Sebelius for Sec. HHS sends Dr. Howard Dean to Democracy for America

With President Obama’s nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to head the Department of Health and Human Services … Dr. Howard Dean was left with a decision on how to continue his public service … waiting for him was the organization he founded before he became Chairman of the Democratic National Committee … here’s his email announcement: 

It is hard to believe it’s been five years since we started Democracy for America. When my campaign for President ended in 2004, the political pundits and talking heads said our movement was over. They said you’d give up, you’d walk away, and politics would never hear from you again. They got it wrong. Five years later, DFA is stronger than ever. We started with a solid 300,000 members. Today, we boast over a million. We started our support for progressive candidates with the original Dean Dozen. Today, you’ve elected over 575 DFA-endorsed candidates to all levels of office, including our first Dean Dozen candidate Barack Obama and his campaign for U.S. Senate. We’ve done a lot in five years, and we’re just getting started. Stand with me again and deliver DFA the resources to win for another 50. CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE NOW Four years ago, thanks to your hard work, I was elected Chair of the Democratic National Committee. We continued to work together to reform the Democratic Party and fight for votes in all 50 States. Thanks to you I had the grassroots support needed to get the job done. When we launched DFA, a core mission of mine was to train a new generation of citizen activists. Five years later, the DFA Campaign Academy and Night School have trained almost 20,000 activists and candidates nationwide in the skills to win and the results will pay off for years to come. The DFA Community has held over 50,000 events from Juneau, Alaska to Wichita, Kansas, from Los Angeles to New York. Whether you participated in a candlelight vigil to end the war, delivered Social Security success stories to wavering members of Congress, or got together for a movie and phone banking night, your activism has changed the way Washington does business. They know we’re watching. And they know we aren’t going away. That’s why I’m returning to DFA and I have to admit, it’ll be nice to work out of my old office in Burlington. I’ll also be hitting the road with you, stumping for grassroots candidates and advocating for the issues that matter most to you and me. For one, I think you know that healthcare for all is an important issue to me. I look forward to working with you to pass meaningful reform that makes sure that every American has the care they need. To do all this and more, I need your help today. Let’s come together and make sure DFA has all the resources we need to accomplish another 50 years of victories. CELEBRATE 5 YEARS OF SUCCESS BY POWERING DFA FOR THE NEXT 50: CONTRIBUTE $50 TODAY Thank you, Shawn, for everything you do. -Howard Governor Howard Dean, MD Founder, Democracy for America

President Obama Asks Us To “Get In The Game”

I admit to loving the game of basketball almost as much as golf … and like President Obama I learned many important lessons on and off the basketball court … as a player, coach, and fan … this year I missed seeing the NBA All-Star Game and his short video ad that aired during half-time … I encourage you to watch it and share the message with others …

One Step Toward Our Nation’s Economic Recovery

Like many people across our country I am pleased every real Democratic member of Congress (and three Republican Senators) passed “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” that President Obama signed into law … Americans United for Change has put out the following to say “thank you” and encourages you to do the same …

Note: Every Democratic Member of Virginia’s Congressional delegation voted “YES” … every GOP member voted “NO” … I encourage you again to call your members of Congress and thank them for supporting this important legislation (or let them know you are unhappy with their vote) … Senate switchboard: 202-224-3121 … House switchboard: 202-225-3121 …

Managers of Virginia Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Offer Post JJ Coverage

After the Democratic Party of Virginia’s annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner each of the three gubernatorial campaign managers sent out followup emails … here is a quick look at a part of what they offered … (in the order they arrived in my inbox)  … if you’re so inclined click on the link next to each campaign website, sign up, and get your inbox filled with emails …     
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Brian Moran’s manager, Mame Reiley “It was a terrific speech, and the thousands of party leaders there responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, and support. Brian is going to stick to his guns and fight for this nomination just like he has always fought for the people of Virginia.”  Click here for Brian’s website
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Creigh Deeds manager, Joe Abbey: “On Saturday night, Senator Deeds spoke to over 3,000 Virginia Democrats and elected officials, and made it clear who he is fighting for. If you want a nominee who will take on that corporate greed, if you want a candidate who believes we can solve things with cooperation not confrontation, if you want a nominee who is on the side of the middle class, then join our cause. ”   Click here for Creigh’s website  
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Terry McAuliffe’s manager Mike Henry: “The JJ also marked the formal kickoff of our grassroots operation. We trained nearly four hundred supporters to organize on Terry’s behalf – including many who volunteered their time and energy to help Barack Obama carry the Commonwealth in this past year’s Presidential Election.”   Click here for Terry’s website
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DPVA’s 2009 Jefferson Jackson Media Coverage

Democrats like those in the picture above were in evidence all over the Greater Richmond Convention Center during the Democratic Party of Virginia’s annual Jefferson Jackson dinner … what follows are links to media coverage I think deserves your consideration … click through to check out what’s being talked about all over Virginia as Democrats came together to celebrate our victories and look forward to more gains in 2009

Vivian Paige shares her thoughts in a JJ Wrapup

Virginia Tomorrow 

What is right for Virginia

Left of the Hill

VB Dems

MSNBC’s First Read

Washington Post’s Blog Coverage   note: Tim Craig and Anita Kumar were in attendance 

CNN Politics

Live Blogging of the Jefferson Jackson Dinner

Be sure to check out the folks at Blue Commonwealth … they’ve got three folks working hard to bring Democrats live coverage … one doing pictures, another words and another postings …
… I’ll be adding my live coverage below in comments

Progressive Democrats of America Webcasting Grassroots Leadership Conference

We’re webcasting… the Grassroots Leadership Conference!

Despite the Arctic cold, the Annual Leadership Conference is finally underway in Washington, D.C.!  But, it’s not dampening our excitement for the days ahead.  We’ll be filling you in on the activities in D.C. you’ll be missing, so check the website for updates.

Be sure to tune into pdamerica.org to watch the webcast—we’re broadcasting the entire conference live from the University of the District of Columbia—don’t miss it! 

Obama-Biden Transition Team Opens Citizen’s Briefing Book

We wanted to tell you about a new feature on Change.gov which lets you bring your ideas directly to the President.  It’s called the Citizen’s Briefing Book, and it’s an online forum where you can share your ideas, and rate or offer comments on the ideas of others.  The best-rated ones will rise to the top, and after the Inauguration, we’ll print them out and gather them into a binder like the ones the President receives every day from experts and advisors. If you participate, your idea could be included in the Citizen’s Briefing Book to be delivered to President Obama.  Visit the Citizen’s Briefing Book now and share your ideas:  Throughout this Transition, a truly inspiring number of citizens have gotten involved. We hope that you remain involved through the Inauguration and beyond. Thank you,  Valerie Valerie Jarrett, Co-Chair       Obama-Biden Transition Project

DCCC Chairman Steps Up To Thank Grassroots and Netroots for 2008 Success

Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Chris Van Hollen has stepped up with this video to say thanks to all the support Democratic Congressional candidates received from the grassroots and netroots during the 2008 election cycle.  He’s correct when he says YOU were the driving forces for success. 

Here in Virginia YOU helped make history and THREE U.S. House seats moved from Republican to Democratic. Glenn Nye in the 2nd, Tom Perriello in the 5th, and Gerry Connolly in the 11th all got major support from the netroots and grassroots communities during their victorious campaigns.

NOTE:  The Democratic Party picked up a total of 24 U.S. House seats “… the first time in history a party has won a wave election to take the Majority and followed it with another wave of pick-ups.”

Tuesday Is Special Election Day In Fredericksburg – Get Out and Vote for LaBravia Jenkins for Commonwealth’s Attorney

As many of you know I have strongly endorsed LaBravia Jenkins in the special election being held December 16th.

I encourage Fredericksburg area voters to get informed and then take time Tuesday to go to the polls and V O T E !

The following are from numerous emails I received in support of LaBravia:
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Well Gang,

For whatever it is worth to you, tonight I met Labravia Jenkins. I like the way she handles herself.

She is a law school graduate from George Mason. She is the acting Fredericksburg Commonwealth Attorney. She mentioned that the 5 assistant attorneys in her office are all young (20’s). She is originally from Illinois and has lived in our area 20 years.

She believes that the punishment should fit both the crime and the person charged in order to be effective. I agree with her. She feels that the 8 years under Mr. Sharp (currently a judge) as his assistant have prepared her well. She has 13 years in the Fredericksburg area as a prosecutor. She was the Public Defender in Fredericksburg for 3 years.

This variety (neither Olsen nor Hicks) and level of experience (not Hicks) makes her my choice.

Cheers, Ron

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I agree, Ron. I know Labravia; she knows this job, and has been doing it well. Let the incumbent win. Why should someone else win, when she has been doing it so well herself.

Cheers, George

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FWIW, I agree she is the best choice. Having worked in private practice for 8 years, I don’t think Hicks has the experience needed and I have heard of Olsen prosecuting a case that made me question his use of the prosecutor’s discretion.

Phil

and be sure to check out additional coverage over at Fred2Blue