Bryan Kennedy plans to run for DPW Chair!!

[ClassWarrior]

I have it from a reliable source that educator, union organizer, and two-time Senselessbrenner challenger Bryan Kennedy plans to toss his hat into the ring for Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin at next year's Convention.

Go Bryan!!

He'll be an important voice for Progressives in Wisconsin politics. So, if you can, please plan to go to the Convention and support him.

NGU.

[sybylla]

1. Thanks for sharing this

I met Bryan in 2004 during his first run at Senselessbrenner and was impressed that his political heart was in the right place. Should make for an interesting convention at the very least.

[dembotoz]

2. Gee--is this the same Bryan Kennedy who refused to march with the Democrats in parades in Ozaukee

perhaps there must be 2 Bryan Kennedys.

[ClassWarrior]

3. Why didn't I know about that?

After all, parades are one of the most vital issues facing our party today.

:eyes:

NGU.

[dembotoz]

6. oh it is just one tiny tiny reason i think bk would be perhaps even worse than winike

if that is even possible.
To say the words progressive and bk in the same sentence is not possible for me.

I could go on, but it is way too early in the day for me to go on a rant.
If bk for chair becomes more than just a whisper, perhaps i express more.

[ThisIsMyCountry]

4. Also...

I've heard that Paula Zellner, one of Feingold's people, is going to be running for Chair as well, among a few other people. From sources at my county party, it looks like it may be a crowded field.

[ewagner]

5. Lots of rumors

floating around....

I have a few suspicions....

[undeterred]

7. Anyone else?

[ThisIsMyCountry]

8. The others

These are the three other names that have been mentioned by people in my county party. Excuse typos in names, I don't know any of these three personally or professionally.

Jeff Hall
Jason Ray
Steve Mellenthin

I will note, none of them have been mentioned as frequently as Paula has. I met her twice. She has a ton of energy and I can see why she is getting some early support.

[undeterred]

9. Jef has been mentioned for a long time.

It would be nice to have someone from 6.

[MessiahRp]

10. I like Jef but...

I would vote for Paula in a heartbeat. Her enthusiasm is infectious and would be terrific for the party. Jef's cool but he is on the Winnebago County Board as well as chairing the Winnebago County Dems... he has his plate full.

Rp

[undeterred]

11. Doesn't Paula have her plate pretty full as Senator Feingold's

Field Organizer (he is running again in 2010) and isn't she also a DNC committeewoman?

Doesn't Bryan Kennedy have his plate pretty full as president of the American Federation of Teachers Union and a School Board member?

Ideally I would like to see someone be DPW chair who can step aside from these huge commitments. Presumably non paying positions within the Party are much easier to step away from than paying jobs.

[MessiahRp]

12. I didn't even mention the vice-chair spot.

I was mentioning chairing his own county party (which is a lot of work)... I didn't mention his DPW job.

I think "field organizer" for Russ Feingold should be easier to replace than County Board member, not because Paula isn't terrific at it but because there are a lot of great Democratic campaigners in this state (I have a good friend down here in Milwaukee who has done field organizing for Democratic candidates across the country who would be perfect for such a job) and because frankly Russ is practically unbeatable. There isn't a Republican in the state that can take on Russ. :)

Rp

[ewagner]

13. I personally like Jef Hall

as an individual.....I'd have to think about him being State Chair....

no insults intended, when Jef ran for 2nd Vice Chair he mentioned that there were absolutely NO DUTIES assigned to the position...in other words the 2nd Vice Chair would do....nothing.....

To Jef's credit, he has done nothing better than anybody else could have possibly done nothing....:rofl:

Actually, I think he did a lot of missionary work around the state even though he didn't have to do it.... hi Jef :hi:

[MessiahRp]

14. I like Jef a lot too...

He, Bill Schwulst and myself helped take the Winnebago County Party over together after we all met working on the Kerry campaign. I just think there's something to be said about having a full plate and spending too much time campaigning for different jobs. :)

No offense to Jef or anyone else but I want our next State Chair to be focused primarily on that State Chair job and making our party more successful on a grass roots level that brings help and money to all candidates... even in areas we don't think we can win (too much focus always goes on sure win areas in Milwaukee and Madison). We need to build those areas up with stronger county parties and organizations put in place to win in areas in which we don't think we can compete. The GOP has a strong presence in these areas and have an easier time spreading propaganda and swaying people out there. The more of a presence we have the better chance we have to take seats in those areas and in elections like this one where "throw the bums out" clearly is in play, we can unseat some long time GOP incumbents with some strong, state party-backed Democratic candidates.

Rp

[undeterred]

15. Hey, I like all of the above mentioned candidates

though there are a couple I know better than the others. But as has been said, its an important job. I want to see someone in it who really has the time for it. And by the way, Russell Wallace's idea of making it a PAID position is a good idea.

[MessiahRp]

16. I agree...

Making it a paid position is almost essential to getting the sort of time investment required to really be successful. Unpaid State chairs have to work (or take money as lobbyists... okay it's a cheapshot but still...) which takes time away from really building this party from the ground up.

Rp

[eyesroll]

17. Isn't it technically a paid position? (Just held recently by people wealthy enough to volunteer.)

IIRC, Jeff Rammelt got a lot of grief for saying he'd take a salary (being that he's not wealthy and can't just do without income for two years), whereas Joe Wineke could do it for free.

http://blogs.wispolitics.com/2005DEM/2005/06/mercury-rising-in-chairs-race.html

That was my (and whoever wrote this blog's) understanding, anyway.

[dembotoz]

18. Rammelt would have been spectacular

i suppose is should say in my humble opinion or some disclaimer....
but nah
Rammelt would have been spectacular.

sometime you get what you pay for
wineke did not cost anything AND.........

(oh that one is just too easy)

[ThisIsMyCountry]

19. He'd quit

Don't you think he'd quit some of his other jobs and responsibilities if elected Chair?

[MessiahRp]

20. Possibly

Although being elected County Board is as important or moreso to his visibility in Winnebago County where he would eventually run for higher office than being the State Party Chair would.

Rp