Would any of you be shocked if DU wasn't invited to Democratic Convention?

[KoKo]

Do any of you think "Democratic Underground" deserves to be invited and not only to the Convention but to the Private Dem Insider Parties" which surround the "in convention" activities?

How would you feel if the DNC called us "Riff Raff?"

Or, is it better that we continue our "Activism" on our own under the "umbrella" that DU gives us where we don't have to answer to the "Party Insiders and Big Wigs?"

Outside or Inside. But to me as an "old school" person, it would seem that courtesy would require the DNC/DLC to enfold it's radical element and applaud their "fax/phone/e-mail efforts that they've done to keep the "Party" afloat after the 2000 Debaucle and the Mid-Term Election disasters. :shrug:

Maybe I'm too polite and as I said I'm "old school" about that kind of stuff.

[Mizmoon]

1. Fuck the establishment

even our own.

[sandnsea]

2. "Private Dem Insider Parties"

Why doesn't DU have their own? Will? Got a room?

[legin]

3. Interesting one

sort of done both with relation to my local council.

Both have merits and downsides.

Prefer 'outsider' by nature.

Could be awkward if DU went 'insider' cause we might have to watch what we say because we would be representing the Democratic Party to the general public.

I quite enjoy the freedom of being utterly tactless. ;-)

[legin]

5. Maybe the Graucho Marx quote applies here

"I would never want to be a memeber of any organisation that would have me as a member". (something like that)

[KoKo]

7. LOL's that's actually been a long running debate here amongst many

of us...truly. :D

[legin]

8. But then again

We sit around and complain about the 'pink tutus' that run the Party, but if we don't kick them out and replace them with someone more sensible then we are just stuck with the morons again.

[ShaneGR]

4. Who is the representative of DU? And what is our platform?

Presents a problem don't you think? Although we are all liberals, our opinions differ greatly depending on particular issues. In order for DU to be some sort of political power, it would need to agree on a specific platform. I'm not sure that's possible, or in the best interest of DU.

Cool thought though.

[alittlelark]

43. let's start a DU platforms thread

W/ polls.


Hello?.......what do you believe....


We and our friends are a decent base. What DO WE BELIEVE? Why?


There are many members who could FLY w/this one.

I, as a mother of two who will be 'gone' all summer wants to find a DUer to 'Just Do It'.

[Raster]

6. We are the Riff Raff, and damn well proud of it!!!

[John_H]

9. The only people I've ever heard refer to the democratic party as

the democrat party are no friends of the democratic party.

[KoKo]

10. John_H, I couldn't fit in Democratic into the subject line, but just for

you I took out the "quotation marks" around DU so I could put in "ic."

It's amazing that one could be on DU as long as I have and be thought of as one from the "dark side." But, just for you. ;-)'s

[goodhue]

11. I would not be shocked.

By the way, admin started thread on subject of DU presence at convetion over in DU Forum . . .
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x1312074

[KoKo]

15. I checked it out and it's kinda dead. Skinner/Earl & Elad should have

a presence there. Where is our "inclusive" Democratic Party?

Does it only include the Carvil/Begala's/Brazille's and various other Party Hacks? What about the "new blood?"

Now maybe DU Admins needed to push their way in...which some of us have had to do in our own states before the party would notice us...but we all know the Repugs take very good care of their "base." And of their activist Freeps. So...I'm assuming something should have been done about this..and will be if we are agressive enough. If Admins are agressive enough, if they want to be. :shrug:

[goodhue]

18. Yes, I suspect they could get in if they pushed it.

I think they should have presence inside Fleet if they can swing it.

[welshTerrier2]

12. we're all getting "Press" passes

each of us who posts here potentially has tens of thousands of readers ... what better "Press" credentials could anyone have ...

and most of us are Democrats too ...

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[KoKo]

17. Seems the DLC is not so affiliated here as some thought. Or they don't

take care to see that everyone who is active is included in the big "Party."

:shrug:

[Kanary]

14. DU = "radical element"?

ohhhhhhhhh, lawdy me, we's in beeeeg trouble..........

Kanary, whose 60's radicalism is definitely far removed from today's "radicalism"

[KoKo]

20. I know.....being called "Radical" can be a compliment but "Riff Raff?"

I take that as an insult! LOL's

[Kanary]

23. I'm probably the riffiest raff around....... ^_^

But, if DU is considered "radical"........ with all the DLC represented here????

That's a biiiiiig stretch........ ~~searching for that stretch emoticon~~

Kanary

[MisterP]

33. Frankenfurter, it's all over, your mission is a failure...

[Joy Anne]

16. grassroots

We Deanies are trying to become the grassroots of the Democratic Party and eventually take it over from the bottom. I invite you to join us. From my perspective, that's going to ward Party meetings, supporting state representative candidates, and handing out "John Kerry for President" balloons at streetfairs. I guess it could also be attending conventions, too.

[KoKo]

19. I'm not looking for me! It's DU! The Owners! I was a precinct delegate

to Dem Convention here in NC but I'm a newbie and have to work my way up to National Delegate.

I'm talking about the Parties and folks who are voices out there for DNC/DLC being included. I've heard that DU Admins weren't invited. I think it's wrong because they represent Activists here as subscribers who work hard promoting Democratic causes and candidates and issues. :shrug:

[Joy Anne]

53. good point

I'm new here, and relatively new (< a year) to in-depth politics in general, so I didn't know how the conventions are set up.

[opihimoimoi]

21. If the DNC had any brains, they would see to it Skinner guys get a chance

address the Nation. That is SO Important and if they miss this Op, they are either idiots or selfish.

[KoKo]

22. Well, Opi, that's what I think but who knows? It's very upsetting to me,

but I get the feeling I'm one of the few who even cares about this..

:shrug:

[opihimoimoi]

54. Serious DUers know it too. Some are shy

:auwe:

[emulatorloo]

24. I don't know, are any Star Trek newsgroups going to Outer Space?

EOM

[K8-EEE]

25. I Don't Really Care....What Difference Would It Make?

Seriously, why should we? DU is a great service to US, the way I look at it, and hopefully will get Bush out of there...there are wildly different viewpoints here, and why I LOVE that, I can't see having a "delegate" to "represent" DU? it's too establishment for DU...

[Hamlette]

26. You guys are freaking me out

Have any of you been to a convention? Do you know how to get there? Have any of you worked...as in crappy, knocking on doors, making phone calls for hours on end, sitting at a booth and trying to register voters for days on end... work?

I have. And so has my whole family. My aunt went to a nat'l convention after all of us worked our butts off all year to get her a slot. And after she'd worked for 40 years for the party, she'd run for office when the party asked, she'd knocked on doors, manned phones, passed our literature, done every show up, lobbied the legislature when asked, and made financial contributions even though her pay as a school teacher made it a stretch. It's a lifestyle in this this family and only one of us has gone.

But sitting around the net all day, sending out a few faxes you know no one will read, voting on internet polls and dissing democrats who do run for office and do the friggin REAL grunt work should definately insure you a place at the table. Why I'm just shocked the people who have done all the work haven't come begging us to please come grace them with our presence.

Grow-friggin-up.

[goodhue]

27. you sound pretty wise

I'm a national delegate this year and will be disappointed but not surprised to find no DU presence at the convention. Peace.

[KoKo]

32. goodhue, could you share why you would not be surprised? I can't

understand it. If you don't want to tell me here, then please PM me.

Thanks :-)'s

[goodhue]

40. No real insight here.

Its just that I think the DNC is pretty tone deaf when it comes to things new and different going on in the real world.

The convention organizers are clearly are attempting to get on board the whole internet activist thing, what with their convention "bloggers"
http://blog01.kintera.com/dnccblog/index.html
and their "e-delegates"
https://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=iuJZJgO5F&b=45716&en=duKUI5NIJgIUI2PHJgIXJ4NIJeLQIcPXJhLWL9POKpL7JpK

I just don't have any faith that DNC would appreciate import of DU enough to reach out. More likely to include MoveOn's of the world.

But certainly I agree that DU can and should be a presence at convention. I think it's up to DU, but may be a little late in game.

Biggest reason I would not be surprised is that as of last week Skinner posted that DU did not have a clue as to their presence. Suggests to me that DU will not likely be present in a formal way unless they get off the dime and call in their chits (and do they have any chits?).

By the way, I was being slightly sarcastic as to seeming wisdom.

[KoKo]

38. Kudo's to you! Kucinich delegate? Amazing! Or do you just keep him

in your sig? We have a few here in NC going to the National. Good stuff.

[goodhue]

41. yes

I am lucky to be a Kucinich delegate from MN. Thanks for kudos.

[Colin Ex]

29. Word.

You beat me to it by a couple minutes, but you pretty much nailed it.

-C

[KoKo]

31. Hamlette, Who are you talking to? Did you read my post? I'm talking

about the owners of Democratic Underground? Did you think I thought DU members?

And, BTW, you don't seem to understand that this forum has spawned hundreds of folks doing exactly what you and your family have been doing, and also includes folks like you who have been active for years.

We have had two DU'ers run for office (maybe three) and countless folks get active in their party and campaigns because they got inspired and could connect with folks here to figure out how to get involved. We were active in overturning FCC Deregulations with thousands of e-mails/fax/phones, we had petitions delivered to United Nations and Congress by affiliating with MoveOn.org. which we linked to from here and we've done much to be the movement behind getting information out to get Bush out. We've spawned artists and media specialists who have contributed creatively by connecting with people they've met here, we've supported getting those paperless trail voting machines outlawed with researchers who worked with Bev Harris who has been the leader on this issue, we have folks who write for publications and folks who protest Bush, Cheney/Asscroft and who hold candlelight vigils to get our troops home from this war. We have folks here who've connected to send our troops "CARE" packages, we have folks who hassle our media and congress and encourage others in doing it by giving them the links to fax/phone/e-mails, and we discuss issues that keep each other motivated. And, this is the "short list."
:eyes:

[goodhue]

34. Yes, I think post missed your point entirely.

But the poster lords incredible knowledge over mere slackers, so its hard to tell.

[Colin Ex]

46. If we got one thousand candidates

instead of two or three from DU, and they WON consistently, then maybe people would take notice, I think. But as it is, we have a few guys who're running for office, and that's cool -- but I suspect that you're still making DU to be more than it is, you know?

I mean, this place is good, don't get me wrong. But it's been around since 2001 or so, and is primarily a discussion forum, not an activism forum. What's more, it also consists of a lot of people with questionable grasps on reality (for my source, I cite General Discussion). I think DU best serves us as a casual discussion forum and not a ramp up to the convention -- the people with the patience and the balls / ovaries to put in the grunt work necessary to hit up the convention as a guest REALLY deserve it. I mean, this is intense shit -- I volunteered in 2002 and 2004 for local campaigns and worked my holy ass off doing work I hate (phone banking and canvassing both blow ass), but there are people who are much more deserving of a convention spot than I am. People who have done work I hate for ten, twenty years locally, giving of their time when election season rolls around every single year.

That's my opinion, anyway.

-C

[mmonk]

37. Well I've done the grunt work

as well, putting out signs and stuffing envelopes and such. To tell you the truth, it wasn't a panecia. DU gets attention outside the grunt work and if it makes people think, its serving a purpose for the party.

[Colin Ex]

47. People who do grunt work and go to the convention

have done it for like 20 years, man. That's 20 years of giving tons of time and usually money to the party on a local level. Who really deserves that convention ticket, you or that 60 year old lady who's been kicking ass for the party before you were conceived?

-C

[goodhue]

48. I think you misunderstand.

As I understand it, the suggestion is that DU should be one of the organizations tabling at the convention, not that DU'ers should get a "ticket." By the way, in some states delegates are elected in a democratic process that is open to newcomers. Not all delegates have been slaving for party for 20 years.

[Colin Ex]

50. Fair enough. What has DU accomplished to be granted a table? nt

[KoKo]

62. It's what the "people" of DU have accomplished because we had a way

to connect with each other after the selection. If you want to see a snip of what we've accomplished read my post further down on the page.

DU Forum participation has educated who knows how many thousands about how to get involved in politics. Sharing ways to contact our Congresspersons and Media, sharing ideas and tools with like minded people. It has linked us to organizations which are trying to make a difference and information we can use to make a difference.

We didn't have a way to do that before the internet and DU gave a voice to those of us who were devasted by what went on in Florida but had no way to express it.

Perhaps you live in a Democratic/Liberal Activist part of the country where you have support. Most of us here don't. We didn't have any support and wanted to get involved and do something. You can't do that when you live in a Republican area and have fundies next door. You need lots of help getting connected with others who share your views and want Bush out and reform of our political system

Grassroots is what it's about.

[kiahzero]

51. I was supposed to be doing some of that

Then the DNC decided to fuck over my university at pretty much the last minute, so now I'm not.

As for the OP's argument: No, I wouldn't be surprised. I would be astounded if there were any acknowledgement at all.

[Blue Wally]

58. A bit of a historical note

In 1972, the 60s radicals hijacked the party. Long-time party office holders and ward/precinct were excluded as convention delegates as being "old party" in favor of radical activists. The entire presidential campaign was a massive train wreck and George McGovern was completely swept by the "charismatic and personable" Richard Nixon. Fortunately, the "old party type kept working at the lower level and we lost very few house and senate seats despite the massive presidential landslide (we took Massachusetts and DC).

As an anecdotal incident, in September 1972, a very prominent Wayne county (Detroit) labor leader and county party chairman (who happened to be black) went to the DNC headquarters to coordinate the campaign in Michigan. When he got back, he told the locals that he didn't mind when the college kids didn't know who he was, but that he did mind the fact that they didn't care after he told themwho he was.

Read Theodore White's "The Making of the President 1972 if you can find a copy. Don't let history repeat itself.

[KoKo]

60. Kick.

:kick:

[gpandas]

61. the truth, the whole truth, and ...

nothing but the truth.

[Colin Ex]

28. I'd be hell of shocked if they were.

Realistically speaking, I think DU is pretty much the equivalent of a bunch of guys who throw a beer and pretzels party in their basement and talk about politics. Can you imagine the DNC extending an invitation to a bunch of guys who drink and eat pretzels and talk about politics?

DU is great, but I think that you're overestimating it just a little.

-C

[Hamlette]

42. bingo Colin Ex

if you want to go to the convention you can do it the old fashioned way (as a delegate which might involve work/committment on your part) or you do it the easy way, become a stand up comic, get your own television show, do classy disses of the GOP for a few years, change you name to Jon Stewart and invite the head of the party to your show.

Or better yet, convince yourself that sitting around the net dissing dems who actually have done the work and linking to other web sites will defeat Bush.

I would be shocked if the party even knew who we were and if it did we are probably seen as dem freepers.

[goodhue]

49. or sign up to be a blogger

The DNCC is currently accepting credential applications from bloggers interested in covering the 2004 Convention.
http://www.dems2004.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=iuJZJgO5F&b=89051&content_id={E656214E-E547-42E2-A374-4A913E1B35AB}

[goodhue]

30. Democrats Launch First-Ever Convention Blog

http://www.dems2004.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=iuJZJgO5F&b=89051&content_id={E656214E-E547-42E2-A374-4A913E1B35AB}

Democrats Launch First-Ever Convention Blog

DNCC to Credential Bloggers in 2004, Making Convention First to be Covered by a Press Corps of Bloggers
June 11, 2004

Boston, MA - Continuing efforts to allow more people to participate in the Democratic National Convention than ever before, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today launched the first-ever Convention blog, an interactive online journal, and named Eric Schnure as the official Convention blogger. In addition, organizers announced that some members of the blogging community will receive credentials to attend and participate in this summer's Convention, making the 2004 Convention the first to be covered by a press corps of bloggers.

"The blogging phenomenon is bringing more people and ideas together every day, and as Convention planners, we are excited to open our event to that spirit and enthusiasm," said DNCC CEO Rod O'Connor. "The DNCC's blog will create an unprecedented opportunity for more Americans to exchange ideas and feel a part of the political process and our Convention here in Boston."

The new blog, located on the Convention website at www.dems2004.org/blog, will run through Convention week, July 26-29, and will feature guest posts from prominent local and national political figures as well as members of the rapidly growing blogging community nationwide. The DNCC's blog will also feature a listing of links to the Convention's credentialed bloggers.

In the spirit of civic participation and the democratic process, the DNCC is inviting the public to vote online to choose the official name for the Convention blog. Visitors to the blog will be able to vote for their favorite name among the following candidates: bostonDparty, The Demosphere, Unconventional, and The Gavel.

Building on the enormous popularity of the internet-based phenomenon, the DNCC blog will create a forum to educate and exchange ideas on issues important to the Democratic Party and the country - mirroring the idea exchange that will occur inside the FleetCenter in July during Convention proceedings. These themes are consistent with Boston's unique history as a birthplace of freedom and American democracy. By posting to the blog, citizens will be able to offer comments and ideas - from anywhere in the country - on different weekly featured themes related to the Convention, providing an extraordinary opportunity for political participation.

"There is already tremendous interest and excitement about this summer's Democratic National Convention," said O'Connor. "By launching our blog now, we hope to engage Americans across the country in a national conversation about the Party and the country leading up the Convention. Boston will be the physical focal point of that conversation - a conversation ideally suited to bring back the spirit of early American democracy to a Convention in the city where it was born."

Accomplished political speechwriter Eric Schnure will serve as the official 2004 Democratic National Convention blogger. Schnure served as a principal speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore and has held various other communications positions in the Clinton Administration, including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Chief Speechwriter and Communications Advisor at NASA. Schnure is currently a communications consultant and writes speeches for prominent Democratic politicians, executives at Fortune 500 companies, and members of the entertainment industry.

In addition to Schnure, Matt Stoller will serve as the Blog Community Coordinator for the DNCC. Stoller is the producer and co-creator of the Blogging of the President web project, an interactive media series on the ongoing digital transformation of politics and media. The nationally syndicated radio component, broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio in late January, was one of the first attempts to bring the conversation in the blogosphere directly into the broadcast media.

The DNCC is currently accepting credential applications from bloggers interested in covering the 2004 Convention. To welcome the first press corps of bloggers to this summer's Convention, the DNCC announced today that it will host a breakfast for the blogging community on the opening day of the Convention, Monday, July 26th.

http://www.dems2004.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=iuJZJgO5F&b=89051&content_id={E656214E-E547-42E2-A374-4A913E1B35AB}

[KoKo]

35. Thanks for the post re this. Would DU qualify as a Giant Blog? What

do you think? Where would it fit in with this?

[AwakeAtLast]

36. No one has stated the obvious

If that happened it wouldn't be "underground" anymore. I like the fact that this isn't the "so 5 minutes ago" place to be, but I may be in the minority.

[symbolman]

39. Take Back the Media is going to be there

as a Matter of fact, we are working on Hosting a HUGE MEDIA SUMMIT and are getting as many big hitters and luminaries together the weekend before the Convention


for the so purpose of getting all the Blogs, actors, directors, writers, filmmakers, radio personalites, and many more..

Think about David Brock, and many many others all in the same room.

so that we can get them ALL ON THE SAME PAGE and form what I have been calling, "The 13 Original Cybercolonies" where we can throw Tea into the Boston Harbor once again..

we are going to ask everyone to sign a "Declaration of Inter-Dependence" so that we can work together to fight the ROve Fax machine and get all these groups to promote the same issues at the same time...

this way we can hit the media over the head with their own stories and CONTROL the DEM Message.

What do you think? Anyone interested? It will be at the Boston Mass University on the 24th and 25th.

Tell me what you think.

[Swamp Rat]

45. Excellent!

If you come to New Orleans, let me know.

The tea in the harbor idea is great. Contact Ray Taliaferro at KGO AM San Francisco. A few months ago we (Ray and his listeners) sent tea bags to the White House. I'm sure he would give you some air time. Go for it Symbolman!

http://www.kgoam810.com/goout.asp?u=http://www.raytal.com

[Swamp Rat]

44. Let's have a DU victory parade next Mardi Gras

Yeah sure, if a group of DUers go to the convention that would be great! Instead of trying to bang on the DNC door, why not call on Michael Moore to help us?

There are a lot of old-timers here at DU that could, perhaps with Skinner, contact Moore and tell him that we want to participate right along side him at the convention.

"Paging Mods: soleft, 0rganism, ZenLefty, and aljones"

But I'd also like to see DUers, including me, march victoriously in a Mardi Gras parade next Spring. Waahoo!

[Zinfandel]

52. Not shocked, by any means, we are a forum, an exchange

of idea's, no more, no less. accept this and write your best shit.

[struggle4progress]

55. Oooh! Maybe we could have a speaker at the convention!

I bet that with the right speaker we could get TV coverage for the Democrats! Just to start discussion, I'd suggest a gay former Wiccan who voted Libertarian in 1992, converted to Catholicism in 1995 (after being abducted by aliens), and organized the Wyoming chapter of "Marxists for Nader 2000."

[Swamp Rat]

56. Well that fits right in with the narrative that...

Bush and his cabal are alien lizards. Did you not read the thread about Paul Wolfowitz spitting on his comb? That is a classic alien lizard screw up. He blew his cover, but alas most Americans do not really know what is happening.

Zort!

Grok! I think they're on to me... I gotta go!

[quinnox]

57. lol

good one! hehe I think DU should send one of the tinfoilers, and they can explain their theories on the Berg killing, the chinese train explosion, the Bush Family Evil Empire, DLC/PNAC secret connections and so on. It would be very entertaining for the audience I think!

[Junkdrawer]

59. William Pitt?????

National figure - Kerry supporter. Would that count?