Sunday
Exit GOTV blog
When I began GOTV blog there were few local blogs and almost no one blogging who had experience in grassroots politics. Rather the tell readers how to do grassroots organizing I wanted to show them how it is done. This is not something that can be explained in the abstract.
Recently I moved out of Fairfax County. It is simply not possible to write this sort of blog unless you are part of the daily action. Thus, this will be the last entry.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all who have read and commented on this blog and all who have been kind enough to link to it.
I especially want to thank all those who have supported my work in the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.
Special thanks to Rachel Rikind, Rose Chu, Barbara Baron, John Lovaas, Mark Sickels, and especially Emilie Larson for believing in my method of voter registration before I had any evidence to support my ideas.
I want to thank Jan Reeves and Ginny Peters for supporting my efforts as committee chairs.
I want to recognized Marwan Burgan not only for his many hours of volunteer work, but his tremendous leadership in recruiting new Americans as volunteers. Marwan deserves major credit for John Kerry carrying Fairfax in 2004 and Tim Kaine’s subsequent lopsided victory. Marwan has registered voters not only in Fairfax, but also at great personal risk, Bosnia and the West Bank. Marwan is a true servant of democracy who always leads by example. We are all profoundly in his debt.
Readers should know that Christine Stark did more than any other single person to register voters in southern Fairfax during the summer of 2004. She transformed those precincts. Many thanks to Sharon Stark for printing the fliers.
I want to recognize the legendary LaVerne Taylor and the way she supported my training efforts during my term and chair of precinct operations.
I want to thank Sally Ormsby and David Rowland for helping to raise funds to support my work. Voter Registration is cheap, but it is not free. The flier is an essential part of my approach. Thank you.
In the end, the elected officials define a political culture. My approach would not have been possible had it not been supported by our elected Democrats. I want to thank Penny Gross for coming to the first meeting and walking door - to - door with us in Whittier Precinct. I want to thank Ken Plum for his support both as a Delegate but also when he was state party chair. I want to thank Mark Sickles for his work as a volunteer. Gerry Connolly was the first elected official to share my view that we should set goals for individual precincts and that no precinct in Fairfax should be written off. That was not a widely held view in January of 2000. I also want to thank Janet Howell for her encouragement.
Let me conclude by saying that my grandfather was right, the means really does determine the ends, how you carry out a struggle defines what sort of victory your achieve. My late mother was right, in Virginia Politics we have no enemies, only friends with whom we disagree. Look at places like South Africa and Eastern Europe where torturer and former political prisoner learn to live side by side. After truth is told, reconciliation is possible.
Finally; Howard Dean is right, you really do have the power. Cry Vote! and let slip the dogs of precinct operations!
Recently I moved out of Fairfax County. It is simply not possible to write this sort of blog unless you are part of the daily action. Thus, this will be the last entry.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all who have read and commented on this blog and all who have been kind enough to link to it.
I especially want to thank all those who have supported my work in the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.
Special thanks to Rachel Rikind, Rose Chu, Barbara Baron, John Lovaas, Mark Sickels, and especially Emilie Larson for believing in my method of voter registration before I had any evidence to support my ideas.
I want to thank Jan Reeves and Ginny Peters for supporting my efforts as committee chairs.
I want to recognized Marwan Burgan not only for his many hours of volunteer work, but his tremendous leadership in recruiting new Americans as volunteers. Marwan deserves major credit for John Kerry carrying Fairfax in 2004 and Tim Kaine’s subsequent lopsided victory. Marwan has registered voters not only in Fairfax, but also at great personal risk, Bosnia and the West Bank. Marwan is a true servant of democracy who always leads by example. We are all profoundly in his debt.
Readers should know that Christine Stark did more than any other single person to register voters in southern Fairfax during the summer of 2004. She transformed those precincts. Many thanks to Sharon Stark for printing the fliers.
I want to recognize the legendary LaVerne Taylor and the way she supported my training efforts during my term and chair of precinct operations.
I want to thank Sally Ormsby and David Rowland for helping to raise funds to support my work. Voter Registration is cheap, but it is not free. The flier is an essential part of my approach. Thank you.
In the end, the elected officials define a political culture. My approach would not have been possible had it not been supported by our elected Democrats. I want to thank Penny Gross for coming to the first meeting and walking door - to - door with us in Whittier Precinct. I want to thank Ken Plum for his support both as a Delegate but also when he was state party chair. I want to thank Mark Sickles for his work as a volunteer. Gerry Connolly was the first elected official to share my view that we should set goals for individual precincts and that no precinct in Fairfax should be written off. That was not a widely held view in January of 2000. I also want to thank Janet Howell for her encouragement.
Let me conclude by saying that my grandfather was right, the means really does determine the ends, how you carry out a struggle defines what sort of victory your achieve. My late mother was right, in Virginia Politics we have no enemies, only friends with whom we disagree. Look at places like South Africa and Eastern Europe where torturer and former political prisoner learn to live side by side. After truth is told, reconciliation is possible.
Finally; Howard Dean is right, you really do have the power. Cry Vote! and let slip the dogs of precinct operations!
Labels: blogosphere, Democrats, fairfax county, Grassroots, netroots, VA, Virginia
Saturday
Most popular post on GOTV blog
Wednesday
What George Barker and Chap Petersen owe Andy Hurst
In many ways the ground work for their victories was laid by Hurst and his army of canvassers. We knew who our Democratic supporters were because we spent 2006 identifying them.
Some of Hurst's supporters would like him to run again. I think Hurst would rather be Attorney General for President Edwards. Wouldn't that be great? Wouldn't it be grand if the guy who stood up to Ken Starr was our US AG? Wouldn't it be great to have an AG who was anti-torture? It could happen.
Some of Hurst's supporters would like him to run again. I think Hurst would rather be Attorney General for President Edwards. Wouldn't that be great? Wouldn't it be grand if the guy who stood up to Ken Starr was our US AG? Wouldn't it be great to have an AG who was anti-torture? It could happen.
Labels: 20006, 20007, 20008, Chap Petersen, Edwards, George Barker, Hurst
Solutions not demogogry
Virginia voters were offered a choice between solutions and demogogry. They chose solutions.
I am particularly pleased with the way anti-immigrant hysteria fell flat.
We also won because of an army of volunteers. In the end there is a limit to what even the best candidate can do. If the local Democratic Committee is not willing to put in the hours of basic work, there isn't much the best candidate can do.
I am particularly pleased with the way anti-immigrant hysteria fell flat.
We also won because of an army of volunteers. In the end there is a limit to what even the best candidate can do. If the local Democratic Committee is not willing to put in the hours of basic work, there isn't much the best candidate can do.
Labels: 2007, Democrats, Grassroots, VA, Virginia
Andrea Chamblee
Today owes a great deal to Andrea Chamblee. For years she has been documenting Davis misconduct, chipping away at his image of moderation and exposing him for the crony kleptocrat that he is.
Whether we beat Davis, or whether he throws in the towell and retires, Chamblee has played a great role in the fall of the house of hubris.
Whether we beat Davis, or whether he throws in the towell and retires, Chamblee has played a great role in the fall of the house of hubris.
Labels: Davis, Devolites Davis, Tom Davis, VA, Virginia
Howard Dean and the 50 state strategey
This is in many ways Howard Dean's day. Democrats did well all over the country. They did well by offering solutions instead of demogogry, but they also did well because of hard working DNC organizers working all over the country. Democrats did well because Howard Dean understands that there is no such thing as an unimportant election and that 2007 was the key to winning 2008.
The ground work is being laid for a more progressive, anti-torture Democratic party. As my grandfather taught, the means determines the ends. A grassroots based Democratic party will produce enlightened government. It just takes time.
The ground work is being laid for a more progressive, anti-torture Democratic party. As my grandfather taught, the means determines the ends. A grassroots based Democratic party will produce enlightened government. It just takes time.
Labels: 2007, Democrats, Howard Dean
Monday
Please remember for what GOTV stands.
The candidates, the media, the bloggers, and the commenters have all had their say.
Tomorrow, it's your turn (and Alice's and mine) to exercise your right.
Please find the time to vote.
To see Chap Petersen's election eve message, please visit
http://www.votechapdumpjeannemarie.blogspot.com
Guess for whom I'm going to vote :)
Tomorrow, it's your turn (and Alice's and mine) to exercise your right.
Please find the time to vote.
To see Chap Petersen's election eve message, please visit
http://www.votechapdumpjeannemarie.blogspot.com
Guess for whom I'm going to vote :)
Jill Holzman Vogel disgrace goes national
Crooks and Liars has a round-up of the national blogs. Please voters of the 27th Senate District, vote Schultz and spare Virginia additional embarrassment.
Labels: 2007, hate, Loudon County, Republicans, VA, Virginia
Dedicated w/ love & kisses to the Virginia GOP
Sunday
Worst blog post ever
I think any Virginian would have to go with John Derbyshire's post on the Virginia Tech tragedy.
Labels: blogosphere, Virginia
Friday
Why newspapers are losing young readers
Tuesday
Edwards Opposes Peru Free Trade Deal
Trade Policies Must Benefit Workers-Not Just Corporate Profit
Labels: 2008, Democrats, Edwards, labor
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