Open Left Report on Michigan District Conventions

by: philgoblue

Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:10:30 AM EDT

... Also, people who claim to be Obama supporters won all three slots in the 12th (I believe the Unity Slate won in the 12th and included Jennifer Miller, Rep. Fred Miller's wife and an ex-Edwards supporter -- phil). So, that makes the count 27-1, with results from the 13th and 14th CDs still unknown. However,  these are not exactly the most solid Obama delegates around, as some of them were won by old Edwards supporters, and even some people who switched from Clinton a couple months ago.

In other words, it appears that Obama has ostensibly won just about all of the 36 uncommitted delegates, perhaps only missing one delegate in the 9th because of divisions among Obama supporting groups. However, a dozen or so of the Obama delegates are weak supporters, and might actually be truly uncommitted or even backing Clinton. I'll consider it a 35-1 Obama victory for now, but that number is tentative pending future information. In truth, mistrust of some of the more machine or union oriented Obama supporters who won the uncommitted slots is probably just hard-core Obama grassroots paranoia. If someone publicly says they are for Obama, I see no reason not to trust them until they publicly declare something has changed.

Of course I came to the conclusion that little of this matters, since we aint getting seated until we have a clear nominee.

Next up are decisions by the MDP on At-Large delegates and PLEO delegates.

The speech I almost gave to the 6th District Convention.

by: Dustin Harback

Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 14:24:34 PM EDT

 We gather in Gailen, MI, to elect delegates that do not count towards the nomination of our Democratic Party's Presidential nominee.  Despite the fact, that we have been informed throughout this process that our votes will not count, our delegates will not be seated, and that our voices are and will be irrelevant, we gather here, today.  We press on, moving this process forward because, we are Democrats, because, we believe in Democracy, because, we believe in the United States of America, because, we believe that building a better community for future generations of Americans is noble work, worthy of self-sacrifice, because, we believe that we cannot stand complacent while our future is at stake, because, we will not be ignored and we will continue to voice our opinions and add to an ever growing chorus of change that is resonating throughout our nation.  In this moment in our history, as the veils of the propaganda and the policies that have led us into war, that have increased our debts, that have divided us along imaginary lines of demarcation, that have labeled and placed us into diametrically opposed ideaologies, as these veils are being lifted and exposed as fraudulent, we stand united in opposition to these policies, politics, and propaganda, forever more.

 I support the Senator from Illinios for reasons that are simple and plain.  Senator Obama represents the future, not an attempt to re-establish or continue past policies and politics.  He has studied and understands the Constitution.  He understands the global reach of our policies and our leadership.  He is an organizer.  He understands that the nations ills cannot be solved with the stroke of a pen from the oval office.  He understands that we will only find solvency to these ills when our nation unites around common goals and we realize our connectivity and responsibility to each other and the generations of Americans that will inherit this country from us.  His honesty and ability to rise above the common political traps that have been set to derail and discredit his and our ambition to restore a direct line of communication from the people to our White House, is further proof of the legitimacy of his candidacy.  We hope, We dream, We believe.  We are Americans.  I am an American and I support Senator Barack Obama.  

Third District Convention Results

by: philgoblue

Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 13:19:23 PM EDT

Clinton Delegates
Maggie Simmons (Third District Treasurer and a leading activist)
Lupe Ramos-Montigny (former Chair of KCDP, current Second Vice Chair of MDP CC)
Michael Hodge (apparently an attorney, but I'm unfamiliar with him)
Alternate: Randy Belliel (UAW)
60 voters in the Clinton Caucus (probably 1/2 of which came from UAW and MEA).

Congratulations!

All were voted in on the first ballot, except for the male Uncommitted delegate that went to the second ballot.  There, I came in a very distant second, but, I tried, and maybe they'll be other times.

Shirley Kallio spoke about defeating Supreme Court Justice Taylor, Mike Sak discussed Party uniity, Henry Sanchez discussed his run for the US House seat, etc.

Thanks to all the great Democrats that took time off from a picture-perfect day to support the Party.

(more tomorrow)

Congressional District Conventions TOMORROW (Saturday)

by: philgoblue

Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 09:58:15 AM EDT

The Congressional District Conventions which will elect our delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver will be held SATURDAY, 19 APRIL.

Only members of the Michigan Democratic Party as of 28 February 2008 may vote at the convention. All are welcome to attend -- there will likely be brief speeches by candidates for other offices. There is no end time, though it will likely be around noon.

All District Conventions begin at 10:00 am. You must be inside by 10:00 am sharp to participate, so plan to get there at 9:00-9:30 (in some districts, such as the 3rd, registration begins at 8:00 am and offers plenty of time to chat with old and new friends.

Second Congressional District Convention
West Shore Community College
3000 N Stiles Rd
Scottville, MI 49454

Third Congressional District Convention
Creston High School
1720 Plainfield Ave NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505
616-406-1572
Third District Website

Sixth Congressional District Convention
American Legion Hall
402 N Main St.
Galien, Michigan

Mark has the information on all 15 Michigan Congressional District Conventions over at MichLib.

So, set your calendars and someone will write on how these conventions work later this week.  With Uncommitted delegates at stake, this is essentially a second primary.  Now, whether these delegates will be seated remains anyone's guess, but they are going to Denver.

Congressional District Conventions POSTPONED until April 19

by: philgoblue

Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 16:55:30 PM EDT

Acknowledging that Michigan's delegate selection mess is unlikely to be resolved in the coming week, the state Democratic Party decided to postpone its congressional district conventions.

The 15 district gatherings, at which more than half of the Democratic delegates are elected to the Democratic National Convention in August, had been slated for March 29.

The state party's executive committee late Friday postponed the conventions until April 19.

Of course, if we do have a MDP-run caucus (the best idea and we don't need the OK of the candidates), those couldn't possibly be ready until around early to mid May, so these conventions may get postponed again.  Stay tuned.  Hat tip to Mark and Scotty.  

Last Days to Be Eligible to Vote in Congressional District Conventions

by: philgoblue

Mon Feb 25, 2008 at 23:49:36 PM EST

128 delegates and 15 alternates will be elected based on the results of the January 15 "Primary."
Clinton: 73 delegates -- 57% of the total delegates.
Uncommitted: 55 delegates -- 43% of the total delegates.

In order to vote at a Congressional District Convention (CDC) a person (other than precinct delegates and elected officials) must be a member of the Michigan Democratic Party at least 30 days prior to the CDC.

Thus, the membership deadline is Thursday, February 28.

So, check your MDP card and make sure that your membership will be active through 29 March.  You may start or renew your State Party membership at the website at the website (a basic membership is just $10).

You have just a few days/hours to do this, so I suggest you do it right now.

These will be serious conventions, as any Party member is eligible to vote for Uncommitted delegates and certainly supporters of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton (and supporters or John Edwards) will be trying to fill those slates with delegates committed to their candidate.  You'll also have the chance to listen to local candidates running in primaries and general elections in 2008.  Whether these "delegates" will actually be seated at the National Convention in Denver is a whole different matter, but this is the delegation that Michigan will be sending.

To run for Delegate or Alternate Delegate you must complete and submit the Declaration of Candidacy Form (pdf) to the MDP in Lansing by February 28.

The convention will be held in accordance with the MDP Delegate Selection Plan.  For more details, see the 2008 Michigan Primary Q+A information.

Here's the information I have found on West Michigan's Conventions (boy, these district parties need a website something fierce).

Second Congressional District Convention
Saturday, March 29
Registration Begins at 9:00 am (you should be registered by 9:30 am)
Convention Begins at 10:00 am

West Shore Community College
3000 Stiles Rd., Scottville
Map (just a few miles north-west of Ludington)
Info from Smike in the comments -- thanks -- has been confirmd by District Chair Joe Zainea in an email

5 Delegates: 3 Clinton, 2 Uncommitted (and 1 Alternate).
Primary Results:
Clinton 59% (16,427 votes)
Uncommitted: 37% (10,174 votes)

Third Congressional District Convention
Saturday, March 29
Registration Begins at 9:00 am (you should be registered by 9:30 am)
Convention Begins at 10:00 am

Creston High School
1720 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Map

5 Delegates: 3 Clinton, 2 Uncommitted (and 1 Alternate).
Primary Results:
Clinton 52% (14,957 votes)
Uncommitted: 44% (12,732 votes)

Sixth Congressional District Convention
Saturday, March 29
Registration Begins at 9:00 am (you should be registered by 9:30 am)
Convention Begins at 10:00 am

American Legion Post 344
402 N. Main Street, Galien, MI 49113
Map (between Niles and Michigan City just of M-12)

6th District Chair Alan Harbaugh will be giving an overview on the convention format to anyone interested at the next 6th District meeting being held on March 22nd, location to be announced (ask your local county party).

5 Delegates: 3 Clinton, 2 Uncommitted (and 1 Alternate).
Primary Results:
Clinton 56% (15,822 votes)
Uncommitted: 39% (11,031 votes)