Dean making multicultural choices for the 08 convention committees.

[madfloridian]

He said the convention committees would look like America. He appears to be sticking to his words. Several examples.

Dean names three from Boston to Democratic Convention roles

In an attempt at furthering multiculturalism, three Boston representatives have been asked to serve as members of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Standing Committees. The convention will be held in August in Denver. DNC chairman Howard Dean selected Deval Patrick, the state's first black governor, as one of three chairs on the Platform Committee; Diego Sanchez, director of public relations and external affairs at the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, as a member of the Platform Committee; and Boston's first Asian city councilor, Sam Yoon, as a member of the Rules Committee.

"These outstanding leaders reflect the great strength, diversity, and energy of the Democratic Party," said Dean.

....""We are there to lend credibility for the event itself," said Yoon, "and to stand for the constituencies, or communities, that we've worked in, to say, 'This DNC, whose rules we've been entrusted to, is about America.' It is our job to shake hands and to drink coffee with as many Americans as we can."

Sanchez, a longtime South End resident, will be the first transgender member of a national convention committee. He is one of a record-setting seven members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community who were chosen.

"I am humbled and heartened and excited," said Sanchez, who was also named an at-large delegate. Sanchez said he plans to use the opportunity to improve immigration policy, work for a national strategy to fight AIDS, and to improve conditions for the LGBT community."

Here is more about the appointments to the committees for the convention in Denver in August.

A Democratic convention with more diversity...told to "break the mold" and think outside the box.

From Olympic Games to Super Bowls and everything in between, this team has done it all," Ricky Kirshner, executive producer for the convention, said in a statement. "(Chairman of the Democratic National Committee) Gov. Howard Dean gave us a mandate for our convention planning early on -- to break the mold and take our thinking outside the box. This team is well suited to do just that, and their early work already reflects the cutting-edge approach we're applying to numerous elements throughout the Convention Hall.

More about the diversity he promised.

Among Dean's appointments are Hispanic leaders and activists from all across the country, who as members of the Standing Committees will be responsible for reviewing Convention business and formulating recommendations for consideration by Convention delegates. The diversity of the appointments reflects the Democratic Party's fundamental values rooted in creating greater opportunities and ensuring full participation by all of America's citizens.

There were six Native Americans appointed as well.

The Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) unanimously elected DNC Chairman Howard Dean's nominations for the Chairs and members of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Standing Committees, including an unprecedented six Native American members.

And a record number of the LGBT community appointed to various committees.

DENVER - The Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) unanimously elected DNC Chairman Howard Dean’s nominations for the Chairs and members of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Standing Committees, including a record number of openly LGBT members.....In addition to appointing a record number of LGBT standing committee members, Dean was also the first DNC chair to appoint a member of the transgender community to a Convention committee.

And the chairwoman of the Convention Committee is an African American woman, Leah Daughtry.

Those are only part of the appointments, but I would say they surely look like America.

[madfloridian]

1. Others chosen for the committees from minorities

"The executive committee of the Democratic National Committee has elected three Indian Americans to the standing committees at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, convening Aug. 25-28 in Denver, Colo.

Sunita Leeds, co-chair of the Washington, D.C.-based education-oriented Enfranchisement Foundation, was named one of the three co-chairs of the rules committee, which proposes convention rules, adopts an agenda and makes recommendations for permanent convention officers.

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and Smita Shah, founder and president of Chicago-based engineering and construction management company Spaan Technologies, were named to the platform committee, which drafts the party’s national platform.

In addition, Pakistan-born Iman Malik Mujahid, founder and president of Chicago-based Islamic teaching materials distributor Sound Vision Foundation, was named to the credentials committee, which coordinates selection of convention delegates and alternates."

http://www.indiawest.com/view.php?subaction=showfull&id=1201202364&archive=&start_from=&ucat=11

The last choice is causing great consternation among right wing bloggers.