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DFA Training Academy Makes a Stop in Sacramento
Linked to groups: Sacramento For Democracy
Click here for a slideshow from the Sacramento DFA Training Academy.
The DFA Training Academy made a stop in Sacramento this past weekend. Arshad Hasan and his team of trainers provided a two-day intense, educational experience. I think it's safe to say that everyone came out of this weekend with a greater understanding of what it takes to support, and eventually run, a winning campaign!
A wide variety of "students" attended our training. We had everyone from complete beginners who have never worked on a campaign all the way up to experienced campaign volunteers and former (and future) candidates themselves. We had a pretty decent turnout, despite the fact that the California Democratic Party Executive Board was also meeting this weekend in Sacramento. A few people were even able to go back and forth between the two events.
Although we accomplished a lot of work in only two days, we still had time for some fun! Over 25 of us gathered at the Old Spaghetti Factory after Saturday's session to tip back a few cold ones, catch some dinner, and chat for a few hours. A few people continued the party by heading down the street for a little karaoke. I won't tell you which trainer ended up behind the microphone, but perhaps it will show up on YouTube some day.
The weather was fairly cooperative this weekend (luckily for those from out of town) and we didn't even hit 100 degrees ;o)) Unfortunately, the air conditioning in some of the rooms did not cooperate with us on Sunday, so the breakout room temperatures nearly matched the 90+ degree weather outside. Despite this setback, the training continued with some trainers moving outside under the trees and others sharing the main room.
Sacramento for Democracy would like to thank DFA, Jim Dean, Arshad Hasan and Matt Blizek for allowing us to host another training event. We would also like to thank the trainers who literally came from all corners of the country to share their knowledge with us this weekend. And a big thank you to all the volunteers who worked to put this event together and pull it off.
We look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor come to fruition in the three elections that CA has in 2008!! Northern California now has the knowledge, lets put it to use and move the Progressive Movement to the next level!!!
Cheers,
Bill
Ps: Click Here for pictures of some of the incredible trainers...
boy that was some fast blogging.
anyway, did I tell u that jim webb is my senator??
as my son would say. THIS IS FRIGGEN A STRAIGHT.
Webb Gets His "Modern Day Truman Commission!" (+) by: LowellMon Jul 16, 2007 at 18:20:15 PM EDT[subscribe]
This news TOTALLY rocks! NINE FRESHMEN SENATORS TO UNVEIL AMENDMENT CREATINGINDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON WARTIME CONTRACTING
Commission to Emulate Truman Committee Investigations into Fraud & Abuse During WWII
Washington, DC - On Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., Senate Democratic freshmen will introduce an amendment to the pending defense authorization bill to establish an independent, bipartisan Commission on Wartime Contracting to investigate U.S. wartime contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Commission will significantly increase transparency and accountability, as well as generate important solutions for longstanding, systematic contracting problems. This legislation would expand the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction?s responsibilities beyond Iraq reconstruction to all
JIM WEBB IS AN AMERICAN HERO. THE REAL DEAL. AND HE DOES LOOK IRISH.
AND HE IS MY SENATOR, DID I TELL U THAT?
Do we have another scrollable troll? LOL
Reid said;
Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end. They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops.
Here's what Reid should have said. "They are protecting the president and ignoring their Constitutional oaths thus keeping our troops in harms way.
We need to start a dialog all over the Net about how our Constitution is dying due to 7 years of repug rule. The words impeachment and Constitution now have to be discussed together IMO.
************************************
As for dems receiving more money from AIPAC than is given to repugs, the repugs are already bought. They will always vote for Israel and endless war. That's what they do.
**********************************
Biden - gimme a break. He's setting the stage for a religious theocracy which is exactly what the crazy fundies want. Pander to people who believe in stoning pregnant unwed women? Get the effing religion outta my country's politics, you rummies.
OK, time to haul out my biblical facts.
dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. On her radio show recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination, according to Leviticus18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as thought-provoking.
******************************************
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people
regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination... End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private
family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
None of these candidates do it for me. I need more than just finding their words now, not using them when it mattered.
I understand many people keep trying to find someone within the group of candidates running, but history has shown me, I need someone that doesn't merely find the right words to speak.
Too many examples of these candidates just saying the words the people want to hear.
I prefer to work at getting real representation that has the record to back up what he says and the vision and experience to go with all that.
In Assault on Reason, Al writes "It is my greatest hope that those who read this book will choose to become part of a new movement to rekindle the true spirit of America."
I will work at that.
Time for a COOL change
Gore
2008
linda b ... LOL....Did you give him that hug for me yet?
Senator Webb was cause for much celebrating yesterday!
4. seashell
As for dems receiving more money from AIPAC than is given to repugs, the repugs are already bought. They will always vote for Israel and endless war. That's what they do.
**********************************
Biden - gimme a break. He's setting the stage for a religious theocracy which is exactly what the crazy fundies want. Pander to people who believe in stoning pregnant unwed women?
===========
It wasn't always like that. Schultz was pretty tough with the right wing Zionist.
Where did Biden say he was in favor of stoning unwed pregnant women? He's probably against pregnant women getting stoned. LOL
BTW - great post #5 - be nice to "go figure" she/he is a guest, get a chance to know them
And btw , Senator Webb was INCREDIBLE.
I enjoyed watching Lindsay Graham squirm in his seat and rise in his chair from having to confront a Senator with back bone.
linda b. 2. EXCELLENT!
7.
Linda*in*SFNM
Senator Webb
===========
he was good but obvious handicapped by not having visited Iraq. He better go soon.
Webb did a good job,
..and Graham look terrified.
..he sounded terrified.
so...
who's running against him ?
10.
FRED from OR
Mon, 07/16/07
6:28 pm
Reply to this
7.
Linda*in*SFNM
Senator Webb
===========
he was good but obvious handicapped by not having visited Iraq. He better go soon.
--------
What the heck. This man served in Vietnam and his son is serving in Iraq. Why does he have to go soon? The handicap belongs to the neocons who have never served but expect others to spill blood on their behalf. Webb knows war.
webb said lindsey goes for the "horse and pony show" which is about it.
how bout the "whore and pony show"
webb would go out to the provinces. hey he has been to vietnam, he knows what is going on.
linda, in nm. no no hug yet. but he is going to come down and campaign for our senate candidate.
don't think jim is much of a hugger, alth my women's caucus friend did give him a good hug when we went to capitol hill. but I am more reserved.
yeah , right.
A PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT--FROM HUFFPO BLOG
The GOP cabal on FOX Sunday show several weeks ago were rubbing their hands like the witches in Macbeth, cackling and salivating over the thought of Hillary Clinton winning the democratic nomination. Maybe that is a tipoff, right there.
As for Barack, the question has to be is this country ready for a black president. I am, and you may be, but when talking about numbers, come election night how many of those states will turn blue? It's a risk, giving the American public that much credit.
John Edwards, well he can win the election, IMO, although he's lagging in polls. He's the one who can carry the south, the one with the movie star looks, and working moral compass. Clinton, Carter, Johnson, all Democrats south of the Mason Dixon line, who old Southern demos won't mind bragging to their cohorts come election night they voted for.
13.
mary vb
What the heck. This man served in Vietnam and his son is serving in Iraq. Why does he have to go soon?
================
Sen. Biden and Reed bleak on Iraq situation after visit
about a year ago
By Albert Eisele
July 12, 2006
Two key Democratic senators just back from Iraq painted a bleak picture yesterday of the situation there, saying the failure of the country’s emerging government to stop the escalating violence and provide basic services has brought the country to the edge of civil war.
Sen. Joseph Biden (Del.), ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, cited Sunday’s killing of some 40 Sunni Arabs by Shiite militia “in broad daylight” in Baghdad, “a city that has 60,000 Iraqi security forces” and “is in tatters.
“If you don’t call that a nascent civil war, I don’t know what it is,” said Biden, who was making his seventh visit to Iraq since the U.S. invasion in April 2002.
.... Biden and Reed, who was making his eighth visit to Iraq, were sharply critical of the new government, as well as the lack of what Reed called “a coherent strategy” by the Bush administration to help quell the violence and rebuild Iraq’s devastated economy and ruined infrastructure.
....While Biden praised the efforts of U.S. military forces and diplomatic officials in Iraq, he cited three “overwhelming” challenges facing the Iraqi government.
One is the absence of a political settlement to get the minority Sunnis to support the Shiite-dominated government.
A second is the inability of the new government to deliver any services to the Iraqi people, and
third is mass unemployment, which he said has driven many Iraqis to join the insurgent forces.
15.and 16. linda b
LOL...DEFINITELY reserved. Oh what the heck...just go for it. :)
_______________________
Yes Sitka, waiting. Last week draftgore.com delivered the 100,000 signatures.
This is real grassroots action folks. I should have another letter in the paper tomorrow, here.
What the heck, we're worth it. :)
article tools: email | print | read more Bob Geiger
I wrote on Sunday about the status of Senator Arlen Specter's (R-PA) Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007, which will likely come to a vote in the U.S. Senate this week and that will restore the fundamental right of due process under the law to those in American custody. I listed the Senators who had stepped up to the plate to cosponsor such an important piece of legislation and urged readers to contact the offices of Democrats not yet cosponsoring the bill to give them a push in the right direction.
Clinton Democrat with highest number of endorsements from fellow members of Congress
Romney and McCain tied for highest
check the rest here
CSPAN
Capital News
Poll Of The Day What should be the next step in Iraq policy?
Wait Until September Report to Make Any DecisionsRequire New Strategy to Be Offered This FallImplement Iraq Study Group Proposals With No Pullout TimetableBegin Troop Withdrawal in Fall, Most Troops Out by Spring 2008De-authorize War, Begin Pullout Now
What should be the next step in Iraq policy?
Wait Until September Report to Make Any Decisions
Require New Strategy to Be Offered This Fall
Implement Iraq Study Group Proposals With No Pullout Timetable
Begin Troop Withdrawal in Fall, Most Troops Out by Spring 2008
De-authorize War, Begin Pullout Now
<
And I voted...
...well, I haven't yet. The first two are OK. Not big on third or fifth. Four is OK.
FRED from OR:
Senator Webb
===========
he was good but obvious handicapped by not having visited Iraq. He better go soon. >I think he has less fear of the front than Lindsay Graham (JAG)(loves a desk and a microphone)And besides Fred, why waste the Federal Treasury further?
Sen Vitter's wife sure is bigger than he physically. I don't doubt she dominates the good little soul.
Good boy. Thaaaat's a good boy.
28.
Imn2Paine
========
Well I sure as hell would go to Iraq if I could - to see for myself - and have candid conversations with people who live there. Nothing can beat that - Lindsey may be full of crap, but the point is valid - you need to want to see it first hand.
Habeas Corpus is one of the foundation stones of Western Civilization.
I'm going to award one of those extremely rare Republican HOWARDLY to Arlen Spector for joining with Leahy as a co-sponsor.
that the factions in Iraq are resolving an eleventh century dispute doesn't mean we have to go back to the tenth to one up them
lightning here again so I'm off for awhile
two of Iowa's biggest units are on their way home and out of country and there are a lot of celebrations planned
Fred wrote (and i clip this snippet)
(1)"candid conversations with people who live there. Nothing can beat that"
(2)"- Lindsey may be full of crap"
>
Yes on both points.
But you say:
"but the point is valid - you need to want to see it first hand"
The "point" was rhetorical, Fred. I didn't accept it when I heard it. Do you recall the points Webb made in defense of his character?
My son and I are close enough that a first person report from him would do. I'm sure Webb has the picture.
70 mile an hour wind knocking down a beautiful corn crop in a nearby county major wind threat
good thing the cows are milked for the night because I hate hooking up the generator in the rain
bbl
28.
Imn2Paine
I think he has less fear of the front than Lindsay Graham (JAG)
============
I remember that joining the Navy and/or studying were two ways of avoiding combat in Viet Nam, if you knew you were eligible for the draft anyway.
Phil wrote:
two of Iowa's biggest units are on their way home and out of country and there are a lot of celebrations planned
<
That is so nice. Suspect 'at'll make 'em very happy and welcome. The political debate at home ...has nothing to do with their service.
last first person report I had
"mostly we just go out on patrol and p*ss people off"
well if you have done that for four years there are no hearts and minds left to win
out. now.
35.
Phil Specht
Mon, 07/16/07
9:03 pm
that the factions in Iraq are resolving an eleventh century dispute doesn't mean we have to go back to the tenth to one up them
============
Good analogy - might add we had fuedalism, fuedal fiefdoms and kingdoms in the 11th century - nation states did not come until much later. Bush is trying to build a Nation State from at least three analogous "kingdoms."
Lindsay Graham (JAG)
> he's a lawyer in the military. Judge advocate General, which ain'a the Seals. Nowhere near the front (thank his pointy little head).
If he couldn't get that I bet he woulda wanted Signal Corp.
Lindsey doesn't even fill out his uniform.
Sorry, just havin' a laugh, here.
Actually, I don't fault anyone their service. Often time you just get put somewheres.
fuedal fiefdoms
that's about where I work. Locally, or regionally, I tell people that it is run like a fiefdom. "They" don't maximize return (all) the investors.
FRED from OR
>
yap, my ol' man got a draft notice ...so, to avoid being a 'foot slodger" he signed up to fly. WWII was different times in the USA. VietNam was a big a$$ failure for the nation...for the most part.
36. no - I saw that Webb thought Lindsey got the dog and pony show, or something, which I assume he means the visit was insulated from the reality in the streets and/or he just talked to leaders, not the soldiers or citizens intimately.
I don't think you have to go there to know it is, or is not, a bad situation, but if you have been there, it gives your points more rhetorical authority - truth or not.
I joined the Marines in high school 1966 for college money, but before I graduated, they found out about my back problem.
This is the kind of stuff that really gets me angry. Amazing how the 'bipartisan' plan on Habeas Corpus gets all the press. But....
November 16, 2006
http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3661
and
S.576
Title: A bill to provide for the effective prosecution of terrorists and guarantee due process rights.
.....gets nothing. Dodd has no chance and he has been doing the right things and advocating solutions that on the whole make sense. He is a true leader in education. Would I like to see him go further on some issues? Sure. But barring the emergence of Jesus, Gandhi, Thoreau, Gotama Buddha, Florence Nightingale, MLK and Debs all rolled into one, the group we have now is probably the group we are going to have going into next year.
Paz Peace
Dodd has an extreme hurdle on electability given the recent record on NorthEast Liberals.
So does Hillary.
I don't see any reason why he couldn't surge and eat into her base, since it overlaps with his.
Dodd has an extreme hurdle on electability
Choosing a nominee on electability is the surest wat to select a loser.
It's like buying a stock based on whether you think others will buy it too, without regard to whether it's a good one.
Pick who you think would be the best president. When others do the same, collective wisdom will select the most "electable" one
I'm going to meet Dodd next week and will report. He has a great Senate record from the Democratic Wing. This week is his chance to lead us out of Iraq.
just reporting the buzz here that he has the same electability issues as Kerry (Hillary), no one is buying Hillary's support of the flag burning bill as proof she is not a north-east liberal (not that it is anything to be ashamed of)
I personally would love to cram a candidate like that down Rush's throat.
when Biden was accidentally introduced as the Senator from Rhode Island be fell all over himself to distance Delaware from New England
Some politicians need to go to Iraq to give their rhetoric credibility. Webb doesn't.
I don't see any reason why he couldn't surge and eat into her base, since it overlaps with his."
Phil, how can he do this, when the CMW and even the polls in IA aren't giving him patootie? He isn't polling well in IA...why not?
part of the vetting process
can the candidate speak for all the people of the nation
Dukakis failed that test, when Kerry did too it creates a barrier
Dodd has to scale that obstacle and so does Hillary.
Horse and Pony shows are just that. Want to go to the circus?See the show? I love my countryy. McCain has become sad to see. We need to support our troops that have mental issues. Impeach....Bring them home now !
Democrats didn't want Edwards in 04. They don't want him now. Once you've been rejected by your own party as a presidential candidate, there's no point making a fool of yourself with another quixotic campaign. But then, after hearing JE's and Hillary's little tryst, I suspect he's angling for another VP slot.
Dodd was below Gravel here in the last poll. That ought to give Reed hope if not Paz Peace.
hey is there any online video of webb vs. graham out there?
Edwards won't take the VP spot and has said so repeatedly. He just has a hard time with one minute answers being the way to pick a President. He jumped at the chance to have a 20 minute slot at our training, and took it answering any question that was asked, didn't duck a one.
Obama and Edwards will make an interesting two man race; but you might not appreciate the fact how many women resent the implication of the sexism of that and back Hillary.
Women are the core of Hillary support here.
but of course Hillary would like to blunt Obama's surge as much as Edwards
Edwards was saying the same thing about the debates before he was overheard saying it to Hillary, and he has repeated it since
thanks phil!
Northeast Liberals ain'a nothin' to spit at...
Dean
52.
Sitka
Mon, 07/16/07
10:21 pm
Choosing a nominee on electability is the surest wat to select a loser.
It's like buying a stock based on whether you think others will buy it too, without regard to whether it's a good one
==========
Most intelligent thing you've said all week
McCain is closing shop in Iowa, two top staffers out today.
dang
I would have loved for us have him as the opponent.
It seems like yesterday that McCain was the nominee apparent. So much for the pundits, yet again.
Jack Reed has the most credibility of any of them with me paine on the war. I'm with Reid in forcing a vote on his Amendment.
I'm very troubled to hear that women are supporting Hillary ...did you say becuz it's a sexist thing and not becuz they think she's the best candidate?
Oh dear. Perhaps I have to change my views about women, altho polls have shown that older educated women are not backing her.
It seems like yesterday that McCain was the nominee apparent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
causes Terry McAuliffe to lose sleep, since Hillary was the other half of the match-up
60.
Phil Specht
Mon, 07/16/07
10:38 pm
Obama and Edwards will make an interesting two man race; but you might not appreciate the fact how many women resent the implication of the sexism of that and back Hillary
===============
If neither Obama nor Hillary wins, whoever does win should pick one of them as running mate. I don't think Hillary would go for anyone's running mate. She enjoys being top dog in New York too much. But I don't think Obama would have a problem with VP. He's young enough to see it as a future stepping stone.
polls have shown that older educated women are not backing her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
not true in Iowa, that is her base
68.
seashell
Mon, 07/16/07
10:56 pm
I'm very troubled to hear that women are supporting Hillary ...did you say becuz it's a sexist thing and not becuz they think she's the best candidate?
============
I was really for Hillary at one time, but aside from her obvious flaws, I worry most about her being a grab-bag of baggage for the Rovian neocons during the campaign.
Maybe I'm making that bigger than life, but she has to win the country, not just Democrats.
bbl
all Hillary has to do is get the vote of every woman who has been paid less for the same job as a man and she will be the next President
Night all from the northeast...the region of the country which the Republican party has worked SO hard to marginalize.
Wake-up!
There is no need for Webb to submit to Linsey Graham's rhetoric. Neither should any of youz guys/gals.
I tell all the young staffers I am waiting for Gore and they all understand. I love working with those young idealists. Hillary has assigned a new young woman for just our county and I will help her organize our biggest precinct next week. I take help where ever I can get it. (she will be doing party work)
we ask that they share canvassing work into the VAN and the day after the caucus they will be available to us to use for the fall
Edwards is working the same precinct with his staffer and I'd like to see them split the work and share too since we are all on the same team but that ain't gonna happen
67.
Phil Specht
Mon, 07/16/07
10:56 pm
Jack Reed has the most credibility of any of them with me paine on the war. I'm with Reid in forcing a vote on his Amendment.
===========
Any hint on how Reed feels about Biden-Gelb? Biden came out with the idea right after they visited Iraq together last year.
bbl
75. Phil, why? I've been there, but surely wouldn't be supporting her, let a lone for those reasons. If anything, she helps that with promoting the Corporate interests. Besides, she does make the same as her male counterparts.
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Next stop Orange County, CA! http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=1721...