Friday Coffee Talk

by: BZP

Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 07:19:37 AM EDT

Happy Friday! Enjoy your cup-o-links...

• AP: Judge's ruling keeps Michigan do-over Democratic primary in limbo. "We need those lists to prevent people who voted in the Republican primary from voting in the Democratic do-over. Those are DNC rules," said Michigan Democratic Party spokeswoman Liz Kerr, referring to the Democratic National Committee. "This is basically the final straw in preventing us from having a do-over election."
• Michigan Messenger: It's dead. No, it isn't -- but time is fast running out for a Democratic primary do-over. "Each day that goes by, the political momentum to find a solution is lost," said Dave Woodward, chair of the Oakland County Democratic Party. "The conventions have been canceled because there is a conversation to say, 'Is there is a different way to select these delegates to ensure they could get seated?'"
• AP: Court says Moore did not defame Iraq war veteran with documentary. "A federal appeals court has ruled filmmaker and Michigan resident Michael Moore did not defame an Iraq war veteran when he used a clip from a television interview without his permission in the anti-war documentary 'Fahrenheit 9/11.'"
• WXYZ: Mayor Kilpatrick Taking Online Donations. Channel 7 has a list of Kwame's major donors.
• DetNews: Brown eyes run for mayor, Congress. "Flush with $3 million from a whistle-blower settlement, fired Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown is taking aim at the family of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, mulling a run for his job or the congressional seat occupied by his mother."
• Skubick: Ride'em Cowboy. A suburban Republican offering to "help" Detroit? There's always a catch.
• Bay City Times: Rep. Jeff Mayes (D) files for re-election. "I am proud of my involvement in the 21st Century Jobs Plan and in efforts to reform Michigan's energy policy to improve our state's economy; however, we still have work to do," Mayes said in a news release.

• AP: Counties to Get Detroit Zoo Tax Authority. Granholm signed the bill yesterday. Now it's up to Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to keep the Detroit Zoo alive.
• AP: Mich. Senate tries to boost home sales with tax changes. "Many Democrats supported the bills but some criticized the GOP for reducing tax revenue without making corresponding spending cuts."
• AP: Mich. Senate votes to make state government use green energy. "It's a very low-hanging piece of fruit," Sen. Liz Brater, an Ann Arbor Democrat, said of making government buy green power. "We see this only as a first step."
• AP: Granholm signs bill putting more children in safety seats. "We know that deaths related to motor vehicle accidents are the No. 1 cause of deaths for children in Michigan," Granholm said during a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol. "We want to make sure that our children are safe."
• Democratic Edge: Dean Calls on GOP-led Senate to Increase Higher Education Access. "As the Kalamazoo Promise continues to prove successful, State Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) today called on Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop to pass the Michigan Promise Zone Act, which will ensure access to higher education for thousands of students throughout the state who want to go to college."
• AA News: Lack of health care reform is killing us. "A stunning one in three people surveyed said they have skipped getting medical care because of cost. Nearly a quarter of the roughly 26,400 survey respondents said they had serious problems paying for needed health care."

• Saginaw News: College numbers to shrink. "After years of receiving an annual deluge of applications, higher education institutions will over the next decade recruit from a pool of public high school graduates projected to decline roughly 10 percent or more in non-Hispanic white students, the population that traditionally is most likely to attend four-year colleges."
• DetNews: Detroit scores with March Madness. "This rolling revue of sports spectacles hosted by Metro Detroit the past few years is slowly changing the image of the region, say political and business leaders."

• Michigan Messenger: FBI informant organized racist Kalamazoo rally, group says. "Turner's rally drew about 60 white supremacy supporters, sporting swastikas and Confederate flag motifs on their clothing. The rally cost the city of Kalamazoo more than $80,000 for police protection and tied up more than 400 officers from several police agencies."

Sun. 3/9 Oakland County Dem Pasta Night Fundraiser

by: bfealk

Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 14:45:27 PM EST

Will I see you at the Oakland County Democratic Party Holiday Celebration?

by: Michael McGuinness

Sat Dec 08, 2007 at 16:49:30 PM EST

Hello All,

 Which county has the second highest population in the state?  You got it, Oakland County.

Which county has some of the closest election outcomes for our statewide candidates, even with their high voter turnout?  That would be Oakland County.

Which county's Commission is only one seat away from Democratic control for the first time in anyone's memory, currently made up of 13 Republicans to 12 Democrats?  Indeed, the Oakland County Commission.

 Where is the county's high-profile Republican Prosecuting Attorney retiring at a young age, creating one of many phenomenal opportunities for Democrats to win a countywide seat for the first time in decades?  None other than in the land of many oaks, Oakland County.

 Where are there competitive races ahead for State Representative in 2008, with Democratic open seats and incumbents on both sides up for another term?  Well, yes, Oakland County especially, but also true throughout the state.

 Which county is home to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop?  As a matter of fact, he calls Rochester in Oakland County his home.

 AND!  Which county not only includes four congressional districts, but also entirely contains the 9th Congressional District -- the setting for one of multiple defeats of Republican incumbent defeats throughout the state?  The ever-important Oakland County, of course.

 With that said, we have an event on Tuesday evening that you won't want to miss.  Come to our Holiday Celebration in Farmington Hills!  The details are listed below and I hope to see you there.

 Happy Holidays,
 
Michael McGuinness, Officer-At-Large
Oakland County Democratic Party

 P.S. -- Which county party has the coolest chair in Michigan?  That would be the Oakland County Democratic Party, with Chairman Dave Woodward, naturally.
 
 
2007 OCDP Holiday Celebration and Potluck
A Reunion of Democrats – Please bring Family and Friends
To meet us as we get ready for 2008!
 
The Oakland County Democratic Party will change its usual meeting location for December and will include a Holiday Celebration at the Pipefitters Local 636 Union Hall in Farmington Hills . Bring your friends, family and favorite holiday dish to pass.
 
When: Tuesday, December 11th 2007 from 7pm – 9:30pm
Where: Pipefitters Local 636 Union Hall, 30100 Northwestern Hwy, Farmington Hills 48334. One block west of Inkster Road.
 
Events of the night will include:
 
·        Potluck Dinner
Please bring their favorite holiday dish to pass. Beverages are also encouraged.   The dish and beverages should be enough for six people.
 
·        Outrageous Holiday Sweater Judging Contest
Guests are encouraged to wear the most outrageous holiday themed sweater (you know, the type with bells, sequins, 3-D Santa's with fuzzy beards, and ones that might even, actually light up). Outfits will be judged and the winner will receive a special prize.
 
·        Cookie Decorating Table
On the dessert table, guests will have the opportunity to design their own holiday sugar cookie with different frostings, sprinkles and other editable embellishments.
 
·        50-50 Raffle, Bumper Stickers and Buttons
We'll have a wide selection of Democratic Party – themed items Presidential candidate items and bumper stickers and buttons in a variety of messages such as "Had Enough? Vote Democratic."
 
If you have any questions or are in need transportation please call Brett Nicholson at 248 535 4983.

Oakland Democratic Party Chair: Knollenberg Should Apologize to the Kids

by: bfealk

Mon Nov 12, 2007 at 06:17:30 AM EST