Governor Dean on the picket line in SF with healthcare workers...picture.

[madfloridian]

There has been very little in the news about this. They have been striking for a long time now, and I hear it has not been pleasant. I am proud of Governor Dean for doing this. I understand he was standing on the back of a truck, per another post at Kos.

Howard Dean on the picket line in San Francisco

I am honored to have been invited to attend a rally with the courageous striking employees of the Sutter California Pacific Medical Center," stated Governor Dean. He added, "It's my pleasure to work hard with SEIU. I am proud of your union. SEIU helps people who need help. We need to rebuild the Democratic Party and our fate depends on the fate of labor.

Governor Dean's comments were met with enthusiastic response from the more than 150 people in attendance. Amid the chants and shouts of agreement the crowd proved once again that their resolve is strong and the solidarity that is being shown by elected officials such as Governor Dean, as well as other national, state, regional and city leaders is stronger than ever. Likewise, caregivers from other health systems, members of the clergy, several Sutter CPMC Registered Nurses, neighbors and other community supporters are equally relentless in their commitment to see the strike through to ultimate victory.

"As you know, in another life I was a physician. I know how hard it is to keep a hospital clean. Doctors depend on nurses and caregivers like you. I know what it is like to be running around a hospital at 4am in the morning. This is hard work. When the strike comes to an end -- and you will win -- you will be paid for the hard work you have shown," stated Governor Dean.

[madfloridian]

9. Thanks Governor for helping out the healthcare workers' union.

Sorry the thread got hijacked so badly.

[Straight Shooter]

10. He doesn't just talk the talk. He walks the walk.

Gads, there's my president, disguised as the chairman of the DNC. :(

[madfloridian]

14. I know the feeling. : (

Yes, I know the feeling.

[alphafemale]

13. Nobody's color coordinated! No matching shirts and hats!

Ain't it great?

[depakid]

18. He owed 'em

They were his first major endorsement- he'd better damn well have shown up in support!

(and of course to his credit, he did- unlike other Dem "leaders" who backstab working people and/or take their base for granted).

I sure wish we could get him out of the DNC in 2006 and back onto the campaign trail where he belongs....

[madfloridian]

21. And DFA works closely with SEIU still.

:hi:

[madfloridian]

23. I am angry this post about Dean and the union rally turned ugly.

I posted it nicely, and I just hate it got turned in a DNC bashing thread. It was not about the propositions, it was about SEIU and the healthcare workers.

Doesn't pay to post much here about nice events.

[lwin]

24. That's great, now send cash

We've received NO help from the DNC in fighting the Special Election in California. The CDP, Unions and Grassroots have done it ALL.

How about sending some cash and help back IN to California, instead of just taking it out?

[madfloridian]

5. You guys are withholding support. Where do they get the money?

What is the law about the DNC paying to fight the propositions. I know that DFA and DNC are working hard against them.

You should be ashamed for withholding support and then asking for more money.

[madfloridian]

28. I didn't know that the DNC could even do that?

I know they are giving money to the states to pay for political field directors. Can they actually give money to help with propositions? I do know that Dean has been out in CA several days, rallying against the propositions.

Could you let me know if they can even do that? And this time, the the party IS giving money to the states. Hard to do since so many people here at DU are withholding support until Howard Dean gets the whole thing fixed. They seem to think he can do it without donations, but it can't be done that way.

Many states are getting a quarter million, some more, some less. Have to build up the budget, you know.

[Carolab]

1. MF, exactly. Where was DEAN? On the back of a pickup truck!

Not in a corporate boardroom cutting a deal with lobbyists for support.

Unless we support the DNC, Dean and the grassroots CAN'T win over the DLC, DSCC and DCCC!

Why don't people understand this???

[lwin]

3. And why can't you understand

That we're fighting in the trenches out here, with money going out, and nothing coming in?

Standing on the back of a pick up truck is a nice start and symbolic, but the DNC can just forget about bleeding any more money out of me and anyone else I know, including ardent Dean supporters!

I'll invest it locally, where we'll take things back one precinct at a time. Let the other states do the heavy lifting and support the DNC for awhile. We're tapped out, and have to gear up right after this election, to beat Arnold next year in the Governor's race.

[madfloridian]

7. You withhold support. How can the party help if you don't donate.

This is absolutely outrageous to expect help financially. Every state is demanding more and more money, and then they are not donating until they get it.

Sometimes I have the feeling my brain is going to explode over the ignorance shown here.

[lwin]

29. You know what...

You tell me...HOW are we supposed to donate to the DNC this year, and raise hundreds of millions to fight Arnold's special election, if we get no help?

Your absolute unwillingness to see the catch-22 we're in, is very frustrating. We're not sitting on piles of cash out here, doing nothing with it, just withholding it because we are waiting for a policy statement. We're holding on to the money because WE'VE HAVE HAD TO FIGHT ARNOLD AND THE GOP ALL YEAR LONG, WITH NO HELP FROM OUTSIDE!

Every state is not fighting the battle that we are right now. California sent troops and money to help other states that were battlegrounds in previous years. All we want is a little reciprocity.

[madfloridian]

31. And you know what?

Our party lost the election, the losing candidate kept most of his money. Ask him for some of it. The Clintons are sitting on a fortune, ask them.

Dean often said he did not want to use the states for ATMs and he is trying to give them money from the donations generated by the Democracy Bonds and a blend of corporate money. And come to this DU website every hour of the day, and someone has posted a withholding money from the DNC post. So how the hell are they going to get money?

However, the DSCC and DCCC are raising a whole lot....maybe they can help.

I am very tired, and I feel very depressed everytime I post a nice post here.

I don't have the money to give you. The Clintons do, Kerry does, others do. The DNC is trying to spread it out to all the states. They have problems as well.

I sympathize, but I still say you should not be saying you withhold support. I hope they clarify rules here soon on this issue.

[madfloridian]

33. Amen.

:hi:

[LiberalPartisan]

36. Dethroning repubs is the first order of business

We must UNITE in the common cause of ousting the republican corporate lackies first and settle our policy differences later. Everything else must take a back seat to this one goal.

[newyawker99]

37. Hi LiberalPartisan!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[lwin]

32. There are no limits on the propositions

Which is why Arnold tried to pull this bullshit before he had to run for re-election next year, because there are limits on candidates.

There are HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS being spent on this election...Repugs and Corps vs Dems & Unions. I know the DNC and other states could find some way to send money and bodies to help.

I think we're going to pull this one off, but some of the propositions are dangerously close - 73 on abortion and 75 on union dues...both critical. A month after the 2004 election, we had to get right back out there and start fighting again...first to try to stop the special election, and now to try to beat it. Sorry if I'm whining, but we are worn out.

I know that a lot of people in California, and my little Red County, have stopped sending money to the DNC and some even to the State Party, because we don't see one cent of it being sent back to help us turn our county blue. We raised our own money this year, paid to print up voting guides, etc. We finally got some materials from the state last week, but we've been precinct walking for months already!

The visits for rallies are great, but they don't pay for the work that has to be done all year long. *end of rant*

[Carolab]

2. Well, maybe it's a matter of priorities and your budget isn't fat

because people are withholding support!

I hear people saying they are withholding support because the DNC isn't coming out against the war. Well, it's NOT the Chair's job to set the policy. Dean has no control over that. But he does have control over sending money where money is needed most at the grassroots level.

As for the war, it's up to the people to protest it and speak to their senators and reps against it.

In the end, it will destroy itself anyway, due to a severe lack of popular support.

[lwin]

6. I wasn't asking him to set policy

If he has control to send money to the grassroots, then why isn't he doing it? California isn't IMPORTANT ENOUGH?

I'm telling you, we're not getting a penny. Even a few dollars would go a long way symbolically for the people in the trenches, to feel like they haven't been abandoned.

[madfloridian]

8. Iwin, thanks for hijacking my post about the SEIU healthcare workers.

You have shown no caring for the party at all. You don't donate, you don't want to help, yet you gripe because they are not pouring money into helping fight the propositions.

Other states are doing the same thing, griping and withholding support because they are not getting everything they want.

They never did this under McAuliffe because he got money from corporations mostly. You guys are using and abusing the man who is trying to change things.

If like you say, Californians are withholding financial support for this reason, they deserve what they get.

[lwin]

16. Oh how nice

I've busted my ass in the trenches for the past several years in this party, and I don't care for the party? I'm not helping? I organized 6 hours of tabling and walked precincts for 3 hours today. I issued 3 press released tonight, and attended 2 teachers rallies this week. Adn I don't CARE?

YES, I'm griping because we're not getting the kind of support we need. We're under attack from the hard core right wing out here, with tons of money. If you can't see how that affects the rest of the nation, then go ahead and close your eyes, and pretend it's just a California problem.

I'm sorry you think I "hijacked" your thread about SEIU Healthcare workers. Too bad. I work day in and day out to help those healthcare workers out here, to retain their jobs, benefits and pensions.

We're not using and abusing anyone...we're begging for help.

YOU deserve what you get if you care so little about what is going on in the trenches in other states.

[madfloridian]

12. That is not true. Your state is getting money.

Just like every other state. Do some research, call your state party....is it Torres? He works closely with Governor Dean.

Your post has set off sparks in my brain tonight. I think I might try to find out if what you are saying is true....that your state is getting no support at all. Ask Art Torres, he would know.

I will bookmark this thread and get back to you. We are fighting for our survival as a party, and I hate it when people tell something that is not true.

They may not be up to all 50 states yet, but they are close. But then with Californians withholding financial support, it will be hard to meet goals.

[lwin]

22. I do my research every day

How dare you imply that I'm saying something that is not true? I'm sitting here on an invoice for 25,000 walking pieces that we had to printed ourselves.

I'm in the trenches. I know what is going on and what kind of support we have and haven't received. I'm elected to the county Central Committee and I'm an AD delegate. I saw Art Torres twice last month. I told him how much we needed their help in our RED county. He says they're trying.

We just got some materials last week from the state, two weeks before a special election. We got 600 pieces 2 months ago from the unions. That is it. Total. Not exactly inspiring.

We didn't sit around and whine about it, we took action ourselves because WE DO CARE. Excuse us for being exhausted and frustrated.

[madfloridian]

25. We have our battles here in our very red state.

But everyone I know in the party is at least not saying they are withholding support.

The party is rebuilding in many ways. No one ever griped about McAuliffe and the fact that about only 18 states got anything at all. But here is Governor Dean trying to change things and implement the 50 state strategy...and you withhold support and then gripe.

[Carolab]

35. Money spent by the Democratic Party in California

http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1018392&session=2005&view=contributions

(This is only the State Central Committee. Click on "Political parties" to see all contributions made by all California committees.)

[madfloridian]

4. Ok, talk me through this....you are not sending money because....

you are mad they are not giving you money to fight the proposition. Shame on CA for that.

That is not very bright. If you don't support the DNC how will they have the money to give to the states.

I would like to know the rules on this, since you are determined to make it sound like the DNC is not helping.

Besides this post was about the picketers. Dean rallied with against the propositions in LA the day before.

Please find and let me know if the DNC can donate to the effort to fight the propositions. If not, don't be so critical. How will they get the money if you are not going to give them money?

I know the states are getting money for political directors.

[lwin]

11. I already told you

There ARE NO LIMITS ON CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROPOSITIONS. What part of that don't you understand? It's a free for all out here.

Why would we send any more money out to the DNC, when we never see any of it back? They milked us dry in the past several elections. For christ sake, we don't need another paid political director. We need working bodies in the trenches, we need cash to pay for materials. If we could see SOME movement in the right direction, I'm sure we'd be happy to fork over money again.

Why aren't we getting any swing state volunteers to help us? We sent volunteers to Nevada, Arizona, NM, Florida and Ohio, all on our own nickel, last year.

Where is our help now? why doesn't the DNC try to rally some help for us?

It's all very nice for Dean to show up for a few rallies, but it's a lot of talk, and not much action.

I'm just telling you the way it is from the trenches here. You're in a state that has received a lot of attention and money from the DNC. I'm in a state that is used as a cash dispenser and is taken for granted as being blue with no effort. Two different perspectives.

[madfloridian]

15. You know all about Florida? Tell me, please. You are attacking unjustly.

You really are being outrageous, and you are not presenting proper facts. I have two close friends with the state party, and they do not yet know all the details. Fill me in, Iwin, fill me in now on what our state has gotten. Exactly, please.

[lwin]

26. Florida got plenty last year

This year, I don't know. I'm not aware of any big elections going on in your state right now.

I can tell you that Florida got many swing state volunteers from California last year, as well as plenty of paid political staff, experts and materials. I know because we had little house parties all year long, to send money and people to your state. I'm not begrudging what you got in the election, but you DID get help.

[madfloridian]

27. Dean was not chairman last year.

Terry McAuliffe gave one state over a million in January of this year, promised them 4 million more. He gave one city a million. This left Howard Dean with a wee little gap to fill. Have you heard him gripe? No. He is trying to raise money, traveling to 48 states already, taking checks to a lot of them already.

We are not the party in power, and to make matters worse.....many of the people who supported other candidates last year are only donating to them....Kerry folks, Clark folks, Edwards folks...not all but many. Kucinich supporters...many have said they won't donate either.

Dean had to start out with the anger of the state who was promised the 5 million....the old way. He said no, and he is trying to change.

I swear, why bother.

[madfloridian]

17. Question to CA folks: Is it true what Iwin is saying?

Are the people of California not donating to the DNC en masse because the DNC is not funding the fight against the propositions?

It that is true explain to me the logic.

[lwin]

19. I said people in my county

[madfloridian]

20. Then if they don't donate, they should not expect help. Period.

Governor Dean is trying to change the financial base of the party, and it is not going to be easy. When you withhold support, you are turning it back over the DLC.....ask them for help with your propositions. Al From, Tom Vilsack, Hillary Clinton....ask them. They have the big money.

[shance]

30. What county Lwin? You keep griping and yet you avoid giving your county.

Are you posting simply to criticize what positive action Dean is taking?

Give us your county and more specifics.

People are trying to help, like Dean and shed more light on the issue, and all you can do is criticize the positive action he is taking.

Why are you criticizing actions by those who are trying to help and show support?

[Andromeda]

34. Can't speak for everybody,

but I think Iwin has a point. The money behind the propositions is gargantuan and Arnold has deep pockets.

We are trying to fight this Nazi and it's not easy. Everybody is trying to do their part and I'm very proud of our people in CA, so PLEASE don't think we're ignoring the DFA or the DNC because we're just mad.

We're just broke.

[tishaLA]

45. I haven't heard of defunding the DNC

in CA, but I do know that the grassroots organizations trying to work against Arnold's props are going into serious debt--really dire stuff--trying to defeat the propositions. The teachers union, firefighters, nurses, police officers, etc. have taken out millions of dollars in loans, and I think the teachers have taken out loans a couple times, to defeat the measures.

Why? Because the party is NOT giving enough to them. The RW and Arnie have deep pockets and teachers, nurses, cops, and firefighters do not. And they want to make sure that deficit is permanent by making it nearly impossible for unions to use dues for political work.

[madfloridian]

46. Where would the party get the money to give them?

That is what is concerning me. Governor Dean is trying to build the party in all the states, trying to give a fairly equal amount for political directors for each state.

Here is my concern. Every state has vast needs. I very much agree that CA is having a huge battle. But where would the DNC get the money to give the state for all this? Those are huge amounts they are spending to beat Arnie.

How does Governor Dean balance the needs of all the states, while funds are being withheld from the party for all kinds of reasons. I suggested above that the DLC had lots of money, so maybe they could help.

Also the supporters of many of the various candidates are donating only to them, not to the party....so what does one do? Progressive groups who are pouting with Dean are not donating either.

I guess all this is blowing my mind, trying to figure what people are thinking here. VA is upset with Dean because he did not give them 5 million which McAuliffe promised them. If he had done that the party would not be able to help any other states.

Now CA is blaming him for not giving them enough money for fighting Arnie. So I am simply asking....with all these folks withholding support..where do they get it without turning to the very corporations we are trying to back away from?

Kerry kept a lot after his campaign, Hillary's coffers are full. Maybe a million apiece from them. Just a thought.

I sympathize, because I know my state is already dead to Democracy for years to come. Any success we get will be of the type that is very much like the right wing of the party.

It saddens me to try to figure how people let McAuliffe fund only about 18 states, yet they are kicking the DNC under Dean in the butt for not giving enough to them...though they don't want to donate.

At least he was there in CA several days this week rallying against the propositions and standing with unions. I consider that very positive, and I hope you guys in CA do as well.

[tishaLA]

47. I'm not sure why you're personalizing this

My post never mentions the chair's name and I won't fall into the tu quoque fallacy by pointing fingers at Sens. Kerry and Clinton or the former chair.

My post simply stated facts which I reiterate as follows:

1. Grassroots progressive organizations need money to fight off propositions posed by RWers with deep pockets.
2. Grassroots organizations--and unions specifically--have had to mortgage their futures to keep initiatives from passing.
3. It is essential to defeat these measures if we want unions to remain a somewhat vital force in CA.

If those facts sit well with democrats (who point fingers at other democrats), fine. And for what it's worth, I would take this notion of withholding money from the DNC with a grain of salt. There is nothing to suggest it is true, particularly inasmuch as I think CA is the #1 or #2 donor of money to the national party.

[Zodiak]

38. The Democrats are standing up for unions!!!!!!!

*marks calendar*


I knew we had the right man with Howard Dean.

[wryter2000]

39. That's my guy

Good for you, Dr. Governor Dean. :loveya:

[mzmolly]

40. Gawd that man is brilliant! I just protested Walmart this weekend by

selling candy with the local unions (in the walmart parking lot) to "raise $$ for Walmart workers without health insurance." :evilgrin: Anyhow, we discussed how the Dems HAVE GOT TO reach out to the unions and work to strenghten them again if they want to be a strong lasting Party themselves.

Man, I love Howard Dean!

[blue neen]

43. mzmolly, what a fantastic idea.

Do you know if they are organizing those candy sales in other states?

[donsu]

41. Dean and Kucinich are always on the job

thank you to both of them

[blue neen]

42. It's great to see Governor Dean supporting the SEIU like this.

Unions need all the help they can get right now.

[struggle4progress]

44. Yes! eom