Those folks who wore orange hats in Iowa are still working to take our country back.

[madfloridian]

Here is a group of them in Indiana at one of the many DFA Training Academies held yearly. Very proud of them. Perhaps our party should learn more respect for each other.

DFA in Bloomington, Indiana

Speaking of the trainers, I must say they were top-notch! Matt Blizek, especially, was like the "Energizer Bunny" all weekend. Even by late Sunday afternoon, he seemed to have just as much energy as he had Saturday morning – and having energy that early on a Saturday morning is itself impressive!

..."The training itself was non-stop and high-energy, with never a single wasted moment. And very well-structured, at that. We started off Saturday morning by jumping right into how to develop a field plan, with the all-important first step of setting goals for whatever campaign we may find ourselves working on. Everything that followed was something that would have a place in that field plan. During lunch, we had a couple of very interesting speakers: Jill Long Thompson, who is planning to run for Governor of Indiana in 2008, and also former Lt-Gov Kathy Davis, talked to us about the importance of what we were there to learn. The afternoon had us learning the basics of all the other aspects of working and running a campaign: timelines and benchmarks, developing a message, fundraising, and an overview of voter contact.

Even though we did have “homework,” many of us gathered at the Ragazzi Art Café that evening for a wonderful meal, wine & cheese, and socializing. I was tired by the time I got home, but I still took the time to finish that homework – and I must say it wasn't anything like as hard as I thought it might be!

[patrice]

1. Hey, I still have my orange hat. It's a little hot to wear it now, but

it's just right for door-knocking and such on weekends!

I'm on the precinct committee and we're meeting to talk about plans tomorrow. I did the DFA training a couple of years ago.

:bounce:

[madfloridian]

3. Kudos to you, patrice. There are many like us ....

who never gave up on trying. :applause:

[patrice]

4. I never will.

It's time for what's next.

It's GREAT!!! to see those folks getting ready! Thanks for the picture madfloridian!

I'll say :hi: when I see you around.

[madfloridian]

2. And getting active in San Diego

They may not have been welcome in Iowa...but they are still active around the country. I say they, I am part of it as well.

DFA rocks San Diego at the CA Convention & Red/Blue Dinner

The whole shebang started Friday night with the Progressive Caucus meeting and a floor speech from Senator Mike Gravel. After seeing the speech, San Diego for Democracy leader Charlie Imes tired to convince everyone to use his newly created slogan "What the Hell, Go Gravel!". Charlie told Kevin Lynn, recent president of DFA Pasadena, that he would be happy to create a "great slogan" for any of the candidates if they would "only listen".

Agi Kessler and Kess Kessler, both leaders in San Fernando Valley Grassroots for Democracy, made sure that the DFA table was well stocked with t-shirts, buttons, and other cool stuff through out the weekend. DFA members from all over the state stopped by and connected with each other at the table which was co-sponsored by DFA and several of the local groups including California for Democracy. Will Easton showed off photos of his beautiful baby. Ralph Miller, Mayme Hubert, and many others gathered signatures to bring several DFA member sponsored resolutions to the floor for a delegate vote on Sunday.



Charlie Brown was there too and many of us headed over to the Red/Blue Dinner hosted by Take Back Red California, SoCal Grassroots, and the Rural Caucus to see DFA Chair Jim Dean's keynote address.

[patrice]

5. OOOOOoooooooo!! I like that one! "What the Hell! Go Gravel!"

That scans real good!

I'm refraining from committing to a candidate as long as possible, because I think it's best to make them come to us!

But that doesn't mean you can't work on local stuff.

[Capn Sunshine]

9. Hey! I was edited out of every pic!

I was directly on the right of that table, right next to Gov Richardson during Jim's speech, and right next to the two blazers while he spoke. Oh well, fame is fleeting.
But that was a great dinner. The blogfest at Karl Strauss the nigh before was kewl as well.

[madfloridian]

10. What about this one?

[xxqqqzme]

19. Hey, Capn S

I was @ the Karl Strauss blogfest!

[Egnever]

6. Yes they are!

What an amazing thing the dean campaign has morphed into since the very begining. If only we could have gotten past kerry and the scream in the primaries what a different country we would have today. Its so gratifying to be able to look back now and see all the amazing things DFA has done since his "defeat"

Bittersweet would be the word I guess

[jefferson_dem]

7. Thanks for the pics and the link. The DFA folks are true heroes for the cause.

I see the fella with the Obama08 shirt there in the top pic. United vision...

[madfloridian]

8. Also there is DFA Night School Training.

You dial the phone number, listen in, and then it is available later for download as a slide show or mp3 file. They are soon put on DVD's for convenience, and they are the only cost....the rest is free.



http://www.democracyforamerica.com/nightschool

"DFA Night School
Night School is back for 2007! For the Spring Semester, we'll teach you the skills you need to build and grow your local progressive movement. Now that you got them elected, how do you make sure that Democrats act like Democrats? Also, learn the art of coalition building, and what you need to make the leap and become a candidate yourself. You won't want to miss Night School in March!

Spring Semester 2007
March 6: Holding Elected Leaders Accountable
Download PDF Presentation
View Web Presentation (Internet Explorer)

View Web Presentation (Firefox, Opera, Safari, and others)

March 13: Building Progressive Coalitions
Download PDF Presentation
View Web Presentation (Internet Explorer)
View Web Presentation (Firefox, Opera, Safari, and others)
Download MP3 Recording of Conference Call (60MB)

March 20: Anyone Can Run
Download PDF Presentation
View Web Presentation (Internet Explorer)
View Web Presentation (Firefox, Opera, Safari, and others)
Download MP3 Recording of Conference Call (60MB)

It is really a good deal for training.

[madfloridian]

11. More trainings on the way.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/20841

Plus Democracy Fest.

[rinsd]

12. self delete

[madfloridian]

13. Kick for the orange hats who had passion .

And who are still working for the party.

And shame on those who made fun of them.

[madfloridian]

14. DFA and Act Blue travel to VA this week-end.

http://blog.actblue.com/blog/2007/05/actblue_travels.html

Sounds a like a great idea.

[madfloridian]

15. More about the Fairfax training.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/20827

[madfloridian]

16. I just read a post by Joe Rospars from 2004 after the campaign ended.

Joe Rospars, a great guy who was with DFA when it formed, then the DNC, and now with the Obama campaign.

It was a post about fighting for fair trade, and the dangers of "free" trade.

So we have been active since the day he dropped out in 04 and formed DFA a month later to the day.

It's nice to give credit sometimes.

[blm]

18. Glad to have an active group of good government Democrats out there to counter

those carrying the water of the corporatists.

[madfloridian]

20. Yes, it is.

Hi there, blm.

:hi:

[xxqqqzme]

17. Thanks for the report

Our DFA-OC group is hosting a training academy in July. We only got a venue confirmed yesterday (I've been working on it since February). I've been talking w/ Matt at least once a week & am looking forward to meeting him. We have many people signed up even w/o the venue confirmation. It may be the good Dr. Dean's lasting legacy - training people to take their country back.

We started at the very grassroots last January by organizing slates of progressives to run for delegates to the CA Dem Convention (they were all elected too). We are only beginning to understand how to use our progressive power. It is very important for all to attend these training weekends - whether DFA or Wellstone organized. Every little bit of information is useful, whether you run for office or not.

[madfloridian]

21. And a Picnic in the Park with DC for Democracy this Saturday.

http://www.dcfordemocracy.org/2007/05/09/picnic-in-the-park-saturday-may-19/

Join DC for Democracy at a picnic in Rock Creek Park on Saturday, May 19, from 11am to 3pm. Catch up with old friends, make new ones, and meet special guests — including DFA chair Jim Dean, 2006 Virginia congressional candidate Judy Feder, and DC city council members. More important, help us raise the funds we need to remain a powerful progressive voice.

Come enjoy camaraderie, games, and the park itself. We’ll provide the basics, but feel free to bring your favorite chips, salads, or beverages to share.

DCFD members and friends have a lot to celebrate and a busy summer ahead, RSVP today!

[madfloridian]

22. More about DemFest....more getting on board.

I sure wish we could go. Maybe one year. I have the DVD from the 2004 one, and it is special.

http://www.democracyfest.net/

Gov. Howard Dean, DNC Chair, Sunday at 7:30pm (speech free & open to public)
Sen. John Edwards
Sen. Mike Gravel
William McNary, President, USAction
Bev Harris
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter
Mark Crispin Miller
Jim Dean
Sec of State William Gardner
Asst. Sec of State Anthony Stevens
Charlie Grapski
Jean Sara Rohe
John Nichols
Carlos and Melida Arredondo
Paul Twomey

Trainers
Arshad Hasan, DFA Training Academy
Jeffrey Feldman: Framing
Ben Scotch: Organizing for Change
Aldon Hynes: Community-Building Technology
Diane M. Serley: Internet 101
Matt Dunne: Service Politics

Panelists
Bob Fertik
Jeffry Taylor
David Lindorff

[jcrew2001]

23. I watched the PBS show on the Inquisition and they wore Orange Hats

in Italy.