesn’t mean what it did even a decade ago as a result of the extremists pushing mainstreamers out. Let’s keep that in mind before we go publicly criticizing those within our own ranks.
— nolan Aug 14, 11:36 PM CST #
That is what I would like to share with Ryan and with all those who share his doubts. My point is that, yes, we can and should do better, but it’s going to take people making not so much an act of faith but let’s say “a personal investment” in this party to truly get us where we need to go.
While regular voters understandably ask themselves “what have you done for me lately?”, those of hope, passion, and vision must temper somewhat those base concerns, forming a new covenant that is about more than the next election cycle. It must be about the future in that broadest sense – who we are as a people and what kind of world we want our children to grow up in. Unity on ideas like that will result in policies more acceptable and beneficial to all. We need a climate of trust and openness to overcome that which has too long divided us. We need to come together. What other choice do we have? And honestly, what do we have to lose?
In the Democratic Party, there is a place for those of passion to be heard. We are willing to listen. Sometimes, in a democracy, that has to be enough. Democracy is itself an act of faith in the enlightened actions of reasonable people. Put that faith in us – put that faith in yourself as one of us, leading the way – and you might be surprised by the possibilities.
— Kyle Michaelis Aug 15, 02:01 AM CST #
There are all kinds of events in Lincoln – county party meetings, meetups and the State Fair.
— Carmyn Aug 15, 09:44 AM CST #
Edwards said voters will reward lawmakers who advocate a cornerstone of Democratic ideology: fighting poverty and standing up for the poor.
“We know what we believe. We know what we stand for. But the American people need to hear it from us,” the former U.S. senator told a group of about 300 at a waterfront convention center.
— vincepowers Aug 17, 08:52 PM CST #
New Democratic county chairman named
By the Lincoln Journal Star
Kevin Bernadt is the new chairman of the Lancaster County Democratic Party.
Bernadt, 30, a University of Nebraska graduate and small business owner, was elected by the county party’s central committee at a meeting Tuesday night.
Bernadt succeeds Justin Carlson as Democratic chairman.
Among his immediate goals, he said, are reaching out to local minorities, increasing Democratic voter registration and emphasizing fund-raising support for Democratic candidates.
“I look forward to assisting our many great candidates to victory,” Bernadt said,
Sally Herrin was elected first associate chairperson and Rick Carter was named second associate chairperson.
— vincepowers Aug 17, 09:00 PM CST #