Precinct Caucus Reminder Thread: Tues, March 7, 2006

[CatholicEdHead]

Just a reminder that the Precinct Caucus is coming up a week from Tuesday. I am posting this reminder so people can plan ahead and open their schedules for their local meeting if they have not done so already.

This is your opportunity to start the endorsement process, shape the party platform and cast a vote for your preferred candidates at the precinct caucus on Tues., March 7, 2006!

Registration begins at 6:30 pm, start time is 7 pm.

Want to know where you go? Click here:
DFL:
http://www.dflcaucuses.org/

MN Greens:
http://www.mngreens.org/2006caucus.htm

MN Independence:
http://www.mnip.org/caucuslocations2006.pdf

[question everything]

1. Thank you

Several weeks ago I got a phone call (which I picked up) and the person on the other end was looking for someone to chair the caucus. I said no. First, I still don't understand the bizarre way that Minnesotans select the representatives and, second, I could not commit myself to a specific time. If there is a blizzard on that day - I am not going.

I really think that this is very elitist. To have only the one committed to go to caucus night, in March, in Minnesota, determining the candidates. This disenfranchises the ones who work shifts, the one who do not have baby sitters, the ones who are sick, the elderly, the ones who do not like to drive at night.

Last year the strib gloated that attendance at caucus night was high. Of course, we were selecting a Presidential candidate. Let's see how it will be this year.

[cynthia]

4. I expect a good turnout

The Senate race in Minnesota to replace Mark Dayton, the governor race, and in some parts of the state: open Congressional seats. It is essential that people help shape who is on the ballot in these races and we do that by going to the caucuses. I don't find it elitist...rather the whole process is accessible to all, welcoming to parents who must drag their children along, and especially inclusive of minority voices (persons of color, GLBT, women). I find that anyone I know who really cares about politics goes to the caucuses, and makes their voice heard. The ones who don't go, are also the ones who don't educate themselves

[dflprincess]

5. Employers must give employees (unpaid) time off to attend the caucus

Also, if you know you can't attend the caucus, you can send a note to the District chair who has to forward it to the convenor telling them if you want to be a delegate to the next level and if elected a delegate what candidates (or if you're uncommitted) you're supporting. In the burbs we haven't had delegate contests in years, but when we did, I do recall people being elected as delegates even though they weren't at the caucus.

We did try having them on Saturday several years ago and it just didn't work. And, because they weren't held on the official caucus night, employers were not obligated to give any time off.

I have always wondered about the weather thing though. In all the years I've caucused we've been lucky in my area and never had a problem. I would guess that if all or just parts of the state were impassable, I would guess there is some kind of contingency plan.

[katinmn]

2. Thanks, Ed. Please also consider Peace First! and Health Care resolutions

There are a few more Peace First training sessions before the caucuses:
MNPACT!
Caucus and Convention Training!
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
6:30 pm to 8:15 pm
Burnhaven Library, Burnsville
www.mnpact.org

PEACE FIRST! strategy with precaucus training
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Rice Street Library
1101 Rice Street, St Paul 55117

Cookies and Caucus: Caucus Training and PEACE FIRST! Strategy
Saturday, March 4 11:30am - 12:30 pm,
St. Anthony Park Library
Como Ave. and Carter Ave. (in the northwest corner of St. Paul)
FFI: Tim Wulling 651-644-6861


Join PEACE FIRST! and vote only for those candidates who promise to:


I. END THE WAR:

I will vote against all US funding for military operations in Iraq, including, but not limited to, permanent bases, air strikes, clandestine operations, and private military contractors.

II. PROTECT OUR TROOPS:

I will advocate and vote for generous funding of benefits and of physical and psychological rehabilitation for veterans, and of duty-related economic protection for all returning US troops.

III. PROVIDE FOR IRAQI RECONSTRUCTION AND OWNERSHIP:

I will advocate and vote for US financing of a generous, UN-administered reconstruction fund that will:
a. Provide for Iraqi ownership of reconstruction, for the renegotiation of all contracts awarded during the period following the invasion and before the creation of a fully representative and sovereign Iraqi government, and for the recovery of Iraqi property stolen during this same period; and that will,

b. Protect the Iraqi people and US taxpayers from further theft, corruption, foreign exploitation, forced privatization, and no-bid, cash-only contracting.

A key part of the PEACE FIRST! strategy is witholding our endorsement until the proper time in order to underscore the position of the peace vote. Please see Overview.

< Standard > Process > Principles > Messages> Is it for you? > Involvement > Support >

http://www.peaceintheprecincts.org/index.geni?mode=content&id=305
Contact your friends and neighbors to spread the following points.

Why Peace First?

Because we want leaders who possess true courage and a vision for peace.

Because to get those leaders, we need to change the way we use the electoral process.
Because, by doing this, we will get leaders we can be proud of.
Because we want to be effective in promoting authentic values.

We’re tired of supporting candidates who test the political winds.
We demand candidates who understand our values and will be an effective voice for peace.
Together, we will multiply our power by being strong together — you can break one pencil with two hands, but you can’t break 20 held together firmly.
Because we need a healthy future for our families, our communities and our world.

Peace may be a single word, but we know it's not a single issue. In addition to robbing our families and communities of lives, war steals resources from education, health, business, agriculture, environment, racial justice, jobs, families, children and housing.
A war dollar is just a dead-end dollar disappearing into a black hole, whereas a dollar spent in peace multiplies many times over each year throughout our communities, your world, for your family.
PEACE FIRST! A practical vision of peace for the future.

We’ve discovered that peace is not a pie-in-the sky wish, but a practical necessity. By using using the grassroots-generated Peace Platform - Economic Justice, Universal Nuclear Disarmament, Sane Defense Spending, International Cooperation, and Human Rights and the Rule of Law - we know that we can get there!

Peace in the Precincts took its first steps two years ago when we brought 3000 delegates to the caucuses. We learned from that process. But we also learned we can do more. Now we’re taking that knowledge and building on it.

The majority of this country want a constructive end to U.S. involvement in Iraq. We can make peace happen, and strengthen our families and communities, with your help.

The PEACE FIRST! campaign is our strategy: We have an empowering strategy whereby we will facilitate enough dedicated PEACE FIRST! delegates (25%or more) to the various state party conventions in order to make certain that our next Senator will speak and act for peace. The PEACE FIRST! campaign will teach you to be an effective voice for peace in this year’s elections by becoming or supporting PEACE FIRST! delegates to the state party conventions.

Peace is not just the greatest possibility of our time, but its gravest necessity.

But only if you join us today! Act now — make a commitment to peace at www.peaceintheprecincts.org or call 612-917-0383.



Health Care resolutions from the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition:
http://www.muhcc.org/documents/Resolutions.pdf
http://www.muhcc.org/index.php

1. Introduce Resolutions at your party's precinct caucus on Tuesday,
March 7th.

Attached are 3 resolutions drafted by MUHCC. They are for universal,
single-payer health care; prescription drug bulk-purchasing; and direct
purchasing (deprivatization) for our state health programs. Please
distribute these as widely as you can. They can also be downloaded
from our webpage.

2. Learn more about our 2006 legislative priorities on our updated
webpage: www.muhcc.org

Under "Resources" there are articles, issue summaries and testimony
that provide further information on the 2006 legislative priorities of
single-payer, direct purchasing (deprivatization) and prescription drug
bulk purchasing.

3. Come to our legislative kick-off on Saturday, March 4th (dinner at
12:30PM, candidate forum at 1:00PM) to meet legislators (current and
prospective) and to hear their views on single-payer, direct purchasing
and prescription drug bulk purchasing. Further information is
available on the webpage.

4. Contact Lisa at [e-mail] with questions or comments.

Thanks again for your interest in, and support of our work.

The MUHCC Steering Committee

[katinmn]

3. Ford Bell Core Values Resolutions (Iraq War and Health Care)

http://www.fordbell.com/core_values.cfm

Core Values Resolution

Print this page and bring to your Precinct Caucus on March 7th.

The Ford Bell Campaign calls upon each Minnesota precinct to pass these two resolutions:

1. During the campaign and, if necessary, as Senator, the DFL nominee for U.S. Senate shall forcefully call on the Administration and Congress for an immediate, planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

2. We call on the DFL nominee for U.S. Senate, if elected, to introduce legislation providing universal, single-payer health care for every American.

[question everything]

6. No need. If the pugs want to retain their hold on Congress

they know that they have to bring the troops home :puke:

[katinmn]

7. League of Women Voters has good info on caucuses for newbies

http://www.lwvmn.org/EdFund/caucus.asp#WHAT

[CatholicEdHead]

8. Night before Kick

[goodhue]

9. be there. or be square

All DUers in MN should plan on attending!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Yes, this is a real chance to make our voices heard

Last year I went and voted for Kucinich, and one of the old guard types tried to tell the assembled multitude that a vote for anyone other than Kerry or Edwards was "wasted."

I got up and reminded everyone that Caucus Night is the one time that ordinary people have the ability to vote for the candidates and resolutions they REALLY want instead of what the Dem establishment has presented them with.

[bvar22]

13. Same thing happened at my precinct.

No announcement was officially made, but an organized wispering campaign for Kerry was in effect. Two Person "teams" circulated through the tables and impromptu crowds that were gathering before the caucus. They would have the same loud whisper conversation at each stop repeating the "talking points":

"Its stupid to vote for anyone but Kerry"
"A vote for anyone but Kerry elects Republicans"
"Kucinich was unelectable"

This was my first caucus, and I was too intimidated to confront these people. I wasn't absolutely sure it was organized until after the fact.They also never engaged or directed conversation at me (or anyone else). They just made sure that everyone in the vicinity overheard their talking points before moving on, and I am sure they influenced some voters.
Congratulations on your courage and committment to STAND for your beliefs.

Kucinich still polled over 35% (2nd Place) at our precinct.

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[csorman]

11. Core Values Resolutions

For the complete text of Ford's "Core Values" resolutions, please visit http://www.fordbell.com/assets/core_values_resolutions.pdf

If these issues are important to you, please print them out and present them tonight. Have fun at caucus everyone!

[jackieMN]

12. Yep, Get Out There, Everybody!!!

I'll be at District 39 tonight!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Unfortunately, I won't be able to stay long, just

participate in the straw poll and leave.

I think my customers are trying to kill me (or make me rich, whichever happens first :-) ), and I've been getting unprecedented volumes of work with overlapping deadlines from multiple sources.

As you know, we free-lancers have to take advantage of such bonanzas, but they leave little time for politics. :-( One of the biggest projects promises/threatens to continue into April. :scared: