Mediaboss Marketing

April 30, 2017 11:44 PM By IanBush

COLUMBIA, SC - FEBRUARY 24: Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton make phone calls from a campaign field office to encourage voters in South Carolina to vote in the upcoming Democratic primary on February 24, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. The South Carolina Democratic primary is scheduled to take place on February 27. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) The first day of school in Philadelphia is Tuesday for Democrats who want to run for Congress or serve as higher-ups on a campaign.

For the party stunned by last years election losses, its part of a dramatic new push to regain ground.

These courses are designed to capitalize on what the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee hopes is a surge of interest and participation in the midterms and beyond.

When you have a deeply energized base, when you have a group of independent voters skeptical as to the direction of the country, that usually provides an opportunity for a wave, says Jake Braun, a trainer for DCCC University.

The big effort by the Dems so early in a campaign cycle is indicative of the gravity of their defeat and ambition for turning the tide.

Its no coincidence the DCCC is setting up shop in Philly: the party covets the nearby 6th, 7th, and 8th districts in PA and wants to take a stab at turning them blue.

This is not only to be able to scale up a massive operation where we may have hundreds of campaigns that are competitive but also to be able to find out who the best of the best are, says Braun, who served as deputy field director for Barack Obama in 2008.

Those who show the most promise as politicos or operatives go on to even more advanced courses with the Democrats House campaign arm in Washington, DC. But for all, says Braun, its about learning how to tap into energy and translate that to action in an election.

I dont know how we lost this as a party but we did you do not cede one inch of your district to the opposition, Braun says.

Braun, the CEO of Cambridge Global Advisors, notes thats what his classes will focus on alongside techniques for talking with voters, the press, and using social media.

In 16, Republicans did some truly brilliant things related to social media and targeting that I think the Democrats frankly kind of forgot some of the things that won them Congress and the White House.

The training program, open only to those whove applied and are invited by the DCCC, begins in Philadelphia on May 2.

For more information on this click here.

Ian Bush is an anchor, reporter, news editor, and technology editorat KYW Newsradio. Bush joined the airstaff in August 2005 after serving as a desk/production assistant since October 2002. In 2008, he was named one of national radios '30 Under...

NFL Draft Guide

Visit These 5 European Castles Without Leaving The States

About Us

Advertise

Business Development

Contact

Mobile

Connect

CBS Television Public File

CBS Radio Public File

See the original post here:
Democrats Launch Campaign 'School' In Philadelphia - CBS Philly

By Brian LymanMontgomery Advertiser (TNS)

They were hesitant at first. But some prominent Alabama House Democrats are thinking about entering this year's U.S. Senate race.

Winning the contest will be a tall order for a state party that last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 1992; hasn't won any statewide election since 2008 and faces internal divisions. But some members of the party last week expressed hope that voter disgust with scandals that enveloped Republican leadership will make their primary more than a side show to the GOP's big show.

"The timing may be right," said Sheila Gilbert, co-chair of the Alabama Democratic Reform Caucus. "There are enough people who are disgruntled. "There are enough grassroots groups coming out of the woodwork to crack the code and make some changes."

Reps. Elaine Beech, D-Chatom; Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa and Craig Ford, D-Gadsden said last week they were thinking about entering the race. Medical marijuana advocate Ron Crumpton is the only declared candidate for the Democrats so far.

Independent streaks

England a three-term representative, attorney for the city of Tuscaloosa and member of a prominent family in the city, said Thursday he was "seriously considering" a bid for the office. Attempts to speak to him at greater length about his plans this week were unsuccessful.

Beech, a pharmacist by trade, said in an email Friday evening she was considering entering the race, weighing family needs and her current position in the House against it.

"I need to discuss it more with my children and see if I have any support in the state for such a big move," she wrote. "I love the position I have and don't want to jeopardize my seniority in the House."

Ford, an insurance company owner who served as House Minority Leader for more than six years, said Friday he wanted to see more polling data and where fundraising might be available.

Ford also floated the possibility of running as an independent, saying Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez's comments that Democrats running for office should share the "Democratic Party's position on women's fundamental rights" angered him.

"You've got Perez coming on a national level saying what he's saying," said Ford, who is anti-abortion. "That ostracizes the Democratic Party even more. You don't want to be the Tea Party where you're against everything and for nothing."

Ford added that he supports the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medicaid, long a goal of Alabama Democrats. But Ford has been sharply critical of the current leadership of the Alabama Democratic Party, and said Friday Democrats won't win statewide office unless Nancy Worley, the current chairwoman of the party, and Joe Reed, long a Democratic power broker, step away from the party.

Worley said Friday Ford had not contacted her about his criticisms and suggested Ford was trying to "out-Trump Trump" based on the November election results in his district.

"A person who's just criticizing for the sake of criticizing has not done anything to help the party," she said. "I really don't think their criticism is genuine. It may just be for the sake of getting attention."

Ballot access as an independent would be far more difficult than as a nominee of a major party, but Ford said he believed he could do it.

"We have polled and it's showing that people prefer a third option, and they prefer to vote for the person, not the parties," he said. "Parties are what's disrupted the state government and the federal government."

Worley said Ford running as an independent could violate party rules about supporting Democratic candidates, which she said could lead to a challenge in his House district if he opts to run again.

"If he runs as an independent and tries to run as a Democrat, obviously he has not been supportive of the Democratic nominee on the ticket, and he could be subject to challenge," she said. "I'm not saying it would happen. I'm saying it could happen."

Other candidates say they're still out. Former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb said Friday she would make a decision about the 2018 governor's race soon, but ruled out the Senate race. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said in an email Friday his duties were his focus.

"We are preparing for our fourth term, and that is where I am directing my focus," he wrote. "The future will take care of itself, and I have no announcements planned at this time."

Democrats have plenty of other challenges.

Wanted: Perfect storm

The party has held its own in Birmingham, Montgomery, and the Black Belt, but withered in many other counties. Democrats contested fewer than half of the seats in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2014. And while Donald Trump's presidency has fired up the Democratic base nationwide, it might take gallons of gasoline to erase the GOP edge in Alabama, a state the Republican president won by 28 points last November.

Money is also a problem. The party for years pumped the Alabama Education Association (AEA) and the Alabama Trial Lawyers' Association (now the Alabama Association for Justice) for funding, but those wells are dry. Other sources of money aren't clear. Gambling magnate Milton McGregor has supported Democrats in the past, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians largely bankrolled Democratic Attorney General nominee Joe Hubbard's 2014 campaign.

But Democrats' best hopes for the seat might lay with Roy Moore. The former chief justice, who entered the Republican field for U.S. Senate last week, commands a strong following in the GOP for his outspoken positions on religion and against LGBT rights, and high name recognition with three three other Republicans already in the race -- and others likely to follow -- Moore has a good chance of making the Sept. 26 runoff.

Yet the former chief justice remains a divisive figure in the GOP. The business community never forgave Moore for two opinions he penned opposing arbitration, and a Moore win could give Democrats an opening.

Despite starting late in the 2012 race, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Bob Vance, a Democrat, managed to raise money and run a strong campaign that brought him within four points of beating Moore for chief justice, the best showing by a Democrat in a statewide race since 2008. Vance raised over $1.1 million in a little over two months, and also benefited from the Republican-leaning Business Council of Alabama sitting out the race.

It may take an even more perfect confluence of factors to elevate an Alabama Democrat to the U.S. Senate.

"It's going to take someone well-known, who has lots of money and great internal and external polling," Gilbert said. "Someone who's done great things in the past, not newcomers. We've got to have support from the state party."

Link:
Alabama House Democrats look at U.S. Senate runs - Gadsden Times

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein both spoke at the White House Correspondents Dinner last night. Time has posted their speeches in case you were otherwise occupied at the time. They had some advice for President Trump.

In part they revisited past glories covering the Watergate scandal and taking down President Nixon. They have a few loose ends to tie up. For example, they still havent discovered what Nixons guys were looking for inside the offices of the Democratic National Committee. Watergate served its purpose, however, and the boys have moved on.

Edward Jay Epstein asked whether the press had uncovered Watergate in a brilliant 1974 Commentary essay. The fundamental things apply. One can still learn from Epsteins essay as time goes by. In 2015 Pat Buchanan added a few footnotes on the Washington Posts Watergate coverage that have only become apparent in the fullness of time.

Tim Alberta profiles Buchanan at length in an excellent piece in the current issue of Politico Magazine. This is beyond the scope of Albertas profile, but it prompted me to recall that Buchanan was one of the few who emerged from inside the Nixon administration after Watergate with his reputation intact. Moreover, when called as a witness to testify before the Senate Watergate Committee, he gave better than he got. Indeed, Buchanan dished it out.

In his standard account of Watergate, published in 1990, the late historian Stanley Cutler all but passed over Buchanans testimony. Cutler wrote: The Administration got in some last words for itself on September 26 when Patrick Buchanan blasted the committee for its excessive leaks and its treatment of witnesses. Buchanan boldly attacked the committee, but John Deans image and testimony persisted in the nations consciousness, not the mauling tactics of club-fighter Buchanan.

The New York Times published excerpts of Buchanans testimony in 1973. They are accessible online here. The Washington Post was still working its own angle on Watergate and Buchanan in this 1996 story by George Lardner.

In his statement before the Watergate Committee Buchanan was at pains to refute the proposition that the Nixon campaign was responsible for the Democrats defeat of Senator Muskie and nomination of Senator McGovern to be crushed by Nixon in the 1972 presidential contest:

It is being argued that illicit Republican strategy and tactics were responsible for the defeat of the strongest Democratic candidate for President, and for the nomination of the weakest. It has been contended publicly that the Democrats were denied, by our campaign and our strategy, a legitimate choice at their own convention.

It is being alleged that the campaign of 1972 was not only a rigged campaign, but an utter fraud, a political coup by the President of the United States.

These contentions, Mr. Chairman, are altogether untrue. Republicans were not responsible for the down fall of Senator Muskie. Republicans were not responsible for the nomination of Senator McGovern.

Buchanan argued: The McGovern people won their own nomination. And they lost their own election. The underlying theme that Buchanan sought to debunk has a surprisingly contemporary ring. It feels as fresh as todays headlines. I thought some readers might be interested in taking a walk down memory lane with a look at Buchanans argument, courtesy of the Times.

Read more:
When Democrats lose - Power Line (blog)

Harold Watson, center, was honored as the Democrat of the Year by the Stratford Democratic Town Committee at the annual Terry Backer Dinner at the Blue Goose restaurant. He is joined by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Backer Dinner Chairman Adam Brill and Stratford DTC Chairman Stephanie Philips. Melvin Mason photo

Stratford Democrats honored some of their own and had a mini rally of sorts on Sunday at the annual Terry Backer Dinner.

Joined by big named party leaders in the audience, Democrats honored the memory of former State Rep. Terry Backer for his dedication to Stratford and Long Island Sound. Backer, who was elected to 12 terms in the General Assembly, died in December 2015. He was 61 years old.

Thanks to Terry Backer, Long Island Sound is a beautiful, environmental asset that all of Connecticut can appreciate, said State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr., D-12, one of three special guests at the annual dinner.

Kennedy added that everyday residents can make a difference and play a really important role. He also praised Backer as an authentic voice.

Stratford be really proud for sending Terry back to the General Assembly year after year after year, Kennedy said.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro held up an old photo of she and Backer at Lighthouse Point from 26 years .

The soundkeeper fought for Long Island Sound like no one else, said DeLauro, who said her friend left large shoes to fill.

In addition, they saluted three town committee leaders for their efforts. Harold Watson was feted as the Democrat of the Year, while Anna Scala was recognized with the Robert Galello Outstanding Service Award. Richard Brown was given the DTCs Lifetime Achievement Award.

The gathering of Democrats also heard rallying messages from Kennedy, DeLauro and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, urging Stratford Democrats to keep up their fight for public offices along with sharp criticism of President Donald Trump.

Kennedy, the son of longtime U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, said that Stratford is a Democratic town.

We know that when we talk about the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party, fairness, good education, a clean environment, most of the people in this agree with us, Kennedy said, adding that its on party leaders to get the word out and turn Stratford back into a dominant Democratic force in the state.

Blumenthal said Democrats in office are in the fight of our lives because were fighting for your lives. He also continued criticism of the Trump administration. Blumenthal said that the country is facing a looming constitutional crisis with Trump in office, focusing on allegations that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election.

Donald Trump is the Oh never mind president. He has disregarded and discarded more promises than any other president, in fact, most presidents throughout their four years, Blumenthal said. Except promises to himself. His self-dealing and self-enrichment are unparalleled.

See the original post here:
Stratford Democrats honor three, rally the troops - Stratford Star

Senator John Reagan has introduced an amendment to HB 356 (an unrelated bill that establishes a committee to study education funding and costs). This amendment, 2017-1236s, increases the role of the Commissioner of Education, giving Commissioner Edelblut unprecedented authority over a new plan to completely reorganize the Department of Education, and shifting responsibilities from Division administrators within the Department to the Commissioner.

The amendment changes the bills analysis from one that focuses on education funding and costs to instead read, This bill consolidates the duties of the divisions of the department of education into the office of the commissioner and authorizes the commissioner to transfer appropriations or transfer or reassigning personnel as the commissioner deems necessary.

Just a few of the changes that would result from the passage of amendment 2017-1236:

When is the public hearing on this amendment? The bill to which this amendment is attached has already had its public hearing. Even though this is a non-germane amendment (meaning that it is unrelated to the content of the HB 356), there is NO requirement that a public hearing be held on the amendment. That means that there is NO opportunity for the public to give input at a hearing on this amendment!!

So WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Notable Floor Votes The House is in session on Wednesday and has reserved Thursday for continued session if necessary. The Senate is in session onThursday.

House Votes: HB 1 and HB 2, making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019.

Interested in Testifying at Committee Hearings? Well send you information on how to testify Click HERE to add your name to the list!

Want to write a letter, heres a Sample LETTER Dear Editor,

On March 16th, 2017 the New Hampshire Senate passed a bill to set up education freedom savings accounts that would give public dollars to private school tuition. This week, the same bill will be heard by the NH House Education Committee.

SB 193, one of the most radical school voucher bills we have ever seen in the New Hampshire legislature, would allow taxpayers dollars to go to religious schools and to parents who homeschool their children. It also funnels the funds through various non-profits, which inevitably raises more questions about where taxpayer dollars are going.

For such a horrendous bill, why arent more people talking about it? SB 193 has been drowned out in the press by numerous (also terrible) bills that roll back voting rights and focus on the upcoming budget.

Public schools are the center of our communities where students develop their civic identities and grow into active participants in our society and economy. Investing in public education means that we are telling each and every student in our state that they are valuable. A bill like SB 193 will send the opposite message.

We can not allow our States Republican leadership to play party politics in order to undermine our public schools.

Please email Erin Cotton, ecotton@nhdp.org, for more sample letters orfor suggestions and revisions on your own LTE!

Legislative Recap Week in Review Mar. 27th Mar. 31st Last week, the Senate passed SB 3, a bill aimed at targeting NH voters who are most vulnerable to attacks on voting rights. This bill will makeit more difficult forstudents, the elderly, and people of color to vote. Even worse, SB3 would force domestic abuse victims to seek the approvalof their abuser to be able to vote, by requiring a note from the landlord if they dont have a document with their name on it or, if they voted without identification, then a letter would be mailed to their home address requiring a victim to return to an unsafe environment. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 7, legislation to restrict access to food assistance services in New Hampshire. This bill restricts access to food stamps for those most in need in our state without saving New Hampshire a dime. Finally, the Senate passed HB 103. This billrequires signed parental permission for any course material that could be deemed objectionable directly targeting health courses and limiting comprehensive sex ed for New Hampshire students.

Read the whole newsletter!

Follow this link:
NH Upper Valley Democrats - Home of the NH Upper Valley ...