Progressive Democrat Issue 51: THOUGHTS

Election 2005 is mostly over (see below for the races yet to come). And all in all, Democrats did quite well! Here is a Daily Kos roundup of how we did.


But let me cover some of the races that I highlighted last issue. First off, the two biggest races of the season, the Governor’s races in NJ and VA, were clear wins for Democrats. The NJ race looked like it was tightening up near the end, with big name Republicans coming to push for Forrester. But in the end, Democrat Corzine handily beat the far right wing Forrester and all the efforts from Karl Rove and George Bush to make NJ competitive failed. Democrats also gained seats in the NJ state legislature. Virginia was even better. Democrat Kaine beat the very right wing Kilgore by an unexpectedly large amount. Even a visit from George Bush himself campaigning for Kilgore didn’t seem to help and may even have hurt! And, as in NJ, Democrats gained seats in the VA state legislature. We kept a blue state blue and made a reddish state less red. I know many of my readers participated in these victories. I want to thank you for your hard work and congratulate you on a job very well done. I am proud at the activism of my readership and I can actually say, with the arrest of Tom DeLay, the publicity other Republican scandals are getting, and the victories this week, our activism really is having an effect. We were all PART of these wins.


Now on to some of the other races.


The Democracy for America endorsed races were mixed. With two yet undecided, DFA won 19 out of 35 races. About 54%. Honestly, I wish DFA had done better, but remember that they are willing to get more risky in their support of progressive candidates than many groups are. Given that, 54% isn’t too bad. I should also point out that this includes races from earlier in 2005 including primary endorsements. And I should note that DFA candidates did particularly well in places like Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. You can see a break down of who won and lost here.


The Progressive Majority endorsed candidates did even better with 69% of their candidates (many of whom were RECRUITED by Progressive Majority) winning in Washington, Arizona, and (in an earlier election this year) Colorado.


I am impressed with Progressive Majority. They are a group I have paid attention to before, but hadn’t yet been convinced that they were succeeding. This election shows that Progressive Majority is emerging as yet another excellent progressive organization that is changing the nation. Please see their candidate recruitment page and see their strategy and, if you like what you see, help them in any way you can. Donate, volunteer or (why not!) run for office.


There were also some great things happening in states that I haven’t covered. In Pennsylvania eight progressive challengers for Dover School Board swept the election, defeating all eight extreme conservative incumbents. In essence, a creationist-focused school board was swept out of existence. In Minnesota progressive candidate Chris Coleman got 70% in his race for Mayor of St. Paul, defeating Bush-endorsing Democrat Randy Kelly. In short, this election shows that the tide is turning and that our efforts and the efforts of thousands of people like us are having an effect.


New York City and Ohio were the dark spots on the agenda. In Ohio election reform was solidly defeated. Thanks to all who did phone banking to help those excellent initiatives. Sadly, corruption and unfair elections are accepted in Ohio. And as for NYC, well, all I can say is that those who feel that NYC is safely blue, let me tell you that I am seeing a sharp drift to the right in NYC, particularly in Brooklyn. A Republican mayor who has cracked down hard on civil rights won with nearly 60% of the vote. Many Democrats jumped on that Republican mayor’s bandwagon despite the support given to the Democratic candidate by John Kerry, Howard Dean, John Edwards, Barak Obama and others. Simply put, Republican Mike Bloomberg used his personal wealth to buy NYC. The cost of America’s largest city? A little more than $74 million. That is how much Bloomberg spent on this election from his own pocket. Anyone who has an extra $74 million can buy NYC, I guess. We have work to do building up the progressives in NYC and it will be a hard fight. The best I can say is that from what I saw, we progressives were far more together in this general election than we were in the primaries. But we were fighting for a candidate with a poorly funded and hence poorly organized campaign who was up against a billionaire who spared no expense to win. Money still dominates over grassroots in NYC.


On the up side, Democrat Vince Gentile, a candidate that some of my readers worked hard for at the last minute push, won with room to spare. Another candidate, Tony Avella, also won in a race that turned out not to be close at all. We did well on those races, folks, even if the city as a whole is favoring Republicans and right-ward looking Democrats.


NY State was also a resounding victory for Democrats. A reader pointed out this article from the NY State Democratic Committee:

One excerpt:

Following the national trend that saw Democrats affirmed throughout the country, the New York State Democratic Party enjoyed a virtual sweep last night of all major races in the state, sending a clear sign that the Democratic Party in New York is stronger than ever. Democrats swept every major upstate Mayor’s race, every competitive New York City council race, and key legislatures and upsets throughout the state.

So NYC and Ohio aside, we have done well, folks!

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: A VICTORY LAP! Urgent campaign in California

There is one race pending that is very important. Remember Ohio’s special election in the 2nd district where Democrat Paul Hackett nearly won in one of the redder districts in Ohio? We have a similar race in a red district in California. Dissatisfaction over Bush’s policies, Arnold’s failures and corruption of Republican Congressman Cunningham from a nearby district has made the Republicans vulnerable in the normally red CA-48 congressional district. Add to this the fact that a really excellent Democrat is running and you have a rare pickup opportunity. Let me tell you about California politics. There are parts of California, like San Diego and Orange Counties, that are about as conservative as you can get. There used to be a Congressman from Orange County named Bob Dornan who makes Bush, Reagan and Cheney look like liberals. Dornan had a “safe” seat during the Reagan era. He rode Reagan’s popularity and the inherent conservative feeling in the district to easy victories. Until dissatisfaction over Republican policies, Clinton’s popularity and changing demographics led to a surprise victory of Democrat Loretta Sanchez over Dornan. Dornan, to his complete horror, lost his safe seat. It has now become a safe seat for Sanchez. Yes, we CAN pick up seats in red districts and hold them if we put our minds to it.

Well, nearby is CA-48, our latest chance. Steve Young is running in CA-48 against a far right-wing Republican and his grassroots campaign has been doing amazingly well. But it is still a difficult race and needs volunteers and donations. We can win this one, but we have to try VERY hard! Please visit Steve Young’s website and volunteer or donate.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: MEDIA ACTIVISM:

Media Matters is one of our best counter-measures to the Fox News lies. The entire PURPOSE of Media Matters is to counter the right wing propaganda that passes for “news” these days. Well, it is no surprise that Fox News is now on the offensive against Media Matters. From a Media Matters email:

Media Matters for America is under attack by a vicious group of conservative commentators and activists who want to be free to mislead the American people with impunity.

They're attacking because Media Matters has proven to be extremely effective in combating conservative misinformation in the media.
Media Matters was recognized by Cox News Service as the first organization to take on the so-called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. We led a coalition that forced Sinclair Broadcasting to alter plans to air an anti-Kerry attack film just weeks before election day. When a right-wing publisher produced The Truth About Hillary, a book filled with vicious smears and factual errors, Media Matters debunked it, knocking it off the bestseller lists. Media Matters drew attention to Pat Robertson's recent call for the assassination of Venzuelan president Hugo Chavez, leading to international condemnation of Robertson. And we were first to expose Bill Bennett's recent comments about crime, race and abortion.

Check out Media Matters and see what their work is like. It should be a site we all check regularly.

But right now they need help fighting an all out assault on them from the right. Consider a donation if you can.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: NYC FOCUS

The NYC Democratic Party is in disarray in practically all boroughs and all neighborhoods. The party tends to be ineffective, out of touch with voters and often actively non-progressive. In fact, I notice a fairly strong trend towards the right among mainstream Democratic politicians and clubs in NYC.

The mainstay of the party locally is the neighborhood club. This is something I did not see on the West Coast, but here most of the nuts and bolts of politics are done at the level of the neighborhood Democratic Club. In order to win elections, and in order to increase the voice of progressives in the party, it is extremely important for us to be participants in our local clubs. This can at times be a frustrating thing, because the clubs are not known for being welcoming of new ideas and often are ossified into a party machine that is more interested in perpetuating its own power within the party than it is furthering a Democratic agenda and winning in general elections. Clubs can be dominated by individual politicians and individual personalities. This can really make a club frustrating to deal with, but it is STILL the dominant tool for getting things done in NYC politics. And membership in a club gives YOU voting rights in that club, which in turn means that, if you and a few friends are active in that club, you can have a real effect on the policies and endorsements of that club. No individual can dominate a club if the club membership doesn’t allow it because the club membership can vote against that individual.

Some clubs are frustrating, but some are genuine reform clubs. Personalities can dominate these as well, but in general the reform clubs are better to work with and to work within. But the main key is to work with your LOCAL club and if you don’t like what they do, remember that if you can get enough friends active in that club you can change what they do. Club rules vary from club to club, so I can’t tell you which clubs are best. But in general, if you have a choice of clubs to join, pick ones that call themselves “reform” clubs and/or that have “independent” in their names because IN GENERAL these are the clubs least connected with a party machine. Of course you can also join more than one club, though to be active in more than one club can tax your schedule a bit much.

Here is a message from a local politician regarding the importance of clubs and calling for progressives to work within their local clubs: (he focuses on Brooklyn, but the ideas apply to all boroughs)

I would like to stress one small but important part of change-making that…everyone can do very easily: join local Democratic clubs and do it NOW.

Why?

1. Overall, the clubs are weak but they are some of the only truly community-based institutions around that directly influence politicians. When participation is low, the members who bring resources to the table tend to have more influence with the clubs and, therefore, with the local politicos. Club members who serve on the County Committee (collecting petitions for club-endorsed candidates, and boosting turnout, etc.) have great influence because they really have their ears to the ground.

2. In general, the northwest Brooklyn clubs are liberal to moderate and your participation can keep them on the more liberal and activist side. Since we understand the need to keep a focus on public policies that improve the lives of people in a meaningful way, while simultaneously protecting the quality of lives, it is important for the stalwarts of IND (52nd AD), CBID (44th AD) and LID (Countywide), for example, to see the new energy that new allies can bring -- and it helps in opening their ears to new concerns. And, in the 57th AD, there are two existing clubs, neither of which is particularly strong, but each of which could use new members and, frankly, there is room for a totally new organization to emerge -- particularly in Prospect Heights -- which straddles the 57th and the 52nd ADs. (Years ago, I co-founded the Paul Robeson Independent Democrats - PRIDE - which focused on Prospect Heights. It disbanded in the mid-1990s when I went to graduate school because the membership that was most active was also the oldest and least able to keep up with technological demands of running the organization. And, unfortunately, many of the younger people were alienated by the stridency of some of the older folks. It was hard to discuss issues.)

3. Candidates gain legitimacy through club endorsements. Your participation in the club means that you will directly influence an endorsement that can change a legislative or judicial race. I've been through enough tough campaigns to know the importance of this role.

4. Club elections are upcoming. If you want to help select the officers and Executive Committee members at CBID in January, for example, you have to join the club no later than THIS Thursday, 11/7. I strongly urge everyone to do this so you can have the option of participating in that election (and, of course, you will be set for the endorsement meetings later in the spring as well). CBID's membership form can be found at

http://www.cbidems.org/pages/cbid.join.html

If you don't want to mail in your check, then attend the meeting on 11/17 and turn in the form and the check at that time.


For IND, use this information:

IND 52nd Assembly District
489 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718 875-2312, Email: information@indbrooklyn.org


For LID (assuming you are interested in advancing and protecting the rights of LGBT individuals), go to this URL:

http://www.lidbrooklyn.org/member.htm


Even if you join all three clubs (which I urge you to consider), the total monetary investment is small, but the potential impact of your membership can be huge. And we must actively encourage other progressives to do the same thing.

Have a great weekend!

Chris Owens

I strongly urge all readers to join a club and to participate in that club. To find your local club, I recommend going through the Democracy for NYC listing of local Dem clubs.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

7000 local Wal-Mart screenings! Find one near you: The grassroots response to the new Wal-Mart documentary has been incredible. Thanks to you and our many partners, "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" will debut next week in over 7,000 living rooms and community centers across the country—a true groundswell.
MoveOn is co-sponsoring the screenings on Tuesday, November 15th with a focus on legislative solutions. But you can also find a Wal-Mart house party any day next week with different themes, ranging from health care to small businesses, and meet up with folks from many different sectors in your community.

Can you join us at a screening in your neighborhood?

Click here to get your own advance copy of the movie, and support this grassroots effort.


The Media and the '05 Elections: Join The Politicker, Gotham Gazette, and the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy in a conversation about the role of the media in the 2005 New York City elections. Wednesday, November 16 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The Tank @ chashama; 208 West 37th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.

Featuring a roundtable discussion with: Patrick Healy (The New York Times), Ben Smith (The Politicker), Evelyn Hernandez (El Diario La Prensa), Jonathan Mandell (Gotham Gazette), Andrea Batista Schlesinger (Drum Major Institute for Public Policy)

To RSVP, please email dmi@drummajorinstitute.org

To get to The Tank by subway take the 1, 9, B, D, F,
V, N, Q, R, W A,C, or E trains to 34th Street.



Supreme Court Phone Banking This Sunday: While Alito’s chances currently appear to be better than Miers’s, the situation in the Senate remains highly fluid. And this is important enough that we want to influence the outcome.

This Sunday, we’ll be phone banking progressives in states with moderate Republican Senators, asking these constituents to demand that their Senators conduct a thorough investigation of Alito’s record.

Where: Offices of People for the American Way – NY
149 Fifth Ave. at 21st St. – 7th Floor
When: Sunday, 11/13
2 PM – 6 PM

RSVP: ACTNewYork@gmail.com



CRITCAL MASS BICYCLE MOVEMENT! Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Rides are the last Friday of every month starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! At a DFNYC meeting attended by Norm Seigel, Norm used Critical Mass as an example of the kind of activism that NYC needs most and the way Bloomberg is trying to squelch our rights and our voices. Critical Mass deserves our help. According to Bloomberg, my inclusion of this in my newsletter is probably illegal. Well, I refuse to let Bloomberg tell me what I can and cannot write in my Newsletter.

http://www.times-up.org/cm.php


And see their NYC calendar for Bike Workshops and other rides (including ones outside Manhattan). http://www.times-up.org/calendar/calendar.php


There is more you can do to support Critical Mass. This comes from a reader in Manhattan:

To help keep people involved in Critical Mass, people who might be sacred off because of renewed aggressiveness by the police, I have started a pledge drive that sponsors arrestees. This is a great way for people to stay involved in Critical Mass, stay on top of the issue, and use the NYPD and Bloomberg's tactics to work for us not against us. I am pledging $2 per arrestee, and the money will go to the Legal Aid Society. Pledges are made on the honor system. The more bicyclists the cops arrest the more money for defending civil rights is raised.


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!


New Democratic Majority General Meeting:
Monday, November 14th, at 7:30 PM at the YMCA at 125 West 14th Street, in the Gardener Room.

Our special guest is State Senator Eric Schneiderman, the deputy minority leader, who will be talking to us about how we can retake the Senate next year. It's worth noting that control of the Senate will mean many things, given that we have very good chances of also retaking the governorship; in fact, the Senate is the keystone in our strategy to turn New York finally blue. This will be a lively back and forth, so please come prepared with your questions and suggestions.

Time: Monday, November 14, 2005 - 7:30pm




DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Manhattan groups:

Upper East Side Last Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm onward, Doc Watson's, 1490 2nd Avenue (at 77th). In the backyard, weather permitting. Hosted by Matthew Bachiochi, ues (at) drinkingliberally.org

In Manhattan: Thursday, 7:30 pm onward, Rudy's, 627 9th Avenue (between 44th & 45th Streets). Hosted by Justin Krebs and Matthew O'Neill, nyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

Bar Hopping Manhattan: Second Tuesday of each month, 6:00-9:00 pm
A monthly Democratic drinking club at different gay bars around Manhattan. Join the mailing list to receive updates of future venues. Hosted by Dirk McCall, outnyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

East Village: Last Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward, Grassroots Tavern, 20 Saint Mark's Place (between 2nd and 3rd). Hosted by Quinn Raymond, Elena Morin and Abby Cook-Mack, eastvillage (at) drinkingliberally.org

For those who prefer running to biking, you can join RUNNING FOR CHANGE: Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities.

To find your nearest Manhattan Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

Supreme Court Phone Banking This Sunday: While Alito’s chances currently appear to be better than Miers’s, the situation in the Senate remains highly fluid. And this is important enough that we want to influence the outcome.

This Sunday, we’ll be phone banking progressives in states with moderate Republican Senators, asking these constituents to demand that their Senators conduct a thorough investigation of Alito’s record.

Where: Offices of People for the American Way – NY
149 Fifth Ave. at 21st St. – 7th Floor
When: Sunday, 11/13
2 PM – 6 PM

RSVP: ACTNewYork@gmail.com

Please bring your cell phone and charger if you can. If you don’t have one, we’ll have extras. We’ll provide a script and all the information you’ll need to speak comfortably about the issues.

RSVP: ACTNewYork@gmail.com


CRITCAL MASS BICYCLE MOVEMENT! Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Rides are the last Friday of every month starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! At a DFNYC meeting attended by Norm Seigel, Norm used Critical Mass as an example of the kind of activism that NYC needs most and the way Bloomberg is trying to squelch our rights and our voices. Critical Mass deserves our help. According to Bloomberg, my inclusion of this in my newsletter is probably illegal. Well, I refuse to let Bloomberg tell me what I can and cannot write in my Newsletter.

http://www.times-up.org/cm.php


And see their NYC calendar for Bike Workshops and other rides (including ones outside Manhattan). http://www.times-up.org/calendar/calendar.php


There is more you can do to support Critical Mass. This comes from a reader in Manhattan:

To help keep people involved in Critical Mass, people who might be sacred off because of renewed aggressiveness by the police, I have started a pledge drive that sponsors arrestees. This is a great way for people to stay involved in Critical Mass, stay on top of the issue, and use the NYPD and Bloomberg's tactics to work for us not against us. I am pledging $2 per arrestee, and the money will go to the Legal Aid Society. Pledges are made on the honor system. The more bicyclists the cops arrest the more money for defending civil rights is raised.

7000 local Wal-Mart screenings! Find one near you: The grassroots response to the new Wal-Mart documentary has been incredible. Thanks to you and our many partners, "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" will debut next week in over 7,000 living rooms and community centers across the country—a true groundswell.

MoveOn is co-sponsoring the screenings on Tuesday, November 15th with a focus on legislative solutions. But you can also find a Wal-Mart house party any day next week with different themes, ranging from health care to small businesses, and meet up with folks from many different sectors in your community.

Can you join us at a screening in your neighborhood?

Click here to get your own advance copy of the movie, and support this grassroots effort.

The Media and the '05 Elections: Join The Politicker, Gotham Gazette, and the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy in a conversation about the role of the media in the 2005 New York City elections. Wednesday, November 16 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The Tank @ chashama; 208 West 37th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.

Featuring a roundtable discussion with: Patrick Healy (The New York Times), Ben Smith (The Politicker), Evelyn Hernandez (El Diario La Prensa), Jonathan Mandell (Gotham Gazette), Andrea Batista Schlesinger (Drum Major Institute for Public Policy)

To RSVP, please email dmi@drummajorinstitute.org

To get to The Tank by subway take the 1, 9, B, D, F,
V, N, Q, R, W A,C, or E trains to 34th Street.
WWW.DrumMajorInstitute.org



BROOKLYN EVENTS:

Save our Neighborhoods! Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn Walkathon: November 13, 2005 -- Join with us, your neighborhood organizations, Senator Velmanette Montgomery and neighborhood leader Chris Owens as we Walk for our Neighborhoods in support of the DDDb Legal Fund.

Joy and I will be walking with a progressive team. Please join us in walking or please donate to our efforts.



Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

MARJORIE'S OZZIE’S MEETUP: Next meetup in November. 249 5th Ave at Garfield, Park Slope, best subway is R to Union, east one block, and down three blocks. I also recommend getting Marjorie’s very informative newsletter which you can get by contacting her at: johnkerry57@covad.net

Independent Neighborhood Democrats: Contact me or Devin Cohen: devincohen@msn.com if you are interested. http://www.indbrooklyn.org/

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) (mostly covers Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Kensington. http://www.cbidems.org/


Lambda Independent Democrats (Brooklyn’s gay and lesbian organization) for meeting info contact LID@LIDBrooklyn.org.

DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Brooklyn groups:

Park Slope: First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward, Commonwealth, 497 5th Ave (at 12th Street). Hosted by Emily Farris and Peter Wohlsen, parkslope (at) drinkingliberally.org

Williamsburg: Every Tuesday, 8:00 pm onward the Levee, 212 Berry St. (corner of N. 3rd). Hosted by Elana Levin and Michael Freedman-Schnapp, williamsburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

To find your nearest Brooklyn Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.

QUEENS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

Queens Jefferson Democratic Club: Our meetings are normally held the first Thursday of every month, @ 8:00 p.m. (the doors open @ 7:30 P.M.) except for July, August, and months in which a holiday falls on the First Thursday. Meetings are held at the Auburndale American Legion Hall, 198-09 33rd Ave Flushing, New York 11358 (just off Francis Lewis Blvd. near 33rd Avenue).

Queens County Young Democrats: for information CLICK HERE.

DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Queens groups:

ASTORIA: Third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward. Cassidy's, 34-16 Broadway (at 35th Street). Hosted by Bob Chamerda, astoria (at) drinkingliberally.org

To find your nearest Queens Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

Well done folks! New Jersey is being seen as one of the big victories for Democrats. Not only did Corzine win big time, but Dems also gained in the state legislature.

After such good work you have all done in recent weeks, I think Jersey progressives can take a well-deserved celebratory break. Pat yourselves on your backs, buy yourselves a beer or a coffee or whatever you like and feel proud that you made a difference. Thanks for all your efforts and I am happy that it has been paying off.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

Democracy for America Meetups: DFA is one of the best hopes we have of retaking America. I strongly urge you to get involved with your local group. New Jersey for Democracy Meetups take place on the first Wednesday of every month @ 7pm. There are many meetups around the state: North, Central and South Jersey.

Common Cause: Common Cause is a major force in Progressive Politics. It was founded in 1970 (by a Republican, mind you!) to counter the influence of special interests in Washington. Today they work on many of the same issues I am trying to highlight. Check out the NJ Common Cause website.

Here is how you can find your local Dem clubs. Go to HERE and click on your county.

Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies: Currently there is only one group in New Jersey:

New Brunswick, 1st/3rd Tuesday each month, 7:00 PM @ Doll's Place, 101 Paterson St. New Brunswick, NJ

Hoboken, New Jersey, Second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward, Mulligan's, 159 1st Street (between Bloomfield and Garden), Hosted by David Alpert and Ali Savino, hoboken (at) drinkingliberally.org

Princeton, Every Thursday, 7:00 pm, Annex Restaurant at 128 Nassau St., Princeton. princeton@drinkingliberally.org

RUNNING FOR CHANGE: For those who prefer running to biking, you can join RUNNING FOR CHANGE: Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Well done folks! Virginia is being seen as one of the BIG victories for Democrats. Not only did Kaine win big time, but Dems also gained in the state legislature. And Kaine GAINED ground after Bush came to help Kilgore, showing the nation that Virginia does NOT like what Bush has been doing.

After such good work you have all done in recent weeks, I think Virginia progressives can take a well-deserved celebratory break. Pat yourselves on your backs, buy yourselves a beer or a coffee or whatever you like and feel proud that you made a difference. Thanks for all your efforts and I am happy that it has been paying off.

And here is an official “Thank You” from Kaine’s campaign that is making the rounds:

On behalf of our Kaine Political Department, I most sincerely thank you for all you did to elect Tim as our next Governor. It was certainly not an easy task and not one that could be accomplished by staff alone.

As a local leader in the Democratic party your influence and attitude radiates to others. Thank you for keeping positive, recruiting others, making endless calls, doing myriad tasks and juggling work, home, church and countless other activities in your life. The end result is definitely worth the hours you spent.

We are confident that our local committees are stronger and better prepared for the challenges and races that await us.

Our office emails will be shut down as of Monday and we will all be off in different directions but our connection to this great effort will always exist.

Best wishes to you in all your future endeavors.
Jean
Jean Bankos
Deputy Political Director
Kaine for Governor

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

Democracy for America: One of the best ways to get active! FIND YOUR LOCAL DFA MEETUP AND GET INVOLVED!

Sunday, November 13 from 5:45 – 8 PM join progressives in Fauquier County at the November meeting of the Sunday Supper Club. This is our first anniversary celebration! Bring a contribution to our pot luck supper if you can, but come even if that is not convenient. In addition to the celebration and “flash reports” from our subcommittees, we will be watching Robert Greenwald’s “Wake Up Wal-Mart”. Call Linda Swanson at 540-349-7862 for information or email linda@baldwinridge.com

Sunday, November 13th, 6pm dinner, 7pm discussion. – Political Action Book Club at 7326 Tower St, Falls Church, VA, 22046. The book of the month is The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Joe Trippi. "A fascinating view of the Dean campaign and its uses of the Internet" The facilitator for November is Rosemary O'Neil. I do hope you will come out for what is sure to be a provocative view of how the Internet is utilized. There will also be a presentation and new political action book club starting at Dale's Java Shop in Arlington so let me know if you are interested in that location. Hope to see you at the Pot Luck supper at 6 PM on November 13th. There are a number of great delis out there if you don't have time to cook. ?? or RSVP to Judith at Jdon3482@aol.com

Tuesday, November 15th, 6:30-9:00pm, A screening of Wake Up Wal*Mart at Capitol City Brewing. Robert Greenwald’s new film with be screened across he country during this week and we’ll be hosting a screening at Cap City. Note that this is the THIRD Tuesday of the month as the Virginia election is held the second Tuesday of November. The election will be done. Come out for a relaxing evening of film and friends. Mark your calendars.


Friday, November 18th, National Stand Down Day -- End The Iraq War - Demonstrations and Nonviolent Resistance at Recruiting Stations Across the Country. http://www.iraqpledge.org/nov18.htm As the Bush Administration refuses to make plans to bring our troops home, join us for “National Stand Down Day,” as we halt the machinery that takes young Americans off to this illegal and endless war in Iraq. This call is also made in support of the “National ‘Not Your Soldier’ Youth and Student Day of Action” call for a youth and student led counter-recruitment day of action on Thursday, November 17. We encourage everyone who will participate in National Stand Down Day on November 18 to support the efforts of local students as well - you can find out more by going to www.nyspc.net/home.php . For more information - pete_perry@yahoo.com OR agentforchange@comcast.net Please join us as we say NO to the war in Iraq, and NO to the recruitment of our fellow Americans into this war.

November 19th & 20th, Sustainable Forestry Seminar in Charlottesville, VA. Sponsored by Virginia Forest Watch and others. It’s a great weekend of information sharing and strategies for managing our precious natural resources. Information and registration at http://www.virginiaforestwatch.org/events.html#SFS

Wednesday, November 30th, 7–9 PM , “News from the front: Creationist efforts in our schools and legislatures”, Featuring EUGENIE SCOTT, Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education. Event is at OAKTON HIGH SCHOOL, 2900 SUTTON ROAD, VIENNA, VA 22181 {The Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro Stop on the Orange Line} info@themessagegroup.org

Saturday, December 3rd, International Day of Action to Stop Global Warming has been picking up in North America! An exciting coalition has come together in Montreal to organize a major action there on the 3rd, and local actions will be happening in other parts of Canada. Activists in a dozen countries in Europe and Asia are organizing toward December 3rd. In the USA 44 organizations so far have endorsed our Call to Action. We are also ramping up our efforts to obtain many tens of thousands more signatures on the Peoples Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol petition www.kyotoandbeyond.org , which will be taken to Montreal and delivered there to the U.S. delegation by a group of prominent personalities. Further information on the U.S. campaign can be found at www.climatecrisis.us to communicate with the campaign's coordinator or for Stop Global Warming buttons, stickers and posters, contact Ted Glick at usajointheworld@igc.org

***Verified Voting Hearings in Richmond: Virginia is holding hearings to consider requiring voter-verified paper audit trails for voting equipment. Many Virginia jurisdictions have purchased paperless electronic voting machines, and others are considering doing so.

Digital voting machines that lack a voter-verified paper trail are subject to programming errors and possible fraud, with no ability for meaningful audits or recounts.

Attend the hearings and show support for voter-verified audit trails by wearing orange shirts or ribbons. A large audience will show that Virginians care about the integrity of our elections, and that we demand transparent and reliable elections.
Joint Subcommittee Studying Voting Equipment, General Assembly Building, Richmond
· Monday, November 21, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. in House Room C
More information can be found at http://www.vavv.org and http://www.verifiedvoting.org.


The Democratic Party: Here are links to some of your local Dem clubs. This is another very important way to be active.

Albemarle County Democratic Committee, Albemarle County, VA

Arlington County Democrats, Arlington VA. Contact Name: Elizabeth Weitzman mewsician1@msn.com (703) 528-8588

Arlington Young Democrats, Arlington VA. Contact Name: Jaime Mulligan publicity@arlingtonyoungdems.org 571-334-7626

Democratic Party of Fluvanna County, Virginia, Bremo Bluff, Virginia VA

Hanover Democrats, Ashland VA

Loudoun County Democratic Committee, Leesburg, VA. Contact Name: Steve Deak chairman@lcdems.com

Norfolk Democratic Party Meetup, Norfolk VA. Contact Name: Alma D. Kesling akesling@yahoo.com 757 333-8694

Rappahannock County Democrats, Rappahannock VA.

Stafford County Democrats, Fredericksburg VA:

Virginia Beach Democrats, VA

Virginia Young Democrats, Richmond, VA. Contact Name: Justin Wilson justin@justin.net


Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies. Currently there are only two Drinking Liberally groups in all of VA (see below). But it is easy to start your own!

Charlottesville, Virginia Drinking Liberally: Every Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Mellow Mushroom, 1320 West Main Street, Hosted by Jared Jenkins, charlottesville (at) drinkingliberally.org

Richmond, Virginia Drinking Liberally: Every Thursday, 7:30 pm onward Commercial Taphouse, 111 N Robinson St. Hosted by Scott Goode, richmond (at) drinkingliberally.org


RUNNING FOR CHANGE: And if you want a healthier alternative to Drinking Liberally (or want to do some running after your drinking), you can RUN for progressive causes. Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities. To find your local Running for Change events, CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: NATIONAL ACTION: Wal-Mart!

7000 local Wal-Mart screenings! Find one near you: The grassroots response to the new Wal-Mart documentary has been incredible. Thanks to you and our many partners, "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" will debut next week in over 7,000 living rooms and community centers across the country—a true groundswell.

MoveOn is co-sponsoring the screenings on Tuesday, November 15th with a focus on legislative solutions. But you can also find a Wal-Mart house party any day next week with different themes, ranging from health care to small businesses, and meet up with folks from many different sectors in your community.

Can you join us at a screening in your neighborhood?

Click here to get your own advance copy of the movie, and support this grassroots effort.

Progressive Democrat Issue 51: GETTING LOCAL AROUND THE NATION

This is how our coalition will be built: through out local action. Our success depends on you and your activism. There are many ways you can get active. Below I try to provide a good variety of options and urge you all to find a couple that suit you. These groups below are the way we can get our country back. If we don’t get involved we won’t win in 2005, 2006 and beyond. Joy and I are currently involved in two groups plus our own organizing efforts bringing different groups together and we are finding it a good boost to our social life. We are meeting cool people and it makes us get out a couple of times a month more than we would otherwise.

Finding your local groups:

Democracy for America: Founded by Howard Dean, now run by his brother Jim Dean, this group is very effective at the local grass roots. Many think this is the future of the Democratic Party. I think this is partly true, though the neighborhood Dem party clubs will continue to be vital to our efforts as well. This is a group that you really should be active in either by joining a local meetup or starting one of your own.


Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies.


The Democratic Party: Now that Howard Dean is in the driver’s seat I am hoping the Democrats will become more effective on the local level. One of the main complaints against the DNC in the past couple of elections is that they didn’t help the local parties in most parts of the nation. If you go to the DNC website and find the “Get Local” pull down menu on the left, you can find your local Dem groups. I strongly urge you to get involved with your local Dem club since it is often these groups that actually do much of the footwork to win each district.

Critical Mass: Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Go here to find the closest Critical Mass action in your area (site covers ALL of North America).


Wellstone Action: Paul Wellstone started something in Minnesota and his death hasn’t stopped it. Wellstone’s family is continuing his work and expanding it throughout the nation. Wellstone Action trains activists and grassroots candidates and they did very well in the last election. I urge you to look into any nearby Wellstone Action events.


Common Cause: Common Cause is a major force in Progressive Politics. It was founded in 1970 (by a Republican, mind you!) to counter the influence of special interests in Washington. Today they work on many of the same issues I am trying to highlight. Look for your state’s Common Cause organization.

To find the League of Conservation Voters branch in your state, CLICK HERE. This is the group you should be involved with if the environment is your thing.

To find the NARAL branch in your state, CLICK HERE. This is the group you should be involved with if choice is your thing.

Finally I suggest Americans for Democratic Action. ADA is a progressive branch of the Democratic Party. Email: adaction@ix.netcom.com for info on local groups.