The new paradigm in the DNC..Hawaii speech by Honda, DNC vice chair.

[madfloridian]

This is a very interesting speech by Mike Honda. Way to speak out, Mike.

http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=10309

DNC Vice Chairman Honda: Party in paradigm shift
By ILIMA LOOMIS, Staff Writer

Wednesday, July 06, 2005 12:11 PM

KAHULUI – The Democratic National Committee is trying to get back to its roots and reinvest in its local chapters, DNC Vice Chairman Mike Honda told Maui Democrats Tuesday.

...“We want to go back to our base and let you know we messed up, we took you for granted, we’re sorry and we want to connect with you again,” the California congressman told a luncheon crowd of about 175 at the Maui Beach Hotel.

For its part, the DNC is sending Democratic leaders like Honda to spread the word and gather information from local party chapters, and in Hawaii it has proposed funding four paid local staffers to help run the party.

And the role of party Chairman Howard Dean is being redefined from that of fundraiser to leader and pacesetter, said Honda, who described the party as undergoing a “paradigm shift.”

Honda, who is meeting with party chapters throughout the state, was greeted with a standing ovation and a warm reception by Maui Democrats.

The people of Hawaii have embraced Honda as one of their own, she added, with many local Democrats asking him to move to Hawaii and run for office.

As he greeted the Maui crowd, Honda said the state’s welcome was “overwhelming” and that he felt right at home.

“You cannot capture the White House without the grass roots,” he said.

Taking questions from audience members, Honda said that documents showed there was “collusion” between President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair months before the war in Iraq. Asked if Bush could be impeached for taking the country to war, Honda said more information was needed but added, “My personal opinion? Yeah.”

[aquart]

1. Hallafreakinlujah.

[madfloridian]

2. Yep. Speaking out.

Good to hear.

[Tommymac]

3. Great advice by Honda....use the Net, ignore the MSM

We all need to spread this part of his message....the latter statement would make a great bumper sticker.

"He urged party members to turn to the Internet for information and communication, saying independent online media could give minority groups a voice.

“Just because you don’t see it on the mainstream news doesn’t mean they’re not saying something,” he said."

[madfloridian]

4. Good statement.

I understand the DNC is starting to hold conferences with the online media and bloggers. Only saw one story on it, Raw Story, but I feel this may be ongoing. I hope so.

[Tommymac]

5. Yes - I hope so too.

The 'net is the grassroots Town Hall of the 21st century. It is the Town Crier. It is the Village green. The DNC has to make use of it if we are to win...and it must educate those who are ignorant how to use it effectively.

I think that we also need to somehow get net access to those who really need it ...the working class poor who can't afford a pc....they are the ones who need this info the most; they are the ones who are going to make a difference at the polls...and they are the ones most vulnerable to MSM propaganda and manipulation.

[Tommymac]

6. Kick

:kick:

[Zhade]

7. Nice. Some get it.

Kick!

[madfloridian]

8. In the light of Broder's column, I found Honda's comments interesting,

The one about the paradigm shifting. But it still only defines Dean as a "leader and pacesetter", and I don't take that to mean policy really.

Interesting discussion going on at Kos on Broder's column right now. Frankly I thought it was not a slam, but a suggestion to form a Democratic Advisory Council like they had in the 1950s to hammer out an agenda.