I'm thinking of running for City Democratic Chair.

[Pab Sungenis]

The official notice came to me this morning. Our local City Chairman, Jose B. Velez, is resigning to take a seat as a Municipal judge. We've got a 1 PM meeting this Saturday to elect his replacement.

Normally it would fall to me to run the election as the City Secretary. However, I think I might have to leave it to someone else to do that job, since I'm considering throwing my hat in the ring and running for Chairman.

I doubt I'll win, in fact I have good reason to believe I won't, but there are a lot of things I think we need to address and I want to make sure they're in the mix.

(1) We need to redouble our GOTV efforts. We mounted an amazing effort in November, but it was done the old fashioned way and can be greatly improved on. This year, like every year before, we relied on brute force block walking in heavily Democratic districts. That's all well and good, but it leaves huge numbers of Democrats out in the cold. Modern technology allows us to target GOTV efforts on the VOTER level, not just the district level, and we need to take advantage of it. We have to build large databases of reliably Democratic voters, and start efforts to communicate with them and guarantee their votes WEEKS and MONTHS in advance, not just election day.

(2) No more back room deals. I'm running for City Chair, not City Boss. I will be responsible to, and listen to, the individual members of the committee. I will defer to their wishes more than is customary nowadays. I plan to have meetings more often, and let the committee vote on more issues. Committeepeople are elected to represent their district, and it's time for their voices to be heard more often. I won't be beholden to any of the Democratic Bosses who have been trying to extend their influence into our county and local parties, I'll only be beholden to the duly elected members of the local committee and the voters that put us there.

(3) No candidate left behind! We will not concede a single election by default any longer. We will field candidates for every position on the ballot, and when we vote to endorse a candidate, we will support that candidate every step of the way!

(4) Party unity. Our local party tends to fracture along racial lines, with Hispanics and the African Americans on different sides of issues. I will do my best, as a member of neither minority, to heal the rifts and seek consensus and compromise on issues. And, yes, part of unity means that if I'm not elected Chair, I will happily support and work with whomever does win.

(5) More sensible fundraising. Sure, the Jefferson/Jackson dinners and $500.00/ticket affairs are nice, but let's face it, ours is not a rich City, and most of our local Democrats (myself included) can't afford to drop that kind of money as a donation. I'll expand our fundraising efforts to include lots of little rallies and affairs like Beef 'n' Beers and Spaghetti Dinners to not only bring in lots of small donations from the Party at large, but to get Democratic voters more involved in Party activities, and feel more of a sense of pride in being a Democrat.

Five issues not often dealt with, but ones that need to be addressed. If I decide to go for it I have less than 48 hours to write and memorize my speech and get my hair and beard trimmed. What's the worst that could happen?

[snowbear]

1. Awesome ~~ Great list of goals !!!

I hope you win!~

[MrCoffee]

2. you've got a solid platform

FWIW, I think you've got good ideas (GOTV and Fundraising) and clear vision (racial rifts, sunlight disinfectant) for the local party. Give it a shot!

[mdmc]

3. nice

:kick:
I was going to do that too:kick:

[Pab Sungenis]

4. It's just that I've got an opportunity now.

Jose was very popular, and all he had to do every two years was say he wanted to be re-elected, and we always put him back in. Now I have a chance at a sudden opening, with no one having much of a chance to build a bloc of votes going into the meeting, and can make my points.

[mdmc]

14. This year I think I might help a black lady run for Mayor

It would mean bucking the white committee, but I think it would be good for my city.

[babylonsister]

5. Sending encouragement your way! Good luck, and keep us posted. nt

[David Dunham]

6. Suggest you will have much greater use of the internet to contact registered Dems

I suggest that you also promise to use the internet to communicate regularly with your fellow committee members.

[sallyseven]

7. You sound like the one who should run.

I am on the local city committee and I love it. I don't want to be chair though. We work hard., The more you include people the more they feel ownership and then work hard. Good luck.

[GenDem]

8. Good luck!

I like your platform. Send it out to your committee people and start making some phone calls. That's the kind of hard working philosophy that can get you elected. If I was on your committee, I would definitely vote for you!

[Kixel]

9. Do it!

It is a lot of work and a lot of headaches-but it is also a great way to make a difference. I'm the Associate Chair in my area and it's been a whirlwind. The Chair and I work really well together and that makes a huge difference. There's a true sense of teamwork, which makes things easier. We both became involved for several reasons that you mentioned. You can make a difference. Taking that risk is scary but worth it.

Good luck! Start making the calls to line up your supporters!

[PoiBoy]

10. Good Luck to you...!!!

..it sounds as if you're the best person for the job..!!!

:hi:

[Pab Sungenis]

13. Even if I don't win

I hope to shape the debate, which might be the greater victory in the end.

[eridani]

11. You and tens of thousands like you--

--will regenerate our party from the bottom up. Let's put the 50 state strategy on steroids!

[Infinite Hope]

12. Solid Platform...

...It gives people hope and unity. People want a say and if they don't feel they have one in the current environment, you offer exactly what they're looking for. If it's a secret ballot, you might surprise yourself when you win.