Conyers endorses Dean for DNC chair; says ELECTION REFORM foremost issue!

[Amaryllis]

Can't post Conyers' whole letter endorsing Dean; it's a PDF so I can't copy it. It is a wonderful letter! I typed this excerpt:

"As a party I strongly believe we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out the democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort to make those votes count. REgardless of the outcome, the democratic party should, in the most aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your extraordinary committment to this principle."

!!!! He gets it! He really gets what we have all been saying, and he says Dean is the best person to carry this out! This is really exciting.

Can someone who knows how to convert PDF copy it in this forum?

http://www.johnconyers.com/vertical/Sites/%7BEF00C507-612C-4BA3-84C0-446C97F7E413%7D/uploads/%7B129465FC-89BB-40F6-8365-DB3D130BBADB%7D.PDF
or you can link to it from Conyers' website:
http://johnconyers.com/index.asp?Type=SUPERFORMS&SEC={D806E54D-86E7-42DF-BA6

[johnaries]

1. You should have a button with a capital T and a dotted-line square

click on that and it will let you select text and copy it.

[Amaryllis]

2. Okay, found the button but I am not figuring out how to copy the text.

[Wilms]

12. That would often work to highlight text just like Word or whatever.

In this case the .pdf must be like a picture of a typed page, so no luck here. But file that tip.

[Amaryllis]

16. You are right. A friend checked it out and told me that was the case.

[Straight Shooter]

3. Best news I've heard since I can't remember when

GO HOWARD GO!!

(Will Kerry endorse Dean? Is that in keeping with political decorum?)

[Amaryllis]

4. OMG! That would be so cool!

[Amaryllis]

19. ACTION ITEM !! EVERYONE NOTE PLEASE! You can find out

who the delegates are for your state and contact them and tell them who you would like them to vote for. I don't know how it is determined how many each state sends,or how you find out who they are. Probably call your state Dem party? Anyone know? Someone sent me a list of my delegates. There are five from my state.

I told mine it is CRUCIAL we get someone who will make election reform a priority for two reasons:

1. We will not win another election otherwise.

2. What Conyers said in his letter to Dean:
"As a party I strongly believe we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out the democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort to make those votes count. REgardless of the outcome, the democratic party should, in the most aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your (Dean's) extraordinary committment to this principle."

You can tell them your other reasons as well. The reasons Conyers outlined in his letter are the same as mine.

The candidates for national chair include: Howard Dean, former
governor of Vermont, Donnie Fowler, campaign stragetist, Tim Roemer,
former governor of Indiana, Martin Frost, former congressman from
Texas, Simon Rosenberg, head of the "moderate" New Democratic
Network, and Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver.

[tsuki]

28. Scott Maddox, FL, already endorsed Dean. But we need more.

[Amaryllis]

29. Is he a rep?

[tsuki]

34. State Party Chairperson, re-elect. Guess his dog Lockjaw likes

Dean also.

[Amaryllis]

45. That's exciting! I'd think any Dem in FL with half a brain would be VERY

concerned with getting a national chair who would make eleciton reform a
priority. Or are there still a lot of them who don't know their elections are being stolen? Is it so blatant there that most of them know? I was reading on some of the voting rights websites before the election that many in FL were predicting it would be stolen again.

[tsuki]

47. Former President Jimmy Carter predicted it would be stolen again.

Yes, after the Jebster, the prospect of Gov. Dean would be exciting.

[Amaryllis]

49. Carter wasn't the only one who predicted it but he probably has the most

credibility of all who predicted it.

[tsuki]

56. The Jebster tried to discredit Carter. Ha! He needs some credibility.

[Amaryllis]

65. It's unbelievable what he gets away with?

[flyarm]

57. yes all florida

dnc delegates are voting for dean!! at least thats what i was told !!

fly

[flyarm]

59. betty castor is now going to do grass roots work

please go to her web site and if you are in florida..please demand paper ballots and a grass roots campaign for paper ballots with no machines!! she is asking for contributions of ideas for grass roots movement!!

please all from fla..we need to make all those who live and work in florida know about and stop these stealing machines!!

http://www.bettynet.com/site/PageServer

:hi: fly

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Conyers comes thru again!

[Amaryllis]

6. I love that man! Conyers is my hero.

[OKJackson]

7. If you love what Conyers is doing...

...then don't forget to back up his move towards Sensenbrenner. Remember... without the right to vote we have nothing.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=299227#299361

[Amaryllis]

8. Already did it! But thanks for posting here. We need to get the word out.

[Gloria]

9. John Conyers, my hero!!!

eom

[Carolab]

10. WOW, this is great!

My two favorite guys!!!

[joevoter]

11. kick

[BigBearJohn]

13. I couldn't copy it either, so I typed out the whole thing for fellow DUers

January 11, 2005

Dear Governor Dean:

I write to offer you my enthusiastic endorsement for your candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee. While I believe many qualified candidates have indicated an interest in this position, I have decided to endorse you because I am convinced you are the best choice for the Democratic Party.

The foremost issue for the party and the nation, in my view, is the issue of electoral justice and reform. In the past three election cycles, there have been far too many eligible voters disenfranchised by official misconduct, negligence, faulty machines and discriminatory practices. As a party, I strongly believe that we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out the Democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort to make those votes count. Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic Party should, in the most aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your extraordinary commitment to this principle.

Second, despite disappointing results in the 2004 elections, I believe there were promising developments for the party and opportunities that must be seized. Our party saw a new influx of funding, effort and enthusiasm from ordinary Americans. In many respects, your campaign was the template for the newfound Democratic resurgence and you were a pioneer in this regard. I look forward to your seizing these opportunities for the entire Democratic Party.

Third, retaking the Congress should become even more central to the mission of the DNC. As you know, a reelected President's party traditionally loses seats in Congress in the midterm elections. Today, despite his reelection, the President's popularity is below fifty percent, his economic stewardship is seen as lacking, and his international leadership, particularly in Iraq, has been nothing short of a disaster. In this political climate, I see no reason that Democrats cannot take back the House of Representatives in 2006. To do this, we must compete in every Congressional race in every area of the country. I appreciate your devotion to this goal.

Finally, and most importantly, it is time for our Party to realize that a strong commitment to core Democratic principles is not only good policy and good for Americans, but is also good politics. Our vision for America is one where we protect all Americans, and do not turn our backs on any American. The most critical part of protecting Americans is ensuring our safety from the threat of terrorism, but our commitment should not end there; it must include health care security, retirement security, and economic security. You have spoken eloquently about those values and would be an ideal messenger for our party in this regard.

The outgoing Chairman of the Party, Terry McAuliffe, is leaving the party in the best shape it has ever been financially and with its infrastructure, and the entire party should be grateful for his tireless service. It is time for the party to choose a new Chairman, and I believe you are the best candidate to pick up the torch and take the Party to a new level of success.

Sincerely,

John Conyers, Jr.

[feelthebreeze]

18. Thanks BigBearJohn!

It is the things like this that speed along the pass-alongs. A forward momentum is so fantastic.


The winds of change are blowing...do you feel the breeze?

[newyawker99]

24. Hi feelthebreeze!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bush_is_wacko]

20. How is it that Conyers is so good at reading MY MIND?

I am a white middle class woman, living in the freaking * exurbs and this man seems to ALWAYS express an opinion that mimics my own. I LOVE this guy! I wrote the DNC a letter that said virtually the EXACT same! Not quite as eloquent and including reasons why I could NOT endorse Roemer and Webb but otherwise the same!

:loveya:

[GettysbergII]

21. Excellent as usual, Mr. Conyers!

I think Dean heading the DNC would have an excellent chance to unite the party. Anyone to the right of Dean would be a huge mistake.

[Amaryllis]

23. Thank you, Big Bear John! I was too tired to that last night....

[BigBearJohn]

25. Come on DU'ers! We need to focus on how to help push this thru!!!!!

How do we find out who to contact on this?
I think THIS is a major MAJOR effort we can all get behind with no sweat.

Let's do it!

I'm starting a new thread. This is way too important to get lost.

[Adelante]

26. Thanks, BigBearJohn

This is excellent :thumbsup:

[Eric J in MN]

58. Thank you. I will post this in my blog for tomorrow at moveleft.com

nt

[BigBearJohn]

14. OH HAPPY DAYS!! IT IS *ALL* COMING TOGETHER WITH THIS

Now how am I supposed to get any sleep tonite.
This is VERY exciting news. I am so so happy.
What an incredible brilliant idea for Conyers
to support Dean. Dean will get the vote count
problem resolved terminatedly. HOORAY!!!!

[radio4progressives]

27. See Video Clip of Conyers at PDA Summit 2004 -

go to main page and look on the right column of video clips of last year's speakers. Then check this years speakers. (PDA endorses Howard Dean)

http://www.pdamerica.org/

http://www.pdamerica.org/summitDC2005/index.php

[Matariki]

15. i have a really dumb question...

i'm embarrassed that i don't know the answer to this, but - how is it decided who will chair the DNC? Who decides? And more importantly, how do we influence the choice?

Dean is a *great* choice.

[Amaryllis]

17. This is a great question and one that I woke up this morning

thinking I should post on this thread as an action item! Thanks. Only dumb questions are ones people don't ask becasue they are afraid to look dumb!

See post number 19 "ACTION ITEM !! EVERYONE NOTE PLEASE!"

I wanted to put it closer to the top so it wouldn't get overlooked.

[helderheid]

22. kick!

[Freddie Stubbs]

30. Why doesn't he support some one agrees that election reform foremost issue

:shrug:

[Amaryllis]

33. Don't understand your question. Why doesn't who support?

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. John Conyers

Why isn't he supporting someone for DNC chair who agrees with him that election reform should be the foremost issue?

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MadisonProgressive]

31. Here's a jpeg version

[BigBearJohn]

32. Who to write to (many thanks to our wonderful DU poster "ultraist")

While anyone who is registered to vote as a Democrat is a member of the Party, there are 440 members of the Democratic National Committee.

The National Committee has 9 elected officers: The Chair, five Vice Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary, and National Finance Chair.

Membership on the National Committee is composed of individuals selected by the Democratic Party organizations in each state (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), the U.S. Territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands), and Democrats living outside the United States and those Territories listed above (Democrats Abroad).

----> LIST OF DNC MEMBERS:
http://platform.smartcampaigns.com/images/DNCRoster041108.pdf
http://platform.smartcampaigns.com/

[Amaryllis]

35. Thank you! Someone sent out a list for my state with all their email

addresses. I am just seeing phone numbers here. Anyone know where to get their email addresses?

[marions ghost]

36. not sure

KICK...hoping someone can point us to email addresses for DNC members.

[Amaryllis]

52. DEADLINES: Delegates meet for conference in DC Feb. 10 -12. Vote on 12th.

[BigBearJohn]

38. Email addresses for DNC members

http://platform.smartcampaigns.com/DNCMembers

[marions ghost]

39. same list by state--

many have emails, some seem to prefer phone

http://platform.smartcampaigns.com/DNCMemberState

[Amaryllis]

40. You guys are so great!

[marions ghost]

41. and same to you for posting this action alert, Amaryllis

In looking at this website I found out several things that I didn't know about my state DNC people.

When an email isn't listed (only a couple), I'm going to send snail mail. It's so important that we tell them how we are feeling about this.

I was really encouraged by the Conyers letter.
thanks for posting

[nashuaadvocate]

42. YOU CAN ALSO FIND ARTICLE HERE, AT THIS LINK AT THE NASHUA ADVOCATE...

Article

The News Editor
The Nashua Advocate

[Amaryllis]

43. Thanks,, NA. What would you think of suggesting along with the article

that people contact their delegates and ask them to vote (they do vote, right?) for Dean, telling them why, and posting the links for contact info?

[AmerDem]

44. Thanks for the post n/t

[Ashamed_American]

48. I still don't understand why

Dean says if he gets the DNC chair, he won't run for the presidency in 2008. I understand him saying he won't use the position as a spring board for the job, but I don't know what would hold him back. Of course, four years is a long way away, and a lot could change. This next four years in particular will be a long LONG wait.

www.blackeyedsundays.com

[Amaryllis]

50. Do you know how long the DNC chair position is? He may realize

that if we are to have another Dem even win we must have a chair who understands the election issues.

[suziedemocrat]

51. I LOVE him so much!!!!!!! Conyers in 2008? Either him or Boxer! n/t

[electropop]

53. My Acrobat 6 Pro includes OCR. Here ya go:

January 1 1,2005
Dear Governor Dean:
I write to offer you my enthusiastic endorsement for your candidacy for Chair of the Democratic
National Committee. While I believe many qualified candidates have indicated an interest in this
position, I have decided to endorse you because I am convinced you are the best choice for the
Democratic Party.
The foremost issue for the party and the nation, in my view, is the issue of electoral justice and
reform. In the past three election cycles, there have been far too many eligible voters disenfranchised by
official misconduct, negligence, faulty machines and discriminatory practices. As a party, I strongly
believe that we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out
the Democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort
to make those votes count. Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic Party should, in the most
aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your
extraordinary commitment to this principle.
Second, despite disappointing results in the 2004 elections, I believe there were promising
developments for the party and opportunities that must be seized. Our party saw a new influx of funding,
effort and enthusiasm from ordinary Americans. In many respects, your campaign was the template for
this newfound Democratic resurgence and you were a pioneer in this regard. I look forward to your
seizing these opportunities for the entire Democratic Party.
Third, retaking the Congress should become even more central to the mission of the DNC. As
you know, a reelected President's party traditionally loses seats in Congress in the midterm elections.
Today, despite his reelection, the President's popularity is below fifty percent, his economic stewardship
is seen as lacking, and his international leadership, particularly in Iraq, has been nothing short of a
disaster. In this political climate, I see no reason that Democrats cannot take back the House of
Representatives in 2006. To do this, we must compete in every Congressional race in every area of the
country. I appreciate your devotion to this goal.
Finally, and most importantly, it is time for our Party to realize that a strong commitment to core
Democratic principles is not only good policy and good for Americans, but is also good politics. Our
vision for America is one where we protect all Americans, and do not turn our backs on any American.
The most critical part of protecting Americans is ensuring our safety from the threat of terrorism, but our
commitment should not end there: it must include health care security, retirement security, and economic
security. You have spoken eloquently about those values and would be an ideal messenger for our party
in this regard.
The outgoing Chairman of the Party, Terry McAuliffe, is leaving the party in the best shape it has
ever been financially and with its infrastructure, and the entire party should be grateful for his tireless
service. It is time for the party to choose a new Chairman, and I believe you are the best candidate to pick
up the torch and take the Party to a new level of success.
Sincerely,

[Amaryllis]

61. Thanks!

[vanboggie]

54. Had to educate Levin today

This is great news about Conyers - thank you!!

I got a response from Carl Levin today. He assured me that Michigan will be going to Optical Scan. I flashed a letter right back to him with info on how that does not solve the problem. It's the TABULATING COMPUTERS, Senator! Anyway, overall he is a terrific senator, so I'm hoping the information actually gets to him.

Terri Lynn Land, co-chair of ** Michigan campaign is our SOS as well, so I'm sure she has buffaloed them all into thinking that optical scanning solves the problem.

[Amaryllis]

60. Chuck Herrin's stuff is great to send them; it carries more weight since

he's a republican and they are much less likely to call him a conspiracy theorist since he is pointing at his own party when he condemns e-voting!

[vanboggie]

62. Thanks

I'll write Levin again - and Stabenow!

[Amaryllis]

63. Here are some good links for stuff for legislators:

http://www.chuckherrin.com/paperballots.htm
http://www.chuckherrin.com/evotingquestions.htm
http://www.chuckherrin.com/hackthevoteFAQ.htm

He also has a hack the vote demo that is most impressive.

[Amaryllis]

64. Do you have a local office where you can make an apt. to talk to one of

his aides and take the stuff to him and talk to the aide? This is best if you want to make sure they get it. I have done it twice with others at my senator's local office. They really depend on us to ecucate them.

[tommcintyre]

55. Actually gives some hope for the Dem Party n/t