Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Tackle the Issues

by: bfealk

Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 06:02:50 AM EST

On Saturday in Pittsfield, the three then Democratic candidates for governor of the state of Michigan answered questions about the issues for almost two hours. First they told the almost 100 Democrats gathered a little bit about themselves. First, though, Debbie Dingell, wife of long-time Congressman John Dingell told the crowd that contrary to what all the pundits have been telling us, “this will be a great year for Democrats.” On Saturday the Michigan Democratic Party executive board decided to hold an endorsement convention on April 17. The endorsement convention will let the candidates judge where their support lies and will help those that get the endorsement of the party faithful to raise money and recruit volunteers.  After Dingell fired up the crowd the gathering got down to business. Stu Dowty, chair of the Washtenaw County Democrats acted as moderator as the audience submitted written questions. Click here for the rest of the story.

MDP -OPEN-to-public-?? meeting on 11/7; demand a Feb. caucus & enfranchisement (MO further updated)

by: David Boyle

Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 19:25:09 PM EST

  Meeting location (MDP headquarters): 606 Townsend, Lansing, MI 48933

  MDP phone: (517) 371-5410

  MDP e-mail(s): jwarman@michigandems.com, Joanne Warman, MDP Receptionist
  (and/or jmoon@michigandems.com, Jason Moon, MDP Communications Director ...you can just put both in the "to" box)

  Hey, they might even have to listen to you if you show up in person, see the MDP rules here (unless they got secretly changed or something):

...ARTICLE 2. POLICY
A. Fundamental Principles

1. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party in Michigan shall be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry,marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability. ...

3. The time and place for all public meetings of the Democratic Party on all levels shall be publicized fully and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons. ...

9. Votes shall not be taken by secret ballot at any meeting of the Democratic Party in Michigan at any level. ...

  It's YOUR Party. Do you want your vote to count, and the right to vote for all the 2008 candidates; or do you want some "beauty contest" that even Hillary said doesn't matter, and with most of the major candidates absent? Your Party, your choice.
  Let your voice be heard!!

  (And don't forget the lawsuit against the 1/15 primary by Mark Grebner due to the parties hogging election info, see the estimable Eric B. in State sued over presidential primary;
  nor forget state Dem rep Martin Griffin's attempt to undo the early primary, see here,

State Rep. Martin Griffin, D-Jackson, is pushing legislation that would effectively cancel the state's 2008 presidential primary.
He says the state can't afford a $10 million primary that no longer makes Michigan relevant in the Democratic process. ...
"In these tough economic times, taxpayers can ill afford to bear the cost of a presidential primary," he said. "The benefit to holding the primary is lost."

  Go Michigan democracy! Go Michigan Democrats!
  (And vote tomorrow...thanks!)

  UPDATED: also recall that, cf. philgoblue's diary, On the Primary Crisis: What's Next, Kent County Democrats are demanding to be enfranchised with a Feb. caucus, and cf. sndowty's diary Washtenaw Dems Resolution on Jan. 15th Primary to similar effect re Washtenaw Dems, etc. If MDP leadership insists on ignoring the people, they could find their own seats jeopardized at the next election...

  FURTHER updated: looks like meeting may be *Closed to Public!!! !!*, see comments below. (Why should your Flawless Leaders ever listen to you anyway?) However, you can always

1) stand outside the meeting with a sign (or would they have you arrested),

2) express your displeasure with a closed meeting of a supposedly "democratic" organization...either by phone, or e-mail, or on this blog, etc.,

3) anything else you can think of, to fight your own disenfranchisement!!!

  MO further updated: a comment below sez that the meeting's now open, so that the ol' title "MDP *CLOSED-TO-PUBLIC* meeting on 11/7; demand a Feb. caucus & enfranchisement (FURTHER updated)" may be superseded, hopefully...