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Letter from the chair
Dear Democrats,
It has been a hectic six weeks filled with meetings, events and
opportunities.
Having travelled to Montrose County this past weekend, I have now
completed visits to almost half the Colorado counties. Your excitement and
commitment makes my job easier and fills me with even more enthusiasm for
the job.
To bring you up-to-date, the officers have had two meetings and will be
meeting each month. I am really excited at the possibilities of working
with Dan Slater, Margaret Atencio, Carolyn Boller and Shawn O'Buckley. We
make a great team.
The other great team, as you are discovering, is composed of Spencer
Ross, Joelle Martinez, Mike Weissman and Jamie Elkins. We are fortunate to
have their professional services --- and they are fun!!
The search for a new Executive Director continues. We have received
applications from all over the country and have begun to narrow the
prospects down. Interviewing will continue into the next several weeks.
We hope to have finished the process by the end of the month.
The recent trip to the Association of State Democratic Chairs meeting
was rewarding. It gave us the chance to share ideas and experiences with
staff and elected party leaders from all over the country. Having the
opportunity to spend some time with Howard Dean, the new Democratic
National Committee Chairman, was exciting. We think he is the right choice
for Democrats, and we are looking forward to a visit from him in the next
couple of months.
Finally, I would be negligent if I did not comment on the recent
election here in Colorado. During the media feast, I chose to remain silent
about the proxy controversy. As many of you know, I also lost votes in the
count on March 5. However, I do believe that we need to examine the proxy
issue so that the rules are clearer in the future. I am asking the Colorado
Democratic Party's Rules Committees to make this a priority.
For now, I am proud to serve the Colorado Democratic Party. My door,
email and phone will always be open, even if you have to be patient for me
to get back to you. And my plan is still to get to every county before the
end of the year.
Pat Waak
In the Press
Last week was the second week that the Colorado Democratic Party focused
on what "Democrats Do Right and What Republicans Do Wrong". Several
press releases were sent out during the week to highlight the strengthens
of the Democratic Party and the growing weaknesses of the Republican Party.
1. President Bush Hits Record Low
April 11, 2005
President Bush's approval rating has taken a dramatic dive over the last
several weeks. Polls are showing that the more the President speaks
out on domestic issues, the more the American public disapproves of the
conservative visions the President has for America.
President
Bush Hits Record Low
2. McInnis and Delay Paid
Relatives with Campaign Funds
April 12, 2005
In light of current allegations that Republican House Leader Tom Delay
has paid his family over $500,000 since 2001, the CDP called attention to
similar actions by former Republican Congressman Scott McInnis.
According to financial statements Scott McInnis has been paying his wife
since 2001. In fact, McInnis continued to pay his wife nearly $40,000
after he decided not to run for re-election.
McInnis
and Delay Paid Relatives with Campaign Funds
3.
Democratic Leaders Stand Up Against the Republicans Abuse of
Power
April 13, 2005
Many Democratic leaders in Washington DC held a press conference to
address the growing concerns of Republican abuse of power and possible
unethical behavior in Congress.
The Republicans in Congress have broken their own "Contract for
America". In 1994, Republicans pledged to restore trust and
accountability to Congress. It is the Republican Party, under the
leadership of Delay, which is causing growing distrust of Congress.
Democratic
Leaders Stand Up Against the Republicans Abuse of Power
4. Republicans Want to Implement "Nuclear Option" for Judicial
Nominations
April 14, 2005
Republicans in the Senate are attempting to silence the voices of
Democratic Senators regarding judicial nominations. Majority Leader
Bill Frist is leading the fight to end the filibuster process that upholds
debate on the Senate floor.
The Republicans are attempting to stack the appeals courts throughout
the country with ultra-conservative judges. By eradicating debate
from the Senate floor, Republicans are making the government a single party
government.
Republicans
Want to Implement "Nuclear Option" for Judicial Nominations
5. Dan Slater Gives the Gunny Bob Show a Dose of Democratic
Reality
April 14, 2005
Dan Slater, Vice Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, spoke on
Wednesday night's Gunny Bob Show. The topic of discussion for this
show was Liberal Hate, Violence and Intolerance.
While the show was stacked with conservatives trying to paint Democrats
as hateful radicals, Dan Slater gave the show a dose of reality. He
represented Democrats well and was a strong Democratic voice on a very
conservative radio show.
Conservatives beware…Democrats have a strong voice that will be heard
even on conservative radio shows!
Dan
Slater Gives the Gunny Bob Show a Dose of Democratic Reality
For the next two weeks the Colorado Democratic Party will focus on the
issue of Medicaid. Please look in your email for talking points on
this subject. If you have any input on this issue please feel free to
call Joelle Martinez at 303-623-4762.
CDP Technology Update
The Colorado Democratic Party is at a turning point. Democrats
across the state had historic electoral success last year, and the 2004
election cycle also saw many new technologies for managing political data
and communicating with voters come of age. The Colorado Democratic
Party is now actively engaged in building on the confluence of these two
trends to strengthen its foundations and elect its candidates up and down
the ticket in 2006.
The Colorado Victory 2004 coordinated campaign contacted an
unprecedented number of voters across the state and activated thousands of
volunteers. Since the beginning of this year, state party staff and
officers have been working with county party activists to build on the
information collected and experience gained in 2004 and create an accurate,
easy-to-use statewide voter file for the 2005/2006 election cycle.
This vital tool will help Democratic activists reach out to new volunteers
and contact voters in a targeted way, with an eye both to legislative
issues and campaigns.
The Colorado Democratic Party is also enhancing its use of internet
communications tools to better communicate with activists and with the
press. The state party web site will soon be re-launched, making
issues positions more accessible to the general public and party
information more accessible to activists. The state party also plans
to deploy tools for easy creation and management of web sites to county
parties, so that the Democratic party message will reach all corners of
Colorado. In addition, the CDP has launched our regular weekly
newsletter for its supporters (which you are reading now), which will
feature updates from party officers, staff and activists. The party
will make aggressive efforts this year to grow its email lists and to reach
even more voters.
As Colorado finds itself at a political turning point, the Democratic
Party is making intelligent use of technology to drive its organizing
efforts forward to victory in November, 2006.
Below, please find a letter from James Carville
about the recent activity of Tom DeLay.
Dear Friend,
Last week, I wrote about the down and dirty doings of Republican boss
Tom DeLay, and you might remember good old Tom telling us to "bring it on."
Well, thanks to the DCCC, we are going to be able to meet Tom's demands,
and I just couldn't resist dropping Tom a little note…
http://houseofscandal.org/
Read the rest of
James Carville's letter here
Upcoming Events
Looking for a way to get involved with the Democratic Party? Below
are upcoming events around the state. Come out and show your support
for your fellow Democrats and celebrate the incredible success of the
Party!
All meeting are free and open to all unless otherwise noted.
Official CDP Meetings
Wednesday, April 20th
CDP Finance Committee Meeting
5:30 PM at CDP HQ, 777 Santa Fe Drive
in Denver
Saturday, April 30th
Colorado Democratic Party Outreach Commission Meeting
1:30 PM at CDP
HQ, 777 Santa Fe Drive, Denver
Sunday, May 15th
CDP Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
9:00 AM at CDP HQ, 777 Santa
Fe Drive in Denver
CDP Initiative Meetings
Thursday, April 28th
Colorado Stonewall Democrats Annual Meeting
Tattered Cover Bookstore
in LoDo, time and more details TBA.
Friday, April 29th
Democratic Education Initiative Meeting
4:00-6:00 PM at the CEA
offices at 1500 Grant Street in Denver in the
Columbine Room.
Saturday, May 7th
Dems with Disabilities Meeting
2:00 PM at CDP HQ, 777 Santa Fe Drive
in Denver
Friday, May 20th
Democratic Education Initiative Meeting
4:00-6:00 PM at the CEA
offices at 1500 Grant Street in Denver in the
Columbine Room.
Saturday, May 21st
Latino Initiative Monthly Meeting
9:30 AM at 789 Sherman St. in
Denver
Large conference room on 1st floor in NW corner
Friday, June 17th
Democratic Education Initiative Meeting
4:00-6:00 PM at the CEA
offices at 1500 Grant Street in Denver in the
Columbine Room.
County Meetings
Arapahoe County
Tuesday, April 19th
Arapahoe County Dems GLBT Caucus
7:00 PM at the Arapahoe Dems HQ,
15445 E. Iliff Ave., Unit C in Aurora
Friday, April 29th
Campaign Kickoff for Rebecca McClellan for Centennial City
Council
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Willow Creek's Mineral Clubhouse
8500
E. Mineral Drive in Centennial
info@rebeccamcclellan.com or
303-523-5441
Boulder County
Thursday, April 21st
"Control Room" Viewing sponsored by the Longmont Area Democrats and the
Main Street Democrats
Longmont Public Library, 409 4th Ave.
Thursday, May 19th
Longmont Democrats Present the musical "Just Old Friends"
Starring
the "California Actors"
101 Pratt Street, Suite C in
Longmont
Desserts and wine to follow the performance
Tickets are $20
per person
RSVP to lad_newsletter@qwest.net
Broomfield County
Saturday, April 30th
Broomfield County Democrats Annual Carter Dinner
Be part of the
RE-ENERGIZED Broomfield Dems!
Dinner is in the evening at the Broadlands
Club House in Broomfield.
Tickets are $36 per person. Purchase
tickets online and receive more
information at www.broomfielddems.org.
Keynote Speaker: Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon
Denver County
Thursday, April 21st
Greater Education Colorado Dinner
6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Central
Denver Home of Great Education Colorado
Supporters
Honored Guest:
Mayor John Hickenlooper
Go to http://www.copops.org/rsvp_April21.html
to RSVP and for more
information.
Saturday, April 23rd
"Putting a Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Fundraiser
Come play poker
and pool as Jeffco and Denver compete against each other
Proceeds
equally benefit the Denver and Jefferson County Democratic
Parties
2:00-6:00 PM at Table Steaks, 1931 Sheridan Blvd. in
Edgewater
Free Buffet and Cash Bar; Tickets are $30 per person
For
tickets, contact Jane Parker Ambrose at 303-571-1744 or jpa@earthnet.net
Wednesday, April 27th
Colorado AFL-CIO Annual Unity and Awards Dinner
6:00 PM Cocktails,
7:00 PM Dinner and Awards
PPA Event Center, 2105 Decatur Street in
Denver
Tickets start at $100.
RSVP to Debbie Wamsley at
303-433-2100 x5604 or dinner@coaflcio.org
Special
Honorees: Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald and House Majority
Leader
Alice Madden
Douglas County
Saturday, May 14th
Douglas County Annual Clinton/Carter Day Dinner
6:30 PM Registration,
7:00 PM Dinner
Sheraton Hotel at I-25 & Dry Creek
$55 per person,
$45 for seniors/students
Featured Speakers: Rutt Bridges, Pat Waak and
Representative Morgan Carroll
RSVP to www.douglasdemocrats.org or
303-791-9484
El Paso County
Tuesday, April 19th
El Paso County Democratic Club
6:00 PM at Bambino's Restaurant, 2849
E. Platte Ave. in CO Springs
$10 for all you can eat pizza!
Special
Guest: CO Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak
Saturday, May 14th
El Paso County Democratic Women's Club
9:00 AM at El Paso Dems HQ, 25
N. Iowa in Colorado Springs
Tuesday, May 17th
El Paso County Democratic Club
6:00 PM at Bambino's Restaurant, 2849
E. Platte Ave. in CO Springs
$10 for all you can eat pizza!
Special
Guest: David Gardner, a Prospective on CO Springs' Future
Saturday, June 11th
El Paso County Democratic Women's Club
9:00 AM at El Paso Dems HQ, 25
N. Iowa in Colorado Springs
Tuesday, June 21st
El Paso County Democratic Club
6:00 PM at Bambino's Restaurant, 2849
E. Platte Ave. in CO Springs
$10 for all you can eat pizza!
Special
Guest: Speaker Andrew Romanoff
Jefferson County
Wednesday, April 20th
Jeffco Democratic Business Coalition
Beers and Pretzels and
Networking!
5:30 PM at 12600 W. Colfax, Suite C-400, Lakewood
RSVP to
Matt Johnson at 303-205-7939 or jeffcodbc@earthlink.net.
Jeffco Dems GLBT Caucus Meeting
6:00 PM at Jeffco HQ, 8745 W. 14th
Ave., #110 in Lakewood
Saturday, April 23rd
"Putting a Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Fundraiser
Come play poker
and pool as Jeffco and Denver compete against each other
Proceeds
equally benefit the Denver and Jefferson County Democratic
Parties
2:00-6:00 PM at Table Steaks, 1931 Sheridan Blvd. in
Edgewater
Free Buffet and Cash Bar; Tickets are $30 per person
For
tickets, contact Jane Parker Ambrose at 303-571-1744 or jpa@earthnet.net
Saturday, April 30th
Jeffco Cinco De Mayo Fiesta Celebration
Jeffco Fairgrounds
5:00 PM
- VIP Recpetion
5:30-6:30 - Cocktails
6:45 - Dinner
Tickets are
$25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
RSVP to Jeffco Dems HQ
at 303-237-1359
Wednesday, May 18th
Jeffco Dems GLBT Caucus Monthly Meeting
6:00 PM at Jeffco Dems HQ at
8745 W. 14th Ave. #110 in Lakewood
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