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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:23 PM
Original message
Please support: Call for Rep. Conyers to declare candidacy for President
Posted at DU Activist HQ:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=23663&mesg_id=23663

Specifically, I would like Skinner to request every DU Activist and the entire DU community to do three things:

1. Write to Congressman Conyers -- email, letter or fax -- and state their commitment to support him as candidate for President of the USA;

2. Write to all Democratic Members of Congress, Gov Dean, and everyone that any DU member has access and urge them to support Congressman Conyers for President;

and,

3. Urge Congressman Conyers to announce his candidacy at the Lincoln Memorial on September 24, 2005.

Thank you.



Peace.



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Tace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:26 PM
Response to Original message
1. Conyer's Got My Vote
Good-hearted man.
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Bernardo de La Paz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:26 PM
Response to Original message
2. Enough with this nonsense. A fine man, but don't sabotage 2006. Focus.
Boot Republicans out in 2006. Then and only then you can think about 2008. Prioritize, don't fantasize. Republicans are ruthless about prioritizing. The Democratic Party is the Truth Party, but the rank and file need to be able to prioritize the usefulness of power.
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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:31 PM
Response to Reply #2
6. If he declared his candidacy now, it would bring enormous leverage ...
... to the efforts of broad Congressional change in 2006.

It would bring extensive coverage to the issue that, as of this moment, no one voting in 2006 has any reason to think that their vote will be counted as intended.

And, it would likely lead to a much larger turnout in 2006.

But, beyond all of that, it might actually get us to the November 2006 elections as a reasonably stable society, and if you don't realize that that is a major issue confronting all of us, every moment of every day, then I am wasting my time responding.

Thank you for your sharing your perspective.


Peace.
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WhiteTara Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:56 PM
Response to Reply #2
13. big dog's advice...concentrate on one campaign
at a time. 2006 is next. We need the house now, very much. I don't know how many senators are up, but we need the senate back too. Then, after we have SOMETHING, let's talk about our presidential candidate. Although I revere Conyers, my thought is he is too old. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS my friend. Hope to see you in DC. :hi:
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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 12:00 AM
Response to Reply #13
14. Please see comment # 6. That's my advice, and it is about focus ...
.... focus on what we need to have happen if 2006 is going to be relevant or valid.

Thank you and I agree with 'big dog' -- it's just that my focus is on preventing a dissolution of our society and actually having a vaild election in 2006.


Peace.
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paineinthearse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 07:39 AM
Response to Reply #2
24. Everyone knows my position on 2006 polls
"bullshit, focus on 2006"

But in this case I make an exception. If Conyers were to announce today, he would have secret service protection, which he probably needs, AND it would give him greater media coverage.

Please John, announce TODAY!
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Botany Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:27 PM
Response to Original message
3. Please
John Conyers has paid his dues!

He needs a chance to put his feet up and rest. (If that is what he wants
to do.)
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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:34 PM
Response to Reply #3
8. This has nothing to do with denying him whatever just rewards he's earned.
It has to do with demonstrating to him that he has earned the support and that, of any person alive today in America, he is the most qualified and most deserved of the office of President.

Thank you for your concern for his well-being. I do not think he would be offended by my proposal, however. He's the one blogging after 10pm on a Saturday evening -- thus, it would seem, he's totally engaged and, if nothing, he deserves the recognition.


Peace.
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Kenroy Donating Member (768 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:28 PM
Response to Original message
4. I love Rep. Conyers
but he'll be 79 years old come the next election.
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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:41 PM
Response to Reply #4
9. Yes, and one of the most robust, brilliant colleagues I have ever ..
... worked was aggressively pursuing science until the week before she died, at 93. Lyman Spitzer spent the last day of his life at his lab at Princeton analyzing data from the Hubble, 50 years after he proposed an orbiting detector system -- he was 83.

Congressman Conyers is blogging on an important issue after 10pm EDT on a Saturday evening. I don't care if he's 100 when he wins the Presidency in 2008 -- he's got what it takes and he keeps on delivering when war criminals like Bush are going to bed while countless numbers of our fellow citizens are about to drown or are already drowning.

I understand your concern, but I think I'll leave it to the Congressman to say what he can and can't do. All I want is for him to know that he very much deserves to be President and that we are ready to help him make that happen.

Peace.
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Kenroy Donating Member (768 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 12:36 AM
Response to Reply #9
16. It's not about the Congressman
it's about the voters. I don't they would elect a 79 year old man.
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never_get_over_it Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 07:41 PM
Response to Reply #16
30. Is he 79 years old
Edited on Sun Sep-18-05 07:50 PM by never_get_over_it
oh my god - ok so I'm a white woman about to make a pretty racist statement - damn black folks hold their age way better than we do!!! lol - I had a neighbor - a black woman - who had kids in colleger and I swear the woman looked 18 - I always gave her a hard time about it - my jealousy of course!


Edited to say looked it up found birth date May 16, 1929 - which makes him 76 damn he looks fabulous!
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Nothing Without Hope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 01:08 AM
Response to Reply #9
18. Exactly - this is an expression of support for Conyers.
I doubt he'll run. He has his family and he is very deeply involved in the concerns of his constituents in MI while he is also fighting all hours of the day to save democracy for all of us.

If he runs, more people will hear what he has to say. He will turn some heads because he's a real star, a hard-working, insightful man of the people with integrity shining out his eyes. The country is so hungry for that.

I expect he will also point out that his age is a factor.

But asking him, in a way that won't put pressure on him to act against his own interests, is an expression of support and he deserves all of that.

And there's nothing wrong with fantasizing of how wonderful it would be for all of the country, all of the world, to have a President Conyers.
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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:30 PM
Response to Original message
5. recommended and KICKED
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Nothing Without Hope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:32 PM
Response to Original message
7. Recommended with enthusiasm. For some time now he has been my
dream candidate. The very best of America. Can you imagine a Conyers/Clark or Conyers/Kucinich ticket?

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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:42 PM
Response to Reply #7
10. Mine, as well. And, just imagine ...
... Conyers/Boxer, as well!!


Peace.
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Nothing Without Hope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 12:02 AM
Response to Reply #10
15. Oh, I have, I have!
Peace

and good night, UL. I'm going to try to sleep during the night for the first time since the night before the hurricane. If there were a DU smiley for crossing my fingers, I'd use it.

http://www.pacificvillage.org.nyud.net:8090/villagevoices/int4/Dalai_Lama.jpg
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Fire Walk With Me Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:48 PM
Response to Original message
11. Recommended and kicked
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AverageJoe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Sep-17-05 11:48 PM
Response to Original message
12. Kicked and recommended
He'd have my vote in a heartbeat.
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New Earth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 12:39 AM
Response to Original message
17. i'd vote for him if he ran
of course i'd vote for a Democrat over any Republican, but i'd support him running. he has been like the strongest voice on this side, against the Bush adminstration, the election fraud, everything. he is awesome :bounce:
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stevietheman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 01:11 AM
Response to Original message
19. All candidates should wait until the next Cong. election is OVER. n/t
n/t
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DemReadingDU Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 07:04 AM
Response to Original message
20. Nominated, #5!
Rep Conyers is my hero, he stands for truth, justice and the American Way. He'd get my vote.
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MelissaB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 07:15 AM
Response to Original message
21. Conyers is my dream candidate.
He does more right now than most people even think about doing. I don't see how he keeps all of his projects straight. I'm in because the man amazes me. :hi:
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Twist_U_Up Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 07:17 AM
Response to Original message
22. Clark/Conyers 08 !!!!!!!!!
Then after they win.....
Dean SOS
Kerry DOD
yep in a perfect world
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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 07:19 PM
Response to Reply #22
29. I think Gen Clark would be an outstanding VP running mate with Rep Conyers
I also think Senator Boxer would be exceptional. Very much like your ideas for State and Defense. And, imagine Congresswoman Woolsey as AG.


Peace.
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paineinthearse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 07:36 AM
Response to Original message
23. John who?
Thank you for starting this poll, but judging from the response to the daily Conyers posts (many get zero), I think many here do not know who the man is.
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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 09:38 AM
Response to Original message
25. Some very supportive statements at the post in DU Activist HQ:
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KittyWampus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 09:44 AM
Response to Original message
26. Conyers Is NOT Suited For The Presidency. That's A Compliment, BTW
Being a House member is no less influential or important than being POTUS. In many regards it is MORE important to a functioning Democracy.

Conyers is where his prodigious talents finds him now, in Congress fighting for our Rights and our Democracy.

The man is a deliberate, slow speaker. Methodical. He would perish in a modern presidential race.

Frankly, this call for him to run for Presidency would benefit those who want him OUT OF CONGRESS.




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Peace Patriot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 10:42 AM
Response to Original message
27. Yes, yes, yes! Think about this: A Conyers/Clarke, or Conyers/Boxer...
...ticket, with the prez and vp candidates working closely together (more so than usual), and open acknowledgment by all of the age issue. Wisdom and youth join forces. In a sense, TWO presidents being elected. Not so much focus on the prez as a monarch, but presidency as a TEAM. And it's about time the oldsters among us got some respect, too. Wisdom, experience, first-hand knowledge of the past events that shaped the current scene, the longer view, the greater perspective, aware of WHAT REALLY MATTERS in this life, much to teach us.

Or...and here is an even more unusual idea (than having a wise older person as president): A Conyers candidacy IN SEARCH of the youngster who will take on his mantle of truly representing the progressive MAJORITY in this country, and speaking the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help him God.

He tells it. He speaks. He raises funds for a progressive candidacy. He anoints the prez and vp candidates whom he thinks best represent the disempowered and DISENFRANCHISED majority.

This would also give him the OPTION of running himself, if he decided to.

I sincerely doubt that he has ambitions to be president, but leading a progressive movement to find and nominate the best candidate, and to get that movement off the ground now--which could bring good energy and focus to the '06 elections--might interest him.

(--and it could be that the right prez candidate is not even in office at the moment, but is running in '06; it could even be someone who has never held public office before. Paul Hackett comes to mind, although...ahem...he's probably too YOUNG!)

---------

And I have to say this, because IT IS SO VERY IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW:

Currently, two Bushite corporations (Diebold and ES&S) do the "tabulation" of 80% of the nation's vote using SECRET, PROPRIETARY programming code--and, in one third of the country, there is not even a measly "paper trail" for recounts and audits, and, in the rest of the country, miserable auditing and recount requirements.

In short, we do not really HAVE a democracy at the moment. And we MUST change this, if we want to get our country back. We must demand and get TRANSPARENT, VERIFIABLE elections!

We need...

Paper ballots hand-counted at the precinct level (--Canada does it in one day, although speed should not even be a consideration, just accuracy and verifiability)

or, at the least...

Paper ballot (not "paper trail") backup of all electronic voting, a 10% automatic recount, very strict security, and NO SECRET, PROPRIETARY programming code! (...jeez!).

----------

The only venues where this reform is still doable are the state/local jurisdictions, where power over election systems still resides, and where ordinary people still have some influence.

It's a difficult, long term project, but it MUST BE DONE.

Although the BIPARTISAN corruption that exists at the state/local level, with regard to the new electronic voting boondoggle, and the SILENCE of the Democratic leadership on this matter, are daunting obstacles to election system reform, such reform is STILL POSSIBLE at the state/local level and is NOT POSSIBLE at the federal level. (That's how bad things are!)

We must get such reform ASAP wherever possible, and CRY FOUL on every election--including the PRIMARIES--that is not TRANSPARENT and VERIFIABLE. And sue their asses. And protest. And raise a helluva stink. And, if we have to, throw their goddamned election theft machines into 'Boston Harbor' (--or a Louisiana levee!).

Because it won't matter how much money we raise in small donations, or how much we blow the Bush Republicans away in new voter registration--as we did in 2004--if we can't SEE how our votes are counted!

'nuff said. PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING AND CALL FOR ACTION!

-------

Exit polls:

We need INDEPENDENT exit polls in the 2006 and 2008 elections (and forevermore, in this country). On Nov. 2, 2004, the TV networks, acting in concert, DOCTORED their exit poll data (Kerry won) to "fit" the "official result" derived from Diebold's and ES&S's secret formulae (Bush won)--thus depriving the American people of major evidence of election fraud, and squelching protests and calls for investigation.

This must not happen again.

The DNC--or SOMEBODY--MUST FUND independent exit polls in '06. There is not enough time to get these !@#$%'s (Diebold, ES&S and a few others) out of our election system. We absolutely must arrange independent verification. (UScountvotes is working on an independent verification process, but they don't yet have the funding to conduct the comprehensive fraud checks that need to be done.) (See uscountvotes.org.) (--well worth reading their front page, to see what we're up against).






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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Sep-18-05 05:23 PM
Response to Original message
28. My letter to Congressman Conyers
Dear Congressman Conyers,

I am asking you to declare your candidacy for President of the United States of America.

I am asking you to do it on September 24, 2005.

Why?

Because you have proven yourself the leader "We The People ...." need.

The short-term consequence of your declaring your candidacy now is the intense focus that can be brought to the fact that We The People have no reason to trust that we will have a valid Congressional election in 2006.

Because of your wisdom and expertise on the matters of voter suppression and vote manipulation (via proprietary software in voting machines and central tabulation systems) you can bring much attention, in every precinct, county and state to ensure that by November, 2006, each eligible voter has equivalent access to cast their ballot and full confidence that their vote will be tallied as they intend.

Because of your wisdom and expertise in the matters of how the Bush government deceived Americans and the world in launching an un-Constitutional and otherwise illegal war of aggression on Iraq, your announcing your candidacy now could expand awareness of these facts to all Americans.

Because of your wisdom and passion for America, you would energize all those who now have no sense of hope that America can be restored to the status of a just Nation, a beacon of inspiration.

Because of your extraordinary record of serving the people, not the corporations, you would catalyze productive dialogue and give every Democratic candidate the opportunity to espouse an agenda that places the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the needs of the poor and oppressed, the need for fiscal sanity and sound education and communications infrastructure and the environment at the forefront of their Congressional campaigns in 2006 and in Presidential campaign of 2008.

Please call upon all Democratic Members of Congress, on Howard Dean and President Clinton and Gore, on reasonable and patriotic Republicans and all others to join in supporting your campaign and invite them to be with you on September 24, 2005 when you elevate a statement against the horrific, catastrophic Bush occupation of Iraq into a statement for the future of America -- a statement that "We The People..." have begun to shape a future of hope, of respect for one another and for our Constitution.

You have been the beacon, you have been the hope and the inspiration, you have spoken truth to illegitimate power - already. Please now do so from the position of candidate for President of the United States and just watch how many millions of Americans you will mobilize to do good and avoid the chaos and despair that are quickly consuming the Nation.

Thank you for your exceptional leadership.

Peace,

Some evidence of support:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=23663&mesg_id=23695
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