DNC Cancels Fall Meeting

[saracat]

For Immediate Release - September 1, 2005

Contact: Alexis Tameron, Political Director - 602-298-4200 / [e-mail]

602-821-6677 (cell) for press inquires after hours



Democratic Party Events Canceled

Efforts focused on Hurricane Relief



Phoenix, AZ - The Democratic National Committee announced today that the Fall DNC meeting scheduled for September 8 - 10 has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later time TBD.



Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:



"This week our nation suffered a great tragedy when the worst natural disaster in the history of our country forever changed the lives of so many of our fellow Americans.



"It simply would not be appropriate to move ahead with the DNC meeting as planned while so many of our fellow Americans are suffering. Instead, this is a time for us to come together as one community and focus our attention on ways we can help our friends, families and fellow Americans.



"For those of us not in the gulf region, we can't even begin to fully imagine what people there are experiencing, but we can do our part to make sure the victims of this tragedy know they are not alone and that we can and we will get through this together."



The Arizona Democratic Party joined the DNC by canceling their Friday night reception and annual Volunteer Awards Dinner which was scheduled for the evening of Saturday, September 10th, 2005.



"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in the gulf region," said Harry Mitchell, the Arizona Democratic Party Chairman. "Now more than ever is a time to stand in solidarity physically, economically and spiritually with the people of New Orleans, Biloxi, Mobile and all the areas on the gulf coast so severely hit by this disaster."



Proceeds of the Arizona Democratic Party Volunteer Awards Dinner that contributors do not want refunded will be donated to hurricane relief efforts.



###

[AlCzervik]

1. Excellent! The correct thing to do.

[Carla in Ca]

10. I'd like to know if the RNC will do the same

n/t

[uppityperson]

2. Very good response.

Has a day/wk of mourning been proclaimed yet?

[Erika]

3. Isn't Cheney doing a fund raiser this week

But then his oil buddies have never done better.

[AuntiBush]

6. Cheney & Bush must "go on with their lives" you know.

And remain "balanced!"

[Rose Siding]

4. Exactly right

[Ian David]

5. Wow, the Democrats must hate America. THIS is what a REAL American does...

And according to Drudge, Condi Rice was watching Spamalot on Broadway last night.

[WhiteTara]

14. then she went shopping

bought lots of shoes.

[iamjoy]

7. I Wish Dean Were President

I never actively wished it before, but I do now.

The man has some sense, some compassion, a sense of compassion.

I don't think anyone would have done better. Kerry or Clark would have been great administrators of relief efforts, but not like this.

Edwards might have come close.

Ah well, does no good to speculate on teh might have beens.

[belle]

8. At least somebody gets it.

[genius]

9. They have could set policy to help the victims at the meeting.

The meeting is over a week from now. The Democratic Party needs to honor its own bylaws and hold meetings that make a difference on a regular basis. There has been too much history of cancelling meetings and failing to lead.

[Iowa]

11. That was my thought too...

IMHO, the best thing the DNC can do for the people devastated by this disaster (and for the rest of us) is to carry on, meet, plan, and help bury the Republican party and bring Bush and his accomplices to justice. I suspect the people would forgive the DNC for carrying on if the DNC pointed out the extreme urgency of removing the current incompetent Republican government.

[MaineDem]

13. It's just postponed

They will meet within the next few months.

[Jane Eyre]

12. The 2008 Democratic Convention should be in New Orleans

Certainly it is not the time to be doing this now, but it occurred to me today that it would send a wonderful message and stimulate the Louisiana economy if the Democrats would plan their national convention in New Orleans in 2008.

[MaineDem]

15. It's been rescheduled for Dec 1-3

Same location in Phoenix.