Democrats

Thomas Mills here. This blog is cross-posted at www.politicsNC.com.

By all accounts, tomorrow’s protest at the legislature is going to eclipse the previous three. Caravans are gearing up to drive to Raleigh from areas across the state. Facebook pages are encouraging participation and one has over 700 people saying they plan to attend.

But the protest will have little sway with Republicans in the legislature. They’re certainly not going to slow down the GOP push to enact regressive tax laws, shred the social safety net and privatize as much of government as possible. They’ve got a super-majority and a compliant governor who more resembles a lame-duck than a leader. Besides, the Republicans are as sure that they are right as the protesters are sure that they are not.

What’s going on in North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District?

• By Tony Parks

I recently attended the 3rd District Democratic Convention in Greenville, North Carolina at the request of Marshall Adame, a potential candidate for Congress. Marshall could not attend because he is overseas at the moment and he asked me to attend and do some polling on the convention floor. After sitting through the entire proceeding, and having spoken with many super nice, interested and stanch Democrats, I came away thinking to myself; What is going on in the 3d Congressional District of North Carolina?

I came to this convention expecting a group of Democrats that were tired of losing, tired of being overlooked for many years by the State and the National Organizations of the Democratic Party, tired of a 14 year losing streak and tired of being tired. What I found was a group of Democrats, however interested in winning, were all but leaderless. Needless to say I was a bit surprised.

Dear President Obama:

I write to you today not as a Democrat, nor as the Chair of the Gaston County Democratic party, but I write to you as a proud man and Gay American.

The so-called Voter Integrity Project is at it again, this time objecting to the vote of college students that appears to affect the election of Democrats at the local level. They seem to believe that if you don't own property locally you should not vote in local elections. They have an op-ed piece in the Durham Herald Sun. I posted some comments in their on-line version of this piece, opposing the article. Many BlueNC readers have taken note of the so-called work done by this group. They must be called out, often and loudly.

I encourage you to call them on their so-called desire to promote free and fair elections.

Koch Industries, the Kansas-based oil and chemical conglomerate whose owners Charles and David Koch have played a leading role in financing the fight against government regulation, is stepping up its investment in North Carolina politics at a critical moment for the state's energy future.

PARTISAN MAKEUP: During the 2011-12 legislative session, Republicans held 68 House seats and 31 Senate seats. Democrats controlled 52 House seats and 19 Senate seats. Republicans in the Senate held a veto-proof majority while those in the House usually needed help from four Democrats to cancel Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue's vetoes, particular on the budget bills for the past two years.

[I'm not the author of this post, I'm crossposting on behalf of the dkos diarist who isn't registered here… yet ;-) James asked that this be posted here too!]

We have a terrific effort going in North Carolina to get out the women's vote. It involves hand writing a letter to targeted women voters--the ones who are infrequent or new voters. We are urging them to vote and, of course, vote with us on November 6.

The flap this week over state Rep. Patsy Keever's response(s) to a reporter's question about endorsing the president's reelection raises questions. I don't know how widespread it is outside North Carolina, but Democratic congressional candidates in NC-07, 08 and 11 have explicitly refused to endorse a sitting president from their own party: "I'm going to Washington to represent the voters of my district," yadda, yadda. Whatever.

I get the whole impulse to appeal to the thin slice of "independents" upon whom the November elections supposedly will turn, but whom do they think they're fooling?

Second, even as candidates think they are telling voters "I am my own person," if it's not done with finesse, they risk voters actually hearing  "I'm only in this for Number One."

National Women's Political Caucus
Welcome Reception
Sunday, Sep 2 2:00p to 4:00p
at RiRa Irish Pub and Restaurant, Charlotte, NC

The National Women’s Political Caucus will host a reception to welcome Caucus supporters, attendees, elected women and women candidates from around the country, immediately preceding the Democratic National Convention.

NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall will be the State Host. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine, beer or soft drinks.

Categories: Activism, Civic/Government
Creator: leighrose

Read more here

Please join me and Progressive Dems in wishing P. R. a very happy birthday.

Progressive Democrats!

Wake County Progressive Democrat, P.R. Latta turns 93 this week. The Wake County Progressive Democrats and Nancy and John Brooks would like to invite you to celebrate with him.

Join PR for dinner Sunday, July 1st, 6pm at the Crystal Palace, 4011-161 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 (Corner Capital Blvd & New Hope Church Rd.)

Buffet:$10.49

Sincerely,
Tristy Evely
Wake County Progressive Democrats