Written by Andrew Graham | 02 July 2010

State Democratic Convention
Eleven delegates from Mason Democrats attended the State Convention in Vancouver last weekend. Friday had several seminars scheduled, on VoteBuilder training, the Coordinated Campaign, and PCD training. In the evening we met and spoke with Rep. Norm Dicks and his aides in his hospitality suite, and talked politics in the Labor Caucus suite hosted by Cathi and Dale Bright.

DNC Chair Gov. Tim Kaine gave a fine keynote address, explaining that in midterm elections the party in power usually loses about 28 House seats and 4 Senate seats. In this terrible recession many voters are tempted to "throw the bums out" and start fresh. It's our job as Democrats to show voters the progress our incumbent candidates have been making to dig us out of the economic hole we're in. We can choose progress, and keep climbing out of our hole, or be reactionary and go backwards.

What is Progress? Have a look at the State Democratic Platform (http://www.wa-democrats.org/content/platform) that we passed at the convention and you'll find one of the finest statements of political values I have seen. Mike Mosbarger and Larry King deserve our thanks for their hard work on the Platform Committee.

What is Reactionary? Have a look, if you dare, at the Texas Republican Platform (http://bit.ly/9zD2GR) which advocates eliminating the Endangered Species Act, Depts. of Education and Energy, the IRS, and the minimum wage, among other giant leaps backward.

Office
If you haven't stopped by our new office yet, come to 218 West Cota St. and pay us a visit! You can pick up campaign materials and yard signs, and more importantly, help with the campaigns. Those of you who use VoteBuilder have discovered that some of the information in it is inaccurate or out-of-date. Now, before the campaigns heat up, is the time to correct that. We have two computers at the office for you to use to help clean up that data and identify voters. Marcia Hamilton and I will have calling scripts for your use if you would rather work from paper than the computer. If you have a few hours a week to work in the office, email Sheri Staley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to volunteer.

Elections
Now that filing week is over we finally who know who's running for election in the primary. You'll find a complete list at the auditor's website, linked to from our website (http://www.masoncountydemocrats.com/news/150-2010-filings.html), and candidate information at our candidate page (http://www.masoncountydemocrats.com/endorsements/candidates.html). One election, County Commissioner, has attracted six candidates including three fine Democrats, Ross Gallagher, Brenda Hirschi, and Laura Ann Lewis. I predict a lively debate in the next weeks as we decide whom to endorse!

Next Meetings
The next Executive Committee meeting is 6pm July 6th; call for location. The next regular meeting is 7pm Wednesday, July 14th, at the PUD 3 meeting room. I'll see you there!

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